In conjunction with the pediatric approval, the firm announced that it was lowering its guidance for Orkambi revenues in 2016 to $950m-$990m, down from $1bn-$1.1bn. The drug brought in $223m and $245m in the first and second quarters, respectively, and Vertex anticipates third quarter sales of $230m-$235m. The company attributed the adjustment to:

"The slower than anticipated launch in Germany, where fewer than 20% of the approximately 2,500 eligible patients have initiated treatment to date;
That we are approaching peak penetration for Orkambi in the US, where there are approximately 8,500 eligible patients ages 12 and older; and
Slower than expected refills for Orkambi during the summer months of July and August."

Vertex expects growth in 2017 to be driven by growth from the new pediatric indication and "obtaining reimbursement approvals in key European and other countries."

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