Our stories
Discover more about our relentless efforts to improve the lives of patients, employees and our communities.
![](/sites/global/files/styles/hero_title_img_v6_desktop/public/image001.jpeg?itok=7ymSS2BC)
Discover more about our relentless efforts to improve the lives of patients, employees and our communities.
All posts by Vertex Pharmaceuticals
![An image of the years 1996, 2001, 2008, 2015, and 2024 with an arrow pointing down, with hexagonal images of people working in labs surrounding the descending list of years](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/history-of-pain-vertexstories.jpg?itok=wle_D9Qg)
At Vertex, we’re fearless in our pursuit of innovation, and we’ve spent over 20 years researching potential medicines to treat pain.
![An image of Kerri Rhodes standing in a bedroom looking at the camera with a serious look](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/rhodes-family.jpg?itok=CdMjbPap)
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 with a bright yellow, blue, and green background with circles of various sizes and text reading "Targeting the Toughest Diseases APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/vertex_pharmaceuticals_amkd_podcast.jpg?itok=oSqpUvrs)
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.
![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](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/vertexstories_cf-found-2023-review_hero_810x360.jpg?itok=m-C0vQ8Q)
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.
![A drawing of Jason McCartney, a Senior Research Scientist at Vertex Pharmaceuticals next to multiple images of various pieces of lab equipment](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/sog_mccartney_stories.jpg?itok=pT0PrHx7)
Listen to Jason McCartney, Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry, discuss an overview of the drug discovery process at Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
![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.](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/dos_vertexstories.jpg?itok=ffukQ498)
Join us as we celebrate 15 years of giving back at Vertex.
![An image of the four members of the first Vertex Pharmaceuticals Physicians Investigators graduating class with figures of molecules with a watercolor overlay on either side of them](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/vertexstories_hero_vpi_graduates.jpg?itok=sD6e2m6E)
Meet the very first graduating class of Vertex Physicians Investigators. In this Q&A you’ll learn about their biotech journey and what motivates them.
![An image of a plastic cell model next to a drawing of Sabine Hadida, Vice President, Research, and San Diego Site Head at Vertex Pharmaceuticals](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/sog_hadida_stories.jpg?itok=2tnwizkD)
Watch as our Senior Vice President and San Diego Site Head, Sabine Hadida, breaks down our drug discovery process and the importance of grit, teamwork and determination.
![An image with a bright yellow, blue, and green background with circles of various sizes and text reading "Targeting the Toughest Diseases Type 1 Diabetes"](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/targeting-type-1_diabetes-hero.jpg?itok=gGNkazMG)
We’re investigating type 1 diabetes at the cellular level. Hear from experts in our type 1 diabetes podcast episode, in partnership with Bloomberg Media Studios.
![An image with a purple background and a drawing of a scientist wearing a white lab coat in the middle of the image](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/painstories_toddbertoch_vrtx.jpg?itok=gepFAAtS)
Learn more about Dr. Bertoch’s experience as an anesthesiologist and the unmet medical need in his area of work.
![A collage of three images of three of the families featured in the story, with a purple background surrounding the collage](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/parentalbenefits_hero_090623.jpg?itok=MiwLoTnz)
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.
![A collage of Vertex Foundation Scholarship winners with a purple overlay on top of the collage](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/scholarship_winnerscollage_stories.jpg?itok=7NVKInwB)
The Vertex Foundation aims to help support the entire family — including educational funding for people living with cystic fibrosis, their loved ones and caregivers.
![An image of a girl and boy pointing to the screen of an open laptop](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/vertexstories_hero_dte_laptop_donations_810x360.jpg?itok=0eQL5tcl)
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 illustration of James Sinclair, Senior Director of Engineering & Applied Physics at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, surround by small diagrams of a variety of pieces of the drug discovery process](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/sog_sinclair_stories.jpg?itok=FkBNDJ5V)
Listen to James Sinclair, Senior Director of Engineering & Applied Physics, talk about how our engineers partner with our scientists to optimize the drug discovery process.
![An image of two female scientists wearing white Vertex lab coats and walking down a set of stairs](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/vertex-pharmaceuticals_san-diego-learning-lab.jpg?itok=e1njj3Wl)
Our high school internship program represents the best of workplace-based learning. Join students in our Learning Lab in San Diego to learn more.
![An image of two women working on laptops at a table while a man does the same in the foreground of the image](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/vertexstories_hero_oxford_ll_810x360_1.jpg?itok=pyUSYCAM)
Step inside our Oxford, U.K., Learning Lab and learn about our year 12 summer internship, one of our signature STEAM education programs.
![An illustration with a purple background featuring the word mRNA and drawings of DNA strands](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/vertexstories_hero_tech_tools_video_810x360.jpg?itok=iHBuP4O5)
Learn about how mRNA therapy could potentially benefit people living with serious diseases.
![A watercolor drawing of a cell with an arrow pointing to the words "Cell Therapy"](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/toolsandtech_celltherapy_vertexstories.jpg?itok=w6hNCSkB)
Cells are often called the building blocks of life, and cell therapies are one of the ways we’re trying to unlock innovative ways to treat serious diseases.
![An image of Joan Lambright and Tracy Antonelli](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/final_vertex_stories_world_blood_donor_day-3.jpg?itok=i69jzoSn)
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.
![A digital watercolor painting of Paul Negulescu alongside an image of the entrance of a Vertex office building](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/sog_negulescu_stories.jpg?itok=dlOzs9lb)
Paul Negulescu, Senior Vice President, Research, talks about the journey his team has taken over the last 20 years.
![A drawing of various pieces of small molecules with a pink, green, and purple background](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/toolstech_smallmolecule_stories.jpg?itok=l4WwmtTE)
Learn about how small molecules can potentially make a big impact on the future of medicine. They are just one of our tools that are being investigated to unlock new ways to impact serious diseases.
![An image of a Vertex scientist using a pipette](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/stories_homepage_steam.jpg?itok=nykNQC-d)
Step inside our Boston Learning Lab and learn about our high school summer internship, one of our signature STEAM education programs.
![A graphic featuring Fred van Goor alongside a drawing of lungs and a handshake](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/vertexstories_fredvangoor_article_hero_810x360_2.jpg?itok=RUGzWWYt)
Listen to Fred Van Goor, Vice President of Cystic Fibrosis Research, talk about our commitment to pursuing new therapeutic advances for all people living with cystic fibrosis and how this commitment drives scientific innovation.
![A drawing of Rebecca Hunt alongside a variety of science tools, including beakers and a clipboard](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/sog_hunt_stories.jpg?itok=ke20qtvG)
Rebecca Hunt, Vice President of Patient and Community Engagement, highlights Vertex’s uncompromising commitment to patients.
![A graphic featuring various scientific drawings, including a bone showing a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, and with text reading “What is CONDITIONING and how does it work?”](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/toolsandtech_conditioning_vertexstories.jpg?itok=dsz5tGjh)
Learn about an essential component in stem cell transplants, known as conditioning regimens. This is just one of the tools in our drug discovery toolbox that could support potential treatments.
![An image of a panel of women giving a talk about careers paths in biomedical science](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/bscp_vertex_stories02.jpg?itok=QAIo402R)
Learn how Vertex remains committed to increasing representation in science and medicine through our partnership with the Biomedical Science Careers Program.
![A graphic featuring various drawings of cells and with text reading "What is cell encapsulation and how does it work?"](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/toolsandtech_cellencapsulation_vertexstories.jpg?itok=SB_j33l6)
Learn about one of our innovative approaches, cell encapsulation. This is just one of the tools in our drug discovery toolbox that has the potential to treat serious diseases.
![A drawing of Mark Higgins with science-related detailing in the background](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/sog_higgins_stories.jpg?itok=4UDU5GqO)
Mark Higgins, Senior Director of Clinical Development, highlights Vertex’s patient-first approach to clinical trials and discusses his experience discovering potential treatments for people with cystic fibrosis.
![An image of 3 Vertexians in purple shirts holding garden tools](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/vf2.png?itok=H7LP1UoE)
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."](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/see-inside_810x360.jpg?itok=jk2hIdYT)
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](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/featured_stories_t1d_patients_810x36056.jpg?itok=pT-tpJOM)
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.
![An image of Derya Balata and Teame Araya](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/sciencescholars_2022_vstories.jpg?itok=yqxuQIER)
Derya Balata and Teame Araya are Vertex’s newest Science Leaders Scholars. Learn more about these two outstanding students who have been selected to receive a four-year, full scholarship to pursue a STEM-related course of study at the University of Massachusetts.
![An image of a family of four standing on a cliff looking at a sunset](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/vertex_pharmaceuticals_seramount_best_companies.png?itok=WcfpErjO)
Vertex is proud to share that it has been named — once again — to Seramount’s 100 Best Companies list and the Best Companies for Dads list. Learn more about what sets us apart and meet our Working Parents of the Year honorees, Genzy Davis and Ravin Warnakulasuriya.
![An image of a few headshots from the Vertex Pharmaceuticals Type 1 Diabetes team](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/meet-the-team-t1d.png?itok=BaG1gdym)
Incredible talent and cross-functional collaboration. All that and more with Vertex’s type 1 diabetes team. Meet a few of the team members who are making a difference.
![Direct Relief](/sites/global/files/styles/hww_stories_listing_view_desktop/public/direct_relief_hero_image_0_0.jpeg?itok=7KcnsjD7)