Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is advancing VX-548 – another of its selective NaV1.8 inhibitors – into Phase II studies for treating acute pain in the second half of 2021, as the Boston-based group continues to assess ‘back up’ compounds that might have better pharmacological profiles and thus more attractive commercial prospects than its investigational asset VX-150.
Vertex has been discussing its sodium channel inhibitor Nav1.8 program for pain for several years now. It is investigating an approach to treat pain by targeting specific sodium channels in the NaV family that have been validated by human biology. The role of voltage-gated sodium channels like NaV 1.7 and 1