Our Company
Lactiga, with offices in New Jersey and Toronto , is a biotechnology company focused on developing novel biologics to tackle even the most severe mucosal infections in immunodeficient patients.
Our technology targeting mucosal infections has the potential to address unmet medical needs in patients of all ages.
The scientific experts at Lactiga strive to deeply understand the immunodeficient patient perspective in order to improve their quality of life.
Leadership
Supported by committed investors, partners, and advisors, we have the resources in place to advance our development programs to market.
Viraj Mane, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer / Co-Founder
Viraj earned a PhD in Human Genetics from Baylor College of Medicine then completed two postdoctoral fellowships at the U.S. FDA and the University of Maryland spanning immunology, virology, drug delivery and nanotechnology.
Viraj then transitioned into portfolio management roles in medical countermeasures for the U.S. Department of Defense.
His leadership of Lactiga’s research and intellectual property programs has led to 3 issued patents, registered trademarks, an NIH Emergency Award, several additional awards, and Sponsored Research Agreements with multiple research institutions.
Rikin Mehta, PharmD/JD
Co-Founder
Dr. Rik Mehta is a biotech entrepreneur, innovator, healthcare policy expert and a licensed pharmacist and attorney. Professionally, Rik worked at the United States Food and Drug Administration where he spent years fighting to crack down on illegal, counterfeit drugs, worked to remove dangerous opioids from the market and developed policies to expedite the approval of safe and effective medicines.
After leaving public service, Rik joined the private sector working at the intersection of regulation and medical innovation. He is also an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center where he teaches courses in health and drug laws and regulations.
Rik received his B.S. in pharmacy from Rutgers University, his Pharm.D. from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, his J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law and a Master of Laws in Global Health Law and International Institutions through a joint program with Georgetown University Law Center and the Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland.
Thomas Paschall, PhD/JD
Director
Tom is the CEO & Co-Founder of Checkmate Capital Group, LLC. He has experience in biotechnology investments, Asia market access strategy, is a Managing Director at a solar energy company, and served as a Senior Attorney for 13 years. Additional areas of expertise include private equity and M&A.
Reena Mehta, MD
Medical Advisor
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.
David Mittelman, PhD
Operations Advisor
David completed a PhD in Human Genetics and a postdoctoral fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine, followed by an Associate Professor role at Virginia Tech. He is a serial entrepreneur with successful exits in the health sector including genomics and bioinformatics. He recently founded a revenue-generating forensic genomics company that directly engages law enforcement agencies across North America to evaluate cold cases even when samples are decades old.
Partners
Through our expertise in intellectual property and technology transfer, we have executed collaborations and Sponsored Research Agreements with 4 top-tier North American research institutions.
These collaborations have earned us grants through the NIH and other organizations, and generated datasets that led to 3 issued patents. Lactiga is the only biotechnology company partnering with milk banks around the world to create ethical sourcing partnerships to protect and expand our supply chain.
We remain interested in discovery, development and commercialization partners, with the goal of accelerating the advancement of our novel biologics to protect immunodeficient patients.
Are you interested in partnering with Lactiga? Please contact us at partners@lactiga.com
Culture
Our mission is to develop therapies for immunodeficient patients who require life-saving treatments by unlocking the science behind naturally-occurring maternal antibodies.
Saanika Venkatesh, MHI
Lactiga Project Manager
Lactiga Business Intern
“Lactiga’s culture was filled with collaboration, forward thinking and solution focused initiatives with the patients always being front and center.”
© Lactiga
