General Manager

Vladas Algirdas Bumelis Position – General Manager, Member of the Board Education – Professor, PhD Hab. Works at the company since: 1999 m. Professional Experience: Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology (1975–1976), State Institute of Applied Enzymology (1976–1984), Fermentas Research-Production Association (1984–1989), Vilnius University (1995–2001), Institute of Biotechnology (1996–2002), Biofa AB (1996–1999), Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (since 1997)

V.A. Bumelis has studied analytical chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry of Vilnius University from 1966 to 1975. He received a PhD (Candidate Doctor) degree in the field of chemistry at the same faculty in 1975. In 1986, he received a teaching degree of a Senior Scientific Associate. In 1993, he received a PhD Hab. degree at the State Institute of Applied Enzymology. A year later, he received a teaching degree of an Associate Professor and then became a full Professor in 1995.

V. A. Bumelis started his career in 1975 as a Junior Scientific Associate at the Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology. In 1976 he became a Senior Scientific Associate at the State Institute of Applied Enzymology (Vilnius). 1984–1989: the head of department at Fermentas Research-Production Association. In 1996 he became the manager of Protein Structure and Interaction Research Lab at the Institute of Biotechnology. He also was the General Manager of this Institute until 1998. V.A. Bumelis worked as a professor at Vilnius University from 1995 to 2001 and became a professor at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University in 1997. 1996–1999: General Manager and Member of the Board of Biofa AB. V.A. Bumelis has been working at Sicor Biotech UAB since 1999.

Educational Activities:

• Vytautas Magnus University, Biotechnology lecture programme, 1994–1997.
• Vilnius University, Chromatography of Liquids lecture programme, 1993–2001
• Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Biopharmacy I and Biopharmacy II lecture programme.
• Since 1995: Head of Bioinformatics Science Lab of Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.

Public Activities:

• Corresponding Member of Lithuanian Academy of Science, 2000.
• Expert Member of Lithuanian Academy of Science, 1994.
• President of Association of Lithuanian Trade Enterprises.
• Member of Lithuanian Pharmacy Industry Development Program Commission of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.
• Member of the Military Science and Technology Council, a group coordinating issues related to the activities of NATO Scientific Committee and NATO scientific programs.
• Member of the Education and Science Commission of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania
• Member of the Lithuanian Scientific Award Committee.
• Head of "Research of purified proteins and other natural compounds for the development of scientific basis of technologies for production of products used in medicine, agriculture, and research work" research field at the Institute of Biotechnology.
• Member of the Editorial Board of Biologija (Biology) and Cheminė Technologija (Chemical Technology) magazines.
• Panel Member of the Lithuanian Biochemistry Society.
• Committee Member of Interferon and Cytokine Research, an international organization.
• Committee Member of Biotechnology, an international organization.
• Member of the Senate of Vilnius University.

Awards

• Business Hall of Fame award by Junior Achievement, 2010.
• Knowledge Economics Company 2009 by Knowledge Economics Forum, 2009.
• Knight of Profession by Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, 2009.
• St. Christopher statuette, For Perseverance in Advancement, 2008.
• Tree of Life statuette for business application of science, 2008.
• Innovation of the Year Swedish business award for Sicor Biotech UAB under his management, 2008.
• Honorary Citizen of Kretinga town, 2007.
• Vytautas Andrius Graičiūnas Prize, 2007.
• National Progress Prize, 2006.
• Medal of Business Merit by the Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Lithuania, 2005.
• Winner of Lithuanian Science Prize for his applied research and development work Therapeutic Recombinant Proteins and Their Medical Applications (1983-2003), 2004.
• 5th Degree Order of Gediminas, the Great Duke of Lithuania, 2001.
• The Best Manager 2000, Veidas (Face) magazine, 2000.

Scientific Activities

• Research of processes of renaturation, stability, and chemical modification of recombinant proteins.
• Research of biosynthesis processes of gene-engineered microorganisms.
• Research of chromatography processes of pharmaceutical recombinant proteins.
• Research of protein renaturation and denaturation processes, protein crystallisation, research of physical, chemical, and biological properties.

V.A. Bumelis is the author of 112 publications and a co-author of 20 inventions and 35 patents. He has developed multiple technologies for medicine production based on gene engineering methods.