Vertex Cystic Fibrosis Success Quells Street’s Doubts
Biotech Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) said Tuesday that its cystic-fibrosis regimen hit its goals in a late-stage study, sending shares soaring 42% to a 14-year high in the stock market today. Vertex said patients taking a combination of lumacaftor and ivacaftor for 24 weeks showed a statistically significant improvement in lung function, as well as a significant reduction in the rates of pulmonary exacerbations and improvements in body mass. The