Rika Plasma Collection System Cleared by FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Rika, the new plasma collection system developed by Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT).
 
Rika is a next-generation automated technology focused on the experience of plasma center employees and donors. It includes safety features to minimize operator errors and collects plasma in 35 minutes or less.
 
Rika will debut this spring in a limited market release at CSL Plasma collection centers in the Denver, Colorado area. Plans are underway for rollout at additional CSL Plasma centers in 2022.
 
Rika was developed in response to the industry’s need for technological advancement and process improvements to drive efficiency and quality while maintaining donor safety and a sufficient plasma supply. 
  
“Rika will revolutionize plasma collection center operations,” said Antoinette Gawin, president and chief executive officer, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies. “We innovated around the donor and plasma center experience, creating an entire new ecosystem. At the heart of our innovation is operational efficiency designed to collect plasma in 35 minutes or less. This will help meet the need for plasma-derived therapies. Today, as an example, it could take 130 donations to treat one patient with a primary immunodeficiency for a year. This is such an important moment for us to Contribute to Society through Healthcare and fulfill our purpose of reaching more patients.”
 
The new technology is focused on donor and plasma collection center employee experience. A collection time of 35 minutes or less, combined with volume of 200 milliliters or less outside the donor’s body, can mean a more comfortable donation experience. Rika’s advanced control system enhances donor safety by monitoring the process and providing alerts and visual cues that guide the operator. Rika makes automatic adjustments during each procedure, enabling a more seamless operator experience and the ability to spend more time with the donor. 
 
Rika is part of an extensive ecosystem that integrates plasma collection technology, IT solutions, services and program support. All this is anticipated to support center productivity and efficiency to optimize plasma collections and meet the needs of patients who rely on plasma-derived therapies.
 
“With this crucial milestone achieved, we look forward to rolling this new technology out to our U.S. collection centers,” said CSL Plasma general manager Michelle Meyer. “CSL Plasma’s decision to work with Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies is consistent with our business goals to improve the donor and employee experience through innovation and remain the plasma donation center of choice.”