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(11)

EP 1 242 124 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 25.09.2002 Bulletin 2002/39 (21) Application number: 00989347.0 (22) Date of filing: 21.12.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61K 48/00, C12Q 1/70 (86) International application number: PCT/US0034/724 (87) International publication number: WO 0104/5748 (28.06.2001 Gazette 2001/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 22.12.1999 US 171542 P (71) Applicant: Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway,New Jersey 07065-0907 (US)	(72) Inventors: SHIVER, John, W. Rahway, NJ 07065-0907 (US) PERRY, Helen, C. Rahway, NJ 07065-0907 (US) CASIMIRO, Danilo, R. Rahway, NJ 07065-0907 (US) FU, Tong-Ming Rahway, NJ 07065-0907 (US) (74) Representative: Thompson, John Dr.  Merck & Co., Inc.European Patent DepartmentTerlings ParkEastwick Road Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR (GB)