Evaluation of formulations to improve SARS-CoV-2 viability and thermostability after lyophilisation

C Baronti; B Coutard; X de Lamballerie; R Charrel; F Touret

doi:10.1016/j.jviromet.2021.114252

Evaluation of formulations to improve SARS-CoV-2 viability and thermostability after lyophilisation

J Virol Methods. 2021 Nov:297:114252. doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2021.114252. Epub 2021 Aug 5.

Authors

C Baronti¹, B Coutard², X de Lamballerie², R Charrel², F Touret²

Affiliations

¹ Unité Des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection), 13005, Marseille, France. Electronic address: cecile.baronti@univ-amu.fr.
² Unité Des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection), 13005, Marseille, France.

Abstract

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, virus collections such as EVA-GLOBAL play a key role in the supply of viruses and related products for research. Freeze-drying techniques for viruses represent a method of choice for the preservation of strains and their distribution without the need for a demanding cold chain. Here, we describe an optimised lyophilisation protocol usable for SARS-CoV-2 strains that improves preservation and thermostability. We show that sucrose used as an adjuvant represents a simple and efficient stabilizer providing increased protection for long-term preservation and shipment of the virus under different climatic conditions.

Keywords: Biobanking; COVID-19; Lyophilisation; SARS-CoV-2; Stabilizers.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Freeze Drying
Humans
Pandemics
Preservation, Biological
SARS-CoV-2*