AS601245 (1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl (2-{[2-(3-pyridinyl) ethyl] amino}-4 pyrimidinyl) acetonitrile) is a potent and selective JNK inhibitor developed by Applied Research Systems ARS Holding as promising neuroprotective agent. In vitro AS601245 is a potent and cell permeable ATP competitive JNK inhibitor, which has been shown to inhibit the JNK signaling pathway, promotes cell survival after cerebral ischemia. AS601245 and clofibrate have a synergistic effect in inducing cell responses and in affecting the gene expression profile in CaCo-2 colon cancer cells. AS601245 is a new potent adenosine triphosphate-competitive JNK inhibitor, provides significant protection against the delayed loss of hippocampal CA1 neurons in a gerbil model of transient global ischemia and is also neuroprotective in rats after focal cerebral ischemia. The ischemia-induced phospho-c-Jun expression is attenuated by AS601245, providing a mechanism through which AS601245 blocks the loss of neuronal cells.