Vertex Pharmaceuticals has agreed to acquire Crinetics Pharmaceuticals in a deal worth around $10bn. Crinetics is a global pharma company focused on the discovery, development and commercialisation of novel therapeutics for endocrine diseases.
Reshma Kewalramani, CEO and President of Vertex, said: “Crinetics is an excellent strategic fit for Vertex, with its focus on serious diseases in specialty markets with significant unmet need, well-understood causal human biology and potentially best-in-class medicines that could deliver transformative benefit to patients.”
Crinetics’ Palsonify (paltusotine) was recently approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), after being approved by the US FDA in September 2025. It is the first and only once-daily oral therapy for adults with acromegaly, a rare and debilitating condition caused by a pituitary tumour that secretes excess growth hormone, which affects an estimated 20,000 diagnosed people in the US.
Kewalramani added: “We believe Vertex can build on the strong momentum of the Palsonify launch by applying our experience in commercialising medicines for rare genetic diseases. We are also excited by the significant potential of atumelnant to transform the treatment landscape for congenital adrenal hyperplasia.”
Scott Struthers, Founder and CEO of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, commented: “This partnership is anchored by a mutual commitment to science and a shared vision for delivering innovative treatments to patient communities that have long been underserved. Vertex’s global infrastructure and commercial footprint will serve to amplify the reach of our science and allow us to maximise the impact of Palsonify, atumelnant and our pipeline.”
Atumelnant, Crinetics’ most advanced pipeline candidate, is a once-daily oral adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) receptor antagonist currently in phase 3 development for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).
Classic CAH – the most severe form of the disease, with 17,000 addressable patients in the US – is a rare, chronic genetic condition affecting the adrenal glands that has significant unmet medical need. Among other features, CAH is characterised by impaired cortisol synthesis and, in most cases, excess androgen production, both of which contribute to a range of serious health consequences.
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.