“You can have two MSLs in the same role—one doing things the old way, and one using AI to learn faster, read more, and think bigger. Guess who’s getting the next global role?”
In this episode, I talked with Myriam Cherif, former Regional Medical Lead for Oncology & Emerging Markets at GSK and founder of Kalyx Medical—a consultancy focused on Medical Affairs strategy, mentoring, and AI training.
I invited Myriam to join me here because she posts some of the most insightful and practical content about what life is really like as a Medical Affairs professional. She shares her journey from academia to pharma, and what it really takes to succeed in Medical Affairs without losing your sense of purpose. She opens up about the early days at Novartis, the steep transition from the lab to corporate life, and the practical lessons she learned through trial and error—most especially the KOL meeting that didn’t go as planned.
She also shares the turning point that came when her role at GSK was made redundant, how that moment became the spark behind founding Kalyx Medical, and why she now helps MSLs and Medical Leads use AI with intention, and not as a gimmick. Along the way, she reflects on mentorship, resilience, and how to stand out in an industry that tests both your patience and adaptability.
(Find out more in the episode.)
Here’s What You’re In For
- What most newcomers misunderstand about the MSL role
- How to handle early-career overwhelm and self-doubt
- The story behind her first failed KOL meeting
- Why mentorship can make or break your first MSL year
- How long does it really take to land an MSL role
- The “so what” factor that makes a CV stand out
- How to respond when a physician says, “That’s not how we treat patients”
- Common mistakes companies make when introducing AI
- How AI can help MSLs read smarter, not harder
- What it takes to turn a corporate layoff into a new beginning
Timestamps
01:15 – From PhD in molecular biology to Medical Affairs
03:07 – The reality behind the MSL role
05:30 – Starting at Novartis and feeling out of depth
06:52 – Her first KOL meeting—and what went wrong
08:08 – Why mentorship changes everything
10:17 – How long it took to land her first MSL role
15:34 – Turning objections into opportunities
22:42 – From GSK restructure to starting Kalyx Medical
25:26 – Two big mistakes companies make with AI
28:37 – How AI gives MSLs a competitive edge
About Myriam
Dr. Myriam Cherif is the former Regional Medical Lead – Oncology, Emerging Markets at GSK and the Founder of Kalyx Medical, a consultancy focused on medical affairs strategy and AI training. With over 14 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Myriam has worked across a wide range of therapy areas, including cardiovascular, immunology, and oncology, and held leadership roles spanning the UK and emerging markets.
At GSK, she led medical strategy and scientific engagement across diverse regions, ensuring compliance and excellence in oncology communication. Through Kalyx Medical, Myriam also supports biotech and pharma companies by enhancing their medical affairs capabilities and preparing teams for the evolving landscape of AI-driven drug development and engagement.
Connect with Myriam
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myriam-cherif-phd-977a911/
- Kalyx Medical: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kalyx-medical/about/
About me
My name is Charles Spence and I lead Discera. After many years working in the life-science recruitment world, I decided to work for myself. Before doing recruitment, I graduated with a biomedical degree, have worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent a year working in diabetes research in Stockholm. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.
In 2023, I decided to launch my firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.
Connect with me:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/
- Website: https://www.discera-search.com/
Opinions and comments expressed by the guest do not represent the company and are fully their own.
