US-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq: VRTX) announced on Tuesday that Vertex and the Vertex Foundation, a non-profit charitable foundation, have committed USD50m over five years to clinical trial diversity, access to quality care, and education of our health care workforce.

Vertex said that the donations are an extension of its long-standing commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity and the existing work of the Vertex Foundation to promote these values through education, innovation and various health programs.

'We're delighted to be working with Year Up, JDRF and the Massachusetts General Hospital, along with a number of other extraordinary organisations to advance our collective goal of having a more equitable society as a whole and a more equitable health care system in particular,' said Reshma Kewalramani, M.D., Vertex chief executive officer and president. 'In conjunction with our announcement today of the expansion of our cell and genetic therapies footprint, this USD50m commitment reflects our ongoing commitment to close the gaps in health care research, access, quality and patient outcomes for underrepresented communities.'