When Oxford University was searching for a partner for its vaccine, there was seemingly one natural choice: GlaxoSmithKline.
The £70.7bn drug maker was the world leader in vaccines and, importantly for the Government, it was British.
But, when Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government’s chief scientific adviser, made the call to his former colleague and GSK boss, Dame Emma Walmsley, he was turned down.
Now, more than a year later, Dame Emma may be regretting that decision.
Her refusal helped GSK avoid the attacks
that were levelled at Oxford partner AstraZeneca, but employees within the company feel she was caught flat-footed.
“You don’t need to be a scientist, but you have to understand the industry and make those tough decisions,” says one insider. And in this case, they say, the decision was wrong.
The company’s failure to create a Covid vaccine has now become a symbol of what are believed to be bigger issues with Dame Emma’s leadership.