How to Build Effective Data Standards in Pharma

With Priya Gopal — Founder, Inferential Data LLC | Former Takeda & GSK Why are strong data standards so important in pharma and why are they so difficult to implement consistently? In this episode, Ben Parker speaks with Priya Gopal about what it takes to build and implement effective data standards across complex pharmaceutical organisations. Drawing on her experience across clinical research and major pharma companies including Takeda and GSK, Priya explores the importance of cultural readiness, the challenges of implementing standards across global teams, and how organisations can balance regulatory requirements with internal Data Governance. The conversation also examines how better data standards can enable innovation, the growing role of AI and automation, and why greater collaboration across the industry could help pharma move faster. You’ll hear practical insights on: Why data standards matter in pharma The biggest barriers to implementing standards consistently Balancing global regulation with internal Data Governance Why culture matters when driving Data transformation How stronger standards can enable innovation The role of AI and automation Why cross-industry collaboration matters Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Priya's career and leadership journey 10:20 Lessons from Data transformation in pharma 20:34 Building effective Data standards 28:42 Balancing regulation and Data Governance 34:18 AI and automation in pharma 39:42 Collaboration and the future of pharma Data Thank you for listening!