Abstract: There is disclosed novel peptides, fragments or analogues thereof and polynucleotides encoding the same, obtained from streptokinase suitable for use in the amelioration of cell death and methods related thereto.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a pure form of protein, wherein the protein is protease activating blood clotting factor VII, the proenzyme for the protease, or a mixture of both the-protease and the proenzyme, is described. The protein is obtained from biological fluids or through genetic engineering and is isolated by anion- and/or cation-exchange chromatography at a pH below the isoelectric point of the protein to be isolated, or by a combination of anion- or cation-exchange chromatography with a chromatography process and/or fractional precipitation at pH between 2.5 and 9.0.