That’s Sir Andrew Witty to you.
The CEO of GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) was knighted on Dec. 31 for “services to the economy and to the UK pharmaceutical industry.” The honor, among other things, comes with the title of “Sir.”
This year’s list isn’t without its controversial figures — it included a dodgy hedge-fund tycoon and political donor. It was interesting to read how the British press positioned Witty and his “Glaxo turnaround” as reason of the honor.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Sir Andrew joined GSK in 1985, becoming chief executive in 2008.
The year 2011 has been difficult for the firm, which has had to pay £1.6 billion to settle litigation over diabetes drug Avandia, banned in Europe because of a suspected link to heart disease.
Hayley Parsons founded Gocompare.comIn the U.S., it has agreed to pay $3 billion (£1.9 billion) to settle all U.S. investigations into the way the company marketed its products.
But the firm has returned to profit and also saw a pickup in sales in the third quarter of the year.
It also says it has tried to improve access to its medications in developing countries.
In June, several major drugs companies, including GSK, announced big cuts to the amounts they charge for their vaccines in the developing world.
Sir Andrew has also been a keen promoter of GSK’s work in developing a possible malaria vaccine.
As of Tuesday, Sir Andrew was still only Andrew Witty on the GSK website.
