Key Takeaways MRK to acquire Verona Pharma for 10B,addingFDA−approvedCOPDdrugOhtuvayretoitsportfolio.OhtuvayreoffersdualPDE3/4inhibition,combiningbronchodilationandanti−inflammatoryeffects.ThedealsupportsMRK′sdiversificationasKeytrudafacespatentexpiryandincreasedcompetition.Earlierthisweek, Merck(MRK)announcedadefinitiveagreementtoacquireVeronaPharma (VRNA)forapproximately10 billion. The deal will add Verona’s Ohtuvayre, approved for the maintenance treatmen ...