CHARLOTTE – Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) will partner with AstraZeneca to bring new respiratory inhalers to market that use what the companies call “near-zero global warming potential” propellants.
The products will treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a statement. There are as many as 339 million children and adults with asthma and 384 million people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
“Many of these patients are currently treated using pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) that can contribute to the global carbon footprint of respiratory care,” the statement from the companies reads.
But they will collaborate to bring different products to market. AstraZeneca completed a Phase I clinical trial, and the statement noted that it expects its product Breztri Aerospehere to be the first to transition to the new platform, once cleared by regulators.
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Behind the deal
Following this Phase I trial, AstraZeneca is advancing its commercial partnership with Honeywell to develop their triple-combination therapy, Breztri Aerosphere, using Honeywell’s near-zero GWP propellant technology.
“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,” said Pascal Soriot, chief executive officer, AstraZeneca. “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.”
Honeywell moved its headquarters to Charlotte in 2018. The statement noted that the company has invested about a billion dollars in research and development, as well as adding capacity, for its technoogy known as Solstice. The company expects to reach carbon neutrality by 2035 in its facilities, according to the statement.
“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.”
