OUR COMPANY
Our platform is centered on secretory IgA (sIgA), the predominant antibody at mucosal surfaces, which plays an essential role in immune defense, barrier protection, and tissue homeostasis. By enhancing sIgA function, we aim to address conditions characterized by mucosal immune dysregulation, including chronic respiratory diseases and other inflammatory disorders affecting mucosal tissues.
Driven by scientific rigor and a commitment to patient well-being, Lactiga is advancing innovative therapies to improve quality of life for individuals living with immune-related and mucosal conditions.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Rikin Mehta, PharmD/JD
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Dr. Rik Mehta is a biotech entrepreneur and healthcare policy expert who leads Lactiga with a strategic and mission-driven approach. He began his career at the U.S. FDA, where he advanced expedited drug approval policies, removed dangerous opioids from the market, and cracked down on counterfeit medicines. In the private sector, Rik has held executive roles in the medical product industry and launched ventures at the intersection of regulation, innovation, and digital health. He brings deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory challenges, FDA processes, and leading teams through fundraising and diligence. Rik also serves as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center and holds a PharmD, JD, and LLM from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Rutgers Law and Georgetown Law/Graduate Institute in Geneva, respectively.
Viraj Mane, PhD
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Dr. Viraj Mane holds a PhD in Human Genetics from Baylor College of Medicine and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the U.S. FDA and the University of Maryland, focusing on immunology, virology, drug delivery, and nanotechnology. He later served in portfolio management roles for medical countermeasures at the U.S. Department of Defense. As Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Lactiga, Viraj leads the company’s research and intellectual property strategy. His efforts have resulted in multiple issued patents, registered trademarks, multiple awards including a multimillion dollar NIH/NIAID Award, and Sponsored Research Agreements with leading institutions. Viraj brings a translational mindset to advancing Lactiga’s pipeline of mucosal immunotherapies.
BOARD AND ADVISORS
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Dr. Navneet Puri is a pharmaceutical scientist with over 25 years of life sciences industry experience and a PhD in Pharmaceutics from Rutgers University. He founded Nevakar, Inc. in 2015, which later evolved into two companies: Nevakar Injectables and Vyluma, focused on hospital and ophthalmic care. Previously, he founded InnoPharma, Inc., which was acquired by Pfizer in 2014, where he served as Vice President of Worldwide R&D and President of InnoPharma. Dr. Puri has held board roles at InnoPharma, Eyenuk, Xeris Pharmaceuticals, and BioNJ, and currently serves on the boards of Nevakar, Alzeca Biosciences, Rutgers Health Leadership Council (Chair), Lactiga, and several advisory boards. He is a recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year (NJ, 2015) and Smart CEO Future 50 awards.
Navneet Puri, Ph.D
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Reena is a board-certified Allergist, Immunologist, and Pediatrician and the founder of a clinic in New Orleans where she treats patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases. Dr. Mehta graduated Cum Laude from the University of Missouri, completed her pediatric residency at Texas Children’s Hospital – Baylor College of Medicine, completed a fellowship at the University of Texas, then served as an Assistant Professor at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Reena Mehta, MD