This year, AAI launched a new Corporate Liaison Board (CLB), which aims to bring together a select group of industry partners who are dedicated and committed to furthering the field of immunology. The CLB brings together thought leaders and stakeholders to discuss ideas and goals for the future of immunology and introduce a culture of consensus around priorities with major public health impact. AAI News & Views spoke to AAI President, Dr. Uli von Andrian, to learn more.
Why did AAI create the Corporate Liaison Board (CLB)? What was the driving motivation?
We recognized that many of the innovations advancing immunology come from collaborations between academia and industry. The Corporate Liaison Board (CLB) gives us a structured way to engage with committed industry partners, not just as sponsors, but as thought partners who share our goal of advancing immunology for the benefit of human health.
What is the CLB, exactly? How does it work?
The CLB is a select consortium of industry thought leaders and stakeholders assembled to discuss ideas and goals for the future of immunology. Each company joining the CLB assigns senior executives as representatives for their organization. This could include members of the company’s management, medical/scientific affairs, patient advocacy/public affairs or business development departments, among others. Together, the CLB serves as a unique opportunity for industry leaders to share their company’s perspectives on topics that range from education, policy and scientific breakthroughs. Members of the CLB will include companies in the research laboratory supplies and instrumentation space, as well as those in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry.
There are two levels of membership—Supporter and Champion—and each comes with opportunities to participate in strategy calls, attend special meetings, and work with our leadership on shared priorities. Importantly, these companies could contribute to discussions that help shape the future of our field.
Some members might worry that this means industry influence over AAI policy or priorities. What would you say to that?
That’s a fair concern, and one we take seriously. AAI’s mission remains unchanged, and we will always be here to serve the needs of our members and the broader scientific community. The CLB is about dialogue and connections that can help academia and industry work more closely together. Our goal is to create a forum where perspectives can be shared, particularly around challenges like research funding, training the next generation, or ensuring researchers have access to the right skills and opportunities to keep the field moving forward.
What’s in it for AAI members? Why should the average researcher care about this?
One benefit is that CLB members will help support initiatives that matter to our community. This could be things like education, advocacy, and research dissemination. But beyond funding, these partnerships can help accelerate translation, facilitate networking, and create new professional opportunities for immunologists at all career stages.
And finally, what’s your hope for this initiative going forward?
We recognize and value the role that industry partners play in supporting the pace of discovery and translation of new findings into better global health. I am truly excited about the potential of the CLB and look forward to seeing how it can elevate AAI’s role in bridging the gap between bench and bedside. I hope it opens more opportunities where smart people from different sectors meet, share, and collaborate. If we do this right, the CLB will help AAI members and the field of immunology remain at the forefront of science and public health.
