ExThera Medical unveiled promising data from a study of its Seraph blood-filtering device in the treatment of drug-resistant strains of E. coli and pneumonia.

Laboratory tests showed the device’s absorption media was able to remove 99.9% of E. coli and Klebsiella pneumonia bacteria from blood samples. The strains are members of a bacteria group known as carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae, meaning they have become increasingly resistant to a powerful class of antibiotics called carbapenems.

ExThera published the results in the Dec. 3 edition of the online scientific journal PLOS ONE.

“CRE bloodstream infections have an average mortality rate of 50% due to the total lack of effective antibiotics. With fewer anti-infective drugs being developed, and the continuing emergence of drug-resistant pathogens, clinicians need new tools to fight bloodstream infections,” CEO Bob Ward said in prepared remarks.

In addition to drug-resistant bacteria, Seraph has the potential to combat viruses, fungi, inflammatory cytokines, sepsis and septic shock, according to the company.

ExThera plans to begin U.S. clinical testing next year, according to its website.