Aug 4 (Reuters) - Vertex Pharmaceuticals ( VRTX ) said

on Monday it will not continue development of its experimental

non-opioid painkiller as a solo treatment after it failed to

meet the main goal of a mid-stage trial.

The next-generation drug, called VX-993, was found to be

generally safe when tested in patients who had a bunion surgery,

with most side effects being mild to moderate and no serious

problems linked to the painkiller, the company said.

Wall Street analysts and investors have been eagerly

awaiting the results of this trial that would help Vertex expand

beyond its non-opioid Journavx, bolstering its pain drug

treatments.