Where Will the New Nonopioiod Suzetrigine (Journavx) Fit Best Along the Acute Pain Management Continuum? Phase 3 Investigator Shares Thoughts
Suzetrigine (Journavx) PI Todd Bertoch, MD, identifies the sweet spot where he thinks the new NaV1.8 inhibitor will be most effective in post-surgical and other moderate-to-severe acute pain.
Anesthesiologist Todd Bertoch, MD, led clinical research that supported the FDA's approval last week of the novel nonopioid analgesic suzetrigine, marketed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals as Journavx. Suzetrigine is an oral highly selective voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV1.8) inhibitor and represents the first new approach to acute pain management in more than 2 decades.1
The company describes the approval as an historic milestone for the 80 million Americans who are prescribed a medication for moderate-to-severe acute pain every year.2 Patient Care sat down with Bertoch to learn more about where he feels the new option will find the greatest utility along the continuum of acute pain care. He describes the clinical scenario in the short video above.
Todd Bertoch, MD, is an anesthesiologist and CEO at JBR Clinical Research, CenExel in Salt Lake City, UT. Bertoch served as an anesthesiologist in the US Air Force where he gained extensive experience in both trauma medicine and pain management. As the managing partner of an anesthesia practice in Prescott, AZ, Bertoch's practice focused on pain management and addiction medicine. Since joining JBR clinical research, he has served as principal investigator for more than 150 clinical trials.
1. Jones J, Correll DJ, Lechner SM, et al. Selective inhibition of NaV1.8 with VX-548 for acute pain. N Engl J Med. 2023;389:393-405 doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2209870
2. Vertex Announces FDA Approval of JOURNAVX (suzetrigine), a First-in-Class Treatment for Adults With Moderate-to-Severe Acute Pain. News release. Vertex Pharmaceuticals. January 30, 2025. Accessed January 30, 2025. https://investors.vrtx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/vertex-announces-fda-approval-journavxtm-suzetrigine-first-class
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