Working in the pharmaceutical industry

What opportunities does the pharmaceutical industry offer?

Originally published 20th March 2019

By Tarquin Bennett-Coles BEd (Hons)

“According to figures from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. the number of pharmaceutical enterprises has been increasing since 2010.  According to the Office for National Statistics, by 2015 the number of enterprises operating in the UK was 573 (manufacturer of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations). The number of employees in the UK working in the sector in 2016 was 63,000, with 24,000 dedicated to R&D.

The scale of the sector means there are opportunities for new joiners at all levels, covering lab-based positions to externally focused sales positions and everything in between. Trained pharmacists and technicians will already have a knowledge of the pharmacology of drugs and in many cases will have dealt with questions from patients and the public that will give them insight into the benefits and challenges of developing new drugs, supply chain, compliance, and convergence of digital health technology with the sector.

In general, those from a pharmacist background make strong candidates for positions in the biopharmaceutical industry and life science support businesses.

In the UK we have a rich history of success in this industry, and as a consequence we have global players and homegrown successes (GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca) based here, as well as a number of clusters of smaller companies at an early stage of growth. These include small spin-outs companies from university, SMEs focused on orphan or rare diseases, vaccine specialists and those using diagnostic tools, AI, and digital platforms to speed up the drug discovery and development process.

There are numerous life science networking and support organisations that help bring the diverse parts of the industry together.

It is a vibrant sector with constant change at the core of the business model as new technologies, innovation and collaboration continues to drive the pace of new drug discovery and development for the benefit of patients.”

Do you need prior industry or research experience?

Originally published 2nd April 2019

By Tarquin Bennett-Coles BEd (Hons)

“The biopharmaceutical and life science sector can be quite conservative so having experience and some knowledge of the sector will help if you want to join the industry. The larger companies will look to take calculated risks so any ‘extra’ comfort that you can offer regarding your experience, skills and understanding that match the sector, and the role, will help differentiate you from those without it.

Draw on your experience of science and pharmacology and any additional insight you have from dealing with the public and healthcare provision. If you are new to the biopharma sector then it would be time well spent to make contact with those who have already enjoyed time in the sector or those who have recently joined the industry.

Tap into your networks of contacts via social media, RCPharm, and see if you can grab a coffee, Skype or phone call to explore the industry and roles that interest you. See if you can also attend some events to bring you into contact with relevant individuals and businesses. The industry has many support associations and recently they have come together under the banner of United Life Sciences (ULS), a strategic partnership representing over 1,100 life science and healthcare organisations across the UK and internationally. These associations offer resources, events, tips, news, statistics and access to positions and leaders in the sector.

• ULS was formed a few years ago by the BioIndustry Association (BIA), Bionow, BioPartner UK, One Nucleus, and MediWales.
  • https://onenucleus.com (Cambridge)
  • https://www.bioindustry.org (London)
  • https://www.mediwales.com (Cardiff)
  • https://www.bionow.co.uk (Manchester)
• Big pharma is represented by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (it shares a floor with the BIA in Victoria, London) https://www.abpi.org.uk (London).
• Medium-sized biopharma is connected to the Ethical Medicines Industry Group. https://emig.org.uk (London).
• Scotland is covered by Life Sciences Scotland https://www.lifesciencesscotland.com.

LinkedIn is the best social media platform for business-related follow up so make sure your profile is up to date and you highlight the skills and experience you have that fits the sector. Try to find people that work at the companies you are interested in to get an insider’s view and see if you can get a warm introduction to someone who can open a door for you. In addition if you are able to find out about the values of the company and put together some examples of when you have genuinely exhibited those in your work this will be well-received.

The industry is constantly changing and evolving so keep up to date with the news flow. No company takes new molecular entities from preclinical drug discovery to launch without multiple collaborations, partnerships and alliances, so giving examples of when you have successfully managed projects, and people, who are not under your direct influence or control, will leave a positive impression and is seen as a key leadership skill.

Similar understanding of how the convergence of technology, data science, AI, machine learning and digital health is impacting the sector is a good conversation topic.”

Routes to industry roles

Originally published 24th April 2019

By Tarquin Bennett-Coles BEd (Hons)

“The life science sector is a vibrant and constantly changing environment that can suit those who like to take educated risks with start-up ventures or those who want a more secure long-term career within a large organisation. Getting into the sector is still people/connection-based so establishing a network and reliable advocates will help you make the first step. If you can find a person you can interact with rather than using an online portal then this will improve your chances. 

Deciding on the right role and company for you will require some due diligence on the company values and culture. Most of this can be achieved online. Glassdoor is a useful tool to see what people say about a business, good and bad.

Nevertheless, having someone you can talk to who actually works at the company you are interested in is even more useful. If you can use your network to help you achieve this, then it will give you a head start.  

To make the right step also requires some realistic self-assessment.  

You can use online tools for this or if you can find someone you work with and ask them how you come across in meetings or day-to-day you can find out a great deal about how you are perceived. It is also worth thinking about what motivates you, what will drive you to get up for work or travel a long way for a meeting? Do you like to work in a group or independently? Even at an early stage it is well worth thinking about where you would like to land after the role you are applying for. Having this in mind will help you weigh up the potential of the position now and as part of your broader career aspirations even if they change. 

Some individuals choose to join the sector via a service organisation then move across to biophama or medtech businesses once they have their network in place. This includes joining life science teams in the large consulting houses (PwC, E&Y, McKinsey etc.), boutique players (Huron, Cambridge Consultants, Sagentia), outsourcing businesses like contract or clinical research organisations (IQVIA, Paraxel, Covance etc.) or biopharma sales companies.  

Others choose to start out in a corporate setting via the city (equity analysis), private equity, or venture capital businesses and then transition across.  

In addition, the emerging data and digital space means some technology players (Amazon, Google, Apple, Samsung etc.) are moving into the healthcare sector and they require experts with an understanding of the life sciences sector so this may also offer a way in.  

Hot areas of growth also include diagnostics and biomarker businesses, AI/machine learning, data science and digital health companies. 

Once you have gained some experience, or if you want to make the step immediately, then there are some key skills and experiences that companies most value. If you can highlight these when you apply or at interview then they will help differentiate you and increase your chances of an offer. 

• Demonstrable track record of success. 
• Examples of persuasion and influence whilst working outside your area of management control.
• The ability to prioritise between the urgent and important. 
• Expertise at working to tight deadlines and dealing with a fast-paced environment for service delivery and communication (this should suit all pharmacists). 
• Project management skills and the ability to switch focus/direction due to rapid market shifts or new convergent technologies. 

Right now certain functions and disciplines are in particularly high demand. These include, analytics, data science, informatics, medical affairs and information, toxicology, pharmacology, business development, clinical development, regulatory affairs, market access and pricing and reimbursement. 

Another thing to consider before you join the industry is to choose a location where there is a cluster of companies and sector-supported businesses already located there. This will increase the opportunity for you to progress and find alternative work if the position does not work out or the company goes through a major transformation or acquisition. In 2019 we are seeing some major merger and acquisition activity. Most successful clusters (Cambridge, London, Oxford, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Cardiff etc.) will also have good transport links, access to funding streams, academic and research hubs, hospitals and service businesses nearby.  

Once you make the step do remember you are likely to be joining a sector where there will be five generations in the workplace (Gen Z – 18 years old in 2018). Each generation defines success and working habits with a slightly different perspective so it is worth considering that if you are working in a cross-generational team or have a line manager from a different era. 

In terms of what lies ahead you have a myriad of choices once you break into the sector so keep checking in on your own plans. Leadership agility is being highlighted as a future ‘must have’ and so is some international experience so if you can add those to your existing skill set, then you will be in a good place to progress. Similarly, there are now more industry collaborations and partnerships than ever before so involvement in such projects will help you stand out. Good luck, you have an exciting future ahead.”