Patent ID: 7354740

Claim:
An animal protein free (â€œAPFâ€) process for purifying a biologically active botulinum toxin, the process comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a sample of a botulinum toxin fermentation culture, wherein the botulinum toxin fermentation culture results from a substantially APF process, (b) contacting a hydrophobic interaction chromatography column resin with the culture sample so as to permit capture of a botulinum toxin by the hydrophobic interaction chromatography column; (c) washing impurities off the hydrophobic interaction chromatography column; (d) eluting the botulinum toxin from the hydrophobic interaction column; (e) loading an ion exchange column chromatography column resin with the eluent from the hydrophobic interaction chromatography column; (f) washing impurities off the ion exchange chromatography column, and; (g) eluting the botulinum toxin from the ion exchange column, thereby obtaining a purified biologically active botulinum toxin through a process for purifying a botulinum toxin which is a substantially APF purification process.