Processes for the preparation of 4-[[4-[[4-(2-cyanoethenyl)-2,6-dimethylphenyl]-amino]-2-pyrimidinyl]amino- ]benzonitrile of formula (I), a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt, a quaternary amine or a stereochemically isomeric form thereof are provided, said processes comprise: a) reacting 4-(2-cyanoethenyl)-2,6-dimethylbenzenamine with an intermediate of formula (III) ##STR00001## in the presence of a suitable solvent; b) reacting an intermediate of formula (IV) ##STR00002## with acrylonitrile in the presence of a suitable palladium catalyst, a suitable base and a suitable solvent; c) dehydrating the corresponding amide of the compound of formula (I).