Press Release

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 14, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced results of the voting at its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

At the meeting, stockholders approved the amendment to Vertex's Amended and Restated 2006 Stock and Option Plan increasing the number of its authorized shares of common stock from 13,902,380 shares to 21,602,380 shares, which adds an additional 7.7 million shares to the Stock and Option Plan. Stockholders also ratified the selection of Ernst & Young LLP to serve as Vertex's independent registered public accounting firm.

In addition, stockholders re-elected the two director nominees at the meeting. Each of the director nominees, Roger W. Brimblecombe and Bruce I. Sachs, received a majority of votes cast. Their terms will expire at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

At the Board of Directors meeting held subsequent to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Matthew W. Emmens was elected Chairman of the Board and Charles A. Sanders, M.D., who has been the Company's Chairman since 2006, was elected to serve as Lead Independent Director. Dr. Sanders has been a member of Vertex's Board since 1996, and serves as the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Emmens will continue to serve as President of Vertex and will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on May 23 when Joshua Boger, Ph.D., retires from that position.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is focused on viral diseases, cystic fibrosis, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and pain.

Vertex co-discovered the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex's press releases are available at www.vrtx.com.

(VRTX-GEN)

SOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Investors
Michael Partridge, 617-444-6108
or
Lora Pike, 617-444-6755

Copyright Business Wire 2009