Chiesi outlines €350 million investment and announces the development of the first carbon minimal pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) for Asthma and COPD

Market leader in respiratory innovation highlights potentially harmful[1] consequences of short-term thinking in rush to introduce policies to switch patients to so-called ‘green inhalers’ as they announce breakthrough environmentally friendly pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) ready by end of 2025.

• Environmentally-friendly pMDI due to launch by end of 2025
• First commercial agreement signed with propellant gas supplier Koura
• New inhaler will ensure patients continue to access the range of treatment options they need

December 04 2019, Parma, ITALY; Chiesi, the international research-focused healthcare Group (Chiesi Group), today announces at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) its plan to bring to the market by the end of 2025 a breakthrough, environmentally friendly pMDI inhaler for patients with Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chiesi Group, which received B Corp^TM certification in June for its social and environmental transparency and accountability, and has committed to become carbon neutral by 2035, is the first company in the pharmaceutical industry to publicly announce a solution to address the carbon footprint of spray inhalers (pMDIs) while safeguarding necessary therapeutic options for patients.

Chiesi Group has a 5-year, €350 million investment plan to bring these new formulations to market, which will reduce the carbon footprint of pMDI inhalers by 90%. As part of this plan, Chiesi Group is the first company to announce a multi-million-euro commercial agreement to secure supply of HFA 152a (1,1-difluoroethane) with leading medical propellant manufacturer Koura. This new propellant will minimise the carbon footprint of a pMDI, down to a similar level as a dry powder inhaler (DPI)[2]. Chiesi has already invested approximately €50 million in manufacturing facilities for the new formulation and will work jointly with Koura to finalise the toxicology package demanded by worldwide regulatory agencies, prior to entering the next stage of clinical testing as required for any new drug.

Ugo Di Francesco, Chiesi Group CEO, said:

“We believe protecting patient health and the environment should not be a matter of compromise. We are proud to supply both pMDI and DPI inhalers and to have taken decisive and ambitious action to ensure patients can continue to access the inhaler options that best suit their needs, whilst innovating to find the most environmentally conscious solution available. Switching treatments for non-clinical reasons has the potential to have a negative impact on patients’ health, as well as placing an added strain on resources. Patients should not have to shoulder the burden of environmental responsibility when considering treatment options that affect their health In the face of a global climate crisis, we must all share the burden of action. I can only encourage other industry players to join us.”

[1] https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/inhaler-devices-and-global-warming-flawed-arguments

[2] https://www.zephex.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/inh_20171201_0036.pdf