BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Vertex
Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: VRTX) today announced the
appointment of Jeffrey A. Chodakewitz, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer
and Senior Vice President. Dr. Chodakewitz has more than 20 years of
experience leading global development organizations in the
biopharmaceutical industry, including roles as Senior Vice President of
late-stage global development and Vice President of early-stage
development at Merck. As head of Vertex's Global Medicines Development
and Medical Affairs department, he will oversee all global clinical
development programs, medical affairs and other related functions.
Following a planned transition period, Vertex's current Chief Medical
Officer, Robert Kauffman, M.D., Ph.D., will retire from the company in
the second half of 2014. Dr. Kauffman served in senior roles in clinical
development during his more than 15 years at Vertex and has been
Vertex's Chief Medical Officer since 2009.
"I'd like to thank Bob Kauffman for his many significant contributions
to Vertex and his unwavering commitment to bringing new medicines to
people with hepatitis C and cystic fibrosis," said Jeffrey Leiden, M.D.,
Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex. "As
Bob transitions toward his retirement from Vertex later this year, I am
excited to welcome Jeff Chodakewitz to our team. Jeff brings deep and
broad experience in leading successful development efforts for medicines
across multiple diseases. His experience will be invaluable to our
current research and development efforts in cystic fibrosis and other
serious diseases."
"I've been deeply impressed by Vertex's innovative approach to
developing new medicines and the company's ability to put science and
patients at the core of its business," said Dr. Chodakewitz. "I look
forward to joining the Vertex team as we seek to help more people with
cystic fibrosis as well as patients with other serious diseases."
Prior to joining Vertex, Dr. Chodakewitz spent over 20 years at Merck
Research Laboratories where he held multiple leadership roles in
clinical pharmacology and oversaw clinical development and program
regulatory strategy. During his time at Merck, Dr. Chodakewitz led the
worldwide development and approval activities for Crixivan®
for the treatment of HIV infection, Gardasil® for the
prevention of cervical cancer and Zostavax® for the
prevention and reduction in morbidity of zoster. Prior to Merck, Dr.
Chodakewitz held multiple roles in academia and was an Associate
Investigator for the Veterans Administration Medical Center, an
Associate Research Scientist for the Yale University School of Medicine
and Head of the HIV Outpatient Clinic for the Veterans Administration
Medical Center in West Haven, CT. Dr. Chodakewitz received a B.S. in
Biochemistry from Yale University and his M.D. from the Yale University
School of Medicine.
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. Vertex scientists and our collaborators are
working on new medicines to cure or significantly advance the treatment
of cystic fibrosis, hepatitis C, rheumatoid arthritis and other
life-threatening diseases. In addition to our clinical development
programs, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing preclinical 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.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without
limitation, the statements in the second and third paragraphs of this
press release. While Vertex believes the forward-looking statements
contained in this press release are accurate, there are a number of
factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially
from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Those risks and
uncertainties include, among other things, the risks listed under Risk
Factors in Vertex's annual report and quarterly reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and available through the company's
website at www.vrtx.com.
Vertex disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in
this press release as new information becomes available.
(VRTX-GEN)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Media
Zach Barber
or Liz Lukegord, 617-341-6992
mediainfo@vrtx.com
or
Investors
Michael
Partridge, 617-341-6108
or
Kelly Lewis, 617-961-7530
Source: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
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