(19)

(11)

EP 1 015 632 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 05.07.2000 Bulletin 2000/27 (21) Application number: 98942924.6 (22) Date of filing: 15.09.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12Q 1/68 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9802/789 (87) International publication number: WO 9914/362 (25.03.1999 Gazette 1999/12)

(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: 15.09.1997 GB 9719638 03.12.1997 GB 9725630 (71) Applicant: Brax Group Limited Cambridge CB1 2JB (GB)	(72) Inventors: SCHMIDT, Günter HoughtonCambs PE17 2BQ (GB) THOMPSON, Andrew, Hugin AllowayAyr KA7 4EH (GB) (74) Representative: Daniels, Jeffrey Nicholas et al Page White & Farrer54 Doughty Street London WC1N 2LS London WC1N 2LS (GB)