For Medical Affairs Teams
Medical Affairs
Medical affairs is the scientific bridge between clinical development and commercial, and real-world evidence now sits at its core.
This is what medical affairs does, how the function is changing, and why its leaders gather at RWE Connect 2026.
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The function
What Medical Affairs Is
Medical affairs is the function in a life sciences company that bridges clinical development and commercial. It owns the scientific relationship with the medical community, from evidence generation and publications to field medical and medical information.
Once a support function, medical affairs is now a strategic pillar in its own right, and real-world evidence is central to why.
The responsibilities
What Medical Affairs Does
Medical affairs spans a broad set of scientific activities, all built on credibility and evidence.
Clearing it up
Medical Affairs vs Commercial
The two work closely, but the line between them is fundamental. One is scientific and non-promotional; the other drives the brand.
Medical Affairs
- Scientific and non-promotional
- Focused on evidence and education
- Engages KOLs and payers on data
- Builds long-term scientific trust
Commercial
- Promotional and sales-driven
- Focused on brand and messaging
- Engages customers to drive uptake
- Focused on near-term performance
The RWE connection
Why Real-World Evidence Matters to Medical Affairs
Real-world evidence has become the engine of medical affairs, from the data it generates to the stories it tells. It is a core theme at RWE Connect 2026.
See how this connects to the chief medical officer and HEOR.
The direction of travel
The Evolving Medical Affairs Function
Medical affairs is being reshaped by data, digital and a bigger seat at the strategy table. These are the shifts on the agenda at RWE Connect 2026.
Why attend
Why Medical Affairs Teams Attend RWE Connect 2026
For a medical affairs leader, this is where the evidence conversation is happening. Here is what draws teams to Boston.
Who is in the room
Who Attends RWE Connect 2026
A senior, focused audience, with medical affairs and clinical leadership strongly represented.
Seniority is confirmed: 150+ attendees, around 60% at Director or VP level and above. The functional mix shown is indicative; confirmed registration splits are shared with sponsors from the live delegate list.
Explore
Explore Related Topics
Medical affairs sits at the meeting point of medicine, evidence and value.
Sponsor RWE Connect 2026
Reach Medical Affairs Teams
RWE Connect 2026 gathers the medical affairs and evidence leaders who generate and apply real-world evidence: 150+ attendees, around 60% at Director or VP level and above.
RWE Connect 2026
Get the Medical Affairs RWE Briefing
A concise briefing on the evidence trends reshaping medical affairs, then meet your peers in Boston.
- How RWE is changing medical affairs
- What teams should watch in 2026
- Where the evidence frontier is heading
Free. Instant download. No obligation.
Medical Affairs: Common Questions
What is medical affairs?
Medical affairs is the function in a life sciences company that bridges clinical development and commercial, responsible for scientific communication, evidence generation, field medical, medical information and engagement with healthcare stakeholders.
What does medical affairs do?
Medical affairs sets medical strategy, communicates the science, runs field medical and MSL teams, generates real-world and other evidence, engages key opinion leaders, and provides medical information.
What is the difference between medical affairs and commercial?
Medical affairs is scientific and non-promotional, focused on evidence, education and long-term scientific trust. Commercial is promotional and sales-driven, focused on brand, messaging and near-term uptake.
What is a medical science liaison?
A medical science liaison (MSL) is a field-based medical affairs professional who builds scientific relationships with key opinion leaders and shares and gathers medical and evidence insights.
What functions sit within medical affairs?
Medical strategy, scientific communications and publications, field medical and MSLs, evidence generation, KOL engagement, and medical information.
Why does real-world evidence matter to medical affairs?
Real-world evidence powers the evidence generation, insights, publications and payer support that sit at the heart of modern medical affairs.
How is the medical affairs function changing?
Medical affairs is becoming a strategic pillar alongside R&D and commercial, with growing ownership of real-world evidence, data, digital engagement and value demonstration.
What is the difference between medical affairs and clinical development?
Clinical development runs the trials that get a product approved. Medical affairs takes over around and after launch, generating real-world evidence and engaging the medical community.
Why should medical affairs teams attend RWE Connect 2026?
To learn real-world evidence best practice, meet senior peers, stay ahead of the regulatory and access landscape, and connect with the data and technology partners shaping the field.
What are careers in medical affairs like?
Medical affairs careers span MSL, medical information, scientific communications, evidence and medical strategy roles, often for people with clinical, scientific or pharmacy backgrounds.
What is RWE Connect 2026?
RWE Connect 2026 is a two-day real-world evidence summit in Boston bringing together the medical affairs, RWE, HEOR and market access leaders who generate and apply real-world evidence, with 40+ speakers and 150+ attendees.
When and where is RWE Connect 2026?
14 to 15 October 2026 at the Hampton Inn by Hilton, Boston Seaport District, Boston, MA.
