Canada clears Intercept blood pathogen inactivator:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Baxter and Cerus have gained Canadian market approval for what they claim is the first pathogen inactivation system approved in the country for use with platelets intended for transfusion. The Intercept blood system, which was recently approved in Europe (see Clinica No 1029, p 25), is cleared in Canada for use with platelets prepared using the buffy coat method, says Cerus. The firm notes that though Canada currently uses the platelet rich plasma and single donor platelet collection methods, the Canadian Blood Services and Hema Quebec are evaluating the possibility of implementing the buffy coat method. The firms plan to apply in early 2003 for permission to use their system with single-donor platelets.