A novel synthetic strategy for the preparation of formestane has been published: The oxidation of 5alpha-3-androsten-17-one (I) with H2O2 in formic acid gives the epoxide (II), which, without isolation, yields 3alpha,4beta-dihydroxy-5alpha-androstan-17-one (III). The reaction of (III) with DMSO and trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA), and then with triethylamine affords 3-hydroxy-5alpha-2-androstene-4,17-dione (IV), which is finally submitted to basic isomerization catalyzed by sodium methoxide