Biography
Dr. Vehring is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Alberta. He graduated with a diploma in Mechanical Engineering from the Gerhard Merkator University in Duisburg, Germany, and received a doctorate from the University of Bochum in the field of molecular spectroscopy on microparticles. Dr. Vehring has held positions in academia and industry advancing respiratory drug delivery for 35 years, including more than a decade in pharmaceutical product development. Before returning to academia, he worked on pulmonary delivery of peptides, proteins, and small molecules at Nektar Therapeutics and was part of the team developing Exubera®, the first inhalable insulin. Subsequently, he led a group that developed solid dosage forms for virus vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and oncology therapeutics at Aviron/MedImmune, and supported FluMist®, the first nasally administered live attenuated influenza vaccine. He is the lead inventor for the cosuspension formulation technology for metered dose inhalers (Aerosphere®), which has been used by Astra Zeneca in five marketed products, Bevespi®, Breztri®, Symbicort Aerosphere®, Airsupra®, and Trixeo Aerosphere® (HFA1234ze). Dr. Vehring directs the Particle Engineering facility at the University of Alberta focusing on advanced micro and nanoparticle design, spray drying process development, analysis, and global health applications. In collaboration with the Access to Advanced Health Institute he has made significant progress in developing the technology that enables room-temperature stable, respirable vaccines.