Merck is acquiring Verona Pharma for $10 billion to expand its portfolio with the lung-disease drug Ohtuvayre, aiming to diversify as its top-selling drug Keytruda faces patent expiration. The deal, Merck's largest since 2021, reflects its strategy to offset revenue decline from Keytruda and capitalize on promising COPD treatments, with analysts optimistic about Ohtuvayre's potential to become a multibillion-dollar therapy.
Merck is acquiring Verona Pharma for $10 billion to strengthen its lung-disease portfolio, while U.S. political developments threaten to impact drugmakers through potential high tariffs and Medicaid funding cuts, notably affecting companies like Gilead and Vertex. Additionally, new clinical trials are underway for gene therapies targeting muscle-wasting diseases, and Gilead has committed to providing its HIV prevention drug to millions in low-income countries at no profit.
Merck is acquiring Verona Pharma for approximately $10 billion to expand its portfolio with Ohtuvayre, a first-in-class COPD treatment approved by the FDA, aiming to enhance growth and innovation in respiratory therapies.
Merck is acquiring UK-based Verona Pharma for $10 billion to expand its respiratory treatment portfolio and diversify revenue sources beyond its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda, with Verona's inhalable COPD treatment Ohtuvayre playing a key role.
