Next Phase in Pathogen Reduction Technologies Development for the Treatment of Whole Blood
LAKEWOOD, Colo.—September 9, 2009— CaridianBCT, a leading global provider of technology, products and services in automated blood collections, therapeutic apheresis and cell therapy systems, whole blood processes and pathogen reduction technologies, has announced it has been awarded a $5.6 million grant from the US Department of Defense (DoD) Deployment Related Medical Research Program (DRMRP). Previously announced as the grant recipient, CaridianBCT will receive funding from the DRMRP to allow for the next phase of development for the Mirasol® Pathogen Reduction Technology (PRT) System, designed with the goal of improving the safety of whole blood for transfusions in trauma cases.
“We are pleased to support CaridianBCT in their ground-breaking work to make whole blood safer,” said Navy Captain E. Melissa Kaime, Director of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, DoD. “It is a top priority for the DoD to ensure the safety of blood products used in transfusions for our military personnel injured in combat. The development of a transportable system to treat whole blood and reduce the risks associated with blood-borne pathogens and donor white cells has the potential to protect the lives of soldiers fighting for our country.”
The Mirasol PRT system is a proprietary technology that uses riboflavin and UV light to reduce the levels of infectious pathogens and inactivate white cells from collected blood, improving the safety of transfused blood. The award will allow for the next phase in development to evaluate the treatment of whole blood—which is based on the same technology of treating platelets and plasma products in the Mirasol PRT system (currently CE Marked and available for commercial use in Europe, the Middle East and Africa). The Mirasol PRT system is not available for sale in the US.
“US Army Surgeons have found that using fresh whole blood demonstrates a significant advantage and outcome for soldiers receiving medical care,” said David Perez, president and chief executive officer of CaridianBCT. “This innovative technology has the potential to introduce a new standard of care for both military and civilian surgeons and transfusion medicine specialists seeking to support patients with traumatic blood loss. We look forward to continuing our work with the DoD to achieve our mission of improving the safety of the world’s blood supply.”
About the Mirasol PRT Process
The Mirasol PRT system has been under extensive scientific research, development and testing since 1999 and has been evaluated for its effectiveness against a broad range of disease-causing agents including viruses, bacteria, parasites and white blood cells. CaridianBCT received a CE Mark for treating fresh frozen plasma and platelets suspended in platelet additive solutions in 2008, and received a CE Mark for treating platelets suspended in plasma in 2007. The Mirasol PRT system is available for sale in countries where the CE mark is accepted. It is not currently available for sale in the United States.
The Mirasol PRT system is a new technology based on ultraviolet (UV) light and riboflavin (vitamin B2) that has the potential to reduce infectious pathogens and inactivate white cells in all three major blood components: platelets, plasma, and red blood cells derived from whole blood . A unique feature of the Mirasol PRT system is its use of riboflavin, a compound that has been shown to be non-toxic and non-mutagenic. The residual riboflavin and any photoproducts produced during the process do not present any hazardous risks to the blood handler or patient, eliminating the need to remove it from the blood product prior to transfusion.
About CaridianBCT:
CaridianBCT is the leading global provider of innovative technologies and services specializing in automated blood collections, therapeutic apheresis and cell therapy systems, whole blood processes and pathogen reduction technologies. The company serves patients through its commitment to better blood and better lives by developing and commercializing products that serve global customers in the blood banking, therapeutic apheresis and transfusion medicine industries. For more information, visit http://www.caridianbct.com/.
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Contact:
Lisa Hayes, Vice President of Global Marketing and Corporate Communications
Phone: +1 303.231.4201
press@caridianbct.com