Initial Feasibility Study of the CycloPE® Device

This is a single-center, prospective, single-arm clinical study designed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and performance of the PATH EX CycloPE® device for the treatment of suspected bacteremia-associated sepsis in critically ill patients. Participants in the study will be adults diagnosed with suspected bacteremia-associated sepsis, admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and meeting all inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each patient will undergo two treatments with the PATH EX CycloPE® device. The second treatment will occur 24-36 hours after the start of the first treatment, with each session lasting 4 hours. Clinical and laboratory assessments will be conducted at baseline and predefined intervals during and after the treatment period to monitor safety and evaluate the device's performance.

The primary endpoints focus on feasibility and safety, including device-related adverse events and procedural success. Secondary endpoints will assess infection resolution through microbial eradication, reductions in biomarkers, and changes in hematology and chemistry indices.

The PATH EX CycloPE® device is a novel extracorporeal blood filtration system designed to directly target and remove bacteria from the bloodstream. By addressing the root cause of sepsis, the device has the potential to improve outcomes for critically ill patients.

This study will generate critical data to inform the design of future clinical trials and support the development of this breakthrough technology for the treatment of sepsis. All data will be collected, analyzed, and reported in compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and applicable regulatory requirements

Inclusion criteria

1. Hospitalized adults (age >= 18 years, male and female) 2. Receiving IV antibiotic therapy 3. Presence of at least 2 of the 4 SIRS criteria:

• Body temperature > 101°F (38.3°C) or < 96.8°F (36°C);
• Heart rate > 90 beats per minute;
• Respiratory rate > 20 breaths per minute;
• White blood cell count > 12,000/mm³, < 4,000/mm³, or > 10% bands 4. Clinical evidence of new organ dysfunction 5. Procalcitonin (PCT) levels ≥ 0.5 ng/mL

Exclusion criteria

1. Inability to maintain a minimum mean arterial pressure of ≥ 65 mmHg despite vasopressor therapy and fluid resuscitation 2. Medical conditions requiring regular blood transfusion 3. Active bleeding (e.g., active GI bleeding, hematuria or epistaxis, untreated coagulopathy or bleeding from a non-compressible site) 4. Absolute neutrophil count less than 500 cells/mm3 5. Platelet count less than 50,000 cells/mm3 6. Pregnant or nursing subjects and those who plan pregnancy during the clinical investigation follow-up period 7. Known hypersensitivity to Polymyxin E 8. Known hypersensitivity to Vancomycin 9. Subject has known sensitivity/allergy to heparin or has a history of heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) 10. IV antibiotic treatment initiated > 48 hours before baseline screening

This exclusion criterion is not applicable for two cases:

• IV antibiotic treatment initiated > 48 hours before baseline screening has been deemed ineffective based on the clinical judgment of the investigator.
• If the patient has discontinued IV antibiotic therapy for a continuous period of 24 hours or more within the 48-hour window immediately preceding baseline screening.

• Participated in an interventional clinical study within 28 days prior to Day 0 or undergoing treatment anticipated to require significant blood draws 12. Have been previously enrolled in this clinical trial 13. History of or known hypercoagulable state 14. Known history of a condition that may result in an increased risk for thrombosis 15. Any other condition, that in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude the subject from being a suitable candidate for enrollment 16. Unable to obtain informed consent from either patient or legally authorized representative 17. Patients who cannot tolerate placement of double-lumen catheter 18. Suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) that cannot be resolved before administration of investigational device.