The NISN network comprises a global group of academic and government scientists whose interests focus on resistance patterns of influenza viruses to the licensed antiviral drugs, zanamivir and oseltamivir.

Membership includes representatives of each of the four WHO global influenza reference laboratories and scientists from the regions of the world where increasing use of these drugs is anticipated.

NISN is supported by unrestricted funds from the two manufacturers of the neuraminidase inhibitors, GlaxoSmithKline and Roche. Company representatives are invited to attend open sessions of NISN meetings as observers but are not present when there might be a conflict of interest and do not participate in development of manuscripts for publication or position papers.

The deliberations and actions of the network itself are intended to be independent of any company and the core working group of the Network is composed of scientists drawn from either academic or public health sectors