A novel series of compounds derived from the previously reported N-type calcium channel blocker NP118809 (1-(4-benzhydrylpiperazin-1-yl)-3, 3-diphenylpropan-1-one) is described. Extensive SAR studies resulted in compounds with IC50 values in the range of 10–150nM and selectivity over the L-type channels up to nearly 1200-fold. Orally administered compounds 5 and 21 exhibited both anti-allodynic and anti-hyperalgesic activity in the ...