(19)

(11)

EP 1 042 451 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 11.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/41 (21) Application number: 98964935.5 (22) Date of filing: 23.12.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 1/20, C12N 9/90, C12N 11/00, C12N 13/00, C12N 15/00, C12P 1/04, C07H 21/04 (86) International application number: PCT/US9827/612 (87) International publication number: WO 9932/604 (01.07.1999 Gazette 1999/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI NL PT SE (30) Priority: 23.12.1997 US 68617 P 17.06.1998 US 89560 P (71) Applicant: DCV Inc. doing business as Bio-Technical Resourses Manitowoc, WI 54220 (US)	(72) Inventors: ROSSON, Reinhardt, A. Manitowoc, WI 54220 (US) GRUND, Alan, D. Manitowoc, WI 54220 (US) DENG, Ming-De Manitowoc, WI 54220 (US) SANCHEZ-RIERA, Fernando Manitowoc, WI 54220 (US) (74) Representative: Bockhorni, Josef, Dipl.-Ing. et al PatentanwälteHerrmann-TrentepohlGrosse - Bockhorni & PartnerForstenrieder Allee 59 81476 München 81476 München (DE)