GlaxoSmithKline plc reported that is has been informed by the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO), an independent government agency, that the SFO has opened a formal criminal investigation into the group's commercial practices.

In a statement, the company said: “GSK is committed to operating its business to the highest ethical standards and will continue to cooperate fully with the SFO.”

Source: GlaxoSmithKline and the SFO