Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced the appointment of Jeffrey A. Chodakewitz, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President. Prior to joining the company Dr. Chodakewitz has more than 20 years of experience leading global development organizations in the biopharmaceutical industry, including roles as Senior Vice President of late-stage global development and Vice President of early-stage development at Merck. As head of Vertex's Global Medicines Development and Medical Affairs department, he will oversee all global clinical development programs, medical affairs and other related functions.

Following a planned transition period, company's current Chief Medical Officer, Robert Kauffman, M.D., Ph.D., will retire from the company in the second half of 2014.