At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead medical strategy for rare diseases and drive impactful scientific exchange.
- Company: Join Ipsen, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on transformative medicines.
- Benefits: Hybrid working model, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patients' lives through innovation and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Experience in Medical Affairs and strong knowledge of clinical research.
- Other info: Empowering workplace that values diverse perspectives and fosters inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Company: Ipsen Ltd
About Ipsen: Ipsen is a mid‑sized global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on transformative medicines in three therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Disease and Neuroscience. Supported by nearly 100 years of development experience, with global hubs in the U.S., France and the U.K, we tackle areas of high unmet medical need through research and innovation. Our passionate teams in more than 40 countries are focused on what matters and endeavour every day to bring medicines to patients in 88 countries. We build a workplace that champions human‑centric leadership and fosters a culture of collaboration, excellence and impact. At Ipsen, every individual is empowered to be their true selves, grow and thrive alongside the company’s success.
Location: Paddington, London
Department: UK & Ireland Medical Affairs
Reporting to: Medical Affairs Director
Working Model: Hybrid, 60% on site (in line with Ipsen’s Hybrid Working Policy)
About the Role: At Ipsen, we are dedicated to improving patients’ lives through innovation and scientific excellence. As part of our Rare Disease Medical Affairs team, the Medical Lead – Rare Disease will serve as the clinical and scientific expert for the therapeutic area, driving medical strategy across current and future pipeline assets. This is a highly visible and influential role, accountable for shaping and executing the medical plan, ensuring impactful scientific exchange, generating insights, and advancing patient‑centred solutions. You will work cross‑functionally within the Integrated Brand Team (IBT) and collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Medical Leadership & Strategy: Lead the therapy area as part of the Integrated Brand Team (IBT). Develop and execute strategic medical plans aligned to UK Operations and global priorities. Build Local Annual Medical Plans and oversee relevant medical budgets. Partner with the Medical Affairs Director to shape medical strategy and tactics. Align medical plans with MSL activities and customer/account insights.
- External Scientific Engagement: Conduct fair, balanced scientific exchange with Therapeutic Leaders and healthcare professionals. Build and strengthen collaborations with medical experts and specialist centres. Deliver scientific and educational presentations (reactive & proactive). Lead/support scientific exchange meetings, satellite symposia, and congress activities.
- Insight Generation: Capture and share actionable insights from healthcare professionals, patient organisations, and medical congresses. Organise and lead Advisory Boards. Monitor therapeutic trends, unmet needs, and competitor activities.
- Data Generation & Clinical Support: Support R&D and company‑sponsored clinical studies (site identification, feasibility, recruitment, investigator engagement). Manage unsolicited Investigator‑Sponsored Study (ISS) proposals. Support real‑world evidence initiatives, phase IV/post‑authorisation studies, registries, and databases. Contribute to scientific publications and medical content generation.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Provide scientific expertise and training to commercial teams. Review and approve materials in accordance with local SOPs and ABPI Code. Support market access activities, including formulary submissions and scientific presentations. Contribute to account planning and brand strategy discussions.
- Resource & Budget Management: Manage medical budgets and cost centres for the therapeutic area. Ensure timely delivery of activities with high operational excellence.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential requirements:
- Experience in Medical Affairs, ideally within the relevant therapeutic area.
- Experience as UK ABPI Medical Signatory.
- Experience in clinical research design, planning, and execution.
- Strong working knowledge of legal, regulatory, and compliance frameworks.
- Demonstrated ability to partner with external experts and internal cross‑functional teams.
- Accredited physician or UK‑registered Pharmacist.
- Fluent English, written and spoken.
Additional Information: No direct reports (individual contributor role). This role may evolve based on business needs.
Why Join Ipsen? At Ipsen, you’ll be part of a purpose‑driven organisation where science, innovation, and collaboration come together to transform the lives of patients with rare conditions. You’ll influence high‑impact decisions, shape therapeutic strategy, and contribute meaningfully to the healthcare community. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported; where we embrace “The Real Us”. The value we place on different perspectives and experiences drives our commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities. When we include diverse ways of thinking, we make more thoughtful decisions and discover more innovative solutions. Together we strive to better understand the communities we serve. This means we also want to help you perform at your best when applying for a role with us. If you require any adjustments or support during the application process, please let the recruitment team know. This information will be handled with care and will not affect the outcome of your application.
Medical Lead – Rare Disease (12-month FTC) employer: Ipsen Pharma (SAS)
Contact Detail:
Ipsen Pharma (SAS) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Medical Lead – Rare Disease (12-month FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the rare disease field on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions to get your name out there and show your passion for the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Ipsen and their work in rare diseases. Understand their products and pipeline, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your background in medical affairs can drive Ipsen’s medical strategy. Highlight specific examples of your past successes that relate to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Ipsen team and making an impact in the rare disease space.
We think you need these skills to ace Medical Lead – Rare Disease (12-month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Medical Lead role. Highlight your experience in Medical Affairs and any relevant therapeutic areas. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Ipsen!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about rare diseases and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through!
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills: Since this role involves working cross-functionally, make sure to highlight your teamwork experiences. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others to achieve common goals – we value collaboration at Ipsen!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsen Pharma (SAS)
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in rare diseases and Ipsen's pipeline. Being able to discuss recent studies or breakthroughs shows your passion and expertise, which is crucial for a Medical Lead role.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working cross-functionally, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with different teams. Highlighting your ability to partner with both internal and external stakeholders will set you apart.
✨Prepare for Scientific Exchange
Expect questions about how you would conduct scientific exchanges with healthcare professionals. Think of scenarios where you've engaged with experts and how you can bring that experience to Ipsen’s mission of impactful scientific communication.
✨Demonstrate Insight Generation
Be ready to discuss how you capture and utilise insights from various sources. Share specific examples of how you've monitored therapeutic trends or organised advisory boards, as this aligns closely with the responsibilities of the role.