Vertex Appoints E. Morrey Atkinson, Ph.D., to EVP and Chief Technical Operations Officer, Head of Biopharmaceutical Sciences and Manufacturing Operations

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced that E. Morrey Atkinson, Ph.D., has been appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Technical Operations Officer, Head of Biopharmaceutical Sciences and Manufacturing Operations, effective immediately. Dr. Atkinson has served as Senior Vice President of Global Commercial Manufacturing and Supply Chain since July 2020. This new role and function unifies responsibility for small molecule, cell and gene therapies across preclinical, clinical and commercial biopharmaceutical sciences, manufacturing operations and global supply chain.

“Over the last three years, Morrey has played a vital role in building out our commercial manufacturing and supply chain capabilities and ensuring launch preparedness for the next wave of potential medicines,” said Reshma Kewalramani, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Vertex. “By establishing this new Biopharmaceutical Sciences and Manufacturing Operations function under Morrey, a highly regarded leader with a strong track record of manufacturing excellence, we will further drive innovation and acceleration in developing, manufacturing and delivering our diverse pipeline spanning multiple modalities.”

Prior to joining Vertex, Dr. Atkinson held various roles of increasing responsibility at Eli Lilly, Cook Pharmica, and most recently Bristol Myers Squibb, where he served as Senior Vice President of Global Manufacturing Operations. In his nearly 30-year career in the biopharmaceutical industry, Morrey has been involved in all aspects of preclinical, clinical and commercial manufacturing including small molecules, biologics and cell therapies. Dr. Atkinson received a B.S. from Indiana University in Biology and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in Biological Sciences.

“This is an exciting time at Vertex as we prepare for multiple potential, near-term commercial launches, progress our broad mid- to late-stage clinical pipeline, and advance research-stage programs toward the clinic,” said Dr. Atkinson. “We have an outstanding team in biopharmaceutical sciences, manufacturing and technical operations, and I am honored to lead them in this new role as we work to deliver our portfolio of innovative therapies across small molecules, cell and gene therapies.”

About Vertex

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has multiple approved medicines that treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF) — a rare, life-threatening genetic disease — and has several ongoing clinical and research programs in CF. Beyond CF, Vertex has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational small molecule, mRNA, cell and genetic therapies (including gene editing) in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including sickle cell disease, beta thalassemia, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, acute and neuropathic pain, type 1 diabetes and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex's global headquarters is now located in Boston's Innovation District and its international headquarters is in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Latin America. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 13 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more about Vertex's history of innovation, visit www.vrtx.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

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Vertex Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, statements by Reshma Kewalramani, M.D., and E. Morrey Atkinson, Ph.D., in this press release. 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 risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks listed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Vertex's most recent annual report and subsequent quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and available through the company's website at www.vrtx.com. 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.