(19)

(11)

EP 1 159 431 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 14.12.2000 (43) Date of publication: 05.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/49 (21) Application number: 00908878.2 (22) Date of filing: 09.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 15/57, C12N 9/64, C12N 15/63, C07K 16/40, C12Q 1/68, G01N 33/53, A61K 39/395, A61K 48/00, A61K 38/48, A01K 67/027 (86) International application number: PCT/CA0000/258 (87) International publication number: WO 0053/776 (14.09.2000 Gazette 2000/37)

(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: 11.03.1999 US 124260 P 01.04.1999 US 127386 P 21.07.1999 US 144919 P (71) Applicant: Mount Sinai Hospital TorontoOntario M5G 1X5 (CA)	(72) Inventors: YOUSEF, George M. Toronto, Ontario M5T 1B3 (CA) DIAMANDIS, Eleftherios, P. Toronto, Ontario M5G 2X2 (CA) (74) Representative: Holliday, Louise Caroline  D Young & Co,21 New Fetter Lane London EC4A 1DA London EC4A 1DA (GB)