Anna Orlova, PhD
Co-founder and CEO
Anna Orlova is a trained molecular biologist with expertise in cancer biology. She did her PhD at the University of Vienna studying STAT3 and STAT5 transcription factors and possibilities to target them. Prior to her PhD studies, she completed her MSc in molecular biology and molecular medicine at the University of Vienna. Her solid background in biochemistry and molecular biology and a keen interest in applied and translational research prompted her to investigate novel therapies for the treatment of leukemia.
Tobias Suske, PhD
Scientist
Tobias studied biotechnology at the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, and has been working in the field of leukemia/cancer research since 2015. He studied the role of STAT5 in acute T cell and myeloid leukemias, and the possibilities to develop therapies against these cancers. He has made significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of these cancers and has the potential to identify new therapeutic targets for future treatments.
Angela Rodrigues Viana, PhD
Principal Scientist
Angela is a passionate scientist interested in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of biological processes and their impact on organisms and disease. She completed her Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Strasbourg in France, working on viral RNAs and regulatory RNAs in epigenetics, before moving to the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) at the Vienna BioCenter for her PhD, where she studied microRNA biogenesis and gene regulation. Angela joined the Riana team to investigate the druggability and disruption of oncogenic transcription factors PPIs.
Christine Ruckenbauer
Co-founder and Chief Business Officer
Christine studied microbiology at the University of Vienna and worked for two years as a PhD student at the Research Institute for Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna in the group of Jan Michael Peters. She joined Vetmeduni Vienna in 2004 to set up the technology transfer department. In 2019, she conceived the “Entrepreneurial Vetmed” program, which has since supported the entrepreneurial development of researchers with a variety of events and information. In 2010, she was additionally appointed Managing Director of VetWIDI Forschungsholding GmbH, a subsidiary of Vetmeduni Vienna, and in this role she accompanied several Vetmeduni spin-offs, such as ViruSure GmbH and Marinomed Biotech AG.
Dominika Polak, PhD
Research Assistant
Dominika is a dedicated immunology researcher with a PhD from the Medical University of Vienna. She excels in project management, data analysis, and protocol development, making her a valuable asset to RIANA. Dominika thrives in collaborative, multicultural teams and has extensive experience in lab organization, immunology methods, and cell culture work. Her critical and curiosity-driven thinking, problem-solving skills, and adaptability effectively meet the dynamic challenges on RIANA’s journey.
Maša Zrimšek, PhD
Scientist
Maša is a curious and proactive scientist with a PhD in Molecular Cancer Biology and a Master’s degree in Pharmacy. Her expertise spans cancer biology, epigenetics, and targeted therapies, complemented by hands-on experience in basic research and GMP-compliant pharmaceutical manufacturing. At RIANA, she brings a strong foundation in experimental design, molecular techniques, and data interpretation. Maša’s structured approach, scientific rigor, and passion for collaborative problem-solving make her a valuable contributor to RIANA’s innovative and fast-paced environment.
Co-founders
Dr. Richard Moriggl
Co-founder and SAB member
Richard Moriggl is an expert in JAK-STAT biology, whose research contributed to the mechanistic understanding of STAT3/5 signaling in normal and cancer cells. He has been a full Professor at two medical universities in Vienna and, since 2023, heads the Biochemistry and Metabolism Unit at Paris Lodron University, Salzburg. Over the past 21 years, he has been a successful PI, and previously served as Director of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research.
Dr. Oliver Szolar
Co-founder and advisor
Oliver Szolar is a serial biotech entrepreneur who is currently CEO of a:head bio AG and chairman of the supervisory board of heartbeat.bio AG. He was CEO of Savira pharmaceuticals from 2009 to 2018 and Managing Director of wings4innovation from 2014 to 2017. From 2007-2009, he was CSO at onepharm. He holds a PhD in biotechnology from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna.
VetWIDI Forschungsholding GmbH
Co-founder
VetWIDI Forschungsholding GmbH was founded in June 2004. It is a commercially-orientated company majority-owned by the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (VUW).
In co-operation with the office of technology transfer and research management (FFI), VetWIDI closes the gap between research and business at the VUW. Together VetWIDI and FFI want to stimulate entrepreneurship and provide full service for innovative life scientists at the VUW.
RIANA Therapeutics 