Merck has appointed Gaurav Gupta as Executive Vice President and Chief Information & Digital Officer. Gupta joined the biopharmaceutical company in July and will formally assume responsibility for the role on September 1, 2026.
Gupta will succeed Dave Williams, Merck’s current Executive Vice President and Chief Information & Digital Officer, who is preparing to retire. Williams has led the company’s information technology and digital function since August 2020 and has played a central role in developing Merck’s digital capabilities and technology foundation.
In his new position, Gupta will lead Merck’s global information technology and digital agenda, including the continued development of artificial intelligence, enterprise data and technology platforms. His mandate will support innovation across the company’s research, manufacturing and commercial operations as Merck expands the application of data and digital technologies throughout the pharmaceutical value chain.
Confirming the transition, Gupta said he looked forward to building on the existing momentum and advancing priorities across AI, data and technology. He also acknowledged Williams’ leadership and the structured transition being undertaken ahead of his retirement.
Gupta joins Merck following a career of approximately 27 years with Ernst & Young, where he most recently served as a Senior Partner in the firm’s Life Sciences Digital practice in New York. He spent more than 16 years as a Partner or Principal at EY, leading global teams delivering technology and digital-transformation programmes for pharmaceutical and life sciences organisations.
His work at EY covered AI-enabled transformation, enterprise data, digital platforms, information systems, business strategy and large-scale technology implementation. He supported life sciences companies in applying technology across research and development, manufacturing, supply chains and commercial operations. Gupta began his professional career with Sundaram Finance and holds an MBA in Finance and Management Information Systems from Ohio University.
Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, is a research-intensive global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Founded in the United States more than 130 years ago, the company develops medicines and vaccines for human and animal health. Its portfolio and research activities span oncology, infectious diseases, vaccines, cardiometabolic conditions and animal health, supported by investments in science, data and digital technology.
