Vertex, NHS in deal to make CF triplet available in England once EC approves

It took four years for Vertex to reach an agreement with England’s NHS for access to its first combination cystic fibrosis therapy. But there won’t be any wait for the biotech’s highly anticipated triple therapy after the two forged a deal that ensures access once Kaftrio is approved by the European Commission.

The agreement expands on a deal struck last October between Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTX) and NHS that had provided access to Orkambi lumacaftor/ivacaftor and Symkevi tezacaftor/ivacaftor in England. Under the new arrangement, CF patients in England will have immediate access to Kaftrio elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor once the EC approves the MAA. EMA’s CHMP recommended its approval last week at its June meeting (see “Vertex, NHS England Reach Agreement on Access to CF Drugs”)...