NRI PULSE STAFF REPORTER
Boston, MA, August 11, 2025: Vertex Pharmaceuticals, led by Indian American CEO Reshma Kewalramani, saw its shares tumble this month after disappointing results from its pain drug program.
The company announced that its experimental non-opioid painkiller, VX-993, failed to show a meaningful benefit in a mid-stage trial for acute pain. As a result, Vertex will stop developing the drug as a standalone treatment.
There was more bad news for the company’s pain portfolio. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declined to approve a broader label for Journavx (suzetrigine), an already-approved drug. The FDA said it would not allow a general approval for peripheral neuropathic pain, pushing Vertex to focus instead on a more specific condition—diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Speaking to investors after the announcement, Kewalramani acknowledged the setback but stressed that Vertex’s core business in cystic fibrosis and its promising sickle cell therapy program remain strong. She said the company is now planning a Phase 3 trial for Journavx in diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The market reaction was swift. Vertex shares fell as much as 12% in pre-market trading, even though the company reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings. Several Wall Street analysts lowered their price targets, citing uncertainty in the company’s pain drug pipeline.
“We are committed to advancing treatments where the science is clear and the path to approval is well-defined,” Kewalramani told investors, adding that Vertex will keep investing in new therapies for serious diseases.
Reshma Kewalramani, M.D., became the CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals in 2020, making her the first woman to lead a major U.S. biotechnology company. Born in India and raised in the United States, she trained as a physician before moving into the pharmaceutical industry. Under her leadership, Vertex has strengthened its position in cystic fibrosis treatment and expanded into new therapeutic areas, including sickle cell disease and pain management.
