(19)

(11)

EP 1 009 851 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 21.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/25 (21) Application number: 98944675.2 (22) Date of filing: 02.09.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12Q 1/00, G01N 27/327, C12Q 1/54 (86) International application number: PCT/US9818/216 (87) International publication number: WO 9913/099 (18.03.1999 Gazette 1999/11)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL (30) Priority: 05.09.1997 US 924266 (71) Applicant: Abbott Laboratories Abbott Park,Illinois 60064-3500 (US)	(72) Inventors: HUGHES, Graham, J. Oxford OX3 8LP (GB) CHAMBERS, Geoffrey, R. Middlesex HA6 3QS (GB) (74) Representative: Modiano, Guido, Dr.-Ing. et al Modiano, Josif, Pisanty & Staub,Baaderstrasse 3 80469 München 80469 München (DE)