Terumo BCT04.13.20
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the use of Terumo BCT’s Spectra Optia Apheresis System combined with Marker Therapeutics’ D2000 Adsorption Cartridge to treat patients 18 years of age or older with confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with confirmed or imminent respiratory failure to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.
Terumo BCT, a U.S. based leader in blood component, therapeutic apheresis and cellular technologies, and Marker Therapeutics AG, a Swiss-based diagnostic and therapeutics company, formed this collaboration to combine their existing technologies to provide an innovative approach to potentially treat severe respiratory symptoms caused by COVID-19.
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The devices work together by reducing the number of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators, i.e., small active proteins in the bloodstream that control a cell’s immune response by filtering the blood and returning the filtered blood to the patient. The proteins that are removed are typically elevated during infections and can be associated with a “cytokine storm” that occurs in some COVID-19 patients, leading to severe inflammation, rapidly progressive shock, respiratory failure, organ failure and death.
“We thank the Food and Drug Administration for their expedited review, which provides another treatment option for patients in the ICU to help reduce the severity of the disease,” said Antoinette Gawin, CEO and president of Terumo BCT, and David Cohen, chairman of Marker.
Terumo BCT, a U.S. based leader in blood component, therapeutic apheresis and cellular technologies, and Marker Therapeutics AG, a Swiss-based diagnostic and therapeutics company, formed this collaboration to combine their existing technologies to provide an innovative approach to potentially treat severe respiratory symptoms caused by COVID-19.
Curious how medtech's top companies are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic? Get insights into each company's actions by clicking here.
The devices work together by reducing the number of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators, i.e., small active proteins in the bloodstream that control a cell’s immune response by filtering the blood and returning the filtered blood to the patient. The proteins that are removed are typically elevated during infections and can be associated with a “cytokine storm” that occurs in some COVID-19 patients, leading to severe inflammation, rapidly progressive shock, respiratory failure, organ failure and death.
“We thank the Food and Drug Administration for their expedited review, which provides another treatment option for patients in the ICU to help reduce the severity of the disease,” said Antoinette Gawin, CEO and president of Terumo BCT, and David Cohen, chairman of Marker.
