A group of 1-(aminosulfonylphenyl and methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(pyridyl) acetylene regioisomers were designed such that a COX-2 SO2NH2 pharmacophore was located at the para-position of the phenyl ring, or a SO2Me pharmacophore was placed at the ortho-, meta- or para-position of the phenyl ring, on an acetylene template (scaffold). The point of attachment of the pyridyl ring to the acetylene linker was simultaneously varied (2-pyridyl, ...