Verona Pharma plc                               

                          ("Verona Pharma" or the "Company")                       

                                  Directorate Change                               

    11 January 2016, Cardiff - Verona Pharma plc (AIM: VRP.L), the drug development
    company focused on first-in-class medicines to treat respiratory diseases,
    announces the resignation of Biresh Roy, Chief Financial Officer of the
    Company. He will step down from the Board with immediate effect but will remain
    with Verona Pharma for up to six months to allow time for a suitable successor
    to be appointed and for an orderly handover. The Board has commenced a search
    for his successor and a further announcement will be made in due course.

    Dr. David Ebsworth, Chairman of Verona Pharma, said: "The Board would like to
    thank Biresh for his many contributions to the Company. This has been a
    particularly formative time for Verona Pharma as it has delivered on important
    operational and clinical goals it set at the time of the 2014 Financing in a
    timely manner. Importantly, Biresh's financial stewardship has also ensured
    that these goals have been met on, or ahead of, budget. We warmly wish Biresh
    all the best in his future endeavours."

                                        -Ends-                                     

    For further information please contact:

    Verona Pharma plc                      Tel: +44 (0)20 3283 4200              
    Jan-Anders Karlsson, Chief Executive                                         
    Officer                                                                      
                                                                                 
    N+1 Singer                             Tel: +44 (0)20 7496 3000              
    Aubrey Powell / Jen Boorer                                                   
                                                                                 
    FTI Consulting                         Tel: +44 (0)20 3727 1000              
    Simon Conway / Stephanie Cuthbert /                                          
    Natalie Garland-Collins                                                      

    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.