Leadership
Effective corporate governance is the foundation of our mission.
Effective corporate governance is the foundation of our mission.
Chief Executive Officer
Jurgis Auzins is the Chief Executive Officer and the founder of Rigvir Group, a rapidly growing biotechnological company, specializing in manufacturing and global marketing of Oncolytic Virotherapy medication, representing Prof. Aina Muceniece’s family. Mr. Auzins is the majority shareholder of the company and the main influencer in the business operations and strategic directions. His leadership has provided expanding product registration system, rapid development, growth, and worldwide recognition for Rigvir Group.
Jurgis Auzins
Chief Executive Officer, Rigvir Group
Head of Scientific Council
Ivars Kalvins, Dr.habil.chem., is Head of the Scientific Council at Rigvir Group. Professor Ivars Kalvins has gained international recognition as the author of several hundred publications, more than 550 patents, including on development of anticancer compounds and immunomodulators, like Belinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor drug, for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Also, his effort has brought to the market one of the most efficient and successful medications against heart disease - meldonium (Mildronate).
He is a Full Member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Head of the Division of Medical Chemistry since 1992, and Head of the Laboratory of Carbofunctional Connections.
Professor Kalvins was one of the three finalists nominated for the European Inventor Award in the lifetime achievement category in 2015.
Ivars Kalvins
Head of Scientific Council, Rigvir Group
Chief Operating Officer
Kristine Juckovica is Chief Operating Officer of Rigvir Group. Mrs. Juckovica is responsible for internal processes of human resources and communication. She also leads all marketing and public relations functions, including the communication with state institutions and regulators.
Prior to joining Rigvir Group in 2016, Mrs. Juckovica served as a Member of the Bord at The Pharmacy Development Association and Public Policy Manager at Euroaptieka, one of the largest pharmaceutical wholesale and retail companies in the Baltic region. She has more than 10 years of experience holding various management roles in the public sector, with a prior leading position as Head of Ministers office at the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Latvia.
Mrs. Juckovica has received a master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA).
Kristine Juckovica
Chief Operating Officer, Rigvir Group
Head of Research and Development
Peteris Alberts is leading the department of Research & Development of Rigvir Group.
He previously served as a Senior Scientist at Evolva. Dr. Alberts also held other leading scientific positions at LifeCycle Pharma, Stricent, Maxygen, and Pharmacia & Upjohn, Biovitrum.
Since earning his PhD in Karolinska Institute, he has authored numerous publications and was awarded as Honorary Doctor of Medicine from Latvian Academy of Sciences.
Prof. Peteris Alberts
Head of Research and Development, Rigvir Group
Head of Business Development
Karlis Urbans, MBA, is Head of Business Development of Rigvir Group. Mr. Urbans is a business development professional with financial background in KPMG and as CFO for more than 10 years.
Since restructuring to the format of Biotechnological Company, he is leading the process for development of new collaborations and strategic partnerships, including attraction of investment and public funding, to facilitate the development and availability of unique cancer virotherapy medicine worldwide.
Karlis Urbans
Head of Business Development, Rigvir Group
Head of Regulatory Affairs
Valdis Mikelsons, MBA, MD, is Head of Regulatory Affairs of Rigvir Group. He is a health care industry professional with more than 20 years of managerial experience in global marketing, sales strategy development, market access and product launches.
Mr. Mikelsons has held positions of general manager at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Nycomed and Johnson & Johnson Pharma.
Valdis Mikelsons
Head of Regulatory Affairs, Rigvir Group