(19)

(11)

EP 0 868 179 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 07.10.1998 Bulletin 1998/41 (21) Application number: 96944328.0 (22) Date of filing: 09.12.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61K 31/ 415( . ) A61K 31/ 4164( . ) A61K 31/ 4178( . ) A61P 9/ 04( . ) A61K 31/ 00( . ) A61K 31/ 4174( . ) A61P 9/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/019781 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/021436 (19.06.1997 Gazette 1997/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE (30) Priority: 12.12.1995 US 19950008757 16.02.1996 GB 19960003376 (71) Applicant: Merck & Co., Inc. (a New Jersey corp.) Rahway, N.J. 07065 (US)	(72) Inventors: COHEN, Sheila, M. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) WERRMANN, Jeffrey, G. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) (74) Representative: Hiscock, Ian James  European Patent Department, Merck & Co., Inc., Terlings Park, Eastwick Road Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR (GB)