(19)

(11)

EP 0 973 904 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 26.01.2000 Bulletin 2000/04 (21) Application number: 98910322.1 (22) Date of filing: 04.03.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 15/27, C07K 14/53, A61K 48/00, A61K 38/19 (86) International application number: PCT/US9804/802 (87) International publication number: WO 9839/449 (11.09.1998 Gazette 1998/36)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 04.03.1997 US 38583 P (71) Applicant: CHIRON CORPORATION Emeryville,California 94608 (US)	(72) Inventors: DWARKI, Varavani,Chiron Corporation Emeryville, CA 94662-8097 (US) MANNING, William C.,Chiron Corporation Emeryville, CA 94662-8097 (US) KOTHS, Kirston E.,Chiron Corporation Emeryville, CA 94662-8097 (US) (74) Representative: Irvine, Jonquil Claire  J.A. KEMP & CO.14 South SquareGray's Inn London WC1R 5LX London WC1R 5LX (GB)