(19)

(11)

EP 1 261 929 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.12.2002 Bulletin 2002/49 (21) Application number: 01906790.9 (22) Date of filing: 29.01.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 17/60, G06F 17/30 (86) International application number: PCT/US0103/011 (87) International publication number: WO 0105/7760 (09.08.2001 Gazette 2001/32)

(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: 01.02.2000 US 179515 P 25.02.2000 US 185207 P 08.03.2000 US 521360 (71) Applicant: PPD DISCOVERY, INC. Morrisville, NC 27560 (US)	(72) Inventors: BROWN, Bradley, B. Durham, NC 27713 (US) CAMPBELL, Michael Durham, NC 27713 (US) DREWERY, Michael Raleigh, NC 27613 (US) MCINTYRE, Gail, F. Durham, NC 27713 (US) REHDER, Kenneth Durham, NC 27712 (US) (74) Representative: Potter, Julian Mark et al D. Young & Co.,21 New Fetter Lane London EC4A 1DA London EC4A 1DA (GB)