PROCEDIMIENTO PARA INACTIVAR AGENTES INFECCIOSOS DE DERIVADOS DEL PLASMA

Compositions containing therapeutically or immunologically active proteins are rendered substantially free from infectious agents such as viable viruses and bacteria without substantial loss of therapeutic or immunologic activity by mixing the protein composition with a complex formed from source of transition metal ions, such as copper ions, and an angularly-fused, polynuclear heterocyclic arene having two nitrogen atoms in a "cis-ortho" relationship, such as phenanthroline, and a reducing agent such as a thiol in amounts and at a temperature and for a time sufficient to inactivate substantially all of the viruses and bacteria contained therein. Compositions containing therapeutically active proteins substantially free from viral and bacterial infectivity, which have heretofore been unattainable, can be prepared by the method of the invention.