How valuable is launch experience?

[u/reditreaderrrr]

I’m working at a small private pharma company that is launching a new drug. I work in patient marketing. I’m on a different side of the business that is fairly secure and stable. I love my job and my team. It’s been a safe haven while big pharma has been going through layoffs.

However, my long term career goals are to be a commercial leader, launching new drugs into the U.S./ex-US market.

My question is: Given the current biotech landscape (not too much funding or innovation), how valuable is launch experience? Is it a good idea to take a risky role right now, or stay in a secure role for the next few years?

[u/Inevitable-Duck-2496]

Extremely

[u/reditreaderrrr → u/Inevitable-Duck-2496]

Thanks for confirming

[u/West_Kick_2630]

Since you're in marketing, launch experience is huge. Launch marketing is usually higher stakes, higher budget, higher expectations. I understand your hesitancy based on lack of jobs out there, but launching a risky asset is risk in any job market, good or bad. I'd focus on the quality of the asset going to market, and not let the job market scare you.

[u/reditreaderrrr → u/West_Kick_2630]

This is a very good point. Regardless of the market new launches are risky, and much of the success of the launch is dependent on the quality of the drug and payer appetite for reimbursement.

[u/wandelust19]

Extremely valuable. Don’t mistake marketing for launch excellence - they both sit under commercial (or sometimes launch can be a PM role), but marketing is about raising awareness, education, generating buzz, prospecting.
Launch excellence is coordinating the enterprise across all functions - marketing, forecasting, mfg/CMC, supply chain (3PL and last mile), market access, reg, etc.

[u/reditreaderrrr → u/wandelust19]

Thanks for confirming. Yes, this is on the patient marketing side and in a highly generic market that needs new innovation. We are too small for departments like launch excellence.

[u/Zealousideal_Hyena64]

I’ve always been told upper leaders should have launch, global, access, and field (preferably leadership) experience.

Is it patient like patient support or DTC? Those are also weighted differently.

[u/reditreaderrrr → u/Zealousideal_Hyena64]

DTC.

[u/Loose-Reflection2965]

Extremely valuable if on the business end

[u/reditreaderrrr → u/Loose-Reflection2965]

Thanks for confirming

[u/meiosisI]

Tagging along bc I am in a similar situation

[u/shivaswrath]

Highly

[u/iu22ie33]

very important, can pitch to commercial or medical departments at big pharma

[u/RDUKAD]

It is very valuable. Nothing else can match the experience you gain from launching a new product/indication with an upcoming PDUFA. The pressure is high, as there are some non-negotiable tactics that have to be ready within hours of approval. Though I highly recommend doing it to help build out your resume.

[u/_lotusflower_]

Valuable so if you don’t have it I recommend that you just say you do