Remimazolam: New beginnings or just a me-too?

This edition of the journal includes two manuscripts describing the first human administration of remimazolam, a novel benzodiazepine. Not all such Phase 1 studies have a happy ending, the drop-out rate of development drugs is high and Phase 1 studies frequently represent the last outing for candidate compounds. Such investigations, together with early clinical studies also offer the editorialist an opportunity to pontificate (often wrongly) on the possible advantages of the new drug and to indulge in some speculation. Hence: “mivacurium may constitute a versatile new addition to anesthetic practice.” “minaxolone is a most promising induction agent…” and more accurately “midazolam would appear to offer many advantages over available benzodiazepines”.