Given how late in the article it is mentioned that the drug was indistinguishable from placebo, this NYT article may well have been commissioned by Vertex.
[1] https://www.science.org/content/blog-post/pain-comes-territo...
[1] https://www.science.org/content/blog-post/pain-comes-territo...
If this is what you're referring to, note the article is talking about the side effects.
Not trying to say I'm for/against the drug, just wanted to point a possible incorrect conclusion.
$465 USD for a 15-day supply definitely pricey -- but options for people who weren't well-served by Purdue Pharma / OxyContin seem good, especially if the mechanism of action is different.