Condensation of the known chloro pyrazolopyridine (I) with the lithium salt of 4-chlorobenzylthiol (II) produces the intermediate thioether (III) which, in the presence of excess LDA, undergoes intramolecular Claisen condensation to the pyrazolothienopyridine derivative (IV). Subsequent acylation of (IV) with glutaric anhydride (V) in acetone gives rise to the target glutarate mono-ester.