Grant of Share Options

Verona Pharma plc ("Verona Pharma" or the "Company") Grant of Share Options 30 January 2015, Cardiff - Verona Pharma plc (AIM: VRP) announces that theBoard has on 29 January 2015 granted options over 32,600,000 ordinary shares("Options") in the Company to certain of its executive directors and employees,in accordance with the terms of the Company's share option plans. Half of theOptions will vest on 29 January 2017 and the other half on 29 January 2018. Of the Options granted, 17,000,000 are to the following executive directors: Director No. of Options granted Exercise Price of Options Jan-Anders Karlsson, CEO 15,000,000 2.5 pence Biresh Roy, CFO 2,000,000 2.5 pence Jan-Anders Karlsson's total beneficial interest in the Company remains1,709,091 ordinary shares, representing 0.17% of the Company's issued sharecapital. Following this grant, Dr. Karlsson holds options over 28,000,000ordinary shares, representing 2.77% of the Company's issued share capital, witha range of exercise prices between 2.5 and 15 pence per option. Following this grant, Biresh Roy holds options over 8,000,000 ordinary shares,representing 0.79% of the Company's issued share capital, with a range ofexercise prices between 2.2 and 2.5 pence per option. -Ends- For further information please contact: Verona Pharma plc Tel: +44 (0) 20 3283 4200Jan-Anders Karlsson, CEO N+1 Singer Tel: +44 (0)20 7496 3000Aubrey Powell / Jen Boorer Notes to Editors About Verona Pharma plc Verona Pharma plc is a UK-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical companyfocused on the development of innovative prescription medicines to treatrespiratory diseases with significant unmet medical needs, such as COPD, asthmaand cystic fibrosis. Verona Pharma's lead drug, RPL554, is a first-in-classdrug currently in Phase II trials as a nebulised treatment for acuteexacerbations of COPD in the hospital setting. The drug is adual phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3/4 inhibitor and therefore has bothbronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects, which are essential to theimprovement of patients with COPD and asthma. Verona Pharma is also building abroader franchise around RPL554 to maximise its value, both to patients and toinvestors. This includes the very significant markets for COPD and asthmamaintenance therapy. The Company is also exploring the potential of the drug indifferent diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, where it is in pre-clinicaltesting.