Investors in the pharma/biotech sector eagerly wait for pipeline updates as they play an important role in deciding whether or not to invest in a particular company. These updates provide information on experimental drugs and at times give an insight on the commercial potential of the candidate once it is successfully developed and commercialized.
Last week, Cerus Corporation (CERS) announced that its phase II study on red blood cells when treated with the INTERCEPT blood system has met its primary endpoint. Cerus intends to submit the data at an upcoming scientific congress.
The randomized, single-blind, controlled, multi-center phase II study on the INTERCEPT red blood cell system was conducted in 26 healthy subjects. In the study, each subject was given two transfusions of the subject's own red blood cells – one INTERCEPT-treated and the other a control not treated for pathogen inactivation. Preliminary analysis showed that greater than 75% of treated red blood cells continued to circulate 24 hours following transfusion, thereby meeting the primary endpoint of the study.
In addition to this, the INTERCEPT treated red blood cells had a recovery of 83% as compared to 85% for control red blood cells. Both INTERCEPT-treated and control red blood cells met the criteria for red blood cell recovery as recommended by the FDA.
Encouraged by the positive data from the study, the company intends to move the INTERCEPT red blood cell program into phase III in the U.S. Cerus completed a phase III study on the INTERCEPT red blood cell system in Europe in patients with acute anemia and plans to file for CE mark approval.
Cerus currently markets the INTERCEPT blood system for both plasma and platelets in a number of countries including the U.S.
Cerus Corporation currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Biodel Inc. (BIOD), Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CBST) and Lannett Company, Inc. (LCI). All three stocks carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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