Inclusion, diversity
and equity

Inclusion, diversity and equity (ID&E) are core to Vertex’s ability to create and deliver transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. We believe in ID&E not only because it’s the right thing to do, and it is, but also because our business depends on it. We are the most innovative, make the best decisions for patients and attract the highest caliber of talent when we have an inclusive, diverse and equitable workforce and culture. Learn more about our ID&E journey, progress and priorities.

Our formal ID&E efforts began in 2014 with the opening of our first Learning Lab and our support of STEAM education in the community.

Soon after, we launched our Employee Resource Networks (ERNs), which strengthen community and belonging within Vertex across functions and levels; provide employees with access to peer and executive mentors and professional development; and amplify the voices, insights and experiences of colleagues from traditionally underrepresented groups.

Our Global Employee Resource Networks (ERNs)

ID&E Week

We launched our inaugural ID&E Week in 2017 to provide an opportunity for Vertexians to connect and explore the important role ID&E plays in our business, culture and communities. We recognize that ID&E must be activated and sustained every day throughout the year, this annual program provides a forum for Vertexians to intentionally pause, re-energize and learn more about the impact of ID&E. We come together as a community, commit to the important role we each play in advancing ID&E at Vertex, and celebrate progress toward our aspiration of fostering an inclusive and equitable culture that enables all people to thrive.

Ongoing Learning

In 2019 we began formal ID&E learning for our senior leaders and in 2020, we developed and released a training to all employees on unconscious bias in the workplace. In 2021 we introduced the LIVE ID&E Learning Portfolio, a comprehensive learning portfolio to provide employees with resources to listen, learn and advance their fundamental understanding of what it means to LIVE ID&E at Vertex. Through this portfolio, employees Learn key concepts, are provided with tools to Implement the concepts in their daily interactions, Validate what works, and Embed ID&E in our systems and processes.

Our career growth programs are critical to nurturing a diverse pipeline of talent. We have robust summer internship, co-op and industrial placement programs and have established several flagship programs such as: Vertex Fellows, Physician Investigators, PharmD Fellows and MBA Summer Associates. We're intentional about ensuring these programs provide equitable access to individuals from communities that have been traditionally underrepresented in biotech. 

We know we can’t do this work alone; we partner with organizations that allow us to drive equity across the entire educational and career journeys of students and young people in our communities.

Our efforts in ID&E go beyond the workplace. In 2020, Vertex and the Vertex Foundation committed $4 million over three years to fight racism and injustice around the world. This commitment includes:

• $1.5 million commitment from the Vertex Foundation to help establish the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research. The Center represents a collaborative, multidisciplinary research and education effort in pursuit of social justice and equity.

• The Vertex Foundation was one of the first funders of the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund, a coalition of Black and Brown executives in Massachusetts who have come together to leverage their individual and collective power to eliminate systemic racism and racial inequity throughout Massachusetts.

• Vertex expanded support to long-time partners, including the Boston Private Industry Council, Bottom Line and the Biomedical Science Careers Program, while the Vertex Foundation increased its commitments to City Year and Equal Justice Works.