(19)

(11)

EP 0 871 770 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 21.10.1998 Bulletin 1998/43 (21) Application number: 96916483.0 (22) Date of filing: 16.05.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C12Q 1/ 68( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/007075 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/036734 (21.11.1996 Gazette 1996/51)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI (30) Priority: 18.05.1995 US 19950444143 (71) Applicant: Abbott Laboratories Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-3500 (US)	(72) Inventors: VALDIVIA, Lynn Grayslake, IL 60030 (US) YU, Hong Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 (US) DUNN, David, A. Chicago, IL 60611 (US) (74) Representative: Modiano, Guido, Dr.-Ing., et al  Modiano, Josif, Pisanty & Staub, Baaderstrasse 3 80469 München 80469 München (DE)