Freelance Senior Program Manager — Translational Medicine & Digital R&D
I run the programs pharma can't afford to get wrong.
Prasad Chaskar, PhD, PMP® — Lausanne region, Switzerland
Ten-plus years turning biomarker science into delivered programs — multi-omics strategy, FDA/EMA regulatory submissions, and AI-enabled clinical data workflows across Swiss pharma and biotech. Available for fractional PM, program advisory, and interim leadership engagements.
Flagship program — Phase III nemolizumab, Galderma
About
Science-fluent, delivery-obsessed.
I work at the point where translational science, cross-functional program management, and data strategy meet — the point where most digital R&D programs actually stall. My background is unusual for a PM: a PhD in life sciences, hands-on bioinformatics experience, and a decade running programs that turn biomarker data into regulatory submissions, most recently at Galderma (details under Track Record).
In 2025, family responsibilities took priority, and I used the time to complete my PMP® certification and begin CPMAI training in AI program management. I'm now taking on freelance, fractional, and interim engagements across pharma, biotech, and MedTech.
Focus areas
Where I add the most value
Biomarker & translational program leadership
End-to-end delivery of biomarker and multi-omics programs — governance, milestone tracking, and cross-functional alignment across clinical, bioinformatics, and lab workstreams.
Regulatory submission delivery
Coordinating the data packages, timelines, and stakeholder alignment behind FDA and EMA submissions — built on direct experience taking a biomarker package through first-time acceptance.
AI & digital R&D strategy
Identifying and prioritizing AI/ML use cases across translational science and clinical development, and translating them into scoped, deliverable workstreams.
Data & multi-omics governance
Setting up the pipelines, data governance, and sprint-based delivery frameworks that keep high-dimensional biomedical data programs auditable and on schedule.
Track record
Where this experience was built
Led an 8-person cross-functional program team across clinical, biomarker, bioinformatics, and regulatory workstreams for the Phase II/III nemolizumab program. Integrated a multi-omics biomarker strategy that aligned 4 teams across 3 sites and led to first-time FDA/EMA acceptance of the biomarker data package. Built a digital biomarker governance framework and sprint-based delivery workflow that cut reporting cycle time by 30%.
Managed precision medicine and translational research projects bridging biomarker discovery and clinical application. Developed a genomic alteration detection algorithm adopted into routine practice at HUG's Molecular Tumor Boards, and co-authored peer-reviewed oncology publications, including as first/senior author.
Ensured milestone delivery and data quality across the multi-institutional HUMAN Longevity consortium, coordinating biomarker discovery activities that identified biomarkers linked to diabetes treatment response.
Developed integrative analytics workflows for systems toxicology and product risk assessment, enabling evidence-based scientific decision-making.
Thesis on a protein-ligand docking method integrated into Swiss drug design tools.
Testimonials
What collaborators say
I had the pleasure of working with Prasad on a high-stakes translational medicine project, contributing to official documentation for an FDA BLA submission. Prasad seamlessly coordinated the work of several data science consultants, showing resilience and adaptability in keeping diverse stakeholders aligned throughout the project. His technical skills in bioinformatics, Nextflow, and single-cell data analysis are exceptional… what truly sets him apart is his character — collaborative, smart, hard-working, humble, and genuinely kind.
Ce qui le distingue, c'est sa rigueur et son sens de l'organisation. Il pilote ses projets avec maîtrise méthodologique : périmètres cadrés, risques anticipés en amont, livrables tenus dans les délais, et parties prenantes alignées à chaque étape. Dans un environnement où la complexité est souvent la norme, cette capacité à tenir le cap sans improviser est un vrai atout stratégique. Je le recommande sans hésitation à toute organisation cherchant un profil fiable et structuré pour piloter des projets complexes.
Core expertise
Tools & domains
Program & portfolio management
Translational medicine & biomarkers
Data & analytics
R&D digital & AI strategy
Technical work
From GitHub, live
Pulled directly from my public repositories — this list updates itself as new work goes up.
Engagement models
Ways to work together
Professional fees: CHF 150–200 / hour, depending on scope and role · available for contract, advisory, and interim assignments across pharma, biotech, and MedTech.
Contact