Abstract: A process for the preparation and purification of recombinant Interferon-.alpha. is disclosed. The invention is directed to a process comprising the following steps: cultivating E. coli containing the interferon gene for a growth period during which not more than 5% methionine-interferon is formed; extracting and concentrating the expressed interferon; subjecting the preliminarily purified material to Tandem Chromatography, wherein the Tandem Chromatography comprises separation on a cellulose column followed by an anti-alpha-interferon monoclonal antibody affinity column; subjecting the thus purified material to isoelectric precipitation of impurities at about pH 4.0 to about pH 4.8; and purifying the interferon by chromatography on a high performance cation exchange column using a volatile buffer, wherein the purified interferon is non-immunogenic when administered parenterally to a human.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process of producing interferon which comprises incubating permanent cell lines of lymphoblast origin or human fibroblast cells with interferon inducers and stimulator substances and recovering the interferon produced.