Sam Khalil | Vice President, Data AI platform
Novo Nordisk

Sam Khalil is a healthcare leader and digital innovator with over 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Currently serving as Vice President and Head of the FounData AI platform at Novo Nordisk, he drives innovation through the development of advanced AIpowered clinical data platforms. His unique ability lies in serving as a translator across technology, business, clinical development, and research—connecting these disciplines to deliver impactful solutions. At Novo Nordisk, Sam leads the development and management of FounData, a pioneering clinical data platform powered by advanced AI. His team focuses on transforming complex clinical data into actionable insights through strategic applications and AI integrations. Key achievements include establishing robust data infrastructure on Azure/Databricks, implementing innovative secondary use of clinical data, and pioneering the use of Multi-Agent AI Systems and Large Language Models (LLMs) in healthcare. Previously at Novartis, Sam spearheaded the development of data42, the first platform providing seamless access to curated data from over 2,900 clinical trials. He led a cross-functional team of over 60 experts and drove company-wide adoption of this transformative platform. Beyond platform development, he contributed to launching and expanding indications for blockbuster drugs like Cosentyx and Xolair, shaping global medical strategies, and fostering collaboration across regions. His earlier experience includes leadership roles at Janssen and Merck, where he successfully launched multiple drugs and managed medical science liaison teams. He also served as Head of Immunotoxicology at Charles River Laboratories, overseeing pre-clinical and clinical drug testing studies with revenues exceeding $100M.