Biotech inquiry

Biotech inquiry

BRITISH BIOTECH is to face an inquiry by members of parliament on 8 July, a member of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee said yesterday.

MP Ian Gibson said the committee had written to British Biotech's chief executive, Keith McCullagh, and sacked head of clinical trials, Andrew Millar, asking them to attend on that date. A follow-up hearing is likely to be held on 15 July.

Mr Gibson said the committee was particularly concerned over allegations that senior executives had sold shares just ahead of the abandonment of former lead cancer drug Batimastat.

It also wants to investigate allegations that British Biotech misled shareholders through over-optimistic statements on other drugs.