Richard Hullihen

Richard Hullihen has over 30 years’ experience in CT and MR product innovation.  He was CEO and Director of Polarean Imaging from 2018-2023, where he completed a major strategic partnership with Philips MR Imaging. 

As Polarean CEO,  he acquired extensive experience with hyperpolarized 129Xe functional MR imaging, contrast agent development, associated clinical application discovery and development, and commercialization of other disruptive products within medical imaging market. Richard’s early career was in original R&D programs for CT and MR at Picker International, one of the 4 major manufacturers of the time. He moved from the technology side to the business side as they grew and expanded globally. His background includes JVs, mergers and acquisitions (from both sides), intrapreneurship inside multi-billion-dollar multinational enterprises, and startups from blank paper to regulatory approval and commercial launch. 

His skills include complex spanning of core strategic issues involving markets and buyers, regulatory scenarios, fundability and business planning.  He is well versed with go-to-market strategies including direct versus partnering, sales, service, and reimbursement and the business models of consumers. His background includes clinical trials and New Drug Applications and approvals for Drug Device Combinations, 510K’s for complex devices and clinical software. 

Richard received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Western Michigan University and his MBA from Case Western Reserve University.