VRTX Q2 Earnings Beat, Stock Down as Pain Drug Misses Study Goal

Core Insights - Vertex Pharmaceuticals reported adjusted earnings of $4.52 per share for Q2 2025, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.24, and a significant improvement from an adjusted loss of $12.83 per share in the same quarter last year due to the $4.9 billion acquisition of Alpine Immune Sciences [1][7] - Total revenues for Q2 reached $2.96 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.89 billion, marking a 12% year-over-year increase driven by strong sales of Trikafta/Kaftrio and contributions from ongoing product launches [2][5] - Vertex's stock has increased by 17.3% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the industry average of 0.2% [4] Financial Performance - U.S. revenues rose 14% year over year to $1.85 billion, while international sales increased 8% to $1.12 billion, supported by strong demand and the launch of Casgevy [5] - Trikafta generated $2.55 billion in sales, a 4.2% increase year over year, narrowly missing the consensus estimate of $2.56 billion [8] - Alyftrek, a newly approved CF treatment, generated $156.8 million in Q2, up from $53.9 million in Q1 2025, indicating strong uptake among eligible patients [9] Product Revenue Breakdown - Total product revenues included sales from Trikafta/Kaftrio, Alyftrek, and other products, with Casgevy sales reaching $30.4 million, reflecting a 114.1% sequential increase [10] - Journavx, a new pain drug, generated $12 million in sales in Q2, receiving positive feedback from both physicians and patients [12] Cost and Guidance - Adjusted R&D expenses increased by 25.9% year over year to $878.1 million, while SG&A expenses rose 28.2% to $359.4 million due to investments in clinical studies and commercial capabilities [13] - Vertex maintained its total revenue guidance for 2025, expecting revenues between $11.85 billion and $12 billion, driven by growth in CF medicines and new product launches [15] Pipeline Developments - Vertex announced disappointing results for VX-993, a pain drug, which failed to meet its primary endpoint in a phase II study, leading to the decision to halt its development as a monotherapy [18][19] - The company continues to advance its pipeline, including studies for povetacicept and zimislecel, targeting various diseases [22][23]