Vikas Sinha joins Verona as non-executive director

UK drug development company Verona Pharma has appointed Vikas Sinha as a non-executive director.

Currently executive vice president and chief financial officer at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Sinha has served at the rare disease firm since 2005.

Prior to that he spent 11 years at Bayer, holding roles in the US, Canada, Japan and Germany, latterly as chief financial officer for Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation in the US.

Dr David Ebsworth, chairman of Verona Pharma, said: “Vikas' impressive financial background, including his US expertise, makes him a very welcome addition to our Board of Directors. 

“I have known Vikas for many years having worked together at Bayer and hold his impressive track record in high regard. We are pleased that Vikas will be joining our Board at such a pivotal time, as we progress our lead asset, RPL554, into a phase IIb clinical trial programme.”

A potential first-in-class treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Verona Pharma's RPL554 is being tested as a nebulised maintenance treatment for patients with moderate to severe disease.