Biomedicine and genomics are among Latvia’s research success stories. The Latvian delegation’s programme in California covers two complementary areas: developing genomics technologies and commercialising research results. Latvia’s strengths in genomics include internationally recognised scientific expertise, the Latvian National Biobank, the Genome Centre’s sequencing infrastructure and experience in international projects. The delegation includes scientists, a hospital management representative, specialists in innovation and international cooperation from universities and research institutions, and representatives of a health technology company.

During the trade mission organised by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the delegates are meeting US genomics companies, research organisations and university technology transfer and commercialisation centres in Los Angeles and San Diego. Their aim is to develop partnerships in research, the testing of new technologies, licensing and joint product development. The trade mission is taking place during President Edgars Rinkēvičs’s working visit to the United States and runs until 27 September.

“In 2025, the United States was Latvia’s eighth-largest export market, with exports of goods and services worth €1.01 billion. We want to increase the share of products and services developed in Latvia that are based on knowledge and technology. Each Latvian company comes to the discussions in California with its own goal: to find a clinical research partner, technology integrator, manufacturer, investor or new customers in the US. The economic value of these discussions will be measured in new research projects, cooperation agreements and export revenue,” says Raivis Bremšmits, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economics.

Los Angeles: from biological samples to technology commercialisation

The Los Angeles programme began with a visit to ProteoGenex, which provides human biological samples and related clinical information to research and pharmaceutical companies. Its biorepository holds tissue, blood, DNA, RNA and other samples for research. The Latvian delegation learned about the company’s work and discussed opportunities for cooperation in the use of biological samples and in research.

The delegation also visited the Technology Development Group at the University of California, Los Angeles, which works on invention assessment, intellectual property protection, licensing, business development and industry collaboration.

The Office of Technology Transfer and Corporate Partnerships at the California Institute of Technology helps bring researchers’ technologies to companies, supports the creation of new businesses and manages patenting and licensing. Latvian representatives discussed opportunities for joint research projects, industry collaboration and intellectual property licensing with specialists from both universities.

“Latvia’s success in biomedicine and genomics research rests on its scientists, the Latvian National Biobank, sequencing infrastructure and experience in international projects. Latvia’s next task is to turn this knowledge more often into diagnostic methods, medical technologies, licences and new companies. That is why the delegation includes a hospital management representative and university innovation and technology transfer specialists alongside researchers. In California, they are meeting companies and universities with extensive experience in commercialising research results. The practical outcome of this visit will depend on concrete next steps: a joint study, a technology trial, licensing talks or a product development partner,” says LIAA Director Ieva Jāgere.

San Diego: genomics and precision medicine

The programme continues in San Diego with meetings at the genomics technology companies Element Biosciences and Illumina.

Element Biosciences develops technologies for DNA and RNA sequencing, single-cell analysis and spatial biology. Latvian researchers will discuss opportunities with the company to test new research methods and develop genomics solutions in Latvia.

Illumina’s technologies are used in human genome research, cancer and rare disease research, the development of diagnostic solutions and drug development. Discussions will focus on using genomics to detect diseases earlier, assess individual risk and select more precise treatments.

“Genomics is one of the National Research and Innovation Institute’s (NIRI) strong, internationally competitive areas of expertise. The institute has access to the Latvian National Biobank, the Genome Centre’s sequencing infrastructure and experience in international research projects. In our discussions with Element Biosciences and Illumina, we can offer our research expertise and infrastructure. Through cooperation, we want to test and develop new genomics technologies in Latvia that could, in the future, help detect diseases earlier, assess individual risk more accurately and choose more suitable treatments for patients,” says Dr Vita Rovīte, explaining NIRI’s objectives for participating in the LIAA trade mission.

The delegation will also visit the Technology Transfer Office at San Diego State University and the Office of Innovation and Commercialization at the University of California, San Diego. Discussions will address the assessment, patenting and licensing of university inventions, the creation of new companies, engagement with industry partners and the development of joint research projects.

From research to clinical use and the market

The Latvian delegation includes representatives of the National Research and Innovation Institute (NIRI), Double Helix Technologies, Rīga Stradiņš University, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Daugavpils University and the University of Latvia.

The delegation’s expertise spans molecular and functional genomics, molecular oncology, clinical and genetic tumour research, health data technologies, laboratory information systems, technology transfer and international partnership development. Double Helix Technologies brings experience in connecting laboratory equipment to information systems and automating the flow of research data.

After the visit, delegation members will continue working with partners where they have identified specific opportunities for cooperation in research, the testing of new genomics technologies, intellectual property licensing, the development of health data solutions and the commercialisation of research results. LIAA will support contact coordination, provide guidance on the US market and help participants use suitable export, innovation and investment support instruments.

The life sciences programme is part of the Latvian business trade mission to the United States organised by LIAA. Running until 27 September, the mission covers New York, Los Angeles and San Diego. Separate sector programmes have also been prepared for representatives of start-ups, the film industry, and defence and dual-use technologies.

LIAA organises participation in overseas trade missions under the EU co-financed Innovative Business Development Programme for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), supported by the European Regional Development Fund and national funding. Companies may participate in a trade mission either by paying the participation costs themselves or by receiving support to cover eligible costs.