** Shares of drug developer Lexicon Pharmaceuticals LXRX.O rise 2.16% to $1.34 premarket

** Co says U.S. FDA cleared the late‑stage trial of its experimental drug pilavapadin for diabetic nerve pain

** Diabetic nerve pain is a condition caused by long‑term high blood sugar that damages nerves

** Co says the 12‑week study will test a 10 mg daily dose of the experimental non‑opioid drug against a placebo

** LXRX's pilavapadin blocks a protein involved in pain signalling, and early tests showed reduced pain without affecting opioid pathways

** FDA did not ask for additional studies, co says

** Shares up ~56% in 2025

(Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru)

((Sahil.Pandey@thomsonreuters.com))