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EP 1 461 026 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 15.07.2004 (43) Date of publication: 29.09.2004 Bulletin 2004/40 (21) Application number: 02784630.2 (22) Date of filing: 27.11.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61K 31/16, A61K 31/40, A61K 31/41, A61K 31/215 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/038040 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/047513 (12.06.2003 Gazette 2003/24)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 03.12.2001 US 338117 P 02.08.2002 US 400504 P (71) Applicants: Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway,New Jersey 07065-0907 (US) MERCK FROSST CANADA INC. Kirkland,Quebec H9H 3L1 (CA)

(72) Inventors: OGIDIGBEN, Miller, J. Rahway, NJ 07065-0907 (US) YOUNG, Robert, N. Kirkland, Québec H9H 3L1 (CA) METTERS, Kathleen, M. Kirkland, Québec H9H 3L1 (CA) SLIPETZ, Deborah, M. Kirkland, Québec H9H 3L1 (CA) BILLOT, Xavier Kirkland, Québec H9H 3L1 (CA) (74) Representative: Buchan, Gavin MacNicol  Merck & Co., Inc.,European Patent Department,Terlings Park,Eastwick Road Harlow,Essex CM20 2QR Harlow,Essex CM20 2QR (GB)