What should I know about Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a Boston-based biotechnology company that develops treatments for serious genetic diseases. It built its business on cystic fibrosis (CF), a condition that damages the lungs and digestive system, and has expanded from CF into other conditions, including blood disorders and acute pain. Its product range now includes the gene-edited therapy Casgevy and the non-opioid pain medicine Journavx. In the second quarter of 2026 it reported revenue of $3.33 billion, up 12% on a year earlier.
What are Vertex Pharmaceuticals's main drugs?
Cystic fibrosis medicines still make up most of Vertex's revenue. In the second quarter of 2026, Trikafta/Kaftrio earned $2.497 billion and its newer successor Alyftrek $573.6 million. Casgevy, a gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease and beta thalassaemia, made $76.4 million, and Journavx, for acute pain, $49.6 million. Vertex raised its 2026 revenue forecast to $13.1 billion to $13.2 billion and expects at least $500 million from non-CF products.
What is Vertex Pharmaceuticals currently developing?
Vertex's most advanced new candidate is povetacicept for IgA nephropathy, a kidney disease. The FDA has accepted its application, with a decision date of 30 November 2026 for accelerated approval. Its pipeline also includes zimislecel, a cell therapy for type 1 diabetes, inaxaplin for a genetic kidney disease, with interim data expected in early 2027, and suzetrigine for diabetic nerve pain. In July 2026 Vertex agreed to buy Crinetics Pharmaceuticals for about $10 billion, to expand into endocrine diseases, with the deal expected to close in the third quarter.
Is Vertex Pharmaceuticals publicly traded, and how big is it?
Yes. Vertex trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker VRTX. Its market value was about $127 billion on 6 October 2026, with the shares up about 11% for the year. It reported revenue of $3.33 billion in the second quarter of 2026, and its forecast for the full year is $13.1 billion to $13.2 billion. It is profitable, with second-quarter net income of about $1.1 billion.