Head of Medical Science Liaison - Oncology

Passion for Innovation. Compassion for Patients.

With over 120 years of experience and approximately 19,000 employees in more than 30 countries/regions, Daiichi Sankyo is dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering new standards of care that enrich the quality of life around the world.

In Europe, we focus on two areas: The goal of our Specialty Business is to protect people from cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Europe, and help patients who suffer from it to enjoy every precious moment of life.

In Oncology, we are driving innovation in solid tumours and blood cancers, founded on breakthrough science from our own labs in Japan. We aspire to create better tomorrows for people living with cancer and their loved ones.

Our European headquarters are in Munich, Germany, and we have affiliates in 15 European countries and Canada.

Head of Medical Science Liaison - Oncology

UK Grade:      8

Hours:            Full time field-based, customer facing role. 

Purpose:      The Head of MSL leads and develops a UK team of Medical Science Liaisons ensuring all activities are aligned with the Company, Medical, and Brand Plans and in accordance with relevant legislation. 

The Head of MSL’s key function is to ensure the team proactively engages (non-promotional) in peer to peer scientific discussions in line with the companies scientific imperatives. 

To work effectively in a coordinated manner with the Regional Business Managers, and  the KAM teams to ensure that business plans are integrated, that effective decision making takes place & that the activities of line reports are aligned & coordinated to implement the Medical plan. 

Pre-licence medical activities, include; Researching, developing and enhancing a strong network of Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) that will be important in the development of a product. Responding to medical queries from HCPs. Co-ordinating key medical meetings prior to launch. Supporting payor teams with therapy and product knowledge. Co-ordinating review of research proposals from HCPs. Post licence activities will include all of the above
 

Accountabilities / Measures:

1. Develop and implement an effective Medical Liaison plan  

• Enhances company reputation in terms of medical and scientific expertise by engaging and discussing with thought leaders and key influencers on a high scientific level.

• Develop, support a network of key opinion leaders, key decision makers and scientific society and assure appropriate follow-up in order to enhance visibility of the company in the Oncology area; Support influencers KOLs in preparing and delivering presentations and scientific contributions upon request, e.g. accompanies to international and national congresses and scientific events.

• Communicate on an ongoing basis with all team members, R&D and other internal functions, implement product strategies and field feedback, in order to improve product performance.

• Biannual and annual medical objectives (e.g. advisory boards, symposia, meetings, formularies, IIT proposals, advocacy development etc.) are consistently delivered in line with agreed objectives and operating costs.

• The Medical Liaison plan is aligned with those of the business and is implemented in a coordinated fashion.

• Develop and maintain a set of appropriate MSL metric indicators as allowed for in the MSL ways of working SOP.

2. Lead and manage all members of the Medical Liaison team to maximise their motivation and performance

• Ensure Medical Liaison team objectives are consistently delivered in line with agreed objectives and operating costs and success is celebrated when appropriate.

• Performance of each team member is constantly monitored and any performance issues are addressed in an appropriate, effective and timely way.

• Appropriate objectives and targets (for the individual) are agreed with all team members in advance of each quarter and are monitored and reviewed.

• An agreed number of field coaching days are delivered to all team members to a quality standard and coaching structure as defined.

• Development plans are in place for each team member and reviewed and actioned regularly throughout the year.   

• Establish & facilitate a local governance structure within which Medical Liaison Scientists communicate & coordinate their activities & decision making to effectively implement the plan (including those of alliance partners).

4. Product/Brand Reference Point

• Expertise in and knowledge of products, patient treatment trends, clinical trials and scientific activities within the Disease Area and be expected to continuously update this expertise and knowledge and communicate this to his/her team.

5. External Expert

• Develop and maintain contacts with External Experts, in accordance with the strategy developed by the Company to gain both insight into treatment patterns, scientific activities taking place within the Disease Area and the needs of health care providers in the Disease Area.

• Respond appropriately with accurate scientific data to unsolicited scientific questions or from Physicians for Products/Brands that have a Marketing Authorisation (on and off label), and for products in development, in compliance with Company Policies, and legal and ethical standards (ABPI, MHRA.) 

 
6. Contributor to Healthcare professional focused Activity

• The Head of MSL will develop scientific presentations (e.g., abstracts or articles based on secondary data), such presentations should be reviewed according to the appropriate internal review processes to ensure medical accuracy and ethical and legal compliance.

• The Head of MSL will be an active contributor to the Brand Team in the development of scientifically meaningful programs such as Continuous Medical Educational Programs and Symposia. 

• The Head of MSL will identify and prepare speakers for Daiichi Sankyo UK symposia, in collaboration with the Medical Advisor.

• The Head of MSL will suggest content for advisory boards and work with internal colleagues to create and deliver such advisory boards.

• Attendance and support at International, European and UK based symposia/conferences.

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7.    Contributor to Brand Plans & Strategies

• The Head of MSL will produce and be accountable for the delivery of a Medical Liaison plan aligned with the company Brand Plans and Strategies.

• The Head of MSL will contribute to the development of Brand Plans and Strategies by communicating his or her medical insight and knowledge derived from Expert Physicians, other health-care providers or scientific publications about the product or disease area, in particular with reference to patient needs and treatment trends. 

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8.      Pharmacovigilance 

• Ensure that Daiichi Sankyo UK Pharmacovigilance SOPs are understood and alert appropriate head office personnel to any Adverse Events that are identified in accordance with these procedures.
• Work with appropriate Daiichi Sankyo UK personnel to liaise with the HCP ensuring that all the information regarding SAEs in the field is collected to facilitate a correct and transparent communication of SAEs internally and to the competent Health Authorities. 

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9.    Clinical Trial/Survey Identification & Planning 

• Collect investigators' proposals for local and regional clinical activities, ensure that these proposals are discussed within the local medical team, manage internal and external approval processes, and provide timely feedback to investigators. 

• Participate actively in providing input to the Clinical Trials team on trial and survey feasibility and site suitability, based on knowledge of the field. 

• Work with Medical and Clinical trials teams in contributing to site selection.

 
10.    Compliance 

• Fully understand and be compliant with company SOPs and the latest ABPI Code of Practice and code cases relevant to the role.
• Perform all the above in an ethical and legally compliant manner.
• Convey a clear message on legal and ethical standards to Expert Physicians and Investigators. 
• Develop an understanding and competence of GCP and ICH, as well as legal and ethical standards. 
• Alert management to possible compliance issues. 

Technical/Professional Knowledge:

Essential 

• Proven experience of leading a field based Medical/clinical or sales team in the pharmaceutical industry or healthcare environment.

• Scientific background (MD, PhD, or other scientific degree with strong experience in Medical Affairs and Oncology)

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in a medical field position, ideally as an MSL.

• Knowledge in clinical study management and conduct (all stages of drug development), clinical research, analysis of clinical data and publications, in oncology.

• Knowledge of the UK National Healthcare System and the pharmaceutical industry, including pricing, re-imbursement and access. 

• Strong analytical skills in order to identify and communicate key information within medical affairs and other functions proactively and timely in high quality.

• Ability to quickly and comprehensively learn about new therapy areas and environments.

• Working experience of the ABPI Code of practice relevant to the role is desired.

• Advanced communication and presentation skills.

• Full driving licence and ability travel across the UK.

Desirable

• Experience of leading effective project teams to a desired end result, without direct management authority. 
• Experience within a Medical Affairs Department or Clinical Development.
• Knowledge of clinical trial design and process. 

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Why work with us?

Working at Daiichi Sankyo is more than just a job – it is your chance to make a difference and change patients’ lives for the better. We can only achieve this ambitious goal together. That is why we foster a culture of mutual respect and continuous learning, with a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity. Here, you will have the opportunity to grow, think boldly, and contribute your ideas. If you have a proactive mindset and passion for addressing the needs of patients, we eagerly await your application.

For more information: www.daiichi-sankyo.at