Verona Pharma (VRNA) might move higher on growing optimism about its earnings prospects, which is reflected by its upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Does Verona Pharma PLC American Depositary Share (VRNA) have what it takes to be a top stock pick for momentum investors? Let's find out.
MRK's $10B buyout of VRNA brings in Ohtuvayre, a unique COPD therapy set to bolster its cardio-pulmonary portfolio.
VRNA jumps 20% after Merck unveils buyout to add COPD drug Ohtuvayre and reduce its reliance on Keytruda.
Facing a looming patent cliff on its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda, Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK, ETR:6MK) is putting the finishing touches to a $10 billion deal to acquire Verona Pharma, a specialist in lung disease therapies, the Financial Times reported. The planned purchase price of $107 per American Depositary Share represents a 35% premium to Verona's most recent Nasdaq close.
The average of price targets set by Wall Street analysts indicates a potential upside of 26% in Verona Pharma (VRNA). While the effectiveness of this highly sought-after metric is questionable, the positive trend in earnings estimate revisions might translate into an upside in the stock.
Verona Pharma (VRNA) could be a solid choice for shorter-term investors looking to capitalize on the recent price trend in fundamentally sound stocks. It is one of the many stocks that passed through our shorter-term trading strategy-based screen.
VRNA's COPD drug Ohtuvayre shows impressive Q1'25 net sales of $71.3M in just its third quarter of sales, all but confirming the blockbuster future of the drug. Ongoing R&D and trials, including a phase 3 trial in China that should readout in Q2'25, represent future clinical catalysts. A partnership in the UK or Europe is another potential near-term catalyst, although if the terms are not favorable, that could impact the performance of the stock.
Verona Pharma plc (NASDAQ:VRNA ) Q1 2025 Earnings Conference Call April 29, 2025 9:00 AM ET Company Participants Victoria Stewart - Senior Director, Investor Relations and Communications David Zaccardelli - President and CEO Mark Hahn - CFO Christopher Martin - CCO Tara Rheault - Chief Development Officer Kathleen Rickard - Chief Medical Officer Conference Call Participants Andrew Tsai - Jefferies Yasmeen Rahimi - Piper Sandler Olivia Brayer - Cantor Fitzgerald Tara Bancroft - TD Cowen Tiago Fauth - Wells Fargo Thomas Shrader - BTIG Ram Selvaraju - HCW Sushila Hernandez - Van Lanschot Kempen Boobalan Pachaiyappan - ROTH Operator Welcome to Verona Pharma's First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Operating Highlights Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode.
Ohtuvayre's robust launch for COPD treatment exceeded expectations, with Q4 revenue of $36.6 million and FY24 revenue of $42.3 million, indicating strong market demand. Verona's financial health is solid with $399.757 million in cash, providing a cash runway into 2028, despite a net loss of $33.8 million in Q4. Verona is extending Ohtuvayre's life cycle through new formulations and fixed-dose combinations, aiming for cash flow break-even with a quarterly run rate near $300 million.
Verona Pharma plc (NASDAQ:VRNA ) Q4 2024 Earnings Conference Call February 27, 2024 9:00 AM ET Company Participants David Zaccardelli - President and CEO Mark Hahn - CFO Christopher Martin - CCO Conference Call Participants Andrew Tsai - Jefferies Yasmeen Rahimi - Piper Sandler Tiago Fauth - Wells Fargo Tom Shrader - BTIG Ram Selvaraju - HCW Joon Lee - Truist Boobalan Pachaiyappan - ROTH Operator Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Verona Pharma Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Conference Call.
If you are looking for stocks that are well positioned to maintain their recent uptrend, Verona Pharma (VRNA) could be a great choice. It is one of the several stocks that passed through our "Recent Price Strength" screen.