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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jun 18, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: VRTX) today announced the appointment of Freda C. Lewis-Hall, M.D. as Executive Vice President, Medicines Development. Dr. Lewis-Hall joins Vertex from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Incorporated, and has extensive leadership experience across multiple functional areas in the pharmaceutical industry. At Vertex, Dr. Lewis-Hall will be responsible for Regulatory Affairs, Clinical and Non-clinical Development, Medical Affairs and Commercial Development. Dr. Lewis-Hall will serve on the Company's executive management team and will report directly to Joshua Boger, Ph.D., President and CEO of Vertex.

"We are pleased to welcome Freda to Vertex," said Dr. Boger. "She has a proven track record as a leader of high-performing teams in the areas of clinical development, trial design and operations, regulatory, medical safety, product realization, program management and commercialization. I look forward to her contributions as we continue to advance our lead hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor, telaprevir, through late-stage development and toward the market."

Most recently, Dr. Lewis-Hall served as Senior Vice President, U.S. Pharmaceuticals, Medical Affairs at Bristol-Myers Squibb where she led a team of nearly 500 people responsible for medical strategy and execution across five major therapeutic areas. Her team was involved in the development and launch of eight new drugs during the last four years. Previously, Dr. Lewis-Hall held leadership positions at Pharmacia Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, the National Institute of Mental Health and at the Howard University College of Medicine Department of Psychiatry.

Dr. Lewis-Hall received her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Natural Sciences from The Johns Hopkins University, and her Medical Doctorate from Howard University Hospital and College of Medicine.

In addition, the Company also announced today that John Alam, M.D., Vertex's Chief Medical Officer, will retire from the company in October 2008.

"I would like to thank John for his many contributions which have led us to where we are today," said Dr. Boger. "In the 11 years that John has been with Vertex, we have grown from an early stage, research-focused company with a vision for great science to a company that is bringing forward breakthrough drugs for multiple major diseases with significant unmet medical needs. John has helped shape the medical thinking and strategy behind this transformation, and has been core to positioning us to become a fully integrated pharmaceutical company going forward."

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, pain and cystic fibrosis. Vertex co-discovered the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about our expectations for the advancement of our lead hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor, telaprevir, through late-stage development and toward the market. While we believe these forward-looking statements are accurate, there are a number of factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated, including, among other things, those listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's annual report and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available through our website at www.vrtx.com. We disclaim any obligation to update the information contained in this press release as new information become available.

Vertex's press releases are available at www.vrtx.com.

(VRTX-GEN)

SOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Michael Partridge, 617-444-6108
Senior Director, Strategic Communications
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Patricia Farrell, 617-444-6533
Director, Public Relations
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Manager, Investor Relations
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Manager, Media Relations

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