The present invention relates to novel triazolo-pyridines of the formula
##STR00001## wherein X is >CH.sub.2, >NH, sulfur, >S.dbd.O,
>SO.sub.2 or oxygen; wherein said >CH.sub.2 and >NH may
optionally be substituted with a suitable substituent; R.sup.1 is
selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C.sub.1-C.sub.6)alkyl
and other suitable substituents; R.sup.2 is selected from the group
consisting of hydrogen, (C.sub.1-C.sub.6)alkyl and other suitable
substituents; s is an integer from 0-4; R.sup.3 is R.sup.4,
R.sup.5--(NR.sup.6)--, R.sup.5--S--, R.sup.5--(S.dbd.O)--,
R.sup.5--(SO.sub.2)--, R.sup.5--SO.sub.2--NR.sup.6--,
R.sup.5--(NR.sup.6)--SO.sub.2--, R.sup.5--O--, R.sup.5--(C.dbd.O)--,
R.sup.5--(NR.sup.6)--(C.dbd.O)--, R.sup.5--(C.dbd.O)--NR.sup.6--,
R.sup.5--O--(C.dbd.O)--, R.sup.5--(C.dbd.O)--O--,
R.sup.5--CR.sup.7.dbd.CR.sup.8-- or R.sup.5--C.ident.C--; such that the
molecular weight of R.sup.3 is less than 500 AMU, preferably less than
250 AMU; R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are each selected from the group
consisting of hydrogen, (C.sub.1-C.sub.6)alkyl and other suitable
substituents; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; to
intermediates for their preparation, to pharmaceutical compositions
containing them and to their medicinal use. The compounds of the present
invention are potent inhibitors of MAP kinases. They are useful in the
treatment of inflammation, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer,
reperfusion or ischemia in stroke or heart attack, autoimmune diseases
and other disorders.
