NOVELTY - Preparing 3-((2-((4-(hexyloxycarbonylamino-imino-methyl)-phenylamino)-methyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole-5-carbonyl)-pyridin-2-yl-amino)-propionic acid ethyl ester (dabigatran etexilate) or its salt, comprises: (a) reacting 3-((2-((4-cyano-phenylamino)-methyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole-5-carbonyl)-pyridin-2-yl-amino)-propionic acid ethyl ester (II) with triethyl orthoformate; (b) reacting formed 3-((2-((4-ethoxycarbonimidoyl-phenylamino)-methyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole-5-carbonyl)-pyridin-2-yl-amino)-propionic acid ethyl ester (III) with source of ammonia; and (c) isolating the product.    USE - The process is useful for preparing dabigatran etexilate (claimed), which is useful for reducing the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. No biological data given.    ADVANTAGE - The process: provides dabigatran etexilate that is free from 2-((4-(hexyloxycarbonylamino-imino-methyl)-phenylamino)-methyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid, ((4-((5-(4-carbamoyl-2-pyridin-2-yl-butyryl)-1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-ylmethyl)-amino)-phenyl)-imino-methyl)-carbamic acid hexyl ester, 5-(2-((4-(hexyloxycarbonylamino-imino-methyl)-phenylamino)-methyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazol-5-yl)-5-oxo-4-pyridin-2-yl-pentanoic acid isopropyl ester, 3-((3-hexyloxycarbonylamino-4-((2-(4-(hexyloxycarbonylamino-imino-methyl)-phenylamino)-acetyl)-methyl-amino)-benzoyl)-phenyl-amino)-propionic acid ethyl ester (claimed), and other process related impurities; is simple, robust, eco-friendly, and industrially viable; avoids the need for time-consuming, costly isolation of intermediates and purification steps between individual steps, thus it is time saving, cost effective and favorable for large scale production; and provides dabigatran etexilate with the desired particle sizes.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Preparing 3-((2-((4-(hexyloxycarbonylamino-imino-methyl)-phenylamino)-methyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole-5-carbonyl)-pyridin-2-yl-amino)-propionic acid ethyl ester (dabigatran etexilate) or its salt, comprises: (a) reacting 3-((2-((4-cyano-phenylamino)-methyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole-5-carbonyl)-pyridin-2-yl-amino)-propionic acid ethyl ester (II) with triethyl orthoformate in the presence of an acid to provide 3-((2-((4-ethoxycarbonimidoyl-phenylamino)-methyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole-5-carbonyl)-pyridin-2-yl-amino)-propionic acid ethyl ester (III) or its salt; (b) reacting (III) with a source of ammonia to provide 3-((2-((4-carbamimidoyl-phenylamino)-methyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole-5-carbonyl)-pyridin-2-yl-amino)-propionic acid ethyl ester (IV) or its salt; and (c) isolating (IV).