June 2004 (Revised June 2006)
Supplement
HBS Case Collection

Vertex Pharmaceuticals: R&D Portfolio Management (A)

By: Gary P. Pisano, Lee Fleming and Eli Strick

Format:Print
| Pages:24

Abstract

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a drug discovery company that recently decided to pursue a vertically integrated business model, chose to build up its clinical development and commercial capabilities and infrastructure. For the first time in its history, Vertex will select two drug candidates from its internal research portfolio of four projects to develop on its own, without the help of strategic partners. CEO Joshua Boger and President Vicki Sato are grappling with which two projects to select. Focuses on how to select projects and how to manage the process of portfolio selection.

Keywords

Research and Development; Investment Portfolio; Pharmaceutical Industry

Citation

Pisano, Gary P., Lee Fleming, and Eli Strick. "Vertex Pharmaceuticals: R&D Portfolio Management (A)." Harvard Business School Supplement 604-101, June 2004. (Revised June 2006.)