(19)

(11)

EP 1 044 378 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 02.09.1999 (43) Date of publication: 18.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/42 (21) Application number: 98965982.6 (22) Date of filing: 09.12.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 33/68 (86) International application number: PCT/US9826/172 (87) International publication number: WO 9934/220 (08.07.1999 Gazette 1999/27)

(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: 31.12.1997 US 70150 P (71) Applicant: Genentech, Inc. South San Francisco, CA 94080-4990 (US)	(72) Inventors: BLANK, Gregory, S. Menlo Park, CA 94025 (US) FAHRNER, Robert, Lee San Francisco, CA 94127 (US) VANDERLAAN, Martin San Francisco, CA 94131 (US) (74) Representative: Kremer, Simon Mark et al Mewburn Ellis,York House,23 Kingsway London WC2B 6HP London WC2B 6HP (GB)