Cerus and German Red Cross collaborate in red blood cell system
development
28 September 2008
Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ: CERS) and the German Red Cross in the
Baden-Württemberg–Hessen region (DRK Frankfurt) have agreed to
collaborate in the development of Cerus' Intercept blood system for red
blood cells.
DRK Frankfurt will invest expertise and personnel in support of
commercial system design, commercial system validation, and activities
directed toward German regulatory approval. In return, the agreement
provides for DRK Frankfurt to receive royalties on potential sales of
the Intercept red blood cell system in Europe.
The collaboration will provide Cerus with direct access to DRK
Frankfurt’s scientific and operational expertise in relevant areas. The
contract commits resources from DRK Frankfurt to support the development
of the commercial product and design of a system compatible with blood
processing procedures in Europe.
Under the agreement, the two organizations will also work together on
planning for Phase 3 and Phase 4 clinical trials of the red blood cell
system in Europe.
“Cerus is pleased that the largest region of the German Red Cross is
committed to developing the Intercept red blood cell system,” said Claes
Glassell, president and CEO of Cerus Corporation. “This collaboration
reflects DRK Frankfurt’s recognition of the importance of pathogen
inactivation and the merits of the Intercept Blood System. The
collaboration will help guide the development of the Intercept red blood
cell system to meet the operational and validation requirements in large
blood centres.”
The DRK Frankfurt collects and processes 1.2 million units of red
blood cells annually and has a research group that has conducted
translational research in transfusion medicine for many years.