Vertex Commits $50 Million to Health Equity as it Dedicates

Vertex Pharmaceuticals and the Vertex Foundation, a nonprofit charitable foundation, have committed $50 million over five years to clinical trial diversity, access to quality care, and education of health care workforce.

Photo: Reshma Kewalramani, president and CEO at Vertex

Along with the commitment, the company announced its first grants under the program. It is making a grant to JDRF to support efforts to improve clinical trial diversity in type 1 diabetes studies, another to the Mass General Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Center, and one to Year Up to support healthcare workforce training.

“This $50 million commitment reflects our ongoing commitment to close the gaps in health care research, access, quality, and patient outcomes for underrepresented communities,” said Reshma Kewalramani, president and CEO at Vertex.

JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, is broadening the understanding and awareness of T1D and getting more people involved in clinical trials, screening, monitoring, and research. Vertex is supporting JDRF’s efforts to improve clinical trial diversity which will help champion advanced care through clinical trial education, awareness, and recruitment efforts, including diverse representation.

The Vertex Foundation is supporting the Mass General Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Center, which provides integrated, multidisciplinary care for this patient population that has not received the focused attention it deserves. In order to help the center provide the best care for this disease, the funding will advance the center’s ability to provide holistic support to improve patient care through the expansion of social workers, patient coordinators, and nurse navigators. In addition, support will expand programmatic efforts such as athletic training and survivorship programs. ​

In order to address a health care workforce and talent shortage across the state, the Vertex Foundation will partner with Year Up, a Boston-headquartered workforce development nonprofit, with funding to support a curriculum to prepare young adults for future careers in community health, paid internship opportunities, and a source of skilled and trained professionals who reflect the populations they serve. ​

Author: Rare Daily Staff