Press Release

Cambridge, MA, December 11, 2006 -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: VRTX) today announced that the Company will be added to the NASDAQ-100 Index(R), effective with the market open on Monday, December 18, 2006. Shares of Vertex will also be included in the NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock(R) (NASDAQ: QQQQ).

"Vertex is honored to be recognized as part of this year's NASDAQ-100 Index," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. "Our inaugural listing in the NASDAQ-100 reflects significant achievements across our business in recent years. We look forward to continued growth as the Company progresses in the development of innovative therapies for the treatment of hepatitis C and other serious diseases."

The NASDAQ-100 Index includes 100 of the largest domestic and international non-financial securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market based on market capitalization. First introduced in 1985, the index is composed of many of the world's leading companies from major industry groups including biotechnology, computer hardware and software, telecommunications, and retail/wholesale trade. Index securities are ranked by market value and reviewed on an annual basis. The NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock, launched in March 1999, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) designed to generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index. For more information on the NASDAQ-100 Index or the NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock, visit www.nasdaq-100.com.

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, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, pain and bacterial infection. Vertex co-discovered the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including a statement of the Company's expectation that it will continue to progress in the development of innovative therapies for hepatitis C and other serious diseases. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex's actual results to vary materially. These and other risks are listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2006.

Vertex Contacts:
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, (617) 444-6755
Zachry Barber, Senior Media Relations Specialist, (617) 444-6470