Caring for our people; Helping improve lives
2 min read
Chief Human Resources Officer Stephanie Franklin discusses Vertex’s inclusive benefits and how they are helping Vertexians.
New data shed light on health inequities in sickle cell disease
2 min read
Individuals living with severe sickle cell disease report higher exposure to health care prejudice, according to new research by our Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) team.
First Vertex Physicians Investigators cohort graduates
2 min read
Meet the very first graduating class of Vertex Physicians Investigators. In this Q&A you’ll learn about their biotech journey and what motivates them.
Michel Lagarde
Director
Michel Lagarde
Director
Mr. Lagarde joined our board in 2023. He currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., a supplier of analytical instruments, life sciences solutions, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory, pharmaceutical and biotechnology services. He is responsible for Thermo Fisher’s Pharma Services, Customer Channels, BioProduction, Analytical Instruments, Laboratory Products and Clinical Research businesses as well as its Corporate Accounts function and Chief Medical Office. He joined Thermo Fisher as Senior Vice President and President, Pharma Services, in 2017 through its acquisition of Patheon N.V., a pharma services company. Prior to Thermo Fisher, Mr. Lagarde was President and Chief Operating Officer at Patheon from 2016 to 2017 and Managing Director at JLL Partners, a private equity firm investing in health care services, from 2008 to 2016. Prior to JLL, he spent 12 years at Philips, a global leader in health technology, in various finance roles across several international markets. Mr. Lagarde holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from European University in Antwerp, Belgium, and an executive master’s degree in finance and control from Maastricht Universiteit in the Netherlands.
Mr. Lagarde joined our board in 2023. He currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., a supplier of analytical instruments, life sciences solutions, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory, pharmaceutical and biotechnology services. He is responsible for Thermo Fisher’s Pharma Services, Customer Channels, BioProduction, Analytical Instruments, Laboratory Products and Clinical Research businesses as well as its Corporate Accounts function and Chief Medical Office. He joined Thermo Fisher as Senior Vice President and President, Pharma Services, in 2017 through its acquisition of Patheon N.V., a pharma services company. Prior to Thermo Fisher, Mr. Lagarde was President and Chief Operating Officer at Patheon from 2016 to 2017 and Managing Director at JLL Partners, a private equity firm investing in health care services, from 2008 to 2016. Prior to JLL, he spent 12 years at Philips, a global leader in health technology, in various finance roles across several international markets. Mr. Lagarde holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from European University in Antwerp, Belgium, and an executive master’s degree in finance and control from Maastricht Universiteit in the Netherlands.
Developing medicines with patients at the forefront
1 min read
Watch as our Senior Vice President and San Diego Site Head, Sabine Hadida, breaks down our drug discovery process and the importance of grit, teamwork and determination.
Pain Awareness Month: Dr. Todd Bertoch shares his perspective on pain
1 min read
In honor of Pain Awareness Month in the U.S., learn more about Dr. Bertoch’s experience and his hopes for managing pain in the future.
The drive behind our drug discovery process
1 min read
Listen to Jason McCartney, Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry, discuss an overview of the drug discovery process at Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
Supporting Vertex families from the start
2 min read
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a place where you can grow, work and be supported at home. We believe it’s important to not only take care of employees but families as a whole.
Targeting type 1 diabetes
1 min read
We’re investigating type 1 diabetes at the cellular level. Hear from experts in our type 1 diabetes podcast episode, in partnership with Bloomberg Media Studios.
E. Morrey Atkinson, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Operations Officer, Head of Biopharmaceutical Sciences and Manufacturing Operations
E. Morrey Atkinson, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Operations Officer, Head of Biopharmaceutical Sciences and Manufacturing Operations
Throughout his decades-long career in the biopharmaceutical industry, Morrey has contributed his expertise in the development and commercialization of multiple modality therapeutics across all aspects of preclinical, clinical and commercial manufacturing including small molecules, biologics and cell therapies. He joined Vertex in 2020 and serves on the Executive Committee as Chief Technical Operations Officer and Head of Biopharmaceutical Sciences and Manufacturing Operations. In his role he oversees all aspects of our preclinical, clinical and commercial biopharmaceutical sciences, manufacturing operations and global supply chain functions.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Indiana University and his doctoral degree in biological sciences from Stanford University. Prior to Vertex, Morrey was the Senior Vice President of Global Manufacturing Operations at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and was responsible for the global network of internal and external manufacturing for BMS commercial products. He joined BMS in 2012 as the Vice President of Biologics Development and progressed through various roles, including Vice President of Biologics Manufacturing and the Integration Leader for Manufacturing, Product Development and Cell Therapy during the Celgene-BMS Integration. Prior to BMS, Morrey’s career included various scientific and management roles of increasing responsibility at Eli Lilly and Company, Cook Pharmica (now Catalent) and Targeted Genetics Corporation.
Morrey serves on the board of directors for 89bio and is active in advocating for LGBTQ+ equality, including serving on the National Leadership Council for the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. He is the executive sponsor for Vertex PRIDE, our employee resource network that supports, provides visibility of, and celebrates our LGBTQ+ employees and allies.
Throughout his decades-long career in the biopharmaceutical industry, Morrey has contributed his expertise in the development and commercialization of multiple modality therapeutics across all aspects of preclinical, clinical and commercial manufacturing including small molecules, biologics and cell therapies. He joined Vertex in 2020 and serves on the Executive Committee as Chief Technical Operations Officer and Head of Biopharmaceutical Sciences and Manufacturing Operations. In his role he oversees all aspects of our preclinical, clinical and commercial biopharmaceutical sciences, manufacturing operations and global supply chain functions.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Indiana University and his doctoral degree in biological sciences from Stanford University. Prior to Vertex, Morrey was the Senior Vice President of Global Manufacturing Operations at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and was responsible for the global network of internal and external manufacturing for BMS commercial products. He joined BMS in 2012 as the Vice President of Biologics Development and progressed through various roles, including Vice President of Biologics Manufacturing and the Integration Leader for Manufacturing, Product Development and Cell Therapy during the Celgene-BMS Integration. Prior to BMS, Morrey’s career included various scientific and management roles of increasing responsibility at Eli Lilly and Company, Cook Pharmica (now Catalent) and Targeted Genetics Corporation.
Morrey serves on the board of directors for 89bio and is active in advocating for LGBTQ+ equality, including serving on the National Leadership Council for the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. He is the executive sponsor for Vertex PRIDE, our employee resource network that supports, provides visibility of, and celebrates our LGBTQ+ employees and allies.