Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (“Vertex,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases, with a focus on specialty markets. We have four approved medicines that treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (“CF”), a life-threatening genetic disease, and one approved therapy that treats severe sickle cell disease (“SCD”) and transfusion dependent beta thalassemia (“TDT”), life shortening inherited blood disorders. Our pipeline includes clinical-stage programs in CF, sickle cell disease, beta thalassemia, acute and neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”), reflect the operations of Vertex and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. We operate in one segment, pharmaceuticals. Please refer to Note Q, “Segment Information,” for enterprise-wide disclosures regarding our revenues, major customers and long-lived assets by geographic area.

In 2022, we began to separately classify upfront, contingent milestone, and other payments pursuant to our business development transactions, including collaborations, licenses of third-party technologies, and asset acquisitions as “Acquired in-process research and development expenses” in our consolidated statements of income in cases where such acquired assets do not have an alternative future use. To conform prior periods to current presentation, we reclassified $1.1 billion from “Research and development expenses” to “Acquired in-process research and development expenses” for 2021. Please refer to Note B, “Collaboration, License and Other Arrangements,” for further information on these transactions.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements, and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions, including in certain circumstances future projections that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known.

We recognize revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. We record the amount of revenue that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We apply the following five-step model to determine this amount: (i) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations, including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) we satisfy each performance obligation.

scope of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers at contract inception, we review the contract to determine which performance obligations we must deliver and which of these performance obligations are distinct. We recognize as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to each performance obligation when that performance obligation is satisfied or as it is satisfied. Generally, our performance obligations are transferred to customers at a point in time, typically upon delivery.

Revenues from product sales are recorded at the net sales price, or “transaction price,” which includes estimates of variable consideration that result from (a) invoice discounts for prompt payment and distribution fees, (b) government and private payor rebates, chargebacks, discounts and fees and (c) other incentives for certain indirect customers, including costs of co-pay assistance programs for patients. Reserves are established for the estimates of variable consideration based on the amounts earned or to be claimed on the related sales. The reserves are classified as reductions to “Accounts receivable, net” if payable to a customer or “Accrued expenses” if payable to a third-party. Where appropriate, we utilize the expected value method to determine the appropriate amount for estimates of variable consideration based on factors such as our historical experience, current contractual and statutory requirements, specific known market events and trends, industry data and forecasted customer buying and payment patterns. The amount of variable consideration that is included in the transaction price may be constrained and is included in our net product revenues only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized will not occur in a future period. Actual amounts of consideration ultimately received may differ from our estimates. If actual results vary from our estimates, we adjust these estimates, which would affect net product revenue and earnings in the period such variances become known.

Invoice Discounts and Distribution Fees: In the U.S., we may provide invoice discounts on product sales to our customers for prompt payment and pay fees for distribution services, such as fees for certain data that customers provide to us. We estimate that, based on our experience, our customers will earn these discounts and fees, and deduct the full amount of these discounts and fees from our gross product revenues and accounts receivable at the time such revenues are recognized.

Rebates, Chargebacks, Discounts and Fees: We contract with government agencies (our “Third-party Payors”) so that products will be eligible for purchase by, or partial or full reimbursement from, such Third-party Payors. We estimate the rebates, chargebacks, discounts and fees we will provide to Third-party Payors and deduct these estimated amounts from our gross product revenues at the time the revenues are recognized. For each product, we estimate the aggregate rebates, chargebacks and discounts that we will provide to Third-party Payors based upon (i) our contracts with these Third-party Payors, (ii) the government-mandated discounts and fees applicable to government-funded programs, (iii) information obtained from our customers and other third-party data regarding the payor mix for such product and (iv) historical experience.

Other Incentives: Other incentives that we offer include co-pay mitigation rebates that we provide in the U.S. to commercially insured patients who have coverage and who reside in states that permit co-pay mitigation programs. Based upon the terms of our co-pay mitigation programs, we estimate average co-pay mitigation amounts for each of our products to establish appropriate accruals.

We make significant estimates and judgments that materially affect our recognition of net product revenues. We adjust our estimated rebates, chargebacks and discounts based on new information, including information regarding actual rebates, chargebacks and discounts for our products, as it becomes available. Claims by third-party payors for rebates, chargebacks and discounts frequently are submitted to us significantly after the related sales, potentially resulting in adjustments in the period in which the new information becomes known. Our credits to product revenue related to prior period sales have not been significant and primarily related to rebates and discounts.

which account for the largest portion of our total revenues. Our customers in the U.S. subsequently resell the products to patients and health care providers. We make international sales primarily to specialty distributors and retail pharmacies, as well as hospitals and clinics, many of which are government-owned or supported. As noted above, we recognize net product revenues from sales when our customers obtain control of our products, which typically occurs upon delivery to our CF customers. Our payment terms are approximately 30 days in the U.S. and consistent with prevailing practice in international markets.

We expect to sell CASGEVY principally to a limited number of specialty distributors or directly to authorized hospitals and clinics in markets where a specialty distributor is not utilized. Control is expected to transfer to our CASGEVY customers, resulting in revenue recognition, upon infusion of this gene-editing therapy into our patients.

We had contract liabilities of $170.3 million and $159.6 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to annual contracts with government-owned and supported customers in international markets that limit the amount of annual reimbursement we can receive for our CF products. Upon exceeding the annual reimbursement amount provided by the customer’s contract with us, our CF products are provided free of charge, which is a material right. These contracts include upfront payments and fees. If we estimate that we will exceed the annual reimbursement amount under a contract, we defer a portion of the consideration received for shipments made up to the annual reimbursement limit as a portion of “Other current liabilities.” Once the reimbursement limit has been reached, we recognize the deferred amount as revenue when we ship the free products. Our CF product revenue contracts include performance obligations that are one year or less.

Our contract liabilities at the end of each fiscal year relate to contracts with CF annual reimbursement limits in international markets in which the annual period associated with the contract is not the same as our fiscal year. In these markets we recognize revenues related to performance obligations satisfied in previous years; however, these revenues do not relate to any performance obligations that were satisfied more than 12 months prior to the beginning of the current year. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recorded $159.6 million, $171.7 million and $191.5 million, respectively, of CF product revenues that were recorded as contract liabilities at the beginning of the year.

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents and marketable securities. We place these investments with highly rated financial institutions, and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution. We also maintain a foreign currency hedging program that includes foreign currency forward contracts with several counterparties. We have not experienced any credit losses related to these financial instruments and do not believe we are exposed to any significant credit risk related to these instruments.

We are also subject to credit risk from our accounts receivable related to our product sales and collaborators. We evaluate the creditworthiness of each of our customers and have determined that all our material customers are creditworthy. To date, we have not experienced significant losses with respect to the collection of our accounts receivable. We believe that our allowances, which are not significant to our consolidated financial statements, are adequate at December 31, 2023. Please refer to Note Q, “Segment Information,” for further information.

As of December 31, 2023, our marketable securities consisted of investments in available-for-sale debt securities and corporate equity securities with readily determinable fair values. We classify marketable securities with current maturities of less than one year as current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. The remainder of our marketable securities are classified as long-term assets within “Long-term marketable securities” on our consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of

We record unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income,” which is a separate component of shareholders’ equity on our consolidated balance sheets, until such gains and losses are realized. Realized gains and losses, if any, are determined using the specific identification method.

For available-for-sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions, we are required to assess whether to record an allowance for credit losses using an expected loss model. A credit loss is limited to the amount by which the amortized cost of an investment exceeds its fair value. A previously recognized credit loss may be decreased in subsequent periods if our estimate of fair value for the investment increases. To determine whether to record a credit loss, we consider issuer specific credit ratings and historical losses as well as current economic conditions and our expectations for future economic conditions.

We deduct invoice discounts for prompt payment and fees for distribution services from our accounts receivable based on our experience that our customers will earn these discounts and fees. Our estimates for our allowance for credit losses, which has not been significant to date, is determined based on existing contractual payment terms, historical payment patterns, current economic conditions and our expectation for future economic conditions.

We expense the fair value of employee restricted stock units and other forms of stock-based employee compensation over the associated employee service period on a straight-line basis. Stock-based compensation expense is determined based on the fair value of the award at the grant date and is adjusted each period to reflect actual forfeitures and the outcomes of certain performance conditions.

For awards with performance conditions in which the award does not vest unless the performance condition is met, we recognize expense if, and to the extent that, we estimate that achievement of the performance condition is probable. If we conclude that vesting is probable, we recognize expense from the date we reach this conclusion through the estimated vesting date.

We provide to employees who have rendered a certain number of years of service to Vertex and meet certain age requirements, partial or full acceleration of vesting of these equity awards, subject to certain conditions including a notification period, upon a termination of employment other than for cause. Approximately 5% of our employees were eligible for partial or full acceleration of any of their equity awards as of December 31, 2023. We recognize stock-based compensation expense related to these awards over a service period reflecting qualified employees’ eligibility for partial or full acceleration of vesting.

Research and development expenses are comprised of costs we incur in performing research and development activities, including salary and benefits; stock-based compensation expense; outsourced services and other direct expenses, including clinical trial, pharmaceutical development and drug supply costs; intangible asset impairment charges; and infrastructure costs, including facilities costs and depreciation expense. We recognize research and development expenses as incurred. We capitalize nonrefundable advance payments we make for research and development activities and expense the payments as the related goods are delivered or the related services are performed.

Our research and development activities include upfront, contingent milestone, and other payments pursuant to our business development transactions, including collaborations, licenses of third-party technologies, and asset acquisitions. In-process research and development that is acquired in a transaction that does not qualify as a business combination under U.S. GAAP and that does not have an alternative future use is recorded to “Acquired in-process research and development expenses” in our consolidated statements of income in the period in which it is acquired.

We value our inventories at the lower-of-cost or net realizable value. We determine the cost of our inventories, which include amounts related to materials and manufacturing overhead, on a first-in, first-out basis. We perform an assessment of the recoverability of our capitalized inventory during each reporting period and write down any excess and obsolete inventories to their net realizable value in the period in which the impairment is first identified. Shipping and handling costs incurred for inventory purchases are capitalized and recorded upon sale in “Cost of sales” in our consolidated statements of income. Shipping and handling costs incurred for product shipments are recorded as incurred in “Cost of sales” in our consolidated statements of income.

We capitalize inventories produced in preparation for initiating sales of a product candidate when the related product candidate is considered to have a high likelihood of regulatory approval and the related costs are expected to be recoverable through sales of the inventories. In determining whether to capitalize such inventories, we evaluate, among other factors, information regarding the product candidate’s safety and efficacy, the status of regulatory submissions and communications with regulatory authorities and the outlook for commercial sales, including the existence of current or anticipated competitive drugs and the availability of reimbursement. In addition, we evaluate risks associated with manufacturing the product candidate and the remaining shelf-life of the inventories.


Description						Estimated Useful Life
Buildings and improvements						15 to 40 years
Laboratory equipment, other equipment and furniture						7 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements; assets under finance leases						The shorter of the useful life of the assets or the estimated remaining term of the associated lease
Computers and software						3 to 5 years

Maintenance and repairs to an asset that do not improve or extend its life are expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the assets and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in our consolidated statements of income. We perform an assessment of the fair value of the assets if indicators of impairment are identified during a reporting period and record the assets at the lower of the net book value or the fair value of the assets.

We determine whether an arrangement contains a lease at inception. If a lease is identified in an arrangement, we recognize a right-of-use asset and liability on our consolidated balance sheet and determine whether the lease should be classified as a finance or operating lease. We do not recognize assets or liabilities for leases with lease terms of less than 12 months.

A lease qualifies as a finance lease if any of the following criteria are met at the inception of the lease: (i) there is a transfer of ownership of the leased asset to Vertex by the end of the lease term, (ii) we hold an option to purchase the leased asset that we are reasonably certain to exercise, (iii) the lease term is for a major part of the remaining economic life of the leased asset, (iv) the present value of the sum of lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the leased asset, or (v) the nature of the leased asset is specialized to the point that it is expected to provide the lessor no alternative use at the end of the lease term. All other leases are recorded as operating leases.

Finance and operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of the lease payments over the lease term using the discount rate implicit in the lease. If the rate implicit is not readily determinable, we utilize our incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date. Operating lease assets are further adjusted for prepaid or accrued lease payments. Operating lease payments are expensed using the straight-line method as an operating expense over the lease term. Finance lease assets are amortized to depreciation expense using the straight-line method over the shorter of the useful life of the related asset or the lease term. Finance lease payments are bifurcated into (i) a portion that is recorded as imputed interest expense and (ii) a portion that reduces the finance liability associated with the lease.

We do not separate lease and non-lease components for our real estate leases when determining which lease payments to include in the calculation of our lease assets and liabilities. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred. If a lease includes an option to extend or terminate the lease, we reflect the option in the lease term if it is reasonably certain we will exercise the option.

Finance leases are recorded in “Property and equipment, net,” “Other current liabilities” and “Long-term finance lease liabilities,” and operating leases are recorded in “Operating lease assets,” “Other current liabilities” and “Long-term operating lease liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the income tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is applied against any net deferred tax asset if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. On a periodic basis, we reassess the valuation allowance on our deferred income tax assets weighing positive and negative evidence to assess the recoverability of our deferred tax assets. We include, among other things, our recent financial performance and our future projections in this periodic assessment.

We record liabilities related to uncertain tax positions by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. We evaluate our uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis and consider various factors, including, but not limited to, changes in tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in our tax returns, and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position. We adjust our liabilities to reflect any subsequent changes in the relevant facts and circumstances surrounding the uncertain positions. We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of our “Provision for income taxes.”

We review each agreement pursuant to which we license technologies owned by a third party to determine whether or not we have a variable interest via the license agreement with the third party and if the variable interest is a variable interest in the third party as a whole and whether or not we are the primary beneficiary of that variable interest entity (“VIE”). If we determine we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the onset of a license agreement, it is treated as a business combination and we consolidate the financial statements of the VIE into our consolidated financial statements until we are no longer the primary beneficiary of the consolidated VIE, or no longer have a variable interest in the VIE. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we did not have any consolidated VIEs.

We base our estimates of the probability of achieving the milestones relevant to the fair value of contingent payments on industry data and our knowledge of the programs and viability of the programs. Estimates included in the discounted cash flow models pertaining to contingent payments also include: (i) estimates regarding the timing of the relevant development and commercial milestones and royalties, and (ii) and appropriate discount rates. We record any increases or decreases in the fair value of our contingent payments to “Change in fair value of contingent consideration” in our consolidated statements of income. We record our contingent consideration liabilities at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets as “Other current liabilities” or “Other long-term liabilities” depending on when we estimate we will pay them. Please refer to Note D, “Fair Value Measurements,” for further information.

We record the fair value of in-process research and development assets as of the transaction date of a business combination on our consolidated balance sheets as “Other intangible assets, net.” These assets are used in research and development activities but have not yet reached technological feasibility, which occurs when we complete the research and development efforts by obtaining regulatory approval to market an underlying product candidate. We characterize in-process research and development assets on our consolidated balance sheets as indefinite-lived intangible assets until either they achieve regulatory approval and become finite-lived intangible assets, or the assets are impaired. Upon completion of the associated research and development efforts, we will determine the remaining estimated life of the marketed product and begin amortizing the carrying value of the assets over this period. If the assets become impaired or are abandoned, the carrying value is written down to fair value, and we record an impairment charge in the period in which the impairment occurs. We test in-process research and development assets for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1, and more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist.

The fair value of our in-process research and development assets is determined using either the multi-period excess earnings or the relief from royalty methods of the income approach. Each method requires us to make: (i) assumptions regarding the probability of obtaining marketing approval for a product candidate; (ii) estimates of future cash flows from potential product sales with respect to a product candidate; and (iii) appropriate discount and tax rates. The multi-period excess earnings method also requires us to estimate the timing of and the expected costs to develop and commercialize a product candidate. The relief from royalty method also requires us to estimate the after-tax royalty savings expected from ownership of a product candidate that we acquired.

We record finite-lived intangible assets at cost, net of accumulated amortization, on our consolidated balance sheets as “Other intangible assets, net.” Each of these assets relates to our marketed products and may include, among other things, completed research and development projects that were previously reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as in-process research and development assets, or rights to developed technology associated with in-licenses, regulatory approval milestones due to our collaborators, or other payments. We amortize our finite-lived intangible assets using the straight-line method within “Cost of sales” over the remaining estimated life of the assets beginning in the period in which regulatory

approval is achieved or the assets are acquired and continuing through the period that we no longer have either exclusive rights to market the products associated with the assets or in-license rights to the intellectual property underlying the assets. We test our finite-lived intangible assets for impairment if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. If we determine that the carrying value of a finite-lived intangible asset may not be recoverable, we compare the carrying value of the asset to the undiscounted cash flows that we expect the asset to generate. When we determine that a finite-lived intangible asset has become impaired, we write down the carrying value of the asset to its fair value and record an impairment charge in the period in which the impairment occurs.

The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination is allocated to goodwill. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1, and more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. As noted in Basis of Presentation above, we have one operating segment, pharmaceuticals, which is our only reporting unit.

We recognize the fair value of hedging instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments pursuant to U.S. GAAP, foreign currency forward contracts, as either assets or liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of these instruments are recorded each period in “Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income” as unrealized gains and losses until the forecasted underlying transaction occurs. Unrealized gains and losses on these foreign currency forward contracts are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” or “Other assets,” and “Other current liabilities” or “Other long-term liabilities,” respectively, on our consolidated balance sheets depending on the remaining period until their contractual maturity. Realized gains and losses for the effective portion of such contracts are recognized in “Product revenues, net” in our consolidated statement of income in the same period that we recognize the product revenues that were impacted by the hedged foreign exchange rate changes. We classify the cash flows from hedging instruments in the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items.

We also enter into foreign currency forward contracts with contractual maturities of less than one month designed to mitigate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on monetary assets and liabilities including intercompany balances. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments pursuant to U.S. GAAP. Realized gains and losses for such contracts are recognized in “Other (expense) income, net” in our consolidated statements of income each period.

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss), which includes foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts and our available-for-sale debt securities. For purposes of comprehensive income disclosures, we record provisions for or benefits from income taxes related to the unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts and our available-for-sale debt securities. We record provisions for or benefits from income taxes related to our cumulative translation adjustment only, for those undistributed earnings in our foreign subsidiaries that we do not intend to permanently reinvest.

The majority of our operations occur in entities that have the U.S. dollar denominated as their functional currency. The assets and liabilities of our entities with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the end of the year. Revenue and expense amounts for these entities are translated using the average exchange rates for the period. Changes resulting from foreign currency translation are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.” Net foreign currency exchange transaction losses, which are included in “Other (expense) income, net” on our consolidated statements of income, were $24.6 million, $15.1 million and $13.9 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These net foreign currency exchange losses are presented net of the impact of the foreign

Repurchases of our common stock are recorded as reductions to “Common Stock” and “Additional paid-in capital” pursuant to our established accounting policy. Repurchases in excess of the par value will be recorded as reductions to “Retained earnings” in the event that “Additional paid-in capital” is reduced to zero.

Basic net income per common share is based upon the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share utilizing the treasury-stock method is based upon the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus additional weighted-average common equivalent shares outstanding during the period when the effect is dilutive. Potentially dilutive shares result from the assumed (i) vesting of restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units, and (ii) exercise of outstanding stock options. The proceeds of such vestings or exercises are assumed to have been used to repurchase outstanding stock using the treasury-stock method.

In 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”), which requires public entities to disclose significant segment expenses and other segment items. ASU 2023-07 also requires public entities to provide in interim periods all disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that are currently required annually. ASU 2023-07 becomes effective for the annual period starting on January 1, 2024, and for the interim periods starting on January 1, 2025. We are in the process of analyzing the impact that the adoption of ASU 2023-07 will have on our segment disclosures.

In 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”), which requires public entities to disclose in their rate reconciliation table additional categories of information about federal, state and foreign income taxes and to provide more details about the reconciling items in some categories if items meet a quantitative threshold. ASU 2023-09 becomes effective for the annual period starting on January 1, 2025. We are in the process of analyzing the impact that the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have on our income tax disclosures.