(19)

(11)

EP 1 157 097 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 21.12.2000 (43) Date of publication: 28.11.2001 Bulletin 2001/48 (21) Application number: 00921344.8 (22) Date of filing: 22.02.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 5/10, C12N 15/00, C12N 15/09, C12N 15/11, C12N 15/12, C12N 15/63 (86) International application number: PCT/US0004/416 (87) International publication number: WO 0050/563 (31.08.2000 Gazette 2000/35)

(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: 24.02.1999 US 121651 P (71) Applicants: Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway,New Jersey 07065-0907 (US) MERCK FROSST CANADA INC. KirklandQuebec H9H 3L1 (CA) University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario M1E 1B8 (CA)	(72) Inventors: HOWARD, Andrew, D. Rahway, NJ 07065-0907 (US) O'NEILL, Gary, P. Kirkland, Québec H9H 3L1 (CA) O'DOWD, Brian Toronto, Québec M1E 1B8 (CA) GEORGE, Susan Toronto, Ontario M1E 1B8 (CA) (74) Representative: Horgan, James Michael Frederic  Merck & Co., Inc.,Terlings Park,Eastwick Road Harlow,Essex CM20 2QR Harlow,Essex CM20 2QR (GB)