Sustainability in Inhalation and Small-Molecule Drugs

Sustainability and green manufacturing are becoming priorities for the pharmaceutical industry due to evolving and changing regulations to protect both the environment and patients. Pharmaceutical Technology^® spoke with Andy Burns, vice president, MDI Business Development at Kindeva, about how these developing and complex requirements are impacting contract development and manufacturing organizations. Speaking specifically about the respiratory drug business that he works in, Burns feels there is a revolution happening because of the evolving regulatory changes pertaining to sustainability in the pharma industry.

“We are developing products on behalf of clients where they are looking for more environmentally friendly options, not just through choice, but actually because legislation is dictating their transition needs to happen. So, part of our service is to work with clients, work with our equipment, our research and development people who are experts in this field to produce more environmentally friendly options. For example, European legislation is dictating that phasedown of current products. It will start in 2027 and will finish in 2029. So that's a three-year phasedown period, and beyond that, the usage of existing propellants within metered dose inhalers is going to be limited to a fraction of what it is now. So [they will] still be allowed, but at very, very small volumes. So, we're seeing a big switchover for a lot of companies who are looking to lifecycle manage their existing portfolios, their existing franchises, by reformulating products with new propellants,” says Burns.

Click the video above to watch the interview.

About the speaker

Andy Burns, vice president, MDI Business Development at Kindeva

Andy Burns, vice president, MDI Business Development at Kindeva.