(19)

(11)

EP 1 053 461 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 22.11.2000 Bulletin 2000/47 (21) Application number: 99904451.4 (22) Date of filing: 29.01.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 1/28 (86) International application number: PCT/US9901/987 (87) International publication number: WO 9939/176 (05.08.1999 Gazette 1999/31)

(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: 03.02.1998 US 73480 P (71) Applicant: UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT as represented by THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Bethesda, MD 20892 (US)	(72) Inventors: GOLDSTEIN, Seth, R. Bethesda, MD 20892 (US) BONNER, Robert, F. Bethesda, MD 20892 (US) SMITH, Paul, D. Bethesda, MD 20892 (US) PETERSON, John Bethesda, MD 20892 (US) POHIDA, Thomas Bethesda, MD 20892 (US) (74) Representative: Milhench, Howard Leslie et al R.G.C. Jenkins & Co.26 Caxton Street London SW1H 0RJ London SW1H 0RJ (GB)