GSK commences succession plan for management of vaccines business

London UK, LSE announcement - GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) today announced management changes related to its Vaccines business as part of a planned succession strategy.

With immediate effect Jean Stephenne is appointed Chairman, GSK Biologicals. Mr Stephenne will assume this role in addition to his existing position as President, GSK Biologicals.

Over the next two years, operational responsibility for Biologicals will transition to Dr Moncef Slaoui. These new responsibilities will be in addition to those he currently holds as Chairman of Research & Development.

Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer, GlaxoSmithKline said: “Succession planning is fundamental to GSK’s long-term success and today’s changes are clear evidence that we are taking proactive steps to maintain excellent leadership in our business.

“Jean has built a world-leading vaccines business and as Chairman will continue to be instrumental in driving forward our public health agenda. Moncef has more than 17 years experience working in the vaccines area and has played a critical role in developing the strong pipeline we have today. These changes will ensure continued strong focus on delivery and development of this pipeline; they also reflect the more holistic approach we are taking to R&D capital investment.”

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
Under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may affect GSK’ s operations are described under ’Risk Factors’ in the ’Business Review’ in the company’ s Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2009.

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.