Executive Summary & Key Takeaways
- Commercial UK Access: Dunbar Pharma has launched its proprietary plant-derived Dronabinol API, WaterClear THC™, in the UK.
- Licensed Specials Route: Supplied via IPS Pharma, a leading Specials manufacturer, allowing clinicians to prescribe standardized cannabinoid capsules, sprays, and drops.
- State-of-the-Art Operations: Manufactured at commercial scale in Athlone, Ireland, under the strict oversight of the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
- Enterprise Ireland Backed: Dunbar is supported as a High Potential Startup (HPSU) by the Irish Government's trade and innovation agency.
- Visual Assets & Fair Use: All featured corporate and product images are sourced directly from Dunbar Pharmaceuticals and utilized under Fair Use guidelines.
Athlone, Ireland: 18 August 2026 - Irish pharmaceutical manufacturer Dunbar Pharmaceuticals (registered as Mercury Rising Ltd.), the country's first EU Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified manufacturer of plant-derived cannabinoid active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), has officially announced that its plant-derived dronabinol API, branded as WaterClear THC™, is now available across the United Kingdom.
Through a commercial distribution agreement with IPS Pharma, a leading UK pharmaceutical service provider and licensed Specials manufacturer, clinicians in the UK can source pharmaceutical-grade, plant-derived dronabinol through an established, regulated supply network. In the UK, Specials represent unlicensed medicines manufactured or supplied to meet the individual clinical needs of specific patients where no suitable licensed alternative exists. Under this framework, IPS Pharma will utilize Dunbar's API to produce cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) in diverse oral formats, securing stable clinical availability for patients nationwide.
Dronabinol API: Sourcing, Purity, and WaterClear THC™
Dronabinol is the international non-proprietary name (INN) for pure isomer Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9-THC), which has been prescribed globally for decades within regulated medical systems. While dronabinol has historically been produced synthetically due to the difficulty of natural extraction at scale, Dunbar Pharma uses a proprietary, commercial-scale purification process based on plant-derived starting materials.
Dunbar's signature API, WaterClear THC™, is a chemically defined ingredient purified to over 98%, meeting recognized pharmacopoeia standards. Unlike botanical cannabis preparations that are subject to environmental variation, WaterClear THC™ enables consistent milligram dosing with minimal compositional variability, providing healthcare professionals with pharmaceutical-grade precision for individualized prescribing.
Dunbar Pharma's WaterClear THC™ API packaging (Source: Dunbar Pharma / Fair Use).
Under the UK Specials framework, CBPMs manufactured using WaterClear THC™ will be supplied in three distinct clinical formats:
- Oral Capsules: Available in precise 5 mg and 10 mg strengths.
- Oral Dose Spray: Formulated as a 25 mg/mL concentration for rapid buccal administration.
- Oily Dropper Solution: Formulated as a 25 mg/mL solution for titrated oral dosing.
Commercial Manufacturing at the Athlone Facility
Dunbar Pharma manufactures its dronabinol API at commercial scale at its state-of-the-art facility in Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland. The facility operates under the strict regulatory oversight of Ireland's Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). With fully validated processes and comprehensive batch traceability, the Athlone site provides the high level of consistency required for regulated pharmaceutical medicines.
Dunbar's expansion into the UK follows its successful commercial entry into the German market earlier this year, where its Irish-manufactured dronabinol API is supplied through major wholesalers. Germany remains Europe's largest medical cannabinoid market, where dronabinol-based statutory health insurance prescriptions surpassed cannabis flower prescriptions in 2025.
Commenting on the launch, Leah Fletcher, Founder and CEO of Dunbar Pharma, highlighted the strategic value of consistent oral dosage forms:
"Making WaterClear THC™, our GMP-certified dronabinol, available through IPS Pharma marks an important milestone in our efforts to broaden access to pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid medicines. Many patients cannot or do not wish to inhale cannabinoid medicines, and they should have access to suitable alternatives. By manufacturing at commercial scale in Ireland to EU GMP standards, we can provide partners such as IPS Pharma with a consistent, reliable supply of dronabinol for oral formulations. This is how cannabinoid therapy becomes an accepted part of medicine rather than a category apart." - Leah Fletcher, Founder and CEO, Dunbar Pharma (Press Release)
A high-precision Dronabinol syringe dispenser demonstrating API clarity (Source: Dunbar Pharma / Fair Use).
Backing by Enterprise Ireland and Industry Recognition
As Dunbar Pharma expands its commercial reach into regulated pharmaceutical markets across Europe, it has received extensive support from Enterprise Ireland, the Irish Government's trade and innovation agency. Dunbar Pharma was inducted as a High Potential Startup (HPSU) client in 2025, receiving critical capital and advisory support to validate its extraction systems.
Welcoming the UK launch, Jenny Melia, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, stated:
"Dunbar Pharma is a high potential startup client of Enterprise Ireland, supported through the HPSU Programme in 2025. Dunbar Pharma is an Irish-based, HPRA-regulated and GMP-certified manufacturer of dronabinol API. The distribution and availability of their WaterClear THC™ product in the UK market is a significant achievement and a testament to the company's ambition, innovation, and commitment to individualized patient healthcare. Enterprise Ireland is proud to support indigenous companies like Dunbar as they grow in international markets and strengthen Ireland's reputation as a source of world-class life sciences innovation." - Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland (Press Release)
This expansion comes during a period of substantial industry acclaim for the company. Dunbar Pharma was recently named Emerging Company of the Year at the 2026 BioPharmaChem Impact Awards, which recognizes innovation and leadership in Irish pharmaceutical manufacturing. Additionally, the company secured 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.
The Strategic Partnership with IPS Pharma
Through its Specials compounding service, IPS Pharma will receive the active ingredient directly from Dunbar's Irish facility, maintaining an uninterrupted supply chain. By utilizing an established Specials supplier, UK clinicians and pharmacies can prescribe and stock these cannabinoid-based medicines under strict quality control guidelines.
Ian McFarlane, Director of Strategic Partnerships at IPS Pharma, commented on the significance of the alliance:
"We're delighted to be partnering with Dunbar Pharma to bring its pharmaceutical-grade, plant-derived dronabinol to the UK through our established Specials service. Partnering with an EU GMP-certified manufacturer that shares our commitment to quality and reliability gives us confidence in the supply of regulated cannabinoid medicines. Together, we're helping improve access to high-quality oral treatment options for clinicians prescribing under the UK's Specials framework." - Ian McFarlane, Director of Strategic Partnerships, IPS Pharma (Press Release)
The Dunbar Pharma Leadership Team
Under the direction of its executive team, Dunbar Pharma has built its manufacturing processes from the ground up on Ireland's world-class biopharma platform. Below are details of the leadership team driving the company's expansion:
The Dunbar Pharmaceuticals leadership team (Source: Dunbar Pharma / Fair Use).
Leah Fletcher
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder
Leah is an experienced leader dedicated to patient safety and global cannabinoid regulations. Prior to co-founding Dunbar, she founded deDANÚ, an award-winning Irish research firm specializing in plant-based cannabinoid applications. She holds a Master's Degree in Leadership, Governance & Policy from Ulster University and a Bachelor of Education from Dublin City University.
James DeMello, CPA, CA
Chief Financial Officer & Co-Founder
James brings strategic financial oversight and deep medical cannabis tax expertise since 2016. Previously a Tax Partner at Loen and Company in Canada, James has managed complex financial structures tailored to the medical cannabis sector. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Victoria, Canada.
John Kiernan
Director of Operations
John offers over 20 years of engineering and operational expertise in the pharmaceutical sector. Previously, John held significant leadership roles at Alexion Pharmaceuticals in Ireland, managing process automation, lean manufacturing, and cross-functional biologics manufacturing teams.
Siobhan Corroon
Director of Quality
Siobhan possesses over 20 years of GMP quality assurance, quality control, and Qualified Person (QP) experience. Prior to joining Dunbar, Siobhan served as Associate Director of QA & QP at Jazz Pharmaceuticals. She holds a Master's in Pharmaceutical Technology from University College Cork.
James Igoe
Head of Quality Control
James has over 20 years of expertise in analytical chemistry and laboratory management. He established and equipped Dunbar's analytical laboratory to meet GMP standards. Prior to Dunbar, James held progressive leadership roles at Almac Group and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Chemistry.
Paul Fletcher
Head of Facilities
Paul brings three decades of experience in electrical contracting, engineering systems, and GMP facility operations. He has been instrumental in the setup of the Athlone facility, overseeing complex installations and utility infrastructures. Previously, he worked on major projects at Alkermes, KCI, and Medtronic.
Comparing Cannabinoid Profiles: Dronabinol vs. Standard Extracts
To help healthcare providers understand where plant-derived Dronabinol API fits within the clinical pathway, the following table details the key differences between various medical cannabinoid delivery methods.
| Characteristic | Plant-Derived Dronabinol (Dunbar) | Synthetic Dronabinol | Raw Flower Extracts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Sourcing | Natural plant isolation (Cannabis sativa) | Fully chemical synthesis | Milled flower extraction |
| Purity Level | Over 98% Delta-9-THC | Over 98% Delta-9-THC | Variable (50% to 80% cannabinoids) |
| Batch Consistency | Standardized, zero batch-to-batch drift | Standardized, zero batch-to-batch drift | High variability due to growing conditions |
| Regulatory Monograph | German DAC Dronabinol Monograph | German DAC Dronabinol Monograph | Varies, no standardized single monograph |
| Cost Profile | High efficiency, competitive pricing | Expensive due to chemical synthesis steps | Moderate, but hidden costs in testing variability |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How can UK doctors prescribe products made with Dunbar's Dronabinol API?
UK clinicians registered on the GMC specialist register can prescribe custom unlicensed formulations incorporating Dunbar's Dronabinol API. Prescriptions are routed through specialized compounding pharmacies, which compile and dispense the final product under IPS Pharma's Specials distribution network.
Q2: What is the main clinical advantage of plant-derived Dronabinol over full-spectrum oils?
The primary advantage is dose predictability. Raw full-spectrum oils contain varying ratios of cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant waxes that change from harvest to harvest, leading to inconsistent clinical effects. Plant-derived Dronabinol API is isolated to a purity exceeding 98%, ensuring identical dosing and therapeutic consistency in every single prescription.
Q3: Is the Athlone facility certified under EU-GMP standards?
Yes. The Athlone manufacturing hub operates under strict compliance with EU-GMP guidelines. All process lines, environmental controls, and analytical validation steps are documented under a robust Quality Management System managed by Qualified Persons (QPs).
Q4: How does the partnership with IPS Pharma help resolve import delays?
IPS Pharma maintains direct communication and import authorizations with the Home Office and the MHRA. By importing the API directly from Ireland, IPS Pharma circumvents the long logistics lines and custom delays frequently experienced with North American shipments, ensuring steady clinical availability in the UK.
