Astrazenca's Trixeo Aerosphere Receives EMA Nod for Green Propellant

Astrazenca (AZN.US) has announced that a committee of experts from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended approval for its new environmentally friendly inhaler designed to treat chronic lung diseases. The EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has endorsed the use of a new type of propellant in Astrazenca's triple-combination inhaler, Trixeo Aerosphere. This new version of Trixeo Aerosphere, also known as Breztri Aerosphere in some regions, will utilize a next-generation medical-grade propellant developed by Honeywell. This propellant is designed to deliver precise doses of medication to the patient's lungs, aligning with Astrazenca's green sustainability initiatives.

The older version of the inhaler, which uses a different propellant, has already been approved in Europe for treating adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD, often referred to as "smoker's lung," primarily affects smokers but can also be caused by air pollution and occupational hazards.

The environmentally friendly version of Trixeo Aerosphere received approval from UK regulators in May and is currently under review in other countries, including China. The CHMP's recommendation for market authorization in the EU is based on clinical trial results, which showed that the new propellant is as effective as the current version in delivering medication and does not present new safety risks.

Ruud Dobber, Executive Vice President at Astrazenca, stated, "The positive opinion from the CHMP on the next-generation propellant in Trixeo Aerosphere allows us to meet the needs of both patients and the planet." Astrazenca highlighted that Honeywell's new propellant significantly reduces the carbon footprint compared to the currently used propellant.

If formally approved by the European Commission, which has the final say, Trixeo Aerosphere will be the first inhaler in the EU to use this new delivery mechanism. While the European Commission typically follows EMA recommendations, it is not legally bound to do so.

Trixeo Aerosphere generated $978 million in revenue for Astrazenca in 2024. Competitors in the COPD market include Dupixent from Sanofi and Regeneron, Trelegy Ellipta from GSK, and Ohtuvayre from Verona Pharma. Astrazenca plans to initiate the transition to the new propellant for Trixeo Aerosphere inhalers in Europe, supported by the CHMP's endorsement.