In a method for reconstituting a recombinant protein from a denatured
state to its active form, a feed solution containing the recombinant
protein in its denatured and/or in biologically inactive intermediate
forms is subjected to a chromatographic separation process, in which the
protein is reconstituted under conditions that promote refolding of the
protein and the intermediate forms are separated from the refolded
protein. The denatured form and/or the inactive intermediate forms of the
protein are separated from the refolded protein in a continuous or
quasi-continuous manner and optionally recycled to the feed solution.