METHOD FOR PURIFICATION AND RECOVERY OF UROKINASE

Urokinase of a high degree of purity is obtained in good yield by adsorption of the urokinase from a contaminated aqueous urokinase solution, e.g. human urine, on an agaropectin-containing water-insoluble polysaccharide, e.g. agar or an agarose, and agaropectin-containing preparation. The polysaccharide is then removed at a weakly acidic to neutral pH, which is set, e.g., using a buffered salt solution, with the urokinase adsorbed thereon by ion formation. After washing out the impurities which may be present, the urokinase is eluted in an ion exchange reaction using an aqueous alkaline solution or a concentrated aqueous, neutral solution of a salt or a neutral amino acid. Purified urokinase is used clinically to a large extent for the therapy of peripheral arterial and venous thromboses and myocardial infarcts, which can be attributed to the formation of fibrin clots in blood vessels.