Breathing New Life: How Phillips Medisize Is Redefining Inhaled Therapy

HUDSON, WI – December 09, 2025 – As the global pharmaceutical industry converges on Edinburgh for the annual Drug Delivery to the Lungs (DDL) conference this week, one company’s presence signals more than just routine product updates. Phillips Medisize, a Molex-owned manufacturing and engineering leader, is stepping into the spotlight with a suite of advanced inhalation technologies. But this is not just a story about new devices; it’s about the calculated integration of deep scientific expertise that is poised to reshape the multi-billion-dollar inhaled drug delivery market.

Less than a year after its pivotal acquisition of Vectura, a UK-based inhalation specialist, Phillips Medisize is demonstrating the fruits of that strategic union. The move, which brought Vectura out from under the controversial ownership of Philip Morris International, has created a powerhouse contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with end-to-end capabilities that few competitors can match. The presentations and platforms being unveiled at DDL 2025 offer the first major glimpse into how this synergy is tackling some of the most persistent challenges in respiratory and systemic medicine.

Strategic Synergy: A New Force in Inhalation Therapy

The acquisition of Vectura was far more than a simple line-item expansion for Phillips Medisize. It represented a deliberate fusion of industrial-scale manufacturing muscle with nuanced pharmaceutical science. Vectura brought over two decades of specialized knowledge in formulating drugs for inhalation and designing the intricate devices required to deliver them effectively. This intellectual capital, encompassing everything from Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) to advanced nebulizers, was the missing piece in Phillips Medisize's ambition to become a one-stop shop for pharmaceutical clients.

In an industry where outsourcing complex development is becoming the norm, this integrated model provides a significant competitive advantage. Pharmaceutical companies, grappling with the immense costs and regulatory hurdles of bringing new therapies to market, are increasingly reliant on CDMO partners. The market for breath-actuated inhalers alone is projected to more than double to nearly $6 billion by 2035. By offering a seamless path from initial drug formulation and device design to clinical trials and mass production, Phillips Medisize can drastically shorten development timelines and reduce complexity for its clients.

“As we mark the one-year anniversary of our acquisition of Vectura, we’re proud to reflect on the substantial progress we’ve made in delivering a broader portfolio of innovative inhalation solutions, as well as demonstrate the strength of our combined expertise,” said Charlie Schumacher, vice president, Global Innovation and Development UK at Phillips Medisize. This statement underscores a strategy focused not just on growth, but on leveraging combined assets to solve deeper problems.

Beyond the Puff: The Science of Precision Delivery

The true impact of the Phillips Medisize-Vectura integration is most evident in the science being presented at DDL. The company is moving beyond incremental improvements to tackle fundamental challenges that have long limited the potential of inhaled therapies. The showcase includes platforms like the FOX™ Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer, designed for consistent delivery of next-generation biologic drugs, and innovative DPI and nasal delivery systems.

One of the most significant presentations focuses on the “O1 high payload DPI device.” The research details a novel deagglomeration system that efficiently breaks up drug powders, enabling the delivery of large doses with high precision, even for patients with weak inspiratory effort. This is a critical breakthrough. Many modern drugs, particularly for conditions like cystic fibrosis or pulmonary hypertension, require high payloads that traditional inhalers struggle to deliver effectively. This innovation could make effective treatment accessible to a wider range of patients, including the very young and elderly.

Further demonstrating its scientific depth, the company is presenting key findings on stabilizing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for inhalation. LNPs are the delivery vehicle behind revolutionary mRNA technologies, but their fragility has been a major barrier to developing inhaled vaccines or gene therapies. Phillips Medisize scientists will share how certain shell formers can protect these delicate nanoparticles, a crucial step toward unlocking intranasal or pulmonary delivery of mRNA therapies for respiratory and even systemic diseases.

“Our DDL presentations reflect our ongoing research into critical challenges in inhalation drug delivery,” noted Geraldine Venthoye, chief scientific officer and vice president, Global Medical at Phillips Medisize. “By sharing data on formulation stability, delivery efficiency and product robustness, we aim to inform the next generation of inhalation therapies.” This focus on foundational science is what separates market leaders from the pack, promising not just better devices, but entirely new classes of treatments.

The Patient at the Center: Redefining Adherence and Outcomes

While the business strategy and scientific advancements are formidable, the ultimate goal is to impact human health. The innovations from Phillips Medisize are rooted in a patient-centric philosophy that addresses one of the biggest hurdles in chronic disease management: adherence. It is estimated that up to 50% of patients with chronic respiratory conditions do not use their inhalers correctly or consistently, leading to poor outcomes and increased healthcare costs.

By designing devices that are more intuitive, reliable, and effective, the company aims to close this gap. A device like the O1 DPI, which performs well across variable breathing strengths, removes a common point of failure and anxiety for patients. Similarly, the FOX™ nebulizer’s ability to deliver a precise dose efficiently can reduce treatment time and burden. When patients trust their device and feel the benefits of their medication, adherence naturally improves.

This patient-first approach extends beyond treating asthma and COPD. The advancements in nasal delivery and LNP stability open the door to a future where injections could be replaced by a simple nasal spray for a range of conditions, from diabetes management to vaccinations. This would represent a monumental shift in patient convenience and public health logistics.

The work being done by Phillips Medisize is a powerful example of how strategic business decisions, when paired with a deep commitment to scientific research, can create a ripple effect that extends far beyond the corporate bottom line. It’s an innovation ecosystem where a successful acquisition fuels research, that research leads to better technology, and that technology ultimately empowers patients to live healthier, more productive lives.