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Dr. Ogo Egbuna leads clinical development for our genetic kidney disease programs. Learn more about APOL1-mediated kidney disease from a nephrologist’s perspective.
We are relentless in our quest to improve the lives of people living with serious diseases. Thanks to the dedication of teams led by Paul Negulescu, our medicines have profoundly impacted the cystic fibrosis community, earning recognition such as the prestigious Canada Gairdner International Award.
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.
APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD) is a serious disease with a high unmet need — exactly the type of problem that fits our research strategy. Hear from experts in our AMKD podcast episode, in partnership with Bloomberg Media Studios.
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.
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.
The Vertex Foundation Scholarship helps eligible people with cystic fibrosis and their families in the United States and Canada pursue higher education degrees. We award recipients $5,000 USD/CAD toward the 2025-2026 academic year.
Ms. Thornberry joined our board in 2023. She founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of Kallyope, a clinical stage biotechnology company, from its launch in 2015 until 2021, and remains on Kallyope’s board of directors and is Chair of Research and Development. Prior to joining Kallyope, Ms. Thornberry spent more than 30 years at Merck & Co., Inc., most recently as Senior Vice President and Global Franchise Head, Diabetes and Endocrinology, with responsibility for discovery and clinical research in diabetes, obesity and women’s health. Among her many notable scientific accomplishments, Ms. Thornberry initiated and led Merck’s dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) project, which resulted in the discovery and commercialization of JANUVIA® for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. She also identified the first caspase, interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE/caspase-1). For her scientific contributions she has received numerous awards, including the Merck Presidential Fellowship, Merck Directors Award, Heroes of Chemistry Award from the American Chemical Society, and in 2011, the Pharmaceuticals Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Discoverers Award, which honors research scientists whose work has been of special benefit to humankind. In addition to her role at Kallyope, she serves on the board of directors of Schrödinger, Inc., Denali Therapeutics Inc. and the New York Genome Center. She serves as an advisor to GV (Google Ventures) and is a member of NYC’s Mayor’s Life Sciences (LifeSciNYC) Advisory Council. Ms. Thornberry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and biology from Muhlenberg College.
Ms. Thornberry joined our board in 2023. She founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of Kallyope, a clinical stage biotechnology company, from its launch in 2015 until 2021, and remains on Kallyope’s board of directors and is Chair of Research and Development. Prior to joining Kallyope, Ms. Thornberry spent more than 30 years at Merck & Co., Inc., most recently as Senior Vice President and Global Franchise Head, Diabetes and Endocrinology, with responsibility for discovery and clinical research in diabetes, obesity and women’s health. Among her many notable scientific accomplishments, Ms. Thornberry initiated and led Merck’s dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) project, which resulted in the discovery and commercialization of JANUVIA® for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. She also identified the first caspase, interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE/caspase-1). For her scientific contributions she has received numerous awards, including the Merck Presidential Fellowship, Merck Directors Award, Heroes of Chemistry Award from the American Chemical Society, and in 2011, the Pharmaceuticals Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Discoverers Award, which honors research scientists whose work has been of special benefit to humankind. In addition to her role at Kallyope, she serves on the board of directors of Schrödinger, Inc., Denali Therapeutics Inc. and the New York Genome Center. She serves as an advisor to GV (Google Ventures) and is a member of NYC’s Mayor’s Life Sciences (LifeSciNYC) Advisory Council. Ms. Thornberry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and biology from Muhlenberg College.
Join us as we celebrate 15 years of giving back at Vertex.
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.