UTM® Universal Transport Medium™
Respiratory season is coming. Is your laboratory ready?
Made in the USA, reliable, and in stock, UTM-RT® helps laboratories stay prepared for increased respiratory testing demand.
View UTM-RT® instructions for use →
Respiratory Season Readiness
Prepare before demand rises.
Prepare before respiratory testing volumes increase. Review your anticipated testing needs, confirm the appropriate UTM-RT® configuration for your assays, and ensure supply is in place.
Track U.S. respiratory-virus activity (CDC) →
Expert perspective
Why specimen quality matters in pediatric respiratory testing.
Drawing on his experience in pediatric critical care, Dr. Shawn Sood discusses the role of specimen quality and collection technique in the pre-analytical phase of pediatric respiratory testing.
Watch Dr. Sood’s Perspective →
External resource notice: This link opens CoScience Hub, a global COPAN Group website. Free registration is required to view the full video. Content available on that site may include information on products or applications that may not be available, cleared, approved, or applicable in all countries. Always refer to the applicable product labeling and Instructions for Use in your country or region.
Why UTM®
Support the pre-analytical journey, from collection to assay.
FDA Cleared for Compatible Molecular Workflows
FDA 510(k) K232357 supports UTM-RT® for stabilization and transportation of unprocessed upper respiratory specimens suspected of containing respiratory-virus nucleic acids, for use with compatible molecular assays.[1]
Supports Specimen Stability During Transport
Store and transport specimens at 2–25°C and process within 96 hours.[2]
Contains Antibiotics to Help Inhibit Bacterial and Fungal Flora
Proteins help stabilize viruses, while antibiotics and antimycotics help prevent bacterial and fungal overgrowth during transport.[2]
Fits Manual and Selected Automated Workflows
UTM-RT® can support manual processing and selected automated workflows, including compatible UniVerse® configurations.[5]
Room Temperature Storage
Store UTM-RT® at 2–25°C before use, with no refrigeration required.[2]
Visual Product Assessment
A phenol red pH indicator makes the medium’s characteristic light orange-red appearance easy to verify before use.[2]
FDA cleared for compatible molecular workflows.
FDA 510(k) K232357 supports UTM-RT® for stabilization and transportation of unprocessed upper respiratory specimens suspected of containing respiratory virus nucleic acids, for use with compatible molecular assays.[1]
Specimens transported for respiratory viral nucleic acid investigations should be processed within 96 hours when stored at 2–25°C. Because assay-specific instructions may be shorter, compatibility should be confirmed at the exact assay and workflow level.[2]
Read the FDA decision summary →
The UTM®-RT IFU and the applicable assay instructions should be read together when documenting specimen handling and processing.
Broad molecular compatibility
Broad molecular compatibility, with configurations for specific workflows.
UTM-RT® is FDA 510(k) cleared for stabilization and transport of upper respiratory specimens for use with compatible molecular assays.[1] Selected UTM-RT® tube configurations may also support direct loading for certain assays on Roche cobas® 5800, 6800, and 8800 systems. Other assays may require transfer to a secondary tube. Confirm the applicable assay IFU, tube compatibility, specimen input volume, and processing steps before implementation.[6][7]
cobas® is a registered trademark of Roche.
Collection technology
Explore FLOQSwabs® technology.
FLOQSwabs® design uses perpendicular nylon fibers and has no internal absorbent core. In a published respiratory study, flocked swabs collected significantly more respiratory epithelial cells than rayon swabs.[3]
Made here. Ready here.
Made in the USA. Reliably in stock.
Copan Diagnostics manufactures UTM® in the United States and serves laboratories across North and South America. In September 2025, Copan announced more than $7 million in US manufacturing investments across California and Puerto Rico, expanding production technology, US-based sourcing, and quality infrastructure to help keep laboratories supplied when respiratory demand rises.[4]
- Manufactured in the United States and supplied across North and South America.
- Supported by expanded US-based sourcing and production capacity.
- A tried-and-true transport medium laboratories already know.
- In stock and ready to order through Copan Diagnostics and participating distributors.
Keep exploring
UTM® resources, all in one place.
Product materials
UTM® instructions for use → FDA K232357 decision summary → Certificate of Quality Assurance →Technical sources
- FDA 510(k) K232357 decision summary.
- UTM® instructions for use, EIFU058R01.
- Daley et al., comparison of flocked and rayon swabs for respiratory epithelial-cell collection.
- Copan Diagnostics US manufacturing investment announcement.
- Copan UniVerse® FAQ.
- Roche cobas® SARS-CoV-2 Qualitative instructions for use.
- Roche cobas® Respiratory 4-flex instructions for use.
Frequently asked questions
Confirm the details before you standardize.
What is the cleared molecular intended use for UTM-RT®?
UTM-RT® is intended for the stabilization and transportation of an unprocessed upper respiratory clinical specimen suspected of containing respiratory viruses’ nucleic acids and is intended for use with compatible molecular assays. FDA 510(k) K232357 supports this intended use.
How long can specimens remain in UTM-RT® before processing?
Specimens transported for respiratory viral nucleic acid investigations should be processed within 96 hours when stored at 2–25°C. Applicable assay instructions may specify a shorter window.
Is refrigeration required before collection?
No. Store the product in its original packaging at 2 to 25°C until the time of use, and do not overheat or freeze it before use.
Can UTM-RT® be used with automated molecular platforms?
UTM-RT® may support manual and selected automated downstream workflows. Compatibility is assay and configuration specific, so consult the applicable assay manufacturer’s instructions and contact Copan Diagnostics for workflow guidance.
What UTM-RT® configurations are available?
UTM® is available in multiple bulk-tube and collection-kit configurations. Selected kits include a nylon flocked swab. Confirm the configuration that matches the collection site, specimen, assay, and laboratory workflow.
Order UTM® your way.
Available through Copan Diagnostics and participating distributors. Ordering channels vary by market; choose the bulk tube or collection-kit configuration that matches your specimen type and molecular workflow, then contact us for the right ordering path.
Selected distributor options
Take the next step
Get your laboratory ready for respiratory season.
Tell us whether you need a sample, help choosing a UTM-RT® configuration, or an ordering path for your market. A Copan Diagnostics representative will follow up.
- Request a UTM-RT® sample
- Discuss configurations and assay compatibility
- Find ordering options in your market
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