Medical Advisor - Rare Disease, UK

Location: London, United Kingdom

We are looking for a Medical Advisor Rare Disease to contribute to the development of medical strategy and provide medical input, guidance and governance for Shionogi’s rare disease portfolio and its lifecycle management.

Reporting to the Medical Affairs Director, you will help develop and execute the medical component of brand strategies, ensure medical activities are appropriately documented, and support the scientific training and tools needed by colleagues. You will work closely with Medical Science Liaisons and cross-functional brand teams, while engaging externally with healthcare professionals, key opinion leaders, patient groups and other industry stakeholders. The role is primarily office based, with frequent travel for customer visits, meetings and scientific congresses.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the medical component of brand strategy and develop medical and publication plans for assigned products and therapy areas.
• Lead the affiliate management of investigator-initiated studies and Phase IV clinical studies, including documentation, contracts, oversight, payments, drug shipments and logistics.
• Lead the management of grants and sponsorships, ensuring appropriate documentation, contracting and payment.
• Develop key opinion leader and stakeholder engagement plans aligned with overall brand strategy.
• Work closely with patient groups in a compliant manner.
• Manage publications related to assigned brands.
• Collaborate with the Medical Science Liaison team to develop scientific tools, including scientific platform content and presentations of new data.
• Contribute to and present at advisory boards, investigator meetings, key opinion leader meetings, scientific webinars, congresses and internal Shionogi meetings.

Why Shionogi?

Shionogi B.V., known as Shionogi Europe, is the European headquarters of Shionogi & Co., Ltd, a global research-driven pharmaceutical company based in Osaka, Japan. Since 1878, Shionogi has strived to supply the best possible medicines to protect the health and wellbeing of the patients we serve. Our European culture combines Japanese roots with a growing international operation, bringing together diverse teams united by a commitment to make life-changing innovation possible and accessible. Through scientific expertise, open collaboration and strong strategic partnerships, we are working to shape a more sustainable future for healthcare.

We are looking for an experienced Medical Advisor who combines scientific credibility with a practical, collaborative and patient-focused approach. You can quickly build expertise in a new therapy area, translate complex evidence into clear medical guidance, and build trusted relationships with colleagues, healthcare professionals and key opinion leaders. You work ethically and independently, bring a proactive and entrepreneurial mindset, and remain flexible as business priorities evolve.

Requirements:

• A degree in pharmacy, biology, medicine or an equivalent scientific discipline; a Master’s degree or PhD is also relevant.
• Three to five years’ experience as a Medical Advisor.
• Experience working cross-functionally with sales and marketing teams.
• Demonstrated ability to enter a new therapy area and rapidly build knowledge of the disease area and product data.
• Understanding of health economics and practical knowledge of handling medical information enquiries.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the credibility to engage effectively with healthcare professionals and key opinion leaders.
• Good computer literacy, including literature searching using resources such as PubMed or Medline.
• Ability to travel internationally to support scientific congresses and Shionogi meetings.
• Experience in rare diseases, working with patient advocacy groups, or contributing to above-country medical teams would be advantageous.