Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	Note 1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation Cerus Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in September 1991 and is developing and commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System, which is designed to enhance the safety of blood components through pathogen reduction. The Company has worldwide commercialization rights for the INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets, plasma and red blood cells. The Company sells its INTERCEPT platelet and plasma systems in the United States, Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States (“CIS”) countries, the Middle East and selected countries in other regions around the world. In December 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved INTERCEPT platelet and plasma systems in the U.S. The Company conducts significant research, development, testing and regulatory compliance activities on its product candidates that, together with anticipated selling, general, and administrative expenses, are expected to result in substantial additional losses, and the Company may need to adjust its operating plans and programs based on the availability of cash resources. The Company’s ability to achieve a profitable level of operations will depend on successfully completing development, obtaining additional regulatory approvals and achieving widespread market acceptance of its products. There can be no assurance that the Company will ever achieve a profitable level of operations.

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Note 1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Cerus Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in September 1991 and is developing and commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System, which is designed to enhance the safety of blood components through pathogen reduction. The Company has worldwide commercialization rights for the INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets, plasma and red blood cells.

The Company sells its INTERCEPT platelet and plasma systems in the United States, Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States (“CIS”) countries, the Middle East and selected countries in other regions around the world. In December 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved INTERCEPT platelet and plasma systems in the U.S. The Company conducts significant research, development, testing and regulatory compliance activities on its product candidates that, together with anticipated selling, general, and administrative expenses, are expected to result in substantial additional losses, and the Company may need to adjust its operating plans and programs based on the availability of cash resources. The Company’s ability to achieve a profitable level of operations will depend on successfully completing development, obtaining additional regulatory approvals and achieving widespread market acceptance of its products. There can be no assurance that the Company will ever achieve a profitable level of operations.