Merck closing on $10bn deal for respiratory drugmaker Verona

Verona is focused on Ohtuvayre, a drug to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Merck is closing in on a $10bn (€8.5bn) deal to acquire respiratory drugmaker Verona Pharma, the Financial Times reported. Picture: Pexels

Merck is closing in on a $10bn (€8.5bn) deal to acquire respiratory drugmaker Verona Pharma, the Financial Times reported.

Merck would pay $107 per American depository share for the biotech company — a 23% premium to Tuesday’s closing price — the newspaper reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter.