In the age of AI, the creative power of human brainstorming and collaboration is more vital than ever
We bring together pharmaceutical and biotech industry leaders and world-class life sciences experts to solve complex problems, drive innovation, and provide insights that technology alone cannot deliver
What is an advisory board?
An advisory board is a group of external experts (clinical Key Opinion Leaders, researchers, regulatory experts, payers and budget holders, health economists, patient advocates, and others) convened by life sciences companies to provide scientific, regulatory and market insights and strategic guidance on various aspects of drug development.
Advisory boards can be engaged on a long-term basis as standing committees that provide ongoing non-binding strategic advice, but most of the advisory boards we organise are ad hoc virtual or in-person 1- or 2-day meetings with a panel of highly qualified experts that focus on addressing a specific issue.
Advantages of ad hoc advisory boards
Facilitates stronger personal connections and networking
Challenges in replicating in-person interactions and building rapport
Substantially higher logistical costs (travel, venue, etc.)
Cost-effective with the flexibility of last-minute changes
Requires a higher time commitment from participants
Convenient for time-constrained global participants
In-person
VS
Virtual
Advisory boards vs other types of research
Depth of expertise
Advisory boards consist of carefully selected experts who provide in-depth insights in a long-form virtual or in-person discussion format that is difficult to obtain through surveys or focus groups
Qualitative & contextual data
Advisory boards provide rich, contextual insights that delve into the 'why' behind the data. These qualitative insights can greatly enhance other qualitative and quantitative types of research
Interactive & iterative discussion
Advisory boards are dynamic and collaborative, allowing for real-time brainstorming and clarification, unlike static primary research like surveys and interviews, which may miss important nuances
Stakeholder relationship-building
Advisory boards strengthen the relationships with key stakeholders, which is crucial for credibility and support in the healthcare ecosystem
Our process
1
STRATEGIC FOCUS
Sample two-day virtual advisory board agenda (simplified)
Clients come to us with broad objectives, such as understanding the perceived value of their pivotal trial data or validating a cost-effectiveness modelling approach. Our role is to transform these broad goals into a sharply focused advisory board discussion with clearly defined outcomes.
We help our clients refine their objectives by first zooming out to view the broader strategic picture, then zooming in to meticulously address every detail. This approach ensures all aspects of the problem are thoroughly explored and effectively addressed.
Our end-to-end in-house service includes:
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Preparation of a tailored advisory board agenda
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Development of comprehensive discussion guides, pre-reading and webinar materials for experts
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Design of all advisory board presentation content
By aligning every element with your strategic objectives, we ensure that your advisory board meetings are purposeful, efficient, and deliver actionable insights.
2
DIVERSE & QUALIFIED EXPERTS
The quality of an advisory board is determined by the calibre of its participants. With an extensive global network of subject matter experts and clinical KOLs across therapeutic areas, we connect you with professionals who bring unparalleled insights and experience. Our trusted network is the result of years of collaboration.
In addition to our own and our clients' established relationships, we leverage emerging AI technologies to identify the most relevant and rising talent worldwide. AI-powered tools allow us to:
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Analyse public research databases to identify authors and contributors shaping their fields
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Explore professional networks and online profiles to locate key influencers in specialised domains
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Monitor online discussions and communities to discover thought leaders and innovators
Our end-to-end in-house service includes:
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Identifying and recruiting the most relevant experts through our extensive network and advanced AI tools
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Managing all interactions with experts, including invitations, scheduling, and contracting
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Ensuring all experts are fully prepared with pre-read materials and an optional pre-ad board webinar
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Handling expert reimbursements and post-meeting communications
Experts
in our personal network
AI-
powered expert search
Cardiologists
Clinical Geneticists
Endocrinologists
Ex-Payers
Gastroenterologists
Health Economists
HTA experts
Immunologists
Modelling experts
Neurologists
Nephrologists
Oncologists
Ophthalmologists
Psychiatrists
Rare disease specialists
Rheumatologists
Statisticians
Virologists ... and more
3
EFFECTIVE FACILIATION
Exceptional facilitation is the cornerstone of every successful advisory board. With extensive experience across most therapeutic areas and stages of drug development — from early clinical development to product launch — we bring unparalleled expertise to guiding discussions that deliver impactful outcomes.
Effective facilitation requires more than just managing time and flow; it demands a deep understanding of the therapeutic area and discussion topic. This expertise allows us to probe, challenge, and guide experts in uncovering key insights and addressing complex questions.
We ensure every voice is heard by fostering balanced participation, creating an environment where all contributors feel valued and engaged.
Whether the focus is on clinical trial design, market access, or medical affairs priorities, Aelon’s facilitation ensures discussions are productive, insightful, and aligned with your strategic goals. By expertly managing the process, we help you get the most out of your advisory board sessions, every time.
SET THE STAGE
FOSTER ENGAGEMENT
PROBE FOR INSIGHTS
GUIDE DISCUSSIONS
SYNTHESISE IN REAL TIME
4
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
At Aelon, we understand the importance of adhering to both mandatory regulations and voluntary codes of practice in the pharmaceutical industry. Whether it’s compliance with the Sunshine Act in the US, the EFPIA Code in Europe, or global privacy laws like GDPR, we ensure that all advisory board activities meet the required standards of transparency and integrity.
Our commitment to compliance includes managing all necessary documentation, such as detailed records of payments to advisory board participants, and assisting clients with necessary reporting requirements.
We tailor our approach to meet your organization’s specific regulatory obligations and voluntary commitments, ensuring every detail is handled with precision.
Whatever regulations your organization must follow — or chooses to adopt — Aelon’s experienced team takes care of the complexities of compliance so you can focus on the insights and strategic outcomes that matter most.
5
ACTIONABLE OUTCOMES
At Aelon, we ensure that the insights gained from your advisory board don’t just stay in the room — they drive meaningful action. We provide comprehensive reports that highlight key insights, identify consensus areas, and outline strategic next steps, all distilled into an executive summary, clear and actionable recommendations, and full details of the advisory board discussions.
To enhance efficiency and accuracy, we leverage enterprise-grade AI technology to assist in compiling comprehensive reports. AI helps analyse discussion transcripts and identify key themes, saving time and ensuring no critical insight is missed. However, the final deliverables are always reviewed, refined, and approved by Aelon’s advisory board facilitators, maintaining the highest standards of quality throughout the process.
Our end-to-end service includes:
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Detailed reporting of advisory board discussions for internal and external (if required) stakeholders
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Close collaboration with clients to refine the findings
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Presentation of findings to stakeholders
Sample report format
