(19)

(11)

EP 0 967 983 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 03.12.1998 (43) Date of publication: 05.01.2000 Bulletin 2000/01 (21) Application number: 98906414.2 (22) Date of filing: 12.02.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61K 31/70, A61K 39/00, A61K 39/395, C12Q 1/68 (86) International application number: PCT/US9802/820 (87) International publication number: WO 9835/684 (20.08.1998 Gazette 1998/33)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 14.02.1997 US 800710 11.11.1997 US 967504 (71) Applicants: Vescio, Robert A. Los Angeles, CA 90073 (US) Rettig, Matthew B. Los Angeles, CA 90073 (US) Berenson, James R. Los Angeles, CA 90073 (US)	(72) Inventors: Vescio, Robert A. Los Angeles, CA 90073 (US) Rettig, Matthew B. Los Angeles, CA 90073 (US) Berenson, James R. Los Angeles, CA 90073 (US) (74) Representative: Sexton, Jane Helen  J.A. KEMP & CO.14 South SquareGray's Inn London WC1R 5LX London WC1R 5LX (GB)