Novel Substituted Steroid Hormones

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The research project has a goal to develop novel male contraceptive agents. Candidate drugs have been developed and have been submitted for patents through an employee invention report. After review of the report, it was determined that a provisional patent application would be submitted by NICHD. This class of steroid core molecules could be a first-in-class male contraceptive agent that possesses all necessary hormonal properties for which serum testosterone is responsible. Lead candidates are derivitized to prepare pro-drugs that can sustain the androgenic activity for 24 hours for oral or transdermal gel, patch or aerosol formulations or could provide extended activity over several months when administered as an injection, implant, microneedle array or other delivery method for the purpose of male contraception or potential endocrine therapies. As a male contraceptive agent, this invention takes advantage of molecules with demonstrated androgenic activity, oral bioavailability and combines modifications that maintain drug levels over a sustained period so that oral dosing is limited to one dose per day. Thus, one molecule contains multiple hormonal activities that fulfill all necessary hormonal activities for which serum testosterone is required but does not support testicular function that would lead to spermatogenesis. Several lead candidates are being evaluated for receptor binding and transactivation properties that demonstrate the desired functional activities of the drug. Since the products, if successful in achieving the desired functions, would have commercial utility, publications cannot be issued until after patent applications have been filed through appropriate channels.