For seven years, Dr Jeff Leiden has led Vertex as CEO, chairman and president – raking in about £17million a year in pay. Under his leadership, Vertex has developed and launched ground-breaking and life-saving CF drugs Kalydeco, Orkambi and Symdeko. But he has faced fierce criticism from major shareholders for failing to agree more deals for those drugs with many desperate countries, including the UK. 

Last week the Daily Express urged Dr Leiden to meet CF sufferer Carlie Pleasant to explain why he refuses to sign an NHS deal, so she can receive Orkambi for free. 

Now Vertex has announced that the face of the company will step down and in April 2020 assume the new role of “executive chairman”. 

Dr Leiden will be replaced as president and CEO by Vertex’s current chief medical officer Dr Reshma Kewalramani. 

Last night CF campaigners urged Vertex to use the change of leadership to lower its prices and finally agree a UK deal. 

Alison Dillon, whose television actor son Oli, 21, has the condition, said: “A change in direction at Vertex was well overdue. 

“All around the world we have seen country after country reveal how their talks with Vertex for access to their drugs have collapsed. 

“Dr Leiden moving on and being replaced could be a crucial step with Vertex accepting they have to be more generous and realistic in their pricing.” 

Sharon Cranfield, 54 – mum to Jessica, 18 – said: “The public image of Vertex globally is appalling. 

“They are too often seen as a firm walking away from talks with governments, taking their life-saving drugs with them. 

“Maybe this has finally dawned on the firm and they will now hopefully adopt a fresh approach?” 

Carlie, 29, who writes a diary for the Daily Express, said: “I am waiting for Dr Leiden to respond to my letter and do hope that I’m given the opportunity to meet with him. 

“However a change of leadership, a new face in negotiations, may create better business relationships with the NHS and help us finally secure a deal.” 

David Ramsden, chief executive at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said: “The change people with CF are looking for is a deal that gives them access to life-saving drugs now.” 

The Daily Express has led a crusade for NHS England to strike a deal with Vertex. When it refused a £108million-a-year offer last July, Vertex withdrew from negotiations until we aided both parties to come together in March for talks. 

A“CF buyers club” has been created to import a cheaper Orkambi “copy” from Argentinian drug firm Gador instead. 

Yesterday Bruce I. Sachs, a director at Vertex, said: “Jeff’s leadership has transformed Vertex and delivered extraordinary value for patients and shareholders through the discovery, development and commercialisation of medicines. 

“[We are] immensely grateful to Jeff for his relentless dedication to science and innovation, which has transformed the treatment of CF. The Board looks forward to Jeff’s ongoing leadership and strategic guidance in his role as executive chairman.” 

Mr Sachs said Dr Kewalramani was “an accomplished scientist and physician with more than 20 years of experience in medicine and biotechnology”. 

Dr Leiden said: “It has been a tremendous privilege to lead Vertex since 2012. I look forward to playing a continued, active role in the company and supporting Reshma. 

“Importantly, she has a track record of putting patients first and driving innovation to have a transformative impact on patients’ lives.” 

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