INTERCEPT Platelets (Cerus Corporation)

The INTERCEPT Blood System for Platelets, developed by Cerus Corporation, is a pathogen reduction technology designed to enhance the safety of platelet transfusions. The system utilizes amotosalen (S-59), a photoactive compound that intercalates into the nucleic acids of pathogens (viruses, bacteria, and parasites) and donor leukocytes. Upon exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) light, amotosalen forms permanent covalent cross-links between the strands of DNA and RNA, effectively preventing replication and transcription. This process inactivates a broad spectrum of infectious agents and donor T-cells, the latter of which helps prevent transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD). The treated platelets are indicated for transfusion in patients requiring platelet support, such as those with thrombocytopenia resulting from chemotherapy, bone marrow failure, or other conditions.

Brand names

INTERCEPT Blood SystemINTERCEPT Platelets

Other names

Amotosalen-UVA treated plateletsPathogen-reduced platelets