(19)

(11)

EP 0 995 120 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 26.04.2000 Bulletin 2000/17 (21) Application number: 98928944.2 (22) Date of filing: 09.06.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 33/543 (86) International application number: PCT/US9811/903 (87) International publication number: WO 9857/176 (17.12.1998 Gazette 1998/50)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE (30) Priority: 10.06.1997 US 49271 P 07.07.1997 GB 9714331 (71) Applicant: MERCK & CO., INC. Rahway, New Jersey 07065 (US)	(72) Inventors: NIELSEN-KAHN, Jennifer Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) JUSTICE, Michael, C. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) SCHMATZ, Dennis, M. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) HSU, Ming-Jo Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) KU, Theresa, W. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) (74) Representative: Horgan, James Michael Frederic et al Merck & Co., Inc.,Terlings Park,Eastwick Road Harlow,Essex CM20 2QR Harlow,Essex CM20 2QR (GB)