Suncombe’s expertise helps Kindeva to Support NHS Net Zero Ambition with Low GWP pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) Products
Introduction
Suncombe is proud to announce the completion of a successful project with Kindeva, a global CDMO and drug delivery expert, to support the National Health Service (NHS) in achieving its ambitious Net Zero goals. This collaboration focuses on the development and production of low Global Warming Potential (GWP) pressurized Metered-Dose Inhaler (pMDI) products, contributing to a significant reduction in emissions from inhaler gas propellants.
About Kindeva
Kindeva is a global contract development manufacturing organization focused on developing and manufacturing products across a broad range of complex drug-delivery formats, including autoinjectors, inhalers, transdermal patches, and microneedles.
About Suncombe
Incorporated in 1961, Suncombe Ltd, a UK-based manufacturer with over 60 years of experience in hygienic process engineering, is renowned for designing and supplying advanced Clean-in-Place (CIP), Biowaste Decontamination, Effluent Treatment and high Purity Process Systems. Serving global biopharmaceutical, high-containment and research markets, Suncombe is widely trusted for GMP-compliant, highly automated and fully validated process systems. The company has a worldwide network of agents and distributors and all machines are designed and built in the United Kingdom.
With a history of collaboration with major pharma players such as Pfizer, GSK, Merck, and ThermoFisher, Suncombe was selected as a trusted partner for the facility to deliver this critical process system.
About the project
Suncombe have been awarded a major contract to work with Kindeva, one of the UK’s largest asthma inhaler manufacturers, to collaborate in the co-development and tailor to the client’s requirements of their next generation of greener inhalers, designed to help support the NHS to cut a contributor to its emissions.
The NHS Net Zero Strategy identified inhaler gas as a contributor to the NHS footprint, accounting for around 3% of its emissions and the new inhalers will be manufactured using new propellants, which will cut the Global Warming Potential of the inhalers by over 90%.
Kindeva is installing manufacturing capacity in its Loughborough, UK facility, capable of filling inhalers with the new low GWP alternative propellant, while some of these new alternative propellants have upwards of 90% lower GWP than HFA-134a, the greenest propellant used in the industry currently.
This investment at Loughborough is the continuation of a series of facility investments reflecting Kindeva’s long-standing global leadership in inhalation product development and manufacturing.
Traditionally working with systems using HFA-134a or HFA 227 based formulations, these new systems are capable of filling inhalers with the new low GWP alternative propellant, while some of these new alternative propellants have upwards of 90% lower GWP than P134a, the greenest propellant used in the industry currently.
Suncombe Project
Suncombe’s involvement in the exciting ground breaking project included the collaboration in the co-development and tailoring to the client’s requirements, modelling, manufacture and testing of the pressurised Metered-Dose Inhaler (pMDI) production system.
Suncombe’s pressurised Metered-Dose Inhaler (pMDI) production systems incorporate high pressure and temperature controlled highly critical piping, vessels, and instrumentation, built around the guiding principles of ASME BPE, to provide robust, reliable, repeatability sterile manufacturing facilities. Suncombe excellent in-house automation resources were used to develop the control and operation of the system, to ensure the user experience whilst incorporating all levels of versatility and operator interaction, including reporting and auditable systems.
Leadership Comments
Steve Overton, Suncombe’s Operations Director commented “We have worked with the Loughborough site for many years producing equipment for their production lines, and were honoured to be asked to be involved in this incredibly important project for Kindeva, for the NHS and ultimately for the sustainability of the world environment.”
Craig Sommerville, Senior Vice President of the MDI business unit at Kindeva, commented: “Establishing Loughborough as Kindeva’s MDI centre of excellence will transform patients’ lives across the world. Our partnership with Suncombe will continue to showcase our expertise as market leaders in the field and allow Kindeva to support the NHS with its transition to next-generation propellants, whilst treating patients with respiratory conditions”.
Conclusion
The collaboration between Suncombe and Kindeva demonstrates the power of innovation and partnership in addressing pressing environmental challenges. By combining expertise in manufacturing and process development, the project sets a benchmark for sustainable healthcare practices. With a focus on delivering high-performance, low-impact inhaler products, this initiative represents a significant step toward a greener, healthier future.
