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Press Release

Terumo BCT’s Mirasol® Pathogen Reduction Technology (PRT) System Demonstrates Reduced Risk of Transfusion Transmission of MERS-CoV, a strain of Coronavirus

2/5/2020
Safeguarding an adequate, safe and sustainable blood supply

LAKEWOOD, Colo., USA – The emergence of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or COVID-19) underlines the continued diligence to safeguard the safety and availability of the blood supply. Voices across the transfusion medicine industry are sharing their commitment to work together to face this emerging pathogen threat and uncover potentially effective solutions. Terumo BCT is one of those voices.

Mirasol1 was developed to provide an added layer of protection to help prevent the transmission of existing and emerging pathogens, such as MERS-CoV, through the transfusion of human blood products.

A study published in the journal Transfusion2 demonstrated that treatment with Mirasol was effective against a related coronavirus, MERS-CoV (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome). Laboratory tests demonstrated that the infectivity of the virus was reduced by 99.99% after the treatment. The study concluded that riboflavin and UV light effectively reduced the titer of MERS-CoV in human plasma products to below the limit of detection, suggesting that the treatment process may reduce the risk of transfusion transmission of MERS-CoV. 

"Terumo BCT has a responsibility to deliver high-quality devices that help clinicians provide the best possible care. Because of our inherent belief in the efficacy of our blood management products and our dedication to advancing blood safety and patient outcomes worldwide, we are committed to partnering with national and global organizations — including blood centers and hospitals — to support an adequate, safe and sustainable blood supply."

                                                                                                     -Susanne Marschner, Director, Global Scientific Affairs


About Mirasol
Using riboflavin (vitamin B2) and ultraviolet light, Mirasol is designed to reduce the pathogen load of various disease-causing agents such as viruses, parasites and bacteria in blood products before they are transfused to patients. Mirasol also inactivates white blood cells to help reduce certain transfusion reactions.

Mirasol is CE marked for platelets, plasma and whole blood and is in routine use in more than 20 countries in select markets throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. The system is for investigational use only in the U.S. and Canada.

About Terumo BCT 
Terumo BCT, a global leader in blood component, therapeutic apheresis and cellular therapy technologies, is the only company with the unique combination of apheresis collections, manual and automated whole blood processing, and pathogen reduction technologies. We believe in the potential of blood to do even more for patients than it does today. This belief inspires our innovation and strengthens our collaboration with customers.


1Product availability varies by country.

2Keil SD, Bowen R, Marschner S. Inactivation of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) in plasma products using a riboflavin‐based and ultraviolet light‐based photochemical treatment. Transfusion. 2016;56:2948-2952. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/trf.13860

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