(19)

(11)

EP 1 224 208 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 24.07.2002 Bulletin 2002/30 (21) Application number: 00968530.6 (22) Date of filing: 29.09.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C07K 1/00, C07H 21/02, C07H 21/04, G01N 33/53, C12P 1/00, C12P 21/04, C12P 21/06, C12N 5/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0026/996 (87) International publication number: WO 0125/258 (12.04.2001 Gazette 2001/15)

(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: 04.10.1999 US 157491 P (71) Applicant: Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway,New Jersey 07065-0907 (US)	(72) Inventors: SWANSON, Richard, J. Rahway, NJ 07065-0907 (US) LIU, Yuan Rahway, NJ 07065-0907 (US) MCKENNA, Edward 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)