Phillips Medisize to Boost Drug Delivery Portfolio with Pending Acquisition

Philips Medisize, a Molex company and a contract developer and manufacturer for medtech and pharma companies, has agreed to buy Vectura from a subsidiary of Philip Morris.

The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the year. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Philips Medisize has built a name for itself as a design, engineering, and manufacturing partner for drug delivery devices, in vitro diagnostic products and medical devices. Vectura is well known in the inhalation drug device design and formulation space.

With this pending acquisition, Hudson, WI-based Phillips Medisize would be able to deliver a broader portfolio of inhalation combination drug devices and solutions to pharmaceutical customers and patients.

The acquisition would be between Molex Asia and Vectura Group Limited from Vectura Fertin Pharma, a subsidiary of Philip Morris. Vectura is based in Chippenham, United Kingdom.

"Combining the strengths of Phillips Medisize and Vectura will enhance our ability to deliver a broader portfolio of inhalation combination drug devices and solutions to our pharmaceutical customers and support our mission to help people live healthier, more productive lives,” said Paul Chaffin, president of Phillips Medisize. “With our global reach, manufacturing scale, and engineering expertise, Phillips Medisize is uniquely positioned to help Vectura in developing innovative new products for their customers, ultimately benefiting people who suffer with chronic and acute diseases such as asthma and COPD.”  

Vectura brings to Phillips Medisize its unique inhalation expertise that includes formulation and device development for dry powder inhalers (DPI), pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDI), nasal and nebulizer products for small molecules, biologics, complex combinations and generic products. The company also offers pharmaceutical analysis, process development, technical transfer, clinical trial supplies and regulatory services.

"The acquisition of Vectura is the latest step in building an industry-leading capability in medical. It also demonstrates Molex’s commitment to acquiring opportunities to better serve market needs across our portfolio,” said Joe Nelligan, CEO of Molex, which acquired Phillips Medisize in 2016 to build a scale healthcare business. “We are excited by the significant growth potential that comes with a wider range of formulation, device design, combination product development and manufacturing services to support the increasing need for inhalation therapies. We look forward to welcoming the Vectura team, who brings a celebrated reputation of inhalation expertise and experience.”