Reshma Kewalramani

In a move described as “a milestone in the biotech industry,” Reshma Kewalramani (CAS’98, MED’98) has been appointed CEO of the global biotechnology company Vertex Pharmaceuticals, effective April 1, 2020. “Kewalramani, 46, will be the first female CEO at a top-tier US biotech company,” according to the Boston Globe, “a watershed moment for Vertex—it’s the state’s second-largest biotech by stock market value, after Biogen—and the industry, which has struggled to diversify its ranks.”

Kewalramani, now the company’s executive vice president, global medicines development and medical affairs, and chief medical officer, joined Vertex in 2017. Previously, she held a variety of roles in research and development at Amgen.

“The entire board is excited that Reshma will become Vertex’s next CEO,” Bruce I. Sachs, lead independent director of Vertex’s board, said in a statement. “She is an accomplished scientist and physician with more than 20 years of experience in medicine and biotechnology, and has a deep understanding and appreciation of Vertex’s strategy, business, and culture.”