Swiss approve Mirasol Pathogen Reduction Technology System to treat platelets

LAKEWOOD, CO. USA – 29 September 2020 – A system designed to add a layer of safety to the blood supply was recently approved in Switzerland to treat platelets in platelet additive solution (PAS) and platelets in plasma.

Using riboflavin (vitamin B2) and ultraviolet light, the Mirasol^® Pathogen Reduction Technology (PRT) System is designed to reduce the pathogen load of various disease-causing agents such as viruses, parasites and bacteria in blood products before they are transfused to patients. Mirasol also inactivates white blood cells to help reduce certain transfusion reactions.

Mirasol is designed to add an extra layer of safety to the blood supply. It is part of Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies’ larger commitment to promote a safe, sustainable and adequate blood supply around the world. Mirasol is in routine use at more than 100 blood centers in over 20 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies makes products that collect, separate and process blood and cells. The company has customers in 130 countries. The recent Swiss approval expands the reach of Mirasol.

“We believe everyone is entitled to a safe, sustainable and adequate blood supply. We work with hospitals, advocacy associations and governments to increase awareness and access to products, like pathogen reduction, that can improve patient outcomes. Now, Swiss healthcare providers and blood centers have another option to do just that,” says Michelle Marks, Director of Marketing, Blood Center Solutions, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies.

Changing World = Emerging Pathogens
Pathogen reduction with Mirasol is one method to address emerging and evolving pathogens as the rate of epidemics increases, people travel and the global climate warms.

Two recent peer-reviewed studies showed that Mirasol reduced the titer of SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, to undetectable levels in both plasma and platelets. The data suggest that the process would be effective in reducing the theoretical risk of transfusion-transmitted SARS-CoV-2.[1]

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