Medical Science Liaisons
Increasing awareness and KOL engagement through scientific dialogue.
Access to experts in every therapeutic area
More than 90% of our Medical Science Liaisons around the world hold an advanced scientific degree. Our MSL teams have local market expertise in a wide range of therapeutic areas. We can recruit MSLs with a variety of clinical training and experience.
Fostering scientific exchange for new and existing therapies
Working closely with you, we build MSL programs that follow a unique and proven methodology:
✓ Design
✓ Identify
✓ Track
✓ Deliver
Our expertise allows us to quickly navigate geographic and profile requirements, building an MSL team of top talent that will meet your strategic objectives.
Fostering scientific exchange for new and existing therapies
Working closely with you, we build MSL programs that follow a unique and proven methodology:
✓ Design
✓ Identify
✓ Track
✓ Deliver
Our expertise allows us to quickly navigate geographic and profile requirements, building an MSL team of top talent that will meet your strategic objectives.
The MSL, evolved
From reactive to strategic, from face-to-face to hybrid engagement – the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the evolution of MSL skillsets and capabilities while redefining the meaning of success.
We have been at the forefront of recruiting, training and deploying omnichannel capabilities to enhance virtual MSL engagement. Through global infrastructure and local expertise, our MSL programs help any size pharma or biotech to reach KOLs. Our MSLs provide the essential scientific dialogue they need through the meaningful relationships and channels they prefer.
MSL Resources
As the role of a Medical Science Liaison continues to change, keeping up with the latest developments is essential.
As global providers of MSL solutions, our in-house expertise supports the MSL professional seeking opportunities and continuous growth. From video content to featured articles and webinars to blog posts, all the latest resources from the Ashfield Engage team can be found here.
Learn more
Your questions answered
What is a Medical Science Liaison (MSL)?
The MSL is a highly specialized role within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and related healthcare fields. MSLs are clinical experts who concentrate on a specific therapeutic area and are increasingly valuable to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies based on their clinical and business acumen. They build collegial relationships and disseminate complex scientific and medical information to a wide range of healthcare stakeholders, from HCPs to payers and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs).
MSLs are responsible for activities such as competitive intelligence, congress management, clinical and educational initiatives, and scientific content management.
Who do MSLs communicate with?
Internally, MSLs partner with other Medical Affairs stakeholders, Clinical / R&D, and Commercial to help inform decisions and strategy through insights.
Externally, MSLs partner with a diverse set of customers to bring clarity to complex data and science. From physicians, investigators and specialists to payers, hospitals, researchers, advocacy organizations and many others, the key set of stakeholders continues to grow for MSLs.
How is the role of the MSL evolving?
The role is becoming less focused solely on scientific dialogue and becoming one that takes more account of relationships. Today, MSL are considered the “medical experts” representing a pharmaceutical company, they are not only required to have deep, foundational knowledge of therapeutic areas and diseases to be successful, but they also need the ability to maintain close relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
As the role changes, so too do the hiring, training, and support requirements – MSLs have to develop soft skills to assist in communicating complex medical data in a conversational manner therefore solidifying their relationships with KOLs and, in the wake of the global pandemic, understand how to use different tools and communication methods, including virtual channels, to be effective.
Does Ashfield Engage provide virtual and hybrid MSLs as well as field medical teams?
Yes. Alongside our field teams, we deploy MSLs who are trained to effectively deliver content virtually. This helps increase the reach and frequency of scientific exchange. We also increasingly train all MSLs to be ‘hybrid’, which means they’re skilled communicators at both face-to-face interactions and via virtual/digital channels.
What skills does an MSL need?
More than 90% of our MSLs around the world hold an advanced scientific, or terminal degree. In addition to a high level of scientific training, MSLs also need to be able to build relationships, have strong communication skills across different channels, and have the ability to explain science in an enthusiastic, transparent and engaging manner.