The present invention relates to novel steroidal compounds of formula (I), process for preparation of the same and composition comprising these compounds.

##STR00001##

Described herein are compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds which inhibit Hedgehog signaling. Also described herein are methods for using such Hedgehog signaling inhibitors, alone or in combination with other compounds, for treating diseases or conditions that would benefit from inhibition of Hedgehog signaling.

The present disclosure relates to stereodefined polycyclic (e.g., tetracyclic) compounds that contain quaternary centers at one or multiple ring fusions, synthetic methods for preparing such compounds, and methods of using such compounds to treat a disease, such as a brain tumor and, particularly, a glioma.

The disclosure provides a method of treating a patient having postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, menopausal depression, or delirium tremens comprising administering an effective amount of an injectable neurosteroid formulation to the patient. In certain embodiments the injectable neurosteroid formulation is an injectable ganaxolone formulation. Two types of injectable neurosteroid formulations may be used in the disclosed methods. The first such formulation is an injectable formulation containing ganaxolone and sulfobutyl ether -cyclodextrin in a 1:1 inclusion complex. The second such formulation is an injectable neurossteroid formulation comprising a neurosteroid, preferably ganaxolone, but which may be a neurosteroid selected from allopregnanolone, ganaxolone, alphaxalone, alphadolone, hydroxydione, minaxolone, pregnanolone, tetrahydrocorticosterone, and combinations of the foregoing; a surface stabilizer selected from hydroxyl ethyl starch, dextran, and povidone; and a surfactant.

Compounds are provided according to Formula (I): ##STR00001##
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Z is a group of the formula (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v): ##STR00002##
and wherein L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, X.sup.1, X.sup.2, Y, R.sup.Z4, R.sup.Z5, R.sup.Z6, n, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3a, R.sup.3b, R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b, R.sup.6a, R.sup.6b, R.sup.7a, R.sup.7b, R.sup.11a, R.sup.11b, R.sup.14, R.sup.17, R.sup.19, R.sup.20, R.sup.23a, R.sup.23b, and R.sup.24 are as defined herein, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Compounds of the present invention are contemplated useful for the prevention and treatment of a variety of CNS-related conditions in mammals.

Described herein are steroids of Formula (I): ##STR00001##
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2a, R.sup.2b, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5a, R.sup.5b, R.sup.6, and Z are as defined herein. Such compounds are contemplated useful for the prevention and treatment of a variety of CNS-related conditions, for example, treatment of sleep disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, convulsive disorders, disorders of memory and/or cognition, movement disorders, personality disorders, autism spectrum disorders, pain, traumatic brain injury, vascular diseases, substance abuse disorders and/or withdrawal syndromes, and tinnitus.

Described herein are neuroactive steroids of the Formula (I):

##STR00001##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein , A, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are as defined herein. Such compounds are envisioned, in certain embodiments, to behave as GABA modulators. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the present invention and methods of use, e.g., for treating a subject suffering from a disease or disorder described herein.

The present invention refers to a new enzymatic process for obtaining 17-monoesters of cortexolone and/or its 9,11-dehydroderivatives starting from the corresponding 17,21-diesters which comprises an enzymatic alcoholysis reaction. Furthermore, the present invention refers to new crystalline forms of cortexolone-17-propionate and 9,11-dehydro-cortexolone 17-butanoate.

Provided are steroid analogues functionalized with polar substituents at the C3 and/or C20 positions of the steroid ring system that exhibit improved water solubility. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the steroid analogues and methods using the novel steroid analogues for the treatment and prevention of neurodegeneration in a patient following injury to the central nervous system.

Provided herein are 3,3-disubstituted 19-nor-steroidal compounds according to Formula (I) and (III):

##STR00001##

where R, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.6a, R.sup.6a, R.sup.11a, and R.sup.11b are as defined herein. Compounds of the present invention are contemplated useful for the prevention and treatment of a variety of CNS-related conditions, for example, treatment of sleep disorders, mood disorders, insomnia, anxiety, depression, traumatic brain injury (TBI), stress, and epilepsy.