Director Dealing

Verona Pharma plc

("Verona Pharma" or the "Company")

Director Dealing

21 January 2016, Cardiff - Verona Pharma plc (AIM: VRP) received notification that on 20 January 2016 David Ebsworth, Director of the Company, purchased 400,000 ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each of the Company ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 2.5 pence per Ordinary Share.

Following the transaction David Ebsworth has a total interest of 4,599,774 Ordinary Shares, representing 0.46% of the total voting rights.

-Ends-

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Notes to Editors

About Verona Pharma plc

Verona Pharma plc is a UK-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative prescription medicines to treat respiratory diseases with significant unmet medical needs, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and cystic fibrosis.

Verona Pharma's lead drug, RPL554, is a first-in-class drug currently in Phase II trials as a nebulised treatment for acute exacerbations of COPD in the hospital setting. The drug is a dual phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3/4 inhibitor and therefore has both bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects, which are essential to the improvement of patients with COPD and asthma.

Verona Pharma is also building a broader portfolio of RPL554-containing products to maximise its benefit to patients and its value. This includes the very significant markets for COPD and asthma maintenance therapy. The Company is also exploring the potential of the drug in different diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, where it is in pre-clinical testing and has received a Venture and Innovation Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.