The previously disclosed spirohydantoin-based CGRP receptor antagonists were optimized for potency through modi. cation of the benzimidazolone substituents. Compounds were identified which had minimal shift in the cAMP functional assay containing 50% human serum. Blockade of CGRP-mediated vasodilation was observed with these compounds in a rhesus pharmacodynamic assay and the in vivo potency correlated with the in vitro activity in the serum-shifted functional assay. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.