AstraZeneca (AZN) said its Trixeo Aerosphere, a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults, received a positive opinion from a committee of the European Medicines Agency for use with a "next-generation" pressurized inhaler propellant that has near-zero global warming potential.

The positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use was based on results from a clinical program showing bioequivalence between the new propellant and the current propellant, AstraZeneca said Friday in a statement.

Trixeo is the first medicine delivered via inhaler using a propellant designed to minimize environmental impact, the company said.

The transition in the EU to the new propellant will begin in the coming months, the company said.

AstraZeneca shares fell 1.5% in recent Friday trading.

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