Growth Strategy At the 2026 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, Vertex Pharmaceuticals CEO Reshma Kewalramani reaffirmed the company’s “five-in-five” goal: launching five new medicines in five different disease areas between 2023 and 2028. Following its dominance in cystic fibrosis (CF), the firm is now pivoting toward emerging franchises in pain management and renal diseases.
Key Development Focuses:
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Breakthrough in Pain Management: The non-opioid pain medication Jounravx (suzetrigine), which received FDA approval in January 2025 for acute pain, has seen rapid commercial adoption.
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Vertex targets treating 1.5 million patients in 2026, tripling its 2025 reach.
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As of early 2026, the drug has secured coverage from the three largest U.S. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs).
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Renal Pipeline Progress: The company is advancing two major candidates, both of which hold FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designations:
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Povetacicept: An approval submission for IgA nephropathy is anticipated in the first half of 2026.
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Inaxaplin: Currently in late-stage trials for APOL1-mediated kidney disease, with interim data expected by late 2026 or early 2027.
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Gene Therapy Expansion: Vertex plans to file for regulatory approval of Casgevy this year for children aged 5 to 11 with sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia, leveraging a recently obtained priority review voucher.
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Cystic Fibrosis Leadership: Vertex’s CFTR modulators now reach approximately 95% of the global CF patient population, with established reimbursement agreements in over 60 countries.