(19)

(11)

EP 0 999 833 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 17.05.2000 Bulletin 2000/20 (21) Application number: 98935215.8 (22) Date of filing: 24.07.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61K 31/335, A61K 9/107, A61K 47/22 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9802/220 (87) International publication number: WO 9904/787 (04.02.1999 Gazette 1999/05)

(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: 26.07.1997 GB 9715759 (71) Applicant: West Pharmaceutical Services Drug Delivery & Clinical Research Centre Limited Nottingham NG7 2TN (GB)	(72) Inventors: DAVIS, Stanley Stewart Nottingham NG7 1BA (GB) HAN, Jihong Nottingham NG9 2MG (GB) (74) Representative: Dee, Ian Mark  Eric Potter Clarkson,Park View House,58 The Ropewalk Nottingham NG1 5DD Nottingham NG1 5DD (GB)