Abstract: The present invention relates to sulfonamide derivatives of formula (I) notably for use as pharmaceutically active compounds, as well as to pharmaceutical formulations containing such sulfonamide derivatives. Said sulfonamide derivatives are useful in the treatment of neuronal disorders, autoimmune diseases, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, said sulfonamide derivatives are efficient modulators of the JNK pathway, they are in particular efficient and selective inhibitors of JNK2 and -3. The present invention is furthermore related to novel sulfonamide derivatives as well as to methods of their preparation. Formula (I) IAr1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl group; X is O or S, preferably O; Ar2 a substituted or unsubstituted arylene or heteroarylene group; R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a C1-C6-alkyl group.