Pharmaceuticals
10 heads of data in Pharmaceuticals
These ten executives hold chief data officer or head of data titles, some combined with AI, analytics or technology responsibilities, at pharmaceutical companies. A reader can learn how pharma data leaders set data strategy, govern R&D and enterprise data and apply AI across the business.
Professionals to explore
01—10Abhijeet Sangamnerkar
LinkedInExperience: Chief AI and Data Officer · Astellas Pharma
Chief AI and Data Officer at Astellas Pharma since April 2026 and Head of Digital Platforms and Delivery there (2024–2026); the profile describes Astellas as a pharmaceutical manufacturing company based in Tokyo. Other Astellas Pharma roles include Executive Director - Head of Business Products and Platforms (2022–2024) and Sr Director - Global SAP Solution Delivery and Architecture (2020–2022).
Anne C. Heatherington
LinkedInExperience: Head of Data Sciences Institute, R&D Chief Data and Technology Officer · Takeda
Head of Data Sciences Institute, R&D Chief Data and Technology Officer at Takeda since February 2019; the profile describes Takeda as an R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader. Former Senior Vice President and Head of Clinical Development at Summit Therapeutics, Inc. (2017–2019) and Vice President, Head of Quantitative Clinical Sciences at Pfizer (2011–2017).
Joakim Broberg
LinkedInExperience: Head of Data, Analytics & AI · AstraZeneca
Head of Data, Analytics & AI at AstraZeneca since June 2025, a role the profile places in Södertälje, Sweden; the profile describes AstraZeneca as a pharmaceutical manufacturing company. Other AstraZeneca roles include Technology Lead (2023–2025), Local Business Lead (2021–2022) and First Line Manager (2020–2021).
Kaoutar Sghiouer
LinkedInExperience: Global Head Of Data and AI CDAIO Group SVP · Sanofi
Global Head Of Data and AI CDAIO Group SVP at Sanofi since December 2023 and Head Of Data & AI - Accelerator there (2022–2023); the profile describes Sanofi as a pharmaceutical manufacturing company. Former Group AI Authorative Advisor & Head of Data&AI (2020–2021) and CTO 5G & AI solutions and Group AI Authorative Advisor (2021–2022) at Bull.
Karim Azer
LinkedInExperience: Global Head of Data & AI · Novartis
Global Head of Data & AI at Novartis, listed for 2024–2026 and again since March 2026, a role the profile says expanded to develop and apply data and AI technologies in clinical development across all development units; the profile describes Novartis as a pharmaceutical manufacturing company. The profile also lists Chair of the Bioengineering IAB at Northeastern University since 2025.
Karl Penz, MBA
LinkedInExperience: Head of Human Pharma Data and Analytics · Boehringer Ingelheim
Head of Human Pharma Data and Analytics at Boehringer Ingelheim since July 2026; the profile says the role leads global data and AI teams, drawing on experience in finance and controlling and large-scale program management. The profile also lists Chairman of the Board roles at Amal Therapeutics, T3 Pharmaceuticals AG and NBE-Therapeutics AG (2025–2026).
Sophie Ollivier
LinkedInExperience: Chief Data Officer · Servier
Chief Data Officer at Servier since October 2018, where the profile says the role runs the Servier R&D data office and aims to make data a performance lever for R&D, including governance rules for data collection, quality, use and sharing. Former Data & Clinical Logistics Director (2013–2018) and Director of the Clinical Data Management division (2011–2013) at Servier.
Sudeep Gupta
LinkedInExperience: Global Head of Data · Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.
Global Head of Data at Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. since June 2022; the profile describes Kyowa Kirin as a Japan-based global specialty pharmaceutical company and says the role leads its transformation toward becoming a data-driven, AI-enabled organisation. Former Director - Data Platform and AI Capability at GSK (2018–2022) and Head of Data & Analytics Engineering at Travelport (2013–2018).
Tifani McCann
LinkedInExperience: VP, Head of Data & Analytics, Chief Data & Analytics Officer · Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.)
VP, Head of Data & Analytics, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.) since July 2019, a role the profile says focuses on developing data solutions and insights and embedding them into scientific and business strategies. Former Vice President, Global Head of Biostatistics and Data Analytics at Covance (2018–2019) and Executive Director, Head of Global Data Strategies & Solutions at Bristol Myers Squibb (2014–2016).
Walid Mehanna
LinkedInExperience: Chief Data & AI Officer · Merck Group
Chief Data & AI Officer at Merck Group since July 2023; the profile describes Merck Group (Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) as a pharmaceutical manufacturing company and a science and technology company operating across healthcare and life science. The profile headline also lists Chairman, Digital Ethics.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scope to your question, since an enterprise-wide data role differs from one focused on R&D data or on a single country or site. Also weigh whether you need help with data governance and strategy or with platforms and AI delivery, and favor people whose notes describe that kind of work.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you organize data ownership across R&D, manufacturing and commercial teams at a pharmaceutical company?
- 02What governance did you put in place before applying AI to clinical or research data?
- 03Which data investments delivered measurable value first, and how did you show the return to leadership?
Reaching heads of data in Pharmaceuticals
How can I contact one of these heads of data in Pharmaceuticals?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Astellas Pharma, Takeda and AstraZeneca, based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach heads of data in Pharmaceuticals?
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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