Our stories

 

Discover more about our relentless efforts to improve the lives of patients, employees and our communities.

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Discover more about our relentless efforts to improve the lives of patients, employees and our communities.


Learning from patient communities


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A collage of images of Vertexians working outside in their purple Vertex Volunteers shirts.
Get to know our Community Champions
3 min read

Our Community Champions program brings together a global network of Vertexians who are passionate about giving back to the communities where we live and work.

An image of two learning lab students in the lab using pipettes
The Vertex Foundation: Our impact in 2024
3 min read

The Vertex Foundation had a powerful year of impact in 2024. Learn how we continue to drive meaningful change in our communities. 

An image of four people at a table laughing during conversation. The image has a blue to purple overlay with text that reads "The importance of patient engagement
The importance of patient engagement
3 min read

Hear from VP of Patient and Community Engagement Rebecca Hunt on why championing the patient voice helps us achieve our goal to deliver innovative solutions for people with serious diseases.

Three photos of Jessica, Samara and Amaan, three students from our Learning Labs
The future is bright: Learning Labs inspire STEM careers across the globe
5 min read

Meet Jessica, Samara and Amaan, three students who flourished in our 2024 Learning Lab summer internship programs in Boston, San Diego and Oxford, U.K.

An image of Cody Burton standing in front of a firetruck wearing his firefighter uniform.
Recovering from a mayday situation: Cody Burton’s story
1 min read

Firefighter Cody Burton is no stranger to how life can change in an instant. Listen as he shares how the tables turned when he was injured on the job and how he navigated the weeks of pain that followed.

An image of a Vertex Pharmaceuticals employee wearing a purple shirt while working on a plank of wood during Vertex's 16th Annual Global Week of Service
Making a difference: Our 16th annual Global Week of Service
1 min read

Our annual Global Week of Service is a longstanding tradition and opportunity for Vertexians around the world to give back to the communities where we live and work. Find out how we made an impact in our 16th year.

An image of five T1D patients around a circular table talking to one another. There is green and purple color effects around the image, with text at the bottom reading: “HIGHS AND LOWS: T1D STORIES”
The highs and lows of living with type 1 diabetes: A patient roundtable discussion
2 min read

Hear more from five individuals living with type 1 diabetes about how their diagnosis and management journey has impacted them and their loved ones.

A collage of Vertex Foundation Scholarship honorees with a purple and greenish-blue watercolor overlay over the pictures
The Vertex Foundation Scholarship: Empowering futures
3 min read

From recent high school graduates to those pursuing advanced degrees, this year’s Vertex Foundation Scholars are chasing their dreams.

A headshot of Amit Sachdev, Executive Vice President, Chief Patient and External Affairs Officer at Vertex Pharmaceuticals
We won’t stop: A message to the cystic fibrosis community
2 min read

Vertex is committed to working alongside the CF community on this journey to support those living with CF.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

An image of two scientists in lab coats who are standing in a lab looking at a tablet.
Advancing independent research in cystic fibrosis
2 min read

Learn how we support independent research in cystic fibrosis (CF) through our Vertex CF Research Innovation Awards and Vertex Innovation Awards programs.

An image with a purple background of each of the people featured in the article: Ijeoma, Howard, Sharonda, Tray and Dominique.
Portraits of strength: Bringing sickle cell into focus
6 min read

Our commitment to the sickle cell community extends beyond our research. Learn how we’ve worked with Sickle Cell Warriors to amplify their voices and experiences, highlighting the multifaceted nature of this disease.

An image with a purple background and headshots of each of the 2024 Vertex Science Leaders Scholarship recipients.
Meet the 2024 Vertex Science Leaders Scholarship recipients
4 min read

Congratulations to our newest Vertex Science Leaders Scholarship recipients. 

An image of a man and a woman in a kitchen looking at a computer screen while they cook food
Behind the smile, a look into the lives of people living with serious illness
3 min read

Learn how we explore the daily lives of those living with debilitating disease to help inform our mission.

An image of three people speaking at a conference
Embedding the patient perspective: Using research to understand patient experiences
4 min read

Learn how our teams utilize real-world research to understand the lived impacts of sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.

An image of a child on top of his father's shoulders while his mother stands next to them both while smiling
Caring for our people; Helping improve lives
2 min read

Chief Human Resources Officer Stephanie Franklin discusses Vertex’s inclusive benefits and how they are helping Vertexians.

An icon of kidneys outlined on a blue-green background
A nephrologist’s perspective on APOL1-mediated kidney disease
2 min read

Dr. Ogo Egbuna leads clinical development for our genetic kidney disease programs. Learn more about APOL1-mediated kidney disease from a nephrologist’s perspective.

An image of the exterior of Vertex Pharmaceuticals headquarters in Boston, Mass.
Minimizing our environmental footprint
2 min read

We’re committed to carefully managing our environmental footprint. Learn more from Charlie Wagner, our Chief Financial Officer, about the progress we’re making to conserve water and to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

An image of Kerri Rhodes standing in a bedroom looking at the camera with a serious look
Advocating for alternatives: The Rhodes family story
1 min read

Kerri and Taylor Rhodes felt helpless as they watched their son struggle with substance use disorder after being prescribed an opioid to help with postoperative pain. When their daughter faced the same procedure years later, the family was determined to find a different way to manage her pain.

An image of Vertexians emptying a food tray into a bin labeled "Compost," with a sign in the background detailing the various items that can be placed into the compost bins.
A culture of sustainability
2 min read

Sustainability is both a priority and a team effort. Learn more about how we're dedicated to being responsible global citizens from Executive Director Katharine Jensen.

An image of Vertexians with the thalassemia community at the 2023 Cooley’s Anemia Foundation Care Walks
Research and beyond: Our commitment to the beta thalassemia community
3 min read

We’ve been working with the beta thalassemia community since the inception of our research program in 2015. Learn more about our efforts and commitments around the globe.

An image of a group of Vertexians participating in Day of Service, wearing purple Day of Service shirts and hard hats, with a house in the midst of construction behind them
Reflecting on 2023 — The Vertex Foundation
3 min read

When reflecting on 2023, it is clear that the Vertex Foundation had another strong year of impact through its nonprofit partnerships in our amazing communities and with the unwavering support of Vertexians.

An image with a purple background that has the names of Vertex office locations written in faded text in the background. In the foreground, there is text reading "15 years of day of service" and the Vertex and Vertex Foundation logos above it.
Global Day of Service: 15 years of impact
1 min read

Join us as we celebrate 15 years of giving back at Vertex.

An image of a man sitting in a hospital bed staring out of a window
New data shed light on health inequities in sickle cell disease
2 min read

Individuals living with severe sickle cell disease report higher exposure to health care prejudice, according to new research by our Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) team.

A water color painting featuring six different people
We are with you: A message to the sickle cell community
3 min read

Vertex is committed to the sickle cell disease community. Beyond our science, it’s about showing up and locking arms with the community to work together toward meaningful change.

A collage of three images of three of the families featured in the story, with a purple background surrounding the collage
Supporting Vertex families from the start
2 min read

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a place where you can grow, work and be supported at home. We believe it’s important to not only take care of employees but families as a whole.

An image of a girl and boy pointing to the screen of an open laptop
Supporting learning in our communities with Vertex laptops
3 min read

Our “We” Wins mentality at work. Read about how Vertex employees challenged the status quo and created opportunities to donate retired laptops to students in our communities.

An image of a female scientist working in the lab with a purple overlay and text that reads "Scientist | A day in the life" and brackets similar to a camera recording
Inside the lab: Sheila Namirembe’s day at Vertex Pharmaceuticals
1 min read

Though they come from different backgrounds, our scientists share a passion and dedication to pushing our science forward. Meet the people driving innovation at Vertex.

An image of two female scientists wearing white Vertex lab coats and walking down a set of stairs
San Diego Learning Lab: Our high school summer internship
1 min read

Our high school internship program represents the best of workplace-based learning. Join students in our Learning Lab in San Diego to learn more.

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Unraveling the hidden impacts of sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia
4 min read

Understanding the real-life impacts of managing SCD and TDT.

An image of Stephanie Franklin, Chief Human Resource Officer at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, with purple watercolor designs on either side of her
Living our culture, delivering for patients
2 min read

Chief Human Resources Officer Stephanie Franklin discusses our unique culture at Vertex and how we bring our culture to life.

An image of two women working on laptops at a table while a man does the same in the foreground of the image
Oxford Learning Lab: Our year 12 summer internship
1 min read

Step inside our Oxford, U.K., Learning Lab and learn about our year 12 summer internship, one of our signature STEAM education programs.

An image of Joan Lambright and Tracy Antonelli
Give blood and keep the world beating: Voices of gratitude on World Blood Donor Day
4 min read

On World Blood Donor Day, hear from two individuals living with sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia as they share their stories, shed light on their struggles, and emphasize the impact blood donation has had on their disease and quality of life.

An image of a Vertex scientist using a pipette
Boston Learning Lab: Our high school summer internship
1 min read

Step inside our Boston Learning Lab and learn about our high school summer internship, one of our signature STEAM education programs.

A drawing of Rebecca Hunt alongside a variety of science tools, including beakers and a clipboard
Our commitment to patients
1 min read

Rebecca Hunt, Vice President of Patient and Community Engagement, highlights Vertex’s uncompromising commitment to patients.

An image of scientists in a lab with a text overlay that says "Connections in Science"
British Science Week 2023: Connections in science
5 min read

Drug discovery is a team sport at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. In recognition of British Science Week, hear from Site Head David Price and scientists in Oxford, U.K., about the power of connections in science.

An image of 3 women in an office talking to one another
More than career growth — Shaping Vertexians’ tomorrows
2 min read

Learn why the Vertex Pharmaceuticals approach to career growth is unique from Chief Human Resources Officer Stephanie Franklin.

An image of 3 Vertexians in purple shirts holding garden tools
The Vertex Foundation — A look back at 2022
4 min read

Looking back on 2022, the Vertex Foundation remains grateful and excited for the future. From supporting healthy families to social innovation and STEAM education, we’re proud of the impact Foundation partners continue to make in our communities around the world. 

An image of a young boy with a headline that reads "Don't wait to see cystic fibrosis."
See inside. See cystic fibrosis
1 min read

Cystic fibrosis is a rare, genetic, progressive disease, in which symptoms and organ damage can manifest very early in life. These may not, however, be outwardly visible in all children and while some children can appear well on the outside, what is happening inside their bodies can tell a different story. 

An image of different Vertex employees in circles over a purple and pink overlay
Vertex employees share their experiences with type 1 diabetes
6 min read

We are lucky to have some of our very own ‘Vertexians’ willing to share their stories about living with or caring for someone with T1D. We invite you to learn from them and help raise awareness for T1D this month.

Water color image of sickle cells
A new Partnership to ignite change for sickle cell disease
3 min read

The Sickle Cell Disease Partnership is a multistakeholder coalition, launched in June, which works to improve care and access for people living with sickle cell disease. Here, Chief Patient Officer Amit Sachdev discusses the partnership, its goals and the reasons it was founded.

A class of students paying attention to the teacher
Rethinking education and the future of work
5 min read
A closeup of a hand writing a formula on glass
Three key ingredients to building a culture of innovation
4 min read