Rich Christ at Shiseido
Rich Christ at Shiseido

F. Richard Christ, MSChE, MBA

SUMMARY

Proven executive in the surgical ophthalmic' field. Technical leader in biomedical/biotechnology industry. Invented more than 10 biomedical materials and designs, totaling over $100 million in revenues. Proven ability to develop new products from concept to regulatory approval and on to manufacturing transfer and scale-up. Technical leader in the start-up of two ophthalmic device firms which sold recently for a combined $700 million (Visiogen, Inc. and eyeonics, Inc.). Recognized international speaker/author. Areas of particular expertise include:

EXPERIENCE

2009-Present InVision Biomedical Group, Inc.
Principal
Offering consulting services in biomedical product development. Expertise in the development of new biomedical products from conception through regulatory approval and manufacturing scale-up.

2007-2009 Aaren Scientific, Inc. (formerly OII International, Inc.)
Chief Technology Officer/Chief Operating Officer
As CTO, brought the following products through the CE mark approval process:

As COO, accomplished the following:

1996-2007 BioMediChem, Inc., Irvine, CA
Principal/Biomedical Consultant
Performed product development activities and project management for intraocular and refractive lens products, contact lens disinfection solutions, and cardiopulmonary devices. Representative projects include:

1984-1996 Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA
Director of Surgical Research (1992-1996)
Directed five to ten Ph.D. and Masters level chemists and engineers in development of new ophthalmic devices. Served on strategic business teams for IOLs and surgical adjuncts responsible for planning and executing a multi-million dollar research project portfolio.

Manager of Surgical Polymer Research (1990-1992)
Guided project team leaders and team members in development projects spanning silicone materials, corneal onlays/inlays and injectable IOLs. Responsible for planning/scheduling, cost estimation, budgeting and resolution of scientific/engineering problems.

Section Manager, Surgical R&D (1987-1990)
Project leader responsible for the development of a sodium hyaluronate viscoelastic fluid. Managed relationships with international and domestic contractors and suppliers.

Research Engineer (1984-1987)
Project leader responsible for developing a new intraocular lens for the small-incison surgery market. The project team included representatives of all functional areas.

1979-1981 SRI International, Menlo Park, CA
Research Analyst
Researched and authored technical marketing studies for the polymer materials section of the Chemical Industries Center that became part of a encyclopedia of industrial chemicals. Assessed technologies and recommended product development strategies for manufacturers of polymer-based products.

1978-1979 Nuclear Enterprises, Inc., San Carlos, CA
Research Scientist
Optimized process for fabrication of plastic scintillator material sheets used in high energy physics applications. Developed a plastic scintillation detector for HPLC.

MILITARY: 1972-1976 U.S. Navy

Nuclear Submarine Officer

EDUCATION

AFFILIATIONS

SUMMARY OF PUBLICATIONS, PATENTS, PRESENTATIONS

PUBLICATIONS

  1. Christ, F.R., teal., Biomaterials Used for Intraocular Lenses, In Encyclopedic Handbook of Biomaterials and Bioengineering Part B: Applications (Vol 2); Wise, D.L., et al., Eds.; Marcel Dekker, Inc.: New York, 1995; pp1261-1313 (Ch. 46).
  2. Francese, J. E., F.R. Christ., S.Y. Buchen, A. Gwon, and J.E. Robertson, Moisture droplet formation on the posterior surface of intraocular lenses during fluid/air exchange, J Cataract and Refract Surg 1995, 21, 685-689.
  3. Yang, S., H. Makker, and F.R. Christ, Accelerated ultraviolet aging of intraocular lenses. Part I: A new photo-aging model, J Cataract and Refract Surg (in press).
  4. Yang, S., H. Makker, and F.R. Christ, Accelerated ultraviolet aging of intraocular lenses. Part II: 50-year simulated aging of SI-18NB and SI-20NB silicone intraocular lenses, J Cataract and Refract Surg (in press).
  5. Francese, J. E., L. Pham, F.R. Christ, Accelerated hydrolytic and ultraviolet aging studies on SI-18NB and SI-20NB silicone lenses, J Cataract and Refract Surg 1992, 18, 685-689.
  6. Buchen S.Y.,S.C. Richards, K.D. Solomon, D.J. Apple, P.M. Knight, F.R. Christ, et al., Evaluation of the biocompatibility and fixation of a new silicone intraocular lens in the feline model, J Cataract Refract Surg 1989, 15, 545-553.
  7. Christ, F.R., S.Y. Buchen, D.A. Fencil, P.M. Knight, K.D. Solomon, and D.J. Apple, A comparative evaluation of the biostability of a poly(ether urethane) in the intraocular, intramuscular, and subcutaneous environments, J Biomed Mater Res, 1992, 26, 607-629.
  8. Yang, S., H. Makker, J. Kerkmeyer, and F.R. Christ, UV absorbing silicone compositions for IOL, Proceedings of the American Chemical Society, Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, 1993, 69, 417-418.
  9. Christ, F.R., D.A. Fencil, S. Van Gent, and P.M. Knight, Evaluation of the chemical, optical and mechanical properties of elastomeric intraocular lens materials and their clinical significance, J. Cataract Refract Surg, March 1989, 15, 176-184.
  10. Christ, F.R., Polymer retention and adsorption in the flow of polymer solutions through porous media, Soc Petroleum Engineers Reservoir Engineering, March 1986, p113.

POSTERS

  1. A Simple Animal Model for Screening New Intraocular Lens Materials, Presented at the Society for Biomaterials Annual Symposium, New York, 1987.
  2. Stability Evaluation of a Poly (ether urethane) Considered for Use as an Intraocular Implant, Presented at the Society for Biomaterials Annual Symposium, Orlando, 1989.

SELECTED PODIUM PRESENTATIONS

  1. "Biomaterials Used for Intraocular Lenses" Presented to Meeting of American Chemical Society, Orange County Chapter, February 1996.
  2. "A Comparison of SI-30 and SI-40 Silicone IOLs" Presented to Foldable Academy, Zermatt, Switzerland, 1996.
  3. "AMO® Vitrax® Viscoelastic Solution for Small Incision Surgery" Presented to Foldable Academy, Zermatt, Switzerland, 1996.
  4. "A Comparative Overview of IOL Optic Materials: Laboratory Testing" Presented at the ASCRS, San Diego, CA, April 1995.
  5. "How to Build a Foldable IOL: Insights into Materials Challenges" Presented at ESCRS, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, October 1995.
  6. "AMO®PHACOFLEXII® SI-30NB and SI-40NB Foldable Silicone Intraocular Lenses" Presented at Academy of Ophthalmology (Booth Presentation), Atlanta, Georgia, October 1995.
  7. "Design and Clinical Results of AMO®AcryFlex® IOLs" Presented to Foldable Academy, Zermatt, Switzerland, 1995.

SELECTED U.S. PATENTS

  1. 6,793, 941 (2004): "Contact lens and ophthalmic solutions"
  2. 5,843, 186 (1998): "Intraocular lens with antimicrobial activity"
  3. 5.647,409 (1997): "On-site filling apparatus for viscoelastic materials and corresponding method for on-site syringe filling"
  4. 5,494,946 (1996): "Optically clear reinforced silicone elastomers of high optical refractive index and improved mechanical properties for use in intraocular lenses"
  5. 5,492.936 (1996): "Bimodal molecular weight hyaluronate formulations and methods for using same"
  6. 5,411,553 (1995): "Cross-linked silicone polymers, fast curing silicone composition and injectable intraocular lenses"
  7. 5,391,590 (1995): "Injectable IOL compositions and precursors thereof"
  8. 5,359,021 (1994): "Polymeric compositions and intraocular lenses made from same" (acrylic material)
  9. 5,344,449 (1994): "Intraocular lenses. fixation member assemblies and methods for making same"
  10. 5,331,073 (1994): "Injectable IOL compositions and precursors thereof"
  11. 5,278,258 (1994): "Cross-linked silicone polymers, fast curing silicone composition and injectable intraocular lenses"
  12. 5,262,097 (1993): "Methods for attaching fixation members to optics of intraocular lenses"
  13. 5,236,970 (1993): "Optically clear reinforced silicone elastomers of high optical refractive index and improved mechanical properties for use in intraocular lenses"
  14. 5,147,397 (1992): "Intraocular lens and method for making same"
  15. 4,897,079 (1990): "Polymeric sleeve for surgical instruments" (polyurethane)
  16. 4,894,062 (1990): "Staking anchor for soft intraocular lens"
  17. 4,888,013 (1989): "Haptic to optic attachment for a soft intraocular lens"
  18. 4,868,251 (1989): "Ultraviolet light absorbing silicone compositions"
  19. 4,834,751 (1989): "Staking ring for soft IOL"
  20. 4,790,846 (1988): "Haptic to optic junction for soft intraocular lens"

AWARDS

  1. Allergan Scientific Achievement Award, 1990 (silicone IOL project)
  2. Allergan Applied Science Paper of the Year - 2 times
  3. Allergan Impact Award, 1988 (viscoelastic fluid project)