Podcast

Where Pharma Wins: AI, Commercial Ops & Outcomes | Axtria Podcast

Jassi Chadha — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 08:30:00 GMT

What separates life sciences leaders from the rest of the market? In an era defined by data abundance and rapid innovation, the answer lies in how effectively companies turn insight into action.

In this podcast, Jaswinder “Jassi” Chadha, President and CEO of Axtria, shares a visionary perspective on how artificial intelligence is transforming pharmaceutical commercial operations—from identifying patients with unmet needs to enabling faster, smarter, and more personalized engagement across the healthcare ecosystem.

Driving Commercial Transformation in the Age of AI

Anindita Sinha — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 12:32:56 GMT

In this episode, host Jasmeet Sawhney engages with Anindita (Ani) Sinha, a visionary leader in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. As Vice President of Commercial Operations at Shionogi U.S., Ani brings a wealth of experience in analytics, market research, and field management. She shares her inspiring transition from academia to pharma leadership, offering actionable advice on harnessing data, driving commercial success, and navigating change with the aid of AI and technology. Her passion for building cohesive teams and aligning them to a common truth makes this a must-listen for anyone aiming to shape the future of the industry.

Driving the Future of Personalized Patient Care with Tech and AI

Dr. Alexandra Goncalves — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:43:33 GMT

In this episode, host Jasmeet Sawhney sits down with Dr. Alexandra Goncalves, VP and Head of Digital Health at Bristol Myers Squibb, to explore how a lifelong learner thrives at the intersection of clinical medicine, technology, and innovation. From leveraging AI in clinical trials to championing personalized medicine and remote patient monitoring, Alexandra shares her bold career moves, her approach to leadership, and how she creates space for continuous growth, even in the busiest of schedules.

Johanna Rossell: Serving Rare Disease Patients with Zero Functional Silos

Johanna Rossell — Wed, 14 May 2025 04:30:00 GMT

In this episode of Leading Minds, host Jasmeet Sawhney sits down with Johanna Rossell, SVP and GM Rare Disease at Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc., to explore the evolving landscape of biotech and rare disease treatment. They discuss the critical need for collaboration across the entire healthcare ecosystem—including the FDA, healthcare providers, and researchers—to ensure life-changing therapies reach patients in time. Johanna shares her passion for patient impact, the power of data in demonstrating treatment value, and the importance of breaking traditional silos in pharma to drive innovation. Tune in to hear how Sumitomo is shaping the future of medicine and what it takes to lead with purpose in this dynamic industry.

AI in Pharma is here; now go back to basics!

Nuray Yurt — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 11:32:22 GMT

In this episode of Leading Minds, host Jasmeet Sawhney sits down with Nuray Yurt, the Head of Integrated Research and Forecasting at Merck and PMSA President, to discuss the evolving role of AI and analytics in the pharmaceutical industry. Nuray shares her insights on how Merck is leveraging AI to drive innovation in analytical processes, including forecasting and market research, and emphasizing the importance of integrating AI into core capabilities rather than treating it as a separate function. Together, they explore the progress of pharma in the AI hype cycle, the challenges of operationalizing AI versus leveraging it for sustainable operations, and the need for redefining KPIs to measure actual impact. Tune in to hear actionable insights on building a future where AI enables continuous improvement and sustainable, long-term value.

Reimagining Pharma Customer Engagement with AI & Innovation

Paul Bedard & Jassi Chadha — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 13:46:24 GMT

On this episode of Leading Minds, hosted by Jasmeet Sawhney, Jassi Chadha, President and CEO of Axtria, and Paul Bedard, Senior Vice President of Customer Engagement at Bayer US, dive into how customer-centric models are reshaping healthcare. Paul discusses Bayer’s implementation of Dynamic Shared Ownership (DSO), a transformative approach where teams work in 90-day cycles, focusing on outcomes and giving individuals autonomy to drive results. Jassi expands on how digital technology and data analytics are critical in refining customer engagement and utilizing AI to provide physicians with valuable insights from data they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. Together, they explore how innovations in AI, machine learning, and personalized customer engagement are shaping the future of healthcare and address the evolving challenges in pricing and accessibility. Their conversation culminates in advice for up-and-coming leaders in customer engagement, particularly in the life sciences industry.

Winning for Cancer Patients - Insights from AVEO Oncology CEO

Michael Bailey — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:20:04 GMT

Join us for an insightful discussion with Michael Bailey, CEO of AVEO Oncology. Michael and Jasmeet delve into the realities of career growth, exploring both the triumphs and setbacks. Michael, a strong advocate for active listening, shares how this skill empowers leaders. He'll discuss the common pitfalls of aspiring leaders feeling pressure to climb the ladder quickly, which leads to taking shortcuts or neglecting a solid foundation, ultimately hindering long-term success. Michael also introduces his concept of the five E's of life and career. Don't miss this valuable episode packed with leadership insights!

Software-Driven Transformation in Pharma Promotional Strategy

Sameer Sardana — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:26:44 GMT

Life science organizations must evolve and adapt for future success. Today, Sameer Sardana, Leader of Product Development at Axtria, discusses transforming operational methodologies within life sciences. He delves into the agencies responsible for promotional planning, measurement, and activation, stressing the significance of accurate analysis measurement.
Sameer also discusses how MLOps (Machine Learning Operations) workstreams and technologies empower stakeholders and marketers to make real-time promotion decisions, driving pivotal decision-making processes. Sameer adds that this represents a substantial shift for individuals accustomed to traditional settings, potentially disrupting established practices and necessitating new approaches. Our audience can benefit from today's insights to gain a competitive edge in the future.

Commercial Functions in Emerging Pharma - Challenges & Learnings

Matthew Bachman — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 05:30:18 GMT

Matt Bachman is in charge of the Commercial Operations for Milestone Pharmaceutical company, a biotech company launching a novel treatment for patients with PSVT. Jasmeet and Matt discuss the intricacies of building a commercial function for an emerging pharma company, with Matt highlighting distinctions between working in a large pharmaceutical company versus a smaller one. They also delve into crucial factors influencing decision-making for the future, with a particular emphasis on the formidable challenge of navigating data considerations. Matt introduces a compelling and reflective concept, emphasizing that decisions must be "Fit for Purpose.” That is sound learning, no matter the size of your organization.

AI and Patient Voice in Pharma R&D: A Conversation with Gurdyal Kalsi

Gurdyal Kalsi — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 11:25:23 GMT

Today, we are honored to have Gurdyal Kalsi as our guest, holding the position of Chief Medical Officer at Asklepion Pharma and AdventHealth and overseeing a varied Research and Development portfolio. Gurdyal explores the significance of AI in healthcare and emphasizes a long-overdue shift toward giving patients a voice in clinical trials. He underscores the necessity of addressing illnesses and striving for a definitive cure, which he terms "One and Done." Additionally, Gurdyal provides insights into the future direction of the life science field and emphasizes the role AI is poised to play in shaping it.