When respiratory volumes surge, specimen stability becomes critical. UTM® keeps specimens viable from collection through processing, even during shipping delays. Paired with FLOQSwabs®, you get superior uptake and reliable release for accurate respiratory testing.
Every flu season brings increased testing demand and added pressure on laboratory workflows and supply inventories. When transport media runs short, or specimens aren’t properly maintained, delays and repeat collections become more likely, slowing the entire diagnostic process.
UTM® helps maintain specimen integrity for up to 48 hours, supporting reliable respiratory testing and helping laboratories, clinicians, and care teams stay on track.
Nasal and nasopharyngeal kits are available for a range of molecular testing methods.
Copan UTM® is the trusted choice for stabilizing and transporting respiratory specimens, maintaining the integrity of viral nucleic acids for accurate molecular detection.
Leading health systems, reference labs, and public health agencies rely on UTM® with FLOQSwabs® for consistent, high-quality respiratory virus testing backed by FDA clearance and CLSI M40-A2 compliance.

Maintain viral viability for up to 2 days at room temperature.

Approved for molecular and antigen-based testing workflowst.

Antibiotics and antifungals reduce bacterial/fungal overgrowth

From PCR to Rapid antigen testing, one tube covers all your needs.*
High-quality diagnostics depend on both proper collection and proper transport. Copan’s UTM® provides the controlled environment viral nucleic acid specimens need to remain stable during transport, while FLOQSwabs® ensure maximum recovery of the material clinicians actually need to detect.
UTM® is FDA-cleared for use with molecular (NAAT/PCR) assays and also supports antigen testing, and multiplex panels, providing broad compatibility across respiratory testing methods.
Designed for laboratories that need flexibility across diverse platforms and high-volume workflows.
A new format of Copan's well-known UTM® is now available. The new product configuration allows for direct loading on Roche cobas® 5800/6800/8800 systems, supporting the fully validated workflow. Like other UTM® products, this new format includes a formal claim for its use for the molecular detection of upper respiratory pathogens.
Copan UTM® tubes are engineered for smooth, direct loading onto UniVerse®, eliminating manual pipetting and helping your lab keep pace with winter surges.
FLOQSwabs® release nearly all collected material into the medium, providing superior specimens for UniVerse® to aliquot, vortex, dilute, and prepare specimens automatically.
UniVerse® + UTM® benefits:
✅ High-throughput processing during seasonal surges
✅ Automated pre-analytical steps & fewer manual errors
✅ Direct tube loading eliminates manual pipetting
✅ Consistent and predictable specimen volume
* Consult with the assay manufacturer’s instructions for use for compatibility and specific target analyte processing directions.
t Copan has received FDA clearance (510(k) number K232357), which updates the intended use of UTM® Universal Transport Medium™ without beads for molecular testing applications.