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Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 7 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Total revenue rose 12 percent: The company reported total revenue of $3.33 billion, up 12% from the second quarter of 2025. Management attributed the increase mainly to cystic fibrosis therapies and growth in additional disease areas. Source
  • ALYFTREK revenue more than tripled: ALYFTREK revenue was $573.6 million, against $156.8 million a year earlier. New U.S. initiations and ex-U.S. uptake were cited as drivers. Source
  • Spending rose on launch and renal build-out: GAAP combined expenses were $1.6 billion and non-GAAP $1.4 billion, against $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion. Management said the increase reflected JOURNAVX launch investment and the renal build-out led by povetacicept. Source
  • Cash and securities reached $13.6 billion: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $13.6 billion at June 30, 2026, against $12.3 billion at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Crinetics deal priced at $85 a share: Vertex agreed in July to acquire Crinetics for $85.00 per share in cash, with total equity value of about $10.0 billion, or about $8.8 billion net of estimated cash acquired. Source
  • Povetacicept FDA decision set for November 30: The FDA accepted the BLA for accelerated approval of povetacicept in adults with IgAN, based on the Week 36 interim analysis of the Phase 3 RAINIER trial. Source

“Vertex delivered excellent second quarter results, expanding our leadership in cystic fibrosis; delivering strong revenue growth in sickle cell disease, beta thalassemia, and acute pain;”

Reshma Kewalramani, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Vertex

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total revenue Sourcefull year 2026$13.1 billion to $13.2 billionRaised from $12.95 billion to $13.1 billion
Non-CF product revenue Sourcefull year 2026$500 million or moreKept
Combined GAAP R&D, AIPR&D and SG&A expenses Sourcefull year 2026$6.3 billion to $6.45 billionKept
Combined non-GAAP R&D, AIPR&D and SG&A expenses Sourcefull year 2026$5.65 billion to $5.75 billionKept
Non-GAAP effective tax rate Sourcefull year 202619.5% to 20.5%Kept
Foreign exchange benefit to revenue growth Sourcefull year 2026approximately 150 basis pointsKept
AIPR&D expenses Sourcefull year 2026approximately $100 millionKept
Stock-based compensation, difference between GAAP and non-GAAP expense guidance Sourcefull year 2026$650 million to $700 millionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year total revenue guidance was raised to $13.1 billion to $13.2 billion from $12.95 billion to $13.1 billion. Source
  • Guidance kept: Combined GAAP and non-GAAP expense guidance and the non-GAAP tax rate guidance were reiterated, and non-CF revenue guidance was unchanged. Source
  • New: Vertex agreed in July to acquire Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, a deal not included in the previous quarter's documents. Source
  • New: The FDA approved CASGEVY for children 2 years and older with SCD or TDT, extending the prior approval for patients 12 and older. Source
  • New: The FDA accepted the povetacicept BLA for accelerated approval in IgAN and set a PDUFA target date, after the rolling submission reported in the first quarter. Source
  • New: The FDA cleared the IND for VX-017, a stem cell-derived islet cell therapy for type 1 diabetes, which was not reported as cleared in the first quarter. Source
  • New: Two additional major pharmacy benefit managers agreed to Medicare Part D coverage of JOURNAVX during the quarter. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Total revenue rose 12 percent: The company reported total revenue of $3.33 billion, up 12% from the second quarter of 2025. Management attributed the increase mainly to cystic fibrosis therapies and growth in additional disease areas. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose to $4.31: GAAP diluted EPS was $4.31, against $3.99 a year earlier. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $4.73, against $4.52. Diluted shares were 255.2 million, against 258.9 million. Source
  • Six-month revenue rose to $6.32 billion: Total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was $6.32 billion, against $5.73 billion for the same period of 2025. Source

Segments and regions

  • U.S. revenue rose 11 percent: U.S. total revenue was $2.06 billion, up 11%, on continued CF patient demand, new ALYFTREK starts, higher realized CF net prices, and contributions from CASGEVY and JOURNAVX. Source
  • Outside U.S. revenue rose 14 percent: Revenue outside the U.S. was $1.28 billion, up 14%, on CF performance across several geographies, ALYFTREK uptake, more CASGEVY infusions, and a favorable foreign exchange effect. Source
  • ALYFTREK reimbursed in 25 countries: Vertex secured reimbursement for ALYFTREK in four more countries, including Spain, bringing the total to 25. A letter of intent with the Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance covers Canadian patients 6 and older. Source

“With this breadth of commercial and clinical opportunities, we look forward to bringing more medicines to more patients around the globe and in so doing, creating long-term value.”

Reshma Kewalramani, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Vertex

Products and customers

  • ALYFTREK revenue more than tripled: ALYFTREK revenue was $573.6 million, against $156.8 million a year earlier. New U.S. initiations and ex-U.S. uptake were cited as drivers. Source
  • TRIKAFTA/KAFTRIO revenue declined: TRIKAFTA/KAFTRIO revenue was $2,497.2 million, against $2,551.1 million a year earlier. Total CF product revenue was $3,207.9 million, up from $2,901.6 million. Source
  • CASGEVY revenue reached $76 million: CASGEVY revenue was $76 million, up 78% sequentially and 151% from the second quarter of 2025. About 5,500 patients may now be eligible for the first time after the U.S. approval. Source
  • JOURNAVX prescriptions and revenue rose: JOURNAVX revenue was $50 million, up 71% sequentially from $12 million a year earlier. About 535,000 prescriptions were filled in the quarter and about 900,000 in the first six months. Source
  • Two more PBMs cover JOURNAVX: Seniors covered by three of the four major Medicare Part D PBMs now have reimbursed access. Twenty-three states cover JOURNAVX through Medicaid. Source

Costs and expenses

  • Spending rose on launch and renal build-out: GAAP combined expenses were $1.6 billion and non-GAAP $1.4 billion, against $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion. Management said the increase reflected JOURNAVX launch investment and the renal build-out led by povetacicept. Source
  • SG&A rose faster than R&D: GAAP SG&A was $582.2 million, up from $424.6 million. GAAP R&D was $993.8 million, against $978.4 million, and acquired IPR&D was $21.4 million, against $2.2 million. Source
  • Cost of sales increased: GAAP cost of sales was $489.2 million, against $407.5 million a year earlier. Non-GAAP cost of sales was $480.3 million, against $399.9 million. Source
  • Tariff cost described as immaterial: Management said 2026 guidance includes an immaterial cost impact from tariffs, based on currently known tariff rates and regulations. Source

“with the pending acquisition of Crinetics, adding rare endocrine diseases as our fifth pillar, further diversifying our portfolio”

Reshma Kewalramani, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Vertex

Margins, tax and earnings

  • Effective tax rates higher than last year: GAAP effective tax rate was 21.0% and non-GAAP 21.1%, against 19.5% and 19.4% a year earlier. Source
  • Net income rose on product revenue: GAAP net income was $1.1 billion and non-GAAP $1.2 billion, against $1.0 billion and $1.2 billion. Higher product revenue was partly offset by higher operating expenses. Source
  • Non-GAAP operating income up 7 percent: Non-GAAP operating income was $1,423.3 million, against $1,325.1 million. GAAP income from operations was $1,246.9 million, against $1,151.1 million. Source

Cash, balance sheet and capital

  • Cash and securities reached $13.6 billion: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $13.6 billion at June 30, 2026, against $12.3 billion at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Share repurchases offset part of cash build: Management said the cash increase came mainly from operating cash flow, partly offset by share repurchases. Common shares outstanding were 253.3 million, against 254.0 million at year-end 2025. Source
  • Shareholders' equity rose to $20.2 billion: Shareholders' equity was $20.2 billion at June 30, 2026, against $18.7 billion at December 31, 2025, with total assets of $27.4 billion. Source

Strategy and external investment

  • Crinetics deal priced at $85 a share: Vertex agreed in July to acquire Crinetics for $85.00 per share in cash, with total equity value of about $10.0 billion, or about $8.8 billion net of estimated cash acquired. Source
  • Crinetics closing expected in third quarter: Completion is expected in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Updated 2026 guidance will be provided after the transaction closes. Source
  • Deal adds rare endocrine diseases: Management described the pending deal as adding rare endocrine diseases as a fifth pillar, further diversifying the portfolio. Source
  • Guidance excludes the Crinetics deal: Full-year 2026 financial guidance does not reflect the pending acquisition of Crinetics. Source

Pipeline and regulatory milestones

  • Povetacicept FDA decision set for November 30: The FDA accepted the BLA for accelerated approval of povetacicept in adults with IgAN, based on the Week 36 interim analysis of the Phase 3 RAINIER trial. Source
  • VX-017 cleared for clinical trial: The FDA cleared the IND for VX-017, a stem cell-derived islet cell therapy for type 1 diabetes. A Phase 1/2 trial is planned in the near term. Source
  • VX-828 results due second half: VX-828, the first next-generation 3.0 CFTR corrector, completed dosing in its proof-of-concept study in people with CF. Results are expected in the second half of 2026. Source
  • VX-670 results due second half: VX-670 for myotonic dystrophy type 1 is in the multiple ascending dose portion of the GALILEO trial. Dosing completion and results are expected in the second half of 2026. Source
  • AMPLIFIED inaxaplin data due this fall: Enrollment and dosing are complete in the AMPLIFIED Phase 2 study of inaxaplin in patients with moderate proteinuria or with type 2 diabetes. Data are expected this fall. Source
  • Pediatric ALYFTREK filings started: Global regulatory submissions for ALYFTREK in children 2 to 5 were recently initiated, after a Phase 3 study showed 65% of children reached sweat chloride below 30 mmol/L. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 August 2026

  • Crinetics closing in third quarter: Completion of the Crinetics acquisition is expected in the third quarter of 2026, with updated 2026 guidance to follow the close. Source
  • Povetacicept FDA decision date: The PDUFA target action date for accelerated approval of povetacicept in adults with IgAN is November 30, 2026. Source
  • Data at North American CF Conference: Vertex has submitted numerous abstracts for the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference in October, covering sweat chloride, pancreatic enzyme use and ALYFTREK patient-reported outcomes. Source
  • Zimislecel and VX-017 timelines later this year: The company expects to give updated timelines for the zimislecel and VX-017 programs later in 2026, following recent regulatory interactions. Source
  • AMPLITUDE interim data in early 2027: Interim analysis data from the AMPLITUDE study of inaxaplin are expected in early 2027, after the interim cohort reaches 48 weeks of treatment. Source
  • Suzetrigine DPN enrollment by year-end: Enrollment in both Phase 3 studies of suzetrigine in diabetic peripheral neuropathy is expected to complete by the end of 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
TRIKAFTA/KAFTRIO revenue, second quarter 2026 Source$2,497.2 million
ALYFTREK revenue, second quarter 2026 Source$573.6 million
CASGEVY revenue, second quarter 2026 Source$76 million
JOURNAVX revenue, second quarter 2026 Source$50 million
JOURNAVX prescriptions filled, second quarter 2026 Sourceapproximately 535,000
Non-GAAP R&D expenses, second quarter 2026 Source$888.7 million
Povetacicept PDUFA target action date, IgAN SourceNovember 30, 2026
CASGEVY patients newly eligible after U.S. approval Sourceapproximately 5,500

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Completion of the Crinetics acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected in the third quarter of 2026. Source
  • Financial: Operating expenses rose on commercial investment for the JOURNAVX launch and the renal franchise build-out led by povetacicept. Source
  • Regulatory: Management said it remains committed to working with government and reimbursement authorities to keep access sustainable for eligible patients. Source
  • External: Tariff impact on 2026 costs is described as immaterial based on currently known tariff rates and regulations. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Enrollment in both Phase 3 suzetrigine DPN studies was described as on track for completion by the end of 2026, unchanged from the first quarter. Source
  • Met: VX-828 dosing was completed; results remain on track for the second half of 2026. Source
  • Met: AGLOW enrollment was reported as completed in the second quarter, against the second-half 2026 timing given in the first quarter. Source
  • On track: Enrollment and dosing in AMPLIFIED are complete; data sharing is on track for this fall. Source
  • Met: Global regulatory submissions for ALYFTREK in children 2 to 5 were recently initiated, in line with the first-quarter plan. Source
  • On track: VX-670 dosing completion and results sharing remain on track for the second half of 2026. Source
  • On track: The placebo-controlled Phase 2 gMG study of povetacicept is on track for enrollment completion by the end of 2026. Source
  • On track: The AMPLITUDE study of inaxaplin is on track to complete full enrollment in the second half of 2026. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.