(19)

(11)

EP 1 076 692 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 16.12.1999 (43) Date of publication: 21.02.2001 Bulletin 2001/08 (21) Application number: 99920350.8 (22) Date of filing: 04.05.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 9/12 (86) International application number: PCT/US9909/824 (87) International publication number: WO 9957/253 (11.11.1999 Gazette 1999/45)

(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: 04.05.1998 US 84056 P (71) Applicant: VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED Cambridge, MA 02139-4242 (US)	(72) Inventors: XIE, Xiaoling Cambridge, MA 02139 (US) GU, Yong Brookline, MA 01748 (US) MARKLAND, William Milford, MA 01757 (US) SU, Michael, S. Newton, MA 02159 (US) CARON, Paul, R. Malden, MA 02148 (US) FOX, Edward Maynard, MA 01754 (US) WILSON, Keith, P. Hopkinton, MA 01748 (US) (74) Representative: VOSSIUS & PARTNER  Siebertstrasse 4 81675 München 81675 München (DE)