Cerus (CERS) said Monday it has received an additional $7.2 million contract amendment from the US Department of Defense to support the development of a shelf-stable blood product for trauma patients in harsh military conditions.

The funding, issued through the DoD's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program, will support a randomized study comparing the use of pre-thawed Intercept Fibrinogen Complex with conventional cryoprecipitated antihemophilic factor in patients experiencing hemorrhagic shock, the company said.

This award builds on roughly $18 million currently allocated under Cerus' ongoing contract with the DoD to develop manufacturing capabilities for lyophilized Intercept Fibrinogen Complex, a room-temperature, pathogen-reduced fibrinogen therapy intended for military settings where refrigeration is not feasible, the company said.

Shares of Cerus were up 3.5% in recent Monday trading.

Price: 1.41, Change: +0.05, Percent Change: +3.53