GSK fired its former research chief Moncef Slaoui, who became the U.S. national vaccine chief under Donald Trump, after an independent investigation found that he sexually harassed one of its employees.
GSK said it ended Slaoui’s role at Galvani Bioelectronics, a majority-owned joint venture of GSK, with immediate effect. Until January, Slaoui led the US vaccine program, Operation Warp Speed.
His resignation came after an investigation by Morgan Lewis, a Washington-based law firm that received a mandate in February after GSK managers received a letter containing allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct against an employee by Slaoui. The misconduct would have occurred several years ago. “The investigation of Dr. Slaoui’s conduct substantiated the allegations and is ongoing,” said the company.
The scientist, who was head of research at GSK for many years and also chaired the vaccines department until 2017, gave his name to the Slaoui Center for Vaccines Research in Rockville, Maryland. GSK said it would change the name of the facility and that it was also reviewing Slaoui’s stock options, which reportedly were worth £ 10 million last year.
Emma Walmsley, GSK’s chief executive since April 2017, wrote in a letter to employees that she was “shocked and angry” but also “determined”.
“Protecting the woman who came forward and her privacy has been a critical priority all along,” she wrote. “This will continue. I respect and admire your courage and strength. Lately, I have spent many nights putting myself in her shoes. More than anything, it simply shouldn’t have happened. “
“I want to make it clear that sexual harassment is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated,” she added. “Abuse of a leadership position, in any case, will not be tolerated.” She said she would speak in person to many employees in the coming weeks.
The investigation was conducted by Grace Speights, a partner at Morgan Lewis and head of the firm’s work and employment practice group, which is known for its work in litigation and investigations within organizations after the #MeToo movement.
Slaoui, 61, of Moroccan origin, joined GSK as a scientist in drug discovery in 1988. He was a board member of GSK for 11 years, until 2017, when he was appointed president of Galvani.
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In February, after leaving Operation Warp Speed, he joined US biotechnology company Centessa Pharmaceuticals, which was created out of 10 startups, to lead his research division.
In a statement, GSK said: “Dr. Slaoui’s behavior is totally unacceptable. They represent an abuse of their leadership position, violate company policies and are contrary to the strong values that define the GSK culture. The company expects everyone at GSK to behave according to their values, especially their leaders, where their standards are the highest. “
Slaoui was contacted for comment.