Dunbar Pharma Founder and CEO Leah Fletcher discusses the development of pharmaceutical cannabinoid manufacturing in Ireland, the importance of robust pharmaceutical standards, and the evolving landscape for cannabinoid medicines across Europe.
Dunbar Pharma Founder and CEO Leah Fletcher has been featured in the MyCannabis Interview Series, discussing her journey into the pharmaceutical cannabinoid sector and the development of Dunbar Pharma as an Irish manufacturer of plant-derived cannabinoid active pharmaceutical ingredients.
In the interview, Leah reflects on the origins of Dunbar Pharma and the decision to build pharmaceutical manufacturing capability in Ireland for highly purified, reproducible cannabinoid APIs manufactured under EU GMP conditions.
The discussion also explores the regulatory and technical requirements involved in pharmaceutical API manufacturing, the importance of quality, consistency and traceability, and Ireland’s potential to play a significant role in cannabinoid research, pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.
Looking ahead, Leah discusses the evolving European landscape for cannabinoid medicines and the growing importance of defined pharmaceutical-grade APIs as research, clinical evidence and regulated access continue to develop internationally.
At Dunbar Pharma, these principles underpin our work as we continue to build reliable pharmaceutical infrastructure for plant-derived cannabinoid medicines and support partners across regulated international markets.
Read the full interview with Leah Fletcher on MyCannabis:
Leah Fletcher, Founder & CEO of Dunbar Pharmaceuticals – Interview Series →
Media Contact
For further information, please contact:
Nicole Farah
Americana Communications Ltd.
pr@dunbarpharma.ie
www.americanapr.com
About Dunbar Pharma
Dunbar Pharmaceuticals (Mercury Rising Ltd.) is a privately owned Irish pharmaceutical manufacturer and Ireland’s first EU GMP manufacturer of plant-derived cannabinoid active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Based in Athlone, Ireland, the company manufactures difficult-to-make, pharmaceutical-grade APIs, including plant-derived dronabinol, to recognised pharmacopoeia standards for regulated pharmaceutical markets, including Germany and the UK.
Built from the ground up as a pharmaceutical manufacturer on Ireland’s world-class pharma platform, Dunbar Pharma operates under the oversight of the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), with validated processes and full batch traceability supporting dependable supply to licensed partners across Europe.
Dunbar Pharma was founded on a simple observation: medical use of cannabinoids was growing worldwide, but the pharmaceutical infrastructure behind it had not kept pace. The company is closing that gap, building Europe’s pharmaceutical infrastructure for plant-derived cannabinoid medicines by combining EU GMP manufacturing, pharmaceutical quality standards and reliable supply for healthcare partners and patients. The company has been recognised for its growth and innovation, including 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. Keep up to date on activity from Dunbar Pharma on LinkedIn.
Notes to Editor
Dunbar Pharmaceuticals (Mercury Rising Ltd.) is an Irish GMP manufacturer based in Athlone, Ireland. GMP Certificate: 35486/ASR13213/000001; ASR Certificate: ASR13213/000001 — verifiable on the EudraGMDP public register.
Dronabinol is the INN (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.