(Reuters) — The FDA yesterday approved a device developed by Cerus Corp. (NSDQ: CERS) to reduce the risk of infections in blood plasma transmitted during transfusions, such as HIV, hepatitis and West Nile virus, sending company shares up 25%.
The Intercept blood system for plasma uses ultraviolet light and a chemical called amotosalen that inactivates viral pathogens in the blood. The plasma is then purified to remove the chemical and its byproducts.
Although the Intercept Blood System for plasma has been shown to be effective in reducing a broad range of viral and bacterial pathogens that may be transmitted through transfusions, there is no inactivation process that has been shown to eliminate all pathogens, the FDA said.
Cerus shares rose to $5.99 in after-hours trading yesterday from a $4.78 close. The stock was trading at $5.53 per share as of about 9:30 a.m. today, up 15.7%.
Last month the FDA OKed the use of the Intercept device for Ebola patients.