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History

Clinical research of oncolytic virus began in the sixties of the 20th century under the guidance of Professor Aina Muceniece, the outstanding Latvian scientist, at the Latvian Institute of Microbiology and Virology. A decades-long research led to the development of oncolytic virus ECHO-7 medication – Rigvir.
More information: www.rigvir.com

Biographical Memory Story of A.Muceniece - Read Story

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1960
Scientists in the Institute of Microbiology and Virology of The Latvian Academy of Sciences discovers that viruses recovered from the intestines of healthy children are capable of destroying tumours.

1965
The Cancer Virotherapy Laboratory was established at the Institute to study this virus phenomenon further under the leadership of Aina Muceniece.

1968
The Ministry of Health Protection (the competent regulatory authority) approved the start of RIGVIR® clinical trials in the 2nd Department of the Oncology Dispensary and the 18th Chemotherapy Department of the Pauls Stradiņš Clinical Hospital in Riga.

1985
Extended RIGVIR^® clinical trials started in three Riga hospitals: Latvian Oncology Center (the former Oncology Dispensary), the P. Stradiņš Clinical Hospital, Riga Stradiņš University Institute of Dentistry (at that time AML), and the Saratov Oncology Hospital (Russia). At that time the studies were, however, neither randomised nor double-blind. Over 700 patients in were enrolled in these clinical trials until 1991.

1987
Part of the multicenter and multinational Rigvir clinical trials also start at the All-Union Cancer Research Center in Moscow.

2004
RIGVIR^® is registered by the State Agency of Medicines of the Republic of Latvia, thus Rigvir becomes the first approved oncolytic virotherapy medication.

2008
International Virotherapy Center is established in Riga, Latvia. Its mission is to provide virotherapy information for every cancer patient who wants it.

2011
Oncolytic virotherapy with RIGVIR^® is included in the list of reimbursable state-funded medical products in Latvia for skin melanoma patients.

2015
Oncolytic virotherapy with RIGVIR^® is included in the clinical guidelines of the National Health Service of Latvia entitled “Diagnostics, treatment and dynamic observation of skin cancer and melanoma”.

2015
RIGVIR^® is approved in Georgia.

2016
RIGVIR^® is approved in Armenia.

2016
The first cancer virotherapy excellence center, the Global Virotherapy Cancer Clinic, is opened in Jūrmala, Latvia.

2016
The RIGVIR^® marketing authorization holder receives a grant from “Horizon 2020” to support activities for registration in the European Union.

2017
RIGVIR^® receives special recommendations for medication registration in EU from European Medicines agency (EMA).

2017
RIGVIR^® manufacturer receives Seal of Excellence award given by European Commission.

2017
RIGVIR^® manufacturer receives intellectual property award “WIPO Enterprise Trophy”.

2018
RIGVIR^® is approved in Uzbekistan.

2020
GMP compliance certificate received for the production of RIGVIR^® in API center of manufacturing.

2021
New GLP Toxicity Study for ECHO-7 oncolytic virus Rigvir was made by Charles River Laboratories Edinburgh, UK.

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