Medical Affairs Lead - Osteoarthritis

About the Position 

The Medical Affairs Lead is a first-in-function leadership role responsible for building an AI-native Medical Affairs capability across Formation Bio’s growing portfolio. This role will establish the scientific and digital foundation for programs spanning late-stage development to commercialization, with an initial focus on our lead asset, Sprifermin, in osteoarthritis.

This leader will serve as a strategic scientific partner to Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, and Portfolio teams, ensuring that Medical Affairs strategy, scientific exchange, and evidence generation are embedded early and executed with rigor, compliance, and credibility. Critically, this leader will champion the integration of AI-powered tools and data-driven approaches across all Medical Affairs activities—from evidence synthesis and KOL mapping to real-world evidence generation and field team enablement.

The Medical Affairs Lead will design scalable, technology-forward medical affairs infrastructure, lead external scientific engagement, and build a high-impact Medical Affairs team.

Responsibilities

Medical & Scientific Strategy

• Lead medical affairs and scientific strategy for Sprifermin and across assigned programs, from late development through pre-launch and commercialization readiness.
• Embed medical perspective early in development planning, including endpoint selection, evidence generation, and lifecycle strategy.
• Provide medical and scientific input into asset diligence, in-licensing evaluations, and portfolio strategy.
• Champion an AI-native approach to medical affairs—identifying, piloting, and scaling AI tools that enhance scientific rigor, efficiency, and decision-making across the function.

External Scientific Engagement

• Develop and execute a comprehensive KOL engagement strategy, building durable relationships with external experts, investigators, and scientific leaders in osteoarthritis and related therapeutic areas.
• Lead scientific exchange activities, including advisory boards, congress strategy, and external data communication.
• Serve as a credible scientific leader representing Formation Bio’s programs externally with rigor and integrity.

Publications & Real-World Evidence

• Own publication planning and execution, ensuring timely, compliant dissemination of clinical and real-world data.
• Support Phase IV, real-world evidence (RWE), and observational studies in partnership with Clinical and internal stakeholders.
• Translate evidence into clear medical narratives that inform development, access, and launch readiness.
• Leverage AI-assisted evidence synthesis, literature monitoring, and data analytics to accelerate insight generation.

Medical Affairs Build-Out

• Establish scalable medical affairs processes, governance, and operating models appropriate for a multi-asset organization.
• Build and lead an AI-native Medical Affairs function, identifying and implementing digital tools that improve how the team operates, shares scientific content, and captures field insights.
• Balance internal capabilities with external vendors and partners to maximize efficiency and impact.

Launch & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Support launch readiness through medical education strategy, scientific positioning, and internal training.
• Provide medical affairs input into value narratives, HEOR strategy, and reimbursement dossiers in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Patient & Advocacy Engagement

• Develop strategy for engagement with patient advocacy groups and medical societies to inform development, education, and access, including those focused on osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal disease.

About You 

• MD, PharmD, or PhD required; advanced clinical or scientific training in a relevant field (e.g., rheumatology, musculoskeletal medicine, pharmacology, or related discipline) preferred.
• Experience within osteoarthritis or musculoskeletal disease with deep scientific credibility is required. 
• Demonstrated experience contributing to or leading medical strategy across late development, pre-launch, or commercialization preferred.
• Genuine enthusiasm for AI and digital tools applied to drug development and medical affairs; hands-on experience with AI-powered platforms (e.g., for evidence synthesis, KOL analytics, or field enablement) is a strong plus.
• Experience building or contributing to medical affairs capabilities, including MSL teams, preferred.
• Deep understanding of medical compliance and scientific exchange regulations.
• Strong cross-functional partner with ability to work closely with Clinical, Regulatory, Commercial, and Portfolio teams.
• Track record of credible external engagement with KOLs, investigators, and scientific stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear strategic insights.
• Hands-on leadership style with comfort operating in a fast-growing, resource-lean environment.

Total Compensation Range: $325,000 - $425,000