An enantioselective synthesis of the CGRP antagonist BMS-846372, amenable to large scale preparation, is presented. This new synthesis showcases a chemo-and enantioselective reduction of a cyclohepta [b] pyridine-5, 9-dione as well as a Pd-catalyzed alpha-arylation reaction to form the key carbon–carbon bond and set the absolute and relative stereochemistry.