Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolation of highly pure von Willebrand Factor in which recombinant von Willebrand Factor (rvWF) is chromatographically purified by anion exchange chromatography on an anion exchanger of the quaternary amino type in a buffer solution comprising buffer substances and optionally salt.The buffer solutions are preferably free of stabilizers, amino acids and other additives. According to this method, highly pure recombinant vWF can be obtained, which is free from blood plasma proteins, especially free from Factor VIII, and is physiologically active.Further, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical preparation that contains rvWF, which is comprised of multimers with a high structural integrity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolation of highly pure von Willebrand Factor in which recombinant von Willebrand Factor (rvWF) is chromatographically purified by anion exchange chromatography on an anion exchanger of the quaternary amino type in a buffer solution comprising buffer substances and optionally salt.The buffer solutions are preferably free of stabilizers, amino acids and other additives. According to this method, highly pure recombinant vWF can be obtained, which is free from blood plasma proteins, especially free from Factor VIII, and is physiologically active.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolation of highly pure von Willebrand Factor in which recombinant von Willebrand Factor (rvWF) is chromatographically purified by anion exchange chromatography on an anion exchanger of the quaternary amino type in a buffer solution comprising buffer substances and optionally salt. The buffer solutions are preferably free of stabilizers, amino acids and other additives. According to this method, highly pure recombinant rvWF can be obtained, which is free from blood plasma proteins, especially free from Factor VIII, and is physiologically active. Further, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical preparation that contains rvWF, which comprises mulitimers with a high structural integrity.

Abstract: A method for producing Influenza and other viruses and vaccines derived therefrom utilizes serum-free cultured vertebrate cells or vertebrate biomass aggregates to both eliminate the necessity to use costly methods requiring whole chicken embryos and, optionally, to provide proteases suitable for the activation of a wide variety of viruses. In one aspect, the method comprises the periodic or continuous removal of "treatment portions" of virus-containing culture medium into an "augmentation loop" for treatment with a broad range of substances, such as proteases that augment the activation of the virus. Use of the loop allows utilization of such substances at high concentrations while eliminating their cell toxic effects. Another aspect of the invention provides for the alteration of cleavage sites in virus proteins to thereby render them more susceptible to activation in culture.

Abstract: A method for producing Influenza and other viruses and vaccines derived therefrom utilizes serum-free cultured vertebrate cells or vertebrate biomass aggregates to both eliminate the necessity to use costly methods requiring whole chicken embryos and, optionally, to provide proteases suitable for the activation of a wide variety of viruses. In one aspect, the method comprises the periodic or continuous removal of "treatment portions" of virus-containing culture medium into an "augmentation loop" for treatment with a broad range of substances, such as proteases that augment the activation of the virus. Use of the loop allows utilization of such substances at high concentrations while eliminating their cell toxic effects. Another aspect of the invention provides for the alteration of cleavage sites in virus proteins to thereby render them more susceptible to activation in culture.

Abstract: The invention resides in a matrix, i.e. in a carrier material, with human or animal cells adherently bound thereto, the cells being infected with virus. It has shown that surface-dependent cells suitable for virus propagation remain adherently bound to a matrix even in the virus-infected state, continuously produce virus antigen over relatively long periods of time and deliver them into the culture medium. For producing TBE virus antigen by growing tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus in cell cultures, a surface-dependent permanent cell line, preferably the Vero cell line ATCC CCL 81, is inoculated with TBE virus, and the cells are kept bound to carriers in a non-lyric serum-free system while maintaining the cell growth, so as to maintain antigen formation, whereupon the antigen-containing medium is separated form the carrier-bound cells and, in a known manner, is processed to a galencially acceptable preparation by concentration, inactivation and purification.

Abstract: A method of producing an influenza virus and vaccines derived from the virus utilizes cultured vertebrate biomass aggregates comprising a plurality of cell types derived from a plurality of vertebrate tissues and is particularly suitable for use with chicken embryo cultures. The method both eliminates the necessity to use costly methods requiring whole chicken embryos and provides proteases suitable for the activation of a wide variety of viruses. After infecting the cells of the culture with an influenza virus, which is preferably modified to create a cleavage site in the hemagglutinin of the virus, a substance such as a protease is introduced that cleaves the hemagglutinin. The culture then is incubated under conditions that permit growth of the virus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biomass for producing virus/virus antigen, which consists of cell aggregates of avian embryo cells having diameters of between 100 .mu.m and 1,000 .mu.m. The biomass according to the invention has a high metabolic activity in suspension in the culture medium and is infected with virus. It enables the large-scale production of pure virus/virus antigen and is particularly suitable for the production of TBE-virus/virus antigen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biomass for producing virus/virus antigen, which consists of cell aggregates having diameters of between 100 .mu.m and 1,000 .mu.m. The biomass according to the invention has a high metabolic activity in suspension in the culture medium and is infected with virus. It enables the large-scale production of pure virus/virus antigen and is particularly suitable for the production of TBE-virus/virus antigen.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for releasing cell cultures from microcarriers in which a trypsin solution is directed through a container with the microcarriers therein in a flow-through process. The released cells are immediately withdrawn from the carrier, with the trypsin solution being inactivated and/or removed after leaving the container.

Abstract: Superior pharmaceutical compositions which comprise carriers coupled to epitope-bearing moieties are described. The carriers are crystalline or paracrystalline glycoproteins, especially those derived from S-layers of microbial cell walls. These conjugates are capable of eliciting the formation of antibodies as well as a T-cell response.

Abstract: A fermenter for culturing cell cultures, and particularly on microcarriers. The fermenter comprises a vessel in which the cell cultures are maintained in suspension by means of an agitator. A screen aerator supplies oxygen in finely distributed form to the suspension at a distance away from the rotating axis of the agitator.