Vertex Pharmaceuticals Maps Growth Beyond CF at Cantor Conference

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Maps Growth Beyond CF at Cantor Conference Written by MarketBeat September 12, 2026 Add As Preferred Source Share Share Share This Article Link copied to clipboard. Close Image from MarketBeat Media, LLC. Key Points Vertex is broadening beyond cystic fibrosis through its Crinetics acquisition, adding PALSONIFY and the late-stage congenital adrenal hyperplasia drug atumelnant, which the company estimates could generate a combined $5 billion in peak sales. Renal pipeline catalysts are approaching: povetacicept has a November 30 FDA decision date for IgA nephropathy, while Phase II data for inaxaplin are expected before year-end and its Phase III interim analysis is planned for early 2027. JOURNAVX is becoming a major commercial growth driver as insurance coverage and Vertex’s sales force expand; the company is targeting a tripling of prescriptions in 2026 versus 2025. Phase III diabetic peripheral neuropathy studies of suzetrigine are expected to finish enrollment by year-end. MarketBeat previews the top five stocks to own by October 1st . Vertex’s Crinetics Deal Balances Growth with Integration Risk Vertex Pharmaceuticals NASDAQ: VRTX outlined a broadening commercial and clinical strategy at the Cantor Global Healthcare Conference, highlighting its recent Crinetics acquisition, planned renal product launch efforts and upcoming pipeline milestones across kidney disease, pain, cystic fibrosis and rare endocrine disorders. Susie Lisa, Vertex’s senior vice president of investor relations, said the company evaluates internal programs and acquisitions through a research-and-development framework focused on causal human biology, validated biomarkers, specialty markets and streamlined regulatory pathways. She said the company pursues assets that either accelerate existing programs or establish a presence in selected disease areas. Get Vertex Pharmaceuticals alerts: Sign Up CRISPR Therapeutics Gains After Earnings as Pipeline Hope Grows Lisa said Vertex completed its acquisition of Crinetics last week, adding PALSONIFY, which is being launched for acromegaly, and the late-stage congenital adrenal hyperplasia candidate atumelnant. She described rare specialty endocrinology as an area with relatively de-risked development because measurements in Phase II trials can carry through to Phase III studies. Renal Pipeline Milestones Vertex expects a November 30 PDUFA date for povetacicept in immunoglobulin A nephropathy, or IgAN. Lisa said the company’s interactions with the FDA’s renal division have been constructive and that the application remains on track. How Royalty Pharma Prints Cash Without Biotech's Biggest Risks Lisa argued that povetacicept is differentiated by its 52% reduction in urine protein-to-creatinine ratio at 36 weeks, along with hematuria resolution, reductions in galactose-deficient IgA1 and its ability to help patients reach KDIGO guideline levels. She also cited the drug’s monthly autoinjector administration and low-volume dose as potential advantages over competitors’ dosing regimens. Vertex is also advancing povetacicept in primary membranous nephropathy, where it is in the Phase II/III portion of a 104-week study, and in a Phase II study for myasthenia gravis. The company continues to evaluate RUBY-4 data in warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia. For inaxaplin, Vertex expects Phase II proof-of-concept data from the AMPLIFIED population-expansion study before year-end. The study includes roughly 50 patients with two APOL1 alleles, including patients with more modest proteinuria and others with heavier proteinuria and Type 2 diabetes. Lisa said the Phase III AMPLITUDE study remains on track to complete enrollment by year-end, with an interim analysis expected in early 2027. The AMPLITUDE interim analysis will use eGFR slope versus placebo as its primary endpoint. Lisa said patients in the study experience eGFR decline at nearly twice the rate of traditional kidney-disease patients, which could make a treatment difference observable at 48 weeks. Commercial Expansion Beyond Cystic Fibrosis Lisa said Vertex has expanded its commercial infrastructure substantially from its prior focus on cystic fibrosis. The company built separate sales and support capabilities for CASGEVY, including support for treatment centers, patients and families, and has also expanded its acute-pain organization for JOURNAVX. Vertex initially launched JOURNAVX with roughly 100 field representatives and increased the field force to about 150 before doubling it earlier this year as reimbursed access expanded, Lisa said. The company had 260 million covered lives as of early August, she added. According to Lisa, JOURNAVX prescription growth has been supported by physician and patient feedback, broader insurance access, field-force expansion, marketing activity and outreach to a wide range of prescribers, including emergency and trauma clinicians, anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons, obstetricians, dentists and plas