The precursor imidazopyrazine (III) was prepared by condensation of 2-amino-3,5-dibromopyrazine (I) with ethyl 3-bromopyruvate (II). Subsequent treatment of ester (III) with aqueous ammonia produced the corresponding amide (IV). This was then dehydrated with phosphoryl chloride, with concomitant displacement of the 8-bromine for a chloro group, to yield nitrile (V). Finally, substitution of the chloride by methyl amine in (V) furnished the target compound.