What is a Medical Science Liaison (MSL)?
A Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a field-based scientific expert employed by pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device companies to build relationships with healthcare professionals and key opinion leaders. MSLs provide accurate, non-promotional information about a company’s products, research, and therapeutic area, and they gather clinical and strategic insights from the field. MSLs typically hold advanced scientific or clinical degrees and are trained in evidence-based communication.
Why are MSLs important in the pharmaceutical industry?
MSLs serve as a critical link between internal teams and the external scientific community. They support medical education, scientific exchange, and data dissemination while collecting insights that inform clinical development, evidence-generation planning, and product positioning. As trusted scientific partners, MSLs help ensure that strategies are grounded in real-world clinical practice and aligned with the needs of patients and providers. Their role is especially important during product launch preparation, lifecycle management, and ongoing stakeholder engagement.
