In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey interviews Dr. Adam Laitman about his unconventional path to becoming a medical director in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Dr. Laitman shares insights from his career transition from medical school to industry, highlighting the impact of his background in marketing and editorial work. The discussion covers the various career opportunities within medical affairs, the importance of diverse educational backgrounds, and the potential benefits of industry roles over traditional clinical pathways. Dr. Laitman also reflects on the support and advice he received that influenced his decision to join the industry and his experience balancing work with family life.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Banter
01:15 Guest Introduction: Dr. Adam Laitman
01:21 Journey into the Pharmaceutical Industry
03:11 Family Influence and Career Decisions
04:31 Exploring Medical Affairs
06:48 The Role of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs)
07:10 Career Path and Industry Insights
16:48 Building a Diverse Medical Team
23:03 Transition to Medical Director
24:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As always, the views expressed here are those of the host and guest, and do not reflect the views of their respective employers.

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

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In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey discusses career transitions into the pharmaceutical industry, specifically focusing on roles like Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs). The guest, Emet Anceaume is the Director of Field Medical Affairs at Immunovant. 

Emet is a pharmacist by training. She shares her insights on the importance of transferable skills, the challenges and strategies for breaking into pharma, and the distinction between working for big pharma and small biotech companies. Emett shares personal experiences and highlights the significance of persistence, adaptability, and long-term planning for a successful career in the pharmaceutical sector.

00:00 Understanding Job Requirements and Transferable Skills

01:05 Introduction to Pharma Sessions Podcast

02:16 Breaking into Pharma: A Career Path Discussion

04:32 Challenges for Recent Grads in Pharma

06:55 Navigating Career Transitions in Pharma

12:58 Persistence and Planning in Career Development

15:53 Non-Traditional Paths to Pharma Careers

20:36 Big Pharma vs. Small Pharma: What to Expect

24:23 Evaluating Job Requirements and Work-Life Balance

27:00 Exciting Opportunities in Pharma for New Graduates

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

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In this episode of Pharma Sessions, hosted by Jonathan Kaskey, Vince Turner shares his insights on integrating creativity into operational environments. The discussion covers Vince's career journey from financial services to pharma, and his operational strategies at Kite. Emphasis is placed on the importance of creativity in solving challenges, the value of building strong relationships, and empowering team members. 

And stay to the end for the buttermilk pancakes recipe (courtesy of Melissa Clark from NYT)!

00:00 Introduction and Opening Thoughts
00:25 Meet Vince: A Personal Introduction
02:45 Every Day is a New Puzzle: Podcast Theme
03:03 Vince's Career Journey
04:25 Creativity in Operations
12:01 Leadership and Team Building
22:24 Navigating Challenges in Pharma
30:03 Future of Creativity in Pharma
32:42 Conclusion and Pancake Recipe

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

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In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey talks with Paul Howe, COO at Protega Pharmaceuticals, about the current and evolving landscape of prescription opioids, abuse deterrent technologies, and the role of technology in public health. 

They discuss new strategies to improve outcomes for chronic pain patients while reducing addiction risks.

•  Introduction and startling data on prescription abuse
•  Welcome and guest introduction
•  Paul Howe's breakfast routine
•  Career background and current role
•  Challenges with opioid prescriptions
•  Risk stratification and mitigation for patients
•  Pharmaceutical manufacturing quotas and regulation
•  Future outlook for pain management and public health

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

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Bursting the Medical Affairs Bubble: A Conversation on Cross-Functional Collaboration

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey talks with Dr. Samin Saeed, a pharmaceutical medical affairs leader with 17 years of industry experience currently at GSK. They discuss the need for medical affairs to move beyond speaking only to themselves and to engage more openly with other functions within pharmaceutical organizations. Dr. Saeed advocates for a collaborative approach and shares her insights on fostering better communication and understanding between medical affairs and commercial teams. The conversation also touches on the role of technology and AI, and the ongoing challenge of balancing strategic goals with organizational pressures.

00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome
00:34 Guest Introduction: Dr. Sameen Saeed
00:52 Bursting the Med Affairs Bubble
01:14 The Value of Medical Affairs
02:33 Challenges in Medical Affairs
05:32 Collaboration and Cross-Functional Teams
15:46 The Role of Technology in Pharma
20:13 Ideal Medical Affairs Scenario
25:06 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

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In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey sits down with Steve Cirillo-Thompson, a seasoned Chief of Staff in the pharmaceutical industry, to delve deep into the unique and often misunderstood role of a Chief of Staff. Steve shares his unconventional journey into the medical affairs space, transitioning from political science to consulting, and eventually stepping into various Chief of Staff roles at some of the leading pharmaceutical companies like Shire, Takeda, Abbvie and Kite Pharma.

Timestamped Key Points:

- 00:02: Introduction to the episode and guest, Steve Cirillo-Thompson.
- 00:37: Steve discusses his unconventional background, transitioning from political science to consulting.
- 03:12: The move from consulting to industry and the personal career decision behind it.
- 06:45: An overview of Steve's roles at Shire, Takeda, and the integration process.
- 10:22: Definition and importance of the Chief of Staff role in the pharmaceutical industry.
- 12:56: Discussion on the growing prevalence of Chief of Staff roles beyond the C-suite.
- 15:43: Benefits of having a Chief of Staff to remove silos and be a change champion.
- 18:32: Managing the relationship with the principal and establishing trust.
- 21:05: Emotional intelligence and delivering bad news in a high-stress environment.
- 23:18: Hard skills versus soft skills in the Chief of Staff role.
- 26:53: Insights from the Shire and Takeda integration project.
- 30:14: Overcoming imposter syndrome and managing a newly elevated role.
- 34:40: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Chief of Staff role.
- 36:18: Applying the Chief of Staff skillset across different industries.
- 39:45: The importance of versatility and adaptability in multiple roles.

Jonathan and Steve discuss the importance of emotional intelligence, adaptability, and the ability to manage high-stress relationships with top-level executives. They explore the value a Chief of Staff brings in breaking down silos within an organization, acting as a change champion, and enhancing cross-functional communication and coordination. Steve emphasizes the skillset required for the role, balancing hard operational skills with soft skills like empathy and strategic thinking.

Steve provides insights into the challenges and rewards of the Chief of Staff role, sharing examples from his career, including navigating company integrations and managing cultural shifts within organizations. He also highlights the growing prevalence of Chief of Staff roles in the pharma industry and their critical importance in today's fast-evolving landscape.

Join us for an enlightening conversation filled with practical advice and real-world experiences that can inspire and inform anyone interested in the Chief of Staff role or the pharmaceutical industry at large.

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

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In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey speaks with Jen Mohawk, Senior Director of Medical Affairs at Apogee Therapeutics. 

They discuss the pressing issue of burnout, its financial implications, and how companies benefit from retaining employees rather than constantly seeking new hires. 

Jen shares her journey from academia to the biopharma industry, driven by her pursuit of a sustainable work-life balance. 

They delve into practical strategies for integrating work and personal life, the importance of setting boundaries, and the benefits of work-life integration. 

Jen also explains her mid-Monday movement initiative and its impact on productivity and well-being. T

he conversation highlights the evolving perception of work-life balance and the positive changes seen in various industries.

00:00 The Cost of Burnout

00:15 Introduction to Pharma Sessions

00:43 Meet Jen Mohawk

01:44 Jen's Career Journey

02:45 The Importance of Work-Life Balance

03:27 Challenges in Academia

04:20 Transition to MSL Role

05:36 Working from Home

06:45 Setting Boundaries and Priorities

11:06 Work-Life Integration

18:36 Mid Monday Movement

21:26 Resources and Recommendations

24:25 Reevaluating Work-Life Balance

26:16 Future of Work-Life Balance

27:33 Conclusion

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

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Future Proofing Medical Affairs: A Conversation with Stephanie Hunter Banks

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey speaks with Stephanie Hunter-Banks about the future of the medical science liaison (MSL) role and the evolving healthcare ecosystem. 

Stephanie shares insights on creating a culture of innovation, leveraging big data and AI, and fostering collaboration within pharma companies. 

She reflects on her own career journey from pharmacy to leading learning and development teams, emphasizing the importance of failure, curiosity, and experimentation in driving medical advancements. 

They also discuss the integration of diverse data sets to enhance patient outcomes and the potential of AI tools in transforming MSL operations. 

Stephanie envisions medical affairs taking on a leadership role in the industry, improving patient care through strategic data analysis and enhanced stakeholder engagement.

00:00 Introduction to Pharma Sessions

01:11 Stephanie Hunter Banks' Career Journey

02:24 The Role of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs)

06:27 Innovations in Medical Affairs

13:07 Leveraging Data and AI in Pharma

30:06 Future of Medical Affairs

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

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Kaskey's Hierarchy of Needs in Medical Affairs: Steering towards Successful Product Launches

This episode of Pharma Sessions delves into the evolving role of Medical Affairs in pharmaceutical launches, emphasizing its transition from a supportive to a strategic partnership position. 

Stephen Dodge, SVP of Medical Affairs at Madrigal Pharmaceuticals has launched 25 products, and shares insights into the crucial involvement of Medical Affairs in launch strategies. 

The discussion translates the framework of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to Medical Affairs, particularly during product launches. 

Key areas discussed include understanding the foundational needs of Medical Affairs, such as organizational structure and the essential skills for personnel, as well as higher-level needs like engagement with key opinion leaders, evidence generation, and publication planning. The episode also touches on the importance of transitioning from planning to execution, ensuring effective communication and ongoing refinements to meet the ultimate goal of a successful product launch.

00:00 Welcome to Pharma Sessions: The Evolution of Medical Affairs
00:33 The Impact of AI on Medical Affairs: Insights from MAPS Annual Meeting
00:58 Exploring the Hierarchy of Needs in Medical Affairs
02:16 A Deep Dive into the Medical Affairs Professional's Journey
04:57 The Strategic Role of Medical Affairs in Pharmaceutical Launches
08:24 Building the Foundation: Organizational Structure and Team Dynamics
13:32 Elevating Medical Affairs: From Strategy to Execution
27:27 The Pinnacle of Medical Affairs: Achieving Self-Actualization in Launch Success
33:02 Reflecting on the Fulfillment and Complexity of Medical Product Launches

The views expressed on this episode are our own and do not reflect those of our respective employers.

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

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In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey speaks with Lars Dreesmann, the President and Site Head for Boehringer Ingelheim Fremont about how regulatory affairs can impact patient care.

They explore the challenges and opportunities in the regulatory space, including the impact of technology and AI on regulatory affairs and the potential for collaboration between pharmaceutical companies. 

Lars shares his transition from academia to the pharmaceutical industry, the thrill of turning science into tangible products benefiting patients, and the strategic importance of regulatory processes. The conversation delves into how artificial intelligence could revolutionize data management and reporting in pharma manufacturing, and the complexities of producing biosimilars compared to original biologics. The podcast highlights the industry's collaborative spirit, shared goals to enhance drug manufacturing processes, and excitement for future scientific breakthroughs that could lead to curing currently incurable diseases.

00:00 Introduction to Smart Risk Taking
00:24 Welcome to Pharma Sessions
00:43 Guest Introduction: Lars Driessmann
01:20 Lars' Journey from Academia to Pharma Industry
03:01 The Role of Regulatory Processes in Pharma Manufacturing
17:08 The Impact of Technology on Regulatory Affairs
24:12 The Challenges and Opportunities in Biosimilars
34:26 The Future of Pharma Industry: A Look Ahead

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

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