(19)

(11)

EP 1 996 697 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 21.02.2008 (43) Date of publication: 03.12.2008 Bulletin 2008/49 (21) Application number: 07752647.3 (22) Date of filing: 07.03.2007

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C12N 1/20(2006.01) C12P 21/02(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2007/005963 (87) International publication number: WO 2007/103521 (13.09.2007 Gazette 2007/37)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 07.03.2006 US 779429 P (71) Applicant: NOVARTIS AG 4056 Basel (CH)	(72) Inventors: MACDONALD, Andrew, C. Emeryville, CA 94608-2916 (US) ABU-ABSI, Nicholas Emeryville, CA 94608-2916 (US) INLOW, Duane Emeryville, CA 94608-2916 (US) POULHZAN, Mary Emeryville, CA 94608-2916 (US) (74) Representative: Graff, Alan  Novartis Pharma AG Patent Department 4002 Basel 4002 Basel (CH)