Moncef Slaoui, who was chief scientist for the U.S. federal government’s Covid vaccine development effort Operation Warp Speed during the Trump administration, was fired as chairman of the board of Galvani Bioelectronics over “substantiated” sexual harassment allegations, it was announced Wednesday.
Slaoui ‘s termination by the board of Galvani‘s majority shareholder GlaxoSmithKline came after receipt of a letter “containing allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct towards an employee of GSK by Dr. Slaoui, which occurred several years ago when he was an employee of GSK,” according to GSK.
“Upon receipt of the letter, the GSK Board immediately initiated an investigation with an experienced law firm to investigate the allegations,” the statement by GSK said.
“The investigation of Dr. Slaoui’s conduct substantiated the allegations and is ongoing.”
GSK said in its statement: “Dr. Slaoui’s behaviours are wholly unacceptable.”
“They represent an abuse of his leadership position, violate company policies, and are contrary to the strong values that define GSK’s culture,” the statement said.
“The company expects everyone at GSK to behave in accordance with its values, especially its leaders where its standards are the highest. Sexual harassment and any abuse of leadership position are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.”
Slaoui has been advising the European Union on its coronavirus vaccine rollout.
Christopher Corsico, senior vice president of development at GSK and a current member of Galvani’s board, was appointed as the new chairman of Galvani.
GSK also said that Amy Altshul, its senior vice president of legal, R&D and global commercial franchises, was appointed to the Galvani board.
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