• The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved Chiesi’s first carbon minimal pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) for Clenil^® Modulite^® (beclometasone) (100 mcg and 200 mcg).
• pMDIs, the most widely used inhaler device in the UK, account for 3% of the NHS total carbon footprint.^1,2
• Clenil Modulite (beclometasone) (100 mcg and 200 mcg) are the first pMDIs to use HFA-152a (a next-generation, non-PFAS propellant with a low GWP) worldwide, with the UK being the first country to approve these products.

Manchester, UK – 21st July 2026 – Chiesi, an international research-focused biopharmaceutical company and certified B Corp, today announces MHRA approval in the UK of Clenil Modulite (beclometasone; 100 mcg and 200 mcg) formulated with a next-generation, non-PFAS, low GWP propellant. These are the first pMDIs to use this propellant worldwide, with the UK being the first country to approve these products.

pMDIs remain the most widely prescribed inhaler device in the UK, accounting for around 70% of the 60 million devices prescribed each year.^1,3 Chiesi’s propellant transition is expected to cut the carbon footprint of their beclometasone products by up to 90% versus that of the current propellant and aims to ensure continuity of care for patients by preserving device choice while addressing the environmental impact of these pMDIs.⁴

Professor Dave Singh, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester said, “this milestone represents a significant step forward in sustainable respiratory care. Studies have demonstrated the therapeutic equivalence and tolerability of beclometasone formulated with HFA-152a, versus the existing propellant, HFA-134a, so patients can maintain access to the treatment that works for them while the carbon footprint of these pMDIs is addressed in the background.”⁴

The MHRA approval was informed by pharmacokinetic and safety studies which demonstrated therapeutic equivalence and tolerability between products formulated with HFA-152a, versus those formulated with HFA-134a.^4-10 

Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials, whose UK operation is based in Runcorn, is the manufacturing partner for the low GWP propellant used in these products. 

Ralph Blom, General Manager, Chiesi UK and Ireland said, “Beclometasone (100 mcg and 200 mcg) are the first in Chiesi’s pMDI portfolio to transition to a low-GWP propellant – a significant milestone as we evolve our respiratory portfolio and advance towards our Net Zero by 2035 goal. Our focus is on delivering innovation that supports both patients and the planet, reducing environmental impact and supporting NHS decarbonisation goals, while preserving choice, access and flexibility in treatment.”

Glossary of terms

HFA: hydrofluoroalkane. 
PFAS: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
GWP: global warming potential

Net Zero Commitment
Chiesi plans to be the first pharmaceutical company to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2035, 15 years ahead of the European Climate Neutrality target and 10 years ahead of the NHS 2045 target. This commitment covers all emission scopes. Chiesi’s targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in April 2024.¹¹ The Group has consolidated its greenhouse gas inventory in line with ISO 14064 and the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol standards, with annual audits carried out by independent third parties.

The transition to the next-generation propellant is one of the most impactful actions in Chiesi’s Net Zero roadmap, as inhaler propellants represent the single largest source of the Group’s greenhouse gas emissions.

About Chiesi Group  
Chiesi is a research-oriented international biopharmaceutical group that develops and markets innovative therapeutic solutions in respiratory health, rare diseases, and specialty care. The company’s mission is to improve people’s quality of life and act responsibly towards both the community and the environment. 

By adopting the legal form of Benefit Corporation in Italy, the US, France, and Colombia, Chiesi’s commitment to creating shared value for society as a whole is legally binding and central to company-wide decision-making. As a certified B Corp since 2019, Chiesi is part of a global community of businesses that meet verified standards for social and environmental business practices. The company aims to reach Net Zero greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions by 2035. 
 
With 90 years of experience, Chiesi is headquartered in Parma (Italy), with 31 affiliates worldwide, and counts more than 7,500 employees. The Group’s research and development center in Parma works alongside 6 other important R&D hubs in France, the US, Canada, China, the UK, and Sweden. 
 
For further information please visit www.chiesi.uk.com 

UK-CLE-2600011 | July 2026

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Media contact: 
Yasmin Ghariani
Head of Communications, UK and Ireland
Tel: +44 755 720 5478
Email: y.ghariani@chiesi.com  

References

1. Asthma and Lung UK, 2023. How inhalers affect the environment. [online] Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/symptoms-tests-treatments/treatments/inhaler-choices/how-inhalers-affect-environment. [Last Accessed: July 2026].
2.  NHS England, 2023. Greener NHS: Delivering high quality, low carbon respiratory care. [online] Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/2023/02/blog-delivering-high-quality-low-carbon-respiratory-care/. [Last Accessed: July 2026].
3. NHS England. Improving health outcomes for respiratory patients while reducing carbon emissions. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/whats-already-happening/improving-health-outcomes-for-respiratory-patients-while-reducing-carbon-emissions/. [Last accessed: July 2026].
4. Chiesi data on file. 
5. Rony F et al 2024, Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics: Evaluating the pharmacokinetics of beclometasone dipropionate/formoterol fumarate/glycopyrronium bromide delivered via pressurized metered-dose inhaler using a low global warming potential propellant. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pupt.2024.102299). 
6. Almeida M et al. Switching to a Low Global Warming Potential Propellant in a Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhaler Does Not Affect the Pharmacokinetics of Combined Beclometasone Dipropionate/Formoterol Fumarate. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149291826001128
7. Salvadori M et al 2025, Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics: The low global warming potential propellant HFA-152a does not induce bronchoconstriction or impair mucociliary clearance (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pupt.2025.102358). 
8. Singh D et al 2026, Respiratory Medicine: Safety and tolerability of the low global warming potential propellant HFA-152a in patients with asthma receiving beclometasone dipropionate/formoterol fumarate/glycopyrronium: The TRECOS study (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2026.108814). 
9. Matturro A et al 2025, An Official Journal of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists: Innovative drug development approach to address the transition to low global warming potential propellant using hydrofluoroalkane 152a, for triple combination pressurized metered dose inhaler products targeting small airways (https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-025-03057-z). 
10. Rony F, Pittelli MG, Contursi C, Pacchetti I, Calabrò ER, Viganò LV, et al. Impact on beclometasone dipropionate pharmacokinetics when switching to a low global warming potential propellant in a pressurised metered-dose inhaler. Pulmonary pharmacology & therapeutics [Internet]. 2025 Jun;89:102356. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40090514/. 
11. Chiesi UK Sustainability Report 2024. Available at: https://www.chiesi.uk.com/sustainability/reports.