Honeywell announced a commercial partnership with AstraZeneca to develop and bring to market next-generation respiratory inhalers that use near-zero global warming potential (GWP) propellants to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

As many as 384 million people suffer from COPD, a progressive respiratory disease, and 339 million children and adults suffer from asthma. Many of these patients are currently treated using pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) that can contribute to the global carbon footprint of respiratory care.

AstraZeneca, a global leader in the treatment of respiratory diseases, is working to incorporate Honeywell's Solstice Air (HFO-1234ze cGMP) technology as a  medical propellant, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of the pMDIs by up to 99.9 percent when compared to current inhaler propellants. Solstice Air is the only non-flammable, near zero GWP propellant available and in clinical development today for pMDIs.

A recently completed Phase I clinical trial of the propellant HFO-1234ze in a pMDI containing budesonide, glycopyrronium, formoterol fumarate in healthy adults was positive, demonstrating similar safety and tolerability profile and systemic exposure of the active ingredients when compared to Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate). AstraZeneca expects Breztri Aerosphere to be the first medicine to transition to the next generation pMDI platform, subject to regulatory approval.

Following these positive results from the Phase I trial, AstraZeneca will advance a commercial partnership with Honeywell to develop their triple-combination therapy, Breztri Aerosphere, using Honeywell's near-zero GWP propellant technology.

Pascal Soriot, chief executive officer, AstraZeneca said: "We are making great progress on our ambition to be zero carbon across our global operations by the end of 2025 and carbon negative across our entire value chain by 2030. Our collaboration with Honeywell demonstrates AstraZeneca's commitment to advancing sustainable healthcare innovation, with the aim of improving outcomes for patients while reducing our environmental footprint.

"The work we are doing with AstraZeneca developing a respiratory inhaler, with a new near-zero Global Warming Potential propellant, is tremendously important for both the environment and patients with respiratory issues," said Darius Adamczyk, chairman and chief executive officer of Honeywell. "Our goal is to reduce respiratory healthcare carbon emissions without restricting patient choice or risking improvement in health outcomes. This is just one example of how Honeywell is innovating to help our customers, like AstraZeneca, reach their environmental goals and keep their focus on quality for their customers."

Solstice Air is a breakthrough for pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs). A nonflammable and low global warming potential (GWP) alternative to hydrofluorocarbons, it is non-ozone-depleting, VOC-exempt (U.S. EPA and CARB), with an ultra-low GWP close to 1. It's the only next-generation HFO-based propellant not currently subject to quota-based allocation under the recent American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) of 2020.