(19)

(11)

EP 1 007 019 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 20.05.1999 (43) Date of publication: 14.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/24 (21) Application number: 98943329.7 (22) Date of filing: 21.08.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61K 31/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9817/459 (87) International publication number: WO 9909/967 (04.03.1999 Gazette 1999/09)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 26.08.1997 US 56966 P 05.03.1998 US 76859 P 13.05.1998 US 85360 P 03.07.1998 GB 9814415 21.07.1998 GB 9815851 (71) Applicant: MERCK & CO., INC. Rahway, New Jersey 07065 (US)	(72) Inventors: WHITNEY, Edwin, J. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) MANTELL, Geraldine Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) (74) Representative: Thompson, John Dr.  Merck & Co., Inc.European Patent DepartmentTerlings ParkEastwick Road Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR (GB)