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Merck, a globally operating pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Germany, announced a deal to acquire British company Verona Pharma for approximately $10 billion.
This strategic move is intended to augment Merck's existing portfolio of products targeting respiratory illnesses, the company stated.
By acquiring Verona, Merck will gain access to Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine), a new medicine for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug in June 2024 for ongoing treatment of adults with COPD. It is the first new inhaled medicine for this condition in over 20 years.
Merck CEO Robert M. Davis said the deal supports the company’s goal of bringing new treatments to patients while growing its business. He called Ohtuvayre a unique medicine that could help many people who still suffer from COPD symptoms despite existing treatments.
Verona CEO David Zaccardelli said the company had worked for years to bring Ohtuvayre to patients. Since its U.S. launch in August 2024, he said the drug has been quickly adopted. He believes Merck’s experience and global reach will help the medicine reach even more people.
Merck expects the deal to close in the fourth quarter of 2025. Once complete, most of the $10 billion will be recorded as the value of the Ohtuvayre drug and will be counted as a cost over time according to accounting rules.
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