Inside iNova Medical Affairs: Advancing Patient Outcomes Through Science and Expertise

Every day, millions of people rely on trusted, science-backed medicines to support their health and wellbeing. Behind these products is a critical, but often unseen function, Medical Affairs where science is translated into meaningful outcomes for patients, healthcare professionals, and communities.

At iNova, this work is led by a global team of experts – meet our Medical Affairs leaders
Anna Dousdebes, Medical Affairs Manager Australia & New Zealand, Chelit Valera , Medical Affairs Director Asia & Europe, Maged Salheen, Medical Director, Middle East & North Africa and Praenisha Ramnath, Responsible Pharmacist South Africa, who are each united in one simple idea: bringing science to life in ways that make a real difference.

In this article we explore their career journeys and what led them to a role in Medical Affairs, what drives them, and how their roles at iNova is helping to improve lives around the world.

Different pathways, shared impact

Each leader’s path into Medical Affairs is distinct, while at the same time grounded in a deep connection to science and patient care.

“My career began as a pharmacist, which gave me a strong foundation in patient care and a deep appreciation for the real-world impact of medicines,” says Anna. “I was drawn to Medical Affairs because it extends the impact you can have beyond individual patients to entire populations.”

For Chelit, her journey started in clinical medicine and academia, “I was a full-time clinician as an endocrinologist, and an academician leveraging on my Masters in Health Science Education to educate medical students and trainees,” she explains. “The same educational drive and scientific opportunity to improve patient outcomes continue to drive me to this day.”

Praenisha built her career across multiple disciplines. “I started my career in Quality Assurance and expanded into Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance and Medical, gaining a full view of the product lifecycle,” she says, experiences that ultimately guided her into leadership.

And for Maged, the move into Medical Affairs marked a pivotal return to his roots. “Being a physician I have a high affinity for the art of medicine. I started in the industry as a sales representative, however I knew that my career would lead me back to Medical Affairs. Today, my role puts me at the epicentre of science, research and education – and that’s what continues to motivates me.”

Making complex science accessible

“What I enjoy most is taking something complex and making it accessible. Whether it’s unpacking clinical data, developing training, or supporting teams through challenging projects, there’s a real sense of satisfaction in helping others. The variety in the role keeps things exciting, but it’s the ability to bridge science and practical application that makes it meaningful,” says Anna.

Maged adds that during his career, Medical Affairs has transformed from being a gate-keeper of data and science, into a highly educational role, “Today, we operate in a fast-paced environment where everyone has access to an overwhelming volume of information. In my role, I help translate complex scientific messages into factual, easy-to-understand insights that support healthcare professionals and patients to make informed decisions  – and ultimately contribute to better health outcomes.”

Translating science into meaningful outcomes

Across regions and roles, Medical Affairs at iNova serves as the critical bridge between science and real-world healthcare.

“I was initially drawn to Medical Affairs because it sits at the intersection of science and real-world impact,” says Praenisha.

“Knowing that our work ultimately contributes to better patient outcomes is incredibly rewarding.”

For Anna, impact comes down to enabling better decisions. “As a pharmacist, I never lose sight of the fact that behind every decision is a patient. Knowing that my work helps support better-informed choices makes it deeply meaningful on both a professional and personal level.”

 Chelit highlights the role of collaboration, “We implement educational programs and establish valued partnerships with leading and respected healthcare experts and medical societies with a shared commitment to build capabilities and improve patient outcomes.”

A culture that empowers science and thrives on collaboration

 “Working at iNova has been a uniquely rewarding experience because of its agility, collaborative culture, and strong focus on innovation,” says Anna.

“What sets iNova apart is the level of cross-functional collaboration. Medical Affairs is not just a support function – it is truly embedded as a strategic partner.”

“This creates an environment where scientific input is not only highly valued but also meaningfully influences health outcomes. There’s a real sense of ownership and impact.”

Agreeing with that sentiment, Chelit reflects, ‘iNova has a strong spirit of collaboration and innovation which enables personal and professional growth and capability-building.”

“It’s an environment that encourages ownership, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration,” adds Praenisha.

For Maged, iNova is a place that is hard to define with words, as it is more a feeling, sharing “Whether you are a global leader, or an intern starting out your career, iNova offers a healthy working environment that is highly supportive and a safe place to work – the unique culture I experience every day is one of my main motivators to work.”

Bringing science to life

Together, these leaders embody what Medical Affairs at iNova stands for: turning science into meaningful outcomes for patients every day.

As Praenisha so wonderfully sums it up: “Science is at the heart of everything we do – and our efforts translate into real-world impact.”

For those considering a career in Medical Affairs, Anna has this advice to share, “For anyone considering a career in Medical Affairs, my advice would be to build a strong scientific and ethical foundation but also develop your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.

“Success in this field isn’t just about knowing the data – it’s about interpreting it, challenging it when needed, and translating it for different audiences while maintaining credibility. Stay curious, be comfortable with complexity, and seek opportunities that expose you to cross-functional work, as that’s where you’ll truly understand the impact that a role in Medical Affairs can have.”

Are you interested in reaching your full potential? Visit our careers page and discover the iNova difference – learn more about how real people, with real purpose make real impact every single day: www.inovapharma.com/careers