Cerus to pursue U.S. approval of plasma safety system

The Food and Drug Administration will allow Cerus Corp. to submit a premarket application toward approval of its blood safety system, the company said Wednesday.

More than 80 blood centers in 17 European and Middle Eastern countries use the Concord-based company's (NASDAQ: CERS) Intercept system to neutralize pathogens in platelets and/or plasma, the clear yellowish liquids essential for clotting. But because two studies failed and a collaboration with Baxter fell apart, Cerus hasn't been able to win U.S. approval for its system for screening platelets, plasma or red blood cells.

Cerus lands credit facility through Comerica

Comerica Bank will provide blood safety technology company Cerus Corp. with a $5 million, four-year term loan and another credit facility that could provide $5 million.

New Cerus boss looks to expand blood franchise in U.S., abroad

Cerus Corp. is out for blood, but it really needs money.
The Concord company (NASDAQ: CERS) has long been a player in the blood-testing field. Its Intercept system, developed with the help of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) and approved in Europe in 2002, makes transfusions safer by inactivating a killer lineup of pathogens — viruses, bacteria and parasites — that otherwise can enter the blood supply undetected.
But after some missteps, Cerus is back, leaner and focused, again, on expanding into the more-lucrative red blood cell testing business.

Cerus loses $2.6 million in Q4, $16.9 million in 2010

Blood filtering systems company Cerus Corp. in Concord lost $2.6 million in the December quarter and lost $16.9 million in 2010.