The recent announcement of positive trial results for its new pain relief treatment sparked a surge in the share price of Newtown Square’s specialty pharmaceutical company, Innocoll Holdings, writes Linda Loyd for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The company said that its non-opioid implant for postoperative pain relief has met “statistical significance” in patients without the additional need for other pain medicines, most notably opioids. The news boosted its shares 47.8 percent to $10.51.

Innocoll’s new treatment to relieve pain after abdominal hernia surgery is a sponge-like implant inserted during the operation. The implant is infused with an anesthetic bupivacaine, Xaracoll, which slowly disperses, providing the patient with pain relief for up to 48 hours.

The self-dissolving product is made out of biodegradable collagen, which is a protein found in bone, muscle, skin, and tendons. Innocoll plans to file a new-drug application with the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment this year.

It is also good news for the company’s commercial operations in Newtown Square, as it expects to increase from 15 employees to 25 by the end of the year.

Read more about Innocoll’s results in the Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.