(19)

(11)

EP 1 274 897 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 15.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/03 (21) Application number: 01920811.5 (22) Date of filing: 27.03.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: D06P 5/00, G02C 7/04, C09K 11/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US0109/818 (87) International publication number: WO 0107/3190 (04.10.2001 Gazette 2001/40)

(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: 27.03.2000 US 536211 (71) Applicant: Novartis AG 4056 Basel (CH)	(72) Inventors: ATKINS, Barry, L. Chicago, Il 60646 (US) CHAPOY, L., Lawrence Barrington, IL 60010 (US) QUINN, Michael, H. Valparaiso, IN 46383 (US) (74) Representative: Gros, Florent  Novartis AG 4002 Basel 4002 Basel (CH)