In studies recently initiated by researchers, high concentrations of monkeypox virus (MPV) (approximately 35 thousand cpu/ml) were rapidly depleted from cell culture fluids when circulated through the Hemopurifier. The study data indicated that the Hemopurifier removed 46% of infectious MPV in the first hour of testing, 82% after six hours, and 98% after 20 hours. The studies were conducted in triplicate and data verification was provided by real-time polymerase chain reaction.
The MPV and vaccinia data further reinforces the use of the Hemopurifier as a broad-spectrum treatment candidate against bioterror threats, and will be included in a June 4, 2008 response to a government contract opportunity entitled ‘application of platform technologies for the development of therapeutic agents for biodefense’. The data also documents the potential of the Hemopurifier to address specific smallpox treatment priorities that have been set forth by the US government.