Production of Steroid Hormones in Galena Opava

The drug product Antigest of the company Spofa was launched as soon as in 1965 and Czechoslovakia thus became forth country in the world where oral anticonception was introduced. The gestagen component of Antigest was methenmanidon acetate (superlutin), an original substance developed in the Research Institute of Natural Drugs. Superlutin and some other steroid drugs were produced in the Galena Opava plant. In the article, all the syntheses utilized in the manufacture of steroid drugs in Galena are described and the reasons why the manufacture of steroid drugs was terminated at the beginning of eighties are explained.