Only 150 or so animal-rights protesters appeared in front of the Boston Convention Center, but they remained a hot topic this morning at BIO. About 40 people - not counting numerous security personnel - attended a primer on efforts to counteract ‘extremists’ that featured Bill Trundley, Glaxo’s vp for corporate security and investigations, who flew in the from the UK.

The issue, coincidentally, made headlines last week after police in three European countries conducted raids that resulted in 32 arrests. And Glaxo, in particular, has also been in the news, having recently persuaded the UK courts for clearance to establish ‘exclusion’ zones around its facilities.

A key to the recent raids, Trundley believes, is industry’s willingness to confront governments directly. He recounted how pharma complaints were met a few years ago with indifference and little political support. “I remember going to cabinet ministers and their eyes would roll,” he recalled, adding that industry wasn’t much good at conveying its own message to the public either. “Even in industry, companies would keep their heads (down) and refuse to comment.”

Since then, he says, legislation and regular lobbying has created a bit of a turnaround, at least far as industry is concerned. Despite the arrests, however, Trundley says “the philosophy isn’t going to die with the recent police successes. There are always people trained to follow them.” He also acknowledges that, while big pharma has the wherewithal to fight back, “smaller companies are in danger of collapsing” from the costs involved in coping with threats.

Of course, Trundley revealed nothing surprising. But he did have a message for pharma and biotech employees: “As individuals, no matter who you work for, you are responsible for your security. Companies and their corporate security can only do so much.” Glaxo will help its employees, but he suggests workers who feel they may be targets look into home alarm systems. “The thing that puts them (extremists) off most is light and noise.”

[tags]Animal Rights, BIO, GlaxoSmithKline[/tags]