Press Release
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Resignation of N. Anthony Coles, M.D., as Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations
Cambridge, MA, October 31, 2005 - Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: VRTX) announced today that N. Anthony Coles, M.D., has resigned his position with the Company effective November 1, 2005. Dr. Coles joined Vertex in 2002 and most recently held the title of Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations. Dr. Coles has accepted a senior executive-level position with another life sciences company. With the departure of Dr. Coles, the strategic marketing areas formerly reporting to Dr. Coles will form Vertex's Commercial Development function and will now report to John Alam, M.D., Senior Vice President, Drug Evaluation and Approval. Vertex is currently in advanced discussions with a number of potential candidates for the position to head its Commercial Development function, reporting to Dr. Alam.
"Tony has been an integral part of the business during his tenure at our Company, as Vertex has advanced key pharmaceutical products toward commercialization," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex. "We appreciate his contributions to our business and wish him well in his future endeavors."
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 principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.
Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.
Vertex Safe Harbor Statement
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. 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 risks and uncertainties include those risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005. .
Vertex Contacts:
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, (617) 444-6108
Zachry Barber, Media Relations Specialist, (617) 444-6470
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, (617) 444-6755