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Rocuronium bolus maintenance

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC · Phase 3 active Small molecule Under review Quality 0/100

Rocuronium bolus maintenance is a Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker Small molecule drug developed by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. It is currently in Phase 3 development for Endotracheal intubation, Skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery. Also known as: Zemuron, ORG 9426.

Rocuronium acts as a competitive antagonist at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, preventing acetylcholine from binding and thereby inhibiting muscle contraction.

Rocuronium is a small molecule antagonist that targets the muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, used for muscle relaxation and neuromuscular blockade. It is indicated for conditions such as muscle relaxation, neuromuscular blockade, postoperative delirium, chronic kidney diseases, and renal transplantation.

Likelihood of approval
61.3% vs 58.3% industry baseline
If approved by FDA: likely 2028–2030
Steps remaining: NDA/BLA submission
Confidence: High
Why this estimate
  • Baseline phase 3 → approval rate +58.3pp
    Industry-wide phase 3 drugs reach approval ~58.3% of the time (BIO/Informa 2023 industry benchmark across all therapeutic areas).
  • Big-pharma sponsor +3.0pp
    Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC is a top-20 pharma sponsor — historical approval rates run ~3pp above average due to scale, regulatory experience, and trial-design quality.
Predicted approval windows by jurisdiction (conditional on FDA approval)
Regulator Country Likely year Lag vs FDA
FDA US 2028–2030
EMA EU 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
MHRA GB 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
Health Canada CA 2029–2032 +0.9 yr
TGA AU 2029–2032 +1.2 yr
PMDA JP 2029–2032 +1.5 yr
NMPA CN 2030–2033 +2.3 yr
MFDS KR 2029–2032 +1.4 yr
CDSCO IN 2029–2033 +1.8 yr
ANVISA BR 2030–2033 +2.3 yr

Hover any row for the lag rationale. Lag estimates are reduced when the drug has FDA Breakthrough or EMA PRIME designation (sponsors file globally in parallel).

Estimate based on the BIO/Informa industry phase transition rates plus per-drug modifiers for therapeutic area, sponsor type, FDA designations, mechanism, and trial design. Per-jurisdiction lags from Tufts CSDD international approval studies. Not investment, clinical or regulatory advice. Methodology: /methodology#likelihood.

At a glance

Generic nameRocuronium bolus maintenance
Also known asZemuron, ORG 9426
SponsorMerck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Drug classNon-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker
TargetNicotinic acetylcholine receptor
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaAnesthesiology
PhasePhase 3

Mechanism of action

This action results in muscle relaxation, which is useful for facilitating endotracheal intubation and providing skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery. Rocuronium's mechanism of action is similar to other non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

Frequently asked questions about Rocuronium bolus maintenance

What is Rocuronium bolus maintenance?

Rocuronium bolus maintenance is a Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker drug developed by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, indicated for Endotracheal intubation, Skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery.

How does Rocuronium bolus maintenance work?

Rocuronium acts as a competitive antagonist at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, preventing acetylcholine from binding and thereby inhibiting muscle contraction.

What is Rocuronium bolus maintenance used for?

Rocuronium bolus maintenance is indicated for Endotracheal intubation, Skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery.

Who makes Rocuronium bolus maintenance?

Rocuronium bolus maintenance is developed by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC (see full Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC pipeline at /company/merck).

Is Rocuronium bolus maintenance also known as anything else?

Rocuronium bolus maintenance is also known as Zemuron, ORG 9426.

What drug class is Rocuronium bolus maintenance in?

Rocuronium bolus maintenance belongs to the Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker class. See all Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker drugs at /class/non-depolarizing-neuromuscular-blocker.

What development phase is Rocuronium bolus maintenance in?

Rocuronium bolus maintenance is in Phase 3.

What are the side effects of Rocuronium bolus maintenance?

Common side effects of Rocuronium bolus maintenance include Hypotension, Bradycardia, Respiratory depression.

What does Rocuronium bolus maintenance target?

Rocuronium bolus maintenance targets Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and is a Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing