Disclosed is s sulfoalkyl ether cyclodextrin (SAE-CD) composition comprising a sulfoalkyl ether cyclodextrin having an average degree of substitution of 4.5 to 7.5 and less than 100 ppm of a phosphate, wherein the SAE-CD composition has an absorption of less than 0.5 A.U. due to a drug-degrading agent, as determined by UV/ vis spectrophotometry at a wavelength of 245 nm to 270 nm for an aqueous solution containing 300mg of the SAE-CD composition per mL of solution in a cell having a 1 cm path length. Further disclosed is a process for preparing said composition involving separation techniques and treatment with a phosphate-free activated carbon.
