, Columnist
Vertex Becomes an Overnight Biotech M&A Darling
New trial data for cystic fibrosis drug cocktails boost its sales outlook.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. signage is displayed at the entrance to the company's building in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016.
Photographer: Scott EisenThis article is for subscribers only.
No Phase 2 drug study can definitively be called a home run. They're often small, and encouraging results don't always hold up in larger Phase 3 studies designed to secure FDA approval.
But Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. got close to a Phase 2 home run this week. The drugmaker on Tuesday released better- and earlier-than-expected data from a study of three drug cocktails for the toughest-to-treat subset of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. These drug combos appear to significantly improve lung function and may generate billions in annual sales.