Vertex responds to NHS England's counter-offer on access to cystic fibrosis drugs

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX) says it received a proposal from NHS England regarding its portfolio of cystic fibrosis medicines, notably Orkambi (lumacaftor/ivacaftor), the first drug directed at treating the cause of the disease.

The proposed five-year deal with an option to extend provides for Vertex to secure revenues from the National Health Service (NHS) in the region of £500 million ($650 million) over the five-year period and in excess of £1 billion over 10 years, subject to alternative and better therapies coming to the market, according to NHS England national director John Stewart.

In its statement, Vertex said: “We appreciate NHS England making a formal counter-offer and hope it signals a willingness to re-engage in discussions to provide immediate access to our medicines for people with cystic fibrosis.