SB-616234-A possesses high affinity for human 5-HT1B receptors stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (pKi 8.3 ± 0.2), and is over 100-fold selective for a range of molecular targets except h5-HT1D receptors (pKi 6.6 ± 0.1). Similarly, affinity (pKi) for rat and guinea pig striatal 5-HT1B receptors is 9.2 ± 0.1. In [S]-GTPγS binding studies in the human recombinant cell line, SB-616234-A acts as a high affinity antagonist with a pA2 value of 8.6 ± 0.2 whilst providing no evidence of agonist activity in this system. In [S]-GTPγS binding studies in rat striatal membranes, SB-616234-A acts as a high affinity antagonist with an apparent pKB of 8.4 ± 0.5, again whilst providing no evidence of agonist activity in this system. SB-616234-A (1 μM) potentiates electrically stimulated [H]-5-HT release from guinea pig and rat cortical slices (S2/S1 ratios of 1.8 and 1.6, respectively).