MSL team build at global biotech organisation

MSL Hires for Clinical-Stage Rare Disease Biotech | Pre-Launch | US

Carrot were engaged by a clinical-stage rare disease biotech, ahead of its anticipated NDA approval, to build a Medical Science Liaison team across multiple regions.

Requirements of the Hire

The client was in phase 3, pre-NDA, and expecting approval in a rare disease market where experienced MSLs are in short supply. They needed to establish a field medical team quickly enough to support a successful launch. That meant hiring MSLs across four regions, each with relevant therapy area experience and established KOL networks.

Our Approach

Carrot had identified the client as a target before this stage. Our consultant began engaging prospective MSL candidates early, before any terms had been agreed with the client. Each conversation made clear that we specialise in this space, and asked whether the candidate would be interested if the company began building its MSL team.

Candidates were identified for their therapy area experience and KOL relationships ahead of any client approach. This pre-engagement meant that when the client was ready to hire, profiles could be put forward straight away. The conversation with candidates also became simple: the opportunity discussed previously and identified as a strong fit was now live, and we wanted to put their profile in front of the hiring manager.

Alongside this, our consultant invested in the relationship with the hiring manager. Understanding their vision for the purpose of medical affairs, and how they wanted to run it, shaped how the opportunity was presented to candidates and kept the process moving quickly.

The Outcome

Carrot secured MSL hires across four regions within six weeks, allowing the client to build a robust field medical team ahead of launch. The launch went ahead successfully in the same year.

The speed of delivery came from long-term network building in a niche market, combined with a close understanding of the hiring manager’s goals. Because that groundwork was in place before the brief arrived, Carrot could move at the pace a pre-launch timeline demands.