We have demonstrated that quinazolin-4(3H)-one, a nicotinamide (NI) mimic with PARP-1 inhibitory activity in the high micromolar range (IC(50) = 5.75 μM) could be transformed into highly active derivatives with only marginal increase in molecular weight. Convenient one to two synthetic steps allowed us to explore extensive SAR at the 2-, and 5- through 8-positions of the quinazolin-4(3H)-one scaffold. Substitutions at the 2- and 8-positions were found to be most favorable for improved PARP-1 inhibition. The amino group at 8-position resulted in compound 22 with an IC(50) value of 0.76 μM. Combination of the 8-amino substituent with an additional methyl substituent at the 2-position provided the most potent compound 31 [8-amino-2-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-one, IC(50) = 0.4 μM] in the present study. Compound 31 inhibited the proliferation of Brca1-deficient cells with an IC(50) value of 49.0 μM and displayed >10-fold selectivity over wild type counterparts. Binding models of these derivatives within the active site of PARP-1 have further supported the SAR data and will be useful for future lead optimization efforts.