Earlier this year, a new pain reliever drug (suzetrigine) was approved in the USA. It matters because it’s the first painkiller developed for a long long time.
Some interest on this. A few weeks ago a family member got surgery for a new hip joint. Of course, flying on opioids in the first 24 hours after the surgery. Also, one day we may be there.
Once I read an essay (forgot which one) discussing the the fact that “little things” have greater impact on our lives than national politics, fads, trends…which little things? The people we live with, health, illness, our private lives where we can be humans and not drones part of a large group. Maybe this little pilled named like a French aperitif is the thing to be remembered from 2025.
I agree that it is good new nice small molecule chemistry. Yet, I have (in general) a systemic problem with pain killers (or a problem with systemic pain killers)…and also a problem with the FDA providing ‘breakthrough status’ (or ‘accelerated registration’) for any type of molecule - unless, of course, is for a condition with high mortality or certain morbidity.
Obviously, if this product is used for oncologic pain (or surgical pain), I am all for it. But unfortunately, it has been also approved for ‘moderate’ pain – And pain is very objective (‘from a scale of 1 to 10’…). So I can imagine that this product will be are used A LOT. And that’s (my personal) problem. Pain killers mask the source of the problem, which in turn covers the avancement of the condition, which might exacerbate, and can potentially be finally fatal, or irreversible. And suzetrigine (also have a kind of french commercial name, Journalvx ) has all the numbers to become the new kid on the block, that everybody gets friends with…but nobody knows how s/he will turn out in several years… (Na- channel blockers are not naive for long term usage)…
And, before I get slapped by well-wishers, please let me clarify that (a) I bought some shares years ago in Vertex, they have very interesting pipeline-- so I’m all for it… and (b) I have followed the registration of the product, looked at the CT, and,… as long as there are no long term safety data (particularly, as they already know that it gets metabolized in the liver, and that long-term usage of Na-channel blockers might result on chronic pain, or general central or peripheral neuro-system disfunctions), I will be looking at the product, but definitely, not trying it myself…
Many drugs have in the past been thought to be great, then become a problem over time (Bezos for example). I am very interested in a strong non-opioid option though, because opioids give me such bad side effects I’d actually rather be in pain.
Unfortunately the Vertex share price suggests this drug may not be the breakthrough that many hope for. Some of the research results state that it was better than placebo, which is setting the bar pretty low for a pain-killer.
ah yes…my friends from the FDA are still OK to have these type of products tested vs placebo. EMA is a little bit more picky, and requests now tests vs SoC (Standard of Care)
The totally ****ed up corporate finance stance of Vertex is the base of the problem with the share price…but that’s another story.
I am, nevertheless, more excited about the launch of another product; a (finally!) solution for demodex triggered blepharitis – also small-molecule chemistry, that has been used for years in veterinary, has passed (safely) to humans, with potential also to treat rosacea (also triggered, in some cases, by the mites). But that’s -also- another story…
I haven’t read all the details about it, but I think it is great to see that there is something different in pipeline from current type of pain medication.
I, for example, am not allowed to take any pain medication on the market, due to other medication I am taking. I was reminded about it again, when I was in the hospital on a regular check. This is sometimes, mentally more a problem, then real pain. So, great to see that there is investment there too…
This is really good news and targets the root of the problem. When OH had it, tea tree oil was the only remedy suggested to us. Luckily it worked for him, but not for many others. XDEMVY (Tarsus of Irvine, CA) was approved in 2023 and seems to be doing well on the market. It works by disrupting the GABA Cl channels, paralysing and killing the mites, but it seemingly it has no effect on mammals. Disclaimer: I have no dog in this fight.
