The Pulse of Pharma Change in 2026

Khedkar was elected CEO of ZS in July 2021. Prior to assuming the role, he led the firm’s global pharmaceuticals practice for nine years, as well as a practice focused on the dynamics of healthcare ecosystems. He founded and led its advanced data science capability track, which focuses on artificial intelligence. Khedkar has also served on ZS’s board since 2012.

A recognized healthcare industry expert, Khedkar is a past contributor to Pharm Exec and also regularly contributes his insights to publications including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, Fortune, Medical Marketing & Media, NPR, and others. His thought leadership work focuses on topics as diverse as healthcare policy, life sciences companies’ new commercial and organizational models, and the evolving relationships between patients, providers, payers, and manufacturers.

Khedkar holds a PhD in artificial intelligence from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Technology degree in computer science from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.