Pratap Khedkar is the CEO of ZS, a global professional services firm known for its expertise in healthcare and data science. He has been with ZS for over 21 years and has played a crucial role in the company's growth, initially leading the global pharmaceuticals and biotech practice and later establishing ZS’s advanced capabilities in data science. In 2021, he was elected as ZS's third CEO, continuing the firm's transformational journey.
Pratap was born and raised in India, where he developed an early fascination with technology and problem-solving. He earned a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Delhi. Driven by academic curiosity and a passion for artificial intelligence, he continued his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he completed a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence. This strong technical foundation later empowered his career at the intersection of advanced analytics and business strategy, shaping him into a leader capable of navigating complex healthcare ecosystems.
Pratap began his career as an R&D researcher at GE, focusing on marketing analytics before joining ZS in 2000. Before being the CEO of ZS, Pratap led ZS’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 AI. He has also served on ZS’s board since 2012. Known for his deep industry knowledge and strategic foresight, Pratap has led transformative projects for healthcare and pharmaceutical giants, helping them embrace innovation and redefine engagement across the evolving healthcare landscape.
ZS is a management consulting and technology firm that partners with companies to improve life and how we live it. ZS transforms ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology, and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. ZS empowers people to make smarter decisions, innovate faster, and achieve remarkable growth across any industry.
Integrating Generative AI: ZS empowers businesses to transform AI experiments into tangible success by crafting clear strategic roadmaps, implementing robust operational work, and focusing on the most impactful use cases. Their approach ensures that generative AI not only delivers measurable outcomes but also fuels innovation and enhances cross-functional collaboration, driving sustainable growth across the enterprise.
AI-Powered Solutions: ZS is propelling the next wave of AI innovation with a new platform and products business unit (PPBU) focused on AI-powered, self-serve SaaS solutions. Through advanced platforms like ZAIDYN and Max.AI, it enables smarter decisions, enhances agility, and achieves lasting business transformation.
AI in Sales and Marketing: ZS’s Act.AI is an advanced AI solution that transforms sales and marketing by enhancing customer engagement, boosting conversions, and enabling intelligent decision-making, empowering businesses to deliver personalized, data-driven experiences that fuel sustainable growth across industries.
AI Framework: ZS leads the way in responsible AI by seamlessly blending compliance with business goals. Its Responsible AI manages risks, promotes ethical design, and enables continuous oversight, fueling innovation while ensuring transparency, strong governance, and cross-functional teamwork.
AI in Clinical Trials: ZS Trials.ai harnesses cutting-edge AI to transform clinical trials by automating data processing, refining study designs, and elevating participant engagement. This innovative platform accelerates drug development, reduces errors, and enables seamless workflows, thereby boosting both patient outcomes and trial efficiency.
ZAIDYN: ZAIDYN, a cloud-native analytics platform, is utilized by over 120 clients across 65 countries. The customer engagement offerings have resulted in a 15% to 40% improvement in HCP interactions. ZAIDYN brings together a suite of more than 50 AI-infused products and solutions.
Personalize AI: Personalize.AI is a smart solution designed to fuel more than 25% revenue growth by crafting unique customer experiences. By harnessing data from loyalty programs and interactions, it delivers precise products and offers recommendations that increase engagement, upselling, and customer retention.
AI Infused Products: ZS is making a major push into self-service AI SaaS solutions by launching a dedicated Platform and Products division to accelerate innovation. Leveraging cutting-edge cloud-native technologies, ZS helps clients across industries unlock smarter insights and drive scalable growth.
AI Agents: Max.AI is a low-code/no-code platform that enables rapid creation of autonomous AI agents at scale. Featuring enterprise-grade tools and cloud-flexible deployment, it accelerates AI innovation, enabling businesses to improve decision-making, operational efficiency, and customer experiences across various industries.
Pratap has driven the company's growth into sectors such as digital technologies and life sciences. In addition to his operational role, Pratap is a thought leader, contributing articles to The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. His ability to provide insights that continually enhance ZS's standing within the ecosystem is instrumental in maintaining its reputation as a trusted global advisor to the healthcare sector.