Abstract: An extraction and purification process for human gamma interferon (HuIFN-gamma) from recombinant host cells producing the same in insoluble form is described, which comprises suspending the cells in a buffer solution having pH from 6.0 to 8.5, optionally complemented with an osmoprotector; disrupting the cells in conditions which do not activate the endocellular proteases; separating and solubilizing the pellet containing the insoluble HuIFN-gamma by extraction with phosphate buffer having pH comprised between 6.5 and 8.5 and finally purifying the solubilized HuIFN-gamma by one or more chromatographic techniques. Such a process allows non-degraded HuIFN-gamma to be obtained, with a biological activity and chemical-physical properties unaffected vis-a-vis the native product and in high yield and purity.

Abstract: A method is described for the purification of crude human interferon from solutions containing it, which comprises:a) the complete adsorption of the crude interferon in a column of siliceous material which has previously been disinfected with an aqueous solution of formaldehyde;b) the washing of the column with non-pyrogenic, sterile, deionized water;c) the removal of the extraneous residual proteins by the elution of the column successively with a 1.4 M aqueous solution of NaCl in non-pyrogenic, sterile, deionized water, and with an aqueous solution of acetic acid having a molar concentration of 0.001 M to 0.003 M;d) the elution of the interferon from the column with an aqueous solution of acetic acid having a molar concentration of from 0.01 to 0.03 M and finally,e) the recovery and lyophilization of the elution containing the purified interferon.