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Building Win-Win Relationships Between Medical Science Liaisons and Thought Leading Physicians

The most influential key opinion leaders have achieved their status based on their past achievements. Therefore, when approaching prospective thought leader candidates, pharmaceutical companies must remain scientifically focused to offer physicians the opportunity to advance research within the given therapy area, according to Cutting Edge Information, http://www.PharmaThoughtLeaders.com)">.

Since today's physicians are required to participate in continuing medical education (CME) programs to maintain their professional standing, the opportunity to work with pharmaceutical companies on CME programs plays to their advantage. Though thought leader relationships involve much more than participating in a sponsored event, CME is a good starting point.

"Pharmaceutical companies must present their thought leaders with research opportunities that could lead to major publications and increased influence within the medical community," said Elio Evangelista, senior analyst at Cutting Edge Information. "By doing so, pharmaceutical companies benefit from developing market awareness around their products through a thought leader's advocacy."

In some companies, medical liaisons monitor thought leaders' research progress and help plan a post-research publication strategy. As the relationship develops over time, liaisons provide valuable insights on cutting edge research within their therapeutic areas, which, when applied, helps build their status within the medical community.

Cutting Edge Information's report, "Pharmaceutical Thought Leaders: Brand Strategies and Product Positioning" http://www.PharmaThoughtLeaders.com)">, reveals how to build strong thought leader relationships by focusing on three critical strategic components:

--  Timing: Begin interacting with opinion leaders early in the
    development cycle.
--  Involvement: Create consistently beneficial relationships by
    increasingly involving thought leaders in research and marketing plans.
--  Critical Activities: Allow thought leaders to provide valuable advice
    across a spectrum of critical marketing activities.
    

To download a summary of this 142-page report, visit http://www.PharmaThoughtLeaders.com. For more information on this report or to learn about other research being conducted by Cutting Edge Information, call 919-433-0214 or email elio_evangelista@cuttingedgeinfo.com. For media inquiries, please contact Tricia McGovern at 919-433-0217 or tricia_mcgovern@cuttingedgeinfo.com.

Senior Analyst Elio Evangelista is a research project leader with Cutting Edge Information. Mr. Evangelista's customized research work in competitive intelligence, cardiovascular marketing, market research, and key opinion leader management practices are currently in place at several Fortune 500 companies. For more information about our research and consulting services, contact Elio at elio_evangelista@cuttingedgeinfo.com or 919-433-0214.