Reza Haque, Head of the Ophthalmic Innovation Center since 2020, is responsible for developing Santen’s global science strategy and shaping the operational direction of key disease portfolios to align with both short-term goals and long-term strategy. Drawing on over 25 years of experience in the ophthalmology field, he partners with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement global R&D strategy to help Santen achieve its worldwide goals.

Reza is intently fostering a culture of innovation for new clinical technologies and modalities. In addition to amplifying Santen’s global rally cry, Happiness with Vision, Reza challenges colleagues to think beyond simple solutions in order to comprehensively and thoughtfully address the needs of patients and their families, the ultimate target of his core mission.

Before joining Santen, Reza oversaw multiple areas of global ophthalmic research at several other leading healthcare companies, including Novartis Ophthalmics, Bausch + Lomb, Johnson & Johnson and Shire Ophthalmics. He has been actively involved in 12 ophthalmology NDAs and has extensive experience as an ophthalmic pharmaceutical executive with proven success in R&D, clinical development, project management and medical affairs.

For Shire, Reza served as Vice President, Medical Affairs and Senior Ophthalmologist in Residence, prior to which he was Vice President and Therapeutic Area Head of Ophthalmology. He led the development and FDA approval of Xiidra® (lifitegrast) for the treatment of dry eye in the U.S. and Canada.

Reza received a doctor of medicine degree from Dhaka University, a diploma in ophthalmology from the National Institute of Ophthalmology and a Ph.D. in ocular pharmacology from Gifu University School of Medicine, Japan. He was a Glaucoma Fellow at the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, USA.