Vertex Pharmaceuticals
NEWS
With fewer biopharmas making or planning workforce reductions so far year over year, layoff round size and M&A impact on headcounts will likely shape the number of employees who are ultimately on the chopping block.
The FDA is currently reviewing Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ povetacicept, with a target action date of Nov. 30. If approved, the drug could benefit from campaigns from Novartis and Vera Therapeutics for their recently approved IgAN therapies Fabhalta and Trutakna.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals is the largest pickup in the company’s history, according to analysts at BMO Capital Markets.
The FDA approved the expansion of Casgevy, which had previously been greenlit for patients 12 and up, into a younger pediatric population under the agency’s Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher program.
Three pharma CEOs joined the $30 million compensation club in 2025 but Eli Lilly’s David Ricks exceeded his nearest peer by more than $4 million.
While some analysts may regard Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ first quarter results as “unremarkable,” BMO Capital Markets wrote on Monday, the second half of 2026 could be big for the biotech, with the potential approval of IgAN therapy povetacicept.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals has a rolling biologics license application with the FDA for povetacicept in IgA nephropathy. With new data from RAINIER, the biotech expects to complete its submission by the end of March.
The first gene therapies approved to treat sickle cell disease in December 2023 are struggling on the market. But there are glimpses of forward momentum as Vertex and Genetix Bio provide updates.
Following over a year of slow uptake, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics expect Casgevy revenues to nearly triple in 2026, as patient access to the sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia gene therapy grows.
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