Introduction

Allergy Therapeutics plc is publishing this statement in accordance with the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the ‘Act’). The Act requires businesses to state the actions they have taken during the financial year to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place in their operations and supply chains. Modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, forced labour and human trafficking. This statement covers Allergy Therapeutics plc and its group companies and refers to the financial year ending 30 June 2022.

Our Business

Allergy Therapeutics plc (together with its subsidiary companies, “Allergy Therapeutics”) is an international biotechnology company focussed on the treatment and diagnosis of allergic disorders. The Group sells products from its subsidiaries in nine major European countries and via distribution agreements in an additional ten countries. Its broad pipeline of products in clinical development includes vaccines for grass, tree and house dust mite. A peanut allergy vaccine is in pre-clinical development. Adjuvant systems to boost performance of vaccines outside allergy are also in development.

Allergy Therapeutics is headquartered in Worthing, UK with more than 11,000m2 manufacturing facilities and laboratories.  The Group employs c.600 employees and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (AIM:AGY).

Allergy Therapeutics’ supply chains is wide ranging and suppliers provide us with:

  • Goods and services that we use to manufacture our products such as raw materials, pharmaceutical ingredients, bottles, tubes and packaging materials and we also work with third parties on the transportation and warehousing of our products.
  • Goods and services that are required to run our business, including IT and laboratory equipment, marketing and other agency support, catering and facilities management, engineering and construction services.

Allergy Therapeutics is committed to combatting modern slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking in every part of its business and supply chains. This statement sets out our approach by describing the policy framework, due diligence and monitoring implemented to prevent all forms of modern slavery.

Our Approach & Policies

Allergy Therapeutics is committed to embedding high ethical standards throughout the business and to operating, as a minimum, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. We apply these high standards to our engagement with stakeholders, our approach to managing environmental impacts, the quality of the products we supply, our employment practices, procurement and corporate reporting.

As outlined in our Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy we take a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and are committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all our business dealings.

Allergy Therapeutics’ employees are expected to deliver their roles with integrity, following ethical business practices. This includes awareness of the risk to breaches of human rights, including modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking. A range of HR policies and procedures support the recruitment and management of employees in a fair and positive manner. We operate a Speak Up Policy to encourage staff, and those affiliated with the business, to report any suspected wrongdoing, in the knowledge that their concerns will be taken seriously and investigated in confidence.  Details of our Business Code of Conduct and Ethics (“Code”) and our Speak Up Centre are available on our website.

Our Employees

Due to our existing policies and procedures, we believe that there is minimal risk of modern slavery incidences relating to the recruitment and management of employees at Allergy Therapeutics.

Our Supply Chain

As a biotechnology company that manufactures and sells immunotherapy vaccines, we procure a wide range of goods, services and works to support the delivery of our business strategy. Allergy Therapeutics considers the highest potential risk areas in relation to modern slavery are in its supply chain. To mitigate the risks that could be associated with our business and our supply chain, Allergy Therapeutics has put in place policies, procedures and processes to avoid incidences of modern slavery and human trafficking.  This includes requiring our suppliers to conform to our Code which sets out our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking.

Allergy Therapeutics has a Supplier Approval Process to support the business in minimising risk when procuring goods, services and works. This is supported by Quality Assurance Audits which specifically addresses modern slavery and human trafficking. Should we believe that a supplier is not undertaking adequate action to prevent modern slavery or human trafficking, or is practising in breach of Allergy Therapeutics’ policies, the relationship with the supplier would be investigated and terminated.

Approval

This statement is made pursuant to section 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 ‘Transparency in Supply Chains’ (the “Act”) and constitutes Allergy Therapeutics’ modern slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ended 30 June 2022. This Statement was approved by the Board of Allergy Therapeutics plc on 21 November 2022.