Vernalis plc was a UK-based pharmaceuticals business headquartered in Winnersh, with research in Cambridge, and with a Berwyn, PA, US-based commercial operation, Vernalis Therapeutics Inc., focusing on the sales and marketing of slow-release formulations of prescription cough and cold medicines.

Tuzistra XR (codeine polistirex/ chlorpheniramine polistirex) was the first launched product which arose from this strategy,[1] however sales did not reach expectations.

[5] The first merger, with the privately held Cambridge-based RiboTargets Holdings plc, was completed in April 2003, and brought a structure-based drug discovery capability focused on novel cancer targets.

[6] The second merger, with Vernalis Group, was completed in September 2003 and brought a marketed product, frovatriptan, a clinical portfolio and drug discovery programmes focused on CNS disorders.

The company is engaged in research collaborations with pharmaceuticals industry partners, and maintains a pipeline of commercially partnered and non-partnered drug candidates in pre-clinical and clinical development.