Phillips Medisize Boosts Medical Inhaler Portfolio With Vectura AcquisitionPhillips Medisize Boosts Medical Inhaler Portfolio With Vectura Acquisition

Phillips Medisize, a contract development and manufacturing organization serving medical device and pharma OEMs acquired by Molex in 2016, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Vectura Group Ltd. from Vectura Fertin Pharma Inc., a subsidiary of Philip Morris International Inc. The acquisition adds proprietary technology and combination product development expertise in medical inhalers to the Phillips Medisize portfolio.

The transaction includes UK-based Vectura’s expertise in dry powder inhalers (DPI), including the Lever Operated Multi-dose Inhaler (LOMI) and Gyrohaler platforms; metered dose inhalers (MDI); nasal inhalers; and nebulizers, including the Fox device. Vectura also offers pharmaceutical analysis, process development, technical transfer, clinical trial supplies, and regulatory services. By adding these leading capabilities, Phillips Medisize said it will enhance its pharmaceutical R&D services and expand capabilities in inhalation drug delivery.

Addressing global demand for COPD treatment

“Together Phillips Medisize and Vectura are uniquely positioned to collaborate with leading pharmaceutical customers to develop innovative products that address the growing global demand for new therapies to treat chronic respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD, as well as non-respiratory conditions,” said Phillips Medisize President Paul Chaffin.

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As many as 334 million people suffer from asthma and 65 million have moderate to severe COPD, according to the World Health Organization. The global market for inhalation drug-delivery devices is growing at a 4.4% compound annual growth rate and is expected to reach a value of $20.7 billion by 2031, according to iHealthcareAnalyst, a provider of healthcare market research and consulting services.

End-to-end product development

“The Vectura team is delighted with the completion of the acquisition,” said Dr. Geraldine Venthoye, who has been appointed chief scientific officer and vice president for the Phillips Medisize medical business. “We are excited about the opportunities and scale of Phillips Medisize, which will allow us to deliver our formulation and combination product expertise to more pharmaceutical customers as part of end-to-end pharmaceutical development.”  

With the acquisition, Hudson, WI–based Phillips Medisize will add approximately 350 employees to its team of more than 6,000. Additionally, the team will now include more than 1,200 engineers and scientists, collaborating with customers and colleagues to deliver global design, development, formulation, and manufacturing services across three continents and 30 sites.

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