Vertex Raises 2026 Revenue Guidance as Q3 Sales Grow 11.8%, GAAP Profit Falls on Crinetics Costs
Vertex Pharmaceuticals raised its 2026 revenue forecast after third-quarter sales grew 11.8%, though GAAP profit fell 39.6% as the company absorbed costs from its acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals.
Total revenue rose to $3.44 billion from $3.08 billion a year earlier, according to the earnings release Vertex filed with an 8-K on Monday. U.S. revenue increased 10% to $2.17 billion, and revenue outside the U.S. rose 16% to $1.27 billion.
GAAP net income fell to $653.6 million, or $2.56 per share, from $1.08 billion, or $4.20. Vertex said the decline reflected acquisition-related costs of $502.0 million tied to the Crinetics deal. On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $1.21 billion, or $4.76 per share, compared with $1.24 billion, or $4.80, a year ago.
A mix shift inside cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis medicines still make up most of the business, with total CF revenue up 7.7% to $3.27 billion. Within that franchise, sales of the newer medicine ALYFTREK rose to $705.8 million from $247.0 million, while TRIKAFTA revenue fell 8.2% to $2.44 billion.
Newer products are adding up. CASGEVY, for severe sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia, brought in $99.2 million, up from $16.9 million. JOURNAVX, a non-opioid treatment for moderate-to-severe acute pain, generated $58.3 million versus $19.6 million, with more than 750,000 prescriptions filled in the quarter. PALSONIFY, for the hormone disorder acromegaly, added $10.1 million.
"Vertex delivered excellent third quarter results marked by strong revenue growth across the increasingly diversified portfolio, continued advancement of the R&D pipeline, and the successful close of the Crinetics Pharmaceuticals acquisition," CEO Reshma Kewalramani said in the release.
Crinetics closes, cash drops
Vertex completed the Crinetics acquisition in September, establishing a fourth commercial pillar in rare endocrine diseases, at an estimated equity value of $10.0 billion, or $9.0 billion net of acquired cash, the company said. Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities stood at $9.8 billion at quarter-end, down from $12.3 billion at the end of 2025, after $9.0 billion of net cash used for the deal and share repurchases, partly offset by a $4.5 billion term loan.
Outlook raised
Vertex now expects 2026 revenue of $13.15 billion to $13.25 billion, up from $13.1 billion to $13.2 billion. It raised its combined GAAP research and development, acquired in-process R&D and SG&A expense outlook to $7.15 billion to $7.2 billion from $6.3 billion to $6.45 billion. On a non-GAAP basis, it now expects those expenses to total an estimated $6.0 billion, the company said, up from $5.65 billion to $5.75 billion. The tax rate outlook of 19.5% to 20.5% was unchanged.
The FDA is reviewing povetacicept for IgA nephropathy under priority review, with a target action date of Nov. 30. Kewalramani said a potential approval would position Vertex to establish nephrology as its fifth commercial franchise.
By the numbers
- Revenue: $3.44 billion, up 11.8%
- GAAP EPS: $2.56, down from $4.20
- Non-GAAP EPS: $4.76, down from $4.80
- ALYFTREK revenue: $705.8 million
- 2026 revenue outlook: $13.15 billion to $13.25 billion, raised
- Cash and marketable securities: $9.8 billion
Sources
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Form 8-K with third-quarter 2026 earnings release, filed Nov. 2, 2026 (accession 0000875320-26-000287)
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