After Vertex announced the discontinuation of a trial of its VX-661 doublet pill in heterozygous F508del patients, RBC Capital analyst Michael Yee says that the news was "widely expected." The doublet pill is not potent enough for these patients, who are harder to treat, according to Yee. The analyst notes that Vertex is developing a triple combination treatment, and he thinks the triple treatment "remains on track" and should generate positive news soon. He recommends buying the stock on weakness today and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced that the European Commission has granted approval for the label expansion of KALYDECO for the treatment of infants down to 1 month of age with cystic fibrosis who have one of the following mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene: R117H, G551D, G1244E, G1349D, G178R, G551S, S1251N, S1255P, S549N or S549R. As a result of existing access agreements in Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and The Netherlands, eligible patients will have access to the expanded indication of KALYDECO shortly following regulatory approval by the European Commission. Vertex will continue to work with reimbursement authorities across the European Union to ensure access for all other eligible patients. In the U.K., following MHRA approval at the end of 2023, and as a result of the existing reimbursement agreement between Vertex and the National Health Service, eligible infants ages 1 month and older in the U.K. have access to this expanded indication for KALYDECO.