Verona Pharma plc (VRNA) Nears $10B Merck Buyout, Ohtuvayre Boosts COPD Portfolio

We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Performing Healthcare Stocks to Buy Right Now. Verona Pharma plc is one of them.

Verona Pharma plc (NASDAQ:VRNA) is a biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for respiratory diseases. Its lead product, Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine), is a first-in-class inhaled dual inhibitor of PDE3 and PDE4 for maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Combining bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects, Ohtuvayre received FDA approval in June 2024 and has seen rapid adoption since its launch.

In September 2025, Verona Pharma plc (NASDAQ:VRNA) shareholders approved Merck & Co., Inc.’s $10 billion acquisition of the company, with 99.49% voting in favor. The deal is expected to close on October 7, 2025, pending final UK court approval. This acquisition strengthens MRK’s respiratory portfolio ahead of upcoming patent expirations on Keytruda, with Ohtuvayre providing a high-growth addition. VRNA’s management highlighted that Merck’s commercial and clinical capabilities will accelerate the drug’s reach to COPD patients, while Ohtuvayre is also being evaluated for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in ongoing trials.

Verona Pharma plc (NASDAQ:VRNA) continues to generate strong financial momentum. Q1 2025 net revenues reached $76.3 million, nearly double Q4 2024, driven primarily by Ohtuvayre sales. The corporation also presented updated Phase 3 ENHANCE study data at the European Respiratory Society International Congress in September 2025, reinforcing the drug’s efficacy across a broad COPD population.

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