LAKEWOOD, Colo., USA – Terumo BCT is revamping its brand to Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies1 to reflect the company promise to unlock the potential of blood and cells and its heritage to innovate with customers to serve more patients, including those facing COVID-19.
The shift to this evolved brand allows us to embrace the power of our past and reflects the past and future investments that enable us to serve more patients.
-Antoinette Gawin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies
The power of these investments is on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, where the company has:
- Supported the increased need for convalescent plasma by ramping up production and delivery of Trima Accel® Apheresis System products used to collect it
- Secured an Emergency Use Authorization2 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Spectra Optia® Apheresis System to address pro-inflammatory cytokines that contribute to respiratory failure in patients with COVID-193
- Demonstrated that the Mirasol® Pathogen Reduction Technology (PRT) System3 significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, in blood products4
"Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies annually invests three to four times above the industry standard into research and development of new technologies, products and services5," Gawin says. "These investments are helping healthcare providers and researchers tackle their challenges."
The company also continues to advocate for improved access to automated red blood cell exchange to help manage sickle cell disease. Additionally, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies has several platforms available to support cell therapy developers who are researching next-generation cancer treatments.
"Everything we do begins and ends with patients," Gawin says. "We will continue to invest and innovate with our customers to address unmet needs throughout the world's healthcare systems."
About Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies is a medical device company. Our products, software and services enable customers to collect and prepare blood and cells to help treat the challenging diseases and conditions of today and tomorrow. Our associates in more than 130 countries believe in the potential of blood and cells to do even more for patients than they do today. terumobct.com
1Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies is a brand name used by Terumo BCT, Inc. and its affiliates involved in the blood and cell technologies businesses.
2About Emergency Use Authorization Status: The Spectra Optia® Apheresis System with the D2000 Adsorption Cartridge has been neither cleared nor approved for the indication to treat patients with COVID-19 infection; it has been authorized by the FDA under EUA 200148 for emergency use to treat patients 18 years of age or older with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to the ICU with confirmed or imminent respiratory failure to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, pursuant to Section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) (21 U.S.C. §360bbb-3).
The Spectra Optia Apheresis System with the D2000 Adsorption Cartridge is authorized only for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of the Spectra Optia Apheresis System with the D2000 Adsorption Cartridge under section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.
Currently, there are no FDA-approved, licensed, or cleared device treatments for COVID-19.
3Study funded by Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies and conducted at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.; Authors: From Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies: Shawn D. Keil, Susan Yonemura and Nicole K. Dart. From CSU's Department of Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, Colo.: Izabela Ragan and Richard Bowen. From CSU's Infectious Disease Research Center, Fort Collins, Colo.: Lindsay Hartson. Inactivation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in plasma and platelet products using a riboflavin and ultraviolet light-based photochemical treatment. The International Society for Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Global Blood Safety Working Party recommends, where feasible, pathogen inactivation of plasma to control residual risks of transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases and to alleviate concern about possible superinfections with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Jay Epstein and Thierry Burnouf, on behalf of the ISBT Working Party on Global Blood Safety.
4Availability varies by country.
5Based on internal company data and industry benchmarks.