Grant of Options

For immediate release Grant of options 29 July 2013 - London, UK - Verona Pharma plc (AIM: VRP.L), announces that theBoard on 26 July 2013 granted options over 5,000,000 shares in the Company toCEO, Dr. Jan-Anders Karlsson, and options over 1,500,000 shares to each ofChairman, Prof. Clive Page, and Corporate Director, Claire Poll. Part of theoptions granted to Dr. Karlsson will be granted under the Company's EMI planand the balance of the options will be granted under the Company's unapprovedshare option plan. The options, which have an exercise price of 4 pence, will,subject to the achievement of performance conditions, vest one third on each of26 July 2014, 2015 and 2016 and will remain exercisable until 26 July 2023. Following the grant of the options, the recipients will have the followinginterests in the Company: Recipient Shares Options Jan-Anders Karlsson 800,000 5,000,000 options exercisable at 4p 5,000,000 options exercisable at 5-15p Prof. Clive Page 5,773,928 2,000,000 options exercisable at 4p 2,000,000 options exercisable at 5p Claire Poll 4,750,000 2,000,000 options exercisable at 4p 2,000,000 options exercisable at 5p Prof. Trevor Jones, Chairman of the Company's Remuneration Committee, commentedthat: "The Board acknowledges the outstanding commitment of Jan-Anders, Cliveand Claire and the progress made during the past 12 months in refining thestrategic vision for the Company, strengthening its capabilities and expertiseand positioning for future success. Whilst remuneration has been at a verymodest level in order to conserve cash, it is important that management isproperly incentivized to develop the business and thereby create value forshareholders." -Ends- For more information please contact: Verona Pharma plc Tel: 020 7863 3300Jan-Anders Karlsson, CEO info@veronapharma.com WH Ireland Group Plc Tel: 020 7220 1650Chris Fielding Chris.fielding@WH-Ireland.co.uk