Michael Austwick Joins Verona Pharma as Non-Executive Director

LONDON and RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verona Pharma plc (Nasdaq: VRNA) (“Verona Pharma”) announces Mr. Michael Austwick has today joined the board as a Non-Executive Director.

Mr. Austwick brings a wealth of strategic and operational experience in the biopharmaceutical industry including more than 15 years of respiratory expertise in leadership roles across the US, China, Europe and Japan. Most recently, he served as CEO at Vectura, and previously as Nordic General Manager and Head of the Global Respiratory Franchise at Novartis and as Head of US Respiratory and Vice President Global Inhaled Respiratory at AstraZeneca. Mr. Austwick has led the development and commercialization of more than 10 brands, covering inhaled and biologic assets at a country and global level. He has an MSc in Information Management from the University of Hull and a BSc in Management and Systems from City University, London.

“We are delighted to welcome Michael to the Board,” said Dr. David Ebsworth, Chairperson of Verona Pharma. “His deep respiratory development and commercialization expertise, spanning the full value chain, will add to the breadth of experience of the Board as we prepare for the US launch of ensifentrine, if approved, later this year.”

Verona Pharma also announces that Mr. Rishi Gupta, Partner at OrbiMed, has stepped down from the board as a Non-Executive Director effective January 31, 2024.

Dr. Ebsworth added: “We would like to thank Rishi for his numerous contributions to Verona Pharma’s successful development over the past 7 years. During this time, he has overseen the Company’s listing on NASDAQ, the completion of several financings and the progression of our novel product candidate, ensifentrine, through Phase 3 clinical trials into review for potential US approval.”

For further information please contact:

Verona Pharma plc	US Tel: [phone] UK Tel: [phone]
Victoria Stewart, Senior Director of Investor Relations and Communications	[e-mail]
Argot Partners US Investor Enquiries	Tel: [phone] [e-mail]
Ten Bridge Communications International / US Media Enquiries	Tel: [phone] [e-mail]
Leslie Humbel

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