Syneos Health has appointed Madhuri Raya as Global Head, AI & Engineering and Technology Capability Center as the biopharmaceutical solutions company expands its use of artificial intelligence across clinical development and commercialisation.
In her new role, Raya will lead efforts to scale the engineering capabilities supporting Syneos Health's growing AI ecosystem. Her mandate will include strengthening the company's technology capabilities and helping translate AI-led innovation into applications designed for the life sciences sector.
Raya brings more than two decades of experience across cloud-native product engineering, artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions, and the management of global engineering teams. Syneos Health said her experience will support its broader strategy of using technology to complement human expertise and improve agility, precision and intelligence across customer operations.
The appointment comes as Syneos Health increases its focus on AI-enabled operations across its business. The company works across clinical development and commercial solutions for biopharmaceutical organisations, combining clinical, commercial and real-world insights with technology to support the development and delivery of therapies.
As part of her responsibilities, Raya will oversee the engineering capabilities underpinning Syneos Health's AI initiatives. The company is looking to move AI applications beyond experimentation and towards practical solutions that can address operational challenges across drug development and commercialisation.
Syneos Health has been exploring AI across areas of clinical research where complex workflows and repetitive coordination can affect the speed of development. Its recent discussions around agentic AI have highlighted potential applications across site start-up, trial oversight, data management and regulatory activities, while also stressing the importance of governance and human oversight.
The appointment also places the company's Technology Capability Center within Raya's remit. Syneos Health has been expanding its technology presence in India, including its operations in Hyderabad, as part of its broader global capability strategy.
Syneos Health said Raya joins the organisation at a time when it is accelerating its AI-enabled strategy. Her role will focus on scaling engineering capabilities that can convert technology development into operational solutions while supporting the company's work with customers across the life sciences industry.
The move reflects the growing focus among healthcare and life sciences companies on building dedicated AI leadership as artificial intelligence becomes more closely integrated with research, clinical operations and enterprise technology.
For Syneos Health, Raya's appointment brings AI engineering and its technology capability operations under a senior global leadership role as the company looks to expand the deployment of AI across its business.
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