Vertex: a case study on commercializing non-opioid analgesics

Vertex has not yet submitted an NDA for VX-548, but the company is gearing up to commercialize the first-in-class non-opioid analgesic after it met the primary endpoints in two Phase III studies to treat post-operative pain. If approved, the bellwether launch should reveal much about what it takes to compete against cheap opioids and NSAIDs.

At issue is whether efficacy that is similar to generic alternatives, coupled with a non-addictive mechanism of action, will be enough to convince clinicians to reach for a branded therapy and payers to reimburse for it, especially at this point in the opioid crisis, when stakeholders told BioCentury they’ve already taken other measures to substantially reduce usage of opioids...