BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Vertex
Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced that
William Young joined its board of directors as an independent director.
Mr. Young was elected to the class of directors whose term expires in
2017. The Vertex board now consists of 10 members.
"Mr. Young is a recognized leader within the biotech industry and brings
a wealth of scientific and operational experience to our Board," said
Jeffrey Leiden, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Vertex. "Importantly, Mr. Young has been part of multiple
life sciences companies at times of rapid growth and transition. His
insights will be invaluable to Vertex as we continue to focus our
business on advancing transformative medicines for people with cystic
fibrosis."
Mr. Young has extensive experience in leadership roles within major life
sciences and pharmaceutical companies. He spent nearly two decades at
Genentech Inc., serving as its Chief Operating Officer from 1997 to
1999, and more recently was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Monogram Biosciences, Inc., a provider of molecular diagnostics, from
1999 to 2009. During his time at Genentech, the company launched a
number of new medicines for diseases ranging from cystic fibrosis to
breast cancer. Mr. Young is the retiring Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Biogen Idec, a position he has held since 2010. He has also
been the Chairman of NanoString Technologies since 2010 and is a
Director for Biomarin Pharmaceutical Inc. and Theravance, Inc. Mr. Young
is a venture partner at Clarus Ventures, LLC, a life sciences venture
capital firm that he joined in 2010.
Mr. Young earned a Bachelor's of Science in Chemical Engineering from
Purdue University, an M.B.A. from Indiana University and an Honorary
Doctorate in Engineering from Purdue University. In 1993, Mr. Young was
elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his contributions to
biotechnology.
About Vertex
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that aims to discover, develop
and commercialize innovative medicines so people with serious diseases
can lead better lives. In addition to our clinical development programs
focused on cystic fibrosis, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing
research programs aimed at other serious and life-threatening diseases.
Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex today has research and
development sites and commercial offices in the United States, Europe,
Canada and Australia. For four years in a row, Science magazine
has named Vertex one of its Top Employers in the life sciences. For
additional information and the latest updates from the company, please
visit www.vrtx.com.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Investors:
Michael
Partridge, 617-341-6108
or
Kelly Lewis, 617-961-7530
Media:
Zach
Barber, 617-341-6470
Source: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
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