Reshma Kewalramani, Vertex CEO, Joins Fortune’s Elite Power List

India-West News Desk

NEW YORK, NY-Reshma Kewalramani, the Mumbai-born CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, has been named one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Business by Fortune magazine. She is ranked 62nd, joining a distinguished group of global business leaders. This marks her first appearance on the prestigious list, which recognizes individuals who are actively shaping the future of business.

Kewalramani is the first woman to lead a major U.S. biotechnology firm. A physician by training, she assumed the CEO position at Vertex in April 2020 after serving as the company’s Chief Medical Officer since 2017. Fortune magazine highlighted her unique perspective, noting, “Reshma Kewalramani, who brings her experience as a licensed doctor to her leadership, took the helm as CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals in 2020…”

Under her leadership, the company, now valued at over $110 billion, has achieved significant medical milestones. Most recently, Vertex secured FDA approval for Journavx, an opioid-free pain treatment—the first of its kind in more than two decades. The company is also renowned for its pioneering work in treating cystic fibrosis and advancing gene-editing therapies for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.

Kewalramani joins a notable group of Indian and Indian-origin executives on Fortune’s list. These include Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella (rank 2), Google CEO Sundar Pichai (rank 6), YouTube CEO Neal Mohan (rank 83), Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani (rank 56), and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani (rank 96). The list is topped by Nvidia’s Jensen Huang.

Kewalramani moved to the U.S. at age 11. She holds a medical degree from Boston University and completed her medical training at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She also completed Harvard Business School’s General Management Program.