Open to ED | VP, Clinical Data Management

Ajay Bhasale

Senior Director, Clinical Data Management

Transforming biopharmaceutical research through innovative data strategies and leadership in Clinical Data Management.

25+ years in CDM 75+ clinical trials 4 acquisitions
Profile Image

About Me

Profile Snapshot
  • 25+ years in Clinical Data Management (CDM)
  • Head of CDM, Terns (Merck)
  • Built CDM function at 5 organizations
  • Led CDM transitions for 4 acquisitions by Roche, Pfizer, Gilead, and Merck
  • Led CDM for 2 regulatory inspections in 2024; Livdelzi approved in U.S. and EU
  • B.E. Computer Science
  • San Mateo, CA

Open to

ED | VP, Clinical Data Management

Professional Summary

Seasoned pharmaceutical executive with extensive experience in Clinical Data Management (CDM), analytics and programming within the biopharmaceutical industry. Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality CDM solutions that accelerate drug development and ensure regulatory compliance.

My superpower? Making complex data concepts accessible to everyone from scientists to CEOs. I am passionate about data standards, process optimization, and mentoring the next generation of data professionals.

7

Therapeutic Areas

75+

Clinical Trials

5

CDM Functions Built

4

Acquisitions

Career

Head of CDM at clinical-stage biotechs since 2017

Selected Results

40%

faster database lock

Pivotal Phase III, CymaBay

35%

faster topline results

BI framework, CymaBay

30%

faster database lock

Process redesign, Arena

15%

fewer queries

25+ trials, Ionis

Head of CDM · 2017 – Present

Senior Director, Clinical Data Management

Current
2025 - Present

Terns Pharmaceuticals

Acquired by Merck

Senior Director, Clinical Data Management

2023 - 2024

CymaBay Therapeutics

Acquired by Gilead

Senior Director, Clinical Data Management

2018 - 2022

Arena Pharmaceuticals

Acquired by Pfizer

Director, Clinical Data Management

2018

Aquinox Pharmaceuticals

Director, Clinical Data Management

2017 - 2018

Ionis Pharmaceuticals

Roche/Genentech · 2010 – 2017

Program Director, Evidence Science and Innovation

2014 - 2017

Genentech

Associate Director, Clinical Data Management and Programming

2010 - 2014

Roche/Genentech

Full resume available on request. Earlier roles are on LinkedIn.

How I Lead Clinical Data Management

The vision

Across the portfolio, clinical data the company can act on at every milestone: interim, lock, topline, filing.

Reliable, decision-ready data behind every major program decision.

Decision-ready

Data planned around every milestone that depends on it, through submission.

Inspection-ready

Quality built in so audits and inspections confirm controls that are already in place.

Built to scale

A focused in-house team with the right mix of internal and partner capacity.

CRO Oversight

Strategic governance plan so outsourced work stays on time and on quality.

Shared insights

One integrated, near real-time view of the data, built on BI and AI tools.

The shift

Decisions left to the CRO

Decisions owned by the sponsor

Data cleaned at the end

Data ready at every milestone

Separate reports by function

One shared view of the data

How it adapts to a company's stage, portfolio and partners is what I walk through in conversations.

Let's talk

My Data Superpowers

The skills I have mastered to fight the forces of messy data and inefficient processes

Leadership

Building and mentoring high-performing global CDM teams, fostering collaboration across functions, and creating a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Data Strategy

Developing comprehensive data strategies aligned with clinical development objectives, ensuring data quality, integrity, and regulatory compliance throughout the drug development lifecycle.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensuring adherence to FDA, EMA, ICH-GCP, and other regulatory requirements, with expertise in CDISC standards (C-DASH, SDTM, ADaM, ODM), 21 CFR Part 11, and data privacy regulations.

Therapeutic Expertise

Deep understanding of oncology, rare diseases, immunology, inflammatory pain, hepatology and cardiovascular therapeutics, with ability to tailor data strategies to specific therapeutic area requirements.

Process Optimization

Implementing lean methodologies and digital solutions to streamline clinical data processes, reduce cycle times, and improve operational efficiency without compromising quality.

Data Analytics

Leveraging advanced analytics, machine learning, gen AI, and visualization techniques to derive actionable insights from clinical trial data, supporting evidence-based decision making.

My Trophy Case

High-profile recognitions for my data wizardry over the years

Cymply The Best Awards (x 2)

CymaBay Therapeutics

Recognized for pioneering the implementation of a Business Intelligence framework for real-time clinical data quality monitoring, driving significant improvements in data accuracy and reducing time to top-line results, ultimately enhancing data-driven decision-making in clinical research.

#BusinessIntelligence #ClinicalDataQuality

Excellence in Leadership

Arena Pharmaceuticals

Acknowledged for leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing a decision framework to preserve eCOA (ePRO ClinRO) data integrity across three critical clinical programs, ensuring reliability, continuity, and scientific validity amid unprecedented challenges.

#Leadership #ClinicalDataIntegrity

NSCLC: gDATA Program

Genentech Inc.

Recognized for development and deployment of a responsive mobile/web platform integrating patient profile-based outcomes from nine pivotal NSCLC studies, accelerating evidence-driven HCP communication and optimizing access to critical clinical insights for informed decision-making.

#NSCLCResearch #HealthcareInnovation

ACE Innovator Awards (x 2)

Genentech Inc

Recognized for establishing the Design & Technology Lab in U.S. Medical Affairs, delivering two digital solutions through exceptional design and engineering. These innovations forged new MCO collaboration pathways, rapidly identifying evidence gaps to inform strategy for marketed drugs.

#DigitalHealthSolutions #MedicalInnovation

Let's Chat Data!

Want to discuss how I can help with your data challenges? Drop me a message!

Ask Away

I'm all ears (well, metaphorically)

Contact Information

I am always excited to connect with fellow data enthusiasts, potential collaborators, or anyone interested in advancing pharmaceutical data science.

Phone

(650) 477-0119

Location

San Mateo, California, USA