livn-20241231
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________________
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
☑
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024
or
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______ to ______
Commission file number: 001-37599
LivaNova PLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
England and Wales...................98-1268150
(State or other jurisdiction of ..........(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) ........Identification No.)
20 Eastbourne Terrace, London, United Kingdom, W2 6LG
(Address of principal executive offices) .......................(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (44) (0) 203 325-0660
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Ordinary Shares - £1.00 par value per share LIVN The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☑
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☑ Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☑
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $3.0 billion (based on the closing price of these shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 30, 2024, the last business day of the most recently completed second fiscal quarter). For purposes of this calculation, ordinary shares held by persons who hold more than 5% of the outstanding ordinary shares and shares held by executive officers and directors of the registrant have been excluded as such persons may be deemed to be affiliates.
As of February 18, 2025, 54,351,765 ordinary shares were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the definitive proxy statement of LivaNova PLC for the 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2024, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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LIVANOVA PLC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item Description Page
Definitions 3
Intellectual Property, Trademarks, and Trade Names 7
Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements 8
PART I
1. Business 9
1A. Risk Factors 19
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 33
1C. Cybersecurity 34
2. Properties 35
3. Legal Proceedings 35
4. Mine Safety Disclosures 35
PART II
6. [Reserved] 36
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 47
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 47
9A. Controls and Procedures 47
9B. Other Information 48
9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions That Prevent Inspections 48
PART III
10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance 49
11. Executive Compensation 49
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 49
14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 49
PART IV
15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 50
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DEFINITIONS
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, the following terms and abbreviations have the meanings listed below. “LivaNova” and “the Company” refer to LivaNova PLC and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Abbreviation Definition
2015 Plan LivaNova PLC 2015 Incentive Award Plan
2022 Plan LivaNova PLC 2022 Incentive Award Plan
A&R 2022 Plan Amended and Restated LivaNova PLC 2022 Incentive Award Plan
ACS Advanced Circulatory Support
ALung ALung Technologies, Inc.
AOCI Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
APAC Asia-Pacific
ASC Accounting Standards Codification
ASMs Anti-seizure medications
ASU Accounting Standards Update
Audit Committee LivaNova’s Audit and Compliance Committee
Barclays Barclays Bank Ireland PLC
Capped Call Transactions The 2025 Capped Calls and the 2029 Capped Calls
CCPA California Consumer Privacy Act
CE Mark Conformité Européenne, French for “European Conformity”
CED Coverage with Evidence Development
CEO Chief Executive Officer
CFO Chief Financial Officer
CISO Chief Information Security Officer
CLO Chief Legal Officer
CMS The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Code of Conduct LivaNova PLC’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
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Abbreviation Definition
CODM Chief Operating Decision Maker
Court of Appeal Court of Appeal in Milan
CPB Cardiopulmonary bypass
CSRD EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (2022/2464)
Cyberonics Cyberonics, Inc.
DRE Drug-resistant epilepsy
DTC Depository Trust Company
DTD Difficult-to-treat depression
ECJ European Court of Justice
ECMO Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ESPP Global Employee Share Purchase Plan
ESRS European Sustainability Reporting Standards
EtO Ethylene oxide
EU European Union
Exchange Act U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
False Claims Act U.S. False Claims Act
FASB Financial Accounting Standards Board
FCPA U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977
FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration
FIFO First-in-first-out
FX Foreign currency exchange rate
GDPR General Data Protection Regulation
Hemolung Hemolung Respiratory Assist System
HHS The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
HITECH Health Information Technology and Clinical Health Act
HLM Heart-lung machine
IBR Incremental borrowing rate
IPR&D In-Process Research and Development
IRC U.S. Internal Revenue Code
IS Information security
ISDA International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.
ISMS Information Security Management System
ISO International Organization for Standardization
IT Information technology
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Abbreviation Definition
LivaNova USA LivaNova USA, Inc.
LSM LivaNova Site Management S.r.l.
MDD Medical Device Directive
MDR EU Medical Device Regulation
MedTech Medical technology
Mitral Mitral Holdco S.à r.l.
MRI Magnetic resonance imaging
Nasdaq Nasdaq Global Select Market
NCD National coverage determination
NFRD Non-Financial Reporting Directive (2014/95/EU)
NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology
OCI Other comprehensive income (loss)
OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
OSA Obstructive sleep apnea
PC Phosphorylcholine
Plan Committee Qualified Plan Committee
PMA Pre-market approval
PMP Polymethylpentene
PP&E Property, plant, and equipment
R&D Research and development
Report This Annual Report on Form 10-K
RSUs Restricted stock units
S&P Standard & Poor’s
SARs Stock appreciation rights
SDRT UK Stamp Duty Reserve Tax
SEC U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities Act U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended
SG&A Selling, general, and administrative expenses
SNIA SNIA S.p.A.
SOFR Secured Overnight Financing Rate
Sorin Sorin S.p.A.
Trust LivaNova PLC Employee Benefit Trust
U.S. United States of America
U.S. GAAP Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the U.S.
UK United Kingdom
UK Bribery Act UK Bribery Act of 2010
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Abbreviation Definition
USD U.S. dollar
UTPR Undertaxed profits rule
VNS Vagus nerve stimulation
VNS Therapy LivaNova Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy
WACC Weighted-average cost of capital
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, TRADEMARKS, AND TRADE NAMES
This Report may contain references to LivaNova’s proprietary intellectual property, including among others:
•Trademarks for LivaNova’s Neuromodulation systems, the VNS TherapyTM System, and LivaNova’s proprietary pulse generator products: Model 102 (PulseTM), Model 102R (Pulse DuoTM), Model 103 (DemipulseTM), Model 104 (Demipulse DuoTM), Model 106 (AspireSRTM), Model 1000 (SenTivaTM), Model 1000-D (SenTivaTM Duo), and Model 8103 (SymmetryTM).
•Trademarks for LivaNova’s Cardiopulmonary products and systems: EssenzTM, S5TM, S5 ProTM, B-CaptaTM, InspireTM, HeartlinkTM, XTRATM, 3T Heater-CoolerTM, ConnectTM, and RevolutionTM.
•Trademarks for LivaNova’s advanced circulatory support systems: TandemLifeTM, TandemHeartTM, TandemLungTM, ProtekDuoTM, LifeSPARCTM, ALungTM, HemolungTM, Respiratory DialysisTM, and ActivMixTM.
•Trademarks for LivaNova’s obstructive sleep apnea system: ImTheraTM and aura6000TM.
These trademarks and trade names are the property of LivaNova or the property of LivaNova’s consolidated subsidiaries and are protected under applicable intellectual property laws. Solely for convenience, LivaNova’s trademarks and trade names referred to in this Report may appear without the TM symbol, but such references are not intended to indicate in any way that the Company will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, LivaNova’s rights to these trademarks and trade names.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this Report, other than statements of historical or current fact, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements include, but are not limited to, LivaNova’s plans, objectives, strategies, financial performance and outlook, trends, the amount and timing of future cash distributions, prospects or future events, and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, the Company’s actual financial results, performance, achievements, or prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “seek,” “guidance,” “predict,” “potential,” “likely,” “believe,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intend,” “forecast,” “foresee,” or variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by LivaNova and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and stockholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There are a number of risks, uncertainties, and other important factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Report, and include, but are not limited to, the following risks and uncertainties: volatility in the global market and worldwide economic conditions, including as caused by the invasion of Ukraine, the evolving instability in the Middle East, inflation, changing interest rates, foreign exchange fluctuations, and changes to existing trade agreements and relationships between the U.S. and other countries, including the implementation of tariffs, trade restrictions, and sanctions; risks relating to supply chain pressures; cybersecurity incidents or other disruptions to the Company’s information technology systems or those of third parties with which the Company interacts; costs of complying with privacy and security of personal information requirements and laws; changes in technology, including the development of superior or alternative technology or devices by competitors and/or competition from providers of alternative medical therapies; failure of R&D investments or investment collaborations to be successful; failure to maintain appropriate working relationships with healthcare professionals to aid in the continuing development of products; the risk of quality issues and the impacts thereof; risks relating to recalls, replacement of inventory, enforcement actions, or product liability claims; failure to comply with, or changes in, laws, regulations, or administrative practices affecting government regulation of the Company’s products; failure to retain key personnel, succession plan, and negotiate with local works councils; failure to obtain approvals or reimbursement in relation to the Company’s products; unfavorable results from clinical studies or failure to meet milestones; pending or existing climate change; global healthcare policy changes that may lead to restricted access and pricing as well as payback requirements and limited reimbursement; changes or reduction in reimbursement for the Company’s products or failure to comply with rules relating to reimbursement of healthcare goods and services; failure to comply with rules relating to healthcare goods and services as well as anti-bribery laws; product liability, intellectual property, shareholder-related, environmental-related, income tax, and other litigation, disputes, losses, and costs, including in the case of the Company’s 3T Heater-Cooler litigation; risks associated with environmental laws and regulations as well as environmental liabilities, violations, and litigation, including in the case of Saluggia and SNIA; failure to protect the Company’s proprietary intellectual property; risks relating to the Company’s indebtedness; failure of divestitures and/or new acquisitions to further the Company’s strategic objectives or strengthen the Company’s existing businesses; the potential for impairments of intangible assets, goodwill, and other long-lived assets; changes in tax laws and regulations, including exposure to additional income tax liabilities; effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting; changes in the Company’s profitability and/or failure to manage costs and expenses; fluctuations in future quarterly operating results and/or variations in revenue and operating expenses relative to estimates; and other unknown or unpredictable factors that could harm the Company’s financial performance.
See also the section titled “Risk Factors” (refer to Part I, Item 1A of this Report) for further discussion of certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this Report are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Report, and LivaNova expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures LivaNova makes on related subjects in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. This cautionary note is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this Report.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the discussions included in “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in this Report.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Description of the Business and Background
LivaNova PLC is a market-leading global medical technology company. The Company designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells products and therapies that are consistent with LivaNova’s mission to provide hope for patients and their families through medical technologies, delivering life-changing solutions in select neurological and cardiac conditions. LivaNova is a public limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales and is headquartered in London, England. LivaNova’s ordinary shares are listed for trading on the Nasdaq under the symbol “LIVN.”
Business Overview
LivaNova is comprised of two reportable segments: Cardiopulmonary and Neuromodulation. “Other” includes non-allocated corporate expenses and the non-cannula results of the Company’s former ACS segment, which was wound down during 2024.
For further information regarding LivaNova’s reportable segments, historical financial information, and methodology for the presentation of financial results, please refer to “Part IV, Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules” of this Report.
Cardiopulmonary
LivaNova’s Cardiopulmonary segment is engaged in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of cardiopulmonary products, including HLMs, oxygenators, autotransfusion systems, perfusion tubing systems, cannulae, and other related accessories. In particular, the Cardiopulmonary segment includes the Essenz Perfusion System, the Company’s next-generation HLM with an embedded patient monitor for tailored patient care strategies and sensing technology for data-driven decision-making during CPB procedures.
CPB is frequently utilized in various heart-related procedures. This method allows the surgical team to oxygenate and circulate the patient's blood, providing the necessary conditions for the surgeon to operate on the heart. The procedures most commonly requiring CPB include traditional coronary artery bypass grafting and valve surgeries. LivaNova’s products enable CPB for neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients.
Heart-lung Machines
The HLM product group includes HLMs, heater-coolers, related cardiac surgery equipment and maintenance, and technical services. HLMs temporarily take over the heart and/or lung functions, providing/circulating blood and oxygen to the body, while the heart is stopped during a cardiac surgery procedure. Heater-coolers are used during surgeries to warm or cool patients as part of their care. They are especially important during surgeries involving the heart and lungs.
Oxygenators and Perfusion Tubing Systems
The oxygenators product group is comprised of disposable devices for extracorporeal circulation, including the Inspire systems. The Inspire range of products is comprised of 12 models that provide perfusionists with a customizable approach for the benefit of patients. Oxygenators exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood of patients during surgical procedures and are utilized by perfusionists during cardiac surgery in conjunction with an HLM and can also be utilized in ECMO.
Autotransfusion Systems
One of the key elements for a complete blood management strategy is autologous blood transfusion. The autotransfusion product group facilitates the collection, processing, and reinfusion of the patient’s own blood lost at the surgical site.
Cannulae
The cannulae product group is comprised of cardiopulmonary bypass cannulae, or tubing, which is a device used in cardiopulmonary surgery to cannulate the vessels, perfuse the coronary arteries, and interconnect the catheters and cannulae with an oxygenator.
Neuromodulation
LivaNova’s Neuromodulation segment is engaged in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of devices that deliver neuromodulation therapy for treating DRE and DTD. LivaNova’s principal Neuromodulation product, the VNS Therapy System, consists of an implantable pulse generator and connective lead that stimulates the vagus nerve, surgical equipment to assist with the implant procedure, and equipment and instruction manuals that enable a treating physician to set parameters for a patient’s pulse generator. The lead does not need to be removed to replace a generator with a depleted battery. The
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Neuromodulation segment is also engaged in the development and management of clinical testing for LivaNova’s aura6000 System for treating OSA. The aura6000 device stimulates the hypoglossal nerve, which engages specific tongue and palate muscles to open the airway while a patient sleeps.
Epilepsy
There are several broad types of treatment available to patients with epilepsy: multiple ASMs; various forms of the ketogenic diet; VNS; resective and ablative brain surgery; and intracranial neurostimulation. ASMs typically serve as a first-line treatment and are prescribed for virtually all patients diagnosed with epilepsy. After two ASMs fail to deliver seizure control, the epilepsy is characterized as drug-resistant and adjunctive non-drug options are considered, including VNS therapy, ketogenic diet, surgery, and other neuromodulation therapies.
In 1997, LivaNova’s VNS Therapy System was the first medical device treatment approved by the FDA for the treatment of DRE and today is the only neuromodulation device approved for use in the U.S. in DRE patients as young as four years of age with partial onset or focal seizures. Other worldwide regulatory bodies have also approved the VNS Therapy System for treating patients with DRE, many without age or seizure-type restrictions. In 2020, CMS expanded reimbursement for VNS Therapy use in the treatment of Dravet Syndrome and, in January 2022, expanded reimbursement for VNS Therapy use in the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.
LivaNova distributes multiple VNS Therapy devices for the treatment of epilepsy, including Model 103 (Demipulse), Model 106 (AspireSR), Model 1000 (SenTiva), and Model 1000D (SenTiva Duo) pulse generators. LivaNova’s AspireSR and SenTiva implantable pulse generators provide the traditional benefits of VNS therapy but add an additional stimulation capability: closed loop stimulation (AutoStim), which responds to detection of changes in heart rate potentially indicative of a seizure. The SenTiva generator is the smallest and lightest VNS device capable of delivering responsive therapy for epilepsy and includes the additional flexibility of LivaNova’s Scheduled Programming and Day & Night Programming capabilities. In 2017, the SenTiva and AspireSR VNS Therapy devices were approved by the FDA for expanded MRI access and similar CE Mark approval followed shortly thereafter.
Depression
VNS Therapy received CE Mark approval in 2001 for treatment-resistant depression in the EU. In 2005, the FDA approved the VNS Therapy System for the adjunctive long-term treatment of chronic or recurrent depression for patients 18 years of age or older who are experiencing a major depressive episode and have not had an adequate response to four or more adequate antidepressant treatments. In 2007, CMS issued an NCD that vagus nerve stimulation is not covered for treatment-resistant depression, significantly limiting access for most patients.
In 2017, the American Journal of Psychiatry published the results of the longest and largest naturalistic study on treatments for patients experiencing DTD. The findings showed that the addition of the VNS Therapy System to traditional treatment was effective in significantly reducing symptoms of severe and chronic depression compared with traditional treatment alone and that VNS Therapy was well tolerated. Following the publication of these study results, LivaNova requested that CMS reconsider its previous NCD, and in 2018, CMS published a tracking sheet to reconsider.
In 2019, CMS published its final decision on the reconsideration, concluding that CMS will cover the VNS Therapy System for Medicare beneficiaries with treatment-resistant depression through CED when offered in a CMS-approved, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a follow-up duration of at least one year. In this 2019 decision, CMS also agreed to cover a VNS Therapy System device replacement for Medicare beneficiaries already implanted with a device. The CED also included the possibility to extend the study to a prospective longitudinal registry.
In 2019, CMS accepted the study protocol for LivaNova’s RECOVER clinical study and the first patient was enrolled. LivaNova’s RECOVER clinical study is examining up to 1,000 patients ages 18 or older who have unipolar or bipolar depression that is difficult to treat and is being carried out at up to 100 leading hospitals and medical centers across the U.S.
In 2023, LivaNova randomized the 500th unipolar depression patient into the RECOVER clinical study and completed enrollment in the unipolar cohort. In June 2024, the Company announced the preliminary results for the unipolar patient cohort. The study did not meet its primary endpoint for the unipolar cohort; however, statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements were achieved in select secondary endpoints. No new safety issues were identified in the study.
In December 2024, Brain Stimulation published two articles chronicling the unipolar cohort data set for the RECOVER clinical study. The articles concluded that active VNS Therapy, as compared with a no-stimulation control (or sham VNS Therapy), safely and effectively demonstrated clinically meaningful therapeutic effects on depressive symptoms and positive effects on quality of life and daily function. Analyses of secondary endpoints revealed antidepressant benefits significantly favoring active VNS Therapy as opposed to sham VNS Therapy as measured by ratings from on-site clinicians, patients themselves, and off-
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site masked raters. These findings support the use of VNS Therapy in patients with DTD. Based upon these findings and the positive effects for those who received VNS Therapy, the Company conducted additional in-depth data analyses and expects to publish three additional critical manuscripts to report on the outcomes. The Company intends to continue pursuing CMS coverage while reducing investment in the DTD program in 2025.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
In 2018, LivaNova acquired full ownership of ImThera, a company developing an implantable neurostimulation device system for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The device stimulates the hypoglossal nerve, which engages specific tongue and palate muscles to open the airway while a patient sleeps.
In 2021, LivaNova received approval from the FDA to proceed with its investigational device exemption clinical study, the OSPREY clinical trial, and the first patient was implanted in March 2022 with the aura6000 System.
In November 2024, the Company announced the OSPREY clinical study met its primary endpoints for efficacy and safety. LivaNova plans to submit the PMA application within the first half of 2025.
For information on the contingent consideration arrangements associated with the ImThera acquisition, please refer to “Note 8. Fair Value Measurements” in the consolidated financial statements in this Report.
R&D
The Company’s R&D investment consists of product design and development expenses, including technology, software, clinical study programs, and regulatory activities. LivaNova’s markets are subject to rapid technological advances, and as such, product improvement, software advancements, and innovation are necessary to maintain market leadership. The Company directs its R&D efforts toward maintaining or achieving technological leadership in each of its markets to help ensure that patients using the Company’s devices and therapies receive the most advanced and effective treatment available. LivaNova remains committed to developing technological enhancements and new uses for existing products, as well as less invasive and new technologies to address unmet patient needs. LivaNova continues to engage researchers to collect clinical and health economic evidence that supports regulatory filings and value dossiers and to establish the value proposition to patients, physicians, and payers for its current and future products.
Patents and Licenses
LivaNova relies on a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and non-disclosure agreements to protect the Company’s intellectual property. LivaNova generally files patent applications in the U.S. and countries where patent protection for LivaNova’s technology is appropriate and available. It holds rights to patent properties throughout the world that cover various aspects of its technology. Patents typically have a 20-year term from the application filing date. In addition, LivaNova holds exclusive and non-exclusive licenses to a variety of third-party technologies covered by patents and pending patent applications. There can be no assurance that pending patent applications will result in the issuance of patents, that patents issued to or licensed by LivaNova will not be challenged or circumvented by competitors, or that these patents will be found to be valid or sufficiently broad to protect LivaNova’s technology or to provide the Company with a competitive advantage. LivaNova has also obtained certain trademarks and trade names for the Company’s products and maintains certain details about its processes, products, and strategies as trade secrets. In the aggregate, LivaNova considers these intellectual property assets to be of material importance to its business. LivaNova regularly reviews third-party patents and patent applications in an effort to protect its intellectual property and avoid disputes over proprietary rights.
LivaNova also relies on non-disclosure, confidentiality, and non-competition agreements with employees, consultants, and other parties to protect, in part, trade secrets and other proprietary technology. There can be no assurance that these agreements will not be breached or will be enforceable, that LivaNova will have adequate remedies for any breach, that others will not independently develop equivalent proprietary information, or that third parties will not otherwise gain access to LivaNova’s trade secrets and proprietary knowledge.
For additional information, please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Report, under the section entitled “LivaNova is substantially dependent on patent and other proprietary rights, and failing to protect such rights or to be successful in litigation related to LivaNova’s rights or the rights of others may result in the Company’s payment of significant monetary damages and/or royalty payments, negatively impact LivaNova’s ability to sell current or future products, or prohibit the Company from enforcing its patent and other proprietary rights against others.”
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Markets and Distribution Methods
LivaNova sells its medical devices through a combination of direct sales representatives, agents, and independent distributors. Europe and the APAC region are the Company’s largest international markets, with net revenue from these regions representing 18% and 13%, respectively, of total net revenue during the year ended December 31, 2024.
LivaNova’s marketing and sales strategy is focused on rapid, cost-effective delivery of high-quality products to a diverse group of customers worldwide, including perfusionists, neurologists, neurosurgeons and other physicians, hospitals, and other medical institutions and healthcare providers. To achieve this objective, LivaNova’s sales team develops and preserves appropriate working relationships with customers, and the Company cultivates and maintains close working relationships with professionals in the medical industry. These relationships provide LivaNova with a detailed understanding of therapeutic and diagnostic trends, developments, and emerging opportunities, which enable the Company to respond to the changing needs of providers and patients. LivaNova actively participates in medical conferences and conducts comprehensive training and educational activities to enhance its presence in the medical communities it serves. LivaNova believes that these activities also contribute to advancing the expertise of healthcare professionals.
Hospitals and other medical device customers are seeking to reduce costs through various mechanisms, such as centralized purchasing and, in some cases, limiting the number of vendors that may participate in a given purchasing program. As a result, customer transactions have become increasingly competitive, which has led, and may continue to lead, to downward pricing pressure and an increase in the use of preferred vendors. LivaNova’s global customer base continues to evolve in response to these and other economic developments across the markets the Company serves.
Competition and Industry
LivaNova competes in the global medical device market with sales in more than 100 countries. This market is characterized by technological advances and scientific discoveries which can often trigger rapid changes in market dynamics. LivaNova’s competitors range from large manufacturers with multiple business lines to small manufacturers offering a limited selection of specialized products. LivaNova faces competition from, among others, providers of alternative medical therapies, pharmaceuticals, and surgical interventions.
Physician advisories, regulatory safety alerts, and publications about LivaNova’s products, or competitor products, can cause major shifts in industry market share, reflecting the importance of product efficacy and quality in the medical device industry. In addition, developments in managed care, economically motivated customers, consolidation among healthcare providers, increased competition, and declining reimbursement rates may increasingly require LivaNova to compete on the basis of price. In order to continue to compete effectively, LivaNova will likely be required to continue to create or acquire advanced technology, incorporate this technology into proprietary products, obtain regulatory approvals in a timely manner, maintain high-quality manufacturing processes, and successfully market and sell these products.
LivaNova’s primary medical device competitors in the Cardiopulmonary and Neuromodulation product groups are Terumo Medical Corporation, Maquet Medical Systems, Medtronic plc, Haemonetics Corporation, Spectrum Medical Limited, and NeuroPace, Inc., although not all competitors are present in all product lines.
Production, Quality Systems, and Raw Materials
LivaNova manufactures a majority of its products in facilities located in the U.S., Italy, Germany, Australia, and Brazil. LivaNova purchases raw materials and components used in its products from numerous suppliers located in various countries worldwide. For quality assurance, sole source availability, or cost effectiveness purposes, LivaNova may procure certain components and raw materials from a sole supplier. LivaNova takes countermeasures to reduce supply chain risks, including working with suppliers to ensure continuity of supply while maintaining high quality and reliability and working to minimize the instances in which the Company relies on a sole source. LivaNova’s quality systems, which define how its design, development, manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution processes ensure its products are safe and effective, are ISO 13485 certified. In addition, LivaNova utilizes environmental management systems and safety programs to protect the environment and the Company’s employees. LivaNova’s Mirandola, Italy plant is ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified, and its Munich, Germany plant is ISO 14001 certified. For additional information related to LivaNova’s manufacturing facilities, refer to “Item 2. Properties” in this Report.
Government Regulation and Other Considerations
LivaNova’s medical devices are subject to extensive government regulation by numerous government agencies, both within and outside the U.S. These agencies require LivaNova to comply with laws and regulations governing the research, development, testing, manufacturing, labeling, pre-market clearance or approval, marketing, distribution, advertising, promotion, record keeping, reporting, tracking, importing, and exporting of LivaNova’s products. LivaNova’s business is also affected by data
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privacy and security laws, environmental health and safety regulations, and cost containment initiatives worldwide. LivaNova works to ensure compliance with such laws and regulations and continues to monitor the laws applicable to LivaNova, which are subject to changing and evolving interpretations.
Product Approval and Monitoring
Many countries in which LivaNova sells its products subject the Company’s medical devices to their own product approval and requirements regarding performance, safety, and quality. For example, each medical device that LivaNova seeks to distribute commercially in the U.S. must receive 510(k) clearance or PMA from the FDA, unless specifically exempted by the agency. The 510(k) process, also known as pre-market notification, requires LivaNova to demonstrate that its new medical device is substantially equivalent to a legally marketed medical device. The PMA process, which is more costly and rigorous than the 510(k) process, requires LivaNova to demonstrate independently that a medical device is safe and effective for its intended use. One or more clinical studies may be required to support a 510(k) application and are almost always required to support a PMA application.
The EU has established a single regulatory product approval process, pursuant to which a CE Mark certifies conformity with all of the legal requirements of the regulatory process. To obtain a CE Mark, defined products must meet minimum standards of performance, safety, and quality based on, among other things, the evaluation of clinical data supporting the safety and performance of the products during normal conditions of use. The competent authorities of the EU countries separately regulate the clinical research for medical devices and the market surveillance of products placed on the market, and manufacturers with CE marked devices are subject to regular inspections to monitor compliance with the applicable directives and essential requirements. In 2017, for example, the EU published its MDR, which has resulted in significant additional pre- and post-market requirements. Certifications to MDR must be achieved by December 2027 or December 2028, based on the risk classification of the device. Penalties for regulatory non-compliance can be severe, including fines and revocation or suspension of a company’s marketing authorization, mandatory price reductions, and criminal sanctions.
LivaNova is also required to comply with the regulations of every country where it commercializes products before the Company can launch or maintain products in the market. To be sold in Japan, for example, LivaNova’s medical devices must undergo thorough safety examinations and demonstrate medical efficacy from the Japanese government through the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare before they are granted approval. In China, regulatory requirements are becoming more stringent. Many countries also require that product approvals be recertified on a regular basis, generally every four to five years. The recertification process requires LivaNova to evaluate any device change and any new regulation or standard relevant to the device and, where required, conduct appropriate testing to document continued compliance. Furthermore, in the UK, the UK Future Regulatory Framework is expected to be in place in 2026. This regulation will require manufacturers to take additional steps to register devices in the UK after completing registrations in the EU, Australia, Canada, or the United States. Transition to the UK Future Regulatory Framework is required by 2030.
The global regulatory environment is becoming increasingly more stringent and unpredictable. Several countries that did not have regulatory requirements for medical devices have established such requirements in recent years, and other countries have expanded, or plan to expand, their existing regulations. While some regulatory bodies have pursued harmonization of global regulations, requirements continue to differ significantly among countries. LivaNova expects this global regulatory environment will continue to evolve, which could impact the Company’s cost, approval lead time, or ability to maintain existing or obtain future product approvals.
Product and Promotional Restrictions
Both before and after LivaNova releases a product for commercial distribution, the Company has ongoing responsibilities under various laws and regulations governing medical devices. The FDA and other regulatory agencies in and outside the U.S. review LivaNova’s design and manufacturing practices, labeling, record keeping, and required reports of adverse experiences and other information to identify potential problems with marketed medical devices. LivaNova is also subject to periodic inspections for compliance with applicable quality system regulations, which govern the methods used in, and the facilities and controls used for, the design, manufacture, packaging, and servicing of finished medical devices intended for human use. In addition, the FDA and other U.S. regulatory bodies monitor the manner in which LivaNova promotes and advertises its products. Although physicians are permitted to use their medical judgment to prescribe medical devices for indications other than those cleared or approved by regulatory bodies, LivaNova is prohibited from promoting products for such “off-label” uses and can only market the Company’s products for cleared or approved uses.
Any adverse regulatory action, depending on its magnitude, may limit LivaNova’s ability to market and sell its products effectively, limit its ability to obtain future pre-market approvals, or result in a substantial modification to LivaNova’s business practices and operations. For additional information, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Report, under the section entitled
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“LivaNova’s products are subject to complex laws and regulations, and failure to obtain product approvals, clearance, or reimbursement may materially adversely affect LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.”
Governmental Trade Regulations
The sale and shipment of LivaNova’s products and services across international borders, as well as the purchase of components and products from international sources, subject LivaNova to extensive governmental trade regulations. Many countries control the export and re-export of goods, technology, and services for public health, national security, regional stability, antiterrorism, and other reasons. Some governments may also impose tariffs, trade restrictions, and economic sanctions against certain countries, persons, or entities. In certain circumstances, governmental authorities may require LivaNova to obtain approval before LivaNova may export or re-export goods, technology, or services to certain territories and end-users or for certain end-uses. Because LivaNova is subject to extensive regulations in the countries in which it operates, the Company is subject to the risk that laws and regulations could change in a way that would expose LivaNova to additional costs, penalties, or liabilities.
LivaNova also sells and provides goods, technology, and services to agents, representatives, and distributors who may export such items to customers and end-users, and if these third parties violate applicable export control or economic sanctions laws or regulations when engaging in transactions involving the Company’s products, LivaNova may be subject to varying degrees of liability depending on the extent of its participation in the transaction. The activities of these third parties may cause disruption or delays in the distribution and sale of LivaNova’s products or result in restrictions being placed on the Company’s international distribution and sales of products, which may materially impact LivaNova’s business activities.
Data Privacy and Security Laws
As a global medical device technology company, LivaNova is subject to various laws worldwide that protect the privacy, security, and confidentiality of certain data, including employee data and patient health information, and restrict the use and unauthorized disclosure of such information. Privacy standards are often strict. Enforcement actions and financial penalties related to privacy issues in the EU continue to grow, and new privacy and data localization laws and restrictions are being passed in other countries, including the U.S. The management of cross-border transfers of personal information outside of EU member countries is complex, which may complicate LivaNova’s business and clinical research activities, as well as product offerings that involve transmission or use of patient health information. LivaNova continues to adapt its business processes to comply with those standards and requirements applicable to it.
In the U.S., HIPAA, as amended by the HITECH Act and their respective implementing regulations, imposes specified requirements relating to the privacy and security of certain individually identifiable health information. Among other things, HITECH makes certain of HIPAA’s privacy and security standards directly applicable to “business associates,” essentially defined as service providers of covered entities that create, receive, maintain, or transmit protected health information in connection with providing a service for or on behalf of a covered entity. In certain instances, LivaNova may be considered a business associate. In such instances, the patient data that LivaNova receives may include protected health information, as defined under HIPAA. Related enforcement actions can be costly and may also interrupt LivaNova’s regular business operations. In addition, state laws, such as the CCPA, govern the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways, thus complicating compliance and data protection efforts. Since the CCPA was enacted, other U.S. states have enacted comprehensive and health-related privacy laws. The effects of the CCPA and other recently adopted laws include an increased ability of individuals to control the use of their personal data, heightened transparency obligations, increased obligations of companies to maintain the security of data, and increased exposure to fines or damages for companies that violate these laws, including by not providing individuals their specified privacy rights, not maintaining data security safeguards at specified levels of quality, or experiencing data breaches. For additional information, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Report, under the section entitled “Cybersecurity incidents or other disruptions to LivaNova’s information technology systems could lead to reduced revenue, increased costs, liability claims, regulatory fines, litigation, harm to LivaNova’s competitive position, and loss of reputation.”
In the EU, the processing of certain data, including employee and patient information, is subject to the privacy, security, and confidentiality provisions set forth in Regulation 2016/679. Under the GDPR, data concerning health constitutes sensitive data. The processing of sensitive data is subject to, among other obligations, appropriate notice and consent requirements. Additional requirements apply with respect to issues such as data sharing, cross-border data transfers, data security, and data breach notification. The GDPR also requires LivaNova to implement a number of accountability measures in relation to the processing of sensitive data, including carrying out Data Protection Impact Assessments and appointing a Data Protection Officer. Administrative fines may be levied for non-compliance with the GDPR’s requirements and can reach the higher of €20 million ($20.8 million as of December 31, 2024) or up to 4% of LivaNova’s total worldwide annual net revenue for the preceding financial year.
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Environmental Regulation and Management
LivaNova is subject to various environmental laws, directives, and regulations both in the U.S. and abroad that have resulted in, and could lead to, increased environmental compliance expenditures and reporting. LivaNova’s ongoing manufacturing and other operations involve the use, storage, and transportation of hazardous and non-hazardous substances regulated under environmental health and safety laws. In addition, governmental authorities may seek to hold LivaNova liable for successor environmental liability violations committed by any companies in which LivaNova invests or acquires or may require LivaNova to clean and remove hazardous substances at its sites that were produced by the operations of prior owners and are unrelated to the Company’s current operations. For additional information, please refer to “Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies” in LivaNova’s consolidated financial statements under the sections entitled “Saluggia Site Hazardous Substances” and “SNIA Environmental Litigation” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Report, under the section entitled “LivaNova is subject to heightened scrutiny on issues relating to sustainability, including environmental laws and regulations, and the risk of environmental liabilities, violations, and litigation in multiple jurisdictions, any of which could have a material impact on LivaNova’s reputation, business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, and liquidity.”
Applicability of Anti-Corruption Laws and Regulations
LivaNova’s worldwide business is subject to the FCPA, the UK Bribery Act, and other anti-corruption laws and regulations applicable in the jurisdictions where LivaNova operates. The FCPA can be used to prosecute companies in the U.S. for arrangements with physicians or other parties outside the U.S. if the physician or party is a government official of another country and prohibited payments are made to obtain or retain business. The UK Bribery Act prohibits both domestic and international bribery, as well as bribery across both public and private sectors. There are similar laws and regulations applicable to LivaNova outside the U.S. and the UK, all of which are subject to evolving interpretations. For additional information, please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Report, under the section entitled “Failure to comply with anti-bribery laws could materially adversely affect LivaNova’s business and result in civil and/or criminal sanctions.”
Cost Containment Initiatives
Government and private sector initiatives to limit the growth of healthcare costs, including price regulation, competitive pricing, bidding and tender mechanics, coverage and payment policies, comparative effectiveness of therapies, technology assessments, and managed-care arrangements, are continuing in many countries where LivaNova does business. These changes are driving customers to place increased emphasis on the delivery of more cost-effective medical devices and therapies. Government programs, private healthcare insurance, and managed-care plans have attempted to control costs by limiting the extent of coverage or amount of reimbursement available for particular procedures or treatments, by connecting reimbursement to outcomes, by shifting to population health management, and through other mechanisms designed to constrain utilization and contain costs. Hospitals are also seeking to reduce costs through a variety of mechanisms, for example, creating centralized purchasing functions that set pricing and, in some cases, limiting the number of vendors that can participate in a given purchasing program. Hospitals are also aligning their interests with those of physicians through employment and other arrangements, such as gainsharing, whereby a hospital agrees with physicians to share certain realized cost savings resulting from the physicians’ collective change in practice patterns, such as standardization of devices where medically appropriate, and participation in affordable care organizations. Such alignment has created increased levels of price sensitivity among customers for LivaNova’s and its competitors’ products.
Some third-party payers must also approve coverage and set reimbursement levels for new or innovative devices or therapies before they reimburse healthcare providers that use the medical devices or therapies. Even though a new medical device may be cleared for commercial distribution, LivaNova may find limited demand for the device until coverage and sufficient reimbursement levels have been obtained from governmental and private third-party payers. In addition, some private third-party payers require that certain procedures or the use of certain products be authorized in advance as a condition of coverage.
As a result of LivaNova’s manufacturing efficiencies, cost controls, and other cost-savings initiatives, the Company believes it is well-positioned to respond to changes resulting from this worldwide trend toward cost containment. However, uncertainty remains as to the nature of any future legislation or other reforms, making it difficult for LivaNova to predict the potential impact of cost containment trends on future operating results.
Healthcare Fraud and Abuse and Related Laws
The delivery of LivaNova’s products is subject to regulation by HHS and comparable state and non-U.S. agencies responsible for reimbursement and regulation of healthcare products and services. LivaNova is subject to U.S. federal and state government healthcare regulations and enforcement imposed primarily in connection with government healthcare programs, such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs, as well as healthcare regulations and enforcement imposed by governments in other countries in which LivaNova conducts business.
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U.S. federal healthcare laws apply when LivaNova or customers submit claims for items or services that are reimbursed under government healthcare programs, including laws related to kickbacks, false claims, self-referrals, or other healthcare fraud. Specifically, the federal healthcare Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits persons from, among other things, knowingly and willfully offering or paying remuneration, directly or indirectly, to a person to induce them to order, purchase, lease, or recommend a good or service for which payment may be made in whole or in part under a federal healthcare program such as Medicare or Medicaid, unless the arrangement fits within one of several statutory exemptions or regulatory “safe harbors.” Violations of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute may result in civil monetary penalties up to $100,000 for each violation, plus up to three times the remuneration involved. Violations can also result in criminal penalties, including criminal fines of up to $50,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years. Finally, violations can result in exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.
Additionally, violations of the False Claims Act can result in significant monetary penalties and treble damages. The U.S. federal government utilizes the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and similar laws to investigate and prosecute device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology companies in connection with the promotion of products for unapproved uses, the provision of patient and provider support (e.g., reimbursement support), and other prohibited sales and marketing practices. The U.S. government has obtained multi-million and multi-billion-dollar settlements under the False Claims Act, in addition to individual criminal convictions under applicable criminal statutes. Given the U.S. government’s success in prosecuting claims under the False Claims Act, LivaNova anticipates that the U.S. government will continue to devote substantial resources to investigating healthcare providers’ and manufacturers’ compliance with applicable fraud and abuse laws.
In addition to the Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act, many states have their own laws related to kickbacks, false claims, self-referrals, or other healthcare fraud. These laws do not always have the same exceptions or safe harbors as their federal corollaries and, in some states, apply with respect to all payers, including commercial health insurance companies.
HIPAA includes federal criminal statutes that prohibit, among other actions, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, including private third-party payers; knowingly and willfully embezzling or stealing from a healthcare benefit program; willfully obstructing a criminal investigation of a healthcare offense; or knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing, or covering up a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for healthcare benefits, products, or services. Similar to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, a person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation.
There is also federal and state regulation of, and transparency with respect to, payments made to physicians and other healthcare providers. LivaNova is subject to, for example, the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which requires the Company to report annually certain payments and other transfers of value it makes to U.S. licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or teaching hospitals. Any failure to comply with such laws and regulations may result in civil financial penalties.
In addition, as discussed above, the U.S. and foreign government regulators enforce the FCPA and other anti-bribery laws. These laws and regulations are broad in scope and are subject to evolving interpretation. As a result, LivaNova has been, and will likely continue to be, required to incur substantial costs to investigate allegations, audit and monitor compliance, and/or alter the Company’s practices with respect to these laws. Violations or alleged violations of these laws could result in litigation, and LivaNova may be subject to criminal or civil penalties and sanctions, including substantial fines, imprisonment of current or former employees, and exclusion from participation in governmental healthcare programs.
The evolving commercial compliance environment and the resulting need to build and maintain robust systems to comply with different compliance and/or reporting requirements in multiple jurisdictions increase the possibility that a healthcare company may violate one or more of these requirements and be required to allocate significant resources to its compliance program. If LivaNova’s operations are found to be in violation of any such laws or any other governmental regulations that apply to the Company, LivaNova may be subject to penalties, including, without limitation, civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, entry into corporate integrity agreements or other monitoring agreements with governmental agencies, the curtailment or restructuring of its operations, and exclusion from participation in federal and state healthcare programs, any of which could adversely affect LivaNova’s financial results and the Company’s ability to operate its business.
Disclosure Pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act of 1934
Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act requires issuers to disclose in their annual reports, among other things, certain types of dealings with Iran and other entities, including transactions or dealing with government-owned entities, even when those activities are lawful and do not involve U.S. persons. Two of LivaNova’s non-U.S. subsidiaries currently sell medical devices, including cardiopulmonary and neuromodulation products, to distributors and non-governmental organizations in Iran to support patient care in that country. LivaNova has limited visibility into the identity of the customers of these distributors and
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non-governmental organizations in Iran. It is possible that their customers include entities such as government-owned hospitals or sub-distributors that are owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the Iranian government. However, to the best of its knowledge at this time, LivaNova does not have any contracts or commercial arrangements with the Iranian government or other relevant entities.
LivaNova’s gross revenues and net profits attributable to the above-mentioned Iranian activities were $2.8 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, and $9.5 million and $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, respectively.
LivaNova believes its activities are consistent with applicable law, including U.S., UK, EU, and other applicable sanction laws, though such laws are complex and continue to evolve rapidly. The Company intends to continue its business in Iran.
Human Capital Management
LivaNova has approximately 2,900 employees worldwide, representing more than 70 nationalities and located in 31 countries. These employees are crucial in achieving the Company’s mission to provide hope to its patients and their families. LivaNova encourages its employees to live by LivaNova’s five core values: patients first, meaningful innovation, act with agility, commitment to quality and integrity, and collaborative culture. The Company measures its success by these values, using them as a foundation for achieving organizational growth and excellence.
Compensation and Benefits
To meet the needs of LivaNova’s patients and customers, the Company strives to attract, retain, develop, and reward exceptional talent. LivaNova’s proactive talent acquisition strategies, competitive compensation and benefits, collaborative and rewarding work environment, leadership development programs, and professional training opportunities have been a significant driver of the Company’s success. In addition to base pay, LivaNova’s rewards, compensation, and benefits programs may include, depending on jurisdiction, annual performance bonuses, stock awards, pensions, health and well-being programs, paid time off and parental leave, financial assistance for education-related purposes, flexible working schedules, hybrid and remote working, employee stock purchase plans, and employee rewards programs, among others.
Culture
LivaNova seeks to foster a culture of continuous understanding and transparency, where open and direct communication is valued. Accordingly, LivaNova regularly conducts employee engagement surveys, called LivaNova4You, to measure overall employment engagement and satisfaction and to provide the Company with actionable data for potential improvement opportunities. Over 90% of employees completed the 2024 LivaNova4You engagement survey which encompassed questions relating to health and wellness, employment engagement, transformation and change, and overall culture within the Company. Based on the results of the survey, leaders within the Company are working with their teams to enhance communications and workload, collaboration around the organization, deeper focus on change management strategies, and increased development and career growth opportunities.
Performance Management, Leadership Development, and Professional Training
LivaNova’s annual performance management process is designed to build employee skills and capabilities and develop and retain enterprise leaders for the future. It includes training to increase the quality of employee/manager talent review discussions and employee performance calibrations among leaders to drive consistency. All employees, which include full-time and part-time employees, start the year creating performance-aligned goals that are reviewed with their managers at both mid-year and year-end performance evaluation reviews.
Employees have access to an extensive training library called LivaNova University, which contains modules covering different aspects of the business. In addition, LivaNova has a range of tailored programs in place to develop and enhance employees’ career paths. The LivaNova Leadership Academy is a program that promotes development through three different learning forums - Manager Fundamentals, Emerging Leaders, and Advanced Leadership - to accelerate the development and succession readiness for employees chosen for the program.
LivaNova also supports the continuing education of its employees externally. In the U.S. and internationally, eligible employees can access financial aid through education reimbursement programs for approved courses and certifications completed independently.
Finally, LivaNova offers internships and apprenticeships across functions around the globe, in partnership with universities and institutions, which may lead to full-time employment with the Company.
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Valuing People
LivaNova recognizes the value in fostering an inclusive work environment and strives to provide a workplace free of harassment or discrimination. LivaNova’s strategy for accelerating diversity begins with creating new ways to identify extraordinary talent. Examples of the Company’s efforts include networking with universities, posting job listings on diverse sites, ensuring diversity-focused interview slates and panels, and training interviewers on how to conduct a fair, unbiased interview process.
LivaNova also supports internal diversity affinity initiatives, including the Multi-Generation Network and the Global Women’s Network, where employees convene to discuss topics that unite and celebrate the strength of diversity in the workplace. In addition, the LivaNova Women’s Network operates a mentorship program created by women and for women that facilitates pairings between mentors and mentees in the U.S. and Latin America. Topics range from career and financial advice to performance management and connection to the Company’s strategy. These programs provide members with new perspectives, more personalized development, and an opportunity to network with other women across the organization.
Seasonality
The number of medical procedures incorporating LivaNova’s products is generally lower during the summer months, particularly in European countries, due to summer vacation schedules.
Available Information
LivaNova’s global headquarters are located at 20 Eastbourne Terrace, London, UK W2 6LG. The Company’s website address is www.livanova.com. Free of charge through its website, LivaNova makes available its Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and reports relating to beneficial ownership of the Company’s securities filed or furnished pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with the SEC. LivaNova’s website also contains the charters for each standing committee of its Board of Directors in addition to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.
LivaNova may from time to time provide important disclosures to investors by posting them in the Investor Relations section of its website, as allowed by SEC rules. Information on LivaNova’s website is not incorporated into this Report.
The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements, and other information about SEC registrants, including LivaNova.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
An investor should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as other information contained in this Report and in LivaNova’s other filings with the SEC. The Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected by any such risks or uncertainties. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that the Company currently believes to be immaterial may also adversely affect its business.
Risks Relating to the Company’s Business and Operations
LivaNova is subject to the risks of conducting business internationally.
LivaNova designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells products and therapies globally, and the Company intends to continue to pursue growth opportunities worldwide. LivaNova’s international operations are subject to risks that are inherent in conducting business globally. These risks, many of which LivaNova has experienced first-hand, include higher danger of terrorist activity, war, or civil unrest; greater exposure to inflation; volatility in freight and labor costs; fluctuating interest and exchange rates; increased exposure to cyber-attacks and supply chain challenges; trade protection measures such as tariffs, evolving sanctions, and import and export licensing requirements; changing energy prices; local product changes and compliance requirements; longer payment terms and collection times for receivables in local jurisdictions; difficulty enforcing agreements; greater exposure to creditworthiness of customers and inconsistent local law enforcement of obligations; ensuring compliance with anti-bribery laws; differing labor regulations and workforce instability; selling by way of distributors and agents; and political and economic instability. Many of these risks are rapidly evolving and subject to an accelerating pace of change.
Conflicts, for example, including those in Ukraine and the Middle East, have caused the Company to assess its ability to source materials, manage transportation costs, sell product, collect payment, and comply with international sanctions. These conflicts have increased economic and regulatory uncertainties, and a significant escalation or continuation of these conflicts could have a material impact on the Company’s operating results.
Certain of LivaNova’s subsidiaries are engaged in business dealings in countries subject to comprehensive sanctions, including Iran and Russia. These business dealings represent an insignificant amount of LivaNova’s consolidated revenues and income but expose the Company to a heightened risk of violating applicable sanctions regulations. Violations of these regulations are punishable by civil and criminal penalties, including fines, denial of export privileges, injunctions, asset seizures, debarment from government contracts, and revocations or restriction of licenses, as well as criminal fines and imprisonment. Despite best efforts to comply, there can be no assurance that LivaNova’s policies and procedures will prevent the Company from violating these regulations in every transaction in which LivaNova may engage, and such a violation could adversely affect its reputation, business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
In addition, LivaNova’s global operations result in revenues and expenses that are denominated in currencies other than LivaNova’s reporting currency, the USD. Fluctuations in exchange rates may impact, and have impacted, LivaNova’s results of operations and financial condition. Although LivaNova has in the past elected, and may in the future elect, to hedge certain foreign currency exposures, it is unlikely that any hedging strategy would eliminate its currency risk entirely. LivaNova cannot predict the change in currency exchange rates, the impact of exchange rate changes, or the degree to which it will be able to manage the impact of currency exchange rate changes.
Any of the aforementioned risks could adversely affect LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
Reductions and interruptions in LivaNova’s supply chain have had, and may continue to have, adverse effects on LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
LivaNova purchases many of the components and raw materials used in manufacturing its products from numerous suppliers in various countries. In some cases, LivaNova purchases specific components and raw materials from primary or main suppliers (or in some cases, a single or sole supplier) for reasons related to quality assurance, cost-effectiveness, and availability. Although the Company has generally been able to maintain necessary supplies of raw materials and components, supplier shortages and interruptions of certain components, such as PC-coated PMP fiber used in the manufacture of oxygenators, have caused, and may in the future cause, meaningful disruptions to LivaNova’s product manufacturing supply chain. Any problem affecting a supplier (whether due to external or internal causes) could have, and in certain instances, has had, a negative impact on LivaNova. Difficulties and delays in manufacturing, internally, externally, or otherwise within the supply chain, may lead to voluntary or involuntary business interruptions or shutdowns, employee furloughs, product shortages, withdrawals or suspensions of products from the market, and potential regulatory action.
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Moreover, due to strict standards and regulations governing the manufacture and marketing of LivaNova’s products, the Company may not be able to locate new supply sources quickly or at all in response to a supply reduction or interruption, especially for components and raw materials sourced by a single or sole supplier, resulting in negative effects on its ability to meet market demand and to manufacture products effectively and timely. To the extent the Company is unsuccessful in managing its supply chain, any such issues could have a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
Cybersecurity incidents or other disruptions to LivaNova’s information technology systems could lead to reduced revenue, increased costs, liability claims, regulatory fines, litigation, harm to LivaNova’s competitive position, and loss of reputation.
LivaNova is increasingly dependent on its information technology systems and those of third parties to operate its business, and certain products of the Company include integrated software and information technology. Such dependencies have been exacerbated by remote work practices. LivaNova relies on information technology systems to collect and process customer orders, manage product manufacturing and shipping, and support regulatory compliance. The Company routinely processes, stores, and transmits large amounts of data, including sensitive personal information, patient health information, and confidential business information. The secure processing, maintenance, and transmission of this information are critical to LivaNova’s operations. The quantity and complexity of the Company’s products and information technology systems make such systems vulnerable to cybersecurity incidents, breakdowns, interruptions, destruction, loss or compromise of data, obsolescence of or incompatibility among systems, or other significant disruptions.
The Company has experienced and is continually at risk of being subject to cybersecurity incidents and other disruptions. Programs and systems may require frequent updates or may no longer be supported, which may impact the ability of the Company’s information technology systems to operate properly or without disruption. Unauthorized persons routinely attempt to access LivaNova’s systems to disrupt, disable, or degrade services; obtain proprietary or confidential information; or remotely disrupt or access the systems of large healthcare provider customers of the Company by attempting to exploit the Company’s systems. Furthermore, LivaNova’s security assessments of third-party vendors may be inadequate to determine whether their security protocols are sufficient to prevent a cybersecurity incident or other system or data compromise. LivaNova also cannot be certain that the Company will receive timely notification by its third-party vendors of such matters. Cybersecurity incidents and other system and data compromises could remain undetected for an extended period, which could potentially result in significant harm to the Company’s information technology systems, as well as unauthorized access to, or acquisition of, the information stored on and/or transmitted by the Company’s information technology systems. In addition, to access LivaNova’s products and services, its customers may use computers and other devices that are beyond the Company’s security control safeguards.
Unauthorized disclosure or use of, denial of access to, or other incidents involving sensitive or confidential customer, patient, employee, vendor or Company data, whether through systems failure, employee negligence, fraud, misappropriation, cybersecurity incidents, or other intentional or unintentional acts, could expose and have exposed the Company to liability under various laws and regulations across jurisdictions and increase the risk of litigation and governmental or regulatory investigation, damage LivaNova’s reputation and its competitive positioning in the marketplace, disrupt its or its customers’ business operations, or cause LivaNova to lose customers, potentially resulting in significant financial exposure and legal liability. Similarly, unauthorized access to or through, denial of access to, or other incidents involving LivaNova or its vendors’ information systems, whether by the Company’s employees or third parties, including a cyber-attack by criminal hackers, or state-sponsored organizations, who continuously develop and deploy viruses, ransomware, malware, or other malicious software programs or social engineering attacks, have resulted and could in the future result in negative publicity, significant remediation costs, legal liability, notification requirements, and damage to LivaNova’s reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
Cybersecurity threats are constantly expanding and evolving, becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex, increasing the difficulty of detecting and defending against them and maintaining effective security measures and protocols. Additionally, artificial intelligence and machine learning may be used for certain cybersecurity incidents, improving or expanding the existing capabilities of threat actors in manners the Company cannot predict at this time, resulting in greater risk of cybersecurity incidents. Even when a cybersecurity incident or other system or data compromise is detected, the full extent of the issue may not be determined immediately. The costs to the Company to mitigate cybersecurity incidents or other system or data compromises could be significant, and, while the Company has implemented security measures to protect its information technology systems and data, its efforts to address potential information security vulnerabilities may not be successful. LivaNova’s cyber risk insurance may be insufficient to cover losses in connection with a cybersecurity incident or other system or data compromise, such as attorney’s fees, regulatory fines, litigation costs, or financial losses that exceed the Company’s policy limits or are not covered under any of its current insurance policies. Cyber risk insurance also has become more
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expensive to obtain, and LivaNova cannot be certain that the Company’s current levels of insurance will be available in the future on economically reasonable terms.
As previously disclosed, in November 2023, LivaNova detected a cybersecurity incident that resulted in a disruption of portions of the Company’s information technology systems. Promptly after detecting the issue, LivaNova began an investigation with assistance from external cybersecurity experts and coordinated with law enforcement. The Company implemented remediation measures to mitigate the impact of the incident. The Company also assessed the nature and scope of the affected data, analyzed its statutory notification obligations, and notified affected individuals and regulators as required by applicable law. The incident has been contained, and the Company’s mitigation efforts are considered complete, but any future cybersecurity event has the potential to materially affect its results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
The costs of complying with the requirements of U.S. federal and state and international laws and regulations pertaining to the privacy and security of personal information, including health-related information, and the potential liability associated with failure to comply with such laws and regulations, could materially adversely affect LivaNova’s business and results of operations.
There is significant regulatory enforcement focus on data protection in the U.S. (at both federal and state levels) and abroad, and an actual or alleged failure to comply with applicable U.S. or international data protection laws or regulations or other data protection standards may expose LivaNova to regulatory investigations, litigation (including class action litigation), fines, sanctions, settlement costs, or other penalties and liabilities, which could harm the Company’s reputation and adversely impact LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition. The Company collects, stores, and handles personnel and patient data, including sensitive patient health information, which may present material obligations and risks to LivaNova’s business, including significantly expanded compliance burdens, costs, and enforcement risks. If LivaNova does not lawfully collect, store, handle, or otherwise process personal information and does not prevent cybersecurity incidents or other system or data compromises, particularly given the increased risks associated with processing sensitive health information, LivaNova may suffer legal and regulatory consequences in addition to business consequences. See “Cybersecurity incidents or other disruptions to LivaNova’s information technology systems could lead to reduced revenue, increased costs, liability claims, regulatory fines, litigation, harm to LivaNova’s competitive position, and loss of reputation.” above.
As a result of its worldwide operations, the Company is subject to various data protection and cybersecurity laws and regulations in many jurisdictions, including HIPAA, U.S. state privacy and data breach notification laws, and the GDPR. Other governments have enacted or amended or are enacting similar data protection laws, including data localization laws that require data to stay within their borders and other technical and operational adaptions that may be required given the rapid changes in data protection regulation where LivaNova conducts business. The enactment of such laws could have potentially conflicting requirements that would make compliance challenging. LivaNova’s efforts to comply with applicable laws and regulations may be inadequate, and the Company may be unable to avoid enforcement actions by governmental bodies. Enforcement actions may be costly and could interrupt the regular operations of LivaNova’s business. Moreover, LivaNova’s insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover all losses in connection with alleged non-compliance with applicable data protection laws and regulations. In addition, in the U.S., there is a trend of civil lawsuits and class actions relating to compromises of personal information caused by cybersecurity incidents or other system or data compromises, which typically allege negligence, breach of contract, and violation of various state consumer protection laws. LivaNova USA, Inc., for example, was named as a defendant in six putative class actions arising out of the November 2023 cybersecurity incident, which were consolidated into a single action that has been settled. The Company also has received inquiries from HHS’s Office for Civil Rights, U.S. state regulators, and international data protection authorities regarding the 2023 incident. In connection with any potential future cybersecurity incident, the Company similarly could become a target of civil litigation or government enforcement actions as a result of a compromise to or loss of data.
The global medical device industry is highly competitive, and LivaNova may be unable to compete effectively.
LivaNova operates in a highly competitive market characterized by increasingly complex products that are expensive and time- consuming to develop and manufacture. In the product lines in which LivaNova competes, the Company faces a mixture of competitors ranging from large manufacturers with multiple business lines to small manufacturers that offer a limited selection of specialized products. Development by other companies of new or improved products, processes, therapies, or technologies, including products developed with the effective use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, may make LivaNova’s products or proposed products less competitive. The Company’s failure to adopt or integrate such advanced technologies may hinder product innovation, increase costs, and impact its competitiveness and operational efficiency. In addition, LivaNova faces competition from providers of alternative medical therapies, pharmaceuticals, and surgical interventions, among others. Competitive factors include product quality, reliability and performance; product technology and innovation; breadth of product lines and product services; ability to identify new market trends; changes to the regulatory environment; cost-effectiveness and
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price; customer support and training; capacity to recruit engineers, scientists, and other qualified employees; ability to navigate the regulatory approval process in the markets in which LivaNova operates; reimbursement approval; reimbursement coverage; and effectiveness of systems and processes. Additionally, academic institutions, governmental agencies, and other public and private research organizations may also conduct research, seek patent protection, and establish collaborative arrangements for discovery, research, clinical development, and marketing of products similar to LivaNova’s products. Difficulties in any of these areas may have a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
LivaNova’s research and development efforts rely upon investments and investment collaborations, and the Company cannot guarantee that any previous or future investments or investment collaborations will be successful.
The rapid pace of technological development in the medical industry and the specialized expertise required in different areas of medicine make it difficult for one company alone to develop a broad portfolio of technological solutions. As a result, LivaNova also relies on investments and investment collaborations to provide the Company access to new technologies. If LivaNova fails to develop new and enhanced products and services on a timely basis, the Company’s offerings may become more expensive to maintain and eventually obsolete over time, and its reputation, business, and financial results may be negatively impacted. LivaNova’s success depends on several factors, including its ability to appropriately allocate the Company’s R&D funding to products and services with higher growth prospects, for example, further incorporation of software, hiring and retaining the necessary R&D talent, stimulating customer demand for and convincing customers to adopt new technologies, innovating and developing new technologies and applications, and acquiring or obtaining third-party technologies that may have valuable applications in the markets that LivaNova serves.
LivaNova expects to make investments where it believes that the Company can internally develop, or acquire, new technologies and products to further LivaNova’s strategic objectives and strengthen LivaNova’s existing businesses. The success of any investment may be affected by a number of factors, including the Company’s ability to identify and then properly assess and value the potential business opportunity. These types of transactions may require more resources than originally anticipated, may divert management’s attention from the Company’s existing business, and may not result in the expected benefits, savings, or synergies. Investments and investment collaborations in and with medical technology companies are inherently risky, and LivaNova cannot guarantee that any of its previous or future acquisitions, investments, or investment collaborations will be successful or will not materially adversely affect LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
The continuing development of many of LivaNova’s products depends upon the Company maintaining appropriate working relationships with healthcare professionals.
The success and continuing development of LivaNova’s products depend on the ability to work appropriately with healthcare professionals as needed. If LivaNova fails to maintain its working relationships with physicians and other healthcare professionals, the Company’s products may not be developed and marketed in line with the needs and expectations of the professionals who use and support LivaNova’s products. Physicians assist LivaNova as researchers, marketing consultants, product consultants, inventors, and public speakers, and LivaNova relies on these professionals to provide the Company with considerable knowledge and experience. If LivaNova is unable to maintain these relationships, the development and marketing of the Company’s products could suffer, which could have a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
Quality issues with LivaNova’s processes, products, and services could harm the Company’s reputation for producing high-quality products and erode LivaNova’s competitive advantage, revenue, and market share.
Maintaining the quality of the Company’s products is important to LivaNova and its customers due to the serious and costly consequences of product failure. LivaNova’s quality certifications are critical to the marketing success of the Company’s products and services. If LivaNova fails to meet these standards, the Company’s reputation could be damaged, the Company could lose customers, and LivaNova’s revenue and results of operations could decline. Aside from specific customer standards, LivaNova’s success depends generally on the Company’s ability to manufacture precision-engineered components, sub-assemblies, and finished products to exact tolerances with certified materials. If LivaNova’s components fail to meet these standards or fail to adapt to evolving standards, the Company’s reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality products will be harmed, certain of its inventory may become obsolete, its competitive advantage could be damaged, and LivaNova could lose customers and market share.
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If LivaNova’s marketed medical devices are defective or otherwise pose safety risks, the FDA and similar non-U.S. governmental authorities could require their recall or initiate an enforcement action, or LivaNova may initiate a recall of the Company’s products or stop sales of products voluntarily.
As a healthcare company, LivaNova’s products are subject to the risk of recalls or enforcement actions. The FDA and similar non-U.S. governmental authorities may require the recall and/or the withdrawal of sales of commercialized products in the event of material deficiencies or defects in design, software, or manufacture, or in the event that a product poses an unacceptable risk to patients’ health. Manufacturers, on their own initiative, may recall a product or stop sales of such product, and the Company has in the past initiated, and may initiate in the future, voluntary product recalls and sale stoppages. Any recall announcement could harm LivaNova’s reputation with customers and negatively affect LivaNova’s reputation, business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial position. A recall could also impair LivaNova’s ability to produce its products in a cost-effective and timely manner. In the future, LivaNova may initiate voluntary withdrawal, removal, replacement, or repair actions that the Company determines do not require notification as a recall. If a regulatory authority were to disagree with LivaNova’s determinations, it could require the Company to report those actions as recalls.
In addition, depending on the corrective action taken to redress a device’s deficiencies or defects, regulators may require, or LivaNova may decide, that the Company needs to obtain new approvals or clearances before it markets or distributes the corrected device. Seeking such approvals or clearances may delay LivaNova’s ability to replace the recalled device in a timely manner. Any corrective action, whether voluntary or involuntary, or related litigation will require investment of the Company’s time and capital, may distract management from operating the business, may cause the Company to write down inventory related to any product recall or other quality issues, and may harm LivaNova’s reputation and financial results. See, for example, “Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies” in LivaNova’s consolidated financial statements under the section entitled “Product Liability Litigation.” Moreover, if LivaNova does not adequately address problems associated with its devices, the Company may face additional regulatory enforcement actions, including FDA warning letters, product seizures, injunctions, administrative penalties, or civil or criminal fines, any of which could have a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s business.
Failure to comply with product-related government regulations may materially adversely affect LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
Both before and after a product is commercially released, LivaNova has ongoing responsibilities under FDA and other applicable non-U.S. government agency regulations. For instance, many of LivaNova’s facilities and procedures and those of its suppliers are subject to periodic inspections by the FDA, which can result, and in the past has resulted, in inspection observations on the FDA’s Form 483, warning letters, or other forms of enforcement. If the FDA were to conclude that LivaNova is not in compliance with applicable laws or regulations, or that any of the Company’s medical products are ineffective or pose an unreasonable health risk, the FDA could ban such medical products; detain or seize adulterated or misbranded medical products; order a recall, repair, replacement, or refund of such products; refuse to grant pending PMA applications; and/or require LivaNova to notify health professionals and others that the devices present an unreasonable risk of substantial harm to the public health. Similar consequences could follow, such as audits by non-U.S. regulators and notified bodies.
The FDA and other non-U.S. government agencies could also assess civil or criminal penalties against LivaNova, the Company’s officers, or other employees and/or impose operating restrictions on a company-wide basis. The FDA could also recommend prosecution to the U.S. Department of Justice. An adverse regulatory action could restrict LivaNova from effectively marketing and selling its products, limit its ability to obtain future pre-market clearances or PMAs, and result in a substantial modification to LivaNova’s business practices and operations. These potential consequences, as well as any adverse outcome from government investigations, could have a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
In addition, device manufacturers are prohibited from promoting their products for uses and indications that are not consistent with the approved product labeling (so called “off-label uses”). While physicians may exercise their discretion in prescribing a device for an off-label use, a device manufacturer’s failure to comply with the related applicable regulations could subject LivaNova to significant civil or criminal exposure, administrative obligations and costs, and/or other potential penalties.
Governmental regulations outside the U.S. have, and may continue to, become increasingly stringent and common as well. For example, MDR has resulted in significant additional pre-market and post-market requirements. Certifications to MDR must be achieved by December 2027 or December 2028, based on the risk classification of the device. In the interim, the European Commission is allowing companies to use their MDD certifications. LivaNova is working to obtain all appropriate approvals as required, as penalties for regulatory non-compliance can be severe, including fines and revocation or suspension of a
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company’s business license. The development and implementation of future laws and regulations may also have a material adverse effect on LivaNova.
LivaNova’s success depends on its employees and the Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel needed to successfully operate its business, plan for future executive transitions, and negotiate with local works councils.
LivaNova’s ability to compete effectively depends on its ability to attract and retain key employees and maintain robust succession planning for key positions. The Company’s ability to recruit and retain key talent depends on many factors, including compensation and benefits, work location, work environment, industry-specific and general economic conditions, and the hiring practices of competitors. If LivaNova fails to attract and retain key personnel in senior management and other positions, or if the Company’s succession planning efforts are not effective, it could have a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Furthermore, in many of the countries where LivaNova operates, employees are covered by various local laws and/or collective bargaining agreements, some with the right to be consulted in relation to specific issues, including reorganizations and staff reductions. The laws and/or collective bargaining agreements could have an impact on LivaNova’s flexibility as they apply to programs to redefine and/or strategically reposition the Company’s activities. A negative response to any action taken by LivaNova from a works council or union-organized work stoppages by employees could have a negative impact on LivaNova’s business.
LivaNova’s products are subject to complex laws and regulations, and failure to obtain product approvals, clearance, or reimbursement may materially adversely affect LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
LivaNova’s medical devices and technologies, as well as its business activities, are subject to a complex set of regulations and rigorous enforcement, including by the FDA, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and numerous other federal, state, and non-U.S. governmental authorities. Leadership and other workforce changes within any of the aforementioned agencies as a result of the change of administration in the U.S. may impact regulations, enforcement priorities, and timelines. The time required to obtain approvals from foreign countries may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA clearance, and requirements for such approvals may differ from FDA requirements. To varying degrees, each of these agencies requires LivaNova to comply with laws and regulations governing the development, modification, testing, manufacturing, labeling, reimbursement, marketing, and distribution of LivaNova’s products. As part of the approval, clearance, or reimbursement process for new products, product modifications, and new indications for existing products, LivaNova may conduct clinical trials and studies. Unfavorable or inconsistent clinical data from existing or future clinical trials, or the unfavorable interpretation of such clinical data by customers, regulatory authorities, or third-party payers, may adversely impact LivaNova’s ability to obtain product approval or clearance, and/or receive reimbursement.
LivaNova, for example, is currently conducting clinical studies, and any trial delays or news regarding unfavorable or inconsistent clinical data could have a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s business. Success in pre-clinical testing and early clinical studies does not always ensure that later clinical studies will be successful, and LivaNova cannot be sure that later studies will replicate the results of prior studies. Any termination or delay in the completion of LivaNova’s clinical studies could delay or preclude the filing of regulatory submissions or requests for coverage determinations and, ultimately, LivaNova’s ability to commercialize new or modified products and obtain reimbursement for the Company’s products. It is also possible that patients enrolled in clinical studies will experience adverse side effects that are not currently part of the product’s safety profile, which could inhibit further marketing and development of such products.
Even if LivaNova is able to obtain product approval, product clearance, and reimbursement, it may take a significant amount of time; require the expenditure of substantial resources; involve stringent pre-clinical and clinical testing; require increased post-market surveillance; involve modifications, repairs, or replacements of LivaNova’s products; and/or impose limitations on the proposed uses of its products. Ultimately, LivaNova cannot guarantee that its clinical trials will be successful or that the Company will be able to obtain or maintain approval or clearance and/or reimbursement for new products or modifications to existing products. Any such issues, whether in relation to clinical trials, approvals, clearances, or reimbursement, could have a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
The impact of pending or existing climate change may have a material impact to LivaNova’s future operations.
The physical impacts of natural disasters and extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, winter storms, wildfires, or flooding, could potentially damage LivaNova’s facilities, cause unanticipated downtime in production, temporarily reduce demand, reduce employee productivity, increase absenteeism, disrupt the Company’s supply chain operations and its suppliers’ operations, and negatively impact operational costs. Additionally, transitional climate risks, such as changing customer behaviors and changing dynamics in raw materials and utility markets, could lead to lost revenue due to
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inability to meet changing customer requirements, increasing costs associated with product adjustments to meet changing customer preferences, increasing costs of inputs and raw materials, and increasing cost of utilities. There continues to be a lack of consistent climate legislation, which creates economic and regulatory uncertainty. Legal, regulatory, and customer requirements and preferences designed to mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment are increasing, and there is a risk of obligations being imposed that would increase LivaNova’s compliance burden and cost to meet these obligations. Individually or in the aggregate, such risks could materially negatively impact LivaNova’s future operations.
Global healthcare policy changes may have a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.
In response to increases in healthcare costs, there have been and continue to be proposals by governments, regulators, and third- party payers globally to control these costs. These proposals, among other things, have resulted in efforts to enact healthcare system reforms that may lead to restricted access, pricing restrictions, payback requirements, and limits on the amounts of reimbursement available for LivaNova’s products. For example, in 2015, the Italian Parliament introduced rules for entities that supply goods and services to the Italian National Healthcare System, impacting the business and financial reporting of medical technology sector companies that sell devices in Italy, including LivaNova. A key provision of the law is a “payback” measure, requiring companies selling medical devices in Italy to repay a percentage of the healthcare expenditures exceeding the regional maximum caps for medical devices. While LivaNova is appealing the imposition of the guidelines and requests for payment pursuant to the rule, the Constitutional Court, in a separate matter, determined the rule constitutional. As a result, the Company may not be successful in its own appeals. See “Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies” in LivaNova’s consolidated financial statements included in this Report for additional information.
Additionally, LivaNova’s ability to profitably commercialize the Company’s products is dependent, in large part, on whether third-party payers, including private healthcare insurers, managed-care plans, governmental programs, and others, agree to cover the costs and services associated with LivaNova’s products and related medical procedures in the U.S. and internationally. Third-party payers, including private and government insurers, are increasingly requiring evidence that medical devices are clinically-effective and cost-effective. If LivaNova is unable to demonstrate that the Company’s devices are effective, third-party payers may not reimburse the use of LivaNova’s products or provide sufficient reimbursement for LivaNova’s products, which could reduce sales of the Company’s products to healthcare providers that depend upon reimbursement for payment for their services. Similarly, periodic changes to reimbursement methodologies could have an adverse impact on LivaNova’s business. Adoption of some or all of such healthcare policy and reimbursement proposals could have a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial position.
Failure to comply with rules relating to reimbursement of healthcare goods and services, healthcare fraud and abuse, false claims, and other applicable laws or regulations may subject LivaNova to penalties and limit patient access to its devices, thereby adversely impacting the Company’s reputation and business operations.
LivaNova’s devices and therapies are subject to regulation by various governmental agencies worldwide that are responsible for regulating healthcare goods and services, including laws and regulations related to kickbacks, false claims, self-referrals, and healthcare fraud. Because LivaNova’s marketing practices involve direct promotion to patients in certain jurisdictions, the Company is subject to additional laws and regulations intended to prevent misleading patients and consumers through unethical promotional activities and related data collection practices. Any failure to comply with these laws and regulations could subject the Company or its officers and employees to criminal and civil financial penalties.
The risk of being found in violation of these laws is increased by the fact that many of them have not been fully interpreted by regulatory authorities or the courts and their provisions are open to a variety of interpretations. Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of the statutory exceptions and safe harbors available under such laws, it is possible that some of LivaNova’s business activities, including the Company’s relationships with healthcare providers, some of whom recommend, purchase, and/or prescribe LivaNova’s devices, group purchasing organizations, and LivaNova’s independent sales agents and distributors, could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws. Even an unsubstantiated allegation of impropriety could adversely impact LivaNova’s reputation and/or business operations.
Furthermore, LivaNova’s devices, products, and therapies are purchased principally by hospitals or physicians that typically bill various third-party payers, such as governmental healthcare programs (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, and comparable non-U.S. programs), private insurance plans, and managed-care plans for the healthcare services provided to their patients. The ability of LivaNova’s customers to obtain appropriate reimbursement for products and services from third-party payers is critical because it affects which products customers purchase and the prices they are willing to pay. LivaNova’s devices, products, and therapies are subject to regulation regarding quality and cost by HHS, including CMS, as well as comparable state and non-U.S. agencies responsible for reimbursement and regulation of healthcare goods and services, including laws and regulations related to kickbacks, false claims, self-referrals, and healthcare fraud. In addition, as a manufacturer of U.S. FDA-approved devices
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reimbursable by federal healthcare programs, LivaNova is subject to the Physician Payments Sunshine Act and similar U.S. state laws, which require the Company to annually report certain payments and other transfers of value LivaNova makes to U.S.-licensed physicians, U.S. teaching hospitals, or other covered recipients. Any failure to comply with these laws and regulations, including similar laws and regulations outside of the U.S., could subject the Company or its officers and employees to criminal and civil financial penalties, potentially resulting in a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial position.
Failure to comply with anti-bribery laws could materially adversely affect LivaNova’s business and result in civil and/or criminal sanctions.
LivaNova’s operations are subject to anti-corruption laws, including the UK Bribery Act, the FCPA, and other anti-corruption laws that apply in countries where the Company does business. These laws generally prohibit LivaNova and its employees and intermediaries from bribing, being bribed, or making other prohibited payments to government officials or other persons to obtain or retain business or gain some other business advantage. Because of the predominance of government-administered healthcare systems in many parts of the world outside of the U.S., many of LivaNova’s customer relationships are potentially subject to such laws.
LivaNova is, therefore, exposed to the risk that its employees, independent contractors, principal investigators, consultants, vendors, independent sales agents, and distributors may engage in fraudulent or other illegal activity in violation of these laws and LivaNova’s Code of Ethics & Business Conduct. LivaNova maintains a compliance program that includes policies and training to educate its employees and agents on these legal requirements, and to prevent and prohibit improper practices. However, existing safeguards and any future improvements may not always be effective, and LivaNova’s employees, consultants, sales agents, or distributors may engage in conduct for which LivaNova could be held responsible. In addition, regulators could seek to hold LivaNova liable for conduct committed by companies in which LivaNova invests or acquires. The FCPA can pose unique challenges for companies that operate in foreign cultures where conduct prohibited by the FCPA may not be viewed as illegal in local jurisdictions. Although LivaNova’s compliance program includes mechanisms for detecting and correcting misconduct, including a hotline called the “LivaNova Ethics Line”, it is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct by LivaNova’s employees and other third parties, and the precautions the Company takes to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting LivaNova from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with such laws or regulations.
Global enforcement of anti-corruption laws has increased substantially in recent years, with more frequent voluntary self- disclosures by companies, aggressive investigations and enforcement proceedings by governmental agencies, and assessment of significant fines and penalties against companies and individuals. LivaNova cannot predict the nature, scope, or effect of future regulatory requirements to which the Company’s international operations might be subject or the manner in which existing laws might be administered or interpreted. Any alleged or actual violations of these laws and regulations may subject LivaNova to government scrutiny, severe criminal or civil sanctions, and other liabilities, including exclusion from government contracting or government healthcare programs, and could negatively affect LivaNova’s reputation, business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
If LivaNova’s business development and restructuring activities are unsuccessful, the Company may not realize the intended benefits.
LivaNova has sought, and in the future may seek, to supplement its organic growth through strategic investments, alliances, and acquisitions. Moreover, LivaNova has sought, and in the future may seek, to divest or wind down certain assets deemed non-core to the Company’s long-term strategic objectives. For example, as part of the 2024 Restructuring Plan, the Company wound down its ACS segment. Such transactions are inherently risky and require significant effort and management attention. The success of any investment, alliance, acquisition, or divestiture may be affected by various factors, including LivaNova’s ability to properly assess, finance, value, and obtain relevant approvals for a potential business opportunity or to successfully integrate any business LivaNova may acquire. LivaNova cannot be certain that its investments, alliances, and acquired businesses will achieve the financial projections supporting those investment decisions. In addition, if LivaNova’s investments, alliances, divestitures, or acquisitions are not successful, the Company may incur costs in excess of what it anticipates, including those resulting from related litigation.
As a result of acquisitions, LivaNova may face risks due to the implementation, modification, or remediation of controls, procedures, and policies relating to data privacy and cybersecurity at the acquired company. In addition, failure to manage and coordinate the growth of the combined company successfully could have an adverse impact on LivaNova’s business.
Similarly, LivaNova may divest and has divested portions of its business, resulting in the migration of data and overlapping data obligations. As a result of such divestitures, LivaNova may face risks due to the migration or modification of controls,
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procedures, and policies relating to data privacy and cybersecurity internally or en route during migration. Any significant breakdown, intrusion, interruption, corruption, or destruction of these systems, as well as any data breaches, could have a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s business.
LivaNova may incur impairments of intangible assets, goodwill, and other long-lived assets that may adversely affect the Company’s financial results.
LivaNova reviews, when circumstances warrant, the carrying amounts of its intangible assets, goodwill, and other long-lived assets to determine whether those carrying amounts continue to be recoverable in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Significant negative industry or economic trends; disruptions to LivaNova’s businesses; and significant unexpected or unplanned changes in the use of assets, divestitures, and market capitalization declines, among other events, may result in impairments to LivaNova’s intangible assets, goodwill, and other long-lived assets. Recent impairments have significantly affected LivaNova’s financial results, as could future impairments.
Public health crises have had, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition, the nature and extent of which are uncertain and unpredictable.
LivaNova’s global operations and business interactions with healthcare systems, providers, and patients around the world expose the Company to risks associated with public health crises, including epidemics and pandemics such as COVID-19. LivaNova continues to monitor the potential effects of future health epidemics on the Company’s business and operations. While the spread of COVID-19 has stabilized, the Company cannot guarantee that a future outbreak of this or any other widespread epidemic will not occur, which could have the effect of decreasing demand and/or increasing volatility in demand for LivaNova’s products, which could have a material impact on LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, and liquidity.
Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Risks
As a manufacturer of medical devices, LivaNova is exposed to product liability claims that could adversely affect its consolidated financial condition and tarnish the Company’s reputation.
LivaNova designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells medical devices that pose product liability risks. Component failures, manufacturing defects, software errors, design flaws or inadequate disclosure of product-related risks or product or use-related information, or physician misuse with respect to these or other products the Company manufactures or sells could result in an unsafe condition for, injury to, or death of a patient. Such an event could result in product liability claims or a recall of, or safety alert relating to, one or more of LivaNova’s products. For example, as described in “Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies” in LivaNova’s consolidated financial statements included in this Report, the Company is involved in product liability litigation relating to its cardiopulmonary 3T Heater-Cooler product that has adversely affected LivaNova’s financial condition and has required the Company to devote significant resources to its defense and/or settlement of these claims. Any such product liability claims, whether unsubstantiated or not, could negatively affect LivaNova’s reputation, business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
LivaNova holds global insurance policies to cover a portion of future potential product liability losses and has elected to self- insure with respect to a significant portion of the Company’s product liability risks. Any product liability claims, regardless of their ultimate outcome, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to attract and retain customers for its products, and future losses from product liability claims could exceed LivaNova’s product liability insurance coverage and lead to a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and liquidity. In addition, future unanticipated large liability claims may raise substantial doubt about LivaNova’s ability to continue as a going concern.
LivaNova is subject to heightened scrutiny on issues relating to sustainability, including environmental laws and regulations, and the risk of environmental liabilities, violations, and litigation in multiple jurisdictions, any of which could have a material impact on LivaNova’s reputation, business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, and liquidity.
There is a heightened focus on issues relating to sustainability, including environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and corporate governance matters. Increasing attention on sustainability issues related to LivaNova’s business requires continuous monitoring of various and evolving laws, regulations, standards, and expectations and the associated reporting requirements. For example, in 2023, the CSRD entered into force. Broadly, CSRD amends and strengthens the rules introduced on sustainability reporting for companies, banks and insurance companies under the NFRD and will require a much broader range of in-scope companies to publicly report on their impact on sustainability matters as well as how sustainability matters affect their own development, performance and position in accordance with the ESRS. To the extent LivaNova is in scope of the reporting requirements under CSRD, the Company will be required to provide such information with its management report.
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This will involve implementing processes to gather the relevant data, conduct materiality assessments, and prepare a CSRD-compliant report, which will likely be a time-consuming and costly exercise, and in the event that LivaNova’s disclosures prove incorrect, the Company may incur liabilities. When producing a CSRD report, LivaNova may be required to obtain an assurance opinion with respect to the information in the report. To the extent an adverse or qualified assurance conclusion is reached with respect to LivaNova’s report, the Company’s reputation may be impacted, and investors could lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of its sustainability disclosures. Subject to the specific circumstances of an adverse or qualified conclusion, LivaNova may also be subject to sanctions set by EU Member States. Further, there are ongoing consultations that may result in further changes or amendments to CSRD. No final proposals have yet been set out, but this process could lead to significant changes to the CSRD regime. It is unclear as to how any such future changes could impact LivaNova.
Furthermore, if LivaNova’s sustainability initiatives fail to satisfy investors, customers, or other stakeholders, the Company’s reputation, its ability to sell products and services to customers, and its attractiveness as an investment, business partner, or acquirer could be negatively impacted. Similarly, LivaNova’s failure, or perceived failure, to fulfill its sustainability goals or to satisfy various reporting standards could also have a similar negative impact on the Company’s reputation, business, and results of operations. Environmental regulations continue to become more stringent, and LivaNova may experience increased compliance burdens and costs to meet its regulatory obligations, as well as adverse impacts on raw material sourcing, manufacturing operations, and the distribution of LivaNova’s products.
Additionally, certain environmental laws assess liability on current, prior, and/or related owners or operators of real property for the costs of investigation, removal, or remediation of hazardous substances on their properties or at properties on which they have disposed of hazardous substances. For example, LivaNova’s Saluggia campus contains hazardous substances as a result of nuclear installations built in 1960 under previous ownership, and the Italian government has stated that LivaNova will eventually be responsible for dismantling the nuclear installation on Company property, as well as delivering the aforementioned waste to a national repository. It is also possible that a governmental authority may seek to hold LivaNova liable for successor liability violations committed by any companies in which LivaNova invests or acquires. For example, LivaNova is currently in litigation with the government in Italy stemming from a civil action where the Court of Appeal declared LivaNova (formed through a merger with Sorin) liable for environmental liabilities incurred by SNIA’s (a former parent company of Sorin) other subsidiaries. See “Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies” in LivaNova’s consolidated financial statements included in this Report for additional information regarding these two matters. LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, and liquidity could be materially adversely affected by a negative decision in the case of SNIA and could be adversely affected by an increase in anticipated costs relating to disposal of hazardous waste in Saluggia. Private parties could also bring personal injury or other claims due to the presence of, or exposure to, hazardous substances.
In addition, LivaNova’s operations involve the use of substances regulated under environmental laws, including for purposes of sterilization. Regulations require sterilization of LivaNova’s products, and the Company operates, for example, a sterilization facility in Colorado allowing the Company to sterilize certain of its products in-house. The EPA and certain states have begun scrutinizing the levels of community exposure to EtO, which is used in the sterilization process. Certain medical device operating facilities have been designated as “elevated risk” facilities based on emission levels of EtO. LivaNova is not on the “elevated risk” list, nor is it in violation of any current local or federal regulations. However, to the extent LivaNova or its contract sterilizers are unable to sterilize LivaNova’s products, whether due to regulatory, legislative, or other constraints, including on the use of EtO, LivaNova may be unable to transition to alternative internal or external resources or methods in a timely or cost-effective manner or at all, which could have a material impact on LivaNova’s results of operations and financial condition.
LivaNova is substantially dependent on patent and other proprietary rights, and failing to protect such rights or to be successful in litigation related to LivaNova’s rights or the rights of others may result in the Company’s payment of significant monetary damages and/or royalty payments, negatively impact LivaNova’s ability to sell current or future products, or prohibit the Company from enforcing its patent and other proprietary rights against others.
LivaNova relies on a combination of patents, trade secrets, and non-disclosure agreements to protect the Company’s proprietary intellectual property. While LivaNova intends to defend against any threats to the Company’s intellectual property, any litigation to counter the infringement, misappropriation, or unauthorized use of LivaNova’s intellectual property may require the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources, which may adversely affect LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition. Additionally, LivaNova’s patents, trade secrets, or other agreements may not prevent competitors from independently developing or selling similar products and services and may not adequately deter misappropriation or improper use of the Company’s technology. Further, pending patent applications may not result in patents being issued to LivaNova. Patents issued to or licensed by LivaNova in the past or in the future may be challenged or circumvented by competitors, and such patents may be found invalid, unenforceable, or insufficiently broad to protect the
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Company’s technology, and may limit LivaNova’s competitive advantage. Third parties could obtain patents that may require LivaNova to negotiate licenses to conduct business, and the required licenses may not be available on reasonable terms or at all.
LivaNova also relies on non-disclosure and non-competition agreements with certain employees, consultants, and other parties to protect, in part, trade secrets and other proprietary rights. LivaNova cannot be certain that these agreements will not be breached, that the Company will have adequate remedies for any breach, that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information, or that third parties will not otherwise gain access to LivaNova’s trade secrets or proprietary knowledge. Further, new proposed regulations in the U.S. would prohibit certain competition agreements. These proposed regulations have been successfully litigated in lower courts, but appeals are pending, and the outcome of those cases remains uncertain. If regulations become effective as proposed and enforced, LivaNova may not be able to rely on agreements with certain of the Company’s employees or other parties.
LivaNova operates in an industry characterized by extensive patent litigation and has been, and is, subject to patent claims from time to time. While LivaNova intends to defend against any third-party intellectual property threats, intellectual property litigation is inherently complex and unpredictable. Such litigation can result in significant damage awards and injunctions that could prevent LivaNova’s manufacture and sale of affected products or require the Company to pay significant royalties in order to continue to manufacture or sell affected products.
In addition, the laws and intellectual property systems of certain countries in which LivaNova markets some of its products do not protect the Company’s intellectual property rights to the same extent as in the U.S., which may impact its market position in those countries. LivaNova could also face competition in countries where the Company has not invested in an intellectual property portfolio, or where the Company has not invested in the same protection as in the U.S. If the Company is unable to protect LivaNova’s intellectual property in those countries, it could have a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s reputation, business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
Inadequate funding for U.S. federal government agencies and government shutdowns could negatively affect LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
The ability of the FDA to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government funding levels, the ability to hire and retain key personnel, government shutdowns, and statutory, regulatory, and policy changes. In addition, a portion of LivaNova’s revenue is dependent on U.S. federal government healthcare program reimbursement. Any disruption in U.S. federal government operations, including government shutdowns, could have a material adverse effect on LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
Risks Related to LivaNova’s Indebtedness
LivaNova may not have sufficient cash flow from its business operations to pay when due, or be able to raise the funds necessary to pay when due, amounts owed with respect to the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes and/or any amounts owed under the Company’s revolving credit facility and term facilities, which could adversely affect LivaNova’s business and results of operations.
LivaNova’s ability to make payments (including interest, principal upon maturity, and payments to satisfy exchanges for cash or conversions) in respect of and/or to refinance LivaNova’s outstanding Notes or other indebtedness (including any indebtedness under LivaNova’s revolving credit facility or term facilities) depends on the Company’s future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive, and other factors beyond its control. If LivaNova is unable to generate enough cash flow to make payments on the 2025 Notes, the 2029 Notes, or other indebtedness when due, the Company may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets or obtaining additional debt financing or equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. LivaNova’s ability to refinance the 2025 Notes, the 2029 Notes, or other indebtedness, which the Company may need to do to satisfy its obligations thereunder, will depend on the capital markets and LivaNova’s financial condition at such time. LivaNova may not be able to engage in these activities on desirable terms or at all, which could result in a default on the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes and/or LivaNova’s revolving credit facility and term facilities.
LivaNova will be required to settle any exchanges of the 2025 Notes entirely in cash, while upon any conversions of the 2029 Notes, LivaNova will be required to pay cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes to be converted and pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, LivaNova’s ordinary shares, or a combination of cash and LivaNova’s ordinary shares, at LivaNova’s election, in respect of the remainder, if any. Additionally, the holders of the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes have the right to require LivaNova to repurchase the aforementioned notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the respective indentures governing the Notes) at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
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Any failure by LivaNova to make required payments in respect of its indebtedness (after any applicable grace period) would constitute an event of default in respect of such indebtedness.
In addition, LivaNova’s indebtedness, including under the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes, combined with the Company’s other financial obligations and contractual commitments, including those under LivaNova’s revolving credit facility or term facilities, could have other important consequences. For example, it could:
•Make LivaNova more vulnerable to adverse changes in government regulations and in the global economy, healthcare, and competitive environment;
•Limit the Company’s flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in LivaNova’s business and its markets;
•Place the Company at a disadvantage compared to LivaNova’s competitors who have less debt;
•Limit LivaNova’s ability to borrow additional amounts for working capital, to fund acquisitions, and for other general corporate purposes; and
•Make a sale of the Company less attractive to buyers or more difficult to complete.
Any of these factors could harm LivaNova’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition. In addition, if LivaNova incurs additional indebtedness under the revolving credit facility or term facilities, the risks related to LivaNova’s business and its ability to repay the Company’s indebtedness, including under the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes, would increase. For additional information, please refer to “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Report under the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Note 9. Financing Arrangements” in LivaNova’s consolidated financial statements included in this Report.
The conditional exchange or conversion features of the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes, as applicable, if triggered, may adversely affect LivaNova’s liquidity and operating results.
If the conditional exchange feature of the 2025 Notes is triggered, holders are entitled to exchange the 2025 Notes at any time during specified periods, at their option, and if the conditional conversion feature of the 2029 Notes is triggered, holders are entitled to convert the 2029 Notes at any time during specified periods, at their option. For example, holders are entitled to exchange 2025 Notes or convert 2029 Notes during a given calendar quarter if the closing price of LivaNova’s ordinary shares for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the last 30 consecutive trading days of the immediately preceding calendar quarter was greater than or equal to a set dollar amount ($79.27 per share in the case of the 2025 Notes and $90.22 in the case of the 2029 Notes, subject to adjustment). Neither the exchange condition for the 2025 Notes nor the conversion condition for the 2029 Notes was satisfied on December 31, 2024, and therefore, the Notes will not be exchangeable or convertible pursuant to this condition from January 1, 2025, through March 31, 2025. On or after September 15, 2025, holders may exchange 2025 Notes at their option, and on or after December 15, 2028, holders may convert 2029 Notes at their option, in each case without regard to additional conditions. If holders exchange 2025 Notes during any future period in which such exchange is permitted, LivaNova would be required to settle its exchange obligation through the payment of cash, and if holders convert 2029 Notes during any future period in which such conversion is permitted, LivaNova would be required to pay cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes to be converted and may elect to settle the remainder of the conversion obligation in cash, shares, or a combination of the two. Any such cash payments upon exchange or conversion could adversely affect the Company’s liquidity.
The effective interest rate and related interest expense reported in LivaNova’s consolidated financial statement of operations is significantly greater than the stated interest rate of the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes and may result in volatility to the Company’s reported financial results, which could adversely affect the price at which LivaNova’s ordinary shares trade.
LivaNova will settle exchanges of the 2025 Notes entirely in cash. Additionally, upon conversion of the 2029 Notes, LivaNova will pay cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes to be converted and pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, LivaNova’s ordinary shares, or a combination of cash and LivaNova’s ordinary shares, at LivaNova’s election, in respect of the remainder, if any, of LivaNova’s conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes being converted. Accordingly, the exchange or conversion feature, as applicable, that is part of the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes is accounted for as a derivative pursuant to accounting standards relating to derivative instruments. This resulted in an initial accounting valuation of the exchange or conversion feature, as applicable, which was bifurcated from the debt component of the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes, resulting in an original issue discount. The original issue discount is amortized and recognized as a component of interest expense over the term of the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes, which results in an effective interest rate reported in LivaNova’s consolidated statements of income (loss) in excess of the stated interest rate of the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes. Although this accounting treatment does not affect the amount of cash interest paid to holders of the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes or LivaNova’s cash flows, it reduces the Company’s earnings and could adversely affect the price at which its ordinary shares trade.
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Additionally, for each financial statement period after issuance of the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes, a derivative gain or loss is and will be reported in LivaNova’s consolidated statements of income (loss) to the extent the valuations of the exchange feature and conversion feature, as applicable, change from the previous period. The 2025 Capped Calls and 2029 Capped Calls described below and elsewhere in this Report are also accounted for as derivative instruments. The valuation of the exchange feature of the 2025 Notes and 2025 Capped Calls utilizes significant observable and unobservable market inputs, including stock price, stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate, and time to expiration of the 2025 Notes. The valuation of the conversion feature of the 2029 Notes and 2029 Capped Calls similarly utilizes significant observable and unobservable market inputs, including stock price, expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield, and time to expiration of the 2029 Notes. The change in input values at the current period-end compared to the previous period-end may result in a material change in the respective valuations and the gain or loss resulting from the exchange feature of the 2025 Notes and 2025 Capped Calls and the conversion feature of the 2029 Notes and 2029 Capped Calls, as applicable, and may not completely offset each other. As such, there may be a material net impact on LivaNova’s consolidated statements of income (loss), which could adversely affect the price at which its ordinary shares trade.
The arbitrage or hedging strategy by purchasers of the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes and Option Counterparties in connection with LivaNova’s 2025 Capped Calls and 2029 Capped Calls may affect the value of LivaNova’s ordinary shares.
LivaNova expects that many investors in, and potential purchasers of, the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes will employ, or seek to employ, an arbitrage strategy with respect to the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes. Investors would typically implement such a strategy by selling short LivaNova’s ordinary shares underlying the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes and dynamically adjusting their short position while continuing to hold the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes. Investors may also implement this type of strategy by entering into swaps or options on LivaNova’s ordinary shares in lieu of or in addition to selling short LivaNova’s ordinary shares. This activity could decrease, or reduce the size of any increase in, the market price of LivaNova’s ordinary shares at that time.
In connection with the pricing of the 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes, LivaNova entered into the 2025 Capped Calls and 2029 Capped Calls, respectively. The 2025 Capped Calls and 2029 Capped Calls are expected generally to compensate (through the payment of cash to LivaNova) for potential dilution to LivaNova’s ordinary shares and to offset cash payments due upon exchange of the 2025 Notes or conversion of the 2029 Notes, as applicable, in excess of the principal amount thereof in the event that the market price per ordinary share of LivaNova at the time of exchange of the 2025 Notes or conversion of the 2029 Notes, respectively, is greater than the strike price under the 2025 Capped Calls or 2029 Capped Calls, respectively, with such offset subject to a cap based on the respective cap prices of the 2025 Capped Calls and 2029 Capped Calls. It is LivaNova’s understanding that the Option Counterparties, or their respective affiliates, in connection with establishing their initial hedges of the 2025 Capped Calls and/or 2029 Capped Calls, purchased LivaNova’s ordinary shares and/or entered into various derivative transactions with respect to LivaNova’s ordinary shares concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the 2025 Notes and/or 2029 Notes, as applicable. The Option Counterparties or their respective affiliates may modify these initial hedge positions by entering into or unwinding various transactions with respect to LivaNova’s ordinary shares and/or purchasing or selling its ordinary shares or other of LivaNova’s securities in secondary market transactions prior to the maturity of the 2025 Notes and/or 2029 Notes, as applicable (and are likely to do so during any observation period related to an exchange of the 2025 Notes or conversion of the 2029 Notes, as applicable, or upon a repurchase or redemption of the 2025 Notes or the 2029 Notes, as applicable, by LivaNova, if LivaNova unwinds a corresponding portion of the 2025 Capped Calls or 2029 Capped Calls, as applicable). This activity could cause or avoid an increase or a decrease in the market price of LivaNova’s ordinary shares, the 2025 Notes, or the 2029 Notes at that time.
LivaNova is subject to counterparty risk with respect to the 2025 Capped Calls and 2029 Capped Calls.
The Option Counterparties are financial institutions, and LivaNova is subject to the risk that they might default under the 2025 Capped Calls and 2029 Capped Calls. LivaNova’s exposure to the credit risk of the Option Counterparties is not secured by any collateral.
If an Option Counterparty becomes subject to insolvency proceedings, LivaNova will become an unsecured creditor in those proceedings, with a claim equal to the Company’s exposure to that Option Counterparty at that time under the 2025 Capped Calls and/or 2029 Capped Calls. LivaNova’s exposure will depend on many factors, but, generally, an increase in the Company’s exposure will be correlated to an increase in the market price and in the volatility of its ordinary shares. In addition, upon a default by an Option Counterparty, LivaNova may suffer adverse tax consequences and may, on a net basis, have to pay more cash than the Company currently anticipates to settle exchanges of the 2025 Notes, and to pay more cash or suffer more dilution than the Company currently anticipates with respect to its ordinary shares upon conversions of the 2029 Notes, the effect of which would likely not be compensated for by the Company. LivaNova can provide no assurances as to the financial stability or viability of the Option Counterparties.
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Risks Relating to Tax and LivaNova’s Jurisdiction of Incorporation
LivaNova is incorporated in England and Wales and governed by their laws, which may afford less protection to shareholders than under U.S. laws.
LivaNova is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, and as such, the Company’s shareholders may have more difficulty protecting their interests than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction of the U.S. It may be difficult to enforce court judgments obtained in the U.S. and based on the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal or state securities laws against LivaNova in the UK. In addition, there is also some uncertainty as to whether the UK courts would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against LivaNova or any of its directors or officers.
Changes in tax laws or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could have a material impact on LivaNova’s results of operations and financial condition.
LivaNova is subject to income taxes as well as non-income-based taxes in the U.S., the UK, the EU, and various other jurisdictions. Any material change in tax laws, regulations, or policies, or their interpretation and enforcement, including with respect to the OECD’s Pillar Two global minimum tax rules applicable to multinational groups with global revenue over €750 million, could result in a higher effective tax rate and have a material impact on LivaNova’s consolidated statements of income (loss) or financial condition.
LivaNova continues to monitor the adoption of Pillar Two by the taxing jurisdictions in which it operates. The UK has enacted legislation providing for a minimum effective tax rate of 15% through a multinational top-up tax and a domestic top-up tax for accounting periods beginning on or after December 31, 2023. UK legislation has also been enacted for an undertaxed profits rule for accounting periods beginning on or after December 31, 2024. A UTPR would be a backstop rule intended to ensure that amounts of multinational top-up tax that are not collected under foreign global minimum tax rules can in certain circumstances be collected instead in the UK. LivaNova will continue to monitor legislative developments and related guidance in the UK and other jurisdictions that may impact LivaNova’s operations. Any material changes in tax laws, regulations, or policies, or their interpretation and enforcement, including with respect to Pillar Two, could result in a higher effective tax rate for LivaNova, and have a material impact on its consolidated statements of income (loss) or financial condition. The content of any future legislation, the timing of additional guidance, and the reporting periods that may be impacted cannot be determined at this time.
LivaNova’s actual effective tax rate may vary from its expectations or from historical trends and that variance may be material. LivaNova’s effective tax rates could be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, or changes in tax laws or their interpretation. LivaNova is also subject to ongoing tax audits in various non-U.S. jurisdictions. Tax authorities may disagree with certain positions LivaNova has taken and assess additional taxes. LivaNova believes that its accruals reflect the probable outcome of known contingencies. However, there can be no assurance that LivaNova will accurately predict the outcomes of ongoing audits, and the actual outcomes of these audits could have a material impact on LivaNova’s consolidated statements of income (loss) or financial condition.