A series of structurally novel stearoyl-CoA desaturase1 (SCD1) inhibitors has been identified via molecular scaffold manipulation. Preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies led to the discovery of potent, and orally bioavailable piperidine-aryl urea-based SCD1 inhibitors. 4-(2-Chlorophenoxy)-N-[3-(methyl carbamoyl)phenyl]piperidine-1-carboxamide 4c exhibited robust in vivo activity with dose-dependent desaturation index lowering effects. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.