Feb 12 (Reuters) - Vertex Pharmaceuticals VRTX.O forecast 2026 revenue largely in line with analysts estimates on Thursday, as the drugmaker bets on growth for its cystic fibrosis treatments as well as contributions from newer medicines.
Vertex, a leader in cystic fibrosis drugs, is diversifying into gene therapies, including Casgevy for sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia, and into non-opioid painkillers.
The company expects 2026 revenue to be in the range of $12.95 billion to $13.1 billion, the mid-point of which is in line with analysts estimates of $13.02 billion as per data compiled by LSEG.
It said the forecast includes $500 million or more in revenue from non-cystic fibrosis products, including increased patient infusions of Casgevy and growth in prescriptions and revenue from the second year of the launch of Journavx, its non-opioid painkiller.
Journavx, approved last year for acute pain, has received more than 550,000 prescriptions through year-end 2025.
The company has secured commercial coverage for Journavx with all three national pharmacy benefit managers, which will help increase uptake this year.
The Boston-based company reported a 10% rise in quarterly revenue to $3.19 billion, compared with analysts estimates of $3.18 billion. The growth was primarily driven by the continued performance of cystic fibrosis therapies and additional growth from diversification into additional disease areas, the company said.
Casgevy generated $54 million in revenue in the fourth quarter, with 64 patients receiving infusions in 2025.
Vertex also said it is on track to release interim data in the first half of this year for its experimental drug povetacicept for a type of kidney disease. The drugmaker is using a priority review voucher to expedite the review of povetacicept from ten months to six.
On an adjusted basis, the company reported fourth-quarter profit of $5.03 per share, compared with estimates of $5.07.
(Reporting by Sneha S K in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
((Sneha.SK@thomsonreuters.com;))