LONDON and RALEIGH, N.C., July 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
| NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR HOLDINGS (to be sent to the relevant issuer and to the FCA in Microsoft Word format if possible) i | ||||||
| 1a. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached ii : | Verona Pharma plc | |||||
| 1b. Please indicate if the issuer is a non-UK issuer (please mark with an “X” if appropriate) | ||||||
| Non-UK issuer | ||||||
| 2. Reason for the notification (please mark the appropriate box or boxes with an “X”) | ||||||
| An acquisition or disposal of voting rights | X | |||||
| An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments | ||||||
| An event changing the breakdown of voting rights | ||||||
| Other (please specify) iii : | ||||||
| 3. Details of person subject to the notification obligation iv | ||||||
| Name | Abingworth LLP Abingworth Bioventures VI LP | |||||
| City and country of registered office (if applicable) | London, UK | |||||
| 4. Full name of shareholder (s) (if different from 3.) v | ||||||
| Name | State Street (Nominees) Limited (as nominee for Abingworth Bioventures VI LP) | |||||
| City and country of registered office (if applicable) | London, UK | |||||
| 5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reached vi : | 22/07/2020 | |||||
| 6. Date on which issuer notified (DD / MM / YYYY): | 30/07/2020 | |||||
| 7. Total positions of person (s) subject to the notification obligation | ||||||
| % of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8. A) | % of voting rights through financial instruments (total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2) | Total of both in% (8.A + 8.B) | Total number of voting rights of issuer vii | |||
| Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached | 4.75 | 4.75 | 414,278,294 | |||
| Position of previous notification (if applicable) | 6.90 | 6.90 | ||||
8. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reached viii | |||||||||
| A: Voting rights attached to shares | |||||||||
| Class / type of shares ISIN code (if possible) | Number of voting rights ix | % of voting rights | |||||||
| Direct (Art. 9 of Directive 2004/109 / EC) (DTR5.1) | Indirect (Art. 10 of Directive 2004/109 / EC) (DTR5.2.1) | Direct (Art. 9 of Directive 2004/109 / EC) (DTR5.1) | Indirect (Art. 10 of Directive 2004/109 / EC) (DTR5.2.1) | ||||||
| Verona Pharma plc GB00BYW2KH80 5p Ords | 1 | less than 0.01 | |||||||
| Verona Pharma plc US9250501064 ADSs | 19,660,000 | 4.75 | |||||||
| SUBTOTAL 8. A | 19,660,001 | 4.75 | |||||||
| | |||||||||
| B 1: Financial Instruments according to Art. 13 (1) (a) of Directive 2004/109 / EC (DTR5.3.1.1 (a)) | |||||||||
| Type of financial instrument | Expiration date x | Exercise / Conversion Period xi | Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised / converted. | % of voting rights | |||||
| SUBTOTAL 8. B 1 | |||||||||
| | |||||||||
| B 2: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to Art. 13 (1) (b) of Directive 2004/109 / EC (DTR5.3.1.1 (b)) | |||||||||
| Type of financial instrument | Expiration date x | Exercise / Conversion Period xi | Physical or cash settlement xii | Number of voting rights | % of voting rights | ||||
| SUBTOTAL 8.B.2 | |||||||||
| 9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation (please mark the applicable box with an “X”) | ||||
| Person subject to the notification obligation is not controlled by any natural person or legal entity and does not control any other undertaking (s) holding directly or indirectly an interest in the (underlying) issuer xiii | ||||
| Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and / or the financial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entity xiv (please add additional rows as necessary) | X | |||
| Name xv | % of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold | % of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold | Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold | |
| Abingworth LLP | 4.75 | 4.75 | ||
| Abingworth Bioventures VI LP | less than 0.01 | less than 0.01 | ||
| 10. In case of proxy voting, please identify: | ||||
| Name of the proxy holder | ||||
| The number and% of voting rights held | ||||
| The date until which the voting rights will be held | ||||
| 11. Additional information xvi | ||||
| Abingworth Bioventures VI LP (which holds 19,660,001 shares in the company (4.75%)) is managed by Abingworth LLP. | ||||
| Place of completion | Outside a trading venue |
| Date of completion | 30 July 2020 |
For further information, please contact:
| Verona Pharma plc | Tel: +44 (0) 20 3283 4200 |
| David Zaccardelli, Chief Executive Officer | info@veronapharma.com |
| Victoria Stewart, Director of Communications | |
| N + 1 Singer (Nominated Adviser and UK Broker) | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7496 3000 |
| Aubrey Powell / George Tzimas / Iqra Amin (Corporate Finance) | |
| Tom Salvesen (Corporate Broking) |