(19)

(11)

EP 1 140 155 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 10.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/41 (21) Application number: 99966613.4 (22) Date of filing: 22.12.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61K 39/00, A61K 39/29, A61K 39/295, A61K 45/00, C07K 14/00, C12N 15/09 (86) International application number: PCT/US9930/770 (87) International publication number: WO 0037/104 (29.06.2000 Gazette 2000/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 23.12.1998 US 113400 P (71) Applicant: Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway,New Jersey 07065-0907 (US)	(72) Inventors: ZHAO, Qinjian Rahway, NJ 07065-0907 (US) SITRIN, Robert Rahway, NJ 07065-0907 (US) ABRAHAM, Dicky, G. Rahway, NJ 07065-0907 (US) GERVAIS, David, P. Rahway, NJ 07065-0907 (US) GIMINEZ, Juan Rahway, NJ 07065-0907 (US) (74) Representative: Horgan, James Michael Frederic  Merck & Co., Inc.,Terlings Park,Eastwick Road Harlow,Essex CM20 2QR Harlow,Essex CM20 2QR (GB)