There is disclosed a process for the production of brivaracetam by converting an intermediate of the formula:

##STR00001##

to an intermediate of the formula:

##STR00002##

and then to brivaracetam; wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkali, alkaline earth metal, alkyl, and a mixture thereof.

A medicinal agent for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation. A compound having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor is contained as an active ingredient in the medicinal agent. The compound represented by the following general formula (I) as defined in the specification, a salt, an N-oxide, or a solvate thereof, or a prodrug of these is useful as a medicinal component having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation.

##STR00001##

A medicinal agent for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation. A compound having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor is contained as an active ingredient in the medicinal agent. The compound represented by the following general formula (I) as defined in the specification, a salt, an N-oxide, or a solvate thereof, or a prodrug of these is useful as a medicinal component having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation.

##STR00001##

A medicinal agent for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation. A compound having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor is contained as an active ingredient in the medicinal agent. The compound represented by the following general formula (I) as defined in the specification, a salt, an N-oxide, or a solvate thereof, or a prodrug of these is useful as a medicinal component having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation. ##STR00001##

A medicinal agent for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation. A compound having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor is contained as an active ingredient in the medicinal agent. The compound represented by the following general formula (I) as defined in the specification, a salt, an N-oxide, or a solvate thereof, or a prodrug of these is useful as a medicinal component having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation. ##STR00001##

The invention provides compounds of formula I: ##STR00001##
or a salt thereof as described herein. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I, processes for preparing compounds of formula I, intermediates useful for preparing compounds of formula I and therapeutic methods for treating cancer or treating autoimmune diseases or preventing transplant rejection using compounds of formula I.

The invention provides compounds of formula I: ##STR00001##
or a salt thereof as described herein. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I, processes for preparing compounds of formula I, intermediates useful for preparing compounds of formula I and therapeutic methods for treating cancer or treating autoimmune diseases or preventing transplant rejection using compounds of formula I.

A medicinal agent for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation is disclosed. A compound having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor is contained as an active ingredient in the medicinal agent. The compound represented by the following general formula (I) as defined in the specification, a salt, an N-oxide, or a solvate thereof, or a prodrug of these is useful as a medicinal component having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation. ##STR00001##

A medicinal agent for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation is disclosed. A compound having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor is contained as an active ingredient in the medicinal agent. The compound represented by the following general formula (I) as defined in the specification, a salt, an N-oxide, or a solvate thereof, or a prodrug of these is useful as a medicinal component having antagonistic activity against the EP.sub.4 receptor for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by EP.sub.4 receptor activation. ##STR00001##