We have previously disclosed the selective ET(A) receptor antagonist N-(3,4-dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl)-4'-(2-oxazolyl)[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-sulfonamide (1, BMS-193884) as a clinical development candidate. Additional SAR studies at the 2'-position of 1 led to the identification of several analogues with improved binding affinity as well as selectivity for the ET(A) receptor. Following the discovery that a 3-amino-isoxazole group displays significantly improved metabolic stability in comparison to its 5-regioisomer, the 3-amino-isoxazole group was combined with the optimal 2'-substituent leading to 16a (BMS-207940). Compound 16a is an extremely potent (ET(A) K(i) = 10 pM) and selective (80,000-fold for ET(A) vs ET(B)) antagonist. It is also 150-fold more potent and >6-fold more selective than 1. The bioavailability of 16a was 100% in rats and the systemic clearance and volume of distribution are higher than that of 1. In rats, intravenous 16a blocks big ET pressor responses with 30-fold greater potency than 1. After oral dosing at 3 micromol/kg, 16a displays enhanced duration relative to 1.