(19)

(11)

EP 0 981 632 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 11.02.1999 (43) Date of publication: 01.03.2000 Bulletin 2000/09 (21) Application number: 98925519.5 (22) Date of filing: 30.04.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 15/61, C12N 9/90, C12Q 1/68, G01N 33/68, A61K 38/52, A61K 39/395, A01K 67/027 (86) International application number: PCT/EP9802/593 (87) International publication number: WO 9849/324 (05.11.1998 Gazette 1998/44)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 30.04.1997 GB 9708851 27.01.1998 GB 9801719 (71) Applicant: Genzyme (U.K.) LTD. HaverhillSuffolk CB9 8PU (GB)	(72) Inventor: MATTHIJS, GertUniversity OF Leuven Herestraat 49B-3000 Leuven (BE) (74) Representative: Froud, Clive et al Elkington and FifeProspect House8 Pembroke Road Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR (GB)