Wednesday 23 February 2022

AstraZeneca forms partnership to develop climate-friendly respiratory inhalers

AstraZeneca has formed a partnership with Honeywell to develop the next-generation of respiratory inhalers that are environmentally-friendly.

They plan to use the propellant HFO-1234ze, which has up to 99.9% less global warming potential (GWP) than propellants currently used in respiratory medicines.

Recent results from the first phase of the near-zero GWP propellant trial in healthy adults were positive, demonstrating similar safety, tolerability and systemic exposure of the active ingredients used.

The initiative supports AstraZeneca's ambition for zero carbon global operations by 2025 and carbon negative by 2030.

The pharmaceutical company's annual sustainability report revealed the entirety of its imported electricity now comes from renewable energy sources and it has achieved a 59% reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions since 2015.

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.”

AstraZeneca is also aiming to ensure 95% of its key suppliers and partners have science-based targets over the next three years.

Darius Adamczyk, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Honeywell added:: “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.

“Our goal is to reduce respiratory healthcare carbon emissions without restricting patient choice or risking improvement in health outcomes.”