PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide methods of highly concentrating a therapeutic protein solution such as an antibody solution, and an apparatus therefor.SOLUTION: A method of concentrating a protein solution comprises applying a flow of gas to a permeate side of a porous membrane in an ultrafiltration device comprising a porous membrane having the permeate side. Also provided is an apparatus therefor.EFFECT: A method comprises circulating a solution containing protein through an ultrafiltration device, evaporating and removing water on a permeate side through an ultrafiltration membrane for concentration. The method results in protein solution concentrations not previously achievable by conventional ultrafiltration methods, e.g., protein solution concentrations greater than about 260 g of protein per liter of a solution.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1【課題】抗体溶液等の治療用タンパク質溶液を高濃縮する方法とそのための機器の提供。【解決手段】透過液側を持つ多孔質膜を含む限外濾過装置において、多孔質膜の透過液側に気体流をあてるステップを含むタンパク質溶液の濃縮法とそのための機器。【効果】タンパク質を含む水溶液を限外濾過装置を循環させ、限外濾過膜を通じて透過液側で水分を気化除去し、濃縮する方法であって、従来の限外濾過法によりこれまで達成できなかったタンパク質溶液濃度、例えば、溶液１リットル当たりタンパク質約２６０ｇを超えるタンパク質溶液濃度をもたらす。【選択図】図１
