Verona Pharma Acquisition by MSD Approved by High Court of Justice of England and Wales.
ByAinvest
Monday, Oct 6, 2025 4:07 pm ET1min read
VRNA--
The last day of trading for Verona ADSs on Nasdaq is expected to be October 6, 2025, with trading being halted before the opening of trading on October 7, 2025. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur on October 7, 2025, following the delivery of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies [1].
Verona Pharma, a company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for chronic respiratory diseases, has seen strong financial momentum. In Q1 2025, net revenues reached $76.3 million, nearly double Q4 2024, driven primarily by the sales of Ohtuvayre, a first-in-class inhaled dual inhibitor of PDE3 and PDE4 for maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [2].
The acquisition by MSD, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., will strengthen MSD's respiratory portfolio ahead of upcoming patent expirations on Keytruda. Ohtuvayre, which received FDA approval in June 2024, is being evaluated for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in ongoing trials [2].
The acquisition is expected to accelerate the drug's reach to COPD patients, leveraging MSD's commercial and clinical capabilities. The deal was approved by Verona Pharma shareholders with 99.49% voting in favor [2].
Verona Pharma has announced that the High Court of Justice of England and Wales has approved the acquisition by MSD for $107 per American Depository Share, totaling $10 billion. The transaction will be implemented by a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under English law, with the last day of trading Verona ADSs on Nasdaq expected to be October 6, 2025. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur on October 7, 2025.
Verona Pharma plc (Nasdaq: VRNA) has announced that the High Court of Justice of England and Wales has approved MSD's acquisition of the biopharmaceutical company for $107 per American Depository Share (ADS), totaling approximately $10 billion. The acquisition, which was first announced on July 8, 2025, will be implemented via a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under English law [1].The last day of trading for Verona ADSs on Nasdaq is expected to be October 6, 2025, with trading being halted before the opening of trading on October 7, 2025. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur on October 7, 2025, following the delivery of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies [1].
Verona Pharma, a company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for chronic respiratory diseases, has seen strong financial momentum. In Q1 2025, net revenues reached $76.3 million, nearly double Q4 2024, driven primarily by the sales of Ohtuvayre, a first-in-class inhaled dual inhibitor of PDE3 and PDE4 for maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [2].
The acquisition by MSD, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., will strengthen MSD's respiratory portfolio ahead of upcoming patent expirations on Keytruda. Ohtuvayre, which received FDA approval in June 2024, is being evaluated for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in ongoing trials [2].
The acquisition is expected to accelerate the drug's reach to COPD patients, leveraging MSD's commercial and clinical capabilities. The deal was approved by Verona Pharma shareholders with 99.49% voting in favor [2].
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