Merck Completes Acquisition of Verona Pharma, Adding COPD Drug Ohtuvayre to Portfolio
Merck has completed its acquisition of Verona Pharma, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary. As a result, Verona Pharma’s American Depositary Shares will no longer be traded on the Nasdaq. This acquisition adds Ohtuvayre, a new treatment for COPD, to Merck’s portfolio. Ohtuvayre is the first novel inhaled mechanism for COPD maintenance in over 20 years and has received FDA approval. Merck aims to expand access to this medication and collaborate with Verona Pharma's team to enhance its performance.
Merck has completed its acquisition of Verona Pharma, making the company a wholly-owned subsidiary. As part of the deal, Verona Pharma’s American Depositary Shares will no longer be listed or traded on the Nasdaq Global Market. This transaction brings Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine), a first-in-class maintenance treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults, into Merck’s cardio-pulmonary portfolio. Ohtuvayre, recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is the first novel inhaled mechanism for COPD maintenance in over 20 years and combines bronchodilator and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory effects. Merck plans to expand access to Ohtuvayre and will work with new colleagues from Verona Pharma to further build on the medicine’s performance. Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Merck & Co. Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief via Business Wire (Ref. ID: 20251007814715) on October 07, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. © Copyright 2025 - Public Technologies (PUBT)
