(19)

(11)

EP 1 121 150 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 08.08.2001 Bulletin 2001/32 (21) Application number: 99953068.6 (22) Date of filing: 05.10.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61K 39/395, C12P 7/62, C12N 9/02, C12N 15/00, C07H 19/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9923/253 (87) International publication number: WO 0021/557 (20.04.2000 Gazette 2000/16)

(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: 09.10.1998 US 103760 P (71) Applicant: MERCK & CO., INC. Rahway, New Jersey 07065 (US)	(72) Inventors: PETRUKHIN, Konstantin Rahway, NJ 07065 (US) CASKEY, C., Thomas 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)