Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) recently reported positive outcomes on the Vertex Pain Relief Trial from three late-stage studies on their novel non-opioid pain medication, VX-548.
Vertex Pain Relief with FDA Application on the Horizon by Mid-2024!
The drug, Vertex pain relief designed to treat moderate-to-severe acute pain, demonstrated significant success in two pivotal phase III trials following bunionectomy and abdominoplasty surgeries. Results indicated a substantial reduction in pain intensity over 48 hours compared to a placebo.
However, VX-548 fell short of surpassing opioid medications in a secondary goal, highlighting the challenges in finding alternatives to opioids.
In a single-arm late-stage study spanning 14 days, Vertex evaluated VX-548 across various surgical and non-surgical acute pain conditions. Impressively, around 83% of participants rated the drug as ‘good, very good, or excellent’ in pain management. Buoyed by this data, Vertex aims to submit a new drug application (NDA) to the FDA for VX-548’s approval in treating moderate-to-severe acute pain by mid-2024.
READ ALSO: Measles Cases As A Deadly Virus: Spreading Globally
Vertex Pain Relief Emerges as a Promising Opioid Alternative
While the studies didn’t establish superiority over opioids, the positive aspects showcase VX-548 as a promising alternative in a field with limited treatment options. Vertex’s stock witnessed a 2.4% rise on the back of this announcement. Notably, opioids, though effective, carry significant risks of addiction and abuse.
Vertex has been making strides beyond its dominant position in the cystic fibrosis market, with successful developments in its non-cystic fibrosis pipeline. The company’s gene therapy, Casgevy, co-developed with CRISPR Therapeutics, recently gained FDA approval for sickle cell disease treatment, marking a breakthrough in utilizing CRISPR technology. Vertex’s position in the market, along with these advancements, underscores its potential for further growth.