US Department of Defense Names CaridianBCT in Global Medical Research Competition
Funding to be Awarded for Next Phase in Treatment of Whole Blood
LAKEWOOD, Colo.—March 31, 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 that the US Department of Defense (DOD) Deployment Related Medical Research Program (DRMRP) has named CaridianBCT Biotechnologies, LLC as a grant recipient to fund development work for the next phase of the Mirasol® Pathogen Reduction Technology (PRT) System to improve the safety of whole blood for transfusions in trauma cases.
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 DOD has funded CaridianBCT in previous studies to evaluate blood components (platelets and plasma) after treatment using the Mirasol PRT system. This grant will allow for the next phase in development to evaluate the treatment of whole blood. The process is based on the same technology of treating platelets and plasma products in the Mirasol PRT system which is currently CE Marked and available for commercial use in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Mirasol PRT system is currently not available for sale in the US.
“We have enjoyed a relationship with the DOD for over four years and are honored to have been selected to continue working together to achieve our mission of improving the safety of the world’s blood supply,” said David Perez, president and chief executive officer for CaridianBCT. “The support of the DOD will allow us to develop and test the industry’s first transportable pathogen reduction technology system. With this new technology, military medical personnel will have a better chance to help save the lives of soldiers in the field.”
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.
A unique feature of Mirasol 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:
Tarra Ryerson, Manager of Global Corporate Communications
Mobile: +1 303.205.2561
press@caridianbct.com