Hello Readers! Welcome to summer heat, vacation plans, and getting outdoors to enjoy the not-so-lazy summer days! This journal edition is jam-packed with a broad array of topics to entertain and inform as you find time to lay back in a hammock, swing, or beach chair! We are at the midway point in 2024, a year of change where we may not know where the road leads, but … [Read more...]

You jump into KOL scientific exchange with enthusiasm, but after a few attempts, you’re feeling a bit disappointed that the insights and patient experience stories are not coming forth…. You chat with KOLs and they give you just one or two-word answers, they just don’t seem to have anything interesting to say… Or you ask a group in your clinical presentation to share … [Read more...]

Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are vital to the success of the products they support (1). Gathering actionable insights has become critical for field Medical Affairs, and there is increasing pressure to get it right. In fact, in a 2023 global survey conducted by the Medical Science Liaison Society (MSL Society), 91% of MSLs and MSL leaders shared that “there has been … [Read more...]

Introduction Transparent salary data and access to it are crucial for maintaining fair and competitive compensation practices within the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession. This article offers an unprecedented review of base salary trends with a detailed five-year analysis of salary data for MSLs and MSL leaders, utilizing data collected from annual salary surveys … [Read more...]

Oui. A word I feel so strongly about I have it permanently inked on my arm. Like many of us, I am acutely aware that the time we are gifted in this life is finite. With that, I approach life by saying “yes” whenever I can. “Yes” to new opportunities, “yes” to new experiences, “yes” to new connections, “yes” to get the chance to see and do and feel as much as possible in … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

The year 2020 marked a turning point for the KOL Mapping business in Life Sciences. Until then KOL Mapping was typically a lengthy and costly undertaking for Medical Affairs based on bespoke research projects with specialized service providers. With the rapid developments in big data processing and analytics, as well as AI/ML/NLP technology, this has changed completely. … [Read more...]

Disclosure: This text represents my own views and not the ones from my former or current employer(s). The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession requires a specific set of skills ranging from scientific background, personal engagement to perseverance and organizational skills. As the MSL interview process attempts to cover these aspects, it represents a challenging task … [Read more...]

Because medical science liaisons require a unique combination of scientific expertise and soft skills to successfully interact with key opinion leaders, the effectiveness of MSL on-boarding and team development is a perennial topic of interest. I have been an MSL at Sanofi since 2018 and took on one of the two hybrid MSL/field trainer positions on my team in 2021. This hybrid … [Read more...]

To succeed and find fulfillment in the biopharmaceutical industry, medical science liaisons (MSLs) need more than scientific know-how. They also require essential interpersonal skills like emotional intelligence and navigating corporate culture. One invaluable tool for grasping these cultures is the Competing Values Framework (CVF) [1, 2]. My first encounter with the CVF was … [Read more...]

“My future has never been brighter,” exclaimed my friend Susie. I was stunned. Her relationship had just ended, her beloved pet was ailing, work was confusing, and she found herself amidst the chaos of moving, surrounded by shattered glass. I paused, then incredulously asked, “Tell me more, what do you mean?” "I'm genuinely excited for what lies ahead," she replied with … [Read more...]

Professional school, onboarding, and years of experience can provide us with lots of useful science and skills but that does not always translate into success as an MSL. What makes the difference? Having impact as an MSL requires a bit more nuance with our communication to ensure we are navigating through each engagement to the desired outcome. Spoiler alert… that outcome might … [Read more...]

MSLs face unique challenges when they step into the role of trainer for sales representatives. MSLs are deeply knowledgeable about clinical information; they often have not been in sales which is very different from KOL engagements. MSLs are crucial in disseminating their knowledge to sales teams, ensuring that the information conveyed is accurate and compelling. Without … [Read more...]

Introduction The pharmaceutical industry is a dynamic and constantly evolving sector, where science and innovation come together to improve people's health and quality of life. Different professional profiles work hand in hand, as a perfect gear, to achieve these common goals. In this complex ecosystem, the medical department is a fundamental pillar, providing scientific … [Read more...]

In the ever-evolving tapestry of the scientific world, where discoveries and innovations seamlessly intertwine with the fabric of medical advancement, lies a profound yet simple truth: "The process of science is to be every day a little less wrong." This guiding principle does not merely illuminate the path of scientific inquiry; it also casts a revealing light on the … [Read more...]

In the capricious world of healthcare and pharmaceutical development, perhaps no function is evolving more rapidly than Medical Affairs. The role of Field Medical, and especially that of Medical Science Liaisons, (MSLs) has perhaps evolved the most, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with MSLs serving as increasingly critical conduits between headquarters Medial … [Read more...]

With over 90% of KOLs looking to medical teams as partners in achieving the best patient outcome, now is the time to measure strategic influence With continued investment and innovation boosting therapeutic options available for niche diseases, staying up to date on the latest scientific evidence and guidelines remains a challenge for healthcare professionals (HCPs) and … [Read more...]

Healthcare professionals are regarded as practicing evidence-based medicine, with their decisions firmly rooted in data and objectivity. But like everyone else, doctors are human and subject to the influence of habit and the comfort of the familiar. Even the most compelling data is not necessarily enough to shift established practices, especially when those practices are … [Read more...]