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May 23rd, 2003 Octapharma Response to SARS SARS is known to be associated with a previously unrecognised lipid-enveloped coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a common cause of mild to moderate upper-respiratory illness in humans and are associated with respiratory, gastrointestinal, liver, and neurologic disease in several animal species. As part of Octapharma's commitment to the safe and optimal use of plasma, all of our products undergo at least one virus inactivation procedure, i.e. solvent detergent, heat treatment or low pH, specifically designed to destroy viruses that have a lipid membrane or "envelope".. Existing data from model virus studies predict that these highly effective inactivation methods, applied to all Octapharma plasma derivatives, including Octaplas will also provide protection against the transmission of SARS. Octapharma´s Virus and Prion Validation Department, located at the prestigous Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt, Germany, is actively monitoring the SARS situation and its implications for blood product safety. Octapharma will continue to work around the clock and around the globe to provide clinicians and patients with products that meet the most rigorous safety standards. © Octapharma AG, 2003 |