Category: Team

Posted on

RIANA at Krebsforschungslauf 2025

Together we go further!

On Saturday morning, October 4, the RIANA team joined the Krebsforschungslauf (Cancer Research Run) at the Medical University of Vienna.

The weather was perfect, the atmosphere uplifting, and the event beautifully organized by the MedUni Vienna team. We truly enjoyed running together for such a meaningful cause – with every single euro directly supporting cancer research.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed that the organizers will reach their ambitious goal of 30,000 laps around the Altes AKH university campus and the distance run, because if they do, donations will be increased by an additional €17,500!

We are proud to have contributed 26 laps (26 miles) to this year’s total, and even prouder to support the scientists and initiatives advancing cancer research in Austria with our feet, but also our own work at RIANA.

We’ll definitely be back next year, on October 10, 2026, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Krebsforschungslauf!

Posted on

RIANA at the Vienna Business Run 2024

September 4 2024 | Vienna, Austria

RIANA team had an incredible time running! The energy, teamwork, and camaraderie made it unforgettable. We were proud to send two teams of three this year, and the best part? We improved our results from 2023!

It was a perfect day to step away from the lab, have fun, and strengthen our bond as a team. We’re already planning our next sporty challenges, and I couldn’t be more excited. Huge thanks to everyone at RIANA for creating such a fantastic atmosphere – here’s to more shared adventures!

From left to right: Anna, Dominika, Anna, Tobias, Angela and Christine
Posted on

Scientific Advisory Board

Vienna, June 2024. We are pleased to announce the formation of our Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), which includes leading experts in the field of cancer research and small molecule development. This milestone marks a significant step forward in our mission to demonstrate how our platform screening approach for protein-protein interaction inhibitors and our pipeline molecules can improve the lives of cancer patients.

Anna Quattropani, PhD
VP Chemisty Anavo Tx, Expert in medicinal chemistry

Anna brings over 20 years of experience in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, with a strong track record of advancing clinical candidates through to Phase 2/3. She has invented small molecules for neurodegenerative diseases and reproductive health. Her expertise spans targeted protein degradation, enzyme inhibition, GPCR modulation, and protein-protein interactions across various therapeutic areas. Currently SVP of Chemistry and Non-Clinical Development at Anavo Therapeutics, Anna holds 48 patents in oral and CNS small molecule drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, and synthetic organic chemistry.

Jürgen Moll, PhD
Ex-Boehringer Ingelheim, Expert in cancer drug development

Jürgen is a distinguished expert in cancer research and preclinical drug development, focusing on cancer cell targeting and immuno-oncology with small molecules, antibodies, and nanobodies. He has advanced oncology drugs at big pharma companies like Novartis, Pfizer, and Sanofi, as well as biotech spin-offs. Jürgen has held leadership roles at Sanofi, Boehringer-Ingelheim, and Nerviano Medical Sciences. An international consultant, SAB member, and lecturer, he holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Basel and a degree in Microbiology from the University of Bayreuth.

Peter Nussbaumer, PhD
KHAN/LDC, Expert in medicinal chemistry

Peter has over 30 years of industry experience in drug discovery. Before joining the LDC, he held key roles in medicinal chemistry at Sandoz and Novartis, most recently as Executive Director and Senior Unit Head of Chemistry at Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research. He has managed numerous drug discovery projects and coordinated interdisciplinary and international teams. Peter has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, is a co-inventor on several patents, and holds a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Technology, Vienna.

Prof. Richard Moriggl, PhD
Co-founder, Expert in STAT/JAK Biology

Prof. Moriggl is a leading expert in STAT biology, with significant contributions to understanding STAT3/5 signaling in normal and cancer cells. He was a Professor for Functional Cancer Genomics at Vetmeduni Vienna from 2014 to 2022 and has been a successful PI for 17 years, overseeing personnel, funding, and scientific management. As director of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research for 14 years, he shaped a successful research program and managed an annual budget of up to €2.5 million.

Posted on

Team & Founders

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.