Valneva Looking for Medical Science Liaison at Canada Full Time

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is the medical and scientific expert for the appropriate utilization of Valneva vaccines and related therapeutic areas between the medical community and the Company. The MSL is responsible for building collaborative relationships with opinion leaders, facilitating the exchange of fair, balanced, objective scientific information, and for gathering medical intelligence through peer-to-peer interactions with healthcare professionals. This is a field-based, non-promotional role that requires that all activities are executed in compliance with all policies, industry code of practice, regulations, and laws. Reporting to the Head of Public Health, the MSL is responsible for the implementation of the Canadian Medical Affairs Plan and tactics that support the successful commercialization of in-market and future Valneva vaccines.

• The MSL identifies, develops and maintains peer-to-peer collaborations and effective working relationships with key medical experts in the field of Travel Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Vaccinology, and Public Health and provides them with credible, fair balanced, scientific information about Valneva’s vaccines, Valneva’s research activities, and Valneva’s product development
• The MSL supports key medical expert advocates, speakers, consultants and advisors through provision of scientific and clinical information
• The MSL develops and maintains a national and regional database of key strategic contacts for each relevant product and disease area
• The MSL provides high quality scientific and medical information to both internal and external stakeholders on request and in a timely manner
• The MSL delivers best in class, scientific, educational meetings executed in accordance with Valneva’s and local regulatory and legal frameworks
• The MSL provides scientific information in an objective and ethical manner to ensure appropriate positioning of Valneva products within relevant national and regional guidelines and formularies to ensure safe and efficacious use of Valneva products
• The MSL contributes to the development of Canada’s Medical Affairs plan and provides input into national and regional strategies and tactics. The MSL will manage the relevant budget to enable execution of the Medical Affairs plan
• The MSL will participate in the following Medical Affairs initiatives: advisory boards, assisting with publications, medical education opportunities, reviews of literature, developing presentations, medical communications, training, and speaker development
• The MSL works in a collaborative manner with cross-functional colleagues to ensure a Key Account Management approach
• The MSL identifies educational and research gaps and opportunities aligned with Valneva Medical Affairs strategy
• The MSL attends appropriate scientific congresses to stay abreast of medical and scientific developments in the field of Travel Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Vaccines. The MSL must maintain an up-to-date and high-level knowledge of the relevant therapeutic areas, including Valneva’s vaccines, new and emerging research areas, clinical issues and trends, and competitive landscape
• The MSL responds to requests for Investigator Sponsored Trial (IST) grants and facilitates the submission and review of ISTs in accordance with Valneva’s standard operating procedures
• The MSL is responsible to complete the company’s pharmacovigilance training and to report all adverse events or other safety relevant information received from healthcare professionals and other sources relating to products distributed by Valneva to the Pharmacovigilance department as per the company’s requirements

Requirements

• Advanced Scientific Degree required (e.g. MD, PhD, Pharm D, MSc, etc.)
• Minimum 5 years of experience as an MSL or Medical Affairs role
• Prior Vaccines or Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area experience preferred
• Candidates will ideally have well-established networks, understanding of decision-making structures and active relationships with HCPs in the therapy area
• Candidate must have a strong understanding of compliance framework and demonstrable ability to work compliantly in a field-based role, within the medical organization, as well as interacting with the commercial organization
• Thorough knowledge of the healthcare system, disease prevention and management and medical research
• Proven ability to develop and foster peer-to-peer relationship with stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, exercise good judgment and work effectively with minimal supervision in a constantly changing environment
• Ability to understand and summarize all aspects of clinical trials and papers
• Ability to research scientific literature, and write reports, papers and research protocols
• Solid understanding of industry code of practice and Canadian regulations
• Excellent teaching skills and ability to present and discuss scientific material clearly and concisely
• Ability to participate in a scientific dialogue with HCPs and researchers
• Ability to recognize opportunities/gaps/obstacles, then take ownership to find creative, innovative solutions that question convention, and then see them through to completion
• The MSL will have to be able to function in a highly regulated environment and to adhere to all Valneva Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) yet be able to respond to a variety of questions and requests from health care professionals
• Must be able to handle objections and manage issues raised by HCPs. In addition, must have the knowledge and capacity to address questions about the efficacy and safety of Valneva vaccines
• Responsibilities may require working outside of “normal” business hours in order to meet business demands
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally (~60% of time)
• Must live near a major airport, preferably in Quebec or Ontario
• Requires a valid Driver’s license
• Working knowledge of virtual presentation platforms, social media and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) is also required
• Must be fluent in English and French (both oral and written)
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills (including ability to network)
• Pharmaceutical business and vaccine market knowledge and experience considered an asset