Dunbar Pharma Plans 2027 API Manufacturing Expansion in Ireland

A plant-derived dronabinol oral spray has become available to specialist prescribers in the United Kingdom for the first time, using an active pharmaceutical ingredient supplied by the Irish manufacturer Dunbar Pharmaceuticals. The company confirmed the development on October 1, 2026.

MHRA-Licensed Specials Manufacturer Brings New Format to UK Prescribers

The sprays are produced by IPS Pharma, an MHRA-licensed Specials manufacturer, at its facility in Surrey, and are prepared from Dunbar's WaterClear THC™ dronabinol.

The oral spray is the second finished format in the UK to be made from the same Dunbar ingredient. Dronabinol capsules using the identical API were introduced to the UK market in August.

Both the capsules and the new spray draw on material manufactured at Dunbar Pharma's facility in the Irish Midlands, which operates under EU GMP certification and supplies products under controlled-drug licenses in both Ireland and the UK.

Dunbar Points to Multiple Finished Formats as Production Growth Is Planned

Leah Fletcher, co-founder and chief executive officer of Dunbar Pharma, described the launch of the UK's first plant-derived dronabinol oral spray as an important milestone for the company.

She noted that with oral sprays now available alongside capsules, IPS Pharma is using the company's dronabinol API in several finished formats. In her view, this demonstrates the versatility of a defined, pharmaceutical-grade ingredient at a time when Dunbar is planning to expand production in 2027. That expansion will take place at the company's Athlone site, where manufacturing capacity is set to grow next year.

Beyond the UK, Dunbar Pharma has further plant-derived active substances in development and is working with partners on additional formulations for Europe. Its commercial focus for this work is initially on the UK and German markets.

Irish State Agency and Private Backers Support Athlone Build-Out

Dunbar Pharma is a High Potential Start-Up client of Enterprise Ireland, the Irish Government agency charged with developing and growing Irish enterprises in world markets. Enterprise Ireland has invested in the company, as have private Irish investors.

According to the company, this backing has supported the construction of its GMP manufacturing operation in Athlone and its entry into the German and UK markets. The business currently employs 25 people in Ireland. Its performance has been recognised with the title of Emerging Company of the Year at the 2026 BioPharmaChem Impact Awards.

Earlier honours include Product & Manufacturing Start-Up of the Year at the National Start-Up Awards 2025 and the Ambition & Growth Award at the Local Enterprise Office Awards 2026.

How the UK Specials Route Works for Unlicensed Medicines

The new spray reaches patients through the UK's Specials framework. In the UK, Specials are unlicensed medicines that are manufactured or supplied to meet the individual clinical needs of a specific patient where no suitable licensed alternative exists.

They are prescribed by clinicians and produced by licensed Specials manufacturers, of which IPS Pharma is one, operating under the oversight of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Dronabinol itself is the international non-proprietary name for delta-9-THC in purified pharmaceutical form. It has been prescribed internationally for decades in regulated prescription medicines for specific indications.

Dunbar states that its dronabinol is manufactured exclusively for pharmaceutical use and not for consumer or wellness products.

The Manufacturer Behind the Ingredient

Dunbar Pharmaceuticals, formally Mercury Rising Ltd., is a privately owned Irish pharmaceutical manufacturer of plant-derived cannabinoid active pharmaceutical ingredients.

The company makes difficult-to-manufacture, pharmaceutical-grade APIs, including plant-derived dronabinol, to recognised pharmacopoeia standards for regulated pharmaceutical markets that include Germany and the UK.

The company operates under the oversight of the Health Products Regulatory Authority, with validated processes and full batch traceability supporting supply to licensed partners across Europe.

Its GMP certificate is 35486/ASR13213/000001, alongside ASR Certificate ASR13213/000001, both verifiable on the EudraGMDP public register. The company was founded on the observation that medical use of cannabinoids was growing worldwide while the pharmaceutical infrastructure behind it had not kept pace.

Dunbar describes its mission as building the manufacturing base for plant-derived cannabinoid medicines in Europe by combining EU GMP manufacturing, pharmaceutical quality standards and reliable supply for healthcare partners and patients.