Dunbar Pharma is expanding its international pharmaceutical presence after its plant-derived dronabinol API was used in a new oral spray now available to specialist prescribers in the UK.

The Athlone-based manufacturer supplies its WaterClear THC dronabinol API to IPS Pharma, which produces the oral spray at its MHRA-licensed facility in Surrey. Business of Cannabis reported the launch on 2 October, following the introduction of dronabinol capsules to the UK market in August.

Dunbar Pharma is an Irish pharmaceutical manufacturer specialising in plant-derived cannabinoid active pharmaceutical ingredients. Its Athlone facility operates under EU GMP certification and uses controlled manufacturing processes to produce pharmaceutical-grade APIs for regulated markets. Dunbar Pharma describes its WaterClear THC as a plant-derived dronabinol API manufactured at its Irish facility.

For Ireland’s pharmaceutical sector, the development is significant because it shows how specialist manufacturers can use domestic GMP infrastructure to build export opportunities in regulated international markets. Rather than supplying a single finished medicine, Dunbar provides an active ingredient that can be incorporated by licensed partners into different dosage formats, creating additional routes to market for its manufacturing platform.

The oral spray joins dronabinol capsules and other formulations using Dunbar’s WaterClear THC API. IPS Pharma has confirmed its partnership with Dunbar and the availability of the plant-derived dronabinol products through its UK pharmaceutical service. The relationship allows an Irish-manufactured API to reach the UK market through an established pharmaceutical partner and regulated manufacturing infrastructure.

The company is also preparing for further growth. Dunbar plans to expand production capacity at its Athlone site in 2027 and is developing additional plant-derived active substances, with further formulations being explored for European markets. Enterprise Ireland has supported the company as a High Potential Start-Up as it develops its international pharmaceutical business.

For the sector, Dunbar’s progress highlights the opportunity for Irish pharmaceutical manufacturers to build specialist capabilities around complex ingredients and use GMP-certified production as a platform for international expansion. Combining local manufacturing, regulatory expertise and established pharmaceutical partnerships can help emerging companies develop sustainable positions within global supply chains.

Source: Business of Cannabis / Dunbar Pharma / IPS Pharma