Prion filter for red cells

Scientists at biopharm firm Pathogen Removal and Diagnostic Technologies Inc* (PRDT) recently confirmed their identification of lead ligands capable of specifically targeting certain 'challenging' viruses.

PRDT has also reported that its prion removal ligands - successful in recent preliminary studies - are the only products that specifically address the selective adsorption of infectious prion proteins.
Now, with the American Red Cross, PRDT has announced a strategic alliance with MacoPharma, which distributes blood collection bag sets, to market and further develop products for the selective adsorption of prions and viruses from blood and blood-derived products. PRDT said this product line extension might ultimately target viruses by on-site filtration of donor blood supplies in blood transfusion centres, to reduce potential transmission risk of various viruses, e.g. West Nile virus and Hepatitis C (flavivirus and parvovirus families).

Over 40 million blood units are collected annually, so such filters would find a significant market. The American Red Cross alone collects over six million units a year, to supply around 3,000 hospitals across the States, via its 36 Blood Services regions.

The European launch of first commercially available prion filter for red blood cells is expected next year.

* PRDT is a joint venture of Canada-based ProMetic Life Sciences Inc.

01.07.2004

Related articles

Photo

News •

German Cancer Research Center to broaden strategic alliance with Bayer HealthCare

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Bayer HealthCare (Bayer) will extend their successful strategic research alliance in search of novel cancer therapeutics by focusing their activities also…

Article •

European Parliament to Investigate WHO and "Pandemic" Scandal

The Council of Europe member states will launch an inquiry in January 2010 on the influence of the pharmaceutical companies on the global swine flu campaign, focusing especially on extent of the…

Photo

Article •

Influenza

As concern over the potential mutation of the latest form of influenza virus continues to vex governments and their healthcare organisations, WHO 2009 data has shown that acute respiratory…

Related products

Subscribe to Newsletter