On April 25, 2022 Cerus Corporation (Nasdaq: CERS) reported that it has signed a five-year contract with the American Red Cross for the INTERCEPT Blood System for Platelets (Press release, Cerus, APR 25, 2022, View Source [SID1234612900]).

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Under the terms of this contract, Cerus will continue to supply the Red Cross the INTERCEPT Blood System used to produce pathogen reduced platelets, in support of the Red Cross goal to transition toward a full pathogen reduced platelet supply for its hospital customers across the U.S.

"The Red Cross is a global leader in transfusion medicine, with a track record of establishing blood safety protocols that have provided a blueprint for many blood centers globally. Cerus is proud of our long history of collaborating with the Red Cross, as they have played a critical role in the deployment of the INTERCEPT Blood System to safeguard the U.S. blood supply," stated William "Obi" Greenman, Cerus’ president and chief executive officer. "Thanks to their leadership and commitment to blood safety, the Red Cross is now the largest producer of INTERCEPT treated blood components in the world. Our partnership has made thousands of INTERCEPT treated platelets available for patients across the country each day, and we are excited to extend this relationship and continue advancing the INTERCEPT Blood System."

Supplying about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross is the largest provider of blood products in the United States, collecting more than 4.6 million blood donations and 1 million platelet donations for its approximately 2,500 hospital and transfusion center customers in 2021.1

"The safety and sustainability of the blood supply is of paramount importance for us, as well as for the hospitals, physicians and patients who we serve," said Chris Hrouda, president, Biomedical Services at American Red Cross. "INTERCEPT treated platelets meet the FDA’s bacterial safety requirements and also protect patients against a broad spectrum of transfusion-transmitted infections caused by known and unknown pathogens. The Red Cross remains committed to finding proactive ways to ensure the safety and availability of the blood supply."