BOSTON (Diya TV) — TIME magazine has unveiled its 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential Companies, spotlighting global leaders driving innovation and change. This year’s list includes two biotech firms led by Indian-American CEOs: Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics. Both companies earned recognition for their groundbreaking work in genetic medicine and advanced drug development.
Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals earned a spot under the “Impact Awards” category, which highlights five companies making meaningful contributions in their industries. Under the leadership of Dr. Reshma Kewalramani, the first woman of Indian origin to lead a major U.S. biotech firm, Vertex has achieved several major milestones in the past year.
The company gained FDA approval for Casgevy, the first CRISPR-based treatment for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. These are life-threatening blood disorders that affect millions worldwide, especially in underserved populations. Vertex co-developed the treatment with CRISPR Therapeutics.
Vertex also made headlines for launching Journavx, the first non-opioid painkiller approved by the FDA in more than 20 years. The drug marks a major step in fighting the ongoing opioid crisis and offers safer pain relief options for chronic pain patients.
Dr. Kewalramani said Vertex chose to develop the drug because “pain was an incredibly important disease where there was no innovation and where we thought we could make a big difference.” She credits the company’s strategy of rational drug design—targeting known biological pathways for diseases with high unmet needs—for its continued success.
With a market capitalization of $114 billion, Vertex is also advancing treatments for type 1 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The company’s $4.9 billion acquisition of Alpine Immune Sciences is helping accelerate its kidney disease research pipeline.
CRISPR Therapeutics, based in Switzerland and led by CEO Dr. Samarth Kulkarni, received recognition in the “Pioneers” category. The biotech firm was honored for its bold use of CRISPR gene-editing technology to treat a wider range of diseases.
The company co-developed Casgevy with Vertex and is now testing CRISPR treatments for high cholesterol and lupus, two common conditions that impact millions globally. These efforts reflect a shift from rare disease treatment toward more scalable and accessible genetic therapies.
“Since our founding, CRISPR Therapeutics has been driven by a mission to transform medicine through bold science and meaningful innovation,” said Kulkarni. “This acknowledgment is testament to the extraordinary dedication and collaboration across our teams.”
Kulkarni’s leadership is steering the company toward more equitable healthcare, making gene-editing therapies available to broader patient populations. By pushing the boundaries of genetic medicine, CRISPR Therapeutics is shaping the future of personalized medicine.
The inclusion of Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics on TIME’s 2025 list not only highlights advances in biotech but also celebrates the growing influence of Indian American leaders in global healthcare innovation. Both Kewalramani and Kulkarni have become prominent voices in the push for curative, one-time treatments that aim to eliminate disease at its root.
Their companies stand out for developing high-impact therapies that can transform lives. From gene editing to non-opioid pain relief, these firms are tackling some of today’s most pressing medical challenges.
India-based Qure.ai also made the 2025 TIME100 list, marking a major win for health-tech innovation out of South Asia. Founded in Mumbai and led by Prashant Warier, Qure.ai uses artificial intelligence to analyze medical images like X-rays and CT scans. Its tools help detect early signs of diseases such as tuberculosis and brain trauma, especially in low-resource settings where radiologists are scarce.
“It’s like having a highly-trained assistant that never gets tired,” Warier said. With deployment in over 100 countries and 18 FDA clearances, Qure.ai is transforming healthcare access across the globe.
TIME’s annual list honors companies that are reshaping industries, solving urgent problems, and delivering real-world impact. The 2025 edition, published online on June 26 and in print on July 7, features leaders who are using science and technology to improve lives.
With bold ideas and visionary leadership, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, CRISPR Therapeutics, and Qure.ai show how biotech and health-tech can drive meaningful global change. Their recognition reflects a growing shift toward innovative, data-driven, and patient-centered healthcare solutions.
