Vertex Pharmaceuticals is an uncommon opportunity in rare diseases

Vertex Pharmaceuticals operates in a profitable subsector and is poised for further success, says Dr Michael Tubbs

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX) specialises in treatments for rare diseases. It has eight approved medicines on the market. Seven of these are medicines for various types of cystic fibrosis (CF), a disease for which Vertex is the only drug company with approvals from America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

It has been developing new CF drugs for 20 years and aims to offer treatments for every possible CF variant. It was the first company to receive FDA approval, in December 2023, for Casgevy – a genome-edited cell therapy for sickle-cell disease and another blood disorder, beta thalassaemia. These are serious illnesses requiring continuing treatment.

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Dr Mike Tubbs

Highly qualified (BSc PhD CPhys FInstP MIoD) expert in R&D management, business improvement and investment analysis, Dr Mike Tubbs worked for decades on the 'inside' of corporate giants such as Xerox, Battelle and Lucas. Working in the research and development departments, he learnt what became the key to his investing; knowledge which gave him a unique perspective on the stock markets.

Dr Tubbs went on to create the R&D Scorecard which was presented annually to the Department of Trade & Industry and the European Commission. It was a guide for European businesses on how to improve prospects using correctly applied research and development. He has been a contributor to MoneyWeek for many years, with a particular focus on R&D-driven growth companies.