Vertex appoints Reshma Kewalramani, MD., as Chief Medical Officer

Vertex Pharmaceuticals asserted that Reshma Kewalramani, MD., has been appointed Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Medical Affairs, effective from April 1, 2018.

Dr. Kewalramani currently serves as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at Vertex and will succeed Jeffrey A. Chodakewitz, M.D., who is retiring from his role as Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Medical Affairs. Dr. Chodakewitz will remain with Vertex as a senior advisor through early 2019.

Jeffrey Leiden, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex said “He has played a critical role in leading multiple successful clinical development efforts at Vertex, and I’m pleased that we will continue to benefit from his guidance as a senior advisor over the next year as he transitions to retirement. I’m also delighted that Reshma has agreed to succeed Jeff as our Chief Medical Officer. Reshma’s depth of medical knowledge, paired with her experience and proven track record as a clinical leader at Vertex, makes her an ideal successor to Jeff. I look forward to working with Reshma to continue to advance our clinical development pipeline in cystic fibrosis and other serious diseases.”

Dr. Chodakewitz said “I have enjoyed working closely with Reshma since she joined the Company last year and am confident that Vertex will continue its success in pursuing innovative therapies under her leadership.”

Dr. Kewalramani is an accomplished leader and physician who has a track record of building strong teams, putting patients first, leading change and delivering results. Prior to joining Vertex in February 2017, Dr. Kewalramani spent over 12 years at Amgen where she most recently served as Vice President and Head of the U.S. Medical Organization. During her tenure at Amgen, Dr. Kewalramani held roles with increasing responsibility across Clinical Development and Medical Affairs and served in leadership positions involving research and development and commercialization activities across a variety of therapeutic areas.