Phillips Medisize is expanding its inhalation drug delivery capabilities in the UK after acquiring the full Chippenham facility, adding operational capacity to its growing Global Inhalation Center of Excellence (COE). The site will work alongside the company’s Cambridge facility to support increasing demand for complex inhaled drug-device combination products.

The investment follows Phillips Medisize’s 2025 acquisition of Vectura Group Ltd., which brought additional inhalation development and manufacturing expertise into its existing drug delivery portfolio. By securing the entire Chippenham site, the company aims to strengthen its ability to support pharmaceutical customers from early-stage development through clinical manufacturing and commercial scale-up.

The Chippenham property encompasses approximately 58,963 square meters (634,670 square feet) on a 3.41-acre site. The acquisition gives Phillips Medisize greater long-term control over the facility’s laboratories, cleanroom space and manufacturing operations, positioning it to accommodate a growing pipeline of inhaled small-molecule and biologic therapies.

The expansion also reflects increasing interest in outsourced inhalation product development. Pharmaceutical companies are pursuing more sophisticated respiratory treatments, while inhalation delivery approaches are also being explored for conditions beyond traditional respiratory diseases.

Charlie Schumacher, Vice President of Inhalation Therapies at Phillips Medisize, says the company’s inhalation business is expected to deliver substantial revenue growth over the next five years. He noted that securing the complete Chippenham facility will provide the personnel and infrastructure needed to support customers throughout the product development lifecycle.

Since bringing Vectura into the organization, Phillips Medisize has been progressing ahead of its anticipated growth trajectory, Schumacher said. The expanded site is intended to maintain technical continuity for existing customers while providing additional resources to support future programs.

Together, the Chippenham and Cambridge facilities form the company’s dedicated Global Inhalation COE. The combined operation supports development and manufacturing programs involving small molecules, biologics and generic products, with capabilities spanning multiple inhalation platforms.

These include dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and nebulizers, supported by formulation development for both powder- and liquid-based products. Technical services encompass spray drying, powder blending at varying production scales, analytical testing, technology transfer and clinical trial supply manufacturing.

The expanded capabilities are particularly relevant to developers working on challenging therapeutic areas, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), as well as diseases outside the respiratory category that may benefit from inhaled administration.

Sandy Munro, Chief Inhalation Scientist at Phillips Medisize, said the company has received strong support from customers and the wider respiratory industry since completing the Vectura acquisition. He emphasized the organization’s continued focus on research and advancing inhalation science to improve treatment options for patients with complex conditions.

The Chippenham investment is part of a broader global manufacturing and development network. Phillips Medisize operates 30 locations across North America, Europe and Asia, including 23 manufacturing facilities and seven research and development centers.

The company reports that it has supported more than 200 product launches and 150 drug delivery programs over the past five years, providing development, engineering and manufacturing services for pharmaceutical, diagnostic and medical technology customers.

For more information, visit www.phillipsmedisize.com.