Abstract: A process for the production of iohexol comprises alkylating 5-Acetamido-N,N?-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalamide using 2(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-ethanol as solvent in the presence of a base, and optionally isolating crude iohexol from the reaction mixture. Preferably, the alkylating agent is 1-chloro-2,3 propanediol and the base is an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.

Abstract: A process for the production of iohexol comprises alkylating 5-Acetamido-N,N?-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalamide using 2(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-ethanol as solvent in the presence of a base, and optionally isolating crude iohexol from the reaction mixture. Preferably, the alkylating agent is 1-chloro-2,3 propanediol and the base is an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising formula 1 steroids, e.g., 16?-bromo-3?-hydroxy-5?-androstan-17-one hemihydrate and one or more excipients, typically wherein the composition comprises less than about 3% water. The compositions are useful to make improved pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also provides methods of intermittent dosing of steroid compounds such as analogs of 16?-bromo-3?-hydroxy-5?-androstan-17-one and compositions useful in such dosing regimens. The invention further provides compositions and methods to inhibit pathogen (viral) replication, ameliorate symptoms associated with immune dysregulation and to modulate immune responses in a subject using certain steroids and steroid analogs. The invention also provides methods to make and use these immunomodulatory compositions and formulations.

Abstract: A process for preparing compounds of formula [II] by esterification of the C-17 hydroxyl group of 6?,9?-difluoro-11?,17?-dihydroxy-16?-methyl-3-oxoandrosta-1,4-diene-17?-carbothioic acid, the compound of formula [I] comprises treating compound [I] with a slight excess of an acyl chloride of general formula R—COCl, where R represents —CH2CH3, —CH2CH2CH3 or —CH(CH3)2, in an inert solvent, in the presence of a tertiary amine. Preferably the process is carried out using pyridine in the presence of acetone at a temperature of from 5° C. to ?20° C.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising formula 1 steroids, e.g., 16?-bromo-3?-hydroxy-5?-androstan-17-one hemihydrate and one or more excipients, including compositions that comprise a liquid formulation comprising less than about 3% v/v water. The compositions are useful to make improved pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also provides methods of intermittent dosing of steroid compounds such as analogs of 16?-bromo-3?-hydroxy-5?-androstan-17-one and compositions useful in such dosing regimens. The invention further provides compositions and methods to inhibit pathogen replication, ameliorate symptoms associated with immune dysregulation and to modulate immune responses in a subject using the compounds. The invention also provides methods to make and use these immunomodulatory compositions and formulations.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising formula 1 steroids, e.g., 16?-bromo-3?-hydroxy-5?-androstan-17-one hemihydrate and one or more excipients, including compositions that comprise a liquid formulation comprising less than about 3% v/v water. The compositions are useful to make improved pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also provides methods of intermittent dosing of steroid compounds such as analogs of 16?-bromo-3?-hydroxy-5?-androstan-17-one and compositions useful in such dosing regimens. The invention further provides compositions and methods to inhibit pathogen replication, ameliorate symptoms associated with immune dysregulation and to modulate immune responses in a subject using the compounds. The invention also provides methods to make and use these immunomodulatory compositions and formulations.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising formula 1 steroids, e.g., 16&agr;-bromo-3&bgr;-hydroxy-5&agr;-androstan-17-one hemihydrate and one or more excipients, typically wherein the composition comprises less than about 3% water. The compositions are useful to make improved pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also provides methods of intermittent dosing of steroid compounds such as analogs of 16&agr;-bromo-3&bgr;-hydroxy-5&agr;-androstan-17-one and compositions useful in such dosing regimens. The invention further provides compositions and methods to inhibit pathogen (viral) replication, ameliorate symptoms associated with immune dysregulation and to modulate immune responses in a subject using certain steroids and steroid analogs. The invention also provides methods to make and use these immunomodulatory compositions and formulations.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising formula 1 steroids, e.g., 16&agr;-bromo-3&bgr;-hydroxy-5&agr;-androstan-17-one hemihydrate and one or more excipients, typically wherein the composition comprises less than about 3% water. The compositions are useful to make improved pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also provides methods of intermittent dosing of steroid compounds such as analogs of 16&agr;-bromo-3&bgr;-hydroxy-5&agr;-androstan-17-one and compositions useful in such dosing regimens. The invention further provides compositions and methods to inhibit pathogen (viral) replication, ameliorate symptoms associated with immune dysregulation and to modulate immune responses in a subject using certain steroids and steroid analogs. The invention also provides methods to make and use these immunomodulatory compositions and formulations.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising formula 1 steroids, e.g., 16&agr;-bromo-3&bgr;-hydroxy-5&agr;-androstan-17-one hemihydrate and one or more excipients, typically wherein the composition comprises less than about 3% water. The compositions are useful to make improved pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also provides methods of intermittent dosing of steroid compounds such as analogs of 16&agr;-bromo-3&bgr;-hydroxy-5&agr;-androstan-17-one and compositions useful in such dosing regimens. The invention further provides compositions and methods to inhibit pathogen (viral) replication, ameliorate symptoms associated with immune dysregulation and to modulate immune responses in a subject using certain steroids and steroid analogs. The invention also provides methods to make and use these immunomodulatory compositions and formulations.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising formula 1 steroids, e.g., 16&agr;-bromo-3&bgr;-hydroxy-5&agr;-androstan-17-one hemihydrate and one or more excipients, typically wherein the composition comprises less than about 3% water. The compositions are useful to make improved pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also provides methods of intermittent dosing of steroid compounds such as analogs of 16&agr;-bromo-3&bgr;-hydroxy-5&agr;-androstan-17-one and compositions useful in such dosing regimens. The invention further provides compositions and methods to inhibit pathogen (viral) replication, ameliorate symptoms associated with immune dysregulation and to modulate immune responses in a subject using certain steroids and steroid analogs. The invention also provides methods to make and use these immunomodulatory compositions and formulations.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising, 16&agr;-bromo-3&bgr;-hydroxy-5&agr;-androstan-17-one hemihydrate and one or more excipients, typically wherein the composition comprises less than about 3% water. The compositions are useful to make improved pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also provides methods of intermittent dosing of steroid compounds such as analogs of 16&agr;-bromo-3&bgr;-hydroxy-5&agr;-androstan-17-one and compositions useful in such dosing regimens. The invention further provides compositions and methods to inhibit pathogen (viral) replication, ameliorate symptoms associated with immune dysregulation and to modulate immune responses in a subject using certain steroids and steroid analogs. The invention also provides methods to make and use these immunomodulatory compositions and formulations.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising formula 1 steroids, e.g., 16&agr;-bromo-3 &bgr;-hydroxy-5&agr;-androstan-17-one hemihydrate and one or more excipients, including compositions that comprise a liquid formulation comprising less than about 3% v/v water. The compositions are useful to make improved pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also provides methods of intermittent dosing of steroid compounds such as analogs of 16&agr;-bromo-3&bgr;-hydroxy-5&agr;-androstan-17-one and compositions useful in such dosing regimens. The invention further provides compositions and methods to inhibit pathogen replication, ameliorate symptoms associated with immune dysregulation and to modulate immune responses in a subject using the compounds. The invention also provides methods to make and use these immunomodulatory compositions and formulations.

Abstract: A process for the purification of roxithromycin, an antibiotic for therapeutic purposes, in which the purification is carried out by the dissolution or suspension of the product in methanol followed by cooling. Purification may also be obtained by addition of a non-solvent and/or by concentration of the mixture, thus obtaining a purified product.

Abstract: The invention provides a new process for the preparation of mometasone 17-furoate, a steroid derivative useful in the treatment of inflammatory disease, by direct esterification of the 17 hydroxyl group without prior protection of the free 11 hydroxy function.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for the preparation of 4-(des-dimethylamino)-tetracyclines, which compounds have a therapeutical application. The starting tetracyclines are treated with a methylating agent and the resulting trimethylammonium salts are reduced by electrolysis in an aqueous solution at acidic pH, in the presence of an adequate electrolyte. A direct electrical current with a potential of 0.5-1.5 volts is applied between two convenient electrodes until the reaction is complete. The 4-(des-dimethylamino)-tetracyclines are isolated by extraction with an organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new process for the preparation of azithromycin from a suitable imino ether as precursor, characterised by the fact that the reduction and the reductive methylation of said imino ether are sequentially carried out with a noble metal catalyst and hydrogen in the presence of formaldehyde, or a source thereof, wherein both reactions can be conducted in the same reaction vessel.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the recovery of a noble metal from an inorganic and/or organic residue in the form of a tellurium/noble metal precipitate characterised by adding a solvent having a boiling point above 120.degree. C. to the residue, removing by distillation water and other residual solvents having boiling points below the boiling point of the added solvent, adding the tellurium or reducible tellurium compound, and then refluxing at atmospheric pressure before separating the tellurium/noble metal precipitate. The process of the present invention also allows the simultaneous recovery of the tertiary phosphine as its oxide from a residue containing a tertiary phosphine by the further stages of concentrating the mother-liquors remaining after separation of the tellurium/noble metal precipitate, recovering the added high boiling point solvent and isolating the tertiary phosphine in the form of its oxide by precipitation with water.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of .mu.-3-carbopentazane-N.sup.1, N.sup.4 :N.sup.2, N.sup.5 -bis-[bis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium (I)] dinitrate by the reaction of tris(triphenylphosphine)nitratorhodium (I) with hydrazine in degassed methanol under an inert atmosphere.

Abstract: Novel esters of 9.alpha.-fluoro- and chloro-corticosteroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein Y is chlorine or OR.sub.1, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent an acyl group of 2-6 carbon atoms or a benzoyl group and where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 can be the same or different in the same molecule, R.sub.3 is methyl or fluorine in either the .alpha.- or .beta.- orientation, X is chlorine or fluorine, and the C.sub.1 C.sub.2 bond can be saturated or not, especially those compounds of the formula ##STR2## wherein Y and R.sub.2 have the significance given above, are prepared by reacting the respective 9.beta.,11.beta.-epoxy compounds with hydrogen fluoride or chloride.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the compounds (.mu.-hydrazine-N.sup.1 :N.sup.2)-bis[bis(triphenylphosphine)-chlororhodium (I)] and di(.mu.-hydrazine-N.sup.1 :N.sup.2)-bis[bis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium (I)] dichloride, which are homogenous hydrogenation catalysts and their application in the hydrogenation of the exocyclic methylene group of acid addition salts of 6-demethyl-6-deoxy-6-methylene-5-hydroxytetracycline (methacycline) to prepare .alpha.-6-deoxy-5-hydroxytetracycline (doxycycline).