(19)

(11)

EP 1 003 894 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 08.04.1999 (43) Date of publication: 31.05.2000 Bulletin 2000/22 (21) Application number: 98936923.6 (22) Date of filing: 20.07.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 15/86, C12N 5/10, C12N 7/01, A61K 48/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9814/996 (87) International publication number: WO 9904/026 (28.01.1999 Gazette 1999/04)

(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: 18.07.1997 US 53066 P (71) Applicant: CHIRON CORPORATION Emeryville, California 94608-2916 (US)	(72) Inventors: CHEN, Shin-Tai San Diego, CA 92131 (US) GASMI, Mehdi San Diego, CA 92103 (US) YEE, Jiing Kuan Del Mar, CA 92014 (US) JOLLY, Douglas, J. Leacadia, CA 92024 (US) (74) Representative: Irvine, Jonquil Claire et al J.A. KEMP & CO.14 South SquareGray's Inn London WC1R 5LX London WC1R 5LX (GB)