Irena Brookes-Smith

Head of Healthcare Analytics - AstraZeneca

Irena Brookes-Smith is a Real World Evidence leader with 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. She has deep expertise in utilising Real World Datasets (RWD) throughout drug development lifecycle and how to leverage data science and technology solutions to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice. Currently, she leads the Healthcare Analytics team in AstraZeneca’s Biopharmaceutical R&D, where she focuses on utilizing RWD insights to optimise clinical development. Previously, she worked in Public Health, NHS and Deloitte consulting practice. She holds MSc from University of Pisa and an MPH from University of Birmingham. Through her work, she has collaborated with academics, healthcare providers, and technology companies to develop analytical strategies aimed at accelerating clinical development and improving patient outcomes.