Dr. Elsa Zekeng is a scientist, entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of SökerData, a health data intelligence company building a patient-centric approach to real-world evidence by capturing insights directly from patients and transforming them into high-quality, pharma-grade evidence for research, drug development and decision-making.

Under Dr. Zekeng’s leadership, SökerData has gained significant industry traction. The company has participated in the Francis Crick Institute’s KQ Labs accelerator and Techstars London, and has secured pharmaceutical clients including Bayer. Its work is already demonstrating how more representative real-world evidence can influence healthcare research. In 2026, SökerData supported the Bayer-sponsored ELEVATE study, exploring the lived experiences of stroke survivors in the United States, with a particular focus on women and racially and ethnically diverse communities. The research was presented at the International Stroke Conference in New Orleans.

Dr. Zekeng’s career spans scientific research, global health, life sciences strategy and entrepreneurship. Alongside leading SökerData, she is an independent member of the University of Salford Council and Audit & Risk Committee and serves on the Advisory Board of the Science and Industry Museum in Greater Manchester.

Her work positions her at the intersection of real-world evidence, patient-generated data, health equity, AI, pharmaceutical innovation and the future of drug development.