Join us as we chat with Mary Jean Fanelli, a seasoned medical affairs professional who's held roles on both the global and U.S. stage. Her fascinating journey from pediatrician to biotech world is rife with insightful experiences and rich knowledge about the industry worth sharing. In the ever-evolving landscape of biotech, strategic decisions can make or break a company. Mary Jean opens about the critical choice of focusing on prevalent diseases versus rare diseases. She gets real about her hands-on experience working on treatments for cystic fibrosis and talks about how game-changing advancements in the field have transformed fatal conditions into manageable chronic diseases through gene therapies. Looking towards the future, we navigate the shifting dynamics of medical affairs and its interactions. Our conversation takes a deep dive into how commercial and medical affairs might collaborate moving forward and how the roles within might evolve. From discussing the valuable skills needed to transition between roles to how these roles can synergize for rare diseases, Mary Jean provides an eye-opening perspective. So, get set for an engaging listen that charts a captivating medical journey and a peek into the future of medical affairs.