Christopher Stern is a Managing Director and Partner in L.E.K.’s Life Sciences practice and is based in the Boston office. He works with clients across the life sciences industry, from large pharmaceutical companies to emerging biotechnology firms, helping them navigate complex challenges and develop strategies for asset, therapeutic area, and corporate growth. His expertise spans therapeutic areas with rapidly evolving standards of care, with extensive experience in ophthalmology, central nervous system (CNS) disorders, and cardiometabolic disease.
Chris joined L.E.K. in 2013 as a Life Sciences Specialist and has since advised clients on critical strategic initiatives. From 2021 to 2023, he worked at UPMC Enterprises, the innovation and investment arm of UPMC. While there, he served as founding Chief Business Officer for Avista Therapeutics, a portfolio company focused on developing next-generation gene therapies for blinding diseases.
Chris earned his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota, where he studied novel molecular mechanisms of neuronal stress peptides. He completed postdoctoral training in neurology and epilepsy at Stanford University School of Medicine. He also holds a B.S. in Biochemistry, graduating summa cum laude, from Saint Vincent College in Pennsylvania.
Education
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Saint Vincent College
Graduate: Ph.D. in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota
