Merck (MRK) and Verona Pharma plc (VRNA) have entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire Verona Pharma for $107 per American Depository Share, each of which represents eight Verona Pharma ordinary shares, for a total transaction value of approximately $10 billion. Verona Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases with significant unmet medical needs.
Through the acquisition, Merck will add Ohtuvayre, a selective dual inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 3 and 4, to its cardio-pulmonary pipeline and portfolio. The FDA approved Ohtuvayre in June 2024 for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adult patients.
Shares of Verona Pharma are up 20% in pre-market trade on Wednesday.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.