Inactivation of XMRV by Intercept

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Whittemore Institute and Cerus Confirm Inactivation of XMRV by the

INTERCEPT Blood System

Virus Linked to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Prostate Cancer is Viewed as a

Blood Transfusion Risk

CONCORD, Calif. & RENO, Nev., May 18, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Whittemore

Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease (WPI) and Cerus Corporation

/quotes/comstock/15*!cers/quotes/nls/cers (CERS 3.01, +0.15, +5.11%)

announced positive results from a study demonstrating the efficacy of the

INTERCEPT Blood System to inactivate XMRV, a human retrovirus, in donated

platelet components. After sample platelet components were inoculated with

XMRV, the infected blood components were treated with INTERCEPT, a system

that inactivates pathogens in donated blood. Following treatment, no

evidence of infectious XMRV was detected in blood samples. The study results

have been submitted for presentation at the AABB Annual Meeting in October.

XMRV is a retrovirus that has recently been linked to prostate cancer and

myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Other

retroviruses, such as HIV and HTLV-1, are known to cause cancer and immune

deficiencies. Studies by WPI researchers and collaborators have confirmed

that infectious XMRV can be found in human blood cells and that the virus is

transmitted through body fluids.

In the joint study conducted by WPI and Cerus, blood samples were evaluated

in a validated virus culture test, which allows sensitive detection of XMRV

particles that are capable of reproducing. Cerus' INTERCEPT Blood System

inactivates pathogens by crosslinking their DNA or RNA, thereby blocking

replication and preventing subsequent transmission of infection. INTERCEPT

has previously been demonstrated to inactivate high levels of both HIV and

HTLV. Cerus and WPI decided to collaborate on inactivation studies for XMRV

in order to characterize the treatment's efficacy against this newly

recognized human retrovirus.

While research is ongoing regarding the prevalence and disease association

of the virus, concern for potential transfusion transmission of XMRV has

already led blood centers in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and New

Zealand to ban donations from blood donors with ME/CFS. Earlier this month,

the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee of the U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services voted unanimously to recommend that U.S. blood

centers also defer donors with diagnosed ME/CFS.

" As XMRV is a human retrovirus like HIV, one immediately wonders about the

possibility for transfusion transmission of XMRV, " said Dr. Judy Mikovits,

director of research at WPI. " We chose to work with Cerus on this joint

study because developing prevention strategies for XMRV-linked neuro-immune

diseases is an important element of the WPI's mission. "

" Due to its leadership in the discovery and characterization of XMRV, WPI is

an ideal partner to confirm the efficacy of our treatment process, " added

Lily Lin, vice president of global scientific affairs for Cerus. " Emerging

pathogens such as XMRV are a particular challenge for blood transfusion

services and highlight a weakness in the current blood banking system. "

The INTERCEPT systems for platelets and plasma are used by over 40 blood

centers in Europe, Russia and the Middle East. The INTERCEPT Blood System is

not yet approved for use in the United States.

ABOUT THE WHITTEMORE PETERSON INSTITUTE

The Whittemore Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease exists to bring

discovery, knowledge, and effective treatments to patients with illnesses

that are caused by acquired dysregulation of the immune system and the

nervous system, often resulting in lifelong disease and disability. The

Whittemore Institute is the first institute in the world dedicated

to neuro-immune diseases, integrating patient treatment, basic and clinical

research and medical education.

ABOUT CERUS

Cerus Corporation is a biomedical products company focused on

commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System to enhance blood safety. The

INTERCEPT system is designed to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted

diseases by inactivating a broad range of pathogens such as viruses,

bacteria and parasites that may be present in donated blood. The nucleic

acid targeting mechanism of action allows INTERCEPT treatment to inactivate

both established transfusion threats, such as hepatitis, HIV, West Nile

virus and bacteria, as well as emerging pathogens such as influenza, malaria

and dengue. Cerus currently markets and sells the INTERCEPT Blood System for

both platelets and plasma in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and selected

countries in other regions around the world. The INTERCEPT red blood cell

system is in clinical development. Visit http://www.cerus.com for more

information.

INTERCEPT and INTERCEPT Blood System are trademarks of Cerus Corporation.

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