Swab and Viral Transport Medium Market

CDC Recommendations Fuel Production of Viral Transport Medium for COVID-19 Research

The demand for swab and viral transport medium has increased during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Since research institutes and labs have intensified their experiments for developing COVID-19 vaccines, companies in the swab and viral transport medium market have increased their production capacities to develop products useful for viral collection, maintenance, and culture. For instance, Innovative Research - a manufacturer of high quality and affordable research materials, developing viral transport medium to support global research in COVID-19.

Rapid antigen testing and molecular assay experiments have fueled the demand for swab and viral transport medium during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Long-term freezers and direct fluorescent antibody (DVA) applications are creating incremental opportunities for companies in the swab and viral transport medium market. They are following CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommendations to develop the formulations of products.

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Sterile Swabs Facilitate Minimal Contact of Healthcare Workers with COVID-19 Samples 

Overwhelming repercussions of the COVID-19 outbreak are being experienced in various sectors. In order to stabilize business activities like before, there is an unprecedented demand for COVID-19 vaccines to revive economic growth worldwide. Hence, technologists at the Sree Chitra Triunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) and Mallelil Industries co-developed oral and nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing. Companies in the swab and viral transport medium market are increasing the availability of sterile and ready-to-use swabs for COVID-19 testing.

Since COVID-19 cases continue to rise in India, companies in the India swab and viral transport medium market are manufacturing polymeric foam-tipped swabs with flexible plastic handles to deliver efficient recovery of viral RNA. Improved specimen collection with minimum discomfort to patients is the key to develop oral and nasal swabs. However, minimal contact of healthcare workers with samples during packing is another important aspect of COVID-19 testing.

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Appropriate Specimen Collection Crucial for Influenza Diagnosis

Companies in the swab and viral transport medium market are innovating in kits containing vials, double-ended flocked swabs, antibiotics, and other items that inhibit bacterial or fungal contamination. They are focusing on improved formulation of Hanks solution to contain the reproduction of bacterial and fungal flora. Innovative viral transport medium products are bolstering growth of the swab and viral transport medium market, which is estimated to reach a value of US$ 2.2 Bn by 2030.

With the onset of the flu season, manufacturers are developing viral transport medium for influenza diagnostics. Influenza-related morbidity and mortality is a major concern in healthcare in western countries. Hence, manufacturers are increasing their R&D capabilities to manufacture swabs and viral transport medium that facilitates appropriate specimen collection for improved patient care.

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False Negatives and Reinfections Hamper Diagnosis of COVID-19 in Patients

The swab and viral transport medium market is projected to advance at a sluggish CAGR of ~3% during the forecast period. This is evident since the issue of false negatives and reinfection is surfacing in COVID-19 diagnosis. As such, healthcare professionals are facing issues to test performance and interpretation of COVID-19 testing, as the level of viral RNA in many cases is below the limit of detection. Hence, manufacturers in the swab and viral transport medium market are following CDC guidelines to develop products that facilitate appropriate specimen collection.

A good specimen collection leads to accurate results, thus improving clinical outcomes for COVID-19 testing. As such, nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs are being highly publicized for COVID-19 testing and is recommended by the CDC. On the other hand, manufacturers are developing nasal turbinate swabs and self-collected swabs for efficient collection of the coronavirus using saliva to diagnose the infection.

Strategic Agreements Strengthen Distribution of Swab and Viral Transport Medium

Companies in the swab and viral transport medium market are increasing efforts to develop FDA (Food & Drug Association)-approved products to gain global recognition. For instance, Hardy Diagnostics— an FDA-licensed manufacturer of medical devices for microbiological testing has introduced the Universal Transport Medium (UTM)® which is suitable for collection, maintenance, and long-term freeze storage of clinical specimens. Prolonged viability of organisms is highly preferred by researchers in swab and viral transport medium.

Manufacturers in the swab and viral transport medium market are innovating in products that facilitate rapid antigen testing, viral culture, and molecular-based assay. They are adopting the vertically integrated approach to manufacture swab and viral transport medium in order to gain complete control over the entire process. Companies are entering into strategic agreements to strengthen the distribution of products.

3D Printed Swab Gains Popularity for Cost-efficient Production Using Renewable Resources

The 3 dimensional (3D) printers are being used to produce cost-efficient nasopharyngeal swabs. Companies in the swab and viral transport medium market are using fused deposition modelling (FDM) printers to manufacture nasopharyngeal swab in a cost-efficient manner. Apart from hospital and retail pharmacies, manufacturers are now realizing the potential of online pharmacies. Hence, they are collaborating with e-Commerce giants to broaden their revenue streams.

Manufacturers are using FDA-approved biocompatible materials in swab such as polylactic acid (PLA) plastic filament. They are making use of renewable resources such as sugarcane and tapioca roots to produce 3D printed swab. On the other hand, companies are using flocking methods to electrostatically deposit small fibers of synthetic materials onto an adhesive-coated surface to produce nasopharyngeal swabs. In order to eliminate the need for adhesives, manufacturers are using mini blunt-ended hooks to secure polyester threads of nasopharyngeal swabs.

Analysts’ Viewpoint

The FDA has relaxed its regulations for the production of swab and viral transport medium used in COVID-19 diagnosis. However, there is a need for pandemic preparedness funding to develop technologies that are agile and quickly adapt to the introduction of new pathogens in the environment in the upcoming years. Hence, companies in the swab and viral transport medium market should invest in state-of-the-art facilities that prevent the shortage of products in future pandemic-like situations and cater to rapid testing applications. Manufacturers are increasing their portfolio in products that facilitate appropriate collection of chlamydia, ureaplasma, and mycoplasma that remain stable even at room temperature.