Dr. Tachi Yamada to Retire; Dr. Moncef Slaoui Appointed Successor as Chairman of GlaxoSmithKline R&D

PHILADELPHIA and LONDON, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GlaxoSmithKline plc announces that Dr. Tadataka (Tachi) Yamada, 60, Chairman, Research & Development and Executive Director, will retire on June 1st, 2006 to take up the role of Executive Director, Global Health Program, for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. From that date, Dr. Moncef Slaoui, 46, currently GSK's Senior Vice President, Worldwide Business Development and External Alliances in R&D, will become Chairman, Research & Development, reporting to Dr. Jean-Pierre Garnier, Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Slaoui will join GSK's Board of Directors on May 17th, 2006 and be put forward for election as a Director at the company's AGM on that day.

Commenting on these changes, Dr. Garnier said: "Tachi has been a principal architect behind the transformation and dramatic improvement in GSK's R&D productivity, and he leaves GSK in a position of strength. We now have an impressive pipeline of innovative medicines that will benefit patients around the world and provide a strong platform for GSK's future prosperity.

"With his enormous experience and empathy for patients, Tachi will bring inspirational leadership to the Gates Foundation in its global quest for better healthcare. The Gates Foundation is a pivotal partner with GSK, and we look forward to continuing a strong relationship with Tachi in his new role.

"Moncef is a highly regarded scientist in industry and academia, and he has played a key role in the development of GSK's strong pipeline of vaccines and pharmaceutical medicines during his 17 years with the company. His expertise in new product development will enable him to lead GSK's R&D organization into a new era, as it delivers its exciting new pipeline."

Dr. Yamada said: "I am proud to have been part of GSK, a business that makes a real difference to millions of patients all over the world. Our R&D organization is in excellent shape and I am confident that under Moncef's leadership, GSK will continue to deliver many innovative medicines of significant value to patients."

Investor Inquiries: Frank Murdolo, +1-215-751-7002 or Tom Curry, +1-215-751-5419; or European Analyst/Investor Inquiries: Duncan Learmouth, 80475540, Anita Kidgell, (020) 8047 5542 or Jen Hill, (020) 8047 5543, all ofGlaxoSmithKlineFirst Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: rose.f.mcelhatton@gsk.com (GSK)