(19)

(11)

EP 0 914 611 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.05.1999 Bulletin 1999/19 (21) Application number: 97924507.0 (22) Date of filing: 18.04.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C12N 15/ 09( . ) C07K 14/ 705( . ) C12N 1/ 15( . ) C12N 1/ 21( . ) C12Q 1/ 68( . ) G01N 33/ 566( . ) C07K 14/ 47( . ) C07K 14/ 715( . ) C12N 1/ 19( . ) C12N 5/ 10( . ) G01N 33/ 15( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/006505 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/040380 (30.10.1997 Gazette 1997/46)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE (30) Priority: 22.04.1996 US 19960016051P 06.06.1996 GB 19960011785 15.11.1996 US 19960031002P (71) Applicant: MERCK & CO., INC. Rahway, New Jersey 07065 (US)

(72) Inventors: ROSENBLUM, Charles, I. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) VAN DER PLOEG, Leonardus Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) QURESHI, Sajjad, A. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) CULLY, Doris, F. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) HESS, John, W. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) TOTA, Michael, R. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) CHEN, Fang Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) (74) Representative: Hiscock, Ian James, et al  European Patent Department, Merck & Co., Inc., Terlings Park, Eastwick Road Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR (GB)