AptarGroup subsidiary Aptar Pharma said it is continuing work on a multi-year research contract funded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), focused on helping the inhaler industry transition toward next-generation propellants.
The project is centered on metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and the development of lower-impact propellant systems that could support future sustainability and regulatory goals across the pharmaceutical and aerosol sectors.
The FDA awarded the research contract in September 2023. Aptar Pharma said the work is designed to improve scientific understanding of how formulation composition, inhaler device design, and anatomical variability interact when using next-generation propellants.
The company said activities completed so far include pilot-scale filling studies, evaluation of valve variants, realistic in vitro testing, and computational modeling related to aerosol physics and propellant systems.
A second drug evaluation program is currently underway in 2026, according to the company.
Aptar Pharma also said the research includes studying propellant properties in isolation and examining how drugs behave in suspension and solution formulations.
The company stated that findings and interim observations have been shared with the FDA throughout the contract process. The work is described as research-oriented and not linked to specific commercial products or regulatory filings.
Why it matters
The transition toward next-generation propellants is becoming increasingly important across inhalation and aerosol industries as manufacturers face growing environmental and regulatory pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to older propellant systems.
For packaging and dispensing technology suppliers, the shift could create long-term changes in:
- valve systems
- aerosol engineering
- formulation compatibility
- manufacturing processes
- regulatory testing requirements
The project also highlights how large packaging and delivery-system companies are investing more heavily in sustainability-driven product redesign and scientific research partnerships.
Aptar Pharma said future phases of the contract could include exploratory pharmacokinetic studies examining links between laboratory findings, computational modeling, and in vivo observations.
Scientific outcomes from the program are expected to be presented at the Respiratory Drug Delivery conference in the United States in May 2026, with peer-reviewed publications also planned later this year.
Editor’s Note: Information in this article is based on Aptar Pharma’s official press release published on 7 May 2026.
