Inhaler firm Vectura removed from conference over Philip Morris takeover

Academics object to UK company's sponsorship of pharmaceutical event after tobacco giant seals 1.1bn deal

Asthma inhaler maker Vectura has been excluded from a pharmaceutical conference after academics staged a rebellion over the company's 1.1bn takeover by cigarette company Philip Morris International (PMI).

PMI effectively sealed the takeover on Thursday, after more than half of Vectura's shareholders agreed to sell their stock.