Cerus Corporation has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the manufacture of its INTERCEPT plasma kit with a new, alternative plastic disposable kit.

The INTERCEPT Blood System for plasma is designed to reduce the presence of pathogens in plasma components. It has demonstrated robust inactivation of several members of the coronavirus family, including SARS-1 COV and MERS CoV.

The conversion of the kits to disposable is part of Cerus’s ongoing strategy to enhance the integrity of its global supply chain.

Cerus president and CEO William Greenman said: “The approval is important given the renewed interest in convalescent plasma as a promising treatment for those afflicted with Covid-19.”

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