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EP 1 251 849 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 30.10.2002 Bulletin 2002/44 (21) Application number: 01904871.9 (22) Date of filing: 16.01.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61K 31/4155, A61K 31/421, A61K 31/422, A61K 31/427, A61P 31/04 (86) International application number: PCT/US0101/377 (87) International publication number: WO 0105/2846 (26.07.2001 Gazette 2001/30)

(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: 18.01.2000 US 176675 P 08.12.2000 US 254331 P (71) Applicant: VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED Cambridge, MA 02139-4242 (US)

(72) Inventors: CHARIFSON, PaulVertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Framingham, MA 01701 (US) BELLON, SteveVertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Wellesley, MA 02481 (US) STAMOS, DeanVertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Framingham, MA 01701 (US) BADIA, MichaelVertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Bedford, MA 01730 (US) GRILLOT, Anne-LaureVertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Cambridge, MA 02140 (US) RONKIN, StevenVertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Watertown, MA 02472 (US) MURCKO, MarkVertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Holliston, MA 01746 (US) TRUDEAU, MartinVertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Tewksbury, MA 01876 (US) (74) Representative: VOSSIUS & PARTNER  Siebertstrasse 4 81675 München 81675 München (DE)