Process for concentration of macromolecules

Abstract

The invention provides methods for concentrating a macromolecule from a solution comprising the macromolecule and an organic polymer by first subjecting the solution to ultrafiltration to produce a first retentate solution, then adjusting the conductivity of the first retentate solution such that any protein precipitation induced by the organic polymer is essentially prevented to produce a second retentate solution, and then subjecting the second retentate solution to ultrafiltration. In a preferred embodiment, the conductivity is adjusted by diafiltration against water, suitable diluent or buffer. Preferably, the invention pertains to the concentration of solutions of native or recombinant proteins. The invention further pertains preferably to methods for the concentration of cell culture supernatant comprising a product protein and organic polymers of the Pluronic family of block co-polymers, and more preferably comprising Pluronic F-68 block co-polymer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.