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Future of 拢58m Bristol research centre in question following deal

Wiltshire respiratory business Vectura has been acquired and the firm's new US owners have reportedly delayed a decision on the investment at Bristol and Bath Science Park

CGI of how Vectura's 鈥淚nhalation Centre of Excellence鈥� at Bristol & Bath Science Park could look(Image: Vectura)

Plans for a new £58m research centre in Bristol are reportedly in question after an acquisition deal.

Wiltshire inhaler firm Vectura, which was behind the proposals, was snapped up last week by US manufacturer Molex - the parent firm of contract development organisation Phillips Medisize.

It acquired the Chippenham-headquartered respiratory medicines business from tobacco giant Philip Morris International for a knock-down price of £150m ($198m).

The Marlboro cigarette maker announced the sale of Vectura last September, three years after buying the business for more than £1bn. The acquisition deal in 2021 was criticised at the time because Vectura's products are used to treat lung conditions.

In 2022, Vectura was granted permission by South Gloucestershire Council to build a large R&D facility at Bristol and Bath Science Park. Construction work was originally due to start in 2023, according to The Times, but so far only preliminary development work has been carried out on the site.

The latest deal with Molex has now created uncertainty around the future of the “Inhalation Centre of Excellence” in Emersons Green.

Paul Chaffin, president of Phillips Medisize, told The Times: "We recognise the Bristol site is a very valuable asset. Our primary focus is on integrating the Vectura employees into our team and building the Vectura customer pipeline. We will carefully evaluate the alignment of the Bristol site to our business needs and decide at a later date."

Phillips Medisize will add approximately 350 employees to its team of more than 6,000 following the deal, including more than 1,200 engineers and scientists.