(19)

(11)

EP 0 996 411 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 03.05.2000 Bulletin 2000/18 (21) Application number: 99909685.2 (22) Date of filing: 26.02.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61K 7/16, A61K 7/26 (86) International application number: PCT/US9904/387 (87) International publication number: WO 9943/293 (02.09.1999 Gazette 1999/35)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI NL PT SE (30) Priority: 27.02.1998 US 31951 (71) Applicant: BLOCK DRUG COMPANY INC. Jersey City New Jersey (US)	(72) Inventors: XU, Jin Nutley, NJ 07110 (US) NAPOLITANO, Neil, J. Fanwood, NJ 07023 (US) YEH, Kuo-Chen Westfield, NJ 07090 (US) (74) Representative: Ablewhite, Alan James  MARKS & CLERK,57/60 Lincoln's Inn Fields London WC2A 3LS London WC2A 3LS (GB)