Elexacaftor/Ivacaftor/Tezacaftor

-If approved, approximately 4,000 people with cystic fibrosis in the European Union will be eligible for a medicine that treats the underlying cause of their disease for the first time- LONDON --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 28, 2025-- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion for the label expansion of KAFTRIO® (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) in combination with ivacaftor for the treatment of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) aged 2 years and older who have at least one non-class I mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. “We are thrilled by the positive CHMP opinion in support of expanding the KAFTRIO in combination with ivacaftor indication to include all CF patients 2 years and older who make CFTR protein,” said Fosca De Iorio , M.D., Vice President, International Medical Affairs at Vertex . “If approved, thousands of additional patients across Europe will be eligible for a CFTR modulator, bringing us closer than ever to our goal of getting treatments that address the underlying cause of the disease to all people living with CF.” In the European Union , ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor in combination with ivacaftor is currently approved for the treatment of people with CF aged 2 years and older who have at least one copy of the F508del mutation in the CFTR gene. About Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare, life-shortening genetic disease affecting more than 94,000 people in North America , Europe and Australia . CF is a progressive, multi-organ disease that affects the lungs, liver, pancreas, GI tract, sinuses, sweat glands and reproductive tract. CF is caused by a defective and/or missing CFTR protein resulting from certain mutations in the CFTR gene. Children must inherit two defective CFTR genes — one from each parent — to have CF, and these mutations can be identified by a genetic test. While there are many different types of CFTR mutations that can cause the disease, the vast majority of people with CF have at least one F508del mutation. CFTR mutations lead to CF by causing CFTR protein to be defective or by leading to a shortage or absence of CFTR protein at the cell surface. The defective function and/or absence of CFTR protein results in poor flow of salt and water into and out of the cells in a number of organs. In the lungs, this leads to the buildup of abnormally thick, sticky mucus, chronic lung infections and progressive lung damage that eventually leads to death for many patients. The median age of death is in the 30s, but with treatment, projected survival is improving. Today Vertex’s CF medicines are treating over 68,000 people with CF across more than 60 countries on six continents. This represents 2/3 of the diagnosed people with CF eligible for CFTR modulator therapy. Diagnosis of CF is often made by genetic testing and is confirmed by testing sweat chloride (SwCl), which measures CFTR protein dysfunction. The diagnostic threshold for CF is SwCl ≥60 mmol/L, while levels between 30-59 indicate CF is possible and more testing may be needed to make the diagnosis of CF. A SwCl level of <30 mmol/L is seen in people who carry one copy of a CFTR gene mutation but do not have any manifestation of disease (carriers). Higher levels of SwCl are associated with more severe disease. Restoring CFTR function leads to lower levels of SwCl. SwCl levels below 60 mmol/L are associated with improved outcomes such as better and more stable lung function, fewer pulmonary exacerbations, better quality of life and improved survival. Restoring SwCl levels below 30 mmol/L has long been the ultimate treatment goal for Vertex , as levels below 30 mmol/L are considered normal and are typical of CF carriers who do not have disease. About KAFTRIO® (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) in Combination With Ivacaftor In people with certain types of mutations in the CFTR gene, the CFTR protein is not processed or folded normally within the cell, and this can prevent the CFTR protein from reaching the cell surface and functioning properly. KAFTRIO® (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) in combination with ivacaftor is an oral medicine designed to increase the quantity and function of the CFTR protein at the cell surface. Elexacaftor and tezacaftor work together to increase the amount of mature protein at the cell surface by binding to different sites on the CFTR protein. Ivacaftor, which is known as a CFTR potentiator, is designed to facilitate the ability of CFTR proteins to transport salt and water across the cell membrane. The combined actions of ivacaftor, tezacaftor and elexacaftor help hydrate and clear mucus from the airways. KAFTRIO® (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) in combination with ivacaftor is approved in the European Union for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients aged 2 years and older who have at least one copy of the F508del mutation in the CFTR gene. For complete product information, please see the Summary of Product Characteristics that can be found on www.ema.europa.eu. About Vertex Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases and conditions. The company has approved therapies for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia and acute pain, and it continues to advance clinical and research programs in these areas. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, primary membranous nephropathy, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston , with international headquarters in London . Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America , Europe , Australia , Latin America and the Middle East . Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 15 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements made by Fosca De Iorio , M.D., in this press release, statements regarding the expected eligible patient population for KAFTRIO, if approved, and statements regarding the potential benefits of KAFTRIO. While Vertex believes the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are accurate, these forward-looking statements represent the company's beliefs only as of the date of this press release and there are a number of factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that data from the company’s development programs may not support a label expansion for KAFTRIO, that regulatory authorities in the EU may not approve a label expansion for KAFTRIO on a timely basis or at all, and other risks listed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Vertex 's annual report and in subsequent filings filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available through the company's website at www.vrtx.com and www.sec.gov. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Vertex disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in this press release as new information becomes available. (VRTX-GEN) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250227357008/en/ Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Investors: InvestorInfo@vrtx.com Media: mediainfo@vrtx.com or International: +44 20 3204 5275 Source: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is making headlines with the upcoming launches of three pivotal products: the sickle cell disease gene therapy Casgevy, the company’s fifth cystic fibrosis treatment Alyftrek, and the newly approved non-opioid pain relief medication Journavx. The latter received FDA approval just two weeks ago and is set to begin shipping by the end of this month. During a recent earnings presentation, Vertex executives revealed their strategy to establish “broad stocking agreements” with national and regional pharmacy chains to facilitate the launch of Journavx. However, the company faces a significant access challenge, pricing Journavx at $15.50 per 50 mg dose, totaling $420 for a two-week treatment course. In contrast, generic opioids are available for around $0.50 per pill. Vertex remains optimistic about the potential for broader access to Journavx, especially as it aligns with public policy efforts to promote non-opioid pain management solutions. The NOPAIN Act, effective this year, aims to enhance access to non-opioid treatments for patients enrolled in Medicare, which Vertex anticipates will include Journavx soon. Additionally, the Alternatives to Pain Act has been reintroduced in the Senate, ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries will not pay more out-of-pocket for non-opioid prescriptions than for opioids. “Our 150-person sales force is actively engaging with healthcare providers and institutions to highlight the efficacy and safety of Journavx,” said Stuart Arbuckle, Vertex’s COO. The company is targeting approximately 2,000 high-volume hospitals and related health systems in its outreach efforts. Despite the promising outlook, analysts from Evercore ISI warn that initial sales may be sluggish as Vertex navigates discussions with medical staff managing hospital formularies. Nonetheless, Citi analysts project $110 million in sales for Journavx this year, largely targeting patients recovering from surgery. In its fourth-quarter earnings report, Vertex exceeded expectations, reporting sales of $2.91 billion, representing a 5% increase from the previous quarter and a 16% rise year-over-year. This growth was primarily driven by the success of its cystic fibrosis treatment Trikafta, which generated $1.84 billion in sales, up 17% from the prior year. Looking ahead, Vertex anticipates revenue for 2025 to range between $11.75 billion and $12 billion, a projection deemed “likely conservative” by analysts. In 2024, the company reported revenue of $11.02 billion, marking a 12% increase from 2023. Additionally, Vertex announced significant leadership changes, with COO Stuart Arbuckle set to retire on July 1. Charlie Wagner, the current CFO, will assume the COO role, while Duncan McKechnie, head of North American commercial operations, will step in as the new chief commercial officer. Vertex CEO Reshma Kewalramani praised Arbuckle's transformative leadership during his tenure. As Vertex embarks on this critical phase with Journavx and prepares for these leadership transitions, the company is positioned for continued growth in the evolving pharmaceutical landscape.