In this series, we highlight specific functions or departments within typical pharmaceutical company organizations. We also feature the perspectives of women working in these different functions and their career journeys.
A special thanks to Patricia Casbas for sharing insights about the MSL role!
About the MSL Role
The primary purpose of the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role is to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with leading physicians, called Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), at major academic institutions and clinics. MSLs are critical to the day-to-day interactions between KOLs and the pharmaceutical or biotech companies they represent. In other words, the MSL is like the umbilical cord that provides bidirectional communication between physicians and companies. Due to differing cultural norms and payer systems, the role of the MSL may vary slightly from country to country. However, the core responsibility of being that connector is very similar across countries.
MSLs collaborate with physicians that specialize in specific disease areas (oncologists, endocrinologists, etc.). They also interact with other stakeholders involved in patient care, including nurses, genetic counselors, pathologists, and surgeons.
While not all pharma companies have the same organizational structure, most MSL functions sit within Medical Affairs. Some Medical Affairs organizations are found within Marketing or Commercial divisions, whereas others are located in Late-Stage Development. Oftentimes, MSLs are hired by the individual country affiliate offices of multinational pharma companies to better serve the local medical market.
Within the pharma company, MSLs are in constant contact with colleagues within the Medical Affairs function. Thus, these colleagues may include MSLs responsible for other therapeutic areas, Medical Advisors, MSL managers, and Real World Evidence Generation Managers. In addition, MSLs interact with colleagues in many other functions across the company, such as the Commercial, Marketing, and Market Access departments.
MSL Responsibilities
MSLs are typically responsible for the following:
- Serve as the scientific contact for a given therapeutic area in their geographic territory
- Be the face of the pharma company in the ‘field,’ meaning that they are the visible representative of the company to the KOLs and relevant stakeholders
- Communicate and educate on important new data and concepts to KOLs
- Ensure that KOLs have the most relevant up-to-date information to better treat their patients
- Gather the views and perceptions of KOLs on current and novel treatments
- Serve as a liaison between the pharma company and the KOL who has an interesting idea for research
- May organize local scientific activities to enhance discussion and scientific exchange among the relevant KOLs of the territory (depends on country regulations)
Impact of MSLs
Very importantly, an effective MSL will influence the knowledge and research of KOLs. This means that the MSL's work impacts patients and their access to novel and effective drugs.
Within the pharma company, the MSL's work can help shape the company strategy for a given therapeutic area.
Skills That the MSL Needs for Success
To be effective in their roles, MSLs must have scientific knowledge in the therapeutic area that they are covering. Most critical, however, is that they have lots of people skills, including the ability to work on teams, empathy, and patience. In addition, MSLs need to be organized in their work. Successful MSLs are self-motivated and are those who think outside the box.
Educational Requirements for MSLs
All MSLs must have an educational background in science. Usually, these are degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, etc. This training is particularly useful when working in highly specialized therapeutic areas.
Some companies or countries require MSLs to hold a terminal degree, such as an MD, PharmD, or PhD. By contrast, others require a bachelor's or master's degree plus previous experience working in pharma companies.
Other MSLs
Depending on the company's product or focus, the MSL role may be called by different names such as DSL (Diagnostic Science Liaisons) or CSL (Clinical Science Liaisons). The KOLs they interact with may be different than those of the traditional MSL.
Function Feature:
Patricia Casbas, PhD, MPH
Oncology Medical Science Liaison, AstraZeneca
1. Briefly describe your educational and professional background up to your current MSL role.
I graduated with a Licenciate Degree in Biochemistry from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain). I then moved to the USA to pursue a PhD in Molecular Pathology. To earn my degree, I studied the microenvironments of different intrinsic subtypes of breast cancer at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (NC, USA). During my post-doctoral work, at the same institution, I earned a MPH in Epidemiology with work on breast cancer subtype risk factors.
After completing my education, I started teaching and doing research in the Ponce Health Sciences University (Puerto Rico). My work focused on studies of health disparities in breast and ovarian cancer among Hispanic populations. I then transitioned into the pharma industry as an MSL for Women’s Cancers in Northern California (USA) for AstraZeneca. Finally, after many years abroad and thanks to AstraZeneca, I came back to Spain as an MSL for Women’s Cancers in the Southern East region of Spain.
2. Briefly describe your MSL role.
For an MSL, there is no ‘typical day.’ Each day and each week differ because our schedules depends on the schedules of the KOLs in the territory. However, each week, I will most likely perform these activities:
- Face-to-face meetings and telephone calls with KOLs
- Prepare for KOL meetings (lots of studying and lots of emails!)
- Track and report on the meetings and relevant information from the meetings
- Travel time (by car, train, plane - will depend on the size of territory)
- Skype calls with team and cross-functional internal stakeholders
- Study and be up-to-date on the most recently released clinical and scientific data
- Read and respond to emails from internal and external stakeholders who may have important questions and requests
- Read emails from internal stakeholders who are sharing information
3. What do you find most challenging about your current role?
The MSL role is truly rewarding! However, just like other positions, it has its challenges, especially when you are new to the role. Because this is a field-based role with no office to go to, it can be solitary and a bit isolating at times. Therefore, phone calls with team members can help tremendously! Also, being the face of your company in the field can be extremely positive or extremely negative depending on the situation and the KOL. In particular, there are certain situations that are out of your control, but you are the bearer of the ‘bad’ news.
4. How have you sought opportunities for career development?
Many pharma companies like mine offer opportunities to do secondments outside of the MSL role and outside of Medical Affairs. Therefore, employees doing secondments can get a flavor of the work that other roles perform. I highly recommend these valuable personal and career development initiatives!
I am currently doing a secondment in Medical Affairs EU Oncology Scientific Partnerships. Thus, I have many additional tasks and activities on top of my current weekly responsibilities. In this additional capacity, I been able to get a peek into Research & Development and scientific collaborations. Moreover, I have gained a broader understanding of how the company functions.
5. What do you know now that you wish you knew earlier in your career journey?
Look for experiences out of the box. Also, take every single opportunity that comes your way and make the most of them! Those opportunities, along with your network and hard work, will allow your future career path to present itself. Most importantly, don’t overthink things. Try to enjoy and learn from everything and everyone!
Want to have your function featured? Would you like to be featured to share your career advice? Please contact us!