OzUK
OzUK is a UK-based contract research organisation specializing in pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) and liquid aerosol R&D, serving pharmaceutical, biotechnology and cannabinoid companies with formulation development, low-GWP propellant transition, and CMC testing services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersChippenham, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What OzUK does
OzUK (Oz-UK Limited) is a UK-based contract research organization founded in 2017 (some sources cite 2015) and headquartered in Chippenham, Wiltshire along the M4 Corridor, specializing exclusively in pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) and liquid aerosol research and development. The company is led by Dr. David Lewis (CSO, co-founder, 30+ years in MDI development, 30+ patents, 175+ publications) and Professor Paul Young (CEO, co-founder, concurrent CEO of Australian partner Ab Initio Pharma), with Robert Johnson (COO) joining in February 2017 from PPD, Chiesi, Vectura and AstraZeneca. Its core platform is MDI*Sprint™, a lean methodology that runs CMC modules concurrently to compress MDI commercialization timelines, overlaid on a differentiated technical footprint that includes ATEX-rated pilot plant capacity, GLP-grade low-GWP propellant handling for HFA-152a and HFO-1234ze, in-vitro bioequivalence and particle-size analysis, and a Controlled Drugs Licence covering Schedule 1 & 2 substances.\n\nThe business model is project-based B2B contract research, with pricing quoted per engagement rather than published; the operating geographies span the UK and, through the Ab Initio partnership, Australia. The company pursues customers via industry conferences (DDL, RDD), an OzUK*Partners referral network (Bespak, H&T Presspart, Ab Initio Pharma, Recipharm), and direct enterprise sales to pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and cannabinoid developers. A second Chippenham site was opened in 2023 and a new low-GWP manufacturing line (capable of 2.5–10 kg batches) became operational in July 2024, with the ATEX-rated pilot plant following in November 2024. Capital structure is private and founder-led, with no identified institutional equity investors; growth to date has been supported by UK public grants (ERDF in 2022, UKSPF/Rural Prosperity Funds in 2023).
OzUK firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OzUK
- Legal name
- Oz-UK Limited
- Website
- https://oz-uk-labs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- OzUK is a UK-based contract research organisation specializing in pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) and liquid aerosol R&D, serving pharmaceutical, biotechnology and cannabinoid companies with formulation development, low-GWP propellant transition, and CMC testing services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OzUK industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pharmaceutical Contract Research (Inhalation Drug Development)
- SIC
- Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Formulation & Preclinical CMC Support (Nonclinical) (HLAGAFAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Inhalers (MDI/DPI/SMI) (HLAHAIAI)
Keywords
Where OzUK is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chippenham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
OzUK business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Contract Research Services: OzUK provides contract research organization (CRO) services specializing in pMDI and liquid aerosol R&D. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts for formulation development, CMC testing, regulatory support, and scale-up services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based contract research services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
OzUK product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OzUK is a contract research organisation that delivers end-to-end development, reformulation, and commercialisation services for pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) and liquid aerosol medicines. Its core offering, branded MDI*Sprint™, coordinates formulation development, CMC testing, regulatory support, and partner-led manufacturing scale-up for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and cannabinoid clients, with a particular focus on transitioning products from legacy HFA propellants to low-GWP alternatives ahead of the Kigali Amendment deadline.
Product overview
OzUK is a contract research organisation (CRO) providing a unified platform of specialised services for pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI/MDI) and liquid aerosol research and development. The core offering centres on the MDI*Sprint™ methodology, a streamlined commercialisation pathway that coordinates formulation development, regulatory support, and manufacturing partnerships. This platform is supported by distinct service modules: Green*Shift for propellant transition to low-GWP alternatives; Generic*Pioneers for ANDA formulation services; Inhalation*Innovation for new product introduction; and Quality*Throughput for CMC testing and facilities. The OzUK*Partners programme integrates component suppliers (Bespak, H&T Presspart) and CDMOs (Ab Initio Pharma) to deliver end-to-end services from early-phase discovery through clinical trial supply and scale-up support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MDI*Sprint™: Expedited pathway for commercialization of Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) products using lean methodology that optimizes product development through concurrent execution of CMC modules.
- Green*Shift*
- Generic*Pioneers*
Products and services
- MDI*Sprint™
Companies that use OzUK
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
OzUK technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
OzUK partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- BespakcoreOzUK and Bespak strengthened their partnership with additional capabilities for early-stage product feasibility and development services for low-GWP pMDIs. Bespak is a global CDMO focused on inhaled and nasal drug delivery devices and combination products, supplying a major proportion of the world's pMDI dosing valves and actuators. OzUK's pilot-scale processes seamlessly transfer to Bespak's new HFA-152a GMP filling line for clinical supply at its Holmes Chapel site.
- RecipharmcoreRecipharm and OzUK joined forces to accelerate development and manufacture of green pMDIs utilizing low-GWP propellants. The collaboration capitalizes on OzUK's early-stage formulation expertise and Recipharm's manufacturing capabilities, with first formulations featuring Koura's Zephex HFA-152a propellant. OzUK's laboratory infrastructure enables rapid customer program delivery.
- H&T PresspartcoreH&T Presspart partnered with OzUK to offer complete development services for metered dose inhalers. H&T Presspart provides delivery device development services from their Inhalation Product Technology Centre (IPTC), while OzUK provides formulation and testing services. Together they offer complete services for innovator and generic MDIs including low-GWP propellant formulations.
- Ab Initio PharmacoreOzUK partnered with Australian-based Ab Initio Pharma to offer a bench-to-clinic service for MDI innovators through the MDISprint program. Ab Initio provides cGMP clinical trial manufacturing at their Sydney facility, enabling seamless technology transfer from OzUK's Chippenham R&D centre for early phase trials.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
OzUK competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- GSK: Global pharmaceutical major with one of the largest respiratory inhaler portfolios (Advair/Flovent, Ventolin, Trelegy) covering pMDI and DPI formats. Comparable as the dominant buyer-side incumbent whose low-GWP transition needs shape OzUK's market.
- Catalent: Large global CDMO offering inhalation development and fill-finish services via its Paragon platform. Comparable at the capability level but as a multi-therapeutic incumbent rather than an MDI specialist.
- Chiesi Farmaceutici: Major respiratory pharmaceutical company with its own pMDI franchise (e.g. Foster, Clenil) and large in-house inhalation R&D function. Comparable as a customer/buyer of MDI services but also a potential competitor for low-GWP reformulation.
Direct peers
- Hovione: Portugal-headquartered CDMO with a dedicated inhalation technology business covering pMDI, DPI, and nasal formulation development. Comparable as an inhalation-focused CRO/CDMO serving respiratory pharma clients globally.
- Recipharm: Global pharmaceutical CDMO with inhalation development and manufacturing capabilities and an explicit low-GWP pMDI programme. Comparable as both an inhalation peer and an active commercial-scale partner of OzUK.
- Vectura Group: Specialist inhalation drug-delivery company with deep pMDI formulation, device, and development expertise. Highly comparable as a dedicated MDI/inhalation platform; OzUK founders (Lewis, Young) previously worked at Vectura after spinning out of Bath University.
- Bespak: Global CDMO focused on inhaled and nasal drug-delivery devices and combination products, supplying a major share of the world's pMDI valves and actuators. Comparable as an inhalation specialist peer and core OzUK partner for low-GWP programmes.
- Ab Initio Pharma: Australia-based clinical-stage MDI CDMO providing cGMP clinical trial supply for inhaled medicines. Directly comparable niche peer and an active OzUK partner for early-phase MDI programmes.
- Kindeva Drug Delivery: Global CDMO formerly 3M Drug Delivery Systems, focused on pMDI manufacturing and development including low-GWP propellant transition programmes. Directly comparable as a specialist inhalation contract development and manufacturing organisation.
- H&T Presspart: Specialist manufacturer of pMDI valves, actuators, and canister components with inhalation product technology capabilities. Comparable as an MDI-focused partner/peer and active co-development collaborator of OzUK.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
OzUK social profiles
Digital presenceOzUK compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
OzUK financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OzUK leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
OzUK funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OzUK M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OzUK
What does OzUK do?
OzUK is a contract research organisation that delivers end-to-end development, reformulation, and commercialisation services for pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) and liquid aerosol medicines. Its core offering, branded MDI*Sprint™, coordinates formulation development, CMC testing, regulatory support, and partner-led manufacturing scale-up for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and cannabinoid clients, with a particular focus on transitioning products from legacy HFA propellants to low-GWP alternatives ahead of the Kigali Amendment deadline.
Is OzUK a public or private company?
OzUK is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was OzUK founded?
OzUK was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is OzUK based?
OzUK is headquartered in Chippenham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does OzUK make money?
One revenue line is on record: contract Research Services.
Who are OzUK's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are GSK, Catalent and Chiesi Farmaceutici. Direct peers are Hovione, Recipharm, Vectura Group, Bespak, Ab Initio Pharma, Kindeva Drug Delivery and H&T Presspart.
Does OzUK have an API?
No public API is recorded for OzUK.
What industry is OzUK in?
OzUK's product category is Pharmaceutical Contract Research (Inhalation Drug Development). Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAFAL, Formulation & Preclinical CMC Support (Nonclinical), with a secondary code of HLAHAIAI, Inhalers (MDI/DPI/SMI). Its SIC code is 8071.