Astellas Canada – Medical Science Liaison MA-Canada - 12-month contract
Western Canada (AB/BC)
At Astellas, we strive to become a cutting-edge, value-driven life science innovator. This means working at the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients.
What sets us apart is our focus on patients, our pioneering innovation, our collaborative culture, and the passion of our talented people.
Making a positive impact on patients’ lives is the purpose behind everything we do. At Astellas, we are relentless in our pursuit of scientific progress and in tackling unmet medical needs, demonstrated by our legacy in oncology, overactive bladder and transplant and our impressive pipeline in women's health, blindness and regeneration, genetic regulation, immuno-oncology, mitochondria and targeted protein degradation.
About Us:
We are a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, with a team of more than 14,000 managing operations in approximately 70 countries around the world. We are in the Top 30 global biopharma company based on global revenues and are predicted to be one of the Top 10 Cancer Drug Makers of 2024 by Fierce Pharma.
In Canada, we are growing to meet the exciting opportunities realized by our legacy brands and rich pipeline of innovative treatments.
We are looking for candidates who will thrive in our entrepreneurial and empowering environment where talent and leadership flourish. Do your values align with our Astellas Way - patient focus, ownership, results, openness and integrity? Then we would love to hear from you.
From the first day in role, everyone at Astellas has a responsibility for creating a brighter future for patients around the world. We nurture exceptional relationships with our employees to allow them to thrive, foster innovation, and deliver exceptional business results. We work to create a culture where our people feel empowered to pursue brave ideas and ambitious outcomes, to have the confidence to be accountable for a higher standard of performance and embody a competitive and solutions-oriented mindset.
Our expertise, science and technology make us a pharma company. Our open and diverse culture is what makes us uniquely Astellas.
Astellas Pharma Canada (APCA) is currently searching for a Medical Science Liaison, MA-Canada reporting to Medical Affairs Co-Lead.
Purpose and Scope:
The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) serves as the field scientific/medical expert in delivering the MSL mandate of facilitating non-promotional scientific exchange and translating scientific knowledge into value for patients in alignment with Astellas’ corporate strategic direction. He/she is responsible for the successful implementation of regional field-based medical/scientific tactics that support the Astellas organization needs for in-line and development compounds of the Therapeutic Area (TA) Medical Strategic Plan.
Essential Job Duties
Stakeholder Relationship Activities:
- Lead the development and implementation of a Stakeholder Identification and Engagement Plan for territory that addresses the medical needs of stakeholders, in alignment with the TA Medical Affairs strategic plan and corporate business priorities. Including (KEEs, Nurses, Pharmacists etc.) in alignment with local health care system.
- Develop trusted relationships with medical stakeholders that deliver non-promotional scientific/medical value in a timely manner with the goal of improving patient care.
- Represent Astellas Medical Affairs at relevant provincial HTA and payer meetings, coordinating appropriate resources and clinical input to facilitate opportunities and collaborations with these customers.
Investigates and understands medical, health care, health technology assessment (HTA) and payer landscape and implements a MSL Regional Plan to address existing or future scientific/HEOR gaps, in collaboration with the MSL Associate Director, Associate Medical Director and MAGR colleagues.
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Research Support Activities:
- In collaboration with Research Operations, identify and understand site research capabilities within assigned region.
- Identify potential investigators for upcoming research activities based upon the criteria set by the study teams.
- Lead regional profiling and communicate insights.
- Provide TA expertise for study sites as needed (i.e. site initiation visit, throughout the study) to identify changes in the medical landscape.
Support Investigator Sponsored Research requests, as needed.
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Canada Medical Plan Deliverables:
- Knowledgeable on local health care environment and health care dynamics.
- Interpreting, applying and communicating stakeholder (incl. payer) insights from regular field interactions to shape the medical strategy.
- Identifying and supporting international, national and regional scientific meetings, including collection of scientific insights from sessions and stakeholders.
- Supporting regional expert meetings, regional HTA and payer meetings, internal training (e.g. disease management, HEOR, product info etc.), and other medical activities.
- Participating in other TA/HEOR, departmental or Brand activities as needed.
- Assisting in the development of content for strategic MSL activities, such as regional expert meetings or payer meetings
- Act as a strategic medical interface with provincial HTA and payer stakeholders and head office to ensure the voice of the customer is represented in strategic HEOR and Medical Affairs (MA) plans
Develop and demonstrate best practices to optimize MSL regional activities
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Non-Promotional Scientific Exchange Activities:
- Engage in scientific exchange in which knowledge about product(s), disease(s) and therapeutic areas is shared to ensure safe and effective use of Astellas products.
- Engage external stakeholders in one-on-one interactions and group settings, demonstrating an excellent scientific and clinical knowledge as well as an understanding of stakeholder needs.
- Presenting scientific data in various venues including as requested by various stakeholders including physicians, pharmacists, and formulary committees.
- Discussing approved scientific information with stakeholders regarding Astellas products and disease state management concepts as appropriate.
- Identifies opportunities/speakers for regional Medical Education events that align with the Medical Affairs TA Strategic Plan and collaborates with Medical Education to develop and implement the program, including speaker training and content development for other learning activities.
- Identify gaps in TA non-promotional medical materials (NPMM) and lead development of scientifically accurate, compliant content to satisfy TA needs.
- Maintain medical and scientific knowledge and stay current to enable peer-to-peer scientific exchange.
Demonstrates high level of proficiency in interpersonal skills to engage effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
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Medical/Governance Expertise :
- Maintains advanced scientific expertise and understanding of the relevant TA disease, Astellas pre-marketed and approved products; as well as competitor products.
- Establish effective communication with internal stakeholders) to understand and support the needs of the business.
- Maintains in-depth knowledge and understanding of Astellas Medical Governance framework, global and local SOPs, Innovative Medicines Canada and Health Canada guidelines.
Ensures that all activities are compliant with medical governance guidelines and are consistent with the APCA Corporate Code of Ethics.
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Territory sizing and geography is subject to change based on evolving business needs.
Qualifications
Required
Advanced scientific degree including Ph.D., PharmD, MD, NP. MSc., in healthcare or scientific discipline and at least 2 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry preferably in Medical Affairs.
Minimum two (2) years field-based pharmaceutical medical experience.
A high level of scientific expertise including knowledge of Canadian Health care delivery, HTA and payer systems and principles of health economics & clinical outcomes research with a proven ability to interpret and effectively communicate complex clinical and pharmacoeconomic data.
Strong strategic thinking ability, operating with a sense of urgency to respond to business needs in a timely manner and solid business acumen.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a matrix organization.
Excellent interpersonal skills for successful cross-functional collaborations with internal partners is essential.
Demonstrated effective insight generation and sharing experience.
Demonstrated experience with digital capabilities (i.e. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, digital enablement tools, etc.)
Demonstrated independence in managing assigned projects within established timelines.
Familiarity with all aspects of clinical trial processes.
Knowledge and adherence to local regulatory agency (Health Canada) policies, the Innovative Medicines Canada Code of Conduct and Good Clinical Practices (GCP) guidelines.
Complex problem-solving skills.
Able to manage a frequent travel schedule, with up to 40% overnight travel. Proficient in Microsoft Office.
Preferred
Bilingualism (English/French) an asset. Prior MSL and Women’s Health experience is an asset.
Experience in a health care environment strongly preferred
Prior experience in working remotely and managing frequent travel schedule
Thorough understanding of applicable external and internal guidelines as they relate to Medical Affairs
Working Environment
This position is based in Ontario West / West Canada.
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Salary Range: $96,180k - $155,600k CAD annually per year (final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to proficiency levels and organizational equity considerations)
*The salary range provided applies to Canada only and does not apply to any other locations outside of Canada.
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation, Sick time and national holidays
- RRSP Pension
- Company paid life insurance
- Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
- Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
Wellness programs
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Astellas may use artificial intelligence-enabled tools at various stages of the recruitment and selection process.
Additional Information
Astellas Pharma Canada welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the hiring process.
No telephone inquiries, in-person applications, or agencies please. While we appreciate all applications, only candidates under consideration will be contacted.
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