MSL Consultant Podcast: Recent Episodes
MSL
MSL Consultant teaches aspiring and experienced Medical Science Liaisons how to become high performing MSLs. Using her experience and her journey from academia to pharma, founder of MSL Consultant and author of Medical Science Liaison, the Ultimate Step by Step guide, Dr. Aoife O Dwyer PhD, provides practical, clear, actionable advice on how to obtain an MSL role and how to excell at this MSL role.
I interview Drew McGregor, Vice President, Head of Medical Affairs Excellence & Sustainability at Bayer.
We discuss:
- How to balance patient focus with commercial objectives
- How to reduce silos across the organisation
- What would pharma look like without a separate MA strategy?
Interview with Sue Giordano - Head of Field Medical at Axsome Therapeutics.
We discuss:
- What types of data are available to medical affairs?
- What is the first step when choosing the type of data to show impact (asking the right question)
- What else needs to be kept in mind (cross functional communication)
- Can you provide some examples of how data (and which type of data) can be used to show MA impact (MSLs and impact on diagnosis code examples - pilot it first before widespread roll out)
- What type of competencies need to be in place for MA to successfully utilize data to show their impact?
- How can these competencies be developed (in house v external)
Carlos Eid from Novartis shares his expertise on:
The stakeholder engagement Journey
- Creating a seamless customer journey
- Starting with the patient
- Developing customer intimacy
- The types of data to collect along this engagement journey to assess if course correction is required.
I interview Raquel Washington, Executive Director Value Evidence Lead-Novartis US Medical.
Raquel shares her experience on:
-
how Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) can own their development
-
the steps required to progress in their careers
-
where to find those opportunities to grow and how to build relationships with those people in your network who will advocate for your growth.
Raquel has had an incredible career in pharma so far and shares specific examples from her own pharma career and some of the challenges she overcame to get to where she is today.
Free Newsletter on Medical Affairs Excellence: https://dynamic-salad-157.myflodesk.com/lbyatyklzm
Interview with Ross Baker, VP Medical Affairs at Vistagen Therapeutics.
I ask Ross:
- What your week looks like as a VP medical affairs for a small biotech?
- What are the different functions you work with?
- As a senior leader - how do you make decisions?
- What advice would you have for people listening who interact with senior leadership?
- Working as a VP for a company with many pipeline products and fast track designations, would require a lot of prioritization skills - how do you prioritize what you/your teams should be focusing on?
Siddharth Jain - Medical Director, Global Medical Lead, at Takeda Rare Diseases shares his experience in:
-
What's the biggest difference from a medical affairs perspective working in rare diseases v non rare diseases?
-
Is it more difficult to find and engage KOLs in rare diseases?
-
What's the biggest challenge working in rare diseases from an MA perspective?
I Interview Scott Baver, VP Medical Affairs and we discuss building an MA department.
3 pillars in building an MA department:
- Community Engagement (HCPs/Payors) - who will we engage with & why?
- Evidence generation - over the lifecycle - what data do we need?
- Communication - pubs, building materials for congresses, MSLs etc.
MSL Consultant Newsletter: Sign up Here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63f6032d3e1e4ad28342cc69
I interview Angelyn Solko and we discuss congress planning.
Specifically:
- What does congress planning involve?
- What do you need to keep in mind with booth design?
- Which stakeholders within pharma are involved in congress planning?
- Do you have to manage the budget?
- What is your role at the congress?
- What is your role post congress?
- What does a congress plan look like?
I interview Stacy Conner, National MSL Director at Abbvie.
We discuss:
- How MSLs can read the room when with KOLs
- Why it's important to disagree with KOLs
- The power of asking clarifying questions
- How to move KOLs to a place of understanding
- When to educate and when to gather insights Sign up to the MSL Consultant newsletter here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63f6032d3e1e4ad28342cc69
Marcus West from 60seconds shares his experience on how to develop the skill of storytelling and apply it to clinical data and KOL meetings.
We discuss:
- Important pillars of storytelling
- Why emotion is so important for engaging KOLs
- The hero's journey and how it can be related to clinical data
This episode is sponsored by 60seconds. Learn more about 60seconds here: https://60seconds.com/
MSL Interview? Book a 1:1 session here: https://mslconsultant.as.me/schedule.php
or view my online MSL interview course here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/msl-interview
In this interview I interview Dae Wook Lee from Novartis and we discuss:
5 Core components of Strategic Leader Framework:
I. Build a strong foundation of scientific knowledge
II. Develop a strategic mindset
III. Focus on stakeholder engagement
IV. Be a proactive problem solver
V. Embrace digital transformation
Enjoy the podcast? Please leave a 5 star rating or review on wherever you listen.
In this episode I interview Teresa G. Palumbo from GSK.
We discuss:
- Account planning
- Formulary
- RWE generation
💻New Resource for KOL Engagement: Read more here: https://mslconsultant.thrivecart.com/mastering-kol-engagement/ 💻
This episode covers:
- Leveraging your connections to get KOL meetings
- Adding value to KOLs
- Engaging lower tier KOLs
- Working with emerging experts
Interested in 1:1 MSL Training? Apply here
In this episode I interview Eleonora Goldberg, VP Medical Affairs.
We discuss:
-Difference between local, regional, global medical affairs roles
-Pre-Launch Medical Affairs Masterclass
- How to find KOLs
- How to choose an institute
- What it is?
- Follow up actions of MSLs post the masterclass
- The outcomes of this activity
1:1 MSL Coaching - Apply here.
Interview with Lori Lebson, Head of US medical Affairs at EMD Serono.
We discuss:
-
Different stages of the product life cycle
-
What an ISS is
-
What "getting a label" means
-
The role of an MSL at different stages
-
Scientific storytelling and it's importance for MSLs to build relationships with KOLs
🔔Join my free newsletter and join over 3000 other medical affairs professionals getting insights on the MSL role 🔔
In this episode I interview Kirsten Gurtowsky MSL at Novartis.
We discuss:
- Differences of an medical science liaison working in big pharma versus small pharma
- Advantages of both
FREE Video Training for Aspiring MSL.
Enrol here.
https://www.mslconsultant.com/aspiringmsl
In this episode I share 4 tips to increase your chance of getting an MSL job.
⌛1 spot left for 1:1 MSL coaching this month. Apply here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/msl-coaching ⌛
In this episode I interview Marieke Jonkman, emotional intelligence expert and we discuss:
-
What is emotional intelligence
-
How EI can improve an MSLs ability to improve patient outcomes
-
How high EI could help an MSL navigate a KOL meeting that does not go as planned?
-
How self-reflection can be used as a tool to increase EI for MSLs and specific questions MSLs could ask themselves post KOL interactions/every day/every week?
Interview with Max Ainscough.
We discuss:
- How MSLs can best collaborate with their commercial counterparts and demonstrate that they are a strategic partner as opposed to a support function.
- The best way to navigate internal politics with sales reps
- The specific actions MSLs can take to add more value at cross functional brand team meetings.
At the end of the episode Max summarises how an MSL can maximise their capabilities.
[➡️Join my free newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63f6032d3e1e4ad28342cc69]Sacha and I discuss:
- What is a patient journey partner
- How he does KOL pre-call planning
- The types of questions he asks his KOLs
- How to secure follow up meetings with KOLs and add value
Maja is Global Medical Field Excellence Director and we discuss:
- What is MSL in-field coaching?
- What's the difference between coaching/training/mentoring?
- How often should it be?
- What format should it take?
- Maja's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maja-beilmann-schramm-msl-excellence-mentor/
[1:1 MSL Coaching - Learn more here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/msl-coaching]
-
What is modern day medical affairs?
-
Capabilities required to excel in medical affairs
-
Can medical affairs value ever be linked to prescriptions?
-
Can medical affairs be strategic and maintain compliance?
[1:1 MSL Training information here]
In this episode I interview VP medical affairs, Ike and we discuss:
- His career journey so far (Clinician to VP Medical Affairs)
- Diversity and the need for MSLs to stratify insights based on different patient populations
- Typical medical affairs launch activities
Can an MSL like a Linkedin post or retweet something a KOL posted?
This interview with Rina Newton, ABPI code expert answers that question.
Follow Rina on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rinanewton/
New to the MSL role and want to increase your confidence and add value to your organisation? Email me at info@mslconsultant.com to enquire about 1:1 coaching.
Medical Insights:
-
What are they?
-
How can MSLs get them from KOLs?
-
What do MSLs do with them to show value?
New to the MSL role and feeling a bit lost?
MSL Upskill will teach you how to:
-
Understand the Strategy
-
Develop relationships with KOLs
-
Action insights
Learn more here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/msl-upskill
In this episode I interview Jaclyn Quilantan, a senior MSL and she shares her personal experience of how to add value to KOLs in the absence of new data. Jaclyn shares specific examples of how she has managed this and the importance of a good intro meeting with a KOL.
Interested in becoming an MSL? Check out our MSL e-course.
In this episode I interview Gonzalo Gonzalez, a new MSL based in the US. We discuss:
- How he got his first MSL job
- The challenges he faced when he first started
- What surprises him about the MSL role
- What advice he would give new MSLs when they are preparing for their first ever KOL meeting
Interested in becoming a MSL? Check out our e-course, developed to help aspiring MSLs with no experience to get their first MSL job.
This episode covers: how to work with recruiters as an MSL, how long it really takes to get your first MSL job, typical MSL interview questions and a day in the life of an MSL.
MSL Consultant Resources Cody mentioned:
Aspiring MSL ecourse: https://www.mslconsultant.com/onlinecourse
Interview Guides: https://www.mslconsultant.com/msl-interview
In this episode I interview Leon Rozen (former Global Medical Director). Leon and I discuss:
- How MSLs can add value
- What an insight is (including examples of insights and how they have been acted on to change strategy)
- How MSLs can perform a gap analysis to develop a medical affairs strategy
- How being patient focussed and being strategic go hand in hand
Leon can be contacted via leonrozen@gmail.com
For more MSL tips and information sign up to the MSL Consultant newsletter: https://www.mslconsultant.com/newsletter
In this episode, I interview Benjapol Engkaninan, MD, a medical advisor at Boehringer Ingelheim in Bangkok. Ben shares how he felt moving from medicine to pharma, what he finds most fulfilling about his current role and what he looks for when hiring MSLs for his team. Sign up to the MSL Consultant newsletter to learn more about medical affairs. https://www.mslconsultant.com/newsletter
In today's episode of the podcast I interview Giulia from Vivactis Switzerland. Giulia and I discuss all things related to clinical study conception including how to select a site, how to choose a lead PI and how to determine what the study should measure. You can contact Giulia via her personal linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/giulia-venturini-2b689527/) or visit the Vivactis Switzerland to learn more about their services (https://www.vivactis.ch/)
What is a medical access program? Who benefits? What is the role of the MSL? What does it look like in the US, Australia and Europe? MSL Upskill: www.mslconsultant.com/msl-upskill
Learn how to get your first MSL job.
Check out our eCourse and learn how to write an MSL resume to get your first MSL job: https://www.mslconsultant.com/onlinecourse
Join our newsletter: https://www.mslconsultant.com/newsletter
Do you need a PhD to become an MSL? What is the typical career path for an MSL? ECOURSE: https://www.mslconsultant.com/onlinecourse
Medical Science Liaison Interview and resume tips. Upcoming MSL Interview: https://www.mslconsultant.com/msl-interview
Critical appraisal of a clinical paper is a key function of a Medical Science Liaison.
This episode is an active workshop which teaches you:
-
How to interpret clinical trial data
-
Questions KOLs may ask when discussing clinical trial data
-
How to engage KOLs when presenting clinical trial data
Online course - Complete RoadMap to Your First MSL Job - enrolments for 2020 CLOSE November 20th. https://www.mslconsultant.com/onlinecourse
1:1 training session on interpreting clinical trial data - email me at info@mslconsultant.com
Interview with Emma Lynch, former country medical director. We discuss the importance of emotional intelligence for MSLs and how to assess and increase your level of emotional intelligence. After a successful career in Pharma and having learned first hand the importance of emotional intelligence for MSLs and other medical affairs team members, Emma founded EQ Vibrations to teach people how to assess and increase their level of emotional intelligence.
Want to be a beta-tester for Emma's new EQ course? Follow her on Instagram (@eqvibration) and send her a DM to express your interest.
Three steps to effectively manage investigator initiated research. Brought to you by MSL Consultant Newsletter. Sign up here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/newsletter. If you're an MSL who needs help managing an IIR contact info@mslconsultant.com or check out our training options on https://www.mslconsultant.com/msl-training
Learn the exact steps MSLs can take to plan for KOL meetings to ensure meeting objectives are strategical aligned to the overall brand strategy. Brought to you by MSL Consultant Newsletter. Sign up here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/newsletter.Learn more about 1:1 MSL coaching here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/msl-training
On this episode of the podcast I interview Patrina Pellet from Kernel and we discuss current challenges facing Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and how MSLs can increase their chances of a response when emailing KOL.
Brought to you by MSL Consultant Newsletter. Sign up here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/newsletter.
If you require 1:1 MSL coaching on any of the topics on discussed on today's episode reach out via info@mslconsultant.com.
Link to Kernel article: https://gokernel.com/blog/how-to-reach-out-to-new-kols-and-get-responses?utm_campaign=reach-out-new-kols-sep-22-2020&utm_medium=pp&utm_source=linkedin
This episodes describes how an MSL works cross functionally with other members of the pharmaceutical company and types of projects MSLs can collaborate with other team members on. Brought to you by MSL Consultant Newsletter. Sign up here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/newsletter.
Need help working with your cross functional colleagues? Email info@mslconsultant.com to find out about my 1:1 coaching for MSLs.
Three steps for effectively organising an advisory board. Tips on running a virtual advisory board. Brought to you by MSL Consultant Newsletter. Sign up here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/newsletter.
Email info@mslconsultant.com if you need help running an advisory board.
On today's episode I interview Richard Kay from RK Statistics. http://www.rkstatistics.com/
Richard and I chatted about IIR proposal review, sample size, non-inferiority studies, power and much more.
Brought to you by MSL Consultant Newsletter. Sign up here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/newsletter.
KOL stakeholder mapping is one of the most important functions of an MSL and identifying the right KOLs can add huge value to the pharmaceutical company. Brought to you by MSL Consultant Newsletter. Sign up here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/newsletter.
MSL Interview process is broken down into three stages: phone interview with HR, face the face interview with hiring manager and clinical paper or 90 day plan presentation. This episode explains how to pass each stage of the interview process. Brought to you by MSL Consultant Newsletter. Sign up here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/newsletter.
This episode explains how to define an MSL (the most common interview question!), Who MSLs work with and their daily roles and responsibilities. Brought to you by MSL Consultant Newsletter. Sign up here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/newsletter.
In this episode I tell my story of how I finished my PhD early, got my first MSL role and why I founded MSL Consultant. Check out www.mslconsultant.com to learn more about how you can become a high performing Medical Science Liaison. Brought to you by MSL Consultant Newsletter. Sign up here: https://www.mslconsultant.com/newsletter.