A series of potential new 5-HT<sub>2</sub> receptor scaffolds based on a simplification of the clinically studied, 5-HT<sub>2C</sub>R agonist vabicaserin, were designed. An in vivo feeding assay early in our screening process played an instrumental part in the lead identification process, leading us to focus on a 6,5,7-tricyclic scaffold. A subsequent early SAR investigation provided potent agonists of the 5-HT<sub>2C</sub> receptor that were highly selective in both functional and binding assays, had good rat PK properties and that significantly reduced acute food intake in the rat.