News & Events

Cambridge, MA, May 31, 2005 -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced plans to offer 9,500,000 shares of its newly issued common stock in an underwritten public offering. The offering will be made pursuant to the Company's effective shelf registration statement previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2005. Vertex also expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase an additional 1,425,000 shares to cover over-allotments, if any.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated is acting as the sole book-running manager in this offering. J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and UBS Securities LLC are acting as co-managers.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. A shelf registration statement relating to the shares of common stock that the Company intends to sell has previously been filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any offer of shares of common stock will be made only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of the effective registration statement. A copy of the prospectus can be obtained from Merrill Lynch's prospectus department, at 4 World Financial Center, New York, NY 10080, 212-449-1000.

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 principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva(R), with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva(R) is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex Contacts:
Lynne Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, (617) 444-6614
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, (617) 444-6108
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, (617) 444-6755