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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 20-F

 

(Mark One)

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

OR

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ________ to ________

OR

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report___________

Commission file number 001-35463

 

TARO PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES LTD.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

N/A

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

Israel

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

14 Hakitor Street, Haifa Bay 2624761, Israel

(Address of principal executive offices)

William Coote

Chief Financial Officer

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

c/o Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.

3 Skyline Drive

Hawthorne, NY 10532

Tel: 914-345-9000

Fax: 914-345-6169

Email: William.Coote@Taro.com

(Name, telephone, email and/or facsimile number and address of Company contact person)

 


 

Securities registered or to be 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, NIS 0.0001 nominal

(par) value per share

 

TARO

 

New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

 

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the Annual Report:

37,584,631 Ordinary Shares, NIS 0.0001 nominal (par) value per share, and 2,600 Founders’ Shares NIS 0.00001 nominal (par) value per share outstanding as of March 31, 2023

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ☐ Yes ☑ No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. ☐ 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, non-accelerated filer or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer: ☑

 

Accelerated filer: ☐

 

Non-accelerated filer: ☐

 

Emerging growth company:

 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 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. ☐

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

 

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 which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP  ☑

 

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued

by the International Accounting Standards Board ☐

 

Other ☐

 

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. ☐ Item 17 ☐ Item 18

If this is an Annual Report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes No

 

 

 


 

INTRODUCTION

We, among other business activities, develop, manufacture and market prescription (“Rx”) and over-the-counter (“OTC”) pharmaceutical products primarily in the United States (the “U.S.”), Canada, Israel and Japan. We also develop and manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients (“APIs”) primarily for use in our finished dosage form products. We were incorporated in 1959 under the laws of the State of Israel. In 1961, we completed the initial public offering of our ordinary shares in the U.S. Our ordinary shares have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “TARO,” since March 22, 2012.

As used in this Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 (the “2023 Annual Report”), the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Taro” and the “Company” mean Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (“Taro Israel”) and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated.

This 2023 Annual Report is being filed in respect of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, and contains the audited consolidated financial statements for the year then ended.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for the historical information contained in this 2023 Annual Report, the statements contained herein, in particular with respect to our business, financial condition and results of operations, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including all the risks discussed in Item 3D – Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this 2023 Annual Report. We urge you to consider that statements which use the terms “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “may,” “hope,” “could,” “potential,” “predict,” “protect,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. You should not put under reliance on any forward-looking sttements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the U.S., we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

Estimates of our expenses, future revenues, capital requirements and our needs for additional financing;
The commercialization and market acceptance of our products;
Our reliance on third parties to conduct key portions of our commercial operations, including third-party manufacturers, service providers and other supply chain functions, and the risk that those third parties may not perform such functions satisfactorily;
Our ability to maintain an appropriate sales and marketing infrastructure;
That our current products or products that we may commercialize or promote in the future may be withdrawn from the market by regulatory authorities and our need to comply with continuing laws, regulations and guidelines to maintain clearances and approvals for those products;
Our exposure to significant drug product liability claims;
Our estimates of the markets, their size, characteristics and their potential for our products and our ability to serve those markets;
The successful commercialization of products we in-license or acquire;
Our inability to enforce claims relating to a breach of a representation and warranty by a counterparty;
The hiring and continued employment of executives, sales personnel and contractors;
The implementation of our business model, strategic plans for our business;
The impact of other companies and technologies that compete with us within our industry;
Our ability to successfully receive approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, or other regulatory bodies, including approval to conduct clinical trials, the scope of those trials and the prospects for regulatory approval of, or other regulatory action with respect to our product candidates, including the regulatory pathway to be designated to our product candidates;

i


 

The regulatory environment and changes in the health policies and regimes in the countries in which we operate, including the impact of any changes in regulation and legislation that could affect the pharmaceutical industry;
The scope of protection that we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering our products, including from existing or future claims of infringement, and our ability to operate our business without infringing or violating the intellectual property rights of others;
Our ability to implement network systems and controls that are effective at preventing cyber-attacks, malware intrusions, malicious viruses and ransomware threats;
Potential adverse legal, reputational and financial effects resulting from the information technology security incident or future such incidents and the effectiveness of our business continuity plans in response to cyber-attacks, like the information technology security incident;
Our controlling shareholder may take actions which are not necessarily in our interest or in the interest of our shareholders;
Our ability to maintain compliance with the NYSE’s listing standards;
The effects of the economic and business environment, including unforeseeable events and the changing market conditions caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic; and
The impact on our business of the political and security situation in Israel, the U.S. and other places in which we operate.

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Our consolidated financial statements appearing in this 2023 Annual Report are reported in the U.S. dollars in thousands, unless otherwise indicated, and are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”). Totals presented in this 2023 Annual Report may not total correctly due to rounding of numbers.

All references in this 2023 Annual Report to “dollars,” “USD” or “$” are to U.S. dollars, all references to “NIS” are to New Israeli Shekel, all references to “CAD” are to Canadian dollars, and all references to “JPY” are to Japanese Yen. The published (1) representative exchange rate between the NIS and the dollar for March 31, 2023 was NIS 3.62 per $1.00. The published (2) representative exchange rate between the CAD and the dollar for March 31, 2023 was CAD 1.35 per $1.00. The published (3) representative exchange rate between the JPY and the dollar for March 31, 2023 was JPY 132.76 per $1.00. No representation is made that the NIS amounts or CAD amounts could have been, or could be, converted into dollars at rates specified herein or any other rate.

 

(1)
As published by The Bank of Israel.
(2)
As published by J.P. Morgan Chase.
(3)
As published by Bank of Japan.

ii


 

SUMMARY OF RISK FACTORS

Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those described in Item 3.D Risk Factors.” You should carefully consider these risks and uncertainties when investing in our ordinary shares. Principal risks and uncertainties affecting our business include the following:

The pharmaceutical industry in which we operate is intensely competitive. We are particularly subject to the risks of competition. For example, the competition we encounter may have a negative impact upon the prices we charge for our products, the market share of our products and our revenue and profitability.
Other pharmaceutical companies frequently take actions to prevent or discourage the use of generic drug products such as ours.
We may experience declines in the sales volume and prices of our products as the result of the continuing trend of consolidation of certain customer groups, such as the wholesale drug distribution and retail pharmacy industries, as well as the emergence of large buying groups.
New developments by others could make our products or technologies non-competitive or obsolete.
Our ability to market products successfully depends, in part, upon the acceptance of our products not only by consumers, but also by independent third parties.
Reductions in pharmaceutical pricing may adversely affect our business.
Our future profitability depends upon our ability to continue monitoring our inventory levels in the distribution channel.
Our future profitability depends upon our ability to introduce new generic or innovative products on a timely basis.
Our revenue and profits from individual generic pharmaceutical products typically decline as our competitors introduce their own generic equivalents.
We are subject to extensive government regulation that increases our costs and could delay or prevent us from marketing or selling our products
Changes in regulatory environment may prevent us from utilizing the exclusivity periods that are important for the success of some of our generic products.
Pharmaceutical companies are required by international law to comply with adverse event reporting requirements.
Healthcare reform changes may have an impact on all segments of the healthcare industry.
Reimbursement policies of third parties, cost containment measures and healthcare reform as well as governmental regulation of prices could adversely affect the demand for our products and limit our ability to sell our products.
Any failure to comply with the complex reporting and payment obligations under the Medicare and Medicaid programs may result in further litigation or sanctions, in addition to the lawsuits.
We are susceptible to product liability claims that may not be covered by insurance and could require us to pay substantial sums.
Our success depends, in part, on the quality, efficacy and safety of our products.
The manufacture and storage of pharmaceutical and chemical products are subject to environmental regulation and inherent risk.
Testing required for the regulatory approval of our products is sometimes conducted by independent third parties. Any failure by any of these third parties to perform this testing properly may have an adverse effect upon our ability to obtain regulatory approvals.
If third-party manufacturers and logistic service providers upon whom we rely fail to meet our requirements, we may face delays in the manufacturing or delivery of certain products or be unable to meet demand for them.
Governmental investigations and litigation relating to sales and marketing practices may result in material penalties and/or settlement amounts.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and its affiliates control 85.7% of the voting power in our Company.
Wholesaler customers account for a substantial portion of our consolidated sales.

iii


 

The nature of our business requires us to estimate future charges against wholesaler accounts receivable. If these estimates are not accurate, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Our inventories of finished goods have expiration dates after which they cannot be sold.
Our future success depends on our ability to develop, manufacture and sell new products.
If we are unable to obtain raw materials, our operations could be seriously impaired.
Research and development efforts invested in our innovative pipeline may not achieve expected results.
We are continuing our efforts to develop new proprietary pharmaceutical products, but these efforts are subject to risk and may not be successful.
Our tax liabilities could be larger than anticipated.
We are increasingly dependent on information technology and our systems and infrastructure face certain risks, including cybersecurity and data leakage risks.
A public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, any widespread outbreak of an illness or communicable disease, or any other pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
We depend on our ability to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights, but we may not be able to maintain the confidentiality, or assure the protection, of these assets.
Third parties may claim that we infringe on their proprietary rights and may prevent us from manufacturing and selling such products, or may challenge our own proprietary rights.
We have, in the past, and could in the future, fail to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley.
Our operations could suffer if we are unable to attract and retain key employees in the markets in which we operate where competition for highly skilled technical and other personnel is intense.
Our business requires us to move goods across international borders. Any events that interfere with, or increase the costs of, the transfer of products across international borders could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Government pricing or price control policies can materially impede our profitability or ability to set prices for our products.
The proposed transaction with Sun regarding Sun’s acquisition of all of our outstanding ordinary shares not currently held by it, may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect our business and the price of our ordinary shares.

The summary risk factors described above should be read together with the text of the full risk factors below in Item 3.D Risk Factors” and the other information set forth in this 2023 Annual Report, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, as well as in other documents that we file with the SEC. The risks summarized above or described in full below are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not precisely known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and future growth prospects.

iv


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

PART I

 

1

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

 

1

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 

1

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

 

1

A. [RESERVED]

 

1

B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

 

1

C. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

1

D. RISK FACTORS

 

1

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

 

29

A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

29

B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW

 

29

C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

 

41

D. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

42

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

43

ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

 

44

A. OPERATING RESULTS

 

44

B. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

48

C. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND LICENSES

 

49

D. TREND INFORMATION

 

50

E. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

50

F. OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

54

G. TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

55

ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

 

55

A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

 

55

B. COMPENSATION

 

57

C. BOARD PRACTICES

 

59

D. EMPLOYEES

 

67

E. SHARE OWNERSHIP

 

68

F. DISCLOSURE OF A REGISTRANT'S ACTION TO RECOVER ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION

 

69

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

69

A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

 

69

B. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

69

C. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

 

70

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

70

A. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

70

B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

 

72

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

 

73

A. OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS

 

73

B. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

73

C. MARKETS

 

73

D. SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

 

73

E. DILUTION

 

73

F. EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE

 

73

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

73

A. SHARE CAPITAL

 

73

B. MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

73

C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS

 

80

D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS

 

80

E. TAXATION

 

81

F. DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS

 

93

G. STATEMENT BY EXPERTS

 

93

H. DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

 

94

I. SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION

 

94

J. ANNUAL REPORT TO SECURITY HOLDERS

 

94

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

94

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

 

95

 

v


 

 

PART II

 

96

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

 

96

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

96

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

96

ITEM 16. [RESERVED]

 

96

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

 

96

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS

 

97

ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

97

ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

 

97

ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

 

97

ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

 

98

ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

99

ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

 

100

ITEM 16I. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.

 

100

PART III

 

101

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

101

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

101

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

 

102

 

vi


 

PART I

 

 

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not applicable.

 

 

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

A. [RESERVED]

B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

Not applicable.

C. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not applicable.

D. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information in this 2023 Annual Report. The risks described below are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business operations. Our business, operating results and financial condition may be seriously harmed due to any of the following risks, among others. If we do not successfully address the risks facing us, we may experience a material adverse change in our business, results of operations and financial condition and our share price may decline. We cannot assure you that we will successfully address any of these risks.

Risks Relating to Our Industry

The pharmaceutical industry in which we operate is intensely competitive. We are particularly subject to the risks of competition. For example, the competition we encounter may have a negative impact upon the prices we charge for our products, the market share of our products and our revenue and profitability.

The pharmaceutical industry in which we operate is intensely competitive. The competition that we encounter has an effect on our product prices, market share, revenue and profitability. Depending upon how we respond to this competition, it may have a material adverse effect on us. We compete with:

generic manufacturers of our brand-name drugs;
the original manufacturers of the brand-name equivalents of our generic products;
drug manufacturers (including brand-name companies that also manufacture generic drugs);
generic drug manufacturers; and
manufacturers of new drugs that may compete with our generic drugs and proprietary products.

Most of the products that we sell are either generic drugs or drugs for which related patents have expired. Most of these products do not benefit from patent protection and are therefore subject to an increased risk of competition. In addition, because many of our competitors have substantially greater financial, production and research and development resources, substantially larger sales and marketing organizations and substantially greater name recognition than we have, we are particularly subject to the risks inherent in competing with them. For example, many of our competitors may be able to develop products and processes competitive with, or superior to, our own. Furthermore, we may not be able to differentiate our products from those of our competitors, successfully develop or introduce new products that are less costly or offer better performance than those of our competitors or offer purchasers of our products payment and other commercial terms as favorable as those offered by our competitors.

1


 

Other pharmaceutical companies frequently take actions to prevent or discourage the use of generic drug products such as ours.

Other pharmaceutical companies have increasingly taken actions, including the use of state and federal legislative and regulatory mechanisms, to prevent, delay or discourage the use of generic equivalents to their products, including generic products that we manufacture or market. If these efforts to delay or prevent generic competition are successful, our ability to sell our generic versions of products may be limited or prevented. This could have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations. These efforts have included, among others:

filing new patents or extensions of existing patents on products whose original patent protection is about to expire, which could extend patent protection for the product and delay launch of generic equivalents;
developing patented controlled-release products or other product improvements;
developing and marketing branded products as Rx and OTC products;
pursuing pediatric exclusivity for brand-name products;
submitting citizen petitions to request that the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) take administrative action with respect to an abbreviated new drug application (“ANDA”) approval;
attaching special patent extension amendments to unrelated federal legislation;
engaging in state-by-state initiatives to enact legislation that restricts the substitution of some brand-name drugs with generic drugs;
making arrangements with managed care companies and insurers to reduce the economic incentives to purchase generic pharmaceuticals;
introducing authorized generics or their own generic equivalents to the marketplace; and
setting the price of brand-name drugs at or below the price of generic equivalents.

Generally, no additional regulatory approvals are required for brand-name manufacturers to sell directly or through a third party to the generic market. Brand-name products that are licensed to third parties and are marketed under their generic names at discounted prices are known as authorized generics. Such licensing facilitates the sale of generic equivalents of a company’s own brand-name products. Because many brand-name companies are substantially larger than we are and have substantially greater resources than we have, we are particularly subject to the risks of their undertaking to prevent or discourage the use of our products that compete with theirs. Moreover, the introduction of authorized generics may make competition in the generic market more intense. It may also reduce the likelihood that a generic company that obtains the first ANDA approval for a particular product will be the first to market and/or the only generic alternative offered to the market and thus may diminish the economic benefit associated with this position.

We may experience declines in the sales volume and prices of our products as the result of the continuing trend of consolidation of certain customer groups, such as the wholesale drug distribution and retail pharmacy industries, as well as the emergence of large buying groups.

We make a significant portion of our sales to a relatively small number of wholesalers, retail drug chains, food chains, and mass merchandisers. If demand decreases significantly, our profitability could be negatively impacted. Also, these customers constitute an essential part of the distribution chain for generic pharmaceutical products and continue to undergo significant consolidation. This consolidation may result in these groups gaining additional purchasing leverage and consequently increasing product pricing pressures facing us. In addition, the emergence of large buying groups representing independent retail pharmacies and the prevalence and influence of managed care organizations and similar institutions potentially enables those groups to negotiate price discounts on our products.

Our net sales and quarterly growth comparisons may also be affected by fluctuations in the buying patterns of retail chains, major distributors and other trade buyers, whether resulting from seasonality, pricing, wholesaler buying decisions or other factors. In addition, since such a significant portion of our U.S. revenue is derived from relatively few customers, any financial difficulties experienced by a single customer, or any delay in receiving payments from a single customer could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations, and could cause the market value of our ordinary shares to decline.

New developments by others could make our products or technologies non-competitive or obsolete.

The markets in which we compete and intend to compete continue to undergo rapid and significant technological change. Our competitors may succeed in developing products and technologies that are more effective or less costly than any that we are developing, or that would render our products obsolete and non-competitive.

2


 

We anticipate that we will face increased competition and product price erosion in the future as new companies enter the market and novel or advanced technologies emerge. Smaller or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies. Many of our competitors have significantly greater research and development, financial, sales and marketing, manufacturing and other resources than we have. As a result, they may be able to devote greater resources to the development, manufacture, marketing or sale of their products, initiate or withstand substantial price competition, or more readily take advantage of acquisitions or other opportunities.

Our ability to market products successfully depends, in part, upon the acceptance of our products not only by consumers, but also by independent third parties.

Our ability to market generic or proprietary pharmaceutical products successfully depends, in part, on the acceptance of the products by independent third parties (including physicians, pharmacies, government formularies, managed care providers, insurance companies and retailers), as well as patients. In addition, unanticipated side effects or unfavorable publicity concerning any of our products, or any brand-name product of which our generic product is the equivalent, could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve acceptance by prescribing physicians, managed care providers, pharmacies and other retailers, customers and patients.

Reductions in pharmaceutical pricing may adversely affect our business.

Pharmaceutical pricing, through the current U.S. administration, political, social, and other pressure, has been subjected to increased scrutiny. Our pricing and profitability may be affected, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.

Our future profitability depends upon our ability to continue monitoring our inventory levels in the distribution channel.

Our future profitability depends, in part, upon our ability to continue monitoring our inventory levels in the distribution channel. We obtain reports of the amount of our products held in inventory by our wholesaler customers. We use these reports as part of our process for monitoring inventory levels in our distribution channel and our exposure to product returns. If we lose access to these reports, we may not be able to adequately monitor our inventory levels in the distribution channel. The loss of our visibility into the distribution channel could cause inventory levels to build, exceeding market demand and resulting in us incurring significant and unanticipated expenditures to reimburse these wholesaler customers for product returns, which could materially affect our profitability and cash flows in an adverse manner.

Our future profitability depends upon our ability to introduce new generic or innovative products on a timely basis.

Our future profitability depends, to a significant extent, upon our ability to introduce, on a timely basis, new generic or innovative products for which we either are the first to market (or among the first to market) or can otherwise gain significant market share. Our ability to achieve any of these objectives is dependent upon, among other things, the timing of regulatory approval of these products and the number and timing of regulatory approvals of competing products. Inasmuch as this timing is not within our control, we may not be able to develop and introduce new generic and innovative products on a timely basis, if at all.

To the extent that we succeed in being the first to market generic version of a significant product, and particularly if we obtain the 180-day period of market exclusivity for the U.S. market provided under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 (the “Hatch-Waxman Act”), our sales, profits and profitability may be substantially increased in the period following the introduction of such product and prior to a competitor’s introduction of an equivalent product. However, after the end of the 180-day exclusivity period, these sales, along with the profits therefrom, may diminish precipitously.

Our revenue and profits from individual generic pharmaceutical products typically decline as our competitors introduce their own generic equivalents.

Revenue and gross profit derived from generic pharmaceutical products tend to follow a pattern based on regulatory and competitive factors unique to the generic pharmaceutical industry. As the patents for a brand-name product and the related exclusivity periods expire, the first generic manufacturer to receive regulatory approval for a generic equivalent of the product is often able to capture a substantial share of the market. However, as other generic manufacturers receive regulatory approvals for competing products, or brand-name manufacturers introduce authorized generics, that market share and the price of that product typically decline. Our overall profitability depends on, among other things, our ability to continuously, and on a timely basis, introduce new products.

3


 

We may be unable to take advantage of the increasing number of high-value biosimilar opportunities.

Biosimilar products are expected to make up an increasing proportion of the high-value generic opportunities in upcoming years. The development, manufacture and commercialization of biosimilar products require specialized expertise and are very costly and subject to complex regulation, which is still evolving. We will require significant investments and collaborations with third parties to take advantage of these opportunities. We cannot assure you that any future investments and collaborations regarding biosimilar products will be successful.

Risks Relating to Regulatory Matters

We are subject to extensive government regulation that increases our costs and could delay or prevent us from marketing or selling our products.

We are subject to extensive regulation by the U.S., Canada, Israel and other jurisdictions. These jurisdictions regulate, among other things, the approval, testing, manufacture, labeling, marketing, sale, import and export of pharmaceutical products. For example, approval by the FDA is generally required before any new drug or the generic equivalent to any previously approved drug may be marketed in the U.S. In order to receive approval from the FDA for each new drug product we wish to market, we must demonstrate, through rigorous pre-clinical and clinical trials, that the new drug product is safe and effective for its intended use and that our manufacturing process for that product candidate complies with current Good Manufacturing Practices (“cGMP”). We cannot provide an assurance that the FDA will, in a timely manner, or ever, approve our applications for new drug products. The FDA may require substantial additional clinical testing or find that our drug product does not satisfy the standards for approval. In addition, in order to obtain approval for our product candidates that are generic versions of brand-name drugs, we must demonstrate to the FDA that each generic product candidate is bioequivalent to a drug previously approved by the FDA through the new drug approval process, known as an innovator, or brand-name reference drug. In addition to bioequivalence testing, the generic product must also have the same dosage form, strength, route of administration and intended use as the innovator drug product. If the FDA determines that an ANDA for a generic drug product is not adequate to support approval, it could deny our application or request additional information, including clinical trials, which could delay approval of the product and impair our ability to compete with other versions of the generic drug product.

If our product candidates receive FDA approval, the labeling claims and marketing statements that we can make for our products are limited by the scope of such approval and statutes and regulations and, with respect to our generic drugs, by the labeling approved by the FDA for the brand-name product. In addition, if the FDA and/or a foreign regulatory authority approves any of our products, the labeling, packaging, adverse event reporting, storage conditions, advertising and promotion for the product, among other things, will be subject to extensive and ongoing regulatory requirements. Further, as a manufacturer of pharmaceutical products distributed in the U.S., we must also continue to comply with cGMP regulations, which include requirements related to production processes, quality control and quality assurance and recordkeeping. Products that we manufacture and distribute in foreign jurisdictions may be regulated under comparable laws and regulations in those jurisdictions. The facilities of Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. (“Taro U.S.A.”), our manufacturing facilities and procedures and those of our suppliers are subject to periodic inspection by the FDA and foreign regulatory agencies. Any material deviations from cGMPs or other applicable standards identified during such inspections may result in enforcement actions, including delaying or preventing new product approvals, a delay or suspension in manufacturing operations, warning or untitled letters, consent decrees or civil or criminal penalties. If the FDA were to conclude that we are not in compliance with applicable laws or regulations, or that any of our products are ineffective or pose an unreasonable health risk, the FDA could withdraw approval for such products, detain or seize violative products, request a recall of such products, issue untitled or warning letters, seek fines, injunctions, or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties, initiate debarment proceedings, refuse to grant pending applications or the import or export of such products, and/or require us to notify health professionals and others that the products present unreasonable risks of substantial harm to the public health. Also, our suppliers face and may face regulatory impediments or enforcement actions, including an import alert, which will hinder our supplies and may impact our sales and profitability. Additionally, Taro shares common ownership with Ranbaxy Inc. (“Ranbaxy”) through acquisitions made by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Reuters: SUN.BO, Bloomberg: SUNP IN, NSE: SUNPHARMA, BSE: 524715) (“Sun Pharma” and together with its affiliates, “Sun”). In 2012, Ranbaxy entered into a Consent Decree of Permanent Injunction with the FDA which decree gives the FDA authority to impose its terms and obligations on any “subsidiary” or “affiliate” of Ranbaxy. Also, if such deviations occurred, it is unclear if the FDA could extend the existing Consent Decree of Permanent Injunction, applicable to Ranbaxy to a facility owned or operated by Taro in light of the companies' common ownership by Sun.

4


 

In addition, because we market drugs that are classified as controlled substances in the U.S., Israel and Canada, we must meet the requirements of the federal Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) in the U.S., state laws and equivalent laws in Israel and Canada, as well as the regulations promulgated thereunder in each country and/or state. These regulations include stringent requirements for, among other things, the handling, receipt, security, and recordkeeping of controlled substances including import, export, manufacture, storage, distribution and dispensing. These requirements include registration/licensing, manufacturing controls (e.g., quotas), import permits/declarations, inventory, recordkeeping, monitoring, reporting, disposal and security to prevent diversion of, or unauthorized access to, the controlled substances at each stage of the production and distribution process. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), state agencies and comparable regulatory authorities in Israel and Canada may periodically inspect our facilities for compliance with the CSA, state laws and their equivalents in Israel and Canada. Any failure to comply with these laws and regulations could lead to a variety of sanctions, including restrictions, revocation, or a denial of renewal, of our DEA registration or state license (or Israeli or Canadian equivalent), injunctions, and civil or criminal penalties.

Furthermore, all of the products that we manufacture, and most of the products we distribute, are manufactured outside the U.S. and must be imported into the U.S. Importation of drugs, including controlled substances, is subject to additional restrictions and review by the FDA and the DEA. The FDA and the DEA, in conjunction with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, have the authority and discretion to scrutinize and potentially prohibit the importation of foreign goods into the U.S. that fail to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Although we devote significant time, effort and expense into addressing the extensive government regulations applicable to our business and obtaining regulatory approvals, we remain subject to the risk of being unable to obtain necessary approvals on a timely basis, if at all. Delays in receiving regulatory approvals could adversely affect our ability to market our products.

Product approvals by the FDA and by comparable foreign regulatory authorities may be withdrawn if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained or if problems relating to the products are experienced after initial approval. In addition, if we fail to comply with governmental regulations, we may be subject to warning or untitled letters, fines, unanticipated compliance expenditures, interruptions of our production and/or sales, prohibition of importation, seizures and recalls of our products, criminal prosecution and debarment of us and our employees from the generic drug approval process.

Changes in regulatory environment may prevent us from utilizing the exclusivity periods that are important for the success of some of our generic products.

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Medicare Act”) provides that the 180-day market exclusivity period provided under the Hatch-Waxman Act is only triggered by commercial marketing of the product. However, the Medicare Act also contains forfeiture provisions which could deprive the first “Paragraph IV” filer (as described below) of eligibility for such exclusivity if certain conditions are met. Accordingly, in situations where we are the first “Paragraph IV” filer, we may face the risk of forfeiture and therefore may not be able to exploit a given exclusivity period for specific products. Further, even where we are a first “Paragraph IV” filer, other ANDA applicants may also qualify as first “Paragraph IV” filers for the same drug product and, if they initiate commercial marketing of their ANDA products before us, we will not benefit from the full 180-day market exclusivity period.

Under the terms of the Hatch-Waxman Act, a generic applicant must make certain certifications with respect to the patent status of the listed drug that it references in its ANDA. In the event that such applicant plans to challenge the validity or enforceability of an existing listed patent or asserts that the proposed product does not infringe an existing listed patent, it files a Paragraph IV certification. The Hatch-Waxman Act provides for a potential 180-day period of generic exclusivity for the first company that submits a substantially complete ANDA with a Paragraph IV certification and that also lawfully maintains such certification. Such exclusivity prevents the approval for 180 days of a subsequently submitted ANDA containing a Paragraph IV certification for the same drug product. The Medicare Act modified certain provisions of the Hatch-Waxman Act. Under the Medicare Act, final ANDA approval for a product subject to Paragraph IV patent litigation may be obtained upon the earlier of a favorable district court decision or 30 months from receipt of notification to the patent holder of the Paragraph IV filing, provided there are no other issues preventing the FDA from granting final approval. Exclusivity rights for the first Paragraph IV filer may be forfeited pursuant to the Medicare Act under specified circumstances including, for example, if tentative approval is not timely obtained. In addition, there can be multiple first Paragraph IV filers that share in the same 180-day market exclusivity period for the same drug product. If one first Paragraph IV filer begins commercial marketing of its product prior to the others, the other first filers will not reap the benefit of the full 180-day market exclusivity period. Some of the changes made by the Medicare Act apply to ANDAs where the first certification was filed after the enactment of the Medicare Act; other earlier submitted ANDAs are generally governed by the previous version of the law.

From time to time, the U.S. Congress (“Congress”) considers and enacts legislation amending the Hatch-Waxman Act, including with respect to 180-day exclusivity. If further changes to the law are enacted, it might affect our ability to qualify for or otherwise benefit from the statutory 180-day exclusivity period.

5


 

Pharmaceutical companies are required by international law to comply with adverse event reporting requirements.

We are required to comply with adverse event reporting requirements across jurisdictions. Our failure to meet these reporting requirements in any jurisdiction could result in actions by regulatory authorities in that and/or other jurisdictions, including any of the following: warning letters, public announcements, restriction or suspension of marketing authorizations, revocation of marketing authorizations, fines or a combination of any of these actions. In addition, the discovery of previously unknown problems with a drug, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, may result in revisions to the approved labeling to add new safety information, imposition of post-market studies or clinical trials to assess new safety risks, or imposition of distribution or other restrictions under a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (“REMS”) program.

Healthcare reform changes may have an impact on all segments of the healthcare industry.

In March 2010, the U.S. government enacted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, “PPACA”), which represented the most comprehensive overhaul of both the public and private healthcare systems ever enacted in the U.S. The PPACA substantially expanded the number of insured individuals in the U.S. through a combination of expanded Medicaid eligibility, establishment of an insurance exchange through which individuals and groups without coverage may purchase commercial health insurance, prohibiting coverage exclusions for pre-existing conditions and other measures. PPACA also imposed on manufacturers a variety of additional rebates, discounts, fees, taxes and reporting and regulatory requirements.

We face uncertainties due to litigation brought against the federal government by a number of state attorneys general in 2018, who seek a ruling that the PPACA is unconstitutional. In November 2020, the Supreme Court heard an appeal of a lower court ruling brought by other attorneys general and the U.S. House of Representatives. On June 17, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a challenge on procedural grounds that argued the PPACA is unconstitutional in its entirety because the “individual mandate” was repealed by Congress. Thus, the PPACA remains in effect in its current form. It is possible that the PPACA will be subject to judicial or Congressional challenges in the future. It is uncertain how any such challenges and the healthcare measures of the Biden administration will impact the PPACA and our business.

There has been increasing legislative and enforcement interest in the United States with respect to drug pricing practices. Specifically, there have been several recent U.S. Congressional inquiries and proposed federal and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, reduce the cost of prescription drugs under Medicare, and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drugs.

In August 2022, Congress enacted the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”), a law with sweeping changes to the payment of drugs under the Medicare program. It includes legislative changes that could lead to greater pricing pressures on our products such as amendments to: (i) re-design the Part D benefit by eliminating the “donut hole” under the Medicare Part D program beginning in 2025, among other changes; (ii) modify the “noninterference” provisions of the Medicare Part D enabling statute to require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) to negotiate the prices of a subset of brand drugs with the highest annual expenditures under Medicare Parts B and D that have been on the market for a certain length of time and lack generic or biosimilar competition, under which Medicare prices for such drugs are capped by a “maximum fair price”; and (iii) impose new rebate obligations on manufacturers of certain drugs paid under Medicare Part B or D whose prices increase faster than inflation relative to a benchmark period. With respect to the re-design of the Part D benefit as it relates to generics, the IRA modifies the relative portions of beneficiary drug payments covered by Part D plans and Medicare throughout the various benefit stages to impose a higher obligation on Part D plans. As it relates to Part D negotiation, although generic drugs are not themselves subject the negotiation process, it is possible that a brand product that serves as a reference drug for a Taro product pre-ANDA approval may be selected for negotiation before the generic launches. If so, the Taro generic may ultimately launch at a lower price than it would absent negotiation of the reference drug. Finally, with regard to inflationary rebates, generic drugs generally will not be subject to Part B rebates but could be subject to Part D rebates in specific circumstances. A number of state legislatures have also begun considering legislation that would implement IRA-like frameworks for state-regulated insurance markets. We continue to monitor these legislative developments, evaluate whether any changes to our business practices and operations are necessary to comply with such legislative reforms and advocate for policies that support both innovations and access to high-quality medicines for patients. However, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate impact of such legislative developments on our business or whether additional changes in regulatory policies will occur in the future.

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In October 2022, President Biden issued an Executive Order directing the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (“CMMI”) to explore models to further address drug pricing. CMMI issued a report on February 14, 2023, describing three models that the Secretary has selected for testing. It is possible that Congress or the Administration may take further actions to control drug prices. Further federal, state and foreign legislative and regulatory developments are likely, and we expect these already enacted and ongoing initiatives to increase pressure on drug pricing.

Reimbursement policies of third parties, cost containment measures and healthcare reform as well as governmental regulation of prices could adversely affect the demand for our products and limit our ability to sell our products.

Our ability to market our products depends, in part, on prices and reimbursement levels for them and related treatment established by federal and state government healthcare programs, private health insurers and other third-party payor organizations, including health maintenance organizations and managed care organizations. Reimbursement may not be available for some of our products and, even if granted, may not be maintained. Limits placed on our prices or reimbursement could make it more difficult for people to buy our products and reduce, or possibly eliminate, the demand for our products. In the event that any federal, state or other governmental authority enacts any additional legislation or adopts any additional regulations or policies that affect third-party coverage, price levels or reimbursement, demand for our products may be reduced with a consequent adverse effect, which may be material, on our sales and profitability.

In addition, the purchase of our products could be significantly influenced by the following factors, among others:

trends in managed healthcare in the U.S.;
developments in health maintenance organizations, managed care organizations and similar enterprises;
judicial invalidation of major federal health care legislation;
legislative proposals to reform healthcare, drug prices and government insurance programs; and
price regulation and controls and reimbursement policies.

The PPACA is a sweeping measure intended to expand healthcare coverage in the U.S., primarily through the establishment of an exchange to facilitate the purchase of health insurance, premium and cost-sharing subsidies for certain low-income individuals and expansion of the Medicaid program. Among other things, the PPACA contained provisions that changed payment levels for pharmaceuticals under Medicaid and increased pharmaceutical rebates under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. Effective October 1, 2010, the law changed the formula for calculating federal upper limits (“FULs”), which are a type of cap on the amount a state Medicaid program can reimburse pharmacies for multiple source drugs (i.e., drugs for which there are at least two therapeutically equivalent versions on the market). The FULs are calculated based on the weighted-average of the average manufacturer prices (“AMPs”) of the equivalent drugs on the market when there are at least three therapeutically equivalent versions. In addition, the law changed the preexisting definition of AMP so that it is generally based only on direct sales to retail community pharmacies and sales to wholesalers for drugs distributed to retail community pharmacies. Further, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued final regulations regarding the FUL and the calculation of AMP and rebates under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, effective as of April 1, 2016. Even though our reported AMPs are not disclosed publicly, the release of such FULs to the public and our customers may affect our pricing.

In addition, in its final regulations for the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, CMS required state Medicaid programs, beginning April 1, 2017, to base their reimbursement rates for brand drugs and other drugs not subject to a FUL on pharmacies’ actual acquisition costs, rather than using the previous methodologies based on published benchmarks such as average wholesale price (“AWP”) or wholesaler acquisition cost (“WAC”).

Effective January 1, 2010, the PPACA also increased the minimum Medicaid rebate rate from 15.1% to 23.1% of AMP for most drugs approved under a new drug application (“NDA”), including authorized generics. The PPACA also increased the Medicaid rebate from 11% to 13% of AMP for most drugs approved under an ANDA. Further, the volume of rebated drugs was expanded to include drugs dispensed to beneficiaries in Medicaid managed care organizations. In addition, an alternative, higher rebate may be imposed on drugs that are line extensions of previously approved oral dosage form drugs. CMS’s final regulations also expanded the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program such that manufacturers are required to pay rebates to the U.S. Territories (Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa), effective January 1, 2023. These measures have increased or will increase our cost of selling to the Medicaid market.

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Furthermore, as a result of legislative changes in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (“BBA”), generic drugs are subject to an additional rebate if the AMP for a given quarter exceeds an inflation-adjusted baseline AMP. This price increase penalty previously applied only to innovator drugs. Currently, the price increase penalty for innovator and generic drugs, together with the basic Medicaid rebate, is limited to 100% of the AMP of the drug. Under an amendment to the Medicaid Rebate statute enacted on March 11, 2021, the 100% limit will be removed beginning on January 1, 2024, so that the rebate on a unit of drug could possibly exceed the average price of the drug.

Both Congress and the current administration have proposed, finalized, or are currently considering a wide variety of actions intended to reduce drug prices and/or reduce the amount of reimbursement for drugs under federal government programs such as Medicare. These actions include basing payment for drugs under Medicare Part B on an index of prices in other countries, permitting the importation of less expensive versions of drugs from Canada and other countries, and other measures. These proposals, if finalized or enacted and fully implemented, could adversely affect us and may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our relationships with customers and third-party payors are subject to applicable anti-kickback, fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations, which could expose us to criminal sanctions, civil penalties, contractual damages, reputational harm and diminished profits and future earnings.

Healthcare providers, physicians and third-party payors play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of any products we market. Our arrangements with third-party payors, prescribers, and customers may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we market, sell and distribute any products for which we obtain marketing approval. Restrictions under applicable federal and state healthcare laws and regulations include the following:

the federal healthcare program anti-kickback statute prohibits persons from, among other things, knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, receiving or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, to induce, or in return for, either the referral of an individual for, or the purchase, order or recommendation of, any good or service for which payment may be made under a federal healthcare program such as Medicare and Medicaid;
the federal False Claims Act imposes criminal and civil penalties, including civil whistleblower or qui tam actions, against individuals or entities for knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, to the federal government, claims for payment that are false or fraudulent or making a false statement to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the federal government;
the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) imposes criminal and civil liability for executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program or making false statements relating to healthcare matters;
federal law requires applicable manufacturers of covered drugs to report payments and other transfers of value to physicians, teaching hospitals, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologist assistants and certified nurse-midwives on an annual basis, which includes data collection and reporting obligations. The information is made publicly available on a searchable website; and
analogous state and foreign laws and regulations, such as state anti-kickback and false claims laws, may apply to sales or marketing arrangements and claims involving healthcare items or services reimbursed by non-governmental third-party payors, including private insurers.

Some state laws require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the pharmaceutical industry’s voluntary compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government and require drug manufacturers to report information related to payments and other transfers of value to healthcare providers or marketing expenditures. Still other states require the reporting of certain pricing information, pricing controls, or patient access constraints, including information pertaining to the justification of launch prices or price increases greater than a specified threshold.

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We are subject to data privacy and security regulations administered and enforced by the federal government as well as statutes and regulations adopted in the states in which we conduct our business. At the federal level, the FDA regulations for the protection of human research subjects require that we protect the privacy of personal information and obtain appropriate informed consent in connection with research using identifiable subject information or identifiable biological samples. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has broad authority to investigate and initiate enforcement actions regarding any activity affecting the privacy or security of personal information that it deems deceptive or unfair, and has recently imposed substantial fines for allegedly unfair and deceptive practices involving the use and disclosure of personal health information. At the state level, a rapidly growing body of privacy and data protection laws impose requirements and restrictions, and these state laws differ from each other in significant ways, thus complicating compliance efforts. Failure to comply with these laws can result in the imposition of significant civil and criminal penalties. For example, the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (the “CMIA”), which imposes stringent data privacy and security requirements and obligations with respect to the personal health information of California residents, authorizes administrative fines and civil penalties of up to $25,000 for willful violations and up to $250,000 if the violation is for purposes of financial gain, as well as criminal fines. In the past five years, California and nine other states have adopted broader privacy laws, all of which provide for civil penalties for violations and some of which also provide a private right of action for enforcement by individuals. New legislation that is anticipated to be enacted in various other states will continue to shape the data privacy environment nationally. The effects on our business of this growing body of privacy and data protection laws are potentially significant, and may require us to modify our data processing practices and policies and to incur substantial costs and expenses in an effort to comply.

Efforts to ensure that our business arrangements with third parties comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations involve substantial costs. It is possible that governmental authorities will conclude that our business practices may not comply with current or future statutes, regulations or case law involving applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of these laws or any other governmental regulations that may apply to us, we may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, imprisonment, exclusion of products from government funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations. If any of the physicians or other healthcare providers or entities with whom we expect to do business is found to be not in compliance with applicable laws, they may be subject to criminal, civil or administrative sanctions, including exclusions from government funded healthcare programs.

Any failure to comply with the complex reporting and payment obligations under the Medicare and Medicaid programs may result in further litigation or sanctions, in addition to the lawsuits.

The U.S. laws and regulations regarding Medicare and/or Medicaid reimbursement and rebates and other governmental programs are complex. Some of the applicable laws may impose liability even in the absence of specific intent to defraud. The subjective decisions and complex methodologies used in calculating prices that are reportable under these programs are subject to review and challenge, and it is possible that such reviews could result in material changes. The federal government and a number of state attorneys general and others have filed lawsuits alleging that pharmaceutical companies reported inflated AWP, Medicaid rebate best prices or average sales prices (which are used to set Medicaid Part B payment rates for drugs) leading to excessive payments by Medicare and/or Medicaid for prescription drugs. Additional actions are possible. These actions, if successful, could adversely affect us and may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Due to increasing numbers of securities claims over the last several years and related payouts under insurance policies, in addition to increased settlement values in “event-driven” litigation and a growing number of plaintiff shareholder law firms eager to bring claims, premiums and deductibles for insurance, including director and officers liability ("D&O") insurance, have been increasing and some insurers are reducing the number of companies they insure, causing the supply of insurance to lag behind demand. This could increase our premiums, reduce the scope and capacity of our coverage, and adversely affect our ability to maintain and renew our existing insurance policies on favorable terms or at all. While we continue to maintain insurance coverage intended to address certain risks, such coverage may be insufficient to cover claims and losses we may face.

We are susceptible to product liability claims that may not be covered by insurance and could require us to pay substantial sums.

We face the risk of loss resulting from, and adverse publicity associated with, product liability lawsuits, whether or not such claims are valid. We may not be able to avoid such claims. In addition, our product liability insurance may not be adequate to cover such claims or we may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage in the future at acceptable costs. A successful product liability claim that exceeds our policy limits could require us to pay substantial sums. In addition, in the future, we may not be able to obtain the type and amount of coverage we desire or to maintain our current coverage.

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Our success depends, in part, on the quality, efficacy and safety of our products.

Our success depends, in part, on the quality, efficacy and safety of our products. Product recalls or product field alerts may be issued at our discretion or as recommended or requested by the FDA, other governmental agencies or other companies having regulatory authority over pharmaceutical product sales. From time to time, we may recall products for various reasons, including failure of our products to maintain their stability through their expiration dates. Any recall or product field alert has the potential of damaging the reputation of the product or our reputation. Any significant recalls could materially affect our sales. In these cases, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. If our products are found to be defective or unsafe, our product claims are found to be deceptive, or our products otherwise fail to meet our customers’ or consumers’ expectations, our relationships with customers or consumers could suffer, the appeal of our brands could be diminished, and we could lose sales and become subject to liability or claims, any of which could result in a material adverse effect on our business.

Our reputation among consumers and our customers in the pharmacy trade may be negatively impacted by incidents of counterfeiting of our products.

Counterfeit versions of some of our products may be sold by third parties, which may pose safety risks, may fail to meet consumers’ expectations, and may have a negative impact on our business. The counterfeiting of pharmaceutical products is a widely reported problem for pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers in the U.S., which is our largest market. Such counterfeiting may take the form of illicit producers manufacturing cheaper and less effective counterfeit versions of our products, or producing imitation products containing no active ingredients, and then packaging such counterfeit products in a manner, which makes them look like our products. If incidents occurred in which such products prove to be ineffective, or even harmful, to the individuals who used them, consumers and our customers might not buy our products out of fear that they might be ineffective or dangerous counterfeits. In addition, sales of counterfeit products could reduce sales of our legitimate products, which could have a material negative impact on our sales and net income. Further, we are required to notify FDA and certain trading partners upon determining that a product is counterfeit or otherwise illegitimate.

The manufacture and storage of pharmaceutical and chemical products are subject to environmental regulation and inherent risk.

Because chemical ingredients are used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products and due to the nature of the manufacturing process itself, there is a risk of property damage or personal injury caused by or during the storage or manufacture of both the chemical ingredients and the finished pharmaceutical products. Although we have never incurred any material liability for damage of this nature, we may be subject to liability in the future. In addition, while we believe our insurance coverage is adequate, it is possible that a successful claim would exceed our coverage, requiring us to pay a substantial sum.

The pharmaceutical industry is also subject to extensive environmental regulation. We therefore face the risk of incurring liability for damages or the costs of remedying environmental harms because of the chemical ingredients contained in our products and the processes involved with their manufacture. For example, we could be held liable for costs to investigate or remediate contamination resulting from the presence or release of hazardous materials at or from any of our properties or the disposal of any such materials at third party sites. Although we have never incurred any such liability in any material amount, we may be subject to liability in the future. We may also be required to increase expenditures to address environmental issues and to comply with applicable regulations. If we fail to comply with environmental regulations or the conditions of our operating licenses, the licenses could be revoked and we could be subject to criminal sanctions and substantial liability. We could also be required to suspend or modify our manufacturing operations.

Climate change, and laws, regulations and policies regarding climate change, could also pose additional legal or regulatory requirements related to greenhouse gas emissions reporting, carbon pricing, and mandatory reduction targets. These more stringent requirements could increase our costs of sourcing, production, and transportation, as well as have negative reputational impacts if we fail to meet such requirements. Failure to respond to risks regarding climate change may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and reputation.

Our business could be negatively impacted by social impact and sustainability matters.

There is an increased focus from certain investors, customers, consumers, and other stakeholders concerning social impact and sustainability matters. From time to time, we announce certain initiatives, including goals and commitments, regarding our focus areas, which include environmental matters, packaging, responsible sourcing, social investments and inclusion and diversity. We could fail, or be perceived to fail, in our achievement of such initiatives, or in accurately reporting our progress on such initiatives. Such failures could be due to changes in our business (e.g., shifts in business among distribution channels or acquisitions). Moreover, the standards by which sustainability efforts and related matters are measured are developing and evolving, and certain areas are subject to assumptions that could change over time. Social impact and sustainability matters could have a material adverse effect on our business.

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Testing required for the regulatory approval of our products is sometimes conducted by independent third parties. Any failure by any of these third parties to perform this testing properly may have an adverse effect upon our ability to obtain regulatory approvals.

Our applications for the regulatory approval of our products incorporate the results of testing and other information that are sometimes provided by independent third parties (including, for example, manufacturers of raw materials, testing laboratories, contract research organizations or independent research facilities). The likelihood that the products being tested will receive regulatory approval is, to some extent, dependent upon the quality of the work performed by these third parties, the quality of the third parties’ facilities and the accuracy of the information provided by these third parties. We have little or no control over any of these factors. As such, the failure of these independent third parties to comply with, among other things, applicable regulatory requirements, protocols, standards, guidelines, and contractual requirements may have an adverse effect upon our ability to obtain regulatory approvals.

If third-party manufacturers and logistic service providers upon whom we rely fail to meet our requirements, we may face delays in the manufacturing or delivery of certain products or be unable to meet demand for them.

We use third-party manufacturers and logistic service providers to manufacture and deliver some of our products. If our relationship with any of these third-party manufacturers or service providers is terminated or impaired, the manufacturing or delivery of our products to customers may be delayed, which could harm our business and financial results. Further, although we have customary contract manufacturing agreements and service agreements with those third-party manufacturers and service providers, we cannot guarantee that any third-party manufacturer or service provider will allocate sufficient capacity to us in order to meet our requirements or that alternative manufacturing or distribution capacity will be available when required on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all.

In addition, quality control problems, such as the use of materials or subcontractors that do not meet our quality control standards and specifications or comply with applicable laws or regulations, could harm our business. Quality control problems could result in regulatory action, such as revocation or suspension of regulatory approvals, restrictions on importation, products of inferior quality or product stock outages or shortages, harming our sales, and creating inventory write-downs for unusable products. Further, legislative, executive and regulatory proposals were recently enacted or are pending to, among other things, prevent drug shortages, improve pandemic preparedness and reduce the dependency of the United States on foreign supply chains and manufacturing. While we are still assessing these developments, they could impact our selection and utilization of third-party manufacturers, logistic service providers, and other vendors and suppliers and could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Further, our third-party manufacturers and service providers may:

have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with ours;
take actions contrary to our instructions, requests, policies or objectives;
be unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations under relevant agreements, purchase orders or statements of work, including obligations to meet our production deadlines, quality standards, pricing guidelines, product specifications, standard operation procedures, and to comply with applicable regulations, including those regarding the safety and quality of products;
have financial difficulties;
encounter raw material or labor shortages or increases in raw material or labor costs which may affect our procurement costs or service fees;
engage in activities or employ practices that may harm our reputation; and
work with, be acquired by, or come under control of, our competitors.

Governmental investigations and litigation relating to sales and marketing practices may result in material penalties and/or settlement amounts.

 

We are a party to numerous claims and several investigations brought under federal and state antitrust laws by various plaintiffs, including state governments, and federal and state governmental agencies, alleging that we, together with other pharmaceutical manufacturers and in some cases the entire industry, engaged in conspiracies to fix drug prices and/or allocate customers and market share of generic pharmaceutical products in the U.S. Responding to such investigations and claims and litigating these cases is costly. Our defense and the proceedings themselves are unpredictable and may develop over lengthy periods of time. If we were to enter into settlements to bring the investigations to closure or to resolve the litigation, those settlements could require us to pay a material sum. See Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information. We operate around the world in complex legal and regulatory environments. Following calls in recent years from policy makers and other stakeholders in many countries for governmental intervention against high prices of certain pharmaceutical products, we are currently and/or may be subject to governmental

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investigations, claims or other legal action or regulatory action regarding our products. It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of any such investigations or claims or what other investigations or litigation or regulatory responses may result from such assertions.

Risks Relating to Our Company and Our Operations

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and its affiliates control 85.7% of the voting power in our Company.

Our Chairman, Mr. Dilip Shanghvi, and members of his immediate family (one of whom is a member of our Board of Directors) control, through their beneficial ownership of 78.5% of our outstanding ordinary shares and 100% of our founders’ shares through Sun Pharma, 85.7% of the voting power in our Company as of March 31, 2023. Mr. Dilip Shanghvi, along with entities controlled by him and members of his family, control 54.5% of Sun Pharma as of March 31, 2023. Sun is able to control the outcome of shareholder votes of the Company requiring a majority of the votes.

Wholesaler customers account for a substantial portion of our consolidated sales.

We have no long-term agreements with the wholesalers that require them to purchase our products and they may therefore reduce or cease their purchases from us at any time. Any cessation or significant reduction of their purchases from us would likely have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, changes in their buying patterns or in their policies and practices in relation to their working capital and inventory management may result in a reduction of, or a change in the timing of, their purchases of our products. While we receive periodic inventory reports from the wholesalers, we have no ability to obtain advance knowledge of such changes. We base our manufacturing schedules, inventories and internal sales projections principally on historical data. To the extent that actual orders from these wholesalers differ substantially from our internal projections, we may either find ourselves with excess inventory or in an out-of-stock position, which could have a material adverse effect upon our operating results.

The nature of our business requires us to estimate future charges against wholesaler accounts receivable. If these estimates are not accurate, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Sales to third parties, including government institutions, hospitals, hospital buying groups, pharmacy buying groups, pharmacy chains and others generally are made through wholesalers. We sell our products to wholesalers, and the wholesalers resell the products to third parties at times and in quantities ordered by the third parties. Typically, we have a contract price with a third party to which a wholesaler resells our products that may be equal to or less than the price at which we sold the products to the wholesaler. In such a case, following the purchase of the product by a third-party purchaser from the wholesaler, the wholesaler charges us back for any shortfall. At the time of any individual sale by us to a wholesaler, we do not know under which contracts the wholesaler will resell products to third parties. Therefore, we estimate the amount of chargebacks and other credits that may be associated with these sales and we reduce our revenue accordingly. One factor in calculating these estimates is information on customer inventory levels provided to us by our customers. We obtain official reports of the amount of our products held in inventory by our wholesaler customers. If this information is inaccurate or not forthcoming, this may result in erroneously estimated reserves for chargebacks, returns or other deductions. In addition, from time to time, the amount of such chargebacks and other credits reported by a wholesaler may be different from our estimates. Discrepancies of this nature may result in a reduction in the value of our accounts receivable and a related charge to net income. The reconciliation of our accounts with wholesalers may, from time to time, delay, or otherwise impact the collection of our accounts receivable or result in a decrease in their value and in a related charge to our net income.

Our inventories of finished goods have expiration dates after which they cannot be sold.

Industry standards require that pharmaceutical products be made available to customers from existing stock levels rather than on a made-to-order basis. Therefore, in order to accommodate market demand adequately, we strive to maintain sufficiently high levels of inventories. However, inventories prepared for sales that are not realized as or when anticipated may approach their expiration dates and may have to be written off. These write-offs, if any, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

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Our future success depends on our ability to develop, manufacture and sell new products.

Our future success is largely dependent upon our ability to develop, manufacture and market new commercially viable pharmaceutical products and generic equivalents of proprietary pharmaceutical products whose patents and other exclusivity periods have expired. Delays in the development, manufacture and marketing of new products could negatively impact our results of operations. Each of the steps in the development, manufacture and marketing of our products involves significant time and expense. We are, therefore, subject to the risks, among others, that:

any products under development, if and when fully developed and tested, will not perform in accordance with our expectations;
any generic product under development will, when tested, not be bioequivalent to its brand-name counterpart;
necessary regulatory approvals will not be obtained in a timely manner, if at all;
any new product cannot be successfully and profitably produced and marketed;
quality control problems may adversely impact our reputation for high-quality production;
other companies may launch their version of generic products, either prior to or following the launch of our newly approved generic version of the same product;
brand-name companies may launch their products, either themselves or through third parties, in the form of authorized generic products which can reduce sales, prices and profitability of our newly approved generic products;
generic companies may launch generic versions of our brand-name drugs; or
our products may not be priced at levels acceptable to our customers.

If we are unable to obtain raw materials, our operations could be seriously impaired.

While the majority of our products are either synthesized by us or are derived from multiple source materials, some raw materials and certain products are currently obtained from single domestic or foreign suppliers. Most of these materials are subject to regulatory inspections and if found to be non-compliant we could be prevented from obtaining them. Although we have not experienced significant difficulty in obtaining raw materials to date, material supply interruptions may occur in the future and we may have to obtain substitute raw materials or products. For most raw materials we do not have any long-term supply agreements and therefore we are subject to the risk that our suppliers of raw materials may not continue to supply to us on satisfactory terms or at all.

In recent years, our business has experienced increased volatility in volumes due in large part to global supply chain issues. Due to the complexity of our supply chain, we have experienced supply discontinuities due to macroeconomic issues, regulatory actions, including sanctions and trade restrictions, labor disturbances and approval delays, which impacted our ability to timely meet demand in certain instances. Supply chain disruptions could continue to result in delays in our production and distribution processes, R&D initiatives, and our ability to respond timely to consumer demand. These adverse market forces have a direct impact on our overall performance. Any such disruptions could have a material impact on our business and our results of operation and financial condition.

Furthermore, obtaining the regulatory approvals required for adding alternative suppliers of raw materials for finished products we manufacture may be a lengthy process. We strive to maintain adequate inventories of single source raw materials in order to ensure that any delays in receiving regulatory approvals will not have a material adverse effect upon our business. However, we may not be successful in doing so, and consequently, we may be unable to sell some products pending approval of one or more alternate sources of raw materials. Any significant interruption in our supply stream could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

Research and development efforts invested in our innovative pipeline may not achieve expected results.

We invest increasingly greater resources to develop our innovative pipeline, both through our own efforts and through collaborations with third parties, which results in higher risks.

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The time from discovery to a possible commercial launch of an innovative product is substantial and involves multiple stages. During each stage, we may encounter obstacles that delay the development process and increase expenses, potentially forcing us to abandon a potential product in which we may have invested substantial amount of time and resources. These obstacles may include pre-clinical failures, difficulty enrolling patients in clinical trials, delays in completing formulation and other work needed to support an application for approval, adverse reactions or other safety concerns arising during clinical testing, insufficient clinical trial data to support the safety or efficacy of the product candidate, widespread supply chain breakdowns, delays as a result of new requirements implemented by health authorities such as the U.S. FDA and EMA requirement on material use and delays, failure to obtain the required regulatory approvals for the product candidate or the facilities in which it is manufactured or inability to produce and market such innovative products successfully and profitably. In addition, we face the risk that some of the third parties we collaborate with may fail to perform their obligations. Accordingly, our investment in research and development of innovative products can involve significant costs with no assurances of future revenues or profit.

We are continuing our efforts to develop new proprietary pharmaceutical products, but these efforts are subject to risk and may not be successful.

Our principal business has traditionally been the development, manufacture and marketing of generic equivalents of pharmaceutical products first introduced by other companies. However, we have increased our efforts to develop new proprietary products.

Expanding our focus beyond generic products and broadening our product pipeline to include new proprietary products may require additional internal expertise or external collaboration in areas in which we currently do not have substantial resources and personnel. We may have to enter into collaborative arrangements with others that may require us to relinquish rights to some of our technologies or products that we would otherwise pursue independently. We may not be able to acquire the necessary expertise or enter into collaborative agreements on acceptable terms, if at all, to develop and market new proprietary products.

In addition, although a newly developed product may be successfully manufactured in a laboratory setting, difficulties may be encountered in scaling up for manufacture in commercially-sized batches. For this reason and others, in the pharmaceutical industry only a small minority of all new proprietary research and development programs ultimately result in commercially successful drugs.

In order to obtain regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of new proprietary products, we are required to complete extensive clinical trials in humans to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the products to the satisfaction of FDA and regulatory authorities abroad. Conducting clinical trials is a lengthy, time-consuming and expensive process, and the results of such trials are inherently uncertain.

A clinical trial may fail for a number of reasons, including:

failure to enroll a sufficient number of patients meeting eligibility criteria;
failure of the new product to demonstrate safety and/or efficacy;
the development of serious (including life threatening) adverse events including, for example, side effects caused by or connected with exposure to the new product; or
the failure of clinical investigators, trial monitors and other consultants or trial subjects to comply with the trial plan or protocol.

The results from early clinical trials may not be predictive of results obtained in later clinical trials. Clinical trials may not demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a product sufficient to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals, or to support a commercially viable product. Any failure of a clinical trial for a product in which we have invested significant time or other resources could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Even if launched commercially, our proprietary products may face competition from existing or new products of other companies. These other companies may have greater resources, market access, and consumer recognition than we have. Thus, there can be no assurance that our proprietary products will be successful or profitable. In addition, advertising and marketing expenses associated with the launch of a proprietary product may, if not successful, adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We may not be able to successfully identify, consummate and integrate licensing deals or future acquisitions.

We have in the past, and may in the future, pursue licensing deals (both in-license and out-license deals) or acquisitions of product lines and/or companies and seek to integrate them into our operations. Licensing deals and acquisitions of additional product lines and

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companies involve risks that could adversely affect our future results of operations. Any one or more of the following examples may apply:

we may encounter issues with intellectual property, manufacturing or financial complications with in-license or out-license deals;
we may not be able to identify suitable licensing deals, acquisition targets or acquire companies on favorable terms;
we compete with other companies that may have stronger financial positions and are therefore better able to acquire licenses, product lines and companies. We believe that this competition will increase and may result in decreased availability or increased prices for suitable licenses or acquisition targets;
we may not be able to obtain the necessary financing, on favorable terms or at all, to finance any of our potential license deals or acquisitions;
we may not be able to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of antitrust regulatory bodies, in any of the countries in which we may seek to consummate potential licenses or acquisitions;
we may ultimately fail to complete a licensing deal or an acquisition after we announce that we plan to license a product or acquire a product line or a company;
we may fail to license products or integrate our acquisitions successfully in accordance with our business strategy;
we may choose to license a product or acquire a business that is not profitable, either at the time of the license or acquisition or thereafter;
licensing deals or acquisitions may require significant management resources and divert attention away from our daily operations, resulting in the loss of key customers and personnel, and expose us to unanticipated liabilities;
we may not be able to retain the skilled employees and experienced management that may be necessary to maximize an in-license’s profitability or operate businesses we acquire, and if we cannot retain such personnel, we may not be able to locate and hire new skilled employees and experienced management to replace them; and
we may license a product or purchase a company that has contingent liabilities that include, among others, known or unknown intellectual property or product liability claims.

Our tax liabilities could be larger than anticipated.

We are subject to tax in many jurisdictions, and significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes. Likewise, we are subject to audit by tax authorities in many jurisdictions. In such audits, our interpretation of tax legislation might be challenged and tax authorities in various jurisdictions may disagree with, and subsequently challenge, the amount of profits taxed in such jurisdictions under our intercompany agreements. Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, the ultimate outcome of such audits and related litigation could be different from our provision for taxes and might have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

We are in the process of enhancing and further developing our global enterprise resource planning systems and associated business applications, which could result in business interruptions if we encounter difficulties.

We are enhancing and further developing our global enterprise resource planning (“ERP”), quality control laboratory operations systems and other business critical information technology (“IT”) infrastructure systems and associated applications to provide more operating efficiencies and effective management of our business and financial operations. Such changes to ERP systems and related software, quality control systems, and other IT infrastructure carry risks such as cost overruns, project delays and business interruptions and delays. If we experience a material business interruption as a result of our ERP enhancements, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, and results of operations and/or cash flow.

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We intend to outsource certain finance and accounting functions to a third party, which may subject us to risks, including potential disruptions of our business, financial reporting process and increased costs.

We intend to outsource certain finance and accounting functions, such as account payables and recording of transactional data, to a third party. Failure of such third party to provide timely and adequate services or our inability to arrange for alternative providers on favorable terms in a timely manner could disrupt our business, adversely impact the quality or timeliness of our financial reporting process, increase our costs or otherwise adversely affect our business and financial results. These adverse effects may include, but are not limited to:

changes in the public’s perception of our reputation;
possible data losses or information security lapses that result in unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information; and
non-compliance with our policies and procedures or with laws and regulations, including laws and regulations governing the use and safeguarding of information.

We are increasingly dependent on information technology and our systems and infrastructure face certain risks, including cybersecurity and data leakage risks.

We are increasingly dependent on sophisticated information technology systems and infrastructure to operate our business. In the ordinary course of business, we collect, store and transmit large amounts of confidential information, trade secrets, intellectual property, proprietary business information, customer credit card information, and employee personal information, and it is critical that we do so in a secure manner to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of such confidential information. We have contracted with third-party vendors to enhance our operations and, as part of our service arrangements with Sun as described in greater detail under Item 7B – “Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Arrangements with Sun,” we also have outsourced elements of our operations to Sun, including significant elements of our information technology infrastructure. The size and complexity of our information technology systems, and those with whom we contract, make such systems potentially vulnerable to service interruptions, security breaches from inadvertent or intentional actions by employees, partners or vendors, or from attacks by malicious third parties. Any significant disruptions to our information technology systems, including breaches of information security or cybersecurity, or failure to integrate new and existing information technology systems could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. While we exercise care in selecting vendors that maintain adequate information security controls and monitor our relationships with our vendors, we and our vendors or Sun, could be susceptible to third-party attacks on our information security systems, which attacks are of ever-increasing levels of sophistication and are made by groups and individuals with a wide range of motives and expertise, including criminal groups, “hackers” and others. These actors, criminal groups, “hackers” and others routinely attack the security of technology products, services, systems and networks using a wide variety of methods, including ransomware, malicious codes, worms, phishing attacks, denial of service attacks, and other sophisticated cyber-attacks and attempts to exploit vulnerabilities in hardware, software, and infrastructure, and our disaster recovery planning cannot account for all eventualities. Attacks also include social engineering and cyber extortion to induce customers, contractors, business partners, vendors, employees and other third parties to disclose information, transfer funds, or unwittingly provide access to systems or data. Cyber threats are continually evolving, making it difficult to defend against such threats and vulnerabilities that can persist undetected over extended periods of time. Certain aspects of the security of such technologies are unpredictable or beyond our control, and the failure by mobile technology, third party and cloud service providers to adequately safeguard their systems and prevent cyber-attacks could disrupt our operations, including our ability to timely ship and track product orders and project inventory requirements, and lead to interruptions or delays in our supply chain. Additionally, these types of problems could result in an actual or perceived breach of confidential information (including personal information) or loss, misappropriation or corruption of critical data such as protected health information or other data subject to privacy laws and proprietary business information, which could result in damage to our reputation, litigation, complaints, negative publicity, breach notification obligations, regulatory or administrative sanctions, inquiries, orders or investigations, indemnity obligations, or penalties for violations of applicable laws or regulations. The increased use of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices may also heighten these and other operational risks. Sustained or repeated system disruptions that interrupt our ability to process orders and deliver products to the stores, impact our customers' ability to access our websites in a timely manner, or expose confidential information (including personal information) could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. We may also incur losses from various types of fraud, including stolen credit card numbers, claims that a customer did not authorize a purchase, merchant fraud, and customers who have closed bank accounts or have insufficient funds in open bank accounts to satisfy payments, and any such losses may be significant.

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We have been the target of events of this nature and expect them to continue as cybersecurity threats have been rapidly evolving in sophistication and becoming more prevalent in the industry. For example, we disclosed that on March 1, 2023, Sun had experienced an information technology security incident that impacted some of Sun’s IT assets. Upon learning that the incident had impacted Taro, Taro, in conjunction with Sun, promptly took steps to contain and remediate the impact on Taro, including employing appropriate containment protocols to mitigate the threat, employing enhanced security measures and utilizing global cyber security experts to ensure the integrity of its IT systems infrastructure and data. Based on our investigation, Taro currently believes that the incident’s effects on its IT system include a breach of certain file systems and the theft of company data and personal data. A ransomware group has claimed responsibility for this incident. As part of the containment measures, Taro proactively isolated its network and initiated recovery procedures. As a result of these measures, Taro’s business operations and revenues were impacted, however, the full impact of which cannot be reliably measured nor believed to be material currently. Taro may also further incur expenses in connection with the incident and the remediation. Taro is currently unable to determine other potential adverse impacts of the incident, including but not limited to additional information security incidents, increased costs to maintain insurance coverage, the diversion of management and employee time or the possibility of litigation. In addition, although we have cybersecurity insurance, such insurance may not adequately cover the losses and damages that we sustained as a result of the incident or may sustain as a result of any future security incident or cyber-attack. We may also not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage in the future at acceptable costs. Furthermore, the public perception that a security incident or a cyber-attack on our systems has been successful, whether or not this perception is correct, may damage our reputation with customers and third parties with whom we do business. Taro has since strengthened its cybersecurity infrastructure and is in the process of implementing improvements to its cyber and data security systems to safeguard against such risks in the future. Taro is also implementing certain long-term measures to augment its security control systems across the organization. Taro worked with legal counsel across relevant jurisdictions to notify regulatory and data protection authorities, where considered required, and Taro believes there is no material legal non-compliance as a result of the information security incident. Taro believes that all known impacts on its financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2023, due to this incident have been considered.

Maintaining the secrecy of our confidential information, trade secrets, intellectual property, proprietary business information, and employee personal information is important to our competitive business position. However, such information can be difficult to protect. While we have taken steps to protect such information and invested heavily in information technology, data security and preventing data leakages, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent service interruptions or security breaches in our systems or the unauthorized or inadvertent wrongful use or disclosure of data that could adversely affect our business operations or result in the loss, dissemination, or misuse of critical or sensitive information. In addition, there is a risk that encryption and other protective measures, despite their sophistication, may be defeated, particularly to the extent that new computing technologies vastly increase the speed and computing power available. A breach of our security measures or the accidental loss, inadvertent disclosure, unapproved dissemination, misappropriation or misuse of our data, whether as a result of theft, hacking, fraud, trickery or other forms of deception, or for any other cause, could enable others to produce competing products, use our data to gain an advantage, and/or adversely affect our business position. Applicable data privacy and security obligations may require us to notify relevant stakeholders of security incidents. Such disclosures are costly, and the disclosures or the failure to comply with such requirements could lead to adverse consequences. Any such breach or the accidental loss, inadvertent disclosure, unapproved dissemination, misappropriation or misuse of our data could also result in a violation of applicable privacy and other laws in the U.S. and abroad, litigation exposure, regulatory fines, penalties or intervention, reimbursement or other compensatory costs, additional compliance costs and our internal controls or disclosure controls being rendered ineffective. Further, any such interruption, security breach, loss or disclosure of confidential information, could result in financial, legal, business and reputational harm to us and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and/or share price.

Our obligations related to data privacy and security are quickly changing in an increasingly stringent fashion, creating some uncertainty as to the effective future legal framework. We expect that new privacy and cybersecurity laws and regulations will be proposed and adopted in the U.S. and other jurisdictions in which we operate. Additionally, these obligations may be subject to differing applications and interpretations, which may be inconsistent or conflict among jurisdictions. Preparing for and complying with these obligations requires significant resources and may necessitate changes to our information technologies, systems, and practices and to those of any third parties that process data on our behalf. Although we endeavor to comply with all applicable data privacy and security obligations, we may at times fail (or be perceived to have failed) to do so. Moreover, despite our efforts, our personnel or third parties upon whom we rely may fail to comply with such obligations, which could negatively impact our business operations and compliance posture.

Social media presents potential internal and external risks for our company.

The internal unauthorized, inappropriate or illicit use of social media could cause reputational harm to our business and/or create adverse consequences, including the inadvertent release of non-public information or personally identifiable information. Externally, our brand and reputation could suffer harm in the event of negative comments or altered information being disseminated through social media. If we were to suffer reputational or brand harm or adverse consequences through social media, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Customer complaints or negative publicity about our website,

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products, merchandise quality, product delivery times, customer data handling and security practices or customer support, could have a material adverse effect, especially on our direct-to-customer skincare business.

A public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, any widespread outbreak of an illness or communicable disease, or any other pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

Widespread outbreaks of disease or other public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and responses thereto have in the past and may in the future negatively impact the global economy, disrupt global supply chains and create significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. Since it began in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread globally, including to countries and regions where we manufacture most of our products and conduct our clinical trials and including Israel and Canada, where most of our manufacturing takes place, and has spread throughout each state in the U.S., our largest market. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted global supply chains, created significant volatility in global financial markets and negatively impacted the global economy. Additionally, it has impacted our business and may materially affect our operations, including manufacturing, supply chain, pre-commercial launch and clinical trial activities should the pandemic persist. Our offices are or have been operating under work from home protocols, and our manufacturing and distribution facilities have instituted policies and procedures to protect our employees and operations, including social distancing, the supply and use of personal protective equipment, split shifts and health assessments. We had and, in some instances, continue to have to suspend in-person activities of our field employees because of restrictions on meetings instituted by our customers. These protocols, policies, procedures, and suspension of activities have affected our business operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected and any other future epidemics, pandemics or public health crises may in the future affect the operations of our suppliers, third-party manufacturers, or partners in our supply chains (transportation, shipping, and logistics), which resulted and may in the future result in higher costs and delays in the manufacturing and supply of products to our customers, which has and may in the future have a negative impact on our financial results. If we need to find alternate suppliers, third-party manufacturers, or partners in our supply chain, such alternates may come with increased costs, which could have a negative impact on our financial results.

Widespread outbreaks of disease or other public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may affect regulatory agencies globally, causing disruptions that limit our ability to supply products or bring new or improved products to market, which could negatively impact our business operations and financial results. During the COVID-19 pandemic, regulatory agencies globally, including the FDA, generally experienced slower response times and offered limited inspections of manufacturing facilities, affecting approval of new products, regulatory submissions and inspections. Although FDA’s normal inspection program, including the use of alternative inspection tools, and response times have largely resumed, such issues could reoccur in the event of future outbreaks and public health crises.

Due to reductions in healthcare benefits as a result of unemployment and patient visits to doctors’ offices, pharmacies and healthcare facilities, we may experience a decline in revenue or slower revenue growth related to such reductions. Our customers may increase demand for certain Company products that exceeds our ability to meet such demand, which could negatively affect our operations and strain relationships with our customers.

The impact of any epidemic, pandemic or public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, could cause our customers, third-party manufacturers or suppliers to have liquidity issues, impacting our collection on receivables and negatively impacting our ability to procure products or materials.

The impact of any epidemic, pandemic or public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, could have a significant negative impact on our business, financial results, cash flow and liquidity. In such case, we may need to seek additional sources of financing to fund our operations. Capital and credit markets have experienced disruptions due to COVID-19 and foreign exchanges have experienced increased volatility. Because of these disruptions and volatility, seeking additional financing may be difficult and is dependent upon evolving market conditions, among other factors.

The impact of the epidemics, pandemics or public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on the global and U.S. economies is uncertain, but a sustained economic downturn could negatively impact demand for our products and materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and the value of our shares.

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Risks Relating to Our Intellectual Property

We depend on our ability to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights, but we may not be able to maintain the confidentiality, or assure the protection, of these assets.

Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to protect our current and future technologies and products and to defend our intellectual property rights. If we fail to protect our intellectual property adequately, competitors may manufacture and market products similar to ours. Numerous patents covering our technologies have been issued to us, and we have filed, and expect to continue to file, patent applications seeking to protect newly developed technologies and products in various countries, including the U.S. Some patent applications in the U.S. are maintained in secrecy until the patent is issued. Because the publication of discoveries tends to follow their actual discovery by many months, we may not be the first to invent, or file patent applications on any of our discoveries. Patents may not be issued with respect to any of our patent applications and existing or future patents issued to or licensed by us may not provide competitive advantages for our products. Patents that are issued may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by our competitors. Furthermore, our patent rights may not prevent our competitors from developing, using or commercializing products that are similar or functionally equivalent to our products. Where trade secrets are our sole protection, we may not be able to prevent third parties from marketing generic equivalents to our products, reducing prices in the marketplace and reducing our profitability.

We also rely on trade secrets, non-patented proprietary expertise and continuing technological innovation that we seek to protect, in part, by entering into confidentiality agreements with licensees, suppliers, employees, consultants and others. These agreements may be breached and we may not have adequate remedies in the event of a breach. Disputes may arise concerning the ownership of intellectual property or the applicability of confidentiality agreements. Moreover, our trade secrets and proprietary technology may otherwise become known or be independently developed by our competitors. If patents are not issued with respect to products arising from our research, we may not be able to maintain the confidentiality of information relating to these products.

Third parties may claim that we infringe on their proprietary rights and may prevent us from manufacturing and selling such products, or may challenge our own proprietary rights.

There has been substantial litigation in the pharmaceutical industry with respect to the manufacture, use and sale of new products. These lawsuits often relate to the validity and infringement of patents or proprietary rights of third parties. We have in the past and may be required to in the future commence or defend against charges relating to the infringement of patent or proprietary rights. Any such litigation could:

require us to incur substantial expenses, even if we are insured or successful in the litigation;
require us to divert significant time and effort of our technical and management personnel;
result in the loss of our rights to develop or make certain products;
require us to pay substantial monetary damages or royalties in order to license proprietary rights from third parties;
prevent us from launching a developed, tested and approved product; or
result in our loss of certain patent or proprietary rights.

Although patent and intellectual property disputes within the pharmaceutical industry have often been settled through licensing or similar arrangements, costs associated with these arrangements may be substantial and could include the long-term payment of royalties. These arrangements may be investigated by U.S. regulatory agencies and, if improper, may be invalidated. Furthermore, the required licenses may not be made available to us on acceptable terms. Accordingly, an adverse determination in a judicial or administrative proceeding or a failure to obtain necessary licenses could prevent us from manufacturing and selling some of our products or increase our costs to market these products.

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From time to time, we seek to market patented products before the related patents expire. In order to do so in the U.S., we must challenge the patent under the procedures set forth in the Hatch-Waxman Act. In the U.S., in order to obtain a final approval for a generic product prior to expiration of certain of the innovator’s patents, we must, under the terms of the Hatch-Waxman Act, as amended by the Medicare Act, notify the patent holder as well as the owner of an NDA, that we believe that the patents listed in the FDA’s Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations (the “Orange Book”) for the marketed product are invalid, unenforceable or not infringed by our product. To the extent that we engage in patent challenge procedures, we are involved and expect to be involved in patent litigation regarding the validity, enforceability or infringement of the originator’s patent. In addition, when seeking regulatory approval for some of our products, we are required to certify to the FDA and its equivalents in foreign countries, that such products do not infringe upon third-party patent rights, or that those patents are invalid or unenforceable. Filing a certification against a patent gives the patent holder the right to bring a patent infringement lawsuit against us. Any lawsuit in the U.S. would delay regulatory approval by the FDA until the earlier of the resolution of such claim or 30 months from the patent holder’s receipt of notice of certification.

A third party might challenge any of our patent rights. If successful, such a challenge could result in a loss of market exclusivity with respect to one or more of our products.

In addition, it is not required that all pharmaceutical patents be listed with the FDA or other regulatory authorities. For example, patents relating to antibiotics or a manufacturing process might not be listed in the Orange Book. Any launch of a pharmaceutical product by us that may infringe a patent, whether listed or not, may involve us in litigation.

Patent challenges are complex, costly and can take a significant amount of time to complete. A claim of infringement and the resulting delay could result in substantial expenses and even prevent us from manufacturing and selling products and, in certain circumstances, such litigation may result in significant damages which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our launch of a product prior to a final court decision, settlement with the patent owner or the expiration of a patent held by a third party may result in substantial damages to us. Depending upon the circumstances, a court may award the patent holder damages up to three times the patent holder’s loss of profit or other actual damages, and not less than a reasonable royalty. If we are found to infringe a patent held by a third party and become subject to significant damages, these damages could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Relating to Our Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”)

We have, in the past, and could in the future, fail to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley.

Sarbanes-Oxley imposes certain duties on us and our executives and directors. Our efforts to comply with the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley, and in particular with Section 404 thereof, have resulted in diversion of our management’s time and attention, and we expect these efforts to require the continued commitment of resources.

We have in the past, and may, in the future, identify material weaknesses in our internal controls that evidence that we fail to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley. As of March 31, 2023, we did not identify any material weaknesses in internal controls. Failure to maintain adequate internal controls could negatively affect shareholder and customer confidence.

Risks Relating to Investment in Our Ordinary Shares

Volatility of the market price of our ordinary shares could adversely affect us and our shareholders.

The market price of our ordinary shares has been volatile, and may, in the future, be subject to wide fluctuations, for the following reasons, among others:

actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results or those of our competitors;
announcements by us or our competitors of new or enhanced products;
market conditions or trends in the pharmaceutical industry;
developments or disputes concerning proprietary rights;

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failure by us to develop new products;
introduction of technologies or product enhancements by others that reduce the need for our products;
general economic, industry, market and political conditions, including the impacts thereon of inflation and rising interest rates, COVID-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and global geopolitical tensions;
departures of key personnel;
changes in the market valuations of our competitors;
regulatory considerations; and
the other risk factors listed in this section of this 2023 Annual Report.

No citizen or resident of the U.S. who acquired or acquires any of our ordinary shares at any time after October 21, 1999, is permitted to exercise more than 9.9% of the voting power in our Company, with respect to such ordinary shares, regardless of how many shares the shareholder owns.

In order to reduce our risk of being classified as a “Controlled Foreign Corporation” under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), we amended our articles of association (“Articles of Association” or “Articles”) in 1999 to provide that no owner of any of our ordinary shares is entitled to any voting right of any nature whatsoever with respect to such ordinary shares if (a) the ownership or voting power of such ordinary shares was acquired, either directly or indirectly, by the owner after October 21, 1999, and (b) the ownership would result in our being classified as a Controlled Foreign Corporation. This provision has the practical effect of prohibiting each citizen or resident of the U.S. who acquired or acquires our ordinary shares after October 21, 1999, from exercising more than 9.9% of the voting power in our Company, with respect to such ordinary shares, regardless of how many shares the shareholder owns. The provision may therefore discourage U.S. persons from seeking to acquire, or from accumulating, 15% or more of our ordinary shares (which, due to the voting power of the founders’ shares, would represent 10% or more of the voting power of our Company). As of March 31, 2023, no citizen or resident of the U.S. held ordinary shares that would represent 10% or more of the voting power of our Company.

Risks Relating to Our International Operations

We face risks related to foreign currency exchange rates.

Because some of our revenue, operating expenses, assets and liabilities are denominated in foreign currencies, we are subject to foreign exchange risks that could adversely affect our operations and reported results. To the extent that we incur expenses in one currency but earn revenue in another, any change in the values of those foreign currencies relative to the USD could cause our profits to decrease or our products to be less competitive against those of our competitors. To the extent that our foreign currency holdings and other assets denominated in a foreign currency are greater or less than our liabilities denominated in a foreign currency, we have foreign exchange exposure. Moreover, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus other currencies in which we operate negatively impacted our revenues, results of operations, profits and cash flows.

Current and changing economic conditions may adversely affect our industry, business, partners and suppliers, financial position, results of operations and/or cash flow.

The global economy continues to experience significant volatility, and the economic environment may continue to be, or become, less favorable than that of past years. Higher costs for goods and services, rising inflation and interest rates, supply chain disruptions, the imposition of tariffs or other measures that create barriers to or increase the costs associated with international trade, overall economic slowdown or recession and other economic factors in Israel, the U.S., Canada or in any of the other markets in which we operate could adversely affect our net sales or otherwise materially adversely affect our operations and operating results. Among other matters, the continued risk of a debt default by one or more European countries, related financial restructuring efforts in Europe, and/or evolving deficit and spending reduction programs instituted by the U.S. and other governments could negatively impact the global economy and/or the pharmaceutical industry. This has led, and/or could lead, to reduced consumer and customer spending and/or reduced or eliminated governmental or third-party payor coverage or reimbursement in the foreseeable future, and this may include spending on healthcare, including but not limited to pharmaceutical products. While generic drugs present an alternative to higher-priced branded products, our sales could be negatively impacted if patients forego obtaining healthcare, patients and customers reduce spending or purchases, and/or if governments and/or third-party payors reduce or eliminate coverage or reimbursement amounts for pharmaceuticals and/or impose price or other controls adversely impacting the price or availability of pharmaceuticals. In addition, reduced consumer and customer spending, and/or reduced government and/or third-party payor coverage or reimbursement, and/or new government controls, may drive us and our competitors to decrease prices and/or may reduce the ability of customers to pay and/or may result in

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reduced demand for our products. The occurrence of any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our industry, business, financial position, results of operations and/or cash flow.

In recent months, record levels of inflation have resulted in significant volatility and disruptions in the global economy. In response to rising inflation, central banks in the markets in which we operate, including the United States Federal Reserve, have tightened their monetary policies and raised interest rates, and such measures may continue if there is a period of sustained, heightened inflation. Higher interest rates and volatility in financial markets could lead to additional economic uncertainty or recession. Increased inflation rates have increased ours and our suppliers’ operating costs, including labor costs, raw materials costs, manufacturing costs, freight costs and R&D costs. There is no assurance that we will be able to increase our pricing promptly to offset our increased costs, or that our operations will not be materially impacted by rising inflation and its broader effects on the markets in which we operate in the future.

Moreover, financial volatility and geopolitical instability outside the U.S. may impact our operations or affect global markets. For example, the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine and the resulting sanctions implemented by U.S. and European governments, together with any additional future sanctions, could impact other markets where we do business, including our supply chain, business partners and customers, which could result in lost sales, supply shortages, increase manufacturing costs and lost efficiencies. Further, the conflict may adversely impact macroeconomic conditions and increase volatility in and affect our ability to access capital markets and external financing sources on acceptable terms or at all. We have no manufacturing or R&D facilities in Russia or Ukraine. However, the duration, severity and global implications (including potential inflation and devaluation consequences) of the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine, rising tensions in Asia and the Middle East and other geopolitical conflicts that may arise in the future cannot be predicted at this time and could have an effect on our business, including our supply chain, operational costs and commercial presence in these markets. Given the international scope of our operations, any of the above-mentioned effects of war between Russia and Ukraine, and others we cannot anticipate, could adversely affect our business, business opportunities, operations, and financial results.

Our business requires us to move goods across international borders. Any events that interfere with, or increase the costs of, the transfer of products across international borders could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We transport most of our products across international borders, primarily those of the U.S., Canada, and Israel. Since September 11, 2001, there has been more intense scrutiny of products that are transported across international borders. As a result, we may face delays, and increases in costs due to such delays, in delivering products to our customers. Any events that interfere with, or increase the costs of, the transfer of products across international borders could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Risks Relating to Key Employees

Our future success is highly dependent on our continued ability to attract and retain key personnel. Any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, and results of operations and could cause the market value of our ordinary shares to decline.

The pharmaceutical industry, and our company in particular, is science based. It is therefore imperative that we attract and retain qualified personnel in order to develop new products and compete effectively. If we fail to attract and retain key scientific, technical, or management personnel, our business could be affected adversely. If we are unsuccessful in retaining or replacing key employees, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, and results of operations and could cause the market value of our ordinary shares to decline.

Due to the relocation of its physical operations to Hawthorne, New York, Alchemee LLC will be closing its facility located in Santa Monica, CA (the “Santa Monica facility”) on or about September 29, 2023. All employees in the Santa Monica facility were informed on June 1, 2023, and offered continued employment at the Company’s Hawthorne, New York location. However, not all employees may accept the offer for the continued employment, and if we are unsuccessful in replacing such employees, it may adversely affect our business operations and financial results. Additionally, we will incur transition costs in connection with the relocation, and Alchemee’s business operations will likely experience some disruptions during the transition period.

 

Our operations could suffer if we are unable to attract and retain key employees in the markets in which we operate where competition for highly skilled technical and other personnel is intense.

Our success depends, in part, upon the continued service and performance of our highly skilled scientific and technical personnel. A significant amount of our research and development and manufacturing activities are conducted at our facilities in Israel, the U.S., and Canada, and we face substantial competition for suitably skilled employees in those markets. While there has been intense competition for qualified human resources in the pharmaceutical and high-tech industries historically, there has been an increase in job openings in both high-tech and pharmaceutical companies and greater intensification of competition between these employers to attract qualified employees. As a result, these industries have experienced significant levels of employee attrition and are currently facing a shortage of skilled human capital, including but not limited to engineering, manufacturing, and research and development personnel.

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Companies with which we compete for qualified personnel may have greater resources than we do, and we may not succeed in recruiting additional experienced or professional personnel, retaining personnel, or effectively replacing current personnel who may depart with qualified or effective successors. If we cannot attract and retain sufficiently qualified technical employees for our research and development and/or manufacturing activities, we may be unable to successfully develop and commercialize new pharmaceutical products. In addition, as a result of the intense competition for qualified human resources, the high-tech and pharmaceutical markets have also experienced and may continue to experience significant wage inflation. Accordingly, our efforts to attract, retain, and develop personnel may also result in significant additional expenses, which could adversely affect our profitability.

In light of the foregoing, there can be no assurance that qualified employees will remain in our employ or that we will be able to attract and retain qualified personnel in the future. Failure to retain or attract qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Risks Relating to Our Location in Israel

Conditions in Israel affect our operations and may limit our ability to produce and sell our products.

We are incorporated under Israeli law and a significant component of our manufacturing and research and development facilities are located in Israel. Political, economic, and military conditions in Israel may directly affect our operations, and we could be adversely affected by hostilities involving Israel, the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its trading partners, or a significant downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel.

Several countries, principally in the Middle East, restrict doing business with Israel and Israeli companies. While some of these countries are eliminating these constraints, additional countries may impose restrictions on doing business with Israel and Israeli companies if hostilities in Israel or political instability in the region continues or increases. Although the recent Abraham Accords have enhanced Israel’s relations with certain countries in the Middle East (i.e., United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco), an ongoing state of hostility, varying in degree and intensity, has caused security and economic problems for Israel. In addition, there have been increased efforts by activists to cause companies and consumers to boycott Israeli goods based on Israeli government policies. Such actions, particularly if they become more widespread, may adversely impact our ability to sell our products.

Although Israel has entered into various agreements with Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority, as well as, more recently (after the signing of the Abraham Accords), the United Arab Emirates and other countries in the Middle East, Israel frequently has been subject to civil unrest and terrorist activity, with varying levels of severity. Over the past two decades, Israel has been engaged in several armed conflicts with Hamas, a militia group and political party that controls the Gaza Strip, and during the summer of 2006, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with Hezbollah, a Lebanese Islamist Shiite militia group and political party. These conflicts involved missile strikes against civilian targets in various parts of Israel. Any further armed conflicts, terrorist activities, or political instability in the region could adversely affect our operations. Furthermore, certain parties with whom we do business periodically have declined to travel to Israel, forcing us to make alternative arrangements where necessary, and the U.S. Department of State has issued, from time to time, an advisory regarding travel to Israel. As a result, the FDA has at various times curtailed or prohibited its inspectors from traveling to Israel to inspect the facilities of Israeli companies, which, should it occur with respect to our Company, could result in the FDA withholding approval for new products we intend to produce at those facilities.

If terrorist acts were to result in substantial damage to our facilities, our business activities would be disrupted since, with respect to some of our products, we would need to obtain prior FDA approval for a change in manufacturing site. Our business interruption insurance may not adequately compensate us for losses that may occur, and any losses or damages sustained by us could have a material adverse effect on our business.

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Many male Israeli citizens, including our employees, are subject to compulsory annual reserve military service until they reach the age of 45 (or older, for citizens who hold certain positions in the Israeli armed forces reserves) and, in the event of a military conflict, may be called to active duty. In response to increases in terrorist activity, there have been periods of significant call-ups of military reservists, and some of our Israeli employees have been called up in connection with armed conflicts. It is possible that there will be similar large-scale military reserve duty call-ups in the future. Our operations could be disrupted by the absence for a significant period of a significant number of our employees due to obligatory military service requirements. Any disruption in our operations could harm our business.

In addition to security concerns, the Israeli government is currently pursuing certain changes to Israel’s judicial system and legislation. In response to the foregoing proposed changes, some individuals, organizations and institutions, both within and outside of Israel, have commented that the proposed changes may negatively impact the business environment in Israel, including due to increased currency fluctuations and downgrades in credit rating. On April 14, 2023, Moody’s downgraded Israel’s credit outlook from positive to stable, but it maintained an A1 rating on Israel’s overall credit rating. Such negative developments may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We may be affected by fluctuations in the NIS relative to the USD.

A substantial portion of our expenses in Israel, primarily labor and occupancy expenses, are incurred in NIS. As a result, the cost of our operations in Israel, as measured in USD, is subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations between the USD and the NIS. During the years ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, the value of the NIS decreased by 13.8% and increased by 4.5%, respectively, relative to the USD based on the change in the exchange rate from the start to the end of the fiscal year. If the value of the NIS appreciates relative to the USD in the future, it could have a negative impact on our results of operations by increasing the USD value of our NIS-incurred expenses and thereby negatively affecting our USD-measured results of operations.

As of the data of this Annual Report, we maintain a program to hedge transactional shekel exposures in certain foreign currencies. We may continue to use derivative instruments, such as foreign currency forward and option contracts, to hedge certain exposures to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The use of such hedging activities may not offset any or more than a portion of the adverse financial effects of unfavorable movements in foreign exchange rates over the limited time the hedges are in place. Moreover, the use of hedging instruments may introduce additional risks if we are unable to structure effective hedges with such instruments.

Our operations may be affected by negative labor conditions in Israel.

Strikes and work-stoppages occur relatively frequently in Israel. If Israeli trade unions threaten strikes or work-stoppages and such strikes or work-stoppages occur, those may, if prolonged, have a material adverse effect on the Israeli economy and on our business, including our ability to deliver products to our customers and to receive raw materials from our suppliers in a timely manner.

 

Environmental requirements related to our Haifa Bay manufacturing facility.

Our Haifa Bay manufacturing facility is located among a large concentration of industrial and other facilities that release emissions into the air in the Haifa Bay region. The Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection has declared the reduction of air pollution in Haifa Bay to be a primary goal and has taken a stringent approach in enforcing environmental protection laws for the industrial plants in Haifa Bay. We may be subject to enforcement action, including penalties, if we do not adhere to those strict rules.

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Government pricing or price control policies can materially impede our profitability or ability to set prices for our products.

The Israeli government typically purchases pharmaceutical products at the lowest prices in the market, which may affect our profitability. All pharmaceutical products sold in Israel are subject to government price controls. Permitted price increases and decreases are enacted by the Israeli government as part of a formal review process. The inability to control the prices of our products may adversely affect our operations.

We may benefit from government programs and tax benefits, both or either of which may be discontinued or reduced.

We have, in the past, received grants and substantial tax benefits under Israeli government programs, including the Approved Enterprise program and programs of the Israeli National Authority for Technological Innovation (the “Authority” or “IIA”) (formerly operating as Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy of the State of Israel). In order to be eligible for these programs and benefits, we must meet specified conditions, including making specified investments in fixed assets from our equity and paying royalties with respect to grants received. In addition, some of these programs could restrict our ability to manufacture particular products and transfer particular technology outside of Israel. If we fail to comply with these conditions in the future, the benefits received could be canceled and we could be required to refund payments previously received under these programs or pay increased payments and/or taxes. In the future, the government of Israel may discontinue or curtail these and the tax benefits available under these programs. If the government of Israel ends these programs and tax benefits while we are recipients, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Provisions of Israeli law may delay, prevent, or make more difficult a merger or acquisition. This could prevent a change of control and depress the market price of our ordinary shares.

Provisions of Israeli corporate and tax law may have the effect of delaying, preventing, or making more difficult a merger or acquisition. The Israeli Companies Law, 5759 - 1999 (the “Israeli Companies Law”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder, generally require that a merger be approved by a company’s board of directors and by a shareholder vote at a shareholders’ meeting that has been called on at least 35 days’ advance notice by each of the merger parties. Under our Articles of Association, the required shareholder vote is a supermajority of at least 75% of the shares voting in person or by proxy on the matter. Any creditor of a merger party may seek a court order blocking a merger if there is a reasonable concern that the surviving company will not be able to satisfy all of the obligations of any party to the merger. Moreover, a merger may not be completed until at least 50 days have passed from the time that a merger proposal has been delivered to the Israeli Registrar of Companies and at least 30 days have passed from the time each merging company has received shareholder approval for the merger. In addition, a majority of each class of securities of the target company must approve a merger. Moreover, a tender offer for all of a company’s issued and outstanding shares can only be completed if the acquirer receives sufficient responses such that the acquirer will hold at least 95% of the issued share capital upon consummation of the shareholders’ tenders. Completion of the tender offer also requires approval of a majority of shareholders who do not have a personal interest in the tender offer, unless, following consummation of the tender offer, the acquirer would hold at least 98% of the company’s outstanding shares. Furthermore, the shareholders, including those who indicated their acceptance of the tender offer, may, at any time within six months following the completion of the tender offer, petition an Israeli court to alter the consideration for the acquisition, unless the acquirer stipulated in its tender offer that a shareholder that accepts the offer may not seek such appraisal rights.

Other potential means of acquiring a public Israeli company such as ours might involve additional obstacles. A significant body of case law has not yet developed with respect to the Israeli Companies Law. Until that happens, uncertainties will exist regarding its interpretation, especially with regard to mergers and acquisitions, which may inhibit such transactions.

Finally, Israeli tax law treats some acquisitions, such as stock-for-stock exchanges between an Israeli company and a foreign company, less favorably than do U.S. tax laws. The provisions of Israeli corporate and tax law and the uncertainties surrounding such laws may have the effect of delaying, preventing, or making more difficult a merger or acquisition. This could prevent a change of control of the Company and depress the market price of our ordinary shares, which otherwise might rise as a result of such a change of control. With respect to mergers, Israeli tax law allows for tax deferral in certain circumstances but makes the deferral contingent on the fulfillment of a number of conditions, including a holding period of two years from the date of the transaction during which sales and dispositions of shares of the participating companies are subject to certain restrictions. Generally, with respect to other share swap transactions, the tax deferral is limited in time, and when that time expires, the tax becomes payable even if no disposition of the shares has occurred.

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It may be difficult to effect service of process and enforce judgments against our directors and officers.

We are incorporated in Israel. Several of our executive officers and directors are non-residents of the U.S. and a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of such persons are located outside the U.S. Therefore, it may be difficult to enforce a judgment obtained in the U.S. against us or any of those persons or to effect service of process upon those persons. It may also be difficult to enforce civil liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws in original actions instituted in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on a violation of U.S. securities laws because Israel is not the most appropriate forum in which such a claim should be brought. Even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not U.S. law is applicable to the claim. If U.S. law is found to be applicable, the applicable U.S. law must be proved as a factual matter, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Also, certain matters of procedure will be governed by Israeli law.

We are subject to government regulation that increases our costs and could prevent us from marketing or selling our products.

We are subject to extensive pharmaceutical industry regulations in countries where we operate. We cannot predict the extent to which we may be affected by legislative and other regulatory developments concerning our products.

In Israel, the manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical products is regulated in a manner substantially similar to that of the U.S. Legal requirements generally prohibit the handling, manufacture, marketing, and importation of any pharmaceutical product unless it is properly registered in accordance with applicable law. The registration file relating to any particular product must contain medical data related to product efficacy and safety, including results of clinical testing and references to medical publications, as well as detailed information regarding production methods and quality control. Health ministries are authorized to cancel the registration of a product if it is found to be harmful or ineffective or manufactured and marketed other than in accordance with registration conditions.

We are subject to legislation in Israel, primarily relating to patents and data exclusivity provisions. Modifications of this legislation or court decisions regarding this legislation may adversely affect us and may prevent us from exporting Israeli-manufactured products in a timely fashion. Additionally, the existence of third-party patents in Israel, with the attendant risk of litigation, may cause us to move production outside of Israel or otherwise adversely affect our ability to export certain products from Israel.

Risks Relating to Our Location in Canada

Government price control policies can materially impede our ability to set prices for our products.

In Canada, the existence of one or more patents relating to a drug product, while providing some level of proprietary protection for the product, also triggers a governmental price control regime that significantly affects the Canadian pharmaceutical industry’s ability to set pricing for patented medicines and, by ricochet, for generics as well. Indeed, the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (“PMPRB”) monitors and controls the prices of patented drug products marketed in Canada. The PMPRB requires patentees to report pricing and assesses whether pricing is excessive based on a number of factors, including the price of comparable drugs sold in Canada and the price of patented medicine in the jurisdictions the PMPRB includes in the International Reference Pricing (IRP) basket of countries for comparison purposes. Recent changes to the IRP basket (namely by replacing the United States and Switzerland with other countries with traditionally lower list prices such as Australia, Belgium and adding four other reference countries) have a further impact on generic pricing since such is calculated and set by the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance pCPA as a percentage of the price of the reference originator product. Furthermore, generic pricing is impacted by the negotiated agreements between the pCPA (or the Quebec government for that province) and the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA), agreement through which governments aim at reducing generic prices to align with those in the IRP basket. There are also other initiatives between the pCPA and the CGPA that affect prices such as the pan-Canadian Tiered Pricing Framework (TPF), a tiered pricing model which has three different pricing levels i.e. three levels of rebate from the brand reference pricing, levels which vary depending namely on the number of competitors in the market. Therefore, to the extent we have products covered by a patent in Canada or generic products affected by the PMPRB and other price control regimes, our inability to control the prices of any such products may adversely affect our operations.

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Sales of our products in Canada depend, in part, upon their eligibility for reimbursement from drug benefit formularies.

Each Canadian province establishes its own drug benefit formulary that lists the drugs for which a provincial government will reimburse qualifying persons and sets the prices at which the government will reimburse such persons. There is not complete uniformity among provinces, which could result in the listing of products in some provinces but not others. However, provincial governments generally will reimburse the lowest available price of the generic equivalents of any drug listed on its formulary. The formularies can also provide for automatic drug substitution, even for patients who do not qualify for government reimbursement. The effect of these provincial formulary regimes is to encourage the sale of lower-priced versions of pharmaceutical products. Further, legislation in some provinces limits the price at which generic pharmaceuticals are reimbursed based on the number of generic competitors in the market and the price of their brand equivalent. Therefore, the potential lack of reimbursement due to a refusal to list on a provincial formulary may adversely affect our ability to profitably market our products. Additionally, legislative price controls on generic products may affect profitability by limiting selling price as mentioned above.

We may be affected by fluctuations in the CAD relative to the USD.

A substantial portion of our expenses in Canada, primarily labor, packaging materials, occupancy, selling, marketing, and administrative expenses, are incurred in CAD. As a result, the cost of our operations in Canada, as measured in USD, is subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations between the USD and the CAD. During the year-ended March 31, 2023, the value of the CAD decreased 8.0% relative to the USD based on the change in the exchange rate from the start to the end of the fiscal year. This trend was furthermore reflected in exchange rates movement throughout the fiscal year, as the value of the CAD depreciated relative to the USD, which had a positive impact on our results of operations by decreasing the USD value of our CAD-incurred expenses. However, if the CAD appreciates relative to the USD in future, that would negatively affect our USD-measured results of operations.

 

Risks Relating to the Proposed Transaction with Sun

 

The proposed transaction (the “Transaction”) with Sun for Sun’s acquisition of all of our outstanding ordinary shares not currently held by it, may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect our business and the price of our ordinary shares.

If the proposed Transaction with Sun (as described further in Items 7.A, 7.B and 8.B of, and Note 18 and Note 20 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in, this 2023 Annual Report), is not completed for any reason, we will be subject to a number of material risks, including the disruption to our business resulting from the announcement of the potential Transaction, the diversion of management’s attention from our day-to-day business, expenses incurred in connection with the proposed Transaction and any restrictions that may be imposed by any agreement that we may enter into in connection with the Transaction (a “Transaction Agreement”) on the operation of our business during the period before the completion of the Transaction, any or all of which may make it difficult for us to achieve our business goals if the Transaction does not occur.

In addition, in such a scenario where the Transaction is not consummated, our shareholders will not receive any payment for their shares, which they will instead continue to hold. In that scenario, we will remain an independent public company, and our ordinary shares will continue to be listed on the NYSE. However, if the Transaction is not consummated, then depending on the circumstances that would have caused the Transaction not to be consummated, the price of our ordinary shares may decline significantly. If that were to occur, it is uncertain when, if ever, the price of our ordinary shares would return to the prices at which the ordinary shares currently trade. Accordingly, if the Transaction is not consummated, there can be no assurance as to the effect of these risks on the future value of shares held by our shareholders.

The announcement or pendency of the proposed Transaction may adversely affect our business relationships, operating results, and business generally, and the proposed Transaction may disrupt our current plans and operations.

Our business relationships, operating results and business generally may be subject to material risks of disruption resulting from the announcement and pendency of the proposed Transaction. Parties with whom we maintain business relationships may experience uncertainty about our future and seek alternative relationships with third parties or seek to alter their business relationships with us. Our employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with us following the Transaction. The attention of our management may be directed toward completion of the Transaction, integration planning and transaction-related considerations and may be diverted from the company’s day-to-day business operations and, following the completion of the Transaction, the attention of our management may also be diverted to such matters. We may experience negative reactions from our public shareholders. Further, as a result of disruptions in our current business operations in connection with the Transaction and the uncertainty surrounding the conduct of our business following the completion of the Transaction, we may not be able to fully implement our business plan and/or may lose key business partners.

These disruptions could be exacerbated by a delay in the completion of the Transaction or termination of any Transaction Agreement. Additionally, if the Transaction is not consummated, we will have incurred significant costs and diverted the time and

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attention of management. A failure to consummate the Transaction may also result in negative publicity, reputational harm, litigation against us or our directors and officers, and a negative impression of us in the financial markets. The occurrence of any of these events individually or in combination could have a material adverse effect on our business relationships, operating results, share price and business generally.

Our ability to retain and hire key personnel may be adversely impacted by the proposed Transaction.

Our employees may be uncertain about their future roles and relationships with us following the completion of the Transaction, which may adversely affect our ability to retain them or to hire new employees. While the Transaction is pending, we may not be able to hire qualified personnel to replace any key employees that may depart to the same extent that we have been able to in the past. In addition, if the Transaction is not completed, we may also encounter challenges in hiring qualified personnel to replace key employees that may depart subsequent to the Transaction announcement. Because we depend on the experience and industry knowledge of our executives and other key personnel to execute our business plans, we may therefore experience difficulty in meeting our strategic objectives while the Transaction is pending or after it is consummated.

Efforts to consummate the proposed Transaction may divert management’s attention from our ongoing business operations.

While acting to consummate the Transaction, the attention of our management may be diverted away from the day-to-day operations of our business, including implementing initiatives to improve performance, execution of existing business plans and pursuing other beneficial opportunities. This diversion of management resources could disrupt our operations and may have an adverse effect on the respective businesses, financial conditions, results of operations and cash flows of us or the merged entity after the effective time of the Transaction.

Potential litigation relating to the proposed Transaction could be instituted against us, our directors, officers or Sun.

Potential litigation relating to the proposed Transaction could be instituted against us, our directors, officers or Sun, even if the proposed Transaction is approved by the requisite shareholders of Taro and/or Sun. Regardless of the outcome of any litigation related to the contemplated Transaction, such litigation may be time-consuming and expensive and may distract our management from running the day-to-day operations of our business. The litigation costs and diversion of management’s attention and resources to address the claims and counterclaims in any litigation related to a Transaction Agreement and the transactions it contemplates may adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. Furthermore, if the Transaction is not consummated, for any reason, litigation could be filed in connection with the failure to consummate the Transaction. Any litigation related to the Transaction may result in negative publicity or an unfavorable impression of us, which could negatively impact the trading price of our ordinary shares, impair our ability to recruit or retain employees, damage our relationships with business partners, or otherwise materially harm our operations and financial performance.

 

The completion of the proposed Transaction will likely be subject to certain conditions, some of which we cannot control, including the adoption of the Transaction Agreement by our shareholders and the receipt of certain regulatory approvals, and, if any of these conditions is not satisfied, the Transaction may not be consummated.

The completion of the potential Transaction will likely be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including, but not limited to: (i) requisite shareholder approval by a majority of our public shareholders who are not affiliated with Sun; (ii) obtaining any required regulatory approvals (or the applicable regulatory authorities’ non-objection to requests for exemptions in respect thereof); (iii) the expiration or termination of any waiting period (and extensions thereof) under applicable antitrust laws; (iv) the absence of any restraint or law preventing or prohibiting the consummation of the Transaction; (v) the accuracy of our and Sun’s representations and warranties to be contained in a Transaction Agreement (which may be subject to certain materiality qualifiers); (vi) our and Sun’s compliance in all material respects with our and their respective obligations under the Transaction Agreement; and (vii) the absence of any material adverse effect (as may be defined in a Transaction Agreement) from the date of any such Transaction Agreement until the closing of the Transaction. Certain conditions to the Transaction may not be satisfied or, if they are, the timing of such satisfaction may be uncertain. If any conditions to the Transaction are not satisfied or, where waiver is permitted by applicable law, not waived, the Transaction will not be consummated.

If for any reason the Transaction is not completed, or the closing of the Transaction is significantly delayed, our share price, business and results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, failure to consummate the Transaction would prevent our shareholders from realizing the anticipated benefits of the Transaction. We expect to incur, significant transaction fees, professional service fees, taxes, and other costs related to the Transaction, many of which we anticipate we will be obligated to pay even if the potential Transaction is not completed.

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ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

The legal and commercial name of our company is Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel in 1959 under the name Taro-Vit Chemical Industries Ltd. In 1984, we changed our name to Taro Vit Industries Ltd. and in 1994 we changed our name to Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., which was the name of a subsidiary of Taro Vit Industries Ltd. incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel in 1950.

In 1961, we completed the initial public offering of our ordinary shares. In that year, we also acquired 97% of the outstanding stock of an Israeli corporation, then known as Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (“TPIL”). In 1981, we sold 37% of our interest in TPIL. In 1993, after acquiring all of the outstanding shares of TPIL, we merged TPIL into our company. In July 2001, we completed a stock split by distributing one ordinary share for each ordinary share then outstanding and one ordinary share for every ten founders’ shares then outstanding. In October 2001, we sold 3,950,000 of our ordinary shares, and shareholders sold 1,800,000 of our ordinary shares, in a public offering. In 2007, we sold 6,787,500 of our ordinary shares to Sun. In September 2010, the Levitt and Moros families and Sun Pharma reached an agreement to transfer their interest in Taro to Sun in accordance with an option agreement entered into by the parties in May 2007. Since March 22, 2012, our ordinary shares have been traded on the NYSE under the symbol “TARO.”

Our registered office is located at 14 Hakitor Street, Haifa Bay 2624761, Israel. Our telephone number at that address is +972-4-847-5700. Our agent for service of process in the U.S. is Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc., 3 Skyline Drive, Hawthorne, NY 10532. Our telephone number at that address is +1-914-345-9000.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) maintains an internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports and information statements and other information regarding registrants like us that file electronically with the SEC.

We routinely post important information on our website at https://www.taro.com/. This website and the information contained therein or connected thereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this 2023 Annual Report.

Capital Expenditures

During the years ended March 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, our capital expenditures were $17.6 million, $11.8 million, and $17.0 million, respectively. The focus of our capital expenditure program has been the expansion and upgrade of our manufacturing facilities, laboratories, and information technology systems in order to enable us to increase operational efficiencies, remain in compliance with cGMP, accommodate anticipated increased demand for our products, and maintain a competitive position in the marketplace.

The major projects undertaken during these three years, as part of our capital expenditure program, include:

the acquisition of additional production and packaging equipment;
expanding and upgrading our research and development laboratories in Israel and Canada; and
the upgrade of our information technology and serialization systems, in addition to general improvements to our facilities.

For a detailed presentation of our property, plant, and equipment, see Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this 2023 Annual Report. Also see Item 4.D. – “Property, Plant and Equipment.”

B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW

We are a multinational, science-based pharmaceutical company. We develop, manufacture, and market Rx and OTC pharmaceutical products primarily in the U.S., Canada, Israel, and Japan. Our primary focus includes semi-solids formulations, such as creams and ointments and other dosage forms such as liquids, capsules, and tablets, in the dermatological and topical, cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, and anti-inflammatory therapeutic categories.

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We operate principally through Taro Israel and its following subsidiaries (including indirect): Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Taro Canada”), Taro U.S.A., and those entities relating to the Alchemee business, including Alchemee LLC, The Proactiv Company KK, and Alchemee Skincare Corporation (f/k/a The Proactiv Company Corporation) (collectively, “Alchemee”). The principal activities and primary product lines of Taro Israel and these subsidiaries may be summarized as follows:

 

Entity

 

Principal Activities

 

Primary Product Lines

 

 

 

 

 

Taro Israel

 

  Manufactures more than 100 finished dosage form pharmaceutical products for sale in Israel and for export

  Produces APIs used in the manufacture of finished dosage form pharmaceutical products

  Markets and distributes both proprietary and generic products in the local Israeli market

  Performs research and development

 

  Dermatology: Rx and OTC semi-solid (creams, ointments, lotions, foams and gels) and liquid products

  Cardiology and Neurology: Prescription oral dosage products

  Analgesics, Rx and OTC oral dosage products

  Central Nervous System (CNS) – Rx oral dosage products

  Allergy (Antihistamine): OTC oral dosage products

 

 

 

 

 

Taro Canada

 

  Manufactures more than 200 finished dosage form pharmaceutical products for sale in Canada and for export to the U.S. and other markets

  Markets and distributes both proprietary and generic products in the Canadian market

  Performs research and development

 

  Dermatology: Rx and OTC semi-solid products (creams, ointments, lotions and gels) and liquid products

  Allergy (Antihistamine): OTC oral dosage products

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taro U.S.A.

 

  Markets and distributes both proprietary and generic products in the U.S. market

  Performs regulatory, post marketing and clinical activities

 

  Dermatology: Rx and OTC semi-solid products (creams, ointments, lotions, foams and gels) and liquid products

  Cardiology and Neurology: Rx oral dosage products

  Other Rx and OTC products

 

 

 

 

 

Alchemee

 

  Markets and distributes dermatologic products in the U.S., Canada, Japan and other markets

 

  Dermatology products (creams, ointments, lotions, and solutions) Proactiv solution®, Proactiv+®, and ProactivMD®

 

As of March 31, 2023, 19 (excluding tentative approvals) of our ANDAs are being reviewed by the FDA. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, we filed 7 ANDAs with the FDA. In addition, there are numerous products for which either development or internal regulatory work is in process. The applications pending before the FDA are at various stages in the review process, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully complete any remaining testing or that, upon completion of such testing, approvals will be granted. In addition, there can be no assurance that the FDA will not grant approvals for competing products submitted by our competitors prior to, simultaneous with or after granting approval to us.

On February 28, 2022, Taro U.S.A. acquired the Alchemee business from Galderma. The acquisition includes Alchemee’s business and assets worldwide, including the Proactiv® brand. The acquisition expands the Company’s product portfolio in OTC dermatology products. Taro U.S.A. assigned its entire ownership of the Alchemee business to the Company.

The Generic Pharmaceutical Industry

Generic pharmaceuticals are the chemical and therapeutic equivalents of brand-name drugs and are typically marketed after the patents for brand-name drugs have expired. Generic pharmaceuticals generally must undergo clinical testing that demonstrates that they are bioequivalent to their branded equivalents and are manufactured to the same standards. Proving bioequivalence generally requires data demonstrating that the generic formulation results in a product whose rate and extent of absorption are within an acceptable range of the results achieved by the brand-name reference drug. In some instances, bioequivalence can be established by demonstrating that the therapeutic effect of the generic formula falls within an acceptable range of the therapeutic effects achieved by the brand-name reference drug.

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Generic pharmaceutical products must meet the same quality standards as branded pharmaceutical products although they are generally sold at prices that are substantially lower than those of their branded counterparts. As a result, generic pharmaceuticals represent a much larger percentage of total drug prescriptions dispensed than their corresponding percentage of total sales. This discount tends to increase (and margins tend to decrease) as the number of generic competitors increases for a given product. Because of this pricing dynamic, companies that are among the first to develop and market a generic pharmaceutical product tend to earn higher profits than companies that subsequently enter the market for that product. Furthermore, products that are difficult to develop or are intended for niche markets generally attract fewer generic competitors and therefore may offer higher profit margins than those products that attract a larger number of competitors. However, profit is influenced by many factors other than the number of competitors for a given drug or the size of the market. Depending on the actions of each of our competitors, price discounts can be just as significant for a specific product with only a few competitors or a small market, as for a product with many competitors or a large market.

In recent years, the market for generic pharmaceuticals has grown. We believe that this growth has been driven by the following factors, among others:

efforts by governments, employers, third-party payers, and consumers to control healthcare costs;
increased acceptance of generic products by physicians, pharmacists, and consumers;
the increasing number of pharmaceutical products whose patents have expired and are therefore subject to competition from, and substitution by, generic equivalents; and
a higher ANDA approval rate by the FDA.

Products

We currently market more than 200 pharmaceutical products in over 24 countries. The following represents key therapeutic categories and dosage forms.

Therapeutic Categories

 

The following represents various key therapeutic categories: allergy, analgesic, antibacterial, antibiotic, anticonvulsant, antiemetic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antiplatelet agent, antipyretic, cardiovascular, CNS, corticosteroid, cosmetic, cough and cold, dermatology, diuretic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, laxative, narcotics, neuropathic pain, neuropsychiatric, sedative/hypnotic, and topical anti neoplastic.

Dosage Forms

 

The following represents various dosage forms of products: capsule, cream, drops, emulsion, gel/gel kit, granules, injectable, lotion, oil, ointment, paste (including dental), powder/powder for solution, rectal suppository, shampoo, solution/solution for infusion, spray, suspension, syrup, tablets, toothpaste and mouthwash, topical foam, and topical solution.

Topical corticosteroids are used in the treatment of some dermatologic conditions (including psoriasis, eczema, and various types of skin rashes). Topical antineoplastics are used in the treatment of cancer (including skin cancer). Antifungals are used in the treatment of some infections (including athlete’s foot, ringworm and vaginal yeast infections). Anticonvulsants are used in the treatment of various seizure disorders (including epilepsy). Cardiovascular products are used in the treatment of heart disease. There are several categories of cardiovascular drugs, including anticoagulants, antihypertensive, and antiarrhythmic. Anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinners, are used in the treatment of heart disease and stroke associated with heart disease.

Some of our products are subject to seasonality, such as allergy drugs; however, in the aggregate our products are not materially subject to seasonality.

For the years ended March 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, no product comprised 10% of our total consolidated sales.

Sales and Marketing

In the U.S., Israel and Canada, our sales are primarily generated by our own dedicated sales force. In other countries, we sell through agents and other distributors. Our sales force is supported by our customer service and marketing employees.

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The following is a breakdown of our net sales by geographic region, including the percentage of our total consolidated net sales for each period:

 

 

 

Year ended March 31,

 

 

2023

 

2022

 

2021

 

 

Sales

 

 

% of

 

Sales

 

 

% of

 

Sales

 

 

% of

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

total sales

 

(in thousands)

 

 

total sales

 

(in thousands)

 

 

total sales

United States

 

$

363,065

 

 

63%

 

$

376,677

 

 

67%

 

$

383,829

 

 

70%

Canada

 

 

136,242

 

 

24%

 

 

130,066

 

 

23%

 

 

110,167

 

 

20%

Israel

 

 

46,142

 

 

8%

 

 

47,915

 

 

9%

 

 

46,574

 

 

8%

Other

 

 

27,503

 

 

5%

 

 

6,689

 

 

1%

 

 

8,400

 

 

2%

Total

 

$

572,952

 

 

100%

 

$

561,347

 

 

100%

 

$

548,970

 

 

100%

* Less than 1%

In the year ended March 31, 2023, revenue in the U.S. accounted for 63% of total consolidated net sales. In addition to marketing Rx drugs, we market our branded and generic OTC products directly to individual customers, and to institutional customers, such as wholesalers, drug chains, food chains, and mass merchandisers. A significant portion of our revenue is derived from sales to a limited number of customers. If the Company were to experience a significant reduction in or loss of business with one or more of such customers, or if one or more such customers were to experience difficulty in paying us on a timely basis, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. During the year ended March 31, 2023, we sold to approximately 179 institutional customers in the U.S. The following table represents sales to our largest customers in the U.S. greater than 10% of consolidated net sales:

 

 

 

Year ended March 31,

Customer

 

2023

 

2022

 

2021

Customer A

 

*

 

10.1%

 

12.6%

Customer B

 

*

 

*

 

10.5%

Customer C

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Less than 10%.

 

The following table sets forth the percentage of consolidated net sales by each type of customer in the year ended March 31, 2023:

 

 

 

Percentage of

Customer Type

 

Consolidated Sales

Drug wholesalers and store chains

 

59%

Mass merchandisers, food and retail chains

 

*

eCommerce

 

*

Managed care organizations

 

*

Generic drug distributors

 

*

Direct-to-Consumer

 

12%

Other

 

*

* Less than 10%.

 

In the year ended March 31, 2023, sales in Canada accounted for 24% of our total consolidated net sales and Taro Canada sold to approximately 540 institutional customers.

The PMPRB monitors and controls prices of patented drug products marketed in Canada by persons holding, or licensed under, one or more patents. The existence of one or more patents relating to a drug product triggers a governmental price control regime that significantly affects the Canadian pharmaceutical industry’s ability to set pricing. Furthermore, in each province of Canada there is a drug benefit formulary. A formulary lists the drugs for which a provincial government will reimburse qualifying persons and the prices at which the government will reimburse such persons. Provincial governments generally will reimburse the lowest available price of the generic equivalents of any drug listed on the formulary list of a province. Consequently, provincial formulary regimes tend to encourage the sale of lower-priced versions of pharmaceutical products.

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The following table sets forth the percentage of consolidated net sales by each type of customer in Canada in the year ended March 31, 2023:

 

 

Percentage of

Customer Type

 

Consolidated Sales

Drug wholesalers

 

14%

Drug chains, independent pharmacies and others

 

*

Direct-to-Consumer

 

*

* Less than 10%.

 

In the year ended March 31, 2023, sales in Israel accounted for less than 8% of our total consolidated net sales. The marketing, sales, and distribution of Rx pharmaceuticals and OTC products in Israel is closely monitored by the Israeli government. The market for these products is dominated by institutions that are similar to health maintenance organizations in the U.S., as well as private pharmacies. Most of our marketing efforts in Israel focus on selling directly to these groups.

All pharmaceutical products sold in Israel are subject to price controls. Permitted price increases and decreases are enacted by the Israeli government as part of a formal review process. There are no restrictions on the import of pharmaceuticals, provided that they comply with registration requirements of the Israeli Ministry of Health.

In Israel, the pharmaceutical market generally is divided into two market segments: (i) the private market, which includes drug store chains, private pharmacies, and wholesalers; and (ii) the institutional market, which includes Kupat Holim Clalit (the largest health maintenance organization in Israel), other health maintenance organizations, the Israel Ministry of Health, the Armed Forces, and sales to the Palestinian authorities through third parties.

The percentage of consolidated net sales in the year ended March 31, 2023 for each type of institutional customers, private customers, and other international customers in Israel and other international markets is less than 5%:

 

We have expanded the production capacity of our Israeli, Canadian and Japanese operations to meet anticipated greater demand for our products in future years. As discussed below under “Industry Practice Relating to Working Capital Items,” future demand for our products may not increase at a rate we previously anticipated. In addition, we utilize contract manufacturers for certain products to satisfy customer demand in a timely manner. As a result, in each of the years ended March 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, backorders represented less than 5% of our consolidated net sales.

Competition and Pricing

The pharmaceutical industry is intensely competitive. We compete with the original manufacturers of the brand-name equivalents of our generic products, other generic drug manufacturers (including brand-name companies that also manufacture generic drugs or license their products to other generic drug manufacturers) and manufacturers of new drugs that may compete with our generic drugs. Many of our competitors have greater financial, production, and research and development resources, substantially larger sales and marketing organizations, and substantially greater name recognition than we have. In the recent past, the barriers to entry for new entrants to the generic industry have significantly reduced, thus resulting in a larger competitive field. At the same time, the customer base for the generic manufacturers has seen significant consolidation at the purchasing level, resulting in increased purchasing power for the customer. This dual effect of increased competition and increased purchasing power has resulted in a downward trend for prices for our generic products.

Additionally, brand-name drug companies have historically attempted to prevent generic drug manufacturers from producing certain products and to prevent competing generic drug products from being accepted as equivalent to their brand-name products. We expect such efforts to continue in the future. Also, some brand-name competitors, in an attempt to participate in the generic drug sales of their branded products, have introduced generic equivalents of their own branded products, both prior and subsequent to the expiration of their patents or FDA exclusivity periods for such drugs. These competitors have also introduced authorized generics or generic equivalents of brand-name drug products. Our brand-name drug competitors are increasingly selling their branded products through controlled distribution channels, further limiting our access, and increasing competitive intensity with those generic manufacturers.

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We compete with companies such as Novartis AG, Bausch Health Companies Inc., Kenvue, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Viatris Inc., Perrigo Company PLC, Glenmark and Galderma Laboratories. Many of these companies have more resources, market, and name recognition and better access to customers than we have. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we can compete successfully with them.

A significant portion of our sales are made to a relatively small number of wholesalers, retail drug chains, food chains, and mass merchandisers, which continue to undergo significant consolidation. We face increasing product pricing pressures as a result of this consolidation as well as the emergence of large buying groups who are able to negotiate price discounts on our products.

There can be no guarantee that Taro will not continue to experience challenges during the current year in comparison to prior years, especially for our generic drug division, due to price erosion from our customers increased focus on lower pricing, customer consolidation, and increased competition in specific product segments due to new entrants in our markets. These challenges could have a material impact on our business, cash flows, and results of operations or result in impairment charges, and the market value of our share price may decline.

Manufacturing and Raw Materials

We currently manufacture finished pharmaceutical products at our government approved facilities in Canada and Israel and APIs in our Israel facility.

For the manufacture of our finished dosage form pharmaceutical products, we use pharmaceutical chemicals that we either produce ourselves or purchase from chemical manufacturers in the open market globally. Substantially all of such chemicals are obtainable from a number of sources, subject to regulatory approval. However, we purchase certain raw materials from single source suppliers. The decision to purchase APIs is a function of our sales forecast and prevailing prices in the market. When appropriate purchasing opportunities arise, the Company may acquire certain APIs in excess of its ordinary requirements or rate of growth. Obtaining the regulatory approvals required to add alternative suppliers of such raw materials for products sold in the U.S. or Canada may be a lengthy process. We strive to maintain adequate inventories of single-source raw materials in order to ensure that any delays in receiving such regulatory approvals will not have a material adverse effect on our business. However, we may become unable to sell certain products in the U.S., Canada, or Israel pending approval of one or more alternate sources of raw materials.

We synthesize the APIs used in some of our key products, including steroids, anti-fungals, CNS, NSAIDS, anticoagulants, and dermatological preparations. We plan to continue the strategic selection of APIs for synthesis in order to maximize the advantages from this scientific and manufacturing capability.

Although, prices of principal raw materials have been relatively stable, the Company has programs to keep the cost of APIs consistent or to improve upon them; for example, through the qualification of alternate suppliers and process improvements.

Industry Practices Relating to Working Capital Items

Certain customary industry selling practices affect our working capital, including, but not limited to, providing favorable payment terms to customers and discounting selling prices through the issuance of free products as well as other incentives within a specified time frame if a customer purchases more than a specified threshold of a product. These incentives are provided principally with the intention of maintaining or expanding our distribution to the detriment of competing products.

Industry practice requires that pharmaceutical products be made available to customers from existing stock rather than on a made-to-order basis. Therefore, in order to accommodate market demand adequately, we strive to maintain a sufficient level of inventory.

Government Regulation

We are subject to extensive regulations in the U.S., Canada, Israel, and other jurisdictions, and may be subject to future legislative and other regulatory developments concerning our products and the healthcare field generally. Any failure by us to comply with applicable policies and regulations of any of the numerous authorities that regulate our industry could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

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Prescription Drugs

In the U.S., the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the “FDC Act”) and other federal and state statutes and regulations, govern, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, storage, recordkeeping, approval, labeling, promotion and marketing, distribution, post-approval monitoring and reporting, sampling, and import and export of pharmaceutical products. Failure to comply with applicable U.S. requirements may subject a company to a variety of administrative or judicial sanctions, such as FDA refusal to approve pending new drug applications (“NDAs”) or ANDAs, warning or untitled letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, civil penalties, and criminal prosecution. In Canada, Israel and other jurisdictions, the manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical products are regulated in a similar manner. Legal requirements generally prohibit the handling, manufacture, marketing and importation of any pharmaceutical product unless it is properly registered in accordance with applicable law. In addition, approval is required before any new drug or a generic equivalent to a previously approved drug can be marketed. Furthermore, each country requires successful inspections or approval of manufacturing facilities, including adherence to cGMPs during the production and storage of pharmaceutical products and components, including, but not limited to, raw materials and finished products. As a result, we have had, and will continue to have, periodic inspections of our facilities and records, including those of third-party manufacturers performing manufacturing activities on our behalf.

Regulatory authorities in each country also have extensive enforcement powers over the activities of pharmaceutical manufacturers, including the power to seize, request the recall of and prohibit the sale or import of non-complying products and to halt the operations of and criminally prosecute and fine non-complying manufacturers. These regulatory authorities also have the power to revoke approvals previously granted and remove from the market previously approved drug products.

In the U.S., Canada, Israel, and other jurisdictions, we, as well as other manufacturers of drugs, are dependent on obtaining timely approvals for products. The approval process in each country has become more rigorous and costlier in recent years and regulatory authorities may change their approval policies and adopt new regulations. There can be no assurance that approvals will be granted in a timely manner or at all. In addition, the procedure for drug product approvals, if such approval is ultimately granted, generally takes longer than one year. The review processes in Canada and Israel are substantively similar to the review process in the U.S.

In the U.S., any drug that is not generally recognized as safe and effective by qualified experts for its intended use is deemed to be a new drug, which generally requires FDA approval. Approval is obtained, either by the submission of an ANDA or an NDA. If the new drug is a new dosage form, a strength not previously approved, a new indication or an indication for which the ANDA procedure is not available, an NDA or supplemental NDA, as applicable, is required. Pharmaceutical product development for a new product or certain changes to an approved product in the U.S. typically involves preclinical laboratory and animal tests, the submission to the FDA of an investigational new drug application (“IND”), which must become effective before clinical testing may commence, and adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to establish the safety and effectiveness of the drug for each indication for which FDA approval is sought. Satisfaction of FDA approval to market requirements typically takes many years and the actual time required may vary substantially based upon the type, complexity, and novelty of the product or disease.

Preclinical tests include laboratory evaluation of product chemistry, formulation, and toxicity, as well as animal trials to assess the characteristics and potential safety and efficacy of the product. The conduct of the preclinical tests must comply with federal regulations and requirements, including good laboratory practices. The results of preclinical testing are submitted to the FDA as part of an IND along with other information, including information about product chemistry, manufacturing and controls, and a proposed clinical trial protocol. Long-term preclinical tests, such as animal tests of reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity, may continue, and additional preclinical studies may commence, after the IND is submitted.

A 30-day waiting period after the submission of each IND is required prior to the commencement of clinical testing in humans. If the FDA has neither commented on nor questioned the IND within this 30-day period, the IND becomes effective and the clinical trial proposed in the IND may begin. However, before that time, the FDA can raise concerns or questions related to one or more proposed clinical trials and place the trial on clinical hold. In such a case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns before the clinical trial can begin. As a result, submission of an IND may not result in the FDA allowing clinical trials to commence.

Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational new drug to healthy volunteers or patients under the supervision of a qualified investigator. Clinical trials must be conducted: (i) in compliance with federal regulations; (ii) in compliance with good clinical practice (“GCP”), an international standard meant to protect the rights and health of patients and to define the roles of clinical trial sponsors, administrators, and monitors; as well as (iii) under protocols detailing the objectives of the trial, the parameters to be used in monitoring safety, and the effectiveness criteria to be evaluated. Each protocol involving testing on U.S. patients and subsequent protocol amendments must be submitted to the FDA as part of the IND.

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The FDA may order the temporary, or permanent, discontinuation of a clinical trial at any time, or impose other sanctions, if it believes that the clinical trial either is not being conducted in accordance with FDA requirements or presents an unacceptable risk to the clinical trial patients. The study protocol and informed consent information for patients in clinical trials must also be submitted to an institutional review board (“IRB”), for approval. An IRB may also require the clinical trial at the site to be halted, either temporarily or permanently, for failure to comply with the IRB’s requirements, or may impose other conditions.

We generally receive approval for generic products by submitting an ANDA to the FDA. Generally, an ANDA provides for marketing of a drug product that contains the same active ingredient and has the same route of administration, dosage form, and strength as a previously approved drug (also known as the reference listed drug) and has been shown to be bioequivalent to the reference listed drug. Other than the requirement for bioequivalence testing, ANDA applicants are not required to conduct, or submit results of, pre-clinical or clinical tests to prove the safety or effectiveness of their drug product. For a systemically absorbed drug, bioavailability is generally determined by the rate and extent of absorption and levels of concentration of a drug product in the blood stream needed to produce a therapeutic effect. Bioequivalence compares the bioavailability of one drug product with another and, when established, indicates that the rate and extent of absorption of a generic drug in the body are substantially equivalent to the previously approved brand-name reference listed drug. For a topical drug, and other drug products not amenable to blood level studies, clinical endpoint studies are typically used as an indirect measure of formulation difference in bioavailability between the test and reference products. FDA is continuing to develop product-specific guidance and other recommendations to help ANDA sponsors demonstrate bioequivalence for complex products, including topical drugs, and offers the opportunity of pre-ANDA meetings to discuss such matters. ANDA approvals are granted after the review by the FDA of detailed information submitted as part of the ANDA regarding the pharmaceutical ingredients, drug production methods, quality control, labeling, and demonstration that the product is bioequivalent to the brand-name reference listed drug. Demonstrating bioequivalence generally requires data demonstrating that the generic formula results in a product whose rate and extent of absorption are within an acceptable range of the results achieved by the brand-name reference listed drug. In some instances, bioequivalence can be established by demonstrating that the therapeutic effect of the generic product falls within an acceptable range of the therapeutic effects achieved by the brand-name reference listed drug. The CAA 2023 allows FDA to approve an ANDA even if there are differences between the generic drug’s proposed labeling and that of the listed drug due to FDA approving a change to the listed drug’s label (excluding warnings) within 90 days of when the ANDA is otherwise eligible for approval, provided that the ANDA applicant agrees to submit revised labeling for the generic drug within 60 days of approval. Generic drug user fees pursuant to the Generic Drug User Fee Amendments must be paid to FDA upon submission of each ANDA and Drug Master File as well as for any manufacturing facilities. In addition, an applicant under an approved ANDA is subject to an annual program fee based on the number of ANDAs held.

Products resulting from our proprietary drug program may require us to submit an NDA to the FDA. An NDA must include the results of all preclinical, clinical, and other testing and a compilation of data relating to the product’s pharmacology, chemistry, manufacture, and controls. The clinical studies required prior to the NDA submission are both costly and time consuming, and often take five to seven years or longer, depending, among other factors, on the nature of the chemical ingredients involved and the indication for which the approval is sought. The cost of preparing and submitting an NDA is also substantial. The submission of most NDAs is additionally subject to a substantial application user fee, and the applicant under an approved NDA is also subject to an annual program fee for each prescription drug product pursuant to the Prescription Drug User Fee Act. The FDA has 60 days from its receipt of an NDA to determine whether the application will be filed based on the agency’s threshold determination that it is sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. Once the submission is accepted for filing, the FDA begins an in-depth review. The FDA has agreed to certain performance goals in the review of NDAs. FDA’s goal is to review and act on NDAs with a standard review within 10 months from the 60-day filing date and those subject to priority review within six months from the 60-day filing date. A product is eligible for priority review if it is designed to treat a serious or life-threatening disease condition and, if approved, would provide a significant improvement in safety and effectiveness compared to available therapies. The review process for both standard and priority review may be extended by FDA for three additional months to consider major amendments to the application, such as significant new study reports or re-analyses of previously submitted studies.

The FDA may also refer applications for novel drug products, or drug products that present difficult questions of safety or efficacy, to an advisory committee—typically a panel that includes clinicians and other experts—for review, evaluation, and a recommendation as to whether the application should be approved. The FDA is not bound by the recommendation of an advisory committee, but it generally follows such recommendations. Before approving an NDA, the FDA will typically inspect the sponsor and/or one or more clinical sites to assure compliance with GCP. Additionally, the FDA will typically inspect the facility or the facilities at which the drug is manufactured. The FDA will not approve the product unless compliance with cGMP is satisfactory, and the NDA contains data that provide substantial evidence that the drug is safe and effective in the indication studied. Further, FDA and the sponsor will negotiate and agree to proposed labeling during FDA’s review of the NDA.

Among the requirements for drug approval by the FDA is that manufacturing procedures and operations conform to cGMP. The cGMP regulations must be followed at all times during the manufacture of pharmaceutical products. During the review of an NDA or ANDA, the FDA will typically inspect the facility or the facilities at which the drug is manufactured. The FDA will not approve the product unless compliance with cGMP is satisfactory. In addition, quality-control, drug manufacture, packaging, and labeling procedures must continue to conform to cGMPs after approval. Drug manufacturers and certain of their subcontractors are required to

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register their establishments with the FDA and certain state agencies. Registration with the FDA subjects entities to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA, during which the agency inspects manufacturing facilities to assess compliance with cGMPs. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money, and effort in the areas of production and quality-control to maintain compliance with cGMPs. If the FDA believes a company is not in compliance with cGMP, certain sanctions may be imposed, including: (i) withholding new drug approvals as well as approvals for supplemental changes to existing applications; (ii) preventing the receipt of necessary licenses to export products; (iii) preventing the importation of certain products into the U.S.; (iv) classifying the company as an unacceptable supplier and thereby disqualifying the company from selling products to federal agencies; and (v) pursuing a consent decree or court action that limits company operations and/or imposes monetary fines.

After the FDA evaluates the NDA and the manufacturing facilities, it issues either an approval letter or a complete response letter. A complete response letter generally outlines the deficiencies in the submission and may require substantial additional testing, or information, in order for the FDA to reconsider the application. If, or when, those deficiencies have been addressed to the FDA’s satisfaction in the resubmission of the NDA, the FDA will issue an approval letter. An approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the drug with specific prescribing information for specific indications.

Changes to some of the conditions established in an approved application, including changes in indications, labeling, or manufacturing processes or facilities, require submission and FDA approval of a new NDA or NDA supplement before the change can be implemented. An NDA supplement for a new indication typically requires clinical data similar to that in the original application, and the FDA uses the same procedures and actions in reviewing NDA supplements as it does in reviewing NDAs.

As a condition of, or in certain instances after, ANDA or NDA approval, the FDA may require a REMS, to help ensure that the benefits of the drug outweigh the potential risks. REMS can include medication guides, communication plans for healthcare professionals, and elements to assure safe use (“ETASU”). ETASU can include, but are not limited to, special training or certification for prescribing or dispensing, dispensing only under certain circumstances, special monitoring, and the use of patient registries. The requirement for REMS can materially affect the potential market and profitability of the drug. Moreover, product approval may require substantial post-approval testing and surveillance to monitor the drug’s safety or efficacy. Once granted, product approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained, or problems are identified following initial marketing.

In addition, because we market drugs that are classified as controlled substances in the U.S., Canada and Israel, we must meet the requirements of the federal CSA and relevant state laws and regulations in the U.S. as well as equivalent laws in Canada and Israel. These regulations include stringent requirements for handing and receipt of controlled substances including import, export, manufacture, storage, security, distribution and dispensing. These requirements include registration/licensing, manufacturing controls (e.g., quotas), import permits/declarations, inventory, recordkeeping, monitoring, disposal, reporting, and security to ensure accountability and prevent diversion of, or the unauthorized access to, the controlled substances in each stage of the production, storage and distribution process. The DEA and state agencies (e.g., relevant state boards of pharmacy) inspect manufacturers, distributors, importers, and exporters that are registered with the DEA and licensed by state agencies to review and ensure compliance with the federal CSA and comparable state laws, and DEA regulations with respect to security, record keeping, inventory and reporting prior to issuing a federal controlled substance registration or state license. The specific security requirements vary by the type of business activity (e.g., manufacturing as opposed to pharmacy dispensing) and the classification or schedule of the controlled substances (e.g., Schedule II narcotics as opposed to Schedule IV benzodiazepines) handled by the registrant. Once registered, manufacturing, distributing, exporting or importing facilities must maintain records documenting the manufacture, receipt, distribution, storage, import, or export of all controlled substances. Manufacturers are required to obtain quotas for certain Schedule I and II controlled substances. Also, manufacturers and distributors must submit periodic reports to the DEA on the distribution of Schedule I and II controlled substances, Schedule III narcotic substances, and other designated substances. All DEA registrants must report any potentially suspicious orders for controlled substances and any thefts or significant losses. DEA registrants must also follow appropriate disposal procedures and in some cases, obtain authorization to destroy or dispose of controlled substances. Most states impose similar licensing, recordkeeping, monitoring, reporting and security requirements. In addition to maintaining an importer and/or exporter registration, importers and exporters of controlled substances must obtain a permit for every import or export of a Schedule I or II substance and a narcotic substance in Schedule III, IV, and V. For all other drugs in Schedule III, IV, and V, importers and exporters must submit an import or export declaration. Failure to maintain the appropriate registrations and licenses, both federal and state, or to obtain sufficient quota or approval for imports and exports could have a material adverse effect on our business. Failure to comply with applicable requirements, particularly resulting in the theft, loss or diversion of controlled substances, can result in significant enforcement action that could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition. The DEA and/or state authorities may seek civil monetary penalties, refuse to renew necessary registrations or licenses, or initiate proceedings to revoke those registrations/licenses. In certain circumstances, violations could lead to criminal prosecution.

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In May 1992, the Generic Drug Enforcement Act of 1992 (the “Generic Act”) was enacted. The Generic Act, a result of legislative hearings and investigations into the generic drug approval process, allows the FDA to impose debarment and other penalties on individuals and companies that commit certain illegal acts relating to the generic drug approval process and other drug product applications. In some situations, the Generic Act requires the FDA not to accept or review, for a period of time, ANDAs from a company or an individual that has committed certain violations. It also provides for temporary denial of approval of applications during the investigation of certain violations that could lead to debarment and also, in more limited circumstances, provides for the suspension of the marketing of approved drugs by the affected company.

The Generic Act also allows for civil penalties and withdrawal of previously approved applications. To our knowledge, neither we, nor any of our employees has ever been subject to debarment.

Any distribution of prescription drug products in their finished dosage form and pharmaceutical samples must comply with the U.S. Prescription Drug Marketing Act (“PDMA”), a part of the FDC Act. In addition, Title II of the Federal Drug Quality and Security Act of 2013, known as the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (“DSCSA”), has imposed new “track and trace” requirements on the distribution of prescription drug products by manufacturers, distributors, and other entities in the drug supply chain. These requirements are being phased in over a ten-year period concluding this year. The DSCSA requires the transmission of transaction information, transaction history and a transaction statement with finished dosage form drug products introduced into interstate commerce in the U.S. In addition, the products may only be sold to entities that are authorized trading partners as defined in the DSCSA. The DSCSA also requires drug manufacturers, distributors and other entities in the supply chain to investigate, quarantine and report drug products that are either suspect or illegitimate, as more fully described in the DSCSA. The DSCSA also requires manufacturers to include product identifiers (i.e., serialization) on prescription drug products and will require the establishment of an electronic interoperable prescription product system to identify and trace certain prescription drugs distributed in the U.S. by November 27, 2023. These requirements will result in increased expenses and may create additional administrative encumbrances. Failing to comply with these requirements could result in enforcement actions by the FDA, including but not limited to the imposition of penalties or fines.

Cosmetics and Over-the-Counter Drugs

Cosmetics and OTC drug products are subject to regulation by the FDA, as well as various other federal, state, local, and foreign regulatory authorities. These laws and regulations principally relate to the ingredients, design, safety, clearance, approval or authorization, manufacture, packaging, recordkeeping, proper labeling, advertising, marketing, shipment, and disposal of such products. In addition, the FTC is specifically authorized to regulate advertising of cosmetics and OTC drug products to prevent unfair or deceptive acts or practices in such advertising. Failure to comply with applicable requirements may subject a cosmetic and an OTC drug product and its manufacturer to a variety of administrative sanctions, such as FDA issuance of warning letters or untitled letters, mandatory product recalls, import detentions, civil monetary penalties and judicial sanctions, such as product seizures, injunctions and criminal prosecution.

Under the FDC Act, a “cosmetic” is defined as a product that is applied to the human body and intended to cleanse, beautify, promote attractiveness, or alter its appearance. The labeling of cosmetic products is subject to the requirements of the FDC Act, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, and FDA implementing regulations. The FDC Act prohibits marketing of adulterated cosmetics (e.g., products that contain unsafe ingredients, products with deficiencies in the manufacturing process, or products with labeling that render the product adulterated). It is also unlawful under the FDC Act to market a cosmetic that is misbranded. Historically, FDA relied on voluntary compliance by the cosmetics industry, and its enforcement activities generally targeted either unsafe cosmetics or cosmetics that, by virtue of inappropriate claims in the product’s labeling or promotional materials, are subject to the regulatory regime that governs drugs. More recently, the CAA 2023 expanded FDA’s authority over cosmetics. For example, FDA is required to issue cGMP regulations for cosmetics, responsible persons are required to submit reports of any serious adverse event involving the use of a cosmetic product to FDA within 15 business days of receipt and must ensure there is adequate substantiation regarding the safety of a cosmetic product, establishments that manufacturer or otherwise process cosmetics must register and list cosmetic products with FDA, and FDA can require recalls of, and can access and copy records relating to, cosmetic products under certain circumstances.

Under the FDC Act, a “drug” is defined, in relevant part, as a product intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease or intended to affect the structure or any function of the body. The FDA may consider, among other things, labeling and advertising claims in determining the intended use of a product. Generally, any “new drug” must undergo FDA review for safety and efficacy to obtain marketing approval before it may be legally marketed. However, if the drug is generally recognized as safe and effective, then it is exempt from regulation as a “new drug” and may be marketed without prior approval.

Most OTC drugs are marketed pursuant to FDA regulations (known as “monographs”) that permit whole classes of drugs to be marketed without premarket approval if certain conditions are met. The FDA’s OTC Drug Monograph Review was a rulemaking process that established conditions under which certain active ingredients, in certain amounts, and with specific labeling, may be marketed as OTC drugs without requiring FDA approval of an NDA. The FDA developed monographs for many categories of drug products, including sunscreen drug products and acne drug products. Monographs do not specify which inactive ingredients may or may not be

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used. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer, marketer, and distributor to ensure that the finished product, including all inactive ingredients, is safe and effective for its intended use.

Recent legislation included OTC monograph reform provisions addressing the reform of the monograph review process. The reform is designed to move the OTC monograph drug review framework from one of notice and comment rulemaking to an administrative order process exempt from certain requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act. As a result of the OTC monograph reform, several drug products that were previously marketed under the FDA’s compliance policy became unapproved drugs. Whereas monographs establish the FDA’s determination that certain active ingredients are GRASE for specific uses under specific conditions of use—that is, that they are not new drugs—a product that does not meet the requirements of a monograph must meet the statutory and regulatory requirements for all new drugs. Such products may be marketed only if the FDA first reviews and approves an NDA or an ANDA for the product unless it meets certain requirements under the OTC monograph reform provisions.

The FTC regulates cosmetic and OTC drug advertising and promotional materials under the Federal Trade Commission Act (“FTC Act”), which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices as well as the dissemination of any false advertisement that is likely to induce the purchase of cosmetics or drugs. The FTC requires that all express and implied claims must be substantiated and that advertisers have a reasonable basis for all claims. The FTC has historically applied a standard of competent and reliable scientific evidence for health-related claims and defined the standard generally to require tests, analyses, research or studies that have been conducted and evaluated in an objective manner by qualified persons and are generally accepted in the profession to yield accurate and reliable results. More recently, the FTC has interpreted this standard as requiring, in some instances, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. The FTC is authorized to issue cease-and-desist orders enforceable by injunctions and criminal contempt proceedings as penalties for violating the FTC Act, as well as to proceed directly in federal court for injunctive relief.

Other Healthcare Laws

Several types of state and federal laws have been applied to prohibit or restrict certain marketing practices in the pharmaceutical industry. These laws include anti-kickback statutes and false claims statutes. The federal healthcare program anti-kickback statute prohibits, among other things, knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration to induce, or in return for, purchasing, leasing, ordering, recommending or arranging for the purchase, lease or order of any healthcare item or service reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid, or other federally financed healthcare programs. The PPACA, enacted in March 2010, amended the intent element of the federal anti-kickback statute so that a person or entity no longer needs to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it. This statute has been interpreted to apply to arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers on the one hand and prescribers, purchasers, and formulary managers on the other. Violations of the anti-kickback statute are punishable by imprisonment, criminal fines, civil monetary penalties, and/or exclusion from participation in federal healthcare programs. Although there are a number of statutory exemptions and regulatory safe harbors protecting certain common activities from prosecution or other regulatory sanctions, the exemptions and safe harbors are drawn narrowly, and practices that involve remuneration intended to induce prescribing, purchases, or recommendations may be subject to scrutiny if they do not qualify for an exemption or safe harbor.

The Federal False Claims Act prohibits any person from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false claim for payment to the federal government, or knowingly making, or causing to be made, a false statement material to a false claim. This includes claims made to programs where the federal government reimburses, such as Medicare and Medicaid, as well as programs where the federal government is a direct purchaser, such as when it purchases off the Federal Supply Schedule. Numerous pharmaceutical companies have been sued under this law for allegedly inflating drug prices they report to pricing services or to the federal government, which in turn were used by the government to set Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates or Medicaid rebates. In addition, certain marketing practices, including off-label promotion, may also violate the Federal False Claims Act. Additionally, the PPACA amended the federal anti-kickback statute such that a violation of that statute can also serve as a basis for liability under the Federal False Claims Act. The majority of states also have statutes or regulations similar to the federal anti-kickback law and the Federal False Claims Act, which apply to items and services reimbursed under Medicaid and other state programs, or, in several states, apply regardless of the payor.

There are also an increasing number of state laws with requirements for manufacturers and/or marketers of pharmaceutical products. Some states require the reporting of expenses relating to the marketing and promotion of drug products and the reporting of gifts and payments to individual healthcare practitioners in these states. Other states prohibit various marketing-related activities, such as the provision of certain kinds of gifts or meals. Still other states require the reporting of certain pricing information, including information pertaining to and justification of launch prices or price increases greater than a specified threshold. In addition, states such as California, Connecticut, Nevada, and Massachusetts require pharmaceutical companies to implement compliance programs and/or marketing codes. Many of these laws contain ambiguities as to what is required to comply with the laws. In addition, as discussed below, a similar federal requirement requires manufacturers to track and report to the federal government certain payments made to teaching hospitals, physicians and certain other types of health care professionals made in the previous calendar year. These laws may affect our sales, marketing and other promotional activities by imposing administrative and compliance burdens on us, and companies that do not comply with these state laws face civil penalties.

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Federal law requires that a pharmaceutical manufacturer, as a condition of having its products receive federal reimbursement under Medicaid and Medicare Part B, must participate in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program by paying rebates to state Medicaid programs for all units of its covered outpatient drugs dispensed to Medicaid beneficiaries and paid for by a state Medicaid program under either a fee-for-service arrangement or through a managed care organization. The rebates are based on prices reported to CMS by manufacturers for their covered outpatient drugs (AMP for generic drugs, and AMP and best price for brand drugs). CMS issued final regulations regarding the calculation of AMP and rebates under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, effective as of April 1, 2016. The terms of participation in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program impose an obligation to correct the prices reported in previous quarters, as may be necessary. Any such corrections could result in additional or lesser rebate liability, depending on the direction of the correction. In addition to retroactive rebates, if a manufacturer were found to have knowingly submitted false information to the government, federal law provides for civil monetary penalties for failing to provide required information, late submission of required information, and false information.

A manufacturer must also participate in a federal program known as the 340B drug discount program in order for federal funds to be available to pay for the manufacturer’s drugs under Medicaid and Medicare Part B. Under this program, the participating manufacturer agrees to charge certain federally funded clinics and safety net hospitals, known as covered entities, no more than an established discounted price for its covered outpatient drugs. The formula for determining the discounted price is defined by statute and is based on the AMP and the unit rebate amount as calculated under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, discussed above. Civil monetary penalties can be imposed on manufacturers for each instance of overcharging a covered entity. Manufacturers are required to report certain pricing information to the Office of Pharmacy Affairs within the Health Resources & Services Administration.

Federal law also requires that manufacturers report data on a quarterly basis to CMS regarding the pricing of drugs that are separately reimbursable under Medicare Part B. These are generally drugs, such as injectable products, that are administered “incident to” a physician service and are not generally self-administered, as well as certain vaccines, oral dosage form chemotherapy and immunosuppressive therapy drugs and drugs used with durable medical equipment such as infusion pumps. The pricing information submitted by manufacturers is used to set payment rates to health care providers and suppliers for drugs covered under Medicare Part B. As with the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, federal law provides for civil monetary penalties for failing to provide required information, late submission of required information, and false information.

Manufacturers are also required to make their covered drugs, which are generally drugs approved under NDAs or biologics license applications (“BLAs”), available to federal government departments and agencies and other authorized users of the Federal Supply Schedule (“FSS”) of the General Services Administration. The law also requires manufacturers to offer discounted FSS contract pricing for purchases of their covered drugs by certain government agencies in order for federal funding to be available for reimbursement or purchase of the manufacturer’s drugs under certain federal programs. The discounts are determined based on prices that are calculated and reported to the government by manufacturers. The accuracy of a manufacturer’s reported prices may be audited by the government. Among the remedies available to the government for inaccuracies is recoupment of any overcharges to the government. If a manufacturer were found to have knowingly reported false prices, in addition to other penalties available to the government, the law provides for civil monetary penalties per incorrect item.

The PPACA, as well as subsequent legislation, such as the BBA, have had an impact on all segments of the health care industry. Pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers have seen an increase in revenues by virtue of additional Americans who have access to health insurance beginning in 2014; however, the legislation imposes on manufacturers a variety of additional rebates, discounts and fees that have curtailed that increase in revenues. For example, manufacturers subsidize 70% of the cost of providing brand drugs (approved via an NDA) to Medicare Part D beneficiaries within the coverage gap. As another example, the PPACA increased the minimum Medicaid rebate rate from 15.1% to 23.1% of AMP for most drugs approved under an NDA, and increased the Medicaid rebate from 11% to 13% of AMP for drugs approved under an ANDA. In another example, under the BBA, generic drugs approved under an ANDA are subject to an additional Medicaid rebate if the AMP for a given quarter exceeds the inflation-adjusted baseline AMP, effective for the first calendar quarter of 2017. This price increase penalty previously applied only to innovator drugs. For generic drugs, the baseline AMP will depend on when the drug was launched. For innovator drugs, the baseline AMP is the AMP for the first full quarter after launch. Also, annual fees are imposed on each manufacturer and importer of branded prescription drugs or biologics, based on the ratio of its sales reimbursed or purchased by government agencies to such sales made by all drug manufacturers during the prior year, and based on different sales dollar tiers (the highest being over $400 million in brand sales, and the lowest being at least $5 million in brand sales).

The PPACA also imposed reporting and regulatory requirements. For example, the “sunshine” provisions impose tracking and reporting requirements and public disclosure requirements on a drug manufacturer’s payments to physicians, physician assistants, certain types of advanced practice nurses and teaching hospitals. Annual reports are due in March of each year. The data reported under the “sunshine” provisions are posted in searchable form on a public website.

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In addition, the legislation advances the policy of comparative clinical effectiveness research on medical treatments, services and items, including drugs and devices. Taken together, these government health care reform measures may adversely impact the pricing of healthcare products and services in the U.S. and the amount of reimbursement available from governmental agencies or other third-party payors. Government cost control initiatives could decrease the price that we or any current or potential collaborators could receive for any of our products and could adversely affect our profitability.

Environmental Compliance

We believe that we are currently in compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations in all of the countries in which we operate.

C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The legal and commercial name of our company is Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel in 1959 under the name Taro-Vit Chemical Industries Ltd. In 1984, we changed our name to Taro Vit Industries Ltd., and in 1994, we changed our name to Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

The following is a list of our significant subsidiaries and their countries of incorporation as of March 31, 2023:

 

Name of Subsidiary

 

Country of Incorporation

Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.

 

United States

Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc.

 

Canada

Taro Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.

 

Cayman Islands

Taro Pharmaceuticals Europe B.V.

 

Netherlands

Taro International Ltd.

 

Israel

The Proactiv Company Holdings, Inc.

 

United States

Proactiv YK

 

Japan

Alchemee Skincare Corporation (f/k/a The Proactiv Company Corporation)

 

Canada

 

On June 1, 2021, the Company and The Taro Development Corporation each transferred its ownership of the shares of Taro U.S.A. to Taro Canada. Taro U.S.A. is now 100% owned by Taro Canada, which remains 100% owned by the Company.

On February 28, 2022, as part of the Alchemee acquisition, Taro U.S.A. acquired 100% ownership of The Proactiv Company Holdings, Inc., Proactive YK and Alchemee Skincare Corporation (f/k/a The Proactiv Company Corporation), including their respective subsidiaries. Taro U.S.A. assigned its entire ownership of the shares of those entities to the Company.

The Company owns 100% of the shares of Taro International Ltd., Taro Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., and Taro Canada. The Company owns 99.75% of Taro Pharmaceuticals Europe B.V. and Taro Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. owns the remaining 0.25%.

On January 25, 2022, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Taro U.S.A., Taro Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation, merged with and into Taro U.S.A.

Sun beneficially owns 85.7% of the voting power of the Company as of March 31, 2023.

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D. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The following is a list of our principal facilities as of March 31, 2023:

 

Location