SARS-CoV-2-inactivating1 dilution and extraction buffer for immunoassays based on saliva or mucosal swab samples Storage: contains < 0.0014 % [w/w] reaction mass of CMIT/MIT (3:1) Expiry date when stored unopened: see label on the bottle For general laboratory use SafetyTector® S is not a chemical disinfectant, antiseptic, or preservative Fields of application SafetyTector® S is a ready-to-use diluent for immunoassays based on saliva or mucosal swab samples. Diluted samples are directly applied to lateral flow assays as flow buffer. Swabs can be extracted directly with SafetyTector® S. Diluted samples can also be used in other immunoassays such as ELISA. SafetyTector® S inactivates SARS-CoV-2 and improves the texture of potentially infectious saliva or mucosal swab samples. At a 1:4 dilution, SafetyTector® S is able to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in these samples within 1 min1 (For details please refer to the „ Letter of Acknowledgement“issued by the Institute of Molecular Virology, University Hospital Ulm). Instructions for use SafetyTector® S is ready-to-use. Please shake the buffer thoroughly before use. Dilution of the specimens: Samples must be diluted in SafetyTector® S at least 1:4 (1 part sample in 3 parts SafetyTector® S) and mixed thoroughly. Standards and specimens should be treated strictly the same way. SafetyTector® S is not suited for long-term storage of specimens. Lateral flow assays: SafetyTector® S replaces the dilution buffer, extraction buffer, chase buffer or flow buffer. Saliva must be diluted with at least 3 sample volumes of SafetyTector® S. Swabs must be incubated in SafetyTector® S and should be squeezed for optimal sample recovery, if applicable. Volume of SafetyTector® S must at least be 3 times the maximum capacity of the swab. Other assay technologies: SafetyTector® S may also be employed as sample diluent if saliva or mucosal swab samples are analysed by technologies like ELISA, protein arrays, bead assays (e.g. Luminex assays), immuno-PCR, or automated high-throughput immunoassay systems. Suitability of SafetyTector® S for a specific assay has to be tested by the user. For further information please visit www.candor-bioscience.com. SafetyTector is a registered trademark of CANDOR Bioscience GmbH. 1: Treatment with SafetyTector® S reduced mean SARS-CoV-2 infection dose by 3.5 log10 after 1 min and by 4.0 log10 TCID50/ml after 5 minutes of incubation. No remaining infectivity could be detected with the used method. This test was performed using infectious virus isolates diluted in human saliva. The effectiveness of this treatment against SARS-CoV-2 may vary when used to inactivate other sample matrices. Demonstrating complete inactivation is dependent on the concentration of virus in the sample. SARS-CoV-2 in samples that show a higher level of infectious virus than those examined in this study may not be inactivated completely and could potentially remai