Pharm. Ayodeji Alaran is the founder and chief executive officer of PBR Life Sciences, a UK-registered, venture-backed company, operating across the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. He stands at the forefront of Africa’s data-driven healthcare revolution, pioneering real-world data systems that connect the continent to the global life sciences ecosystem.
Born in Okitipupa, Ondo State, and originally from Ikeji-Arakeji in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, Alaran’s early years took him through Kaduna, Abuja, and Lagos, where he developed a strong sense of purpose, discipline, and curiosity.
He earned his Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Lagos in 2006 and subsequently acquired international qualifications, including a Professional Diploma in Marketing (Level 6) from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, United Kingdom (2014); a Diploma in the Promotion of Medicines from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (2019); and an MBA from the London Business School (Class of 2020), where he specialised in strategy, marketing, innovation, and venture capital.
With nearly two decades of experience across the pharmaceutical, medical device, consulting, and data science sectors, Alaran’s career reflects a rare blend of innovation, strategy, and impact. He began as a sales and marketing intern at GlaxoSmithKline (2007–2008), before joining Pfizer and AstraZeneca between 2009 and 2011 as a pharmaceutical sales representative. He later served at May & Baker Nigeria as product manager and national sales manager (2011–2013), distinguishing himself through outstanding performance and leadership.
In 2013, he rejoined GlaxoSmithKline as category marketing manager for Africa and Developing Countries in Asia, leading marketing strategy across 52 countries. He later joined Pacific Diagnostics, representatives of Johnson & Johnson and Medtronic in Nigeria, as sales and marketing director (2016–2018), where he led a 47-member commercial team through a successful business turnaround.
His passion for innovation soon took him to London, where he worked with Cegedim Real-World Data Solutions as business development manager for the UK and Ireland (2019–2021), and later with IQVIA EMEA Headquarters as business development director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (2021–2022), driving growth across artificial intelligence, real-world data, genomics, and privacy analytics.
In 2015, Alaran founded Pharma Business Review Limited, initially focusing on training pharmaceutical sales and marketing professionals. The company pivoted in 2021 to big data, artificial intelligence, and analytics, rebranding as PBR Life Sciences. Its mission is to bridge the gap in Africa’s real-world data ecosystem and ensure that the continent’s populations are adequately represented in global life sciences research.
Pharm. Ayodeji Alaran is married to Tolulope Alaran, a chemical engineer and University College London alumna, and they are blessed with two children.
