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Meet the Medical Affairs Team

Welcome to the Medical Affairs team at Bial.Here you’ll meet the dedicated experts who bring scientific excellence, clinical insight, and patient‑focused thinking to everything we do. We work collaboratively to bridge cutting‑edge science with real‑world clinical practice, ensuring that Healthcare Professionals, Patients, and Partners receive accurate, balanced, and meaningful medical support.Together, this team plays a critical role in identifying and addressing gaps within the healthcare ecosystem, informing the appropriate and rational use of our therapies, and strengthening scientific exchange to support the broader scientific community. Get to know the people behind the science—our team is excited to share who we are and what we stand for.

Lara Akindele

  • Medical Affairs Advisor, Medical Affairs UK

    I am a pharmacist dedicated to improving patient outcomes through scientific excellence, education, and ethical practice. I began my career in the pharmaceutical industry within haematology, supporting innovative therapies - including CAR T cell therapy - and contributing to the delivery of complex, cutting edge treatments in a highly specialised field.

    Since September 2024, I have focused on Parkinson’s disease, supporting medical education initiatives that strengthen healthcare professional knowledge and help optimise patient care. I am particularly passionate about contributing to real world evidence generation to deepen clinical understanding and drive meaningful improvements in treatment pathways.

    As a Final Signatory under the ABPI Code of Practice, I play a key role in ensuring scientific accuracy, compliance, and ethical governance across company materials and activities.

    I am committed to collaboration and continuous improvement, so please feel free to reach out about opportunities to enhance patient outcomes.    Contact: lara.akindele@bial.com

Mario Ippolito

  • Director, Medical Affairs

    I am a pharmacist with a PhD, specialising in Medical Affairs within the pharmaceutical industry. I currently serve as Country Medical Director for the UK and Ireland at Bial, where I lead medical strategy and scientific engagement to support the development and responsible use of innovative medicines that improve the lives of people living with neurological and rare conditions.

    My work focuses on building high-performing Medical Affairs teams, strengthening partnerships with healthcare professionals, and ensuring our activities meet the highest standards of scientific integrity and compliance. With experience across multiple therapeutic areas, I am passionate about translating clinical evidence into meaningful improvements in care and outcomes for patients.    Contact: mario.ippolito@bial.com

Amman Kalyan

  • Medical Affairs Advisor, Medical Affairs UK

    I joined Bial as a Medical Advisor, bringing three years of experience across the pharmaceutical industry, including roles in pharmacovigilance, medical information, regulatory affairs, and medical affairs. I also serve as a Final Medical Signatory under the ABPI Code of Practice, ensuring accuracy, balance, and compliance are central to all materials and activities I support.

    Before entering the pharmaceutical industry, I began my career as a clinical hospital pharmacist, gaining frontline experience in COVID‑19 care, neurological rehabilitation, surgical wards, and oncology. My time working directly with patients in the NHS, combined with my industry experience, continues to drive my commitment to improving patient outcomes in meaningful and measurable ways.

    I am passionate about ensuring Healthcare Professionals have access to clear, up‑to‑date, and scientifically robust information—supporting the effective, and evidence‑based use of medicines.
    Contact: amman.kalyan@bial.com

Megan Taylor

  • Medical Science Liaison North of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland

    I am a Medical Science Liaison at Bial UK, covering the North of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. I transitioned into the Pharmaceutical Industry after completing my PhD in Drug Discovery and Development for neurodegenerative diseases, where my research focused on advancing therapeutic strategies for complex and progressive neurological conditions.

    My career has spanned multiple stages of the medicine development pathway. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, I worked as a biotechnologist contributing to vaccine manufacture, supporting large‑scale production during a critical global health moment. Before this, I gained experience in quality assurance within the medical devices sector, building a strong foundation in regulatory compliance and quality systems.

    I have also worked as a drug discovery target specialist, developing expertise in translating early scientific concepts into clinically meaningful outcomes. In addition, I supported real‑world evidence generation through study design and insights capture. This breadth of experience enables me to engage in scientific exchange with a holistic understanding of discovery, development, evidence generation, and patient impact.

    In my role as an MSL, I am passionate about advancing knowledge in Parkinson’s disease, fostering collaborative partnerships with healthcare professionals, and contributing to meaningful improvements in patient care within neuroscience.    Contact: megan.taylor@bial.com

WEB-NPD-UNB-GB-26-0001

13 MARCH 2026