Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ Zimislecel Shows Promising Advances in Type 1 Diabetes Treatment, Earning a Buy Rating

William Blair analyst Myles Minter has reiterated their bullish stance on VRTX stock, giving a Buy rating on June 13.

Myles Minter has given his Buy rating due to a combination of factors related to Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ promising developments in their islet cell therapy asset, zimislecel (VX-880), for treating type 1 diabetes (T1D). The recent data presented at the American Diabetes Association 2025 meeting highlighted the efficacy and durability of zimislecel in managing blood-glucose levels in difficult-to-treat T1D patients. This data, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, underscores the potential of zimislecel to significantly impact the T1D treatment landscape, especially considering the planned Biologics License Application (BLA) filing in 2026.
Minter’s rating is also influenced by the successful outcomes from the Phase I/II portion of the FORWARD trial, which demonstrated effective insulin secretion and regulation without hypoglycemia, indicating successful beta cell engraftment. The ability of zimislecel-treated patients to maintain normal blood-glucose levels while reducing or eliminating the need for exogenous insulin suggests a substantial improvement in patient lifestyle. This potential to address the unmet needs of the 35%-40% of T1D patients who struggle to meet ADA guidelines further supports the Buy rating, as it indicates a significant market opportunity for Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

In another report released on June 13, BMO Capital also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $557.00 price target.