(19)

(11)

EP 1 082 457 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 23.12.1999 (43) Date of publication: 14.03.2001 Bulletin 2001/11 (21) Application number: 99918828.7 (22) Date of filing: 26.04.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12Q 1/68 (86) International application number: PCT/US9908/983 (87) International publication number: WO 9955/832 (04.11.1999 Gazette 1999/44)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE (30) Priority: 29.04.1998 US 83549 P (71) Applicant: MERCK & CO., INC. Rahway, New Jersey 07065 (US)	(72) Inventors: VAN DER PLOEG, Leonardus, H., T. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) GUAN, Xiaoming Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) YU, Hong Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) TRIVEDI, Prashant, G. Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) (74) Representative: Horgan, James Michael Frederic  Merck & Co., Inc.,Terlings Park,Eastwick Road Harlow,Essex CM20 2QR Harlow,Essex CM20 2QR (GB)