water; the epothilone(s) is or are desorbed from the resin using a polar solvent, especially an alcohol, primarily a lower alkanol such as isopropanol; if necessary, concentrated by means of prior, simultaneous or subsequent addition of water; an organic solvent which is immiscible with water, for example an ester, such as ethyl acetate, is added, and the epothilone(s) is or are transferred to the