(19)

(11)

EP 1 009 405 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 21.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/25 (21) Application number: 98944548.1 (22) Date of filing: 27.08.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61K 31/47, A61K 31/55, A61K 31/435, A61K 31/445, A61K 31/495, C07D 211/68, C07D 217/02, C07D 223/16, C07D 401/06, C07D 403/06 (86) International application number: PCT/US9817/755 (87) International publication number: WO 9909/984 (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: 28.08.1997 US 57743 P 16.01.1998 GB 9801009 (71) Applicant: MERCK & CO., INC. Rahway, New Jersey 07065 (US)

(72) Inventors: BUDHU, Richard, J. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) HALE, Jeffrey, J. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) HOLSON, Edward Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) LYNCH, Christopher Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) MacCOSS, Malcolm Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) MILLS, Sander, G. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) BERK, Scott, C. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) WILLOUGHBY, Christopher, A. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) (74) Representative: Hiscock, Ian James  European Patent Department,Merck & Co., Inc.,Terlings Park,Eastwick Road Harlow,Essex CM20 2QR Harlow,Essex CM20 2QR (GB)