For Kunal Kapoor, technology has never been just about writing code or launching digital systems. It’s about something far more personal: saving lives.
Throughout his career, Kunal has gravitated toward projects that blend advanced technology with real-world medical needs. At Merck Pharmaceuticals, he played a central role in enhancing clinical trial operations through a complex cloud migration project. His efforts enabled global research teams to access real-time clinical data securely; a critical advancement that helped accelerate drug development timelines, including work related to pembrolizumab (Keytruda), Merck’s groundbreaking cancer immunotherapy.
Pembrolizumab is a groundbreaking immunotherapy drug used to treat various cancers by helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It works by blocking the PD-1 protein on immune cells, preventing cancer from evading immune detection. Approved for multiple cancers including melanoma, lung, and bladder cancers, Keytruda has extended survival and even led to remission in patients who had limited options. It has literally been used to save countless lives.
A story of courage and resilience
From a small town in northern India to boardrooms in the U.S. leading innovation at the intersection of healthcare and technology, Kunal’s story is one of grit, compassion, and unwavering purpose. Now a Senior Product Owner at SoftWriters (a Roper Technologies company), Kunal is helping transform how healthcare organizations around the world use data and digital tools to improve patient outcomes.
However, his journey didn’t begin in a lab or corporate suite. Rather, it began with a crisis.
A personal tragedy that lit the fuse
“I was still studying computer science when one of my parents was diagnosed with cancer,” Kunal recalls. “We lacked early diagnosis and access to proper treatment. That experience stayed with me and it made me wonder if I could use my skills to make sure others wouldn’t have to face the same situation.”
That question became a calling.
While still in university, Kunal landed a rare opportunity to work at the Indian Institute of Integrated Medicine. It was here, combining biology with computer science, that he first glimpsed how technology could transform the delivery of healthcare. That intersection became the foundation for everything that followed.
A career rooted in purpose
Kunal’s career took off at HCL Technologies, where his work on a Merck Pharmaceuticals project led to his relocation to the United States in 2013. Navigating new cultures and unfamiliar work environments, he quickly proved himself as a problem-solver with a human touch.
He would go on to support a series of mission-critical projects in the healthcare and life sciences space, earning recognition for both his technical leadership and his compassion under pressure. At Merck, Kunal received the Star Award for spearheading a secure cloud migration that enabled real-time access to clinical trial data. This was a breakthrough in collaborative drug development. His system became a foundational piece in trials for the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab.
However, Kunal’s defining moment came not in a data centre, but in a moment of crisis. While working at HCL, he helped save the life of a colleague during a medical emergency. This was an act that earned him the Bravery Award from former HCL CEO Vineet Nayar.
“That moment reminded me of the responsibility we carry, not just as professionals, but as people,” Kunal says. “Technology should serve life. Not the other way around.”
Thought leadership in action
Over the past 15 years, Kunal has built a reputation as a quiet thought leader. He is acknowledged as one who bridges deep technical expertise with a rare sensitivity to real-world human needs.
“I’m not just building features,” he explains. “I’m solving problems and giving clinicians and researchers the tools they need to work smarter, faster, and with more confidence.”
At Merck, that meant modernizing complex trial systems to meet regulatory standards while ensuring global accessibility. Today at SoftWriters, he leads product strategy with a continued focus on patient-centered impact. Kunal is especially passionate about the role of AI in healthcare and life sciences, and how cloud computing can unlock new possibilities for drug development, diagnostics, and operational efficiency.
His colleagues describe him as both a systems thinker and a humanist, as well as someone who sees the big picture without losing sight of the people inside it.
Overcoming borders and barriers
One of Kunal’s most personal challenges was adjusting to life in the United States. “You think the hard part is the code,” he says with a laugh. “But it’s actually learning to communicate, to read the room, to earn trust in a different culture.”
He emphasizes the value of adaptability, not just in projects, but in people. “You have to be willing to grow outside your comfort zone. That’s where the real transformation happens.”
His advice to others? “Stay curious. Stay kind. And never forget why you started.”
Building the future of global health
Kunal’s vision for the future is as ambitious as it is grounded. He hopes to lead initiatives that bridge advanced technology with real-world patient needs. He plans to do this through AI, personalized medicine, and connected health systems.
He also wants to give back. “Eventually, I want to mentor the next generation of healthcare tech leaders, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds,” he says. “There’s so much untapped talent out there. We need more voices and more perspectives.”
If there’s one message Kunal wants to leave behind, it’s this: “Technology with purpose can transform healthcare and save lives.”
