DECEMBER - JANUARYLIFE SCIENCES REVIEW 19ll patients, wherever they are in the world, have the right to get access to the best available novel treatments. Physicians and scientists working in medical affairs (MA) function in the life science industry want to make this happen. Their medical knowledge and their work help biotech companies to accelerate product launches in countries around the world and reach more patients. MA contributes as a key player in achieving such common strategic goals.The MA function is as a service provider, medical expert and strategic partner following medical, ethical, regulatory and legal standards for all matters where internal and external clients need medical expertise and scientific understanding of specific diseases, company´s drugs or product groups. MA is uniquely positioned as a partner at the interface of the various stakeholders in the healthcare sector. It steers scientific conversations around critical issues and potential gaps that may impact commercialization down the road. MA acts as a bridge between research and development (R&D) and commercial. Medical teams engage early with commercial, market access and clinical teams to contextualize the healthcare ecosystem for successful product launches. This allows MA to drive a scientific scenario that defines clinical endpoints and improves patient recruitment efforts.MA has always played a crucial role throughout a product's lifecycle. Traditionally a support role, during the last years, the MA role has evolved very much. The role moved at pace from one of support to one of leadership. The function has never previously been so well positioned to lead enterprise strategy and generate internal and external change. The transformation of MA from a communicator to a key strategic player makes this function so important for the success of innovative biotech companies. In addition, the rapid development of new communication channels and ways of working has brought a number of adaptations to how MA works and communicates with HCPs and other key stakeholders. Today, the main contributions of MA are:Strategy Development: MA operation provides market insights and strategic thinking. MA is using its extensive scientific expertise to inform short- and long-term planning strategies across the product development lifecycle, from understanding product attributes and current standards of care to competitive landscape and customer insights. Based on this, medical is delivering a strategic medical direction to the organization. Medical operation develops and communicates the strategy. MA is the voice of the patient, working at the highest levels of the company to shape strategy to provide patient value. This is a unique differentiator for the MA function.Insight Generation and Leadership Role: Medical understands the difference between data/information and insights. It develops insights that matter and shares them with impact both externally and within the organization, e.g., to shape the brand or R&D strategy to improve outcomes for patients. Rapid insight generation enables MA to steer the company in the right direction. Medical identifies what are the priority areas to explore using a patient journey map and aligned to brand strategy.By Gerd Möller, MD, PhD, Health Economist (ebs), Medical Director European Partner Markets (EPM), Medison Pharma Trading AGaMEDICAL AFFAIRS: A POWERHOUSE TO ACCELERATE ACCESS OF INNOVATIVE THERAPIES TO PATIENTS IN COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLDAGerd MöllerCXO INSIGHTS
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