Copan eNAT- molecular collection and preservation medium- is intended for the stabilization, transportation and inactivation of an unprocessed upper respiratory clinical specimen suspected of containing influenza A virus RNA. eNAT- molecular collection and preservation medium- is intended for use with compatible molecular assays.
Device Story
eNAT is a molecular collection and preservation medium used to stabilize and inactivate unprocessed upper respiratory specimens suspected of containing influenza A virus. The device consists of a polypropylene tube containing 2 mL of medium formulated with guanidine thiocyanate and a detergent. It is available as a standalone tube or in a kit with nylon flocked swabs. The medium inactivates the virus and preserves RNA integrity for transport at ambient temperatures. It is intended for use by healthcare professionals in clinical settings to collect samples for subsequent molecular testing. The device does not support culture-based techniques. By inactivating the pathogen, it enhances laboratory safety during handling and transport while maintaining nucleic acid stability for up to 28 days, ensuring reliable downstream molecular assay performance.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Inactivation study demonstrated >4.0 log reduction in Flu A titer within 10 seconds. Analytical sensitivity study using Cepheid Xpert Xpress Flu/RSV assay showed equivalent LoD to reference UTM. Stability study confirmed Flu A RNA stability in eNAT for 4 weeks at 2-8°C and 25°C, with ΔCt values within ±3.0 criteria.
Technological Characteristics
Tube-based collection system containing 2 mL stabilization medium. Reagents: Tris-EDTA, Guanidine thiocyanate, Detergent, HEPES, Distilled water. Sterilization: Gamma irradiation. Storage: 2-8°C to 25°C. Single-use. Compatible with molecular assays.
Indications for Use
Indicated for the stabilization, transportation, and inactivation of unprocessed upper respiratory clinical specimens suspected of containing influenza A virus RNA for use with compatible molecular assays.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A microbial nucleic acid storage and stabilization device is a device that consists of a container and reagents intended to stabilize microbial nucleic acids in human specimens for subsequent isolation and purification of nucleic acids for further molecular testing. The device is not intended for preserving morphology or viability of microorganisms.
Special Controls
The special controls for this device are: (1) The intended use for the 21 CFR 809.10 labeling must include a detailed description of microorganisms and types of human specimens intended to be preserved. (2) The 21 CFR 809.10(b) labeling must include: (i) A detailed device description, including all device components. (ii) Performance characteristics from applicable analytical studies, including but not limited to, nucleic acid stability and microorganism inactivation. (iii) A limiting statement that erroneous results may occur when the transport device is not compatible with molecular testing. (iv) A limiting statement that the device has only been validated to preserve the representative microorganisms used in the analytical studies. (3) Design verification and validation must include the following: (i) Overall device design including all device components and all control elements incorporated into the analytical validation procedures. (ii) Thorough description of the microorganisms and methodology used in the validation of the device including, but not limited to, extraction platforms and assays used for the detection of preserved nucleic acids. (iii) The limit of detection (LoD) of the molecular test used to establish microorganism nucleic acid stability.
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special controls for this device are:(1) The intended use for the labeling required under § 809.10 of this chapter must include a detailed description of microorganisms and types of human specimens intended to be preserved.
(2) The labeling required under § 809.10(b) of this chapter must include the following:
(i) A detailed device description, including all device components;
(ii) Performance characteristics from applicable analytical studies, including nucleic acid stability and microorganism inactivation;
(iii) A limiting statement that erroneous results may occur when the transport device is not compatible with molecular testing; and
(iv) A limiting statement that the device has only been validated to preserve the representative microorganisms used in the analytical studies.
(3) Design verification and validation must include the following:
(i) Overall device design, including all device components and all control elements incorporated into the analytical validation procedures;
(ii) Thorough description of the microorganisms and methodology used in the validation of the device including, extraction platforms and assays used for the detection of preserved nucleic acids; and
(iii) The limit of detection (LoD) of the molecular test used to establish microorganism nucleic acid stability.
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FDA
U.S. FOOD & DRUG
ADMINISTRATION
# 510(k) SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE DETERMINATION DECISION SUMMARY
## I Background Information:
A 510(k) Number
K201849
B Applicant
Copan Italia S.p.A.
C Proprietary and Established Names
eNAT molecular collection and preservation medium
D Regulatory Information
| Product Code(s) | Classification | Regulation Section | Panel |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| QBD | Class II | 21 CFR 866.2950 - Microbial Nucleic Acid Storage and Stabilization Device | MI - Microbiology |
## II Submission/Device Overview:
A Purpose for Submission:
To make a substantial equivalence determination for the Copan eNAT for the collection, transport and storage of viral specimens to the laboratory for downstream testing.
B Measurand:
Storage and stability of nucleic acids from influenza A virus.
C Type of Test:
Microbial nucleic acid storage and stabilization device
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
www.fda.gov
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III Intended Use/Indications for Use:
A Intended Use(s):
See Indications for Use below.
B Indication(s) for Use:
Copan eNAT- molecular collection and preservation medium- is intended for the stabilization, transportation and inactivation of an unprocessed upper respiratory clinical specimen suspected of containing influenza A virus RNA. eNAT- molecular collection and preservation medium- is intended for use with compatible molecular assays.
C Special Conditions for Use Statement(s):
For prescription use only.
D Special Instrument Requirements:
None
IV Device/System Characteristics:
A Device Description:
The eNAT molecular collection and preservation medium, eNAT molecular collection and preservation system consists of tube with transport media, the media appears clear and transparent and is ready to use. The tubs contain 2 mL of the stabilization media. The components of the media are intended to inactivate influenza A, lyse cells, disrupt/lyse lipid membranes, denatures proteins, inactivates enzymes, and stabilize influenza A RNA. The transport device is designed for storage of specimens between 36-39 and 77 °F (2-8 to 25 °C). The media is sold in the following three configurations:
- A plastic screw-cap tube filled with 2 ml of Molecular Preservation and Transport medium.
- A plastic screw-cap tube filled with 2 ml of Molecular Preservation and Transport medium and a regular size tip nylon flocked swab for sample collection.
- A plastic screw-cap tube filled with 2 ml of Molecular Preservation and Transport and a minitip nylon flocked swab for sample collection.
B Principle of Operation:
The device components are intended to inactivate influenza A lyse cells, disrupt/lyse lipid membranes, denatures proteins, inactivates enzymes, and stabilize influenza A RNA. The transport device is designed for storage of specimens between 36-39 and 77 °F (between 2-8°C and 25 °C) for up to 28 days.
The media contains the following reagents:
- Tris-EDTA
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- Guanidine thiocyanate
- Detergent
- HEPES
- Distilled water
V Substantial Equivalence Information:
A Predicate Device Name(s):
PrimeStore MTM
B Predicate 510(k) Number(s):
DEN170029
C Comparison with Predicate(s):
| Device & Predicate Device(s): | K201849 | DEN170029 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Device Trade Name | eNAT molecular collection and preservation medium, eNAT molecular collection and preservation system | PrimeStore MTM |
| Device Type | Transport device for the stabilization of microbial nucleic acids | Transport device for the stabilization of microbial nucleic acids |
| Intended Use/Indications For Use | Copan eNAT- molecular collection and preservation medium- is intended for the stabilization, transportation and inactivation of an unprocessed upper respiratory clinical specimen suspected of containing influenza A virus RNA. eNAT- molecular collection and preservation medium- is intended for use with compatible molecular assays. | PrimeStore MTM is intended for the stabilization, transportation and inactivation of infectious unprocessed nasal washes suspected of containing influenza A virus RNA. PrimeStore MTM is also intended for the stabilization, transportation and inactivation of infectious unprocessed sputum samples suspected of containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA from human samples. |
| Inactivation tested on Flu A | >4.0 log reduction in concentration at 10 seconds | Same |
| Storage Temperature | 2-8 °C up to 25°C | Same |
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| General Device Characteristic Differences | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Specimen stability | eNAT medium preserves influenza A RNA for up to 28 days at between 2-8 °C up to 25°C | Primestore MTM medium preserves influenza A RNA for up to 8 days at 27°C and 29 days at 4°C |
| Specimen Type | Upper respiratory specimen | Nasal washes and sputum samples |
VI Standards/Guidance Documents Referenced:
Special controls that are applicable to regulation 21 CFR 866.2950.
VII Performance Characteristics (if/when applicable):
A Analytical Performance:
1. Traceability, Stability, Expected Values (Controls, Calibrators, or Methods):
Shelf life: The shelf life for the Copan eNAT media is 18 months after the date of manufacture. The stability of the Copan eNAT media was established using a real time stability protocol on a total of three lots.
Sterilization: The Copan eNAT molecular collection and preservation medium and eNAT molecular collection and preservation system vials are provided as sterile. Vials are single use devices. The manufacturing process includes sterilization by gamma irradiation. The 18 month sterility testing demonstrated no growth detected up to and beyond this claimed time point.
2. Detection Limit:
a) LoD testing was conducted to determine the lowest concentration of analyte that can be detected with a greater than 95% detection rate. The LoD studies for influenza A were designed using the Cepheid GeneXpert Xpress Flu/RSV assay to establish a concentration of organisms used for additional testing noted below.
LoD testing was initially performed by spiking multiple concentrations of influenza A into simulated nasal matrix; simulated nasal matrix was used because of safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrived nasal matrix has also been used for the clearance of other invitro diagnostic device during the pandemic from which a collective knowledge has been gained indicating that contrived matrix is safe and effective for the evaluation of upper respiratory samples. The matrix was composed of Porcine mucin, whole human blood, PBS, glycerol and water. The simulated matrix was spiked with influenza A (H3N2 ATCC VR-1679 A/Hong Kong/8/68) at a concertation of 3.16×10⁹ TCID₅₀/mL. The final concentration of each spiked simulated matrix was then added to the eNAT media with a swab to achieve a final ratio of 1:10 specimen to eNAT for
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recovery using the GeneXpert Xpress Flu/RSV assay. The samples were then diluted 1:5 to determine the LoD. The study objective was to determine the detectable concentration of influenza A (H3N2 A/Hong Kong/8/68) after spiking into simulated matrix and added to eNAT media. No detection $(\mathrm{Ct} = 40)$ was observed at less than 0.180 TCID50/mL concentration. All other higher concentrations demonstrated recovery of influenza A. Table 1 below shows the results of the 1:5 dilutions of influenza A.
Confirmatory LoD testing was provided at a concentration of $0.180\mathrm{TCID}_{50} / \mathrm{mL}$ with 24 replicates in both eNAT and the media used for the original clearance of GeneXpert Xpress Flu/RSV assay. The GeneXpert Xpress Flu/RSV has an acceptance criteria of virus detection at a concentration range of $0.75 - 0.006$ TCID50/ml in matrix. The same detection range was applied to the eNAT media and further determine by the concentration that yielded at least a $95\%$ of the replicates were recoverable within this range. At a concentration of $0.180\mathrm{TCID}_{50} / \mathrm{mL}$ , 24 of 24 replicates had recoverable concentrations. Influenza A RNA was extracted and amplified using the GeneXpert Xpress Flu/RSV assay with an average $\mathrm{CT} = 34.4$ ; S.D. = 0.94.
Table 1. Influenza A Preliminary Limit of Detection
| FLUA Concentration (TCID50/mL) | eNAT 4 Reps Average (Ct) | SD (Ct) | Media used for Xpress assay 4 rep Average (Ct) | SD (Ct) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 4.480 | 29.3 | 0.18 | 29.2 | 0.32 |
| 0.90 | 32.0 | 0.26 | 31.7 | 0.60 |
| 0.180 | 34.3 | 0.95 | 33.9 | 0.28 |
| 0.036 | >40 | 0 | >40 | 0 |
| 0.072 | >40 | 0 | >40 | 0 |
LoD testing at $0.180\mathrm{TCID}_{50}$ resulted in all 24 replicates for the concentration meeting the pre-defined acceptance criteria.
# b) Viral Stability
The stability of influenza A virus (H3N2 A/Hong Kong/8/68) at $10\mathrm{x}$ LoD (1.8 $\mathrm{TCID}_{50} / \mathrm{mL}$ ) was evaluated by spiking virus into simulated matrix incubated in Copan eNAT at ambient temperature $(25^{\circ}\mathrm{C}, 77^{\circ}\mathrm{F})$ for 28 days (see Table 3), and refrigerated temperature $(2 - 8^{\circ}\mathrm{C}, 36 - 39^{\circ}\mathrm{F})$ for 28 days (see Table 4). The Cepheid GeneXpert Xpress Flu/RSV assay was used to determine stability of Flu A in Copan eNAT. The stability study analyzed a total of six lots, three lots near the manufacture date and three lots at the end the end of the claimed 18-month stability. Four tubes from each lot were tested totaling 24 replicates tested at each time point and each temperature range. An initial time point designated as Day 0 was included as the initial Ct average for each of the two temperature ranges tested. Testing at three time points was performed at Day 0, 14 and 28 for refrigerated temperature $(2 - 8^{\circ}\mathrm{C}, 36 - 39^{\circ}\mathrm{F})$ , and four additional time points, Day 7, 14, 21 and 28, for ambient temperature $(25^{\circ}\mathrm{C}, 77^{\circ}\mathrm{F})$ .
The Xpert Xpress Flu/RSV Assay has an SPC Negative Control SPC that, per the package insert, must be amplified for a run to be valid and confirm the absenec of pathogen. If pathogen RNA is detected (in this case Flu A) there is no need for SPC to be
K201849 - Page 5 of 7
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detected. A pre-defined acceptance criteria of $(+/-)$ 3.0 Ct from the initial time zero value was the acceptance criteria.
Table 3. Flu A (1.80 TCID ${}_{50}/\mathrm{{mL}}$ ) stability at ${25}^{ \circ }\mathrm{C}$
| Days (4°C) | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AVG (Ct): | 30.8 | 30.6 | 30.7 | 30.8 | 30.7 |
| SD (Ct): | 0.4 | 0.24 | 0.2 | 0.44 | 0.28 |
Table 4. Flu A (1.80 TCID ${}_{50}/\mathrm{{mL}}$ ) stability at ${2 - 8}^{ \circ }\mathrm{C}$
| Days | 0 | 14 | 28 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AVG (Ct): | 30.8 | 30.5 | 30.6 |
| SD (Ct): | 0.4 | 0.13 | 0.2 |
Stability testing of RNA from influenza A whole virus spiked into nasal wash and stored in eNAT resulted in a maximum variation of $0.2\mathrm{C_t}$ over 28 days at $25^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$ and a maximum variation of $0.3\mathrm{C_t}$ over 28 days at $2 - 8^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$ .
# c) Inactivation
Influenza A virus (H3N2 A/Hong Kong/8/68) at a concentration of $3.16 \times 10^{7} \mathrm{TCID}_{50} / \mathrm{ml}$ was incubated with eNAT media for 10 seconds. Influenza A only and Copan eNAT only were also incubated accordingly to serve as internal controls. Influenza A, Influenza A and eNAT or eNAT alone was then incubated on to cell cultures. Four days after inoculation, the cells were fixed and stained with $1\%$ crystal violet in $80\%$ acetone. Cells that did not take up the stain were considered evidence of a viral cytopathic effect (CPE) and as a result was considered a measure of viral viability. The titer of the virus CPE was calculated and recorded as the $\mathrm{TCID}_{50}$ .
# Inactivation time:
The Copan eNAT showed no cytotoxicity on MDCK cells at a 1:1,000 dilution factor; therefore at least a 1:1,000 dilution factor is needed to avoid a direct cytotoxic effect of the eNAT media. Influenza A was then exposed to Copan eNAT for 10 seconds prior to dilution and incubation (final concentration $\leq 10^{3}$ TCID $_{50}$ /mL), while Influenza only samples had viral loads of $3.16 \times 10^{7}$ TCID $_{50}$ of virus and eNAT alone was diluted 1:1000. The eNAT media rapidly inactivated Influenza virus with a $>4.0$ log reduction at a 1:10 specimen to media concentration at 10 seconds. Viral CPE could not be observed at $< 3.0$ logs due to cellular destruction by eNAT media. See Table 5 below.
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Table 5 Flu A inactivation in eNAT
| | 10s incubation
TCID50 |
| --- | --- |
| Flu A only | 3.15 x 107 |
| Flu A and eNAT | ≤ 3.0 |
| eNAT only* | ≤ 3.0 |
*eNAT shows cytotoxicity on MDCK cells when diluted to 1:1,000.
Copan eNAT must be used at a ratio of at least 1:10 in Copan eNAT media at a minimum of 10 seconds exposure time to demonstrate inactivation of influenza A. Measuring Influenza inactivation below 1 x 10³ TCID50 was not possible because of the cytotoxic affects Copan eNAT has on the cell culture based
## VIII Proposed Labeling:
The labeling supports the finding of substantial equivalence for this device.
## IX Conclusion:
The submitted information in this premarket notification is complete and supports a substantial equivalence decision.
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