Novartis CEO - Vasella calls activist attacks 'terrorism'
10/08/09 20:02
August 10, 2009 —
10:48am ET | By Tracy Staton
Novartis chief Daniel Vasella (photo) says "terrorist" attacks from animal-rights activists have changed his life "markedly." And with the extremist groups threatening to continue their assaults if the company doesn't stop doing business with U.K.-based Huntingdon Life Sciences, those changes could certainly continue.
Vasella says the attacks--including a fire at his holiday home in the Tyrol, and theft and vandalism at his parents' graves--amount to terrorism. "For me, it is terrorism to propogate fear, to put targeted people under pressure with all possible and in particular illegal methods," he told a Swiss newspaper over the weekend.
Novartis chief Daniel Vasella (photo) says "terrorist" attacks from animal-rights activists have changed his life "markedly." And with the extremist groups threatening to continue their assaults if the company doesn't stop doing business with U.K.-based Huntingdon Life Sciences, those changes could certainly continue.
Vasella says the attacks--including a fire at his holiday home in the Tyrol, and theft and vandalism at his parents' graves--amount to terrorism. "For me, it is terrorism to propogate fear, to put targeted people under pressure with all possible and in particular illegal methods," he told a Swiss newspaper over the weekend.
Ironically, Novartis says it hasn't done business
with Huntington for some time. Vasella said in an
interview with SonntagsBlick that he
understands the activists' sympathy for animals, but
that animal testing is necessary for some aspects of
drug development. "The population fully supports
medical-biological research with the goal of making
progress for patients," he said. "That must be
respected."
Meanwhile, law enforcement has no new leads in the case, SwissInfo reports. And Vasella says the police haven't taken the attacks and threats seriously enough until now. Novartis spokesman Eric Althof told the AFP news service that the attacks have been escalating "since the end of last year."
Related Articles: Militants target drug execs in wide range of attacks 'Militant' group claims Novartis attack Extremists accused in attacks on Novartis chief Activists torch Novartis CEO's home, steal mother's ashes
http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/vasella-calls-activist-attacks-terrorism/2009-08-10?utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss&cmp-id=OTC-RSS-FP0
08/11/2009
Animal Rights Groups Sue Helmsley Estate
By: NY1 News
Three animal rights groups are suing Leona Helmsley's estate over the way her millions are being spent.
The Humane Society of the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Maddie's Fund filed a suit yesterday against her estate, accusing trustees of a "scheme to deprive dog welfare charities."
The groups want the court to overturn a ruling made in February giving trustees the right to distribute the money any way they deem fit. Helmsley's will stated she wanted her money to go mostly to dog-related charities.
In April, the trustees gave away $136 million to hospitals, foundations and the homeless. They gave $1 million to animal charities, including $100,000 to the ASPCA and groups that train guide dogs for the blind.
In a statement posted on its website, the trust denies acting improperly and says Helmsley never wanted her fortune just to go to dogs.
Meanwhile, law enforcement has no new leads in the case, SwissInfo reports. And Vasella says the police haven't taken the attacks and threats seriously enough until now. Novartis spokesman Eric Althof told the AFP news service that the attacks have been escalating "since the end of last year."
Related Articles: Militants target drug execs in wide range of attacks 'Militant' group claims Novartis attack Extremists accused in attacks on Novartis chief Activists torch Novartis CEO's home, steal mother's ashes
http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/vasella-calls-activist-attacks-terrorism/2009-08-10?utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss&cmp-id=OTC-RSS-FP0
08/11/2009
Animal Rights Groups Sue Helmsley Estate
By: NY1 News
Three animal rights groups are suing Leona Helmsley's estate over the way her millions are being spent.
The Humane Society of the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Maddie's Fund filed a suit yesterday against her estate, accusing trustees of a "scheme to deprive dog welfare charities."
The groups want the court to overturn a ruling made in February giving trustees the right to distribute the money any way they deem fit. Helmsley's will stated she wanted her money to go mostly to dog-related charities.
In April, the trustees gave away $136 million to hospitals, foundations and the homeless. They gave $1 million to animal charities, including $100,000 to the ASPCA and groups that train guide dogs for the blind.
In a statement posted on its website, the trust denies acting improperly and says Helmsley never wanted her fortune just to go to dogs.