Inhibitors of c-Jun N-terminal kinases for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders relating to apoptosis and/or inflammation

1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein X is O, S, C(R 4 ) 2 , SO, SO 2 or NR 3 , NR 3 —C(O)— or NR 3 —C(O)—O—, in which said NR 3 , NR 3 —C(O)— or NR 3 —C(O)—O— is directly attached via the nitrogen atom to the pyrrolopyridine ring of the compound of formula (I);

R 1 is C 1-10 alkyl, C 2-10 alkenyl, C 2-10 alkynyl, phenyl or naphthyl, C 3-10 cycloalkyl, C 3-10 cycloalkenyl or indole, indoline, piperdine, piperazine or morpholine;

said R 1 group being optionally substituted with one or more of C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-10 alkoxy, C 3-10 cycloalkyl, halo, hydroxy, oxo, CO 2 R 5 , C 3-10 aryl, C 1-6 alkylC 3-10 aryl, and NR 6 2 ;

and R 2 is pyrazole;

said R 2 group being optionally substituted with one or more of C 1-6 alkyl, CO 2 H, and C 1-6 alkyl morpholinyl;

wherein

R 3 is hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl;

R 4 is hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl;

R 5 is hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl; and

R 6 is hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl.

2. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R 1 is an unbranched alkyl group having 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms.

3. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R 1 is an unbranched alkenyl or alkynyl group having 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms.

4. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R 1 is a C 5 or C 6 cycloalkyl or phenyl or naphthyl optionally substituted with one or more of C 1-4 alkyl or a halogen.

5. A compound as claimed in claim 4 wherein R 1 is phenyl, in which the phenyl is substituted at the ortho or para position.

6. A compound as claimed in claim 4 wherein R 1 is phenyl.

7. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R 2 is substituted with C 1-6 alkyl at any available N.

8. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R 2 is optionally substituted with an alkyl group having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms.

9. A compound as claimed in claim 8 wherein said optional substitution of claim 10 occurs at any available N in the pyrazole of R 2 .

10. A compound as claimed in claim 8 wherein R 2 is C 1-6 alkylmorpholinyl.

11. A compound of formula II

wherein R 1 is phenyl or C 1-10 alkyl optionally substituted with one or more of halo or CO 2 R 4 ;

wherein R 4 is hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl,

R 3 is hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl,

and R 2 is pyrazole optionally substituted with one or more of C 1-6 alkyl.

12. A compound as claimed in claim 11 wherein R 1 is a branched alkyl having 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms.

13. A compound selected from

14. A composition comprising a compound as defined in claim 13 in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.