Honeywell and Recipharm, a global CDMO, entered into a commercial partnership to develop pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) that use Honeywell’s near-zero global warming potential (GWP) propellant.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are treated using pMDIs that have a high global warming potential due to the use of hydrofluoroalkanes (HFAs) as propellants.

Honeywell Solstice Air (HFO-1234ze(E) cGMP) is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) propellant in clinical development for pMDIs that has 99.9% less global warming potential than HFAs. In addition, Solstice Air is non-flammable, non-ozone-depleting and volatile organic compound (VOC)-exempt under federal and state guidelines.

The partnership with Honeywell follows Recipharm’s announcement that it is expanding its pMDI product development and manufacturing capabilities to accommodate increased demand from pharmaceutical companies. Research will be conducted at Recipharm’s dedicated inhalation development facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.

Recipharm customers will also benefit from the company’s Bespak valves, which have been optimized to ensure performance with products containing Honeywell Solstice Air as the propellant.
 
“Honeywell is making great strides to offer patients who rely on pMDIs a lower greenhouse gas solution to meet their medical needs,” said Laura Reinhard, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Foam, and Industrial Products. “Through our collaboration with Recipharm, the increased use of near-zero GWP propellant used in pMDIs will help reduce the environmental impact of the life-saving medical treatments patients need, without sacrificing performance.”

“As the first CDMO to partner with Honeywell for use of Solstice Air, this collaboration significantly accelerates and simplifies our customers’ pathway to develop the next generation of low greenhouse gas pMDIs,” said Chris Hirst, president of Recipharm’s Advanced Delivery Systems business unit. “Our collaboration is supported by Recipharm’s investment in manufacturing with HFO-1234ze(E) cGMP at our Holmes Chapel, United Kingdom site, and the further development of the Bespak valve range to ensure the required product performance.”

Honeywell has invested more than $1 billion in research, development and new capacity for its Solstice technology, which has applications in refrigerants, blowing agents, aerosols and solvents.