Dr. Finck says she that she felt understanding on the part of her colleagues who stayed in academics and clinical practice when she left, and she credits the physicians who transitioned from academic rheumatology to industry before her for smoothing the way. “People gave them a tough time and looked at them as turncoats,” she says, adding that when she left, it was understood that she did so because of the grant situation. “We looked up to them, and I hope the generation that comes after ours looks up to us in the same way.”
Mary Desmond Pinkowish is a medical journalist based in New York.
Thinking About Industry?
Advice from Physicians Who Made the Move
The physicians we interviewed have several pieces of advice for their colleagues who are considering a move to industry—or trying to figure out if they are suited to this type of professional life. “It’s a good transition to consider if you like the practical aspects of new drug development and bringing these drugs to patients,” says Dr. Siegel. He adds that, unlike academic medicine, industry work involves lots of adherence to large-scale, high-quality process. “All of your documentation must be consistent, because the FDA will go over all the records with a fine-tooth comb. Even if the drug has been shown to be safe and effective, it may not get approved if there are problems with the documentation. You need to be comfortable working with the groups responsible for this documentation,” says Dr. Siegel.
Dr. Davis recommends spending time doing the research that will allow you to answer the question, “Is this for me?”
“Learn as much as possible about the industry, as well as individual companies,” says Dr. Davis. “Be open, and talk to as many physicians as possible with different positions inside these companies,” he adds.
“There are so many possible roles for physicians, including early development, late development, regulatory affairs, drug safety, and clinical operations,” Dr. Davis points out, adding that it’s beneficial to speak with people in several areas to determine which particular area might be a good match for your interests and experience.
Dr. Davis also recommends speaking to people in small, midsize, and large companies. Each will have a distinct culture, he says, as well as a distinct approach to risk in drug development. Dr. Siegel agrees, adding that it’s worth carefully investigating whether a specific company specializes in particular disease classes or tilts towards innovative drug development as opposed to working with established drug classes. On both counts, the company’s goals should mirror your own interests and expertise.