• At the 2024 European Respiratory Society Congress (ERS), Chiesi Group will convene two symposia to highlight the importance of patient centricity in managing asthma and COPD
• Chiesi Group will present the value for patients in using innovative decentralized elements in clinical trial design, with positive findings regarding the potential to decrease patient burden and increase accessibility
• Building on recent investments, Chiesi Group will share key progress in its carbon minimal inhaler project, including positive study results and the initiation of a Phase 3 clinical trial

VIENNA, September 4, 2024 – Chiesi Group, an international, research-focused biopharmaceuticals group, is pleased to participate in the ERS Congress 2024, which is being held from 7 to 11 September in Vienna, Austria. The ERS Congress is an annual event that brings together the world’s respiratory experts to showcase the latest advances in respiratory medicine and science.

Giuseppe Accogli, CEO of Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, said, “At Chiesi, we recognize the critical link between a healthy planet and healthy lungs. The climate crisis disproportionately affects people with chronic respiratory diseases. Chiesi is committed to developing innovative treatments that benefit both people and the environment, focusing on engaging patients as well as the healthcare and scientific communities."

Sponsoring patient-centric symposia

As part of its commitment to the care and improvement of the quality of life of people suffering from respiratory diseases, such as asthma and COPD, Chiesi is proud to be welcoming leading experts at two company-sponsored symposia. They will provide important scientific insights on patient perspectives for the management of these diseases:

• ‘Holistic approach to improve quality of life of people living with COPD’, 8 September at 12:15. With experts from Switzerland, Germany, Italy and the UK, this symposium will provide a high scientific and patient-centric perspective on the real needs and challenges patients face in their daily lives. It will also present relevant recent evidence from real world data in terms of the effectiveness and benefits of triple inhaled therapy for COPD patients.

• ‘Embrace patient perspectives and new real-world evidence towards better asthma management’, 9 September at 12:45. Convening expert presentations in combination with an insightful interview between an asthma patient and a practicing respiratory physician, this symposium will open with an exploration of the role of Small Airways Disease (SAD) in asthma, revealing its significant impact on exacerbations, lung function and quality of life. Exploring the importance of patients as partners in diagnosing and understanding their disease, it will further seek to understand how the burden on patients can be reduced in clinical trials, while better leveraging real world evidence studies to improve understanding of patient needs and how to address them.

Chiesi is also hosting two institutional presentations at its booth within the ERS Congress:

• ‘Clearing the Air: An Industry Response to Preserve Patients' and Planet's Health’, 10 September 2024 at 12:15.
• ‘Innovation in Chiesi clinical trials to deliver patient and site focused research’, 10 September 2024 at 13:00.

Patient insights into decentralization of a clinical trial in asthma (TANGO)

Chiesi Group continues to advance asthma and COPD treatment with an inhaled, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory treatment which addresses significant unmet needs in these conditions and is being tested through an extensive and geographically widespread clinical program including 2 pivotal Phase 3 studies in COPD and a Phase 2 study in asthma. The latter, called TANGO, represents an important milestone for the company in its effort to reinforce patient-centricity throughout the steps of development.

As the trial continues to enroll, Chiesi presents findings from a qualitative research study conducted in asthma patients in 4 countries, exploring the TANGO design presented as a hypothetical trial. Findings from the study point to positive acceptance of decentralized approaches when clearly explained and may support reduced patient burden and expanded trial accessibility.

At the ERS Congress, Chiesi will present a poster entitled ‘Patient insight into decentralization of a clinical trial in asthma (TANGO)’ on 10 September from 8:00 to 9:30.

“We are proud that Chiesi is transforming its commitment to patient-centricity into action by utilizing innovative trial tools, such as digitalization and decentralization, through our TANGO clinical trial. In a context where industry leaders are striving to drive increased accessibility and diversity in clinical trials, we will continue to promote approaches that not only reduce the burden on patients but also ensure inclusion and accessibility,” commented Diego Ardigò, Head of Research & Development at Chiesi Group.

Key developments in Carbon Minimal Inhaler Project

Recognising that climate change and health are inextricably connected^[1], with the worsening of one, leading to the more severe symptoms in health^[2], Chiesi will share key developments in its carbon minimal inhaler project at the ERS Congress. This is an important step in its journey to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, while preserving asthma and COPD patients’ needs.

 “Chiesi is committed to transforming its decades-long leadership in respiratory care into cutting-edge and innovative solutions for patients. Our reach extends from pioneering trial designs and sustainable devices to enhanced care pathways, digital innovations, and exploring new indications through strategic partnerships. We are forging a unique path toward achieving comprehensive global leadership in the respiratory care sector,” said Michelle Soriano, Head of Respiratory Franchise (AIR) at Chiesi Group.

The company is proceeding with a long-term phase 3 clinical trial for the new carbon minimal inhalers platform^[3], replacing the current hydrofluorocarbon propellant (HFC 134a) with a new, low global warming potential one (HFC 152a). Chiesi has already completed two short-term clinical studies assessing the safety of the new propellant^[4] and pharmacokinetics studies on the new carbon minimal fixed double and triple combinations^[5],^[6]. These studies collectively provided reassuring evidence of a similar performance, safety and tolerability of the new formulations, when compared to the current one, enabling a seamless and safe transition for patients and healthcare systems while significantly reducing environmental impact.

At the ERS Congress, Chiesi will present a poster entitled, ‘Sustaining treatment for asthma and COPD patients while minimizing carbon footprint: effect of HFA-152a and HFA-134a on normal lung mucociliary clearance’ on 10 September from 8:00 to 9:30.

Improvements in respiratory healthcare delivery

Chiesi values its role as an industry partner of the International Respiratory Coalition (IRC) to support engagement with national healthcare systems and the implementation of best practices globally for improved respiratory outcomes. At the ERS Congress, the IRC will host a special session to explore the role of team contributions in respiratory healthcare delivery.

Asthma and COPD Awareness Campaign

Chiesi will also showcase the real lives of asthma and COPD patients in a campaign at the Congress, around Vienna and on social media. Stories of determination and courage in overcoming the limitations imposed by these diseases will, therefore, reach both healthcare professionals and the general public with the aim of generating greater awareness, understanding and empathy.

About the European Respiratory Society
ERS is one of the leading medical organisations in the respiratory field, with a growing membership spanning over 160 countries. ERS prioritises science, education and advocacy in order to promote lung health, alleviate suffering from disease and drive standards for respiratory medicine globally.

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 from of Benefit Corporation in Italy, the US and France, Chiesi’s commitment to create shared value for society as a whole is legally binding and central to company-wide decision-making. As a certified B Corp since 2019, we’re part of a global community of businesses committed to continuously measure and improve their social and environmental performance. The company has committed to reach Net-Zero greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions by 2035.

With over 85 years of experience, Chiesi is headquartered in Parma (Italy), with 31 affiliates worldwide and counts more than 7,000 employees. The Group’s research and development centre in Parma works alongside 6 other important R&D hubs in France, the US, Canada, China, the UK and Sweden.

Contacts for the press:

Carla Arrieta Martinez 

Head of Global External Communication & Media Relations 

Tel: +39 340 8879754 

Email: c.arrieta@chiesi.com  

Ryan Murray

Director, FTI Consulting

Tel: +32 477 563565

Email: ChiesiMedia@fticonsulting.com