BRIEF—Vertex fires COO /CFO due to unspecified 'personal behavior'

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has fired its chief operating officer and interim chief financial officer Ian Smith, with immediate effect, due to “personal behavior that violated Vertex’s code of conduct and values.”

Vertex said the decision was unrelated to the financial and business performance of the firm. Senior vice president Paul Silva, who has been chief accounting officer since 2008, has been appointed interim CFO, while the firm looks for a permanent replacement.

Shares in the firm ticked down 1% in pre-market trading, following the announcement.