A View from a retired US Army Captain, Field Medical Leadership and ChatGPT
Explaining what a Medical Science Liaison does is not easy. No standard answer exists for good reason, the roles are often similar but can vary from company to company, it can change across a product or company life cycle. Even within the same company, 2 MSLs can perform the role effectively (or ineffectively) in very different ways. Finding the perfect explanation can be tricky and might come from unlikely places. Let me try to explain.
At a National Meeting, my team and I had the opportunity to hear a presentation from my colleague, Scott Flanders, PhD., a US Army Captain (Ret) (thank you for your service Scott!). Scott was the Senior Director of Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) at the time.
The topic was broad – how MSLs can and should be paying attention to the value of medicine, the policies and reimbursement related to our industry and how MSLs are in a unique position to engage in dialogue “beyond the pill” and “beyond the disease state”. As I predicted, Scott was brilliant in expanding the mindset of our MSL team. What I didn’t anticipate was the last part of his presentation which compared being an MSL to being a US Army Pathfinder. My immediate thought was “Oh boy, where is this going?”
So, what is a US Army Pathfinder? Pathfinders, according to WIKIPEDIA, complete intense course work and field training to navigate operations behind enemy lines to coordinate drop and landing zones for airborne and assault missions. In essence, they are the 1st “boots on the ground” to learn the landscape of unfamiliar territory to prepare the territory for those that follow.
As Scott continued, I began to think, “OK, I can see where Scott is taking this”. As I looked around the room at the Field Medical team, I could see them connecting the dots as well. MSLs do play a similar role in Pharma. We are often 1st boots on the ground and prepare the company in several ways – product launch planning, understanding the patient journey, finding unmet medical needs, and preparing the organization for known and frequently unknown challenges by gathering and sharing insights. Brilliant.
Fast forward several years to just a few weeks ago, I was working with Jim Siano, Ph.D., and a current colleague. We were working together on Field Medical launch preparation, critical success factors, metrics of our success, and scientific narratives to ready our team and the organization for launch of a new product in a new therapy area. I relayed to Jim the Pathfinder story Dr. Flanders shared with my team many years ago. Jim really liked the comparison and took the analogy one step further – he decided to ask CHAT GPT the following question…
“HOW ARE US ARMY PATHFINDERS AND MEDICAL SCIENCE LIAISONS ALIKE”
Both US Army Pathfinders and Medical Science Liaisons rely heavily on intelligence and insights to accomplish their respective missions. Pathfinders must gather and analyze intelligence on enemy movements, terrain features, and other factors that could impact their operations. This information allows them to make informed decisions about route selection, drop zones, potential threats, maximizing the chances of mission success while minimizing risks to themselves and their fellow soldiers.
Similarly, MSLs collect and interpret data on healthcare trends, competitor products, and scientific developments relevant to new drug launches. This intelligence enables them to tailor communication strategies, identify key opinion leaders, and address potential challenges in the marketplace, ultimately driving the successful adoption of the drug by healthcare professionals and patients. In both cases, the ability to gather, analyze and leverage intelligence and insights is crucial for achieving objectives and overcoming obstacles in dynamic and complex environments.
ChatGPT April, 2024
This response Jim obtained was so accurate and beyond what Dr. Flanders and I could have ever expected.
Like those original Pathfinders, MSLs must navigate an “unknown and changing” landscape everyday (sometimes in the worst conditions) to prepare the broader organization for success, to find a path forward and complete the mission. They see the front lines before everyone else does. They see the path before everyone else.
Armed with this information, I will no longer nervously answer the question at a Holiday gathering or in a social setting “what is it that MSLs do anyway?
My answer is now clearer, being an MSL is a lot like being a Pathfinder. 1st on the ground, we gather scientific intelligence and insights, we minimize risk and maximizing the chance of mission success. We pave the path for those that follow using our scientific and clinical expertise to prepare the organization for success. Most importantly, we anticipate and address potential challenges that Health Care Providers may face towards our shared critical mission of caring for and improving the care of patients.
We are Pathfinders.
About the authors:
Paul Ward
Paul is currently the Executive Director of Field Medical at BeiGene, including Solid Tumor, Hematology and FHEOR. He is passionate about bringing needed therapies to patients afflicted with Cancer, helping reshape medical practice, and aligning field and headquarters strategy in a way that brings forward the incredible value Field Medical professionals bring to the many healthcare providers and internal stakeholders we touch.
Paul joined the industry in 1988 and has been working in Medical Affairs beginning at Lilly Oncology as a Regional Research Manager in Oncology. He has since worked in various leadership roles in a Medical Affairs at Cell Pathways, AbbVie Oncology, Pharmacyclics, and Astellas, and National Liaison Leader for the Hematology and Oncology MSL teams at AstraZeneca.
Paul is an Advisory Board member for the MSL Society and a frequent speaker at Field Medical Symposium and podcasts related to all things Field Medical
Scott Flanders, PhD
Scott Flanders, PhD, is currently Executive Director, Medical Strategy – Oncology, with Sumitomo Pharmaceutical America, Inc. Dr. Flanders has 28 years of Medical Affairs experience across multiple therapeutic areas and has held individual contributor and leadership positions at Myovant Sciences, Dendreon, Astellas Pharma, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Janssen, and TAP Pharmaceuticals. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Services Research (Economics) from Saint Louis University, and both a Master of Science degree in Health Care Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (Finance) from Trinity University (Texas). Scott is also 3rd generation military service member, serving 8 years as a Captain in the United States Army, Adjutant General’s Corps. Scott enjoys playing golf and attending live music events when he is not working to improve the lives of patients living with their diseases and conditions. Scott is the proud father of 2 boys and lives in Las Vegas, NV with his wife and 2 dogs.
James Siano PhD, MBA
Jim is currently a Sr. Regional Director, US Field Medical at BeiGene. He is a seasoned BioPharma leader with years of experience driving innovation and patient-centricity across the industry. Throughout his career, he has consistently bridged the gap between strategy, capabilities, and talent to enable organizational solutions that ultimately improve lives. Jim’s expertise spans strategic planning, operational excellence, research partnerships, communication, team leadership, and scientific storytelling. He is a passionate advocate for empowered teams and leverages his diverse background from management consulting to navigate complex challenges and unlock the full potential of both individuals and organizations.
Have an opinion on this article? Send a message to the editor.