The Efficacy and Safety of Gantacurium Chloride for Injection in Tracheal Intubation in Healthy Adult Patients Undergoing Surgery Under General Anesthesia

This is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, observer-blinded, dose-response study to evaluate the efficacy in tracheal intubation and safety of gantacurium chloride for injection in healthy adult patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia. Gantacurium chloride for injection (previously referred to as AV430A) is a new, investigational non-depolarizing ultra-short acting neuromuscular blocking agent (NMB). Preliminary results in animals and healthy human subjects (Phase 1 studies in adult volunteers) suggest that gantacurium chloride for injection may provide a useful adjunct to general anesthesia by permitting rapid intubation. This Phase 2 study will provide more definitive information on the ultra-short acting profile of the compound by determining the quality of intubation in patients, at 60 seconds, as assessed by a blinded intubator. In addition, the safety of the compound will be assessed. In this study, the efficacy and safety of gantacurium chloride for injection will also be compared to a reference drug, succinylcholine, and to placebo. The primary objective of this study is to determine the dose-response relationship of gantacurium chloride for injection on tracheal intubation conditions after a single rapid bolus intravenous (i.v.) dose as a component of a propofol/opioid induction-intubation sequence and to assess the safety profile of this compound.