David Zaccardelli, Pharm.D. joins Board as Chair Rita Jain, M.D., joins Board as an Independent Director MIAMI, Jan. 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SAB Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SABS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a fully human anti-thymocyte immunoglobulin (hATG) for type 1 diabetes (T1D) and other autoimmune diseases, today announced the appointment of David Zaccardelli, Pharm.D. to its Board of Directors as Chair of the Board and the appointment of Rita Jain, M.D., as an indep ...

MENLO PARK, Calif., Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. (“Oruka”) (Nasdaq: ORKA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel biologics designed to set a new standard for the treatment of chronic skin diseases including plaque psoriasis (PsO), today announced the appointment of Chris Martin to its Board of Directors. Additionally, Cameron Turtle, DPhil, resigned from the Board effective December 11, 2025. “As we rapidly advance our co-lead programs through development, I’m ...

Core Insights - Verona Pharma plc is recognized as one of the 12 best performing healthcare stocks currently available for investment [1] - The company specializes in developing therapies for respiratory diseases, with its leading product Ohtuvayre being a first-in-class inhaled dual inhibitor for COPD [2] Group 1: Company Overview - Verona Pharma plc (NASDAQ:VRNA) focuses on biopharmaceuticals, particularly for respiratory conditions [2] - Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine) received FDA approval in June 2024 and has been rapidly adopted for the maintenance treatment of COPD [2] Group 2: Acquisition Details - In September 2025, shareholders approved Merck & Co., Inc.'s $10 billion acquisition of Verona Pharma, with 99.49% voting in favor [3] - The acquisition is set to close on October 7, 2025, pending final UK court approval, and aims to enhance Merck's respiratory portfolio [3] Group 3: Financial Performance - Verona Pharma reported Q1 2025 net revenues of $76.3 million, nearly double the revenues from Q4 2024, primarily driven by Ohtuvayre sales [4] - Updated Phase 3 ENHANCE study data presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress in September 2025 reinforced the drug's efficacy across a broad COPD population [4]

Core Insights - Verona Pharma plc is presenting two posters on additional analyses from its Phase 3 ENHANCE studies of Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine) for COPD treatment at the European Respiratory Society International Congress 2025 [1][3] - Ohtuvayre is a first-in-class selective dual inhibitor of PDE3 and PDE4, combining bronchodilator and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory effects, marking the first novel inhaled mechanism for COPD maintenance treatment in over 20 years [2][4] Group 1: Ohtuvayre's Clinical Data - The posters focus on subgroup analyses demonstrating the benefits of ensifentrine on lung function, exacerbation rates, and COPD symptoms, including dyspnea and quality of life based on baseline dyspnea levels [3] - Poster 3613 presents the effect of ensifentrine on COPD symptoms and quality of life, while Poster 3614 discusses its impact on lung function and exacerbations [3] Group 2: Company Overview - Verona Pharma is dedicated to developing innovative therapies for chronic respiratory diseases with significant unmet medical needs, with Ohtuvayre being its first commercial product [6] - The company is also developing a fixed-dose combination of ensifentrine and glycopyrrolate for COPD maintenance treatment [4]

Core Viewpoint - Merck & Co. Inc. is acquiring Verona Pharma plc for approximately $10 billion, adding Ohtuvayre, a novel treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), to its portfolio [1][2][4] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition price is set at $107 per American Depository Share (ADS), with each ADS representing eight ordinary shares of Verona Pharma [1] - The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, with most of the purchase price capitalized as an intangible asset for Ohtuvayre [3] Group 2: Product Information - Ohtuvayre, approved by the U.S. FDA in June 2024, is the first new inhaled mechanism for COPD in over 20 years, combining bronchodilator and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory effects [2] - Ohtuvayre is also under evaluation in clinical trials for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis [2] Group 3: Industry Context - The acquisition reflects a trend of large pharmaceutical companies acquiring biotech firms with approved, revenue-generating products to replace revenue from drugs losing patent protection [4] - Merck's Keytruda, the top-selling drug globally with nearly $30 billion in annual revenue, is expected to face patent expiration and U.S. government price-setting rules by 2028 [4] Group 4: Merck's Acquisition Strategy - Since Rob Davis became CEO in April 2021, Merck has been highly active in acquisitions and licensing, with the highest deal count and spending in the pharmaceutical industry [5] - Investors are urging Merck to pursue more deals to offset anticipated sales declines following Keytruda's patent expiration, with Davis seeking deals worth between $1 billion and $15 billion [5] Group 5: Market Reaction - Following the announcement, Verona Pharma's stock rose by 20.7% to $104.83, while Merck's stock increased by 0.50% to $81.78 during premarket trading [6]

Company Participation in Conferences - Verona Pharma's senior management will participate in the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference on June 4, 2025, at 11:05 a.m. ET in New York, NY [1] - The company will also be present at the Goldman Sachs 46th Annual Global Healthcare Conference on June 9, 2025, at 2:40 p.m. ET in Miami, FL [1] - Webcasts of each conference presentation will be available on the company's website [1] Company Overview - Verona Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for chronic respiratory diseases with significant unmet medical needs [3] - The company's first commercial product, Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine), is the first inhaled therapy for the maintenance treatment of COPD that combines bronchodilator and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory activities in one molecule [3] - Ensifentrine has potential applications in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and other respiratory diseases [3]

Core Insights - Verona Pharma plc announces the presentation of ten posters, including seven analyses from its Phase 3 ENHANCE studies on Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine) for COPD treatment at the ATS 2025 conference [1][3] - Ohtuvayre is a first-in-class selective dual inhibitor of PDE3 and PDE4, combining bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects, marking the first novel inhaled mechanism for COPD maintenance treatment in over 20 years [2][6] Group 1: Clinical Findings - The ENHANCE posters include subgroup analyses of Ohtuvayre's effects as monotherapy and in patients with comorbid conditions such as cardiac disorders and type 2 diabetes [3] - Ohtuvayre demonstrated improvements in lung function and reduced exacerbation rates in symptomatic patients with moderate-to-severe COPD [4] - A pooled analysis indicated that Ohtuvayre reduced exacerbation rates regardless of FEV1 improvement [4] Group 2: Nonclinical Studies - Nonclinical studies presented include a tissue distribution study in rats showing no brain exposure and a model demonstrating antifibrotic effects of inhaled ensifentrine [3][5] - The effects of ensifentrine on lung fibrosis were evaluated in a rat bleomycin model [5] Group 3: Company Overview - Verona Pharma focuses on developing therapies for chronic respiratory diseases with significant unmet medical needs, with Ohtuvayre being its first commercial product [7] - The company is also developing a fixed-dose combination of ensifentrine and glycopyrrolate for COPD maintenance treatment [6]

Group 1 - Verona Pharma plc has launched its COPD drug Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine) and is only three quarters into the launch phase, indicating potential for significant market impact [1] - The discussion surrounding Ohtuvayre as a blockbuster drug is gaining traction, suggesting optimism about its future performance [1] Group 2 - The company operates in the biotech sector, focusing on trading around key events such as trial results and regulatory approvals [1]

Financial Performance - Total net revenue for Q1 2025 was $76.3 million, driven by Ohtuvayre net sales of $71.3 million, representing a 95% increase compared to Q4 2024 [1][11] - Approximately 25,000 prescriptions were filled in Q1 2025, with new patient starts over 25% greater than those in Q4 2024 [6][2] - The company reported a net loss of $16.3 million for Q1 2025, an improvement from a net loss of $25.8 million in Q1 2024 [11][25] Product Launch and Market Performance - The launch of Ohtuvayre for the treatment of COPD has shown remarkable growth, with significant increases in prescriptions, prescribers, new patients, and refills [2][3] - The number of prescribers grew by approximately 50% to around 5,300 compared to the end of Q4 2024, with 60% of prescribers classified as Tier 1 healthcare professionals [6][2] - Refills accounted for approximately 60% of overall dispenses, indicating strong ongoing demand for Ohtuvayre [6] Clinical Development and Regulatory Updates - Verona is currently enrolling subjects in a Phase 2 clinical study of ensifentrine for bronchiectasis and plans to initiate a Phase 2b study for a fixed-dose combination of ensifentrine and glycopyrrolate for COPD in the second half of 2025 [3][6] - The company is progressing regulatory activities for potential marketing authorization applications for Ohtuvayre in the EU and UK in 2025 [6] - A newly granted patent for Ohtuvayre is set to expire in June 2044, enhancing the product's market position [11] Financial Position and Strategic Initiatives - As of March 31, 2025, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $401.4 million, showing a slight increase from $399.8 million at the end of 2024 [11][25] - Verona amended its strategic financing agreements, increasing its debt facility to $450 million under more favorable terms, which enhances financial flexibility [11] - The company plans to add approximately 30 new sales representatives in Q3 2025 to further accelerate the launch of Ohtuvayre [2]