GSK Accuses Ex-Warp Speed Chief of Improper Behavior
Glaxo SmithKline (GSK) said it is investigating the conduct of its former executive Moncef Slaoui, who until recently co-lead the US government’s Operation Warp Speed vaccine program. Following allegations from an employee of sexual harassment that took place several years ago, GSK said Slaoui has also been terminated as chairman of the board of Galvani Bioelectronics, its majority owned joint venture with Google’s Verily Life Sciences
CEO Emma Walmsley said the investigation into the sexual harassment charge so far has “substantiated the allegations.” She added that GSK will rename its Slaoui Center for Vaccines Research in Rockville in the US state of Maryland. In an email to employees, Walmsley said, “we are in an age of progress with a female CEO, growing ranks of female leaders, new commitments to diverse representation, and a culture that values speaking up.”
Slaoui’s career at the UK’s largest pharmaceutical producer spanned nearly 30 years and included stints as head of its vaccines division and vaccines chair. After leaving the company in 2017, he worked in biopharma venture capital and joined the board of mRNA vaccine developer Moderna. Last year he was named by US president Donald Trump to co-lead the newly created organization as scientific advisor.
At Warp Speed, where he drew a token salary of $1 per year, the Morocco native who studied and built his career in Belgium was tasked with evaluating potential vaccines and helping to decide which would get federal funding and advance purchase orders. He stepped down in January this year at the request of newly elected president Joe Biden and subsequently joined Centessa Pharmaceuticals as chief scientific officer.
Slaoui’s position at Moderna and his shareholding in the company as well as other pharma ties came under scrutiny from the US Congress. However, as an independent contractor he was not obligated to disclose investments and could remain a partner in a large venture capital fund, Medicxi. After shedding the Moderna stake for $12.4 million, Slaoui said he would donate the $2.4 million in gains made after the US biotech released positive early data on its vaccine.
Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist
