Tim Nielsen, PhD
Scientist | Medical Affairs
Immunology | Oncology | Biologics & Biosimilars
Melbourne, Australia
I’m a scientist and senior Medical Affairs professional with 12 years’ industry experience, with special Immunology expertise and Oncology experience in haematology and solid cancers. I also work as an independent advisor to global pharma and investment companies on Medical Affairs operations, and more generally on scientific matters related to my areas of expertise, including biochemistry, immunology, and biologic and biosimilar medicines.
I have developed and delivered national Medical Affairs strategy, evidence generation programs, and strategic KOL engagement and development plans aligned cross-functionally and to overarching business strategy. I have a strong track record of building deeply loyal KOL relationships (many > 10 years) and developing field medical (MSL) capabilities. Most recently, I built and led Celltrion ANZ’s Medical Affairs function around the flagship product REMSIMA SC (subcutaneous infliximab) and three biosimilars in the Immunology and Oncology portfolios. Core strengths include strategic framing, clarity of communication, accountability, and the ability to translate complex science and biotechnology into clear, practical medical strategy.
Current positions
- Independent Scientific and Medical Affairs Consultant
March 2025 – Present (Melbourne)
Independent advisor on scientific matters related to my areas of expertise and to pharma companies on their Medical Affairs operations. Projects have included:
- testing and optimising AI software reasoning in specialised scientific areas
- developing a module to help Medical staff better articulate and convey the value of their work
- Medical Manager – Celltrion Healthcare Co, Ltd
October 2021 – February 2025 (Melbourne)
Reporting directly to the ANZ Country Manager and with a dotted line to Global Medical Affairs in Korea, I established Celltrion’s ANZ Medical Affairs operations, focusing on the launch of Remsima SC (subcutaneous infliximab) and YUFLYMA (biosimilar adalimumab) in the gastroenterology and rheumatology spaces.
- Senior Medical Science Liaison, Immunology (IBD), VIC/SA/WA – The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
July 2018 – July 2021 (Melbourne)
Medical affairs work to support a number of Inflammatory Bowel Disease treatments that spanned the product lifecycle from pipeline to legacy, including Stelara, Simponi, Tremfya and Remicade.
- National Medical Science Liaison, Immunology Biosimilars – MSD Australia & New Zealand
June 2016 – June 2018 (Melbourne)
MSL work in the rheumatology, dermatology and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) therapeutic areas during the launch of MSD’s anti-TNF biosimilars (etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab).
- Medical Liaison – Healthy Sleep Solutions (a subsidiary of Air Liquide Healthcare)
January 2014 – June 2016 (Adelaide)
Healthy Sleep Solutions is Australia’s largest provider of home-based testing and treatment for sleep apnoea. In this role, I promoted the service to doctors, including GPs, cardiologists, endocrinologists, ENT surgeons, anaesthetists, bariatric surgeons and general physicians.
- Proprietor and Director, Nielsen Import Consulting – Adelaide (2013-2014)
- Proprietor and Director, Brazcom Imports Pty Ltd – Adelaide (2008-2013)
- Scientist, Lysosomal Diseases Research Unit (LDRU), Women’s and Children’s Hospital – Adelaide (2003-2009; PhD student 2005-2008)
- Research Assistant, Liver Group, Royal Free & University College Medical School – London (2001-2003)
- Research Assistant, Lung Laboratory, Department of Human Physiology, Flinders University Medical School – Adelaide (1999-2000)
PhD (Biochemistry, Cell Biology) – University of Adelaide (2009)
BSc (Hons) (Human Physiology) – Flinders University (2000)
- Popular media
The MSL Nov 6, 2023 (sole author)
A Modern Manager’s Guide to MSL Onboarding and Development. Part One: New MSL Management The MSL Nov 30, 2022 (sole author)
Switching between competing companies: an MSL survival guide The MSL Oct 19, 2021 (Sole author)
More alternative career options for scientists Australasian Science December 2016 (Sole author)
Got a PhD in science? Now what? ABC Science March 4, 2015 (Sole author)
Six ways to improve young scientists’ career prospects ABC Science February 26, 2014 (Sole author)
Hanging up their labcoats: Australia’s new brain drain ABC Science January 16, 2014 (Sole author)
- Scientific
Intrathecal recombinant human 4-sulfatase reduces accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in dura of mucopolysaccharidosis VI cats. Pediatr Res. 2012 Jan;71(1):39-45 [PubMed] (Contributing author)
Determination of urinary oligosaccharides by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry: Application to Hunter syndrome. Anal Biochem. 2010 Jul 15;402(2):113-20 [PubMed] (First author)
Repeated intrathecal injections of recombinant human 4-sulphatase remove dural storage in mature mucopolysaccharidosis VI cats primed with a short-course tolerisation regimen. Mol Genet Metab. 2010 Feb;99(2):132-41 [PubMed] (Contributing author)
Minimum substrate requirements of endoglycosidase activities toward dermatan sulfate by electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Glycobiology. 2008 Dec;18(12):1119-28 [PubMed] (First author)