From the Lab Bench to Your Next Manuscript — How I Help Pharma, Biotech, and MedComms Teams Deliver Science That Communicates
If you’re looking for medical writing and scientific consultancy backed by real research credentials, you’re in the right place. I’m Marta Falcinelli — a freelance medical writer and scientific consultant based in Milan, with a PhD in Biomolecular Science and over eight years of hands-on research in molecular oncology across Italy and the UK.
I don’t just write about science; I have done science. I have designed experiments, secured international grants, collaborated across borders, and published peer-reviewed research on cancer immunology and genomic instability. This background shapes every deliverable I produce: manuscripts, congress materials, advisory board content. When I write, the data speaks — clearly, accurately, and with the right level of depth for your audience.
I work with pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, CROs, and medical communications agencies on both project-based engagements and long-term collaborations.
Why a Scientist-Writer Makes the Difference
Medical writing is far more than a formatting exercise — taking raw data and putting it into slides, posters, or a manuscript template. In reality, high-quality medical writing demands something more: the ability to critically evaluate the data before shaping it into a compliant narrative.
My scientific training gives me an edge that’s hard to replicate. During my PhD at the University of Brighton, I studied the role of adrenergic stress in ovarian cancer immunology, focusing on PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors and immune regulation within the tumour microenvironment. Later, as a postdoctoral researcher at IFOM ETS — The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology in Milan — I worked on an AIRC-funded colorectal cancer project alongside one of Italy’s leading precision oncology groups.
This isn’t just a CV detail. It means I understand tumour biology from the inside — the mechanisms, the clinical implications, the evolving landscape of precision medicine. When I write about checkpoint inhibitors, BRCA mutations, or genomic-based treatment stratification, I’m drawing on direct laboratory and translational research experience.
It also means I know how peer review works, how to structure a manuscript that reviewers will respect, and how to handle the tension between scientific nuance and editorial clarity.
After years of research between the UK and Italy, I made a conscious choice. Realizing that my passion for science was not completely fulfilled by the traditional academic path, I recognized a personal drive for a more dynamic and rewarding professional environment. Rather than wait, I chose to bring my scientific expertise where it could have the most immediate and tangible impact: into the medical communications industry, where rigorous science meets real-world decision-making every day.
To make that transition deliberate rather than improvised, I completed a Master in Pharmaceutical Management at ISTUM — a programme designed to bridge the distance between academic science and the business lifecycle of pharmaceutical products. It gave me a structured understanding of how drugs move from development through regulatory approval and market access, and how strategy shapes the way science is communicated at every stage. It’s the kind of perspective that most medical writers build slowly over years of client work; I chose to invest in it upfront.
It’s a move I’d make again. Working as a freelance medical writer and scientific consultant gives me the chance to apply everything I learned in the lab — critical thinking, data interpretation, scientific storytelling — to projects that directly shape how therapies are understood, communicated, and adopted.
Scientific & Medical Writing
Clear, evidence-based content shaped for the audience that matters — whether that’s the scientific community, HCPs, internal or external stakeholders.
Manuscripts and Peer-Reviewed Publications
From first draft to final submission, I support the entire publication lifecycle. I work closely with principal investigators and medical affairs teams to translate clinical and preclinical findings into rigorous, journal-ready manuscripts. My own publication track record — including peer-reviewed papers in oncology, immunology, and genomic research — means I understand what editors and reviewers expect in terms of structure, ICMJE guidelines, data presentation, and argumentation.
Congress Materials
International congresses are where science meets visibility. I develop abstracts, posters, oral presentation slide decks, and supporting materials designed to make an impact within the constraints of tight submission timelines and strict formatting guidelines. I’ve worked across major therapeutic congresses such as ESMO and know how to distill complex datasets into focused, compelling narratives.
Clinical and Preclinical Data Narratives
Not all scientific content is destined for a journal. I help teams build clear data narratives for internal decision-making, investor communications, advisory boards, and patient engagement. I translate the numbers into comprehensive insights.
Medical Education Content
From training modules and e-learning programmes to slide kits and educational monographs, I create content designed to inform HCPs and internal teams (both medical and sales field force). Every piece is grounded in current evidence and aligned with medical strategy and the latest treatment guidelines.
Scientific Consulting
Strategic support that connects clinical evidence with business objectives — helping medical and commercial teams make confident, science-informed decisions.
Advisory Support for Medical Affairs and Commercial Teams
I partner with HCPs, medical and commercial teams, no-profit foundations, and brand teams to provide therapeutic area expertise where it’s needed. This includes preparing scientific platforms, landscape analysis, reviewing medical strategies, and supporting field-based medical teams with up-to-date evidence summaries.
My consulting work spans oncology, haematology, and genomic-based precision medicine — three areas where the pace of evidence generation demands continuous engagement and rapid interpretation.
Publication Planning and Congress Strategy
A strong publication plan is the backbone of any medical affairs strategy. I help teams map the evidence landscape, identify publication opportunities, prioritise target journals and congresses, and sequence outputs to support commercial milestones. I approach planning with the same rigour I bring to the manuscripts themselves — driven by data, not just timelines.
Cross-Functional Project Coordination
Scientific projects and medical communication materials rarely stay inside one department. I’m experienced in working with diverse teams such as medical affairs, market access, marketing, and regulatory to ensure alignment on objectives, key messages, and evidence standards. My training in Pharmaceutical Management — with a focus on Medical Affairs — means I understand the organisational dynamics, not just the science.
Editorial & Compliance Support
Meticulous review ensuring every deliverable meets high standards of accuracy, consistency, and regulatory alignment.
Editing, Proofreading, and Quality Control
Scientific content demands precision at every level — from the consistency of a data table to the accuracy of a mechanism description. I provide deep editorial review that goes beyond surface grammar to assess scientific validity, logical flow, and audience appropriateness.
Regulatory and Compliance Review
I review materials for alignment with applicable codes and guidelines, including EFPIA standards. Every piece of content I produce or review is designed to be compliance-ready, reducing review cycles and accelerating time to approval.
Literature Research and Evidence Synthesis
When a project needs a solid evidence base, I conduct targeted literature searches, synthesise findings, and deliver structured summaries that inform strategy. Whether it’s a competitive landscape analysis, a systematic literature review support, or a background document for an advisory board, I provide the scientific foundation your team needs.
Promotional Material Review
Promotional content must be scientifically substantiated without overstating or misinterpreting the evidence. I review promotional materials — digital and print — ensuring claims are properly referenced, balanced, and aligned with the approved label and applicable regulatory standards.
Therapeutic Focus
My core expertise lies in three interconnected therapeutic areas where I bring both research depth and current market knowledge:
Oncology & Immuno-Oncology: From solid tumors to the latest breakthroughs in immunotherapy, my expertise spans the full spectrum of treatment modalities. I provide a sophisticated understanding of chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and complex combination approaches, ensuring that scientific narratives are as rigorous as the data they represent.
Haematology & Rare diseases: Comprehensive expertise across the haematological landscape, covering both malignant conditions and rare genetic disorders. This includes a deep understanding of diverse therapeutic approaches—from recombinant factor therapies and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to replacement therapies and the complexities of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Precision Medicine & Advanced Therapies — Navigating the frontier of biomarker-driven treatment stratification. This includes expertise in genomic diagnostic tools, cell and gene therapies (CGT), and the evolving landscape of gene-editing technologies.
How I Work
I believe the best scientific content comes from genuine collaboration. Every project starts with a clear brief, an agreed timeline, and a shared understanding of the target audience and strategic objectives.
I’m rigorous, reliable, and known for delivering on deadline. Colleagues and clients describe me as calm, detail-oriented, and easy to work with — qualities I consider just as important as scientific expertise.
I’m fully bilingual in Italian and English, and I work comfortably across both languages for every type of deliverable. Whether your team is based in Milan or London, your content will meet the same standard of clarity and precision.
Let’s Work Together
Whether you need a freelance medical writer for a manuscript, a scientific consultant to support your medical affairs strategy, or an expert reviewer for your next congress submission — I’m here to help.
I work with pharma, biotech, CROs, and medical communications agencies on both project-based and ongoing collaborations. Tell me about your project and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours with a tailored proposal.