Global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), Recipharm announced a collaboration with Oz-UK, a contract research organization (CRO) and solutions provider for respiratory R&D, to accelerate the development and manufacturing of “green” pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDI).
The pMDIs will use Recipharm’s Bespak brand valves and actuators, as well as a new generation of low global warming potential (GWP) thrusters.
This collaboration will see Recipharm and Oz-UK join forces to advance environmentally friendly pMDIs, capitalizing on the strengths and capabilities of both organizations to ensure the fastest possible route to market for customers. Initial formulations will include Koura’s Zephex HFA-152a, a sustainable medical propellant that significantly reduces the device’s overall carbon footprint.
Recipharm can offer its customers a choice of green propellants for use in pMDIs, investing significantly in its product development and manufacturing capacity and its ability to meet demand. Earlier this year, CDMO collaborated with Honeywell to develop pMDIs incorporating Honeywell Solstice Air (HFO-1234ze(E)) cGMP, and is also embarking on a significant expansion of its commercial-scale pMDI manufacturing capabilities across its Holmes Chapel site in the United Kingdom.
To lead the transition to greener propellants for customers, Recipharm has appointed Simon Gardner as Business Development Specialist for pMDIs. Gardner comes from Koura and brings over 20 years of experience in the medical propellant industry to the role.
Chris Hirst, President of Advanced Delivery Systems at Recipharm, said: “Having access to a team of experts to guide them through the process is essential to a successful transition for our customers. Simon’s wealth of experience in medical propellants, including the launch of the Zephex HFA-152a during his time at Koura, means our customers will be in good hands as he helps them transition to devices more ecological.
Oz-UK has invested in its laboratory infrastructure to enable customer programs to be delivered with unrivaled speed and responsiveness. Opening a second site in 2023, it will be further enhanced by mid-2024, with the addition of capabilities to enable the manufacture of solution and suspension pMDIs containing low GWP propellants, HFA-152a and HFO- 1234ze (E), for use in development programs.
David Lewis, co-founder of Oz-UK said: “Recipharm’s agility in adapting to the challenges of new, greener propellants is impressive and a big part of what attracted us to work with them. We requested specific valve versions and were able to put them on products and test them in our lab within a week. This is the speed needed to successfully transition to low-GWP propellants, and we are excited to see our customers’ programs accelerate through this collaboration.
Hirst added: “Oz-UK has an excellent reputation for innovation in methods and processes to accelerate the early stages of product formulation. This relationship will allow us to bring greener pMDIs to patients who rely on them to treat chronic conditions like asthma and COPD faster than ever before.
“With the manufacturing expertise and development capabilities to support a choice of propellant, and a team of experts available from Recipharm and Oz-UK to support our customers, we are well placed to become the partner of choice companies developing sustainable pMDIs for respiratory care.
