Gambro awarded US patent for its unique process of inactivation of pathogens in blood components
Gambro awarded US patent for its unique process of inactivation of pathogens in blood components Stockholm, Sweden, July 17, 2001 Gambro AB (Stockholmsbörsen: GAMBaST, GAMBbST), a leading international medical technology and healthcare company, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Gambro BCT, has been awarded a US patent for its unique process for inactivation of pathogens in blood components. The patent encompasses a method of inactivating viruses and bacteria in fluids that contain biologically active protein, blood, or blood components. Gambro BCT's method adds an effective, non-toxic photosensitizer to the fluid and then exposes it to light. The light can be within either the visible or ultraviolet spectrum. The inactivation method does not destroy the biological activity or effectiveness of the protein, blood or blood component. The patent is issued for Method and Apparatus for Inactivation of Biological Contaminants Using Riboflavin. Ray Goodrich Jr. and Frank Corbin III led the development work at Gambro BCT. In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that its top priority is finding a way to ensure a zero-risk blood supply, i.e. blood and blood components that are free from bacteria and viruses. The pathogen inactivation technology is one way Gambro BCT seeks to improve the safety of the world's blood supply. The technology is applied to each of the blood components to minimize viral, bacterial and parasitic contamination worldwide. Gambro BCT's unique pathogen inactivation technology uses light stimulation of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) to alter the nucleic acids of pathogens, rendering them inactive. Gambro BCT's pathogen inactivation technology is the first that can inactivate viruses and bacteria in all three major blood components: red blood cells, platelets and plasma. Non- toxic and non-mutagenic, riboflavin is ingested in normal diets. In fact, riboflavin is considered essential for human health. This technology allows for Gambro BCT to enter a market with an estimated value of USD 2.2 billion. David Perez, President of Gambro BCT commented, "This represents a major milestone in Gambro's journey to supply the blood community with a natural, safe and efficacious alternative for pathogen inactivation. This marks the beginning of a new direction for Gambro BCT to assist in improving the safety of the world's blood supply." Gambro BCT is a world leader in blood bank technology and therapeutic apheresis through automated blood collection, pre-storage leukoreduction, stem cell collection, cell therapy and the development of pathogen inactivation of blood components using vitamin B2 and light. For further information please contact: Kevin Simpson, Gambro BCT, tel. +1-303 232 68 00, +1-303 210 3124 Bengt Modéer, Investor Relations, tel. +46-8-613 65 00, +46-70-513 65 33 Karin Avasalu, Corporate Communications, tel. +46-8-613 65 00, +46-70-513 65 99 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/07/17/20010717BIT00340/bit0002.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/07/17/20010717BIT00340/bit0002.pdf