The invention relates to a novel purified recombinant αVβ3 adhesion receptor which shows an unimpaired ligand binding activity, and a process for preparing said soluble non-membrane bound receptor in excellent yields by recombinant techniques using a baculovirus-insect cell expression system. The so-synthesized soluble receptor may be used very easily as screening tool for new therapeutic compounds which may inhibit the natural αvβ3 adhesion receptor. Such therapeutic compounds which can be discovered very easily, fast and without health risk by means of the souluble receptors according to the invention may be, for example, RGD peptides or non-peptidic compounds mimicking the natural ligand epitopes. The invention relates, furthermore, to a corresponding process for preparing recombinant full-length αVβ3 adhesion receptor in excellent yields, additionally using detergents to dissolve the membrane bound receptor from the surface of the host cell.