A viral transport medium (VTM) was developed following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA (US-CDC) standard operating procedure (SOP) DSR-052-05 with necessary improvisation and was used for storing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) swab specimens. Considering Bangladesh’s supply chain and storage conditions, improvisation was essential for extending sample storage time while retaining efficiency. In-house VTM was produced using Hank’s balanced salt solution (HBSS) supplemented with 1% bovine serum albumin V (BSA), 0.5 µg /mL of gentamicin sulfate, and 100 µg/mL of fluconazole. The produced VTM composition, quality, sterility, specificity, and efficiency were verified in-house and through an independent contract research organization (CRO). An accelerated stability study projected that under the recommended temperature (4 °C), it would remain stable for four months and preserve samples for over a month. The real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test detected the targeted N gene and ORF1ab gene from the VTM stored samples. Our VTM is equally as effective as the Sansure Biotech VTM in keeping SARS-CoV-2 RNA specimens detectable in rRT-PCR (100% sensitivity and specificity in random and blinded samples). In conclusion, the BRiCM VTM will make the battle against pandemics easier by effectively collecting and storing nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 detection.

A Viral Transport Medium (VTM) was developed following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA, standard operating procedure (SOP) DSR-052-05 with necessary improvisation, was used for storing COVID-19 swab specimens. Considering Bangladesh's present supply chain and storage condition, improvisation was essential for extending sample storage time while retaining efficiency. In-house VTM was produced using Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) supplemented with 1% Bovine serum albumin V (BSA), 0.5 µg /ml of Gentamicin Sulfate, and 100 µg/ml of Fluconazole. The produced VTM composition, quality, sterility, specificity, and efficiency were verified in-house and through an independent contract research organization (CRO). An accelerated stability study projected that under the recommended temperature (4°C), it would remain stable for one year and preserve samples for over a month. The Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) test detected the targeted N gene and ORF1ab gene from VTM stored sample. Our VTM is equally effective as Sansure Biotech VTM in keeping SARS-CoV-2 RNA specimen detectable in rRT-PCR (100% sensitivity and specificity in random and blinded samples). In an import-dependent developing country like Bangladesh, this VTM will ease the fight against pandemics and the supply chain bottleneck of medical and diagnostic equipment caused by it.

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