Vertex Pharmaceuticals Strengthens Board with Addition of Michel Lagarde

Boston, MA - Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX), a global biotechnology company, has announced the appointment of Michel Lagarde as an independent director to its Board of Directors. With extensive experience in the healthcare industry and a successful track record of growing and scaling profitable businesses, Lagarde brings valuable expertise to Vertex. Lagarde currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Vertex is renowned for its scientific innovation and the development of transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. Lagarde's appointment comes at a significant time for the company as it continues its success in the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) and expands its reach into other therapeutic areas and geographies.

Jeffrey Leiden, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Chairman of Vertex, expressed his delight at Lagarde joining the Board, highlighting Lagarde's deep experience and global expertise. Leiden believes that Lagarde's contributions will be invaluable as Vertex aims to grow and advance its development and commercialization of life-changing medications.

In response, Michel Lagarde expressed his honor at joining the Vertex Board and his excitement to work alongside fellow directors to further the company's mission of improving patient outcomes. Lagarde acknowledged the tremendous potential Vertex possesses in creating innovative medicines and looked forward to contributing to Vertex's growth and expansion.

Before his role at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Lagarde served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Patheon, a contract manufacturer to the biopharma industry. With his experience as a Managing Director at JLL Partners, a private equity firm in the healthcare services sector, Lagarde is well-positioned to support Vertex's strategic initiatives.

Prior to his leadership roles, Lagarde spent over a decade at Philips, a global leader in health technology, specializing in various finance roles across international markets. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from the European University, Antwerp, and an executive master's degree in finance and control from Maastricht Universiteit, the Netherlands.

Vertex's commitment to scientific innovation has enabled the company to develop multiple approved medicines that target the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis. In addition to its success in CF, Vertex has a robust clinical pipeline consisting of investigational therapies in various disease areas, including sickle cell disease, beta thalassemia, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, acute and neuropathic pain, type 1 diabetes, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Vertex's global headquarters is now located in Boston's Innovation District, with an international headquarters in London. The company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, and Latin America.

Vertex has consistently been recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, demonstrating its commitment to fostering an innovative and supportive work environment. It has earned a spot on Science magazine's Top Employers list for 13 consecutive years and has been named one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For.

For more information about Vertex and its history of innovation, visit their official website at www.vrtx.com. Stay updated on the company's latest news and developments by following Vertex on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

In conclusion, Vertex Pharmaceuticals' appointment of Michel Lagarde to its Board of Directors further strengthens the company's leadership team as it continues its mission of developing transformative medicines for patients with serious diseases. With Lagarde's extensive experience in the healthcare industry, Vertex is well-positioned to drive growth and innovation in the pursuit of improving patient outcomes worldwide.