Dr. Orest Lastow, PhD
Physisist, inventor and author
About the Author
Orest Lastow was born in 1964 in what was then Czechoslovakia, grew up in Malmö, and now lives outside Lund. He holds a Master of Science in Engineering Physics and earned a Ph.D. in Aerosol Physics in London. Since 1995, Orest has been developing inhaled medicines and currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Iconovo. Our Life Is Not Our Own is his debut novel.
Background
Orest holds a Master of Science in Engineering Physics and a Licentiate degree in Aerosol Science from Lund University. He also has a Ph.D. in Electrohydrodynamic Atomization from Brunel University, UK.
His expertise includes product development, electrostatics, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), aerosol science, and inhalation technology. He is the author of a textbook on EHD atomization, multiple journal publications, book contributions, and a vast number of patent applications. Frequently invited as a speaker at conferences, he also teaches “Aerosol Drug Delivery” at Lund University and the University of Copenhagen. Lastow is a co-author of the “Aerosol Drug Delivery Device Design Verification Standard” (ISO 20072).
Career
2020–present
Chief Technology Officer, Iconovo AB
Orest transitioned from CEO to CTO, focusing on technology, research, and product development. He is also responsible for the company’s patent portfolio.
Learn more on Iconovo's website.
2014–2020
CEO Iconovo AB
Orest founded Iconovo AB in 2013 and became its first employee and CEO in 2016. Iconovo develops pharmaceutical products based on his inventions and serves customers worldwide. After growing the company to 25 employees and successfully taking it public in 2018, he stepped down as CEO in 2020 to become CTO. He is the inventor behind all of the
company’s dry powder inhalers.
Learn more on Iconovo's website.
2012–2017
CEO and later Strategic Advisor, MVIC AB
Orest founded the Medicon Valley Inhalation Consortium (MVIC) in 2012 and served as CEO until 2014, then as Strategic Advisor. MVIC is a full-service company for clinical studies, co-owned by 25 companies in the Öresund region specializing in inhalation-related services.
Learn more on MVIC's website.
2010–2014
Director of Inhalation and Medical Device, Zenit Design AB
Orest established a new business area within Zenit Design focused on the design of medical devices.
Learn more on Zenit Design's website.
1995–2010
Assistant Director, Assoc. Principal Scientist & Project Manager, AstraZeneca AB
Immediately after completing his doctoral studies, Orest began working in inhalation and product development at Astra Draco, later AstraZeneca. He held various roles as a manager, project leader, and specialist researcher. He chose not to relocate when the Lund site was closed.
Learn more on AstraZeneca's website.
Education
2004–2007
Brunel University, London
PhD, Aerosol Physics
Thesis title: "Numerical and Experimental Study of Electrohydrodynamic Atomisation of Aqueous Liquids"
Available on Amazon.com.
1991–1994
Lund University
Tekn.lic.
Licentiate of Technology
Thesis title: "Single Fibre Collection Efficiency"
1984–1991
Lund University
M.Sc., Engineering Physics
Thesis title: "The Behavior of a Liquid in a Moving Container"
