Lisa Deschamps Joins Verona Pharma as Non-Executive Director

Rhea-AI Summary

Verona Pharma plc (Nasdaq: VRNA) has appointed Ms. Lisa Deschamps as a Non-Executive Director effective March 1, 2021. Deschamps, previously Senior Vice President at Novartis Gene Therapies, brings extensive experience in strategic planning and commercialization in biopharmaceuticals. Her 25-year career at Novartis includes leading global franchises and achieving significant revenue targets. The board anticipates her expertise will support the progression of ensifentrine through Phase 3 trials. Verona Pharma focuses on innovative therapies for respiratory diseases, with ensifentrine aiming to combine bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects.

Positive

• Appointment of Lisa Deschamps adds significant expertise to the board.
• Deschamps has a successful history in bringing products to market.
• Her experience aligns well with the company's focus on ensifentrine's Phase 3 trials.

Negative

• None.

LONDON and RALEIGH, N.C., March 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verona Pharma plc (Nasdaq: VRNA) (“Verona Pharma”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on respiratory diseases, announces, effective March 1, 2021, Ms. Lisa Deschamps has joined the board as a Non-Executive Director.

Ms. Deschamps is Senior Vice President, Chief Business Officer, of Novartis Gene Therapies (GTx) where she is responsible for strategic planning and worldwide commercialization of pipeline and in-market assets across the gene therapy portfolio. This includes managing significant revenue growth targets and profitability margins worldwide.

Prior to this role, Ms. Deschamps was the Head of the Global Neuroscience Franchise. During her 25-year career at Novartis, she has successfully brought small molecules, biologics and gene therapies from the clinic to commercialization. Throughout her tenure, Ms. Deschamps has gained significant global and US experience in bringing respiratory and other specialized therapeutic area products to the marketplace. In addition, she has extensive experience in the exploration of potential acquisition and partnering opportunities.

“We are delighted to welcome Lisa to the Board,” said Dr. David Ebsworth, Chairperson of Verona Pharma. “Her wealth of leadership, strategic and commercial expertise will be valuable as we progress ensifentrine through Phase 3 trials and prepare for commercialization.”

Ms. Deschamps serves on a number of commercial and development executive teams within the Novartis enterprise. She has an MBA in General Management from NYU Stern School of Business and a BBA in marketing from IONA College, Hagan School of Business.

For further information, please contact:

Verona Pharma plc	US Tel: +1-833-417-0262 UK Tel: +44 (0)20 3283 4200
Victoria Stewart, Director of Communications	info@veronapharma.com
Argot Partners (US Investor Enquiries)	Tel: +1 212-600-1902 verona@argotpartners.com
Kimberly Minarovich / Michael Barron
Optimum Strategic Communications (International Media and European Investor Enquiries)	Tel: +44 (0)203 950 9144 verona@optimumcomms.com
Mary Clark / Eva Haas / Shabnam Bashir

About Verona Pharma

Verona Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for the treatment of respiratory diseases with significant unmet medical needs. If successfully developed and approved, Verona Pharma’s product candidate, ensifentrine, has the potential to be the first therapy for the treatment of respiratory diseases that combines bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory activities in one compound. The Company is evaluating nebulized ensifentrine in its Phase 3 clinical program ENHANCE (“Ensifentrine as a Novel inHAled Nebulized COPD thErapy”) for COPD maintenance treatment. Two additional formulations of ensifentrine are currently in Phase 2 development for the treatment of COPD: dry powder inhaler (“DPI”) and pressurized metered-dose inhaler (“pMDI”). Ensifentrine is being evaluated in a pilot clinical study in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and has potential applications in cystic fibrosis, asthma and other respiratory diseases. For more information, please visit www.veronapharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from our expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

FAQ

What recent board changes occurred at Verona Pharma (VRNA)?

Verona Pharma appointed Lisa Deschamps as a Non-Executive Director effective March 1, 2021.

What is Lisa Deschamps' background before joining Verona Pharma (VRNA)?

Deschamps was the Senior Vice President at Novartis Gene Therapies, with extensive experience in strategic planning and commercialization.

How will Deschamps' expertise impact Verona Pharma (VRNA)?

Her expertise in product commercialization and strategic planning is expected to support the advancement of ensifentrine through clinical trials.

What is ensifentrine's significance for Verona Pharma (VRNA)?

Ensifentrine aims to be a novel therapy combining bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects for respiratory diseases.