AbstractCalcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), a potent dilator of cerebral and dural vasculature, is known to be elevated in plasma and cerebral spinal fluid during migraine attacks. Selective blockade of the CGRP receptor offers the promise of controlling migraine headache more effectively and without the side‐effects associated with the use of triptans. Our efforts to develop a novel, peptide‐based CGRP antagonist focused on the C‐terminal portion of the peptide which is known to bind the receptor but lack agonist properties. Extensive SAR studies of the C‐terminal CGRP (27–37) region identified a novel cyclic structure: Bz‐Val‐Tyr‐cyclo[Cys‐Thr‐Asp‐Val‐Gly‐Pro‐Phe‐Cys]‐Phe‐NH2(23) with a kb value of 0.126 nMagainst the cloned human CGRP receptor. Additional SAR studies directed at enhancement of potency and improvement of physicochemical properties yielded a series of analogs with kb values in the 0.05–0.10 nMrange. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.