New York: TIME magazine has unveiled its 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential Companies, spotlighting global leaders driving innovation and change. This year’s list includes two biotech firms led by Indian-American CEOs: Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics. Both companies earned recognition for their groundbreaking work in genetic medicine and advanced drug development.
Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals earned a spot under the “Impact Awards” category, which highlights five companies making meaningful contributions in their industries. Under the leadership of Dr. Reshma Kewalramani, the first woman of Indian origin to lead a major U.S. biotech firm, Vertex has achieved several major milestones in the past year.
Dr. Reshma Kewalramani, CEO, Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Photo courtesy: vrtx.com)
The company gained FDA approval for Casgevy, the first CRISPR-based treatment for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. These are life-threatening blood disorders that affect millions worldwide, especially in underserved populations. Vertex co-developed the treatment with CRISPR Therapeutics.
Vertex also made headlines for launching Journavx, the first non-opioid painkiller approved by the FDA in more than 20 years. The drug marks a major step in fighting the ongoing opioid crisis and offers safer pain relief options for chronic pain patients.
Dr. Kewalramani said Vertex chose to develop the drug because “pain was an incredibly important disease where there was no innovation and where we thought we could make a big difference.” She credits the company’s strategy of rational drug design—targeting known biological pathways for diseases with high unmet needs—for its continued success.
With a market capitalization of $114 billion, Vertex is also advancing treatments for type 1 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The company’s $4.9 billion acquisition of Alpine Immune Sciences is helping accelerate its kidney disease research pipeline.
CRISPR Therapeutics, based in Switzerland and led by CEO Dr. Samarth Kulkarni, received recognition in the “Pioneers” category. The biotech firm was honored for its bold use of CRISPR gene-editing technology to treat a wider range of diseases.
The company co-developed Casgevy with Vertex and is now testing CRISPR treatments for high cholesterol and lupus, two common conditions that impact millions globally. These efforts reflect a shift from rare disease treatment toward more scalable and accessible genetic therapies.
“Since our founding, CRISPR Therapeutics has been driven by a mission to transform medicine through bold science and meaningful innovation,” said Kulkarni. “This acknowledgment is testament to the extraordinary dedication and collaboration across our teams.”
