Biogen (BIIB) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Biogen (BIIB) has outperformed Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) over the past year, gaining 45.9% versus a gain of 23.2%. Over five years, VRTX leads with a +178.2% price change compared with -21.0% for BIIB. Vertex Pharmaceuticals is the larger company by market cap ($127.55 billion vs $32.27 billion), about 4.0 times the size.
On valuation, Biogen trades at a lower forward P/E (13.2x vs 25.0x for Vertex Pharmaceuticals). Vertex Pharmaceuticals converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 32.9% versus 13.1%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BIIB | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $218.43 | $503.25 |
| Market cap | $32.27B | $127.55B |
| 1-day change | -1.67% | -0.47% |
| YTD return | +26.23% | +11.53% |
| 1-year return | +45.95% | +23.24% |
| 5-year return | -21.00% | +178.18% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 38.80 | 29.31 |
| Forward P/E | 13.22 | 25.02 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.63 | $17.17 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $9.89B | $12.00B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.22% | +8.90% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.29B | $3.95B |
| Gross margin | 75.69% | 86.24% |
| Operating margin | — | 34.77% |
| Net margin | 13.07% | 32.94% |
| 52-week high | $230.49 | $560.25 |
| 52-week low | $138.00 | $402.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.23% | -10.17% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +9.04% | +13.54% |
| Average volume | 1.07M | 1.16M |
| Shares outstanding | 147.75M | 253.46M |
| Employees | 7,500 | 6,400 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals is about 4.0 times larger than Biogen by market value ($127.55B vs $32.27B).
- BIIB has outperformed VRTX by 22.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Biogen trades at a higher earnings multiple (38.8x vs 29.3x trailing P/E).
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals is more profitable, keeping 32.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 13.1 cents for Biogen.
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.90% vs +2.22%).
About Biogen
BIIB stock →Biogen Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, and delivers therapies in the United States, Europe, Germany, Asia, and internationally.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) · 7,500 employees
About Vertex Pharmaceuticals
VRTX stock →Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated operates as a biotechnology company in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers transformative medicines for people with serious diseases with a focus on specialty markets, such as cystic fibrosis (CF), sickle cell disease (SCD), transfusion dependent beta thalassemia (TDT), and acute pain.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 6,400 employees
BIIB vs VRTX FAQ
Which is bigger, Biogen or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $127.55B compared with $32.27B for Biogen (BIIB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BIIB or VRTX?
BIIB returned +45.95% over the past 12 months, compared with +23.24% for VRTX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BIIB or VRTX?
VRTX has the lower trailing P/E at 29.3, versus 38.8 for BIIB. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are Biogen and Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the same industry?
Both are in the Health Care sector, but in different industries: Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) for Biogen and Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations for Vertex Pharmaceuticals.