Bespak & Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials Unite to Accelerate Transition to Climate-Friendly Inhalers

Bespak and Orbia Advance Corporation, S.A.B. de C.V. Fluor & Energy Materials recently announced a collaboration intended to accelerate the transition to climate-friendly inhalers utilising Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials’ low global warming potential (GWP) propellant known as Zephex 152a.

As a result of its commitment to the pMDI industry’s transition from currently-used propellants to more sustainable solutions, Bespak has verified the feasibility of leading marketed pMDI formulations with low GWP propellants – an achievement enabled by its market-leading range of valves and its network of expert partners, underpinned by its own footprint encompassing GLP lab-scale formulation feasibility, product development and analytical testing, clinical-scale GMP capability and commercial-scale GMP manufacturing.

Following significant investments, Bespak can now provide development services up to market approval for all pMDI formulations and propellants, supported by capacity for commercial supply. Most recently, Bespak announced the availability of its clinical supply services utilising HFA-152a as a result of its partnership with H&T Presspart, and its investment in a new high-speed commercial-scale filling line capable of manufacturing with HFA-152a, both at the company’s Holmes Chapel site.

Combining Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials’ innovation in propellant technology and its own GLP and clinical-scale GMP capability with Bespak’s leading position in pMDI componentry and services, the shared aim of the collaboration is to advance understanding and enable success in the reformulation and commercialisation of pMDI products globally. The companies will focus their activities in their teams working in close geographical proximity at their sites in the North West of England, well-known historically for its pMDI knowledge base. In addition, the technical support provided by Bespak’s team in King’s Lynn, UK, which has conducted research and development over the past five years to advance a range of valves and actuators to ensure unmatched performance with the new generation of propellants, will result in further speed and agility in the reformulation and development process.

Chris Hirst, CEO of Bespak, said “We are committed to leading the transition to low GWP propellants in pMDIs, and in collaboration with Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials, we will enable customers to progress their inhaler portfolios utilising Zephex 152a. Our goal is to convert as many formulations as possible to maintain patient access to pMDIs as global regulation evolves, and we look forward to working with Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials to provide customers with a pathway to commercialisation at our Holmes Chapel site.”

Markus Laubscher, General Manager of Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials Pharma Business Unit, added “This is another step forward in bringing pMDIs using our low GWP medical propellant Zephex 152a to the market.  We are excited to extend our industry collaborations to Bespak who bring the needed capabilities to the table, from their expertise in valves and actuators, to their demonstrated commitment to clinical and commercial-scale product manufacturing.”

Bespak is a global contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) focused on inhaled and nasal drug delivery devices and drug-device combination products. Bespak develops and manufactures finished pharmaceutical products, as well as being a leading global supplier of drug delivery devices and componentry to the pharmaceutical industry. With a long history in the development and commercial supply of pressurised Metered Dose Inhalers (pMDIs), Bespak supplies a major proportion of the world’s pMDI dosing valves and actuators, and also specialises in the industrialisation and high-volume manufacture of complex dry powder inhaler (DPI) devices.

Headquartered in Holmes Chapel, UK, the company’s service offering spans early-stage feasibility, analytical services and product development, from pilot-scale, through to clinical supply and commercial-scale drug product fill-finish, device and component manufacturing. More information: www.bespak.com.

Orbia Advance Corporation, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: ORBIA*) is a company driven by a shared purpose: to advance life around the world. Orbia operates in the Polymer Solutions (Vestolit and Alphagary), Building and Infrastructure (Wavin), Precision Agriculture (Netafim), Connectivity Solutions (Dura-Line) and Fluor & Energy Materials (Koura) sectors. The five Orbia business groups have a collective focus on expanding access to health and well-being, reinventing the future of cities and homes, ensuring food, water and sanitation security, connecting communities to information and enabling the energy transition with basic and advanced materials, specialty products and innovative solutions. Orbia has a global team of over 24,000 employees, commercial activities in more than 100 countries and operations in over 50, with global headquarters in Boston, Mexico City, Amsterdam and Tel Aviv. The company generated $8.2 billion in revenue in 2023. To learn more, visit: orbia.com.

Orbia’s Fluor & Energy Materials business (Koura) is a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of fluoroproducts that play a fundamental role in enhancing everyday lives and shortening the path to a sustainable, circular economy. Backed by over 35 years of experience, its products are used in a vast range of applications including electric vehicles and energy storage, urban and rural infrastructure, indoor climate management, food and medicine refrigeration and even in treating respiratory conditions through the development of healthy and innovative low-GWP propellants for metered dose inhalers. Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials has 1,600 employees and 13 manufacturing facilities worldwide, serving 60 countries through a global sales and distribution network. More information: www.KouraGlobal.com.