EU authorities support the introduction of a pioneering, eco-friendly inhaler for the first time
AstraZeneca has made a significant stride in the fight against climate change with the development of an eco-friendly inhaler called Trixeo Aerosphere, designed for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This innovative inhaler, which uses a next-generation propellant, HFO-1234ze(E), has a carbon footprint that is 99.9% lower than traditional hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellants commonly used in pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs).
Availability
Trixeo Aerosphere’s updated eco-friendly formulation was first approved in the UK in May 2025. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) followed suit in July 2025, allowing AstraZeneca to transition Trixeo to this low-carbon propellant across the EU. Regulatory reviews are underway in several other countries, including China, suggesting wider availability is forthcoming.
Impact on Healthcare’s Climate Footprint
Traditional pMDIs with HFA propellants contribute significantly to healthcare’s carbon footprint. In the UK, for instance, they account for about 3% of the National Health Service's (NHS) overall carbon emissions. By switching to the low global warming potential (GWP) propellant, AstraZeneca supports health systems in meeting net-zero climate targets by significantly reducing the emissions associated with inhaler use.
This transition is part of AstraZeneca’s Ambition Zero Carbon strategy, aiming to convert its entire pMDI portfolio to near-zero GWP propellants by 2030. Reducing the environmental impact of respiratory medicines aligns with broader healthcare goals to enhance resilience against climate-related health risks and to minimize healthcare-generated greenhouse gases.
In summary, AstraZeneca’s eco-friendly inhaler significantly lowers carbon emissions without compromising therapeutic efficacy or safety. It is now approved and becoming available in Europe and other regions, and represents a meaningful advance in reducing healthcare’s climate impact in respiratory care. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is phasing out many of these gas propellant inhalers for environmental reasons, with Trixeo Aerosphere leading the way.
The eco-friendly inhaler, Trixeo Aerosphere, is now approved and becoming available in Europe, marking a meaningful advance in reducing healthcare's climate impact in respiratory care. This inhaler, designed for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), uses a low global warming potential (GWP) propellant, HFO-1234ze(E), that significantly reduces emissions associated with inhaler use. As part of AstraZeneca’s Ambition Zero Carbon strategy, the goal is to convert its entire pMDI portfolio to near-zero GWP propellants by 2030, contributing to broader healthcare goals in enhancing resilience against climate-related health risks and minimizing healthcare-generated greenhouse gases. In addition, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is phasing out many gas propellant inhalers for environmental reasons, with Trixeo Aerosphere leading the way in medical-conditions like COPD and chronic diseases.
