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Mifepristone

Mifepristone is a synthetic steroid compound used as a pharmaceutical. It is used as an abortifacient in the first two months of pregnancy, and in smaller doses as an emergency contraceptive. During early trials, it was known as RU-486, its designation at the Roussel Uclaf company, which designed the drug. The drug was initially made available in France, and other countries then followed—often amid controversy. It is marketed under tradenames Mifegyne and Mifeprex.

Current developer:    Corcept Therapeutics Inc

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mifepristone, the compound was discovered by researchers at Roussel Uclaf of France in 1980 (the "RU" in RU-486) while they were studying glucocorticoid receptor antagonists. Étienne-Émile Baulieu recognized its anti-progesterone activities and saw its potential for the induction of a medical abortion. Clinical testing began in 1982. The drug was first licensed in France in 1988, for use in combination with a prostaglandin, under the name Mifegyne.

Mifegyne is sold outside the U.S. by Exelgyn Laboratories, made in France, and is approved for:
1. Medical termination of intrauterine pregnancies of up to 49 days gestation (up to 63 days gestation in Britain and Sweden); 2. Softening and dilatation of the cervix prior to mechanical cervical dilatation for pregnancy termination; 3. Use in combination with gemeprost for termination of pregnancies between 13 and 24 weeks gestation; 4. Labor induction in fetal death in utero.

Mifeprex is sold in the U.S. by Danco Laboratories, made in China, and is U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved to terminate intrauterine pregnancies of up to 49 days gestation.  see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mifepristone.  

Other medical applications of mifepristone that have been studied in Phase II clinical trials include regular long-term use as an oral contraceptive, and treatment of: uterine fibroids, endometriosis, major depression with psychotic features, glaucoma, meningiomas, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer. Mifepristone has been used to treat Cushing's syndrome with treatment durations being as long as 10 years without noticeable adverse effect.