Hyderabad, Telangana, India, February 2026 – Vikash Verma has started a new role as Senior Director – AI/ML Engineering | Optum Life Sciences | Optum Insight | UnitedHealth Group at Optum, marking a significant elevation in his AI and advanced analytics leadership journey. In this expanded mandate, he will lead enterprise-scale AI, advanced analytics, and real-world evidence initiatives supporting global biopharma and MedTech organisations.
Prior to this role, Vikash served as Director – Data Science in Life Sciences and Optum Rx, where he built and scaled a 250+ member multidisciplinary organisation comprising physicians, epidemiologists, data scientists, AI engineers, HEOR experts, and data platform specialists. Under his leadership, the team delivered regulatory-grade real-world evidence solutions, published over 150 scientific papers and podium presentations across global forums including ISPOR, PMSA, SDSS, and AMCP, and earned a Platinum Award for high-impact outcomes research. Several innovations under his leadership also resulted in granted patents in healthcare AI and clinical data enrichment methodologies.
Earlier at Optum, he held progressive roles including Associate Director and Senior Manager, driving AI/ML platform development, NLP-driven clinical extraction, disease prediction modelling, pharmacogenomics, and HEOR analytics. His work directly supported external revenue growth through AI/ML monetisation and strategic pharma partnerships.
Before joining Optum, Vikash held leadership positions at Tata Consultancy Services, PharmaACE, and GlaxoSmithKline, where he drove forecasting, HEOR, market analytics, and commercial strategy initiatives across global pharmaceutical markets. He began his analytics career with GlobalData and PharmARC Analytic Solutions (now part of IQVIA), building strong foundations in forecasting and real-world evidence. His early industry exposure also includes roles at Novo Nordisk.
About Optum
Optum is a leading health services platform dedicated to evolving healthcare so everyone has the opportunity to live their healthiest life. By combining data, technology, pharmacy services, and care delivery, Optum focuses on improving outcomes, lowering costs, and simplifying the healthcare experience for individuals and organisations globally.
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