Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. said its phase 2 trial of VX-150 to treat pain following a type of foot surgery showed significant pain relief compared to placebo.

The Boston-based biotechnology company said the trial of VX-150, an inhibitor of the NaV1.8 protein involved in the sensation of pain, was carried out to treat acute pain in patients after bunionectomy surgery. A bunion is a deformity of the joint connecting the big toe to the foot.

VX-150 showed significant relief of acute pain compared to placebo, determined by the difference in pain intensity over first 24 hours of treatment.

The trial also included a standard of care reference arm of patients receiving a commonly prescribed opioid medicine, hydrocodone, along with acetaminophen to help evaluate a potential treatment effect for VX-150.

Vertex said VX-150 was generally well-tolerated, and there were no discontinuations for adverse events in any arm of the study.

The company noted that the phase 2 trial was the second positive study for VX-150 and that a third phase 2 trial of the medicine to treat neuropathic pain is underway.

Vertex added that a phase 1 trial of a second NaV1.8 inhibitor VX-128 is being undertaken in healthy volunteers.