JOURNAVX is the first new class of pain medicine approved in more than 20 years and the only oral non-opioid pain signal inhibitor on the market. What does this approval mean for the field of acute pain management, and how significant is this milestone for physicians and patients?

JOURNAVX selectively targets NaV1.8, a voltage-gated sodium channel found in peripheral pain-sensing neurons. How does this mechanism compare to traditional pain relievers such as opioids and NSAIDs, and what advantages does it offer in terms of efficacy and safety?

Given that JOURNAVX has no evidence of addictive potential, how do you see this impacting the broader effort to reduce opioid dependency? Could this be a preferred option in post-surgical and injury-related pain cases where opioids are often prescribed?

The FDA has approved JOURNAVX for all types of moderate-to-severe acute pain. What types of pain conditions do you expect this drug to be most commonly used for, and are there specific patient populations who would benefit most from this treatment?

The most common side effects of JOURNAVX include itching, muscle spasms, and increased creatine phosphokinase levels. How do these compare with adverse effects commonly seen with opioids or NSAIDs, and how would you assess the overall tolerability profile?

Vertex is currently evaluating suzetrigine for peripheral neuropathic pain, including painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. How promising is this class of drugs for chronic pain conditions, and what additional clinical trials or data would be needed to expand its indications?

Vertex has set a wholesale acquisition cost of $15.50 per 50mg pill for JOURNAVX. Given the high economic burden of opioid addiction and pain-related healthcare costs, how do you see the pricing of JOURNAVX influencing its adoption and accessibility?

With JOURNAVX paving the way as the first-in-class NaV1.8 inhibitor, do you anticipate further innovation in this space? Are there other promising non-opioid mechanisms in development that could further transform pain management in the coming years?