Method for sterilization of biological preparations

Abstract

Provided is a method for the sterilization of a biological preparation including desired viable biological entities. The method includes irradiating a dried (e.g. freeze-dried) biological preparation with UV radiation at an intensity and for a duration sufficient to reduce the amount or activity of living-matter contaminants in the biological preparation, the intensity and duration selected such that at least part of the desired biological entities in the sample remains viable. The described method is particularly suitable for the reduction of the amount or activity of contaminants such as bacteria or viruses from biological preparations including red blood cells or platelets.

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . A method for sterilizing a biological preparation comprising a viable eukaryotic nucleus free cell, the method comprising:
 irradiating a freeze-dried biological preparation comprising a viable eukaryotic nucleus free cell with UV radiation at an intensity and for a duration sufficient to reduce the amount or activity of living-matter contaminants in the freeze-dried biological preparation, the intensity and duration selected such that at least part of the viable biological entity in the freeze-dried biological preparation remains viable,   wherein the freeze-dried biological preparation does not comprise a sensitizing agent and the method does not comprise adding a sensitizing agent.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the UV radiation is irradiated for a period of 1 hour or less. 
   
   
       9 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the freeze-dried biological preparation has less than 60% less water than the original preparation. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the freeze-dried biological preparation has less than 90% less water than the original preparation. 
   
   
       14 . A viable biological preparation obtainable by the method of  claim 7 . 
   
   
       15 - 16 . (canceled)