Dunbar Pharmaceuticals, an Irish manufacturer of plant-derived cannabinoid active pharmaceutical ingredients, confirmed on October 1, 2026 that oral sprays prepared from its WaterClear THC™ dronabinol are now available to UK specialist prescribers through IPS Pharma, an MHRA-licensed Specials manufacturer.

The UK's First Plant-Derived Dronabinol Oral Spray Is Now Available

IPS Pharma manufactures the sprays at its facility in Surrey, making them the UK's first plant-derived dronabinol oral spray. The new oral formulation joins dronabinol capsules introduced to the UK in August.

Both products use Dunbar Pharma's WaterClear THC™ dronabinol API, which is manufactured at the company's facility in the Irish Midlands under EU GMP certification and supplied under controlled-drug licenses in Ireland and the UK.

Company Sees Versatility of Defined Pharmaceutical-Grade Ingredient

"The UK's first plant-derived dronabinol oral spray is an important milestone for Dunbar," said Leah Fletcher, co-founder and CEO of Dunbar Pharma. "With oral sprays alongside capsules, IPS Pharma is using our dronabinol API in a number of finished formats.

That demonstrates the versatility of a defined, pharmaceutical-grade ingredient as we plan to expand production in 2027. "Dunbar Pharma plans to expand manufacturing capacity at its Athlone site in 2027 and has further plant-derived active substances in development.

The company is working with partners on additional formulations for Europe, focusing initially on the UK and German markets.

Backing from Enterprise Ireland and Irish Investors

Dunbar Pharma is a High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) client of Enterprise Ireland, which has invested in the company alongside private Irish investors. Enterprise Ireland is the Irish Government agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets.

Its backing has supported the build-out of the company's GMP manufacturing operation in Athlone and its entry into the German and UK markets. The company employs 25 people in Ireland and was named Emerging Company of the Year at the 2026 BioPharmaChem Impact Awards.

About Dunbar Pharmaceuticals

Dunbar Pharmaceuticals (Mercury Rising Ltd.) is a privately owned Irish pharmaceutical manufacturer of plant-derived cannabinoid active pharmaceutical ingredients. It manufactures difficult-to-make, pharmaceutical-grade APIs, including plant-derived dronabinol, to recognised pharmacopoeia standards for regulated pharmaceutical markets including Germany and the UK.

The company operates under the oversight of the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), with validated processes and full batch traceability supporting supply to licensed partners across Europe. Its GMP certificate is 35486/ASR13213/000001, with ASR Certificate ASR13213/000001, verifiable on the EudraGMDP public register.

Dunbar Pharma was founded on the observation that medical use of cannabinoids was growing worldwide while the pharmaceutical infrastructure behind it had not kept pace.

The company 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.

Its recognitions include Emerging Company of the Year at the BioPharmaChem Impact Awards 2026, 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.

Context on Dronabinol and UK Specials

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

Dunbar's dronabinol is manufactured exclusively for pharmaceutical use, not consumer or wellness products.

In the UK, "Specials" are unlicensed medicines manufactured or supplied to meet the individual clinical needs of a specific patient where no suitable licensed alternative is available. They are prescribed by clinicians and produced by licensed Specials manufacturers, such as IPS Pharma, under MHRA oversight.

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