Medical Advisor, Rare Disease

Do you have expertise in, and passion for science working in Rare Diseases and creating value for our customers and patients?  If so, AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

AstraZeneca is accelerating the expansion of our geographical footprint in Rare Diseases following the acquisition of Alexion in 2021. Rare diseases are a high-growth therapy area with rapid innovation and significant unmet medical needs. Over 7,000 rare diseases are known today – yet less than 1% of them have an approved treatment. As we begin to build our position as a Rare Disease Leader, we seek a Medical Advisor to join our Medical Affairs Team in Bryanston.

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

AstraZeneca is a global, global, science-led, patient-focused Biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we are more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we are dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There is no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development. Our strategic priorities reflect how we are working to deliver our strategy and achieve our Purpose. As a workforce, we are the catalyst for our values: we are entrepreneurial; we do the right thing; we play to win; we put patients first and we follow the science. As a company we appreciate and take great pride in each team member where every person is brought together through shared values, that underpins a shared purpose. There is no better place to feel inspired and energised. Answer unmet medical needs by pioneering the next wave of science, focusing on outcomes and crafting the patient ecosystem.
At AstraZeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. Join the fastest-growing pharmaceutical in our markets, set up to fuel further growth. Be part of our shared ambition and pride: our strong heritage, our turnaround story, and early investment and commitment in international markets. There’s no better place to feel inspired and energized.

ABOUT THE MEDICAL TEAM?

You will be joining a top-performing medical team that combines medical expertise with a business mindset. Problem-solving comes naturally, and the team proactively takes ownership and is willing to step out of their comfort zones to achieve the best results, driven by an agile enterprise mindset.

What you will do?

Act as catalysts, with a deep understanding of the health system (environment, priorities, clinical pathways, patient journeys) and its challenges, to gather insights and execute according to the medical strategic plans to deliver strategic, scalable & sustainable clinical practice transformations, enhancing access to equitable quality care for patients and enabling the adoption of our innovative medicines.

Developing and enhancing professional relationships and partnerships with healthcare professionals and other healthcare ecosystem stakeholders according to the Integrated Engagement Plan. Provides scientific, technical, and pharmaco-economic information to HCPs and key stakeholders through one-on-one discussions and medically lead meetings as experts and confidence generation activities. Can be involved and may lead evidence generation activities as part of the implementation of the medical strategy.

Job Description 

As the Medical Advisor, your role is focused on gaining a deep understanding of the ecosystem needs and behaviours related to the Rare Disease Portfolio such as aHUS, NF1, LALD and HPP etc. You serve as the customer-facing, single point of contact, and act as the liaison internally and externally. Ultimately, your goal is to drive co-creation within the ecosystem to deliver personalized and tailored solutions. The RDL focuses on the importance of bringing the outside in, working with partners to uncover all potential opportunities to transform outcomes for patients.

The RDL is a critical role within Astra Zeneca Rare Disease organisation. The holder of this role will lead the way for innovative solutions on the patient journey to improve therapeutics and diagnostics in certain rare diseases.

Our mission is to expedite the delivery of "more value" to individuals with Rare Diseases to positively transform their lives. This approach is founded on the principle of establishing genuine partnerships with the Rare Disease community and, through these collaborations, addressing their needs via co-creation.

Collaborate with HCP, Health Care Organisations, Regional Scientific Societies, Funders, Patient Advocates, Regional HC organizations and others to identify roadblocks and propose solutions to unlock opportunities that expedite the patient journey and deliver value for patients and the community.  Success in this role hinges on close collaboration with all functions within the organization to facilitate the exchange of insights and the analysis of the disease ecosystem. Additionally, your understanding of the competitive landscape will significantly influence both the strategic direction and the impact on patients. Developing and enhancing professional relationships and partnerships with healthcare professionals and other healthcare ecosystem stakeholders according to the Integrated Engagement Plan. Provides scientific, technical, and pharmaco-economic information to HCPs and key stakeholders through one-on-one discussions and medically lead meetings as experts and confidence generation activities. Can be involved and may lead evidence generation activities as part of the implementation of the medical strategy.

Acts as catalysts, with a deep understanding of the health system (environment, priorities, clinical pathways, patient journeys) and its challenges, to gather insights and execute according to the medical strategic plans to deliver strategic, scalable & sustainable clinical practice transformations, enhancing access to equitable quality care for patients and enabling the adoption of our innovative medicines.

Typical Accountabilities will include:

Scientific Expertise:

• Maintain clinical/scientific expertise in disease state management, AstraZeneca products, emerging therapies, and the competitive landscape.

• Contribute to the development and provide project leadership/ management of the therapeutic area Field Medical Strategic Plan (FMSP).

• Act as a subject matter expert/resource for internal and external stakeholders.

• Work with internal stakeholders in the development and delivery of appropriate training and mentoring needs within therapeutic area.

Scientific Exchange:

• Engage in peer-to-peer level dialogue with key customers and deliver appropriate clinical/scientific content through utilising the correct channel mix, which will differentiate AstraZeneca products from those of other companies.

• Respond to unsolicited customer inquiries and provide focused and balanced clinical / scientific information that supports the safe and appropriate use of AstraZeneca’s products and services.

• Provide scientific/clinical support and deliver presentations to internal and external stakeholders.

• Identify and establish relationships with key customers and other scientific thought leaders for engaging them in ongoing scientific dialogue on AstraZeneca products and unsolicited discussions about compounds in development.

• Coordinate and lead scientific events, including MSL events, Symposiums, Scientific Exchanges, Advisory Boards/Expert Panels, non-promotional standalone events, and Meet the Professor sessions, involving Key External Experts (KEEs) and Healthcare Professionals (HCPs). Prioritize these events based on their significance in the patient journey related to the disease in question.

• Deliver informative lectures at scientific events tailored to healthcare professionals, aligning with the field medical communication strategy.

• Collaborate with KEEs on study proposals (ESR or Local Study) and/or publications of interest to AstraZeneca.

Customer Insight:

• Effectively identify, gather, analyze, synthesize, report and forward relevant new knowledge about the external scientific/medical environments to internal stakeholders

• Provide internal stakeholders with actionable items related to medical / product strategy or clinical development based on customer perspectives.

• Partner with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders to identify gaps in the patient experience journey as insights to be included in the medical / product strategies.

Strategic Relationship:

• Develop peer-level relationships with medical and scientific experts, including Healthcare Professionals and collaborate with other internal teams for other key external stakeholders (e.g. policy and decision makers, PAGs, government, innovative solution providers) consistent with Medical objectives.

• Identify pre-clinical, clinical, and post-marketing study investigators in alignment with Medical Plans.

• Support data generation activities including participating in reviews of investigator-sponsored studies.

• Looks to broaden the My MA contact list where appropriate to include non-traditional KEEs from government, payer groups, researchers and clinical advisors who may support practice change initiatives.

• Establish win-win partnerships with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders to deliver on strategic, scalable and sustainable solutions addressing patient healthcare access gaps within the ecosystem.

• Demonstrates an entrepreneurial mindset; systemic approach and has the ability to act swiftly

• Transforms complex insights and large volumes of data and analytics into simplified presentations

• Has rare disease-specific expertise

• Has clinical practice understanding; Experience in implementation of clinical trials (preferred)

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Must be a Qualified Medical Doctor or completed / MSc/PhD in a scientific discipline

• MSL/Medical Advisor experience with a minimum of 5 years in a medical affairs role

• Medical/Scientific experience in Rare Diseases therapeutic area

• Interest in a long-term career in the pharmaceutical industry.

• MSc/PhD in a scientific discipline would be advantageous.

• Understanding of multiple aspects within Medical Affairs

Why AstraZeneca?

We are proud to have achieved Top Employer certification in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, as well as our Best Place To Work certification in Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, and Senegal. It is the fourth year South Africa and Kenya have been awarded the Top Employer certification. Amongst the world's top 30 workplaces in 2023 This distinction is a confirmation of our commitment and ability to sustain people, partnerships, and employee engagement and foster an innovative workplace environment.

At AstraZeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare. Join the fastest-growing pharmaceutical in our markets, set up to fuel further growth. Be part of our shared ambition and pride: our strong heritage, our turnaround story, and early investment and commitment in International markets. There’s no better place to feel inspired and energized.

SO, WHAT’S NEXT?

Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you!

Click the link to apply no later than 21 November 2024 and we’ll be in touch as soon as we can.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Close Date: 21/11/2024