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Verona Pharma PLC (NASDAQ:VRNA) Chief Financial Officer Mark W. Hahn sold 208,912 ordinary shares of the company on August 1, 2025, for $13.1437 each, totaling approximately $2.75 million. The transaction comes as the $8.98 billion market cap company trades near its 52-week high of $105.50, having delivered an impressive 127% return year-to-date.
The transaction was executed automatically to cover taxes related to the vesting of Restricted Share Units.
On the same day, Hahn also acquired 255,696 ordinary shares through the exercise of Restricted Stock Units at a price of $0.
Following these transactions, Hahn directly owns 12,464,968 ordinary shares of Verona Pharma PLC.
In other recent news, Merck (NSE:PROR) has announced its intention to acquire Verona Pharma for $107 per American Depositary Share in a deal valued at approximately $10 billion. This acquisition represents a 23% premium over Verona Pharma’s previous closing price. The transaction is expected to finalize in the fourth quarter of 2025. Following this announcement, several analyst firms, including Roth/MKM, BTIG, and TD Cowen, downgraded Verona Pharma’s stock rating from Buy to Neutral or Hold, reflecting the acquisition’s impact on future expectations.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) has maintained an Equalweight rating on Merck with a price target of $99, indicating a steady outlook despite the acquisition. The acquisition is seen as favorable for Verona Pharma shareholders, as it leverages Merck’s resources to scale Ohtuvayre’s sales, projected to reach $3.9 billion by 2035. The deal highlights Merck’s strategic move to expand its portfolio in the pharmaceutical industry. These developments are part of Merck’s broader strategy to enhance its market position through significant acquisitions.
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