Basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of presentation and consolidation	Basis of presentation and consolidation The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Verona Pharma plc and its wholly-owned subsidiary Verona Pharma, Inc. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”). The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2022 (the “2021 Form 10-K”). The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2021, was derived from audited consolidated financial statements included in the 2021 Form 10-K but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to those consolidated financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted from these interim financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which in the opinion of management are necessary for a fair statement of results of operations, comprehensive income, financial condition, cash flows and shareholders' equity for the periods presented. Except as otherwise disclosed, all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
Segment Reporting	Segment reporting The Company has one operating and reportable segment, pharmaceutical development.
Use of estimates	Use of estimates The preparation of interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the accrual and prepayment of research and development expenses, the fair value of share-based compensation, the fair value of warrants, research and development tax credit and the carrying value of the equity interest in Nuance Pharma (as defined below). Estimates are periodically reviewed in light of changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates.
Recently adopted accounting standards and recent accounting standards not yet adopted	Recently adopted accounting standards and recent accounting standards not yet adopted There are no recently adopted accounting standards and recent accounting standards not yet adopted that the Company believes will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.