– USA, MA – Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced that William Young joined its board of directors as an independent director. Mr. Young was elected to the class of directors whose term expires in 2017. The Vertex board now consists of 10 members.
“Mr. Young is a recognized leader within the biotech industry and brings a wealth of scientific and operational experience to our Board,” said Jeffrey Leiden, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex. “Importantly, Mr. Young has been part of multiple life sciences companies at times of rapid growth and transition. His insights will be invaluable to Vertex as we continue to focus our business on advancing transformative medicines for people with cystic fibrosis.”
Mr. Young has extensive experience in leadership roles within major life sciences and pharmaceutical companies. He spent nearly two decades at Genentech Inc., serving as its Chief Operating Officer from 1997 to 1999, and more recently was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Monogram Biosciences, Inc., a provider of molecular diagnostics, from 1999 to 2009. During his time at Genentech, the company launched a number of new medicines for diseases ranging from cystic fibrosis to breast cancer. Mr. Young is the retiring Chairman of the Board of Directors of Biogen Idec, a position he has held since 2010. He has also been the Chairman of NanoString Technologies since 2010 and is a Director for Biomarin Pharmaceutical Inc. and Theravance, Inc. Mr. Young is a venture partner at Clarus Ventures, LLC, a life sciences venture capital firm that he joined in 2010.
Mr. Young earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University, an M.B.A. from Indiana University and an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from Purdue University. In 1993, Mr. Young was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his contributions to biotechnology.
About Vertex
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that aims to discover, develop and commercialize innovative medicines so people with serious diseases can lead better lives. In addition to our clinical development programs focused on cystic fibrosis, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing research programs aimed at other serious and life-threatening diseases.
Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex today has research and development sites and commercial offices in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia. For four years in a row, Science magazine has named Vertex one of its Top Employers in the life sciences.
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