Description
Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:XENE) - a biopharmaceutical company with operations in Vancouver, BC, Canada and Boston, MA, USA - is committed to delivering innovative medicines to provide a brighter future for patients suffering from neurological disorders.
At Xenon, we are advancing an exciting pipeline of neurology-focused therapies , with a particular emphasis on novel treatments for both adult and pediatric patients with epilepsy. XEN496 is currently being evaluated in the Phase 3 "EPIK" clinical trial in young patients with KCNQ2-DEE, a rare and severe form of childhood epilepsy. Late-stage development plans are also underway for our XEN1101 program, building upon the compelling data from the Phase 2b "X-TOLE" study in adult patients with focal epilepsy. We are also proud of the leading-edge science coming out of our discovery labs, with many early-stage research programs underway. In addition to Xenon's proprietary programs, we have ongoing collaborations with our valued pharmaceutical partners. With a healthy balance sheet to support our growth plans, we continue to build a fully-integrated, premier neuroscience company with strong discovery, development, and commercial operations.
Our employees are smart, passionate, dedicated, and driven by their incredibly important work to discover, develop, and deliver new medicines for patients in need. Building and maintaining a respectful, collaborative, inclusive, and productive culture is a priority for us. We are looking for great people who thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment to join our team during this transformative time for Xenon.
We are seeking a Senior Medical Science Liaison (Senior MSL) - this is an opportunity to join as Xenon's first field facing role and to help shape the development of the MSL function and team within wider Medical Affairs and Clinical Development teams, and will engage with external Health Care Providers, Key Opinion Leaders, and patient groups to provide education on the benefits of the Xenon's pipeline in adult and pediatric epilepsy, with an initial focus in rare pediatric epilepsy.
The Senior MSL will initially travel widely across the US to engage with Health Care Providers, attending both major and regional congresses - as the team grows, the requirement for travel may lessen.
The successful candidate will have proven ability to operationalize product communication strategies and have a clear understanding of the needs of health care providers, patients and families, able to clearly communicate complex scientific and medical information in an articulate and warm manner as appropriate for the specific audience.
This position reports to the Vice President, Medical Affairs and will be located in the Boston, MA, USA location.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Build strong relationships with KOLs and other healthcare thought leaders, interacting to communicate and advance Xenon's scientific platform, clinical and medical information in alignment with corporate and brand objectives; identify and report key scientific, clinical and research insights from KOLs to Medical Affairs and the Clinical Development and Commercial teams.
- Act as a key scientific resource to Health Care Providers, communicate up to date medical, clinical, and scientific information about Xenon's neurology and epilepsy products.
- Support KOL identification and patient recruitment initiatives for assigned clinical programs, initially in KCNQ2-DEE epilepsy.
- Lead assigned national and/or regional congress activities in accordance with Medical Affairs strategies and plans.
- Contribute to Medical Affairs and MSL strategies and plans; adapt strategies, plans and tactics for national and/or regional territories as assigned.
- Provide instruction, coaching and mentoring to new or less experienced MSLs.
- Travel domestically up to 50% of the time, including overnight travel as business needs require. International travel may be required on an ad-hoc basis.
- Act in accordance with Company policies, including, for example, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and ensure policies are understood and followed by direct reports, if any.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of a relevant doctorate degree (i.e. M.D., PhD, PharmD, DPH).
- Minimum 3 years MSL experience in neurology therapeutic area; experience in epilepsy and rare diseases strongly preferred.
- Clinical trial development and drug launch experience preferred.
- Knowledge of clinical research processes, FDA regulations and OIG guidelines required.
- Ability to communicate accurately and confidently across multiple disease states.
- Established relationships with KOLs and knowledge of institutions in neurology epilepsy preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Proven ability to work both independently and cross-functionally.
