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GSK obtains injunction to protect shareholders against animal extremists

GlaxoSmithKline plc today announced that it has obtained an injunction against extremists responsible for sending letters to GSK private shareholders demanding that they sell the shares they hold in the company.

The letters, which were sent earlier this week, are designed to target GSK’s continued use of Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS), and are threatening and intimidatory. GSK has condemned the activities of this group and is greatly concerned that its shareholders have been targeted in this way.

The Company is determined to make every effort to protect its shareholders and this injunction supports those efforts being made by the Police, who are taking this matter very seriously, and are conducting a criminal investigation into these matters.

The injunction, which was issued by the High Court in London, prohibits anyone acting, in connection with the letter sent out on 1^st May, from engaging in further harassment against GSK shareholders, including publicising their details on a website. Any person found in breach of the injunction could face prosecution for contempt of court which is an imprisonable offence.

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. GSK supports legitimate animal welfare concerns, and the law abiding organisations that represent them. GSK deplores the long-term campaign of violence, intimidation and harassment which has been run against people associated with HLS and will continue to work with HLS as long as they continue to meet their current high standards of animal welfare and Home Office requirements.