5,6-dihydro-4H-benzo[b]thieno-[2,3-d]azepine derivative

1. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof which comprises:

reacting a compound of formula (II)

or a salt thereof;

with 2-fluoro-6-methylaniline; or

reacting a compound of formula (III)

wherein LG is a leaving group;

or a salt thereof;

with 7-oxa-2-azaspiro[3,5]nonane or a salt thereof; or

reacting a compound of formula (IV)

or a salt thereof;

with the compound of formula (VI)

or a salt thereof.

2. A process for the preparation of the compound of formula (II)

or a salt thereof which comprises:

reacting a compound of formula (X)

wherein LG is a leaving group and R a is lower alkyl;

or a salt thereof;

with 7-oxa-2-azaspiro[3,5]nonane or a salt thereof, followed by hydrolysis of the carboxylate ester to the free acid; or

reacting a compound of formula (IX)

wherein R a is lower alkyl;

or a salt thereof;

with a compound of formula (VI)

or a salt thereof;

followed by hydrolysis of the carboxylate ester to the free acid.

3. The process according to claim 1 wherein the leaving group is a halogen atom.

4. The process according to claim 3 wherein the halogen atom is chlorine.

5. The process according to claim 2 wherein the leaving group is a halogen atom.

6. The process according to claim 5 wherein the halogen atom is chlorine.

7. The process according to claim 2 wherein the lower alkyl group is ethyl.