ADAPT Adacolumn Pediatric Trial in Ulcerative Colitis

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Children and adolescents \< 18 years 2. Ulcerative colitis documented by clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings and histology (in patient history) 3. Moderate active ulcerative colitis at baseline evaluation, defined as follows:PUCAI between 35 and 64 4. Pancolitis or left-sided colitis 5. Ulcerative colitis for at least 3 months 6. Receiving or having received one or more of the following medicinal products before screening: * Sulfasalazine, mesalamine and other 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) agents for 4 weeks or more with a stable dose for the last 2 weeks, * 0.5mg/kg/body weight with a maximum of 20 mg per day of prednisone with a stable dose for the last 2 weeks, or * 6-mercaptopurine or azathioprine for 12 weeks or more with a stable dose for the last 4 weeks Other UC medication is not allowed (see also Chapter 4.4.2). 7. For female patients of child-bearing potential, a negative pregnancy test and agreement to use an effective contraceptive method or abstain from sexual activities during the course of the clinical investigation 8. Agreement to participate in all visits 9. Signed written informed consent document by patients and their legal guardian or representative 10. Body weight must be more or equal 30kg 11. Adequate peripheral venous access to allow for completion of the apheresis treatments Exclusion Criteria: 1. Febrile (\>38ºC) 2. Evidence of toxic megacolon 3. Anticipated need for surgery within 12 weeks after Day 00 4. Major surgery within the past 6 weeks 5. Known obstructive diseases of the gastrointestinal system 6. Proctocolectomy, total colectomy, ileostomy, stoma or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis 7. A history of allergic reaction to heparin or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia 8. A history of hypersensitivity reaction associated with an apheresis procedure or intolerance of apheresis procedures 9. Known infection with enteric pathogens, pathogenic ova or parasites, or a positive assay for C. difficile toxin 10. Symptomatic hypotension 11. Pediatric heart conditions and problems at high susceptibility for thrombotic events (e.g. valve defects or similar) 12. A history of physical findings compatible with a cerebrovascular accident 13. Prosthetic heart valve, pacemaker or other permanent implant 14. Severe cardiovascular or peripheral vascular disease 15. Liver disease defined as levels of GOT \[AST\], GPT \[ALT\] or alkaline phosphatase \>2.5x the upper limit of the normal range for the laboratory performing test 16. History of cirrhosis 17. Renal insufficiency, defined as serum creatinine \>150% of the upper limit of the normal range for the laboratory performing the test 18. Known bleeding disorder (PT or PTT\>1.5x the upper limit of the normal range for the laboratory performing the test), or concomitant anticoagulant therapy for purposes other than apheresis treatment 19. Prior history suggestive of a hypercoagulable disorder, including 1 or more episodes of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis 20. Known infection with Hepatitis B or C, or HIV 21. Abnormal hematology parameters defined as severe anemia with hemoglobin \<8.5g/dL, white blood cell count of \<3,500/μl and a granulocyte count \<2,000/μl 22. Fibrinogen level \>700mg/dL 23. Infection: * Active infections from successful completion of antibiotic treatment for routine bacterial infection less than 4 weeks of entry into the clinical investigation (screening) * Febrile viral infection within 4 weeks of entry into the clinical investigation (screening) * Less than 12 weeks from conclusion of therapy for systemic fungal infections to screening 24. Malignancy within the past 2 years other than surgically cured skin carcinoma or cervical dysplasia (CIN I-II) 25. History of dysplasia or carcinoma of the colon 26. Current drug or alcohol abuse 27. Pregnant, lactating or planning to become pregnant during the course of the clinical investigation 28. Used within the last 30 days an investigational medicinal product, biologic or device 29. Pre-treatment of UC with drugs other than 5-ASA and derivatives, azathioprine and or corticosteroids, e.g. immunosuppressants and biologics 30. Steroid-resistance or -dependency, defined as inability to completely withdraw steroids without inducing a relapse or flare-up of the disease 31. Topical therapy for ulcerative colitis within the last 2 weeks.