Vertex's cystic fibrosis research program has yielded two innovative approaches for the treatment of this disease.

Vertex achieved all of its clinical, research and financial objectives in 2005. In particular, we increased our financial strength as we advanced potentially transformational compounds targeting hepatitis C virus (HCV), rheumatoid arthritis and cystic fibrosis. Our performance last year has positioned us to build momentum in 2006.

There's a lot of research to suggest that achievement is tied to one's own socioeconomic status. On average a low-income child is not going to do as well on average as a middle-class child. If I am a middle-class child doing well and I'm attending a high-poverty school, I'm going to do less well on average.

We are focusing now on [applications] that are relevant to disease detection and treatment. The technique can also be used to track newly developed drugs as they travel into various types of cells. We are only a year or so away from this type of application.

I envision devices that detect disease much earlier than conventional detection methods. It could eventually be possible to initiate treatment at this very early stage using implanted devices that communicate with cells at the molecular level.

No one has seen these results before with any regimen over any period of time. They can't get any better.