Vertex Pharmaceuticals is engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of novel, small molecule pharmaceuticals for the treatment of diseases for which there are currently limited or no effective treatments. The company uses structure-based drug design -- an approach to drug discovery that integrates advanced biology, biophysics and chemistry. Vertex is concentrating on the discovery and development of drugs for the treatment of viral diseases, multidrug resistance in cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Vertex is developing human therapeutics through the integrated application of structure-based rational drug design. Vertex is using the latest advances in chemistry, biology and physics to design unique molecules based on the structural features of proteins involved in the control of disease processes. Vertex1s goal is to become a fully-integrated pharmaceutical firm by exploiting the advantages of rational drug design in the discovery and development of novel drugs. Vertex develops drugs that combat autoimmune, inflammatory, neurodegenerative, and viral diseases. FDA-approved Agenerase (amprenavir) is a treatment for the HIV virus and AIDS. Other Vertex drugs in various stages of development include two compounds for treament of cancer multidrug resistance and a treatment for autoimmune diseases. Vertex is developing experimental nerve drugs to combat symptoms of illnesses such as Parkinson's disease. Over the period of its existence the firm has put in place a range of working relationships with many o fthemajor players in their space.
