LIFE AS A MSL

Life as a MSL

What is a MSL? It is a ubiquitous acronym in the pharma industry for "Medical Science Liaison" I have been a MSL in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry for over 20 years. There are many acronyms for MSL that vary between the different pharmas, but the term MSL is the default acronym. Because of the acronym game, the MSL position is one of the best kept secrets in industry. Most MSLs have fallen into the job. Few people enter a doctorate program with the goal of becoming a MSL. This is a shame, because it is one of the coolest jobs in the health sciences, and provides a wonderful first step onto bigger and better things. MSLs are basically a field based medical affairs officer. Typically a MSL has a doctorate of some kind (MD, PharmD or PhD), although you may occasionally find other backgrounds in the ranks of the MSL world. Each pharma utilizes their MSLs slightly differently, but a MSL's basic job is providing medical information and support to the pharmaceutical industry. We are responsible for medical information during pre-launch and launch of a new pharmaceutical drug. Compliance with FDA, OIG, and Pharma code regulations. Spearheading of managed care and formulary initiatives (at both state, county, and private level). Development of business plans and access strategies in conjunction with national account executives. Speaker and advocacy development. Interfacing and building relationships with both national and local key opinion leaders in a given therapeutic field (which is one of the really fun bits of the job). Organization of advisory boards. Identification of potential sites for collaborative research efforts and coordinating small investigator initiated trials. Providing medical education and formulary presentations to a wide range of audiences. Although the MSL often supports and trains the field sales team, the position is NOT a sales job (in fact utilization of a MSL in a sales capacity is a direct violation of federal law in other words, a big no-no).

To better give you an idea of my experiences as a Scientific Liaison, I have compiled several Situation-Action-Results (SAR) stories. These SARs are examples of my duties as a Scientific Liaison Prior to 2005. I apologize if they are a bit detailed, but I wanted to give you very specific examples so that you can better gauge my experiences as a Scientific Liaison for a research center as compared to a more traditional MSL role in the pharmaceutical industry. Although not specifically emphasized in the SAR, these examples require my direct interaction and consultation with various KOLs both inside and outside of the institute.

1# SAR Summary: Facilitate and coordinate common research between diverse research groups. 1# Situation: As a Scientific Liaison, one of my primary roles is to facilitate and coordinate clinical research projects conceived by the clinical staff. A project conceived by a young fellow was beyond the scope of his expertise and resources (both in terms of funding and equipment). 1# Actions: After consulting with the fellow, I contacted an outside biotechnology group (The La Jolla Bioengineering Institute) and met with the CEO of the institute. I was able to arrange training for this individual, equipment, and some degree of funding. I also arranged for additional institutional support (funding and lab space) from the fellow's department. 1# Results: The collaboration that I negotiated yielded two peer reviewed manuscripts and provided the framework for a grant proposal (which I am currently helping to Shepard through the application procedures). Furthermore, I am now working independently with the La Jolla Bioengineering Institute as a paid outside consultant.

2# SAR Summary: Facilitate and coordinate common research between individuals and the pharmaceutical industry. 2# Situation: As a Scientific Liaison, one of my primary roles is to facilitate and coordinate clinical research projects conceived by the clinical staff. A cardiology fellow wished to conduct a post-hoc assessment of clinical outcome. The database within the University itself was not sufficiently large enough to conduct a thorough analysis. 2# Actions: After consulting with the fellow, I contacted a the vice president of Medical Affairs for a large Northern Califoria pharma. Although none of pharma's products were involved in the assessment, I was able to gain access for the fellow to the pharma's clinical database free of charge. 2# Results: The fellow is now in the process of submitting his findings for publication. We have also now established a relationship with pharma for future access and possible collaboration.

3# SAR Summary: Devise a new method to increase patient enrollment in a phase I/II clinical trial. 3# Situation: As a Scientific Liaison, I work with many outside MSLs from various pharmaceutical companies. One pharm company that I work with (name withheld due to disclosure agreements) is currently conducting phase I/II clinical trials in patients undergoing urgent angioplasty for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. Criteria for the enrolment of patients into this trial includes a very narrow time frame (within 4 hours of ST elevation). The company was having difficulty with patient enrollment at some centers. 3# Actions: After consulting with the MSL for this company, we determined that the lines of communication between the ER and Cath-lab were well established and all personnel were well versed in the protocols for the trial, yet many of the patients that were likely candidates for the trial were presented to the Cath-lab outside of the time window of the trial. After much consideration, I realized that the first responders (EMTs) and medical transport personel had multiple choices in medical centers, not all of which were involved in the trial. Given that the EMTs are capable of identifying individuals that are likely candidates for the trial, I reasoned that if they knew the trial was being conducted, and at what center, they could preferentially direct these individuals to the appropriate center. As such, a program has now been developed to bring the EMTs and medical transport personel into the lines of communication. 3# Results: The program to bring EMTs and medical transport personel into the trial began at the first of March 2005. The outcome of this program has not been determined, but anecdotal evidence suggests that it has helped to increase patient enrollment.

4# SAR Summary: Provide Grand Rounds and obtain appropriate speakers upon request. 4# Situation: In my role as a Scientific Liaison, I am expected to help to provide CMEs for the various clinical departments that I work with. This is primarily achieved by personally giving grand rounds, but I also help to secure speakers to address specific topics requested by the clinical departments. 4# Actions: One of the clinical groups within the medical center is a fertility research group. They requested an expert in parturitional endocrinology. I contacted the MSL for a midsized fertility parma who was able to provide the requested grand rounds. 4# Results: A relationship between the group and the pharma was developed. The group is now actively collaborating with the MSL from pharma and has resulted in several manuscripts.

5# SAR Statement: Succeeded in redesigning and salvaging a failed clinical research project. 5# Situation: In my capacity as a liaison between clinicians and the implementation of their research ideas, I was approached by a clinician who in his excitement to begin a project that he had conceived, he had proceeded with his research plan before taking appropriate preparative steps. As such the project was in danger of failure. 5# Actions: I spent a significant allotment of time consulting with both the clinician and training his team. I was given temporary charge of the project in an attempt to salvage usable data from the project to date. 5# Results: Using unconventional but effective laboratory techniques, I was able to salvage a large portion of the collected data. The project was then appropriately redesigned, and from the salvaged data was used as preliminary data in a successful NIH grant application.