American Home Products Corporation

Other

Robert D Mitchell

Michael W Winkley

Peter J Dragotta

Stephen Skwish

A process for the production of medrogestone, in which, in an intermediate step, the solvate 3.beta.,5.alpha.,6.beta.-trihydroxy-6.alpha.,17.alpha.-dimethylpregnan-20- one monomethanolate is obtained as a solid, stable compound by displacing the organic solvent from a solution of of 3.beta.,5.alpha.,6.beta.-trihydroxy-6.alpha.,17.alpha.-dimethylpregnan-20- one with a lower alkanol, and a Diels-Alder adduct of 6-methylene-17.alpha.-methylpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione with maleic anhydride is used as an intermediate for production of the corresponding dicarboxylic acid salt for removal of 6-methylene-17.alpha.-methylpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione contamination of the desired product. Another intermediate, 6.beta.-hydroxy-6.alpha.,17.alpha.-dimethylpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, has been found to prevent smooth muscle proliferation and is useful in the treatment of atherosclerosis and restinosis.

Medrogestrone production

This invention provides a method of preventing or treating hyperproliferative vascular disease in a mammal by administering an antiproliferative effective amount of a combination of rapamycin and heparin.

Method of treating hyperproliferative vascular disease

A dispenser and component feeder for integration with automated assembly equipment is adapted for the high speed placement of self-orienting components of varying sizes and includes, a linear vibratory chute for transferring the self-orienting components from the storage hopper to an adjustable single roller feed assembly where the self-orienting components are conveyed to a pick-up position, the single roller feed assembly having a roller to facilitate in conveying the self-orienting components, and alternately reciprocating rod members to segregate a self-orienting component at the pick-up position. A pick-up and placement assembly is operative to pick-up the segregated self-orienting component from the pick-up position and move the same to a position for placement on an associated conveyor on the automated assembly equipment.

Growing community of inventors

Doylestown, PA, United States of America

Robert D Mitchell