One of our core values at Vertex is an Uncompromising Commitment to Patients. As our Chief Patient Officer, what I love about our values is that they put patients at the center of everything we do. For us, this commitment encompasses all of the patients we are striving to help, including those we currently serve with our approved medicines, those enrolled or hoping to enroll in our clinical trials and those who may benefit from potential therapies in the future. The global COVID-19 outbreak has presented us all with challenges, and this is especially true for people living with serious diseases. We want all patient communities to know that we’re not going anywhere — we’re committed to you and your health and safety.
Our strategy as a company is to invest in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. Every day, we have teams of dedicated Vertexians who are tackling the big challenges of discovering and developing potentially transformative therapies. Even in the face of a pandemic, this hasn’t changed. We’ve continued our work and we've made some adjustments to respond to the rapidly evolving situation. Please know that any changes we are making are because we always want to do what is best for patients.
We look forward to connecting with you. If you have questions about our engagement with the community, please reach out to us directly at patient_advocacy@vrtx.com. In the midst of COVID-19, we know it can be challenging to stay connected. We plan to share more information in upcoming posts here on Vertex Voices, our corporate blog, to stay connected with all of you.
For patients enrolled in our clinical trials
To those living with cystic fibrosis, beta thalassemia, sickle cell disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, APOL1-mediated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and pain who are already participating in our trials, your health and safety is always our top priority. And that is closely followed by our commitment to working toward making medicines available to people with these diseases who need them.
We’re working closely with your trial sites and staff to provide the additional support or guidance they need related to COVID-19. We’re also working to enable different options for study visits and to ensure that you can continue to receive study medicines and complete study-related testing where possible and appropriate without interruption.
Every clinical study is unique and we're evaluating each situation closely in order to do our part to keep patients safe and respect the need to preserve the use of health care resources at a time of critical need. While we had temporarily paused enrollment or treatment in some clinical studies earlier this year, we're pleased to share that we have now resuming screening and enrollment where it is appropriate, while also considering local factors and government guidance.
If you have questions about your trial, please reach out to your doctor or Vertex Global Medical Information. Visit https://www.vertexmedinfo.com to find contact information for your region. In the U.S., you can call us at 877-634-8789 or email us at medicalinfo@vrtx.com.
For patients who are waiting for a clinical trial
Our teams of scientists are continuing to investigate potential treatments, and our commitment remains. We have a unique way of building our drug discovery programs to maximize their chances of creating therapies. When we figure out the problems that need to be solved, we invent the tools to potentially address them. This is what our scientists are working on — today and every day. While we’ve had to adjust to some new ways of working as a result of COVID-19, we’ve been thoughtful and intentional about this to ensure the health and safety of our team while prioritizing the continuation of critical research and experiments that will enable these programs to move into the clinic.
Resources for Patients and Families
Below are a few resources that have information related to COVID-19 that you may find helpful. You may also want to check out local organizations in your area as they may provide more specific information about your condition and/or region.
COVID-19 Resources
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Resources
APOL1-Mediated Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) Resources
Cystic Fibrosis Resources
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Resources
Hemoglobinopathies Resources
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Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc.: Health Alert for Patients and Caregivers
Type 1 Diabetes Resources
Related Information
An Open Letter to the Cystic Fibrosis Community About COVID-19
Vertex COVID-19 Information and Resources
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