This press release is intended for business journalists and analysts/investors. Please note that this release may not have been issued in every market in which GSK operates.
GlaxoSmithKline condemns animal extremist letter campaign to shareholders
Issued — Monday 8 May 2006, London, UK
GlaxoSmithKline today condemned a letter campaign initiated by an animal extremist group, demanding that GSK private shareholders sell any shares they hold in the company.
The letter campaign, which is designed to target GSK’s continued use of Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS), is a typical tactic used by extremist groups and is intended to cause fear and intimidation.
GSK has informed the police, who are treating the matter seriously and have started an investigation.
For those shareholders who have received a letter GSK is offering the following advice:
- Shareholders should retain the letter and report it to their local police as soon as possible.
- Shareholders are advised not to respond to the letter.
- Shareholders wishing to protect their privacy can either transfer their shares, free of charge, into the GSK Corporate Nominee Service, details of which are available from the Company’s registrars, Lloyds TSB (0870 600 3991) or, contact their broker to hold their shares in a nominee account.
For ethical, regulatory and scientific reasons, research using animals remains a small but vital part of the research and development of new medicines and vaccines. Animals are only used where no alternative is available and GSK scientists constantly strive to reduce the numbers used. The Company aims to exceed industry standards in the care and welfare of the animals it uses.
GSK supports legitimate animal welfare concerns, and the law abiding organisations that represent them. The recent campaign against Huntingdon Life Sciences is of grave concern to GSK and the Company deplores the long-term campaign of violence, intimidation and harassment which has been run against employees, their families and people associated with HLS.
Since 1998 numerous allegations have been made against Huntingdon Life Sciences. These have all been investigated by the regulators including the UK Home Office, and no action has been taken against HLS.
GSK will continue to work with HLS as long as they continue to meet their current high standards of animal welfare in line with Home Office requirements. GSK conducts regular and detailed monitoring of any studies placed with HLS to help ensure that the standards set in place are maintained.
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