3rd Forum: Artificial Intelligence in Pharma

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Shanahan is Global Access AI Strategy Lead at Sanofi, where she drives AI transformation within Global Market Access. With 17+ years of pharmaceutical industry experience, she specializes in translating scientific, digital/AI, and commercial insights into strategic recommendations that enable data-driven decision-making across AI adoption, pipeline investment, and launch readiness.

She manages a cross-functional portfolio of AI proofs of concept and scaled solutions, acting as a bridge between technical teams and market access experts to ensure AI models are explainable, credible, and aligned with business needs.

Previously, Lizzie held roles at Sanofi and over a decade at GSK, including Global Respiratory Launch Excellence Lead. She holds a BSc in Psychology from the University of Southampton.

Sophie Hundertmark is an AI and chatbot expert focusing on the practical application of artificial intelligence in business, with a strong emphasis on conversational AI, digital transformation, and AI strategy.

She is a Senior Research Associate at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (IFZ) and the founder of the AI community ai-zurich, where she connects practitioners, researchers, and organizations across the DACH region to advance the use of AI in business. In her work, she advises organizations on the strategic and responsible use of AI, particularly in customer engagement and financial services.

Sophie combines academic research with hands-on consulting and regularly speaks, teaches, and publishes on topics such as chatbots, generative AI, and AI adoption in organizations.

Kushtrim Veseli is a data science and analytics leader with extensive experience driving business transformation through AI, insights, and advanced analytics across multiple industries.

He currently serves as Insight Excellence Manager at Novartis, where he helps strengthen analytics capabilities and data-driven decision-making. 

Combining analytical depth with strategic thinking, Kushtrim works at the intersection of business and technology to turn data into measurable impact and help organizations unlock the value of AI.

Bettina Vogel-Moore is Patient Advocacy Manager & External Communications Lead at Takeda Pharma AG Switzerland, where she partners closely with patient organizations to strengthen patient voice, trust, and impact.

With a background in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications, she works at the intersection of healthcare, policy, and innovation. Bettina is a strong proponent of using artificial intelligence responsibly to empower patient organizations, enhance education, and improve collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem.

Within Takeda, she is actively involved in Takademy, exploring how AI-enabled learning and co-creation can support more informed, connected, and resilient patient communities.

Milo Karim is a Senior Medical Science Expert at Merck Group, combining a strong scientific background with business and digital leadership expertise. With experience across Medical Affairs, scientific research, and strategic projects, he works at the intersection of science, innovation, and organizational transformation.

At Merck—ranked second in the Pharma AI Readiness Index—Milo is particularly focused on how digital tools, data, and emerging technologies, including AI, can enhance scientific exchange, improve decision-making, and support agile operating models in the pharmaceutical industry.

He brings a system-level perspective on how innovation can be embedded responsibly into medical and cross-functional environments.

Stephanie Gessler is an AI and analytics leader with 10 years of experience driving AI strategy and transformation.
She holds a Master’s degree in Business Analytics and Big Data and currently leads AI and analytics initiatives at Viatris Switzerland, where she has defined and implemented the company’s AI strategy, built AI-ready data foundations, and delivered scalable use cases ranging from automation and advanced analytics to custom AI applications.

Combining strategic leadership with hands-on execution, Stephanie works at the intersection of business and technology to turn AI into tangible outcomes.
She also enables organizations to adopt AI at scale by equipping teams with the skills, tools, and frameworks needed to apply AI effectively in their daily work.

More information: stephaniegessler.github.io

Aileen Frans - AI Leader at Viatris Switzerland, passionate about enabling data-driven decision-making and transforming end-to-end, customer-centric omnichannel engagement through innovative, insight-driven strategies.
With a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing and a background in digital marketing and product management, she has been driving impact in the pharmaceutical industry since 2019.
Together with Stephanie Gessler, she received the global Viatris Award for their AI initiative and actively empowers teams to explore and adopt AI to unlock business value.