15. Strategic Partnerships in Pharma: Medical Affairs & Commercial Collaboration

In this episode of the OnPoint Podcast, Scott Thompson welcomes Teri Michelini of Sanofi and Parker Richardson of Astellas Pharma to explore the evolving relationship between Medical Affairs and Commercial teams in pharma. As traditional silos and firewalls give way to transparency and strategic orchestration, what does true collaboration look like—and you get there without compromising compliance?

Teri and Parker draw from decades of experience to share real-world strategies for harmonizing roles, aligning messaging, and leveraging omnichannel innovations. From cross-functional planning and trust-building to creating scalable, tech-driven journeys for HCPs, this episode offers powerful insights for any medical leader looking to bridge the gap.

🔹 Key Takeaways:

• Why compliance shouldn’t mean silence
• Practical frameworks for strategic alignment
• Real-world examples of collaborative success
• Reframing trust, risk, and accountability
• How omnichannel strategy unifies—not divides—teams

Connect with Teri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-michelini-aaa9204

Connect with Parker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parkerrichardson

OnPoint: The Medical Excellence Podcast delivers insightful conversations on the most pressing issues facing top Medical Affairs professionals. Listen to stay ahead of industry trends and be inspired by leaders shaping the future of Medical Affairs. 

OnPoint is available on several podcast platforms including the Acceleration Point YouTube channel.

#MedicalAffairs #MedicalExcellence 

[00:00] Breaking Down the Firewalls
[06:00] Redefining Collaboration with Guardrails
[12:00] Strategy Before Execution
[20:00] From Ownership to Orchestration
[30:00] Enabling the Shift: Mindsets, Metrics & Micro-steps
[38:00] Personal Growth to Lead the Change