Moncef Slaoui, the former scientific director of Covid-19 vaccine development efforts in Operation Warp Speed, was fired from the board of directors of Galvani, a joint venture between Verily and drug giant GlaxoSmithKline, for sexual harassment allegations, said GSK on Wednesday.
“Since February, the highest levels of our company have been working to understand and resolve what happened,” wrote Emma Walmsley, CEO of GSK, in a note to employees. “Protecting the woman who has come forward and her privacy has been a critical priority over this time. 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. “
In a statement, GSK said it was first informed of the allegations in a letter in February. He initiated an investigation by an outside law firm, Morgan Lewis. The company said the investigation “substantiated the allegations and is ongoing.”
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“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 GSK’s culture, ”said GSK.
The alleged harassment occurred several years ago, when Slaoui was a GSK employee, the company said. Slaoui was not found immediately.
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Slaoui directed research and development and then vaccines at GSK, positions he held from 2006 to 2017. He was appointed chief scientific officer of Operation Warp Speed last May and left office in January, then briefly served as an adviser to the Biden government. Slaoui recently returned to his former venture capitalist role and announced the launch of a new company, Centessa Pharmaceuticals.
“We are in an era of progress with a female CEO, growing ranks of female leaders, new commitments to diverse representations and a culture that values expression,” wrote Walmsley. “I hope that everyone represents GSK with integrity – especially senior leaders.”
“Personally, I am shocked and angry about all of this, but I am determined,” added Walmsley. “I want to make it clear that sexual harassment is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.”
Walmsley added that GSK will change the name of its Slaoui Center for Vaccines Research in Rockville, Maryland.