Abstract: A process ethynylates 16-methylene-17-keto steroids to the corresponding 16-methylene-17?-ethynyl-17?-hydroxy steroids by treatment with silyl-protected lithium acetylides followed by further desilylation. The resulting products are useful intermediates in the preparation of several pharmaceutically active agents, such as e.g. Nestorone® or melengestrol acetate.

Abstract: Olopatadine can be obtained by means of a process comprising hydrolysis of a compound of general formula (II), wherein Y is OR1, wherein R1 is C1-C7 alkyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or heterocycle; or NR2R3, wherein R2 and R3, independently from each other, are C1-C7 alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound form a heterocycle of 3 to 7 members, obtained by means of a process comprising reacting the corresponding ester or amide of 6,11-dihydro-11-oxodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-acetic acid with a suitable Wittig reagent, in the presence of a base in a reaction medium comprising an organic solvent.

Abstract: A process ethynylates 16-methylene-17-keto steroids to the corresponding 16-methylene-17?-ethynyl-17?-hydroxy steroids by treatment with silyl-protected lithium acetylides followed by further desilylation. The resulting products are useful intermediates in the preparation of several pharmaceutically active agents, such as e.g. Nestorone® or melengestrol acetate.

Abstract: The invention concerns fumarate salts of solifenacin, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising fumarate salts of solifenacin. The invention furthermore concerns a process for preparing solifenacin and salts thereof. The fumarate salt provides improved properties over the known solifenacin salts, especially in terms of its stability. The novel process for its preparation is furthermore improved over known processes for preparing solifenacin in that it provides a higher yield and recovers a greater amount of starting material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining 3,3-diphenylpropylamines of general formula (I), particularly Fesoterodine, as well as their enantiomers, solvates and salts, comprising a chemoselective reduction of the acid group against the ester group in compounds of general formula (V), wherein R1 is C1-C8 alkyl; and R3 and R4, independently of one another, represent H or C1-C8 alkyl, or together form a ring of 3 to 7 members with the nitrogen to which they are bound. The invention also relates to the compounds of formula (V), as well as their enantiomers, solvates and salts.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for obtaining steroids with a spirolactone group in position 17, particularly to industrially obtaining 6?,7?; 15?,16?-dimethylene-3-oxo-17?-pregn-4-ene-21,17-carbolactone, commonly known as Drospirenone, as well as to intermediates useful in said process.

Abstract: The invention concerns fumarate salts of solifenacin, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising fumarate salts of solifenacin. The invention furthermore concerns a process for preparing solifenacin and salts thereof. The fumarate salt provides improved properties over the known solifenacin salts, especially in terms of its stability. The novel process for its preparation is furthermore improved over known processes for preparing solifenacin in that it provides a higher yield and recovers a greater amount of starting material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining 3,3-diphenylpropylamines of general formula (I), particularly Fesoterodine, as well as their enantiomers, solvates and salts, comprising a chemoselective reduction of the acid group against the ester group in compounds of general formula (V), wherein R1 is C1-C8 alkyl; and R3 and R4, independently of one another, represent H or C1-C8 alkyl, or together form a ring of 3 to 7 members with the nitrogen to which they are bound. The invention also relates to the compounds of formula (V), as well as their enantiomers, solvates and salts.

Abstract: Olopatadine can be obtained by means of a process comprising hydrolysis of a compound of general formula (II), wherein Y is OR1, wherein R1 is C1-C7 alkyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or heterocycle; or NR2R3, wherein R2 and R3, independently from each other, are C1-C7 alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound form a heterocycle of 3 to 7 members, obtained by means of a process comprising reacting the corresponding ester or amide of 6,11-dihydro-11-oxodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-acetic acid with a suitable Wittig reagent, in the presence of a base in a reaction medium comprising an organic solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for obtaining steroids with a spirolactone group in position 17, particularly to industrially obtaining 6?,7?; 15?,16?-dimethylene-3-oxo-17?-pregn-4-ene-21,17-carbolactone, commonly known as Drospirenone, as well as to intermediates useful in said process.

Abstract: 6-alkylidenandrost-1,4-dien-3-ones of general formula (I), wherein R is H o alkyl; R1 y R2, independently of one another, represent H, OR3, OC(?O)R4 or O-(GPH), wherein R3 is H; C1-C6 alkyl or aryl; R4 is H or C1-C6 alkyl, and GPH is a hydroxyl protecting group; or R1 and R2, together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, form a carbonyl group or equivalent or a cyclic ketal; can be obtained by a process comprising subjecting the corresponding 6-alkyliden-4-androsten-3-one to a dehydrogenation reaction in the 1,2 position in the presence of a quinone, a silylating agent and a strong acid.