(19)

(11)

EP 1 171 628 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 08.02.2001 (43) Date of publication: 16.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/03 (21) Application number: 00919102.4 (22) Date of filing: 14.04.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12Q 1/02, C12Q 1/18, C12Q 1/68, C12Q 1/04, C12Q 1/34 (86) International application number: PCT/IB0000/558 (87) International publication number: WO 0063/426 (26.10.2000 Gazette 2000/43)

(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: 15.04.1999 GB 9908670 15.04.1999 US 129596 P 01.06.1999 GB 9912736 (71) Applicant: Devgen NV 9052 Gent-Zwijnaarde (BE)	(72) Inventors: ZWAAL, Richard B-9052 Gent-Zwijnaarde (BE) GROENEN, Jose B-9052 Gent-Zwijnaarde (BE) BOGAERT, Thierry B-9052 Gent-Zwijnaarde (BE) (74) Representative: Baldock, Sharon Claire et al BOULT WADE TENNANT, Verulam Gardens 70 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8BT London WC1X 8BT (GB)