Medical Affairs (MA) continues to shed its historic role as a support function and establish itself as a critical pillar alongside Commercial and Research & Development (R&D). However, shifting from independently, operating functional areas to strategic, cross-functional, business-wide partnerships remains a challenge for MA.

Zhen Su, MD, MBA, the current Senior Vice President and Global Head of the Oncology Franchise for Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany offers novel approaches for modernizing perspectives at an individual level regarding the role of MA, by fostering an appreciation and internal mindset of MA as a strategic, partner, while still maintaining the ever-important compliance boundaries.

Dr. Su has over 20 years of experience in academic and pharmaceutical medicine across Clinical Development, MA, Commercial and Business Development consequently allowing him to provide personal insights regarding the value and impact of improving cross collaboration and synchronizing focus across the business.  

Host Peg Crowley-Nowick, Ph.D., MBA, Founder & President of Zipher Medical Affairs invites Dr. Su to also share his thoughts on navigating product launches during the COVID-19 era and beyond. Drs. Crowley and Su close the podcast with a discussion about how to ensure that teams work together in this new virtual environment.