Moncef Slaoui, the former chief science adviser to the US Operation Warp Speed, has been fired as chair of the board of a biotech startup following allegations of sexual harassment, the Wall Street Journal reports.
The investigation into sexual harassment was launched following a letter sent last month to GlaxoSmithKline, according to the Washington Post. Slaoui previously held a number of roles at GSK, Reuters adds, and the company's internal investigation found that he sexually harassed another employee there a number of years ago. GSK has now dismissed him from his position at Galvani Bioelectronics, a bioelectronic medicine-focused firm backed by both GSK and Alphabet's Verily subsidiary, it adds.
"Dr. Slaoui's behaviors 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," GSK says in a statement. The company is also removing Slaoui's name from one of its research and development buildings, according to the Post.
Slaoui has apologized in a statement and further says he is taking a leave of absence from his professional obligations, the Journal reports. Slaoui stepped down from his Operation Warp Speed post with the change in administrations.