A Proactive Approach to Blood Safety
Targeting DNA and RNA to Prevent Pathogen Proliferation
The INTERCEPT® System uses amotosalen – a well characterized photoactive compound that specifically targets DNA and RNA – and UVA illumination to irreversibly cross-link nucleic acids. In doing so, the INTERCEPT treatment blocks replication of viruses, bacteria, and parasites, rendering them inactive.1
INTERCEPT
Mechanism of Action
- Amotosalen targets nucleic acids, and intercalates or “docks” between nucleic acid base pairs.
- UVA illumination activates amotosalen, causing permanent cross-links between the helical strands.
- Cross-linking prevents further replication and inactivates the pathogen and/or leukocyte.
INTERCEPT Reduces a Broad Spectrum of Pathogens1
Bacteria
Gram-negative
Gram-positive
spirochetes
| Klebsiella pneumoniae †◊ |
| Escherichia coli †◊ |
| Serratia marcescens †◊ |
| Yersenia enterocolitica †◊ |
| Staphylococcus epidermidis †◊ |
| Staphylococcus aureus †◊ |
| Streptococcus pyogenes †◊ |
| Bacillus cereus (vegetative) †◊ |
| Clostridium perfringens (vegetative) |
| Propionibacterium acnes †◊ |
| Treponema pallidum (Syphilis) † |
| Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) † |
Virus
Enveloped
Non-enveloped
| HIV-1, cell associated †◊ |
| DHBV (model virus for HBV) †◊ |
| BVDV (model virus for HCV) †◊ |
| HTLV-I † |
| HTLV-II † |
| West Nile virus (WNV) †◊ |
| Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) †◊ |
| Dengue virus (DENV) †◊ |
| Cytomegalovirus (CMV) † |
| Pseudorabies virus (model for CMV) ◊ |
| Influenza A virus † |
| Bluetongue virus (model non-enveloped virus) † |
Protozoan
Parasite
| Plasmodium falciparum † |
| Babesia microti † |
| Trypanosoma cruzi †◊ |
Leukocyte
| Human T-Cells †◊ |
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For a full list of pathogens, see Package Insert.
† Pathogen reduced Amicus apheresis platelets in PAS-3. ◊ Pathogen reduced Trima apheresis platelets in 100% plasma.
1. The INTERCEPT Blood System for Platelets Package Insert, Cerus Corporation; May 28, 2019.
*Certain non-enveloped viruses (e.g., HAV, HEV, B19, and poliovirus) and Bacillus cereus spores have demonstrated resistance to the INTERCEPT process.