Vertex Pharmaceuticals ( VRTX 2.53%) has long been known as the company to turn to for life-saving cystic fibrosis (CF) drugs, and this platform has helped it generate billions of dollars in earnings. But Vertex now is showing that it also can be a game changer when it comes to treating one of the most common of health problems -- pain.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals on Thursday won approval from the Food and Drug Administration for a non-opioid pain drug, clearing the way for the rollout of a product that has simultaneously sparked high hopes and mixed opinions among physicians and market analysts.