Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ:CERS) has entered into an agreement with Banco de Sangre, in Puerto Rico, for the sale of INTERCEPT blood system. The product is expected to help protect the blood supply, through the preservation of platelets and plasma. The move comes at a time, when the outbreak of Zika virus has been threatening the country’s population. Cerus is also expected to release its 4Q2015 results on March 8, after markets close. The conference call would update the attendees on the financial health of the company and a general overview of business activities.
Banco de Sangre is the largest blood bank in the country. The CEO of Banco de Sangre, Jose O. Alsina, identified that Puerto Rico relies heavily on the donation network for its blood supply. INTERCEPT would allow the bank to continue providing safe and virus free blood to the patients.
William Greenman, the CEO of Cerus, stated that his company has successfully implemented the technology during previous outbreaks, in a cost effective manner. He further stated that his company would help the bank ensure that it is able to provide pathogen reduced blood to hospitals. He also expressed his confidence in meeting the FDA and WHO guidelines, through this technology, against the Zika virus.
The INTERCEPT system is designed, so as to block the replication process of viruses and bacteria, thereby reducing the risk of disease. However, it is developed on the assumption that plasma and platelets do not contain active RNA and DNA.
Added to the recent deal and the awaited financial results from the company, William Greenman is also expected to present at the 36th Annual Cowen and Company Annual Healthcare conference. The conference is scheduled to be held on March 9, but the details of the presentation are yet to surface.
Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ:CERS) closed at a share price of $5.65 at the end of the March 3 session. The stock had a trade volume of 2.45 million and gained 7.41% during the session.
