Cerus announces publication of new recommendation from German advisory committee

Cerus (CERS) announced the publication of a new recommendation from the German National Blood Advisory Committee, which recommends proactive measures, including pathogen inactivation such as Intercept, as core measures to enhance the safety of platelet transfusions. AK Blut is an expert committee that advises the German federal authorities on the safety of blood, blood products, and cells for transfusion. The report, Enhancing the Bacteriological Safety of Platelet Concentrates, highlights that while existing safeguards have reduced the risk of transfusion-transmitted bacterial infections, a significant residual threat remains. Passive surveillance data suggests about 5 clinical cases of TTBI per million platelet transfusions, but active screening studies suggest that up to 1,300 units of platelet components per million are contaminated. Pathogen inactivation, such as with Cerus’ Intercept Blood System for Platelets, directly addresses this challenge by proactively reducing a broad range of bacteria, viruses, and parasites within platelet units. Unlike sample-based testing methods, AK Blut states that PI eliminates the risk of false negatives, and is already widely adopted in countries such as France, Belgium, and Switzerland, where it has significantly reduced transfusion-related sepsis. According to the recommendation, the AK Blut concludes that: platelet units should be treated with pathogen inactivation or a validated bacterial screening test. PI-treated platelets be considered microbiologically safe for up to seven days following collection, with the functionality checked over the storage period. Untreated platelets, without bacterial testing, can be transfused for up to three days. Adjusting reimbursement rates for PI-treated platelets to cover blood center costs related to treating platelets with pathogen inactivation.