2025 Fall Symposium - Bios
Thank you Sponsors
Speaker Biographies
Bret Baker
Blend360
Bret Baker is a client partner at Blend360, where he leads major accounts inside and outside of pharma build data and AI-driven solutions that accelerate growth and efficiency. He helps clients design and implement AI-driven solutions that improve efficiency, unlock new revenue opportunities, and drive measurable EBITDA impact. Bret received his bachelor's from Penn State, MBA from Villanova University and currently lives in the greater Philadelphia area.
Prerna Batra
Axtria
Prerna Batra is a healthcare consulting professional with 15 years of experience helping pharmaceutical companies drive commercial strategy and patient-centric innovation. At Axtria, she partners with clients to apply data-driven insights driving marketing optimization, launch analytics, and enhance patient adherence across therapeutic areas. She is passionate about advancing the role of analytics in shaping better healthcare outcomes. She has a masters degree in economics.
Kevin Barboza
Ernst & Young
A Life Science AI & Data Lead at EY, bringing over twenty years of experience driving innovation across AI, data, and digital transformation. Focused on scaling AI-driven solutions within the Life Sciences sector, with expertise in digital transformation, M&A, and AI/data engineering. Dedicated to creating impactful ecosystems through global partnerships and innovative capabilities.
Recent contributions include enabling enterprise cloud transformations, advancing digital compliance in pharma, and facilitating information product marketplaces. Partnered with clients to modernize front and back-office operations, supporting strategic forecasting, digital twins, and cybersecurity resilience. Committed to empowering organizations with data-driven strategies that realize long-term value.
Suhash Bhavsar
Bayer
Suhash Bhavsar is a commercial leader with track record of driving impact at Bayer Pharma and other top pharma companies via prior ZS consulting. He has deep expertise in developing brand strategy through uncovering insights from data and market research across all commercial functions (market access, HCP/Patient marketing, patient services, finance), and experience in a wide range of therapeutic areas (prostate cancer, CRC, GIST, CML, Asthma/COPD, SJIA, Psoriasis, RA, MS).
Cathy Counsell
Axtria
Cathy Counsell is a healthcare consulting professional with 25 years of experience helping pharmaceutical companies drive commercial strategy and patient-centric innovation. At Axtria, she partners with clients to bring them professional teams that apply data-driven insights to drive marketing optimization, launch excellence, and enhance patient adherence across therapeutic areas. She is passionate about advancing the role of analytics in shaping better healthcare outcomes. She has a masters degree in biology from Harvard.
Xianbin Huang
Alkermes
Xianbin Huang is Associate Director of Sales and Marketing Analytics at Alkermes, with deep expertise in marketing analytics, digital strategy, and AI-driven insights. With over a decade of experience spanning pharma and retail, he focuses on bridging business needs with emerging technology, transforming complex data into strategic action, and driving measurable impact in brand growth and customer experience.
Prakash Karaka
Chryselys
With a deep commitment to leveraging technology for healthcare advancement, Prakash brings over 18 years of experience in AI, data analytics, and machine learning to the pharmaceutical management science field. Currently leading as the Chief AI officer at Chryselys, Prakash is at the forefront of developing AI solutions that are secure, personalized, and transformative for Pharma industry. His career, spanning roles at Amazon, Microsoft, and Intel, has been marked by significant contributions in areas ranging from cloud-based big data analytics to AI-driven retail and developer services. His passion for combining robust scientific methods with cutting-edge technology is directed towards enhancing patient health outcomes and addressing complex business challenges in healthcare.
Ashutosh Katiyar
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions
Ashutosh leads the Commercial Insights & Analytics (I&A) group for Ophthalmology at Regeneron, a biotechnology company that invents life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. In this capacity, he leads customer insights (market research), competitive intelligence, data science, market access and advanced analytics to support Ophthalmology franchise including post-launch activities for a blockbuster drug. He is also a member of the Regeneron Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee and leads the activation of AI/Gen roadmap across commercial business units. Prior to Regeneron, Ashutosh worked at Amgen, Shire and ZS Associates leading go-to-market strategies for various commercial launches within areas of Oncology, Inflammation, Cardiometabolic, Nephrology and Neuroscience. As a part of his career, he has also worked on supporting several Business Development (acquisition and licensing) activities.
Ashutosh earned his MS in Marketing from Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, Bloomington. He also has a previous MS degree in manufacturing systems Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison and bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from IIT-Roorkee, India. He has also received several online certifications in data science applications and Gen AI.
Jennifer Ken-Opurum
Axtria
Jennifer Ken-Opurum is an epidemiologist by training, and has worked for the last 10+ years in real-world evidence generation and human subjects research. She is a consultant to top pharma companies on statistically- / scientifically-robust study design and execution, and supports clinical-commercial strategy. She holds a PhD in Nutrition Science from Purdue University, specializing in community health outcomes and chronic disease prevention.
Amit Kumar
ZS Associates
Amit is an Associate Principal at ZS based in Pune, leading the Digital Customer Experience AI & Analytics practice. With over 15 years of experience in life sciences consulting and analytics, he has partnered with a broad spectrum of global pharmaceutical companies. He has played a key role in advancing clients’ omnichannel transformation journeys, with a strong focus on AI- and analytics-driven capabilities such as omnichannel Next Best Action, marketing mix optimization, measurement, and digital enablement.
Shishir Kumar
ZS Associates
An associate Partner with ZS Associate, having 13+ years of experience in Analytics and AI with deep expertise in Pharma domain, especially in omni-channel sales and marketing capabilities like Omnichannel strategy, Field Suggestion, Omni-channel Next Best Action, Dynamic targeting etc.
Mirtunjay Kumar
Novartis
11 years of professional experience in healthcare commercial practices and consulting. Highly experienced in data science & analytics solution, Strategy & Insights building, business development and large team management.
Specialties: New product launch planning; Physician profiling and targeting; Patient Journey and data analytics; Forecasting, Budget planning, Field force goal setting; Campaign measurement & Optimization
Kyle Martin
Trinity Life Sciences
Kyle has been leading primary market research teams for more than a decade. Kyle focuses on identifying key business questions and developing the right methods and analyzes to generate insights his clients need to make critical decisions. His expertise lies in integrated research combining multiple methods and stakeholders including segmentation, demand and forecasting, as well as promotional material development and testing. Kyle works with other Trinity leaders across the organization to seamlessly combine primary market research with secondary data, real-world evidence, and industry experience to drive engaging and thought provoking projects and deliverables that provide a 360⁰ story.
Jeff Olive
Axtria
Jeff Olive leads the forecasting practice at Axtria. Prior to joining Axtria, Jeff founded a boutique consulting firm which specialized in using forward looking models and analytics to guide investment decisions. Jeff has influenced hundreds of millions of dollars of investment related decisions, assisted companies seeking VC capital, and advised banks on biotech investment decisions. C-suite leaders have relied upon Jeff to evaluate white space opportunities and provide a perspective on the economic merits of investment opportunities. Jeff's prior roles include VP of Forecasting at a biotech startup and Executive Director at Merck leading Keytruda forecasting. Jeff has a wealth of experience across a broad set of functional and therapeutic areas.
Amogh Purandare
Novartis
Amogh Purandare is a distinguished professional who combines strategic insight with technical expertise, bringing extensive experience in business performance and organizational strategy within the pharmaceutical industry. He currently oversees US Forecasting for the Neuroscience Franchise at Novartis, shaping forecasts for both in-line and pre-launch assets that span broad patient populations as well as rare diseases. With a strong background in Strategic leadership, Insights & Analytics, Competitive Intelligence, Market Research and Targeting, he has developed precise predictive models that drive impactful decision-making. He earned a Master’s in Engineering Management from Stevens Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s in Electronics Engineering from the University of Mumbai, building a foundation that bridges technical expertise with business strategy.
Saurabh Sarker
Axtria
Saurabh leads the Data Science group within Commercial Excellence at Axtria. He has over a decade and a half years of experience across pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors. He has worked with pharma companies of all sizes and types across commercial operations, managed markets, insights and analytics, and artificial intelligence/machine learning. He has served as a trusted advisor to C-suite stakeholders, supported launches, led large-scale reorganization initiatives, and served as a subject matter expert across a diverse range of engagements.
Viplav Shukla
Trinity Life Sciences
Viplav is a Director with Trinity Life Sciences in India. He has 8+ years of experience in collaborating with commercial strategy teams of multiple life sciences clients across the U.S. and EU. Starting off and evolving as a consultant with ZS in India, Viplav has experience in designing and executing performance tracking, message testing, segmentation and demand estimation solutions for clients across their pre- and post-launch treatment portfolios.
Puneet Swami
Merck & Co., Inc.
Head of Oncology Forecasting at Merck. A Pharma-Biotech Insights and Analytics Professional with ~15 years of working experience in the industry. An individual who can tell a data-driven cohesive story and guide commercial leaders with perspectives to make informed strategic and operational decisions. Converge the multiple facts during an analysis process into high-level points and communicate them as a cohesive, compelling, and consistent narrative for senior leadership.
Aayush Tandon
Novartis
Aayush Tandon is an accomplished leader with over 15 years of experience in business planning and effectiveness within the pharmaceutical industry. Currently serving as the Executive Director & Head of US Forecasting at Novartis, Aayush oversees the US Pharma and Oncology Forecasting Center of Excellence, managing $16+ billion in annual net revenues. He has experience leading Insights and Analytics for BD&L deals to drive informed decision making with precise forecasting, HCP targeting, AI predictive modeling, CI, and insights generation. Aayush holds an Executive Program in Business & HR Management from IIT Bombay and a Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Mumbai University.
Nadia Tantsyura
Bristol Myers Squibb
20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Expert in digital and omnichannel strategies, patient analytics, medical intelligence, and market access, among others. Proven leadership in pioneering advanced analytics and data science initiatives, promoting data governance and information management. Instrumental in driving organizational transformation by fostering a culture of innovation and facilitating the large-scale adoption of new capabilities. Recognized for a unique blend of advanced education, wide-ranging experience in various business functions, and a solid technical skill set.
Charlie Thompson
Axtria
Charlie has 40 years’ experience in life sciences, management consulting, and financial services. He is a founding Principal of Axtria, a trusted partner helping global life-sciences companies improve patient outcomes and drive business growth. Charlie is known for his creativity, storytelling, and passion to actualize organizational transformations.
JP Tsang
Bayser Consulting
Jean-Patrick Tsang is the Founder and President of Bayser, a Chicago-based consulting firm dedicated to sales and marketing for pharmaceutical companies. JP is an expert in data strategy and advanced analytics. JP has published 25+ papers, given 80+ talks at conferences, and completed 250+ projects. In a previous life, JP deployed Artificial Intelligence to automate the design of payloads for satellites. JP earned a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence from Grenoble University, advised 2 PhD students, and earned an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. He was the recipient of the 2015 PMSA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chris Walker
Tellius
Chris sits at the intersection of Product, Marketing, and GTM at Tellius—the leading Life Sciences AI Analytics platform—driving strategy and execution of key messaging, positioning, launches, content, and initiatives. He was previously a Senior Product Marketer at Dataiku, a leading Data Science / ML Platform, and before that spent several years at Gartner owning GTM/end-to-end product marketing efforts. He holds his MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and lives in NYC.
Bona Zhou
Alkermes
Bona leads data infrastructure and insights within commercial analytics at Alkermes. She specializes in leveraging advanced analytics and building scalable data solutions to support brand strategy, field execution, and performance optimization across products at various stages of the lifecycle. With over a decade of experience in analytics, she is passionate about bridging analytics and AI to accelerate data-driven insight generation and empower faster and smarter decision-making. By blending technical innovation with strategic vision, Bona drives meaningful advancements that enhance business performance and improve patient outcomes — helping shape the next generation of commercial analytics.