(19)

(11)

EP 1 173 486 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 23.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/04 (21) Application number: 00918631.3 (22) Date of filing: 13.04.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C07K 16/18, G01N 33/68, A61K 39/00, C07K 14/47 (86) International application number: PCT/CA0000/414 (87) International publication number: WO 0063/250 (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 (30) Priority: 15.04.1999 US 129495 P (71) Applicant: Merck Frosst Canada & Co. Kirkland, Quebec H9H 3L1 (CA)

(72) Inventors: GERVAIS, Francois Kirkland, Québec H9H 3L1 (CA) ROY, Sophie Kirkland, Québec H9H 3L1 (CA) NICHOLSON, Donald, W. Kirkland, Québec H9H 3L1 (CA) XU, Daigen Kirkland, Québec H9H 3L1 (CA) ROBERTSON, George Kirkland, Québec H9H 3L1 (CA) HUANG, Jingqi Kirkland, Québec H9H 3L1 (CA) (74) Representative: Horgan, James Michael Frederic  Merck & Co., Inc., Terlings Park, Eastwick Road Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR (GB)