By Michelle Chapman
Pharmaceutical giant Merck is buying Verona Pharma, a company focused on respiratory diseases in a deal of about $10 billion.
The agreement gives Merck access to Verona Pharma’s new chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medication. US regulators approved an inhaled medication more than a year ago to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults.
“Ohtuvayre will complement and expand our cardiopulmonary disease treatment pipeline and portfolio while delivering close and long-term growth and value to shareholders.”
Verona CEO David Zaccardelli added that Merck’s commercial reach will help Ohtuvayre reach more COPD patients.
According to the National Institutes of Health, COPD is a progressive disease that can cause shortness of breath, cough, cough and difficulty breathing. It is caused by damage to the airways or other parts of the lungs, affecting more than 14 million adults in the United States.
Ohtuvayre was launched last August as the first commercial product of London-based Verona Pharma. This drug has also been studied as a possible treatment for another chronic respiratory problem that worsens over time: bronchiectasis with non-cystic fibrosis.
Merck is planning to pay $107 for each share in Verona Pharma America Deposit. This represents eight of the company’s common stock.
The deal, announced Wednesday, is approved by the boards of both companies and is expected to close in the fourth quarter. However, shareholder approval and sanctions of Verona Pharma by the High Courts of England and Wales are still needed.
Shares of New Jersey-based Merck’s Raaway rose to 25 cents to $81.63 before the market opened Wednesday.
AP health writer Tom Murphy contributed to this report.
Original issue: July 9, 2025, 5:24pm EDT
