Abstract: The invention relates to a new process for the synthesis of high purity 17?-cyanomethyl-17?-hydroxy-estra-4,9-diene-3-one (further on dienogest) of formula (I) from 3-methoxy-17-hydroxy-estra-2,5(10)-diene of formula (V). The invention relates also to the high purity 17?-cyanomethyl-17?-hydroxy-estra-4,9-diene-3-one and pharmaceutical compositions containing that as active ingredient. The pharmaceutical compositions according to this invention contain high purity dienogest of formula (I) in which the total amount of impurities is less than 0.1%, while the amount of 4-bromo-dienogest is under the detection limit (0.02%) as active ingredient or at least one of the active ingredients and auxiliary materials, which are commonly used in practice, such as carriers, excipients or diluents.

Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial process for the preparation of 17-hydroxy-6?,7?;15?,16?-bismethylene-3-oxo-17?-pregn-4-ene-21-carboxylic acid ?-lactone of formula (I), and to the key-intermediates for this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 17-hydroxy-6?,7?;15?,16?-bismethylene-17?-pregn-4-ene-3-one-21-carboxylic acid ?-lactone of formula (I) as well as to key-intermediates for this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the synthesis of d-(17?)-13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-18,19-dinorpregn-4-ene-20-yn-3-one-oxime (also known as norelgestromin) via acetylation of d-norgestrel at position 17; oximation of the oxo group at position 3 of the obtained d-(17?)-13-ethyl-17-(acetyloxy)-18,19-dinorpregn-4-ene-20-yn-3-one; and then hydrolyzing the acetyloxy group at position 17 of the obtained d-(17?)-13-ethyl-17-(acetyloxy)-18,19-dinorpregn-4-ene-20-yn-3-oxime derivative, thereby obtaining norelgestromin.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process of preparing substantially pure d-(17?)-13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-18,19-dinorpregn-4-ene-20-yn-3-one-3E- and -3Z-oxime isomers, as well as a process for the synthesis of the mixture of isomers and the pure isomers. The invention also relates to substantially pure d-(17?)-13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-18,19-dinorpregn-4-ene20-yn-3-one-3E-oxime and substantially pure d-(17?)-13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-18,19-dinorpregn-4-ene-20-yn-3-one-3Z-oxime isomer. Further aspects of the invention include a composition comprising substantially pure d-(17?)-13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-18,19-dinorpregn-4-ene20-yn-3-one-3E-oxime or substantially pure d-(17?)-13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-18,19-dinorpregn-4-ene-20-yn-3-one-3Z-oxime isomer, and methods of treatment using said compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new process for the synthesis of 17&bgr;-hydroxy-17&agr;-methyl-2-oxa-5&agr;-androstane-3-one of formula (I).

Abstract: The invention relates to a new process for the synthesis of 17&bgr;-hydroxy-17&agr;-methyl-1,3-seco-2-nor-5&agr;-androstane-3-acid derivatives of formula (I) wherein the meaning of Z is carboxyl or formyl group and to the new secoindoxylidene carboxylic acid derivatives of formula (II) wherein R1 and R2 independently are C1-C4 alkyl or alkoxy group, hydrogen or halogen atom—which are intermediates for preparing the compounds of formula (I). The 17&bgr;-hydroxy-17&agr;-methyl-1,3-seco-2-nor-5&agr;-androstane-3-acid derivatives of formula (I) are intermediates in the synthesis of oxandrolon (17&bgr;-hydroxy-17&agr;-methyl-2-oxa-5&agr;-androstane-3-one), which is used as anabolic in therapy.

Abstract: There is disclosed novel, therapeutically active androstane derivatives having neuromuscular blocking effect, which are substituted by a quaternary ammonium group in 16-position; pharmaceutically composition containing them; process for producing them; and novel intermediates for the production.

Abstract: Novel, therapeutically active 21-aminosteroids of formula (I) ##STR1## with pregnane skeleton, are disclosed wherein two of X, Y and Z are a nitrogen atom each and the third one is a methine group; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently from each other, a primary amino group bearing as substituent a branched-chain C.sub.4-8 alkyl -alkenyl or -alkynyl group, or a C.sub.4-10 cycloalkyl group comprising 1 to 3 ring(s) and being optionally substituted by at least one C.sub.1-3 alkyl group; or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each a spiro-heterocyclic secondary amino group containing at most 10 carbon atoms and optionally at least one oxygen atom as additional heteroatom; or one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is an unsubstituted heterocyclic secondary amino group containing 4 to 7 carbon atoms and the other one is an above-identified primary amino group, an above-identified spiro-heterocyclic secondary amino group, or a heterocyclic secondary amino group containing 4 to 7 carbon atoms and substituted by at least one C.sub.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel eburnamenine derivatives of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 as well as R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, independently from each other, stand for hydrogen, C.sub.2-6 alkyl group, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl group; or a C.sub.3-10 alicyclic group involving 1 to 3 rings, and this latter group may be substituted by a C.sub.1-6 alkyl or C.sub.2-6 alkenyl group; or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 and/or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, together with the adjacent nitrogen atom and optionally with an additional oxygen or nitrogen atom, form a 4- to 6-membered, saturated or unsaturated cyclic group which may be substituted by a C.sub.1-6 alkyl or C.sub.2-6 alkenyl group; two of X, Y and Z are nitrogen whereas the third of them means a methine group; n is 1 or 2; W means oxygen or two hydrogen atoms; and the wavy line means .alpha.-/.alpha.-, .alpha.-/.beta.- or .beta.-/.alpha.- steric position, as well as their acid addition salts and solvates.