Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2022

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies 

Litigation  

The Company is subject to potential liabilities generally incidental to the Company’s business arising out of present and future lawsuits and claims related to product liability, personal injury, contract, commercial, intellectual property, tax, employment, compliance and other matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues for potential liabilities when it is probable that future costs (including legal fees and expenses) will be incurred and such costs can be reasonably estimated. At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no contingent liabilities with respect to any litigation, arbitration or

administrative or other proceeding that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows or liquidity.

First Jazz Complaint

On May 12, 2021, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Jazz”) filed a formal complaint (the “First Complaint”) initiating a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the “Court”) against Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc, Avadel US Holdings, Inc., Avadel Management Corporation, Avadel Legacy Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Avadel Specialty Pharmaceuticals, LLC, and Avadel CNS Pharmaceuticals, LLC (collectively, the “Avadel Parties”). In the First Complaint, Jazz alleges the sodium oxybate product (“Proposed Product”) described in the NDA owned by Avadel CNS Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avadel CNS”) will infringe at least one claim of U.S. Patent No. 8731963, 10758488, 10813885, 10959956 and/or 10966931 (collectively, the “patents-in-suit”). The First Complaint further includes typical relief requests such as preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, monetary damages and attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses.

On June 3, 2021, the Avadel Parties timely filed their Answer and Counterclaims (the “Avadel Answer”) with the Court in response to the First Complaint. The Avadel Answer generally denies the allegations set forth in the First Complaint, includes numerous affirmative defenses (including, but not limited to, non-infringement and invalidity of the patents-in-suit), and asserts a number of counterclaims seeking i) a declaratory judgment of non-infringement of each patent-in-suit, and ii) a declaratory judgment of invalidity of each patent-in-suit.

On June 18, 2021, Jazz filed its Answer (“Jazz Answer”) with the Court in response to the Avadel Answer. The Jazz Answer generally denies the allegations set forth in the Avadel Answer and sets forth a single affirmative defense asserting that Avadel has failed to state a claim for which relief can be granted.

On June 21, 2021, the Court issued an oral order requiring the parties to i) confer regarding proposed dates to be included in the Court’s scheduling order for the case, and ii) submit a proposed order, including a proposal for the length and timing of trial, to the Court by no later than July 21, 2021.

On July 30, 2021, the Court issued a scheduling order establishing timing for litigation events including i) a claim construction hearing date of August 2, 2022, and ii) a trial date of October 30, 2023.

On October 18, 2021, consistent with the scheduling order, Jazz filed a status update with the Court indicating that Jazz did not intend to file a preliminary injunction with the Court at this time. Jazz further indicated that it would provide the Court with an update regarding whether preliminary injunction proceedings may be necessary after receiving further information regarding the FDA’s action on Avadel CNS’s NDA.

On January 4, 2022, the Court entered an agreed order dismissing this case with respect to Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc, Avadel US Holdings, Inc., Avadel Specialty Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Avadel Legacy Pharmaceuticals, LLC, and Avadel Management Corporation. A corresponding order was entered in the two below cases on the same day.

On February 25, 2022, Jazz filed an amended Answer to the Avadel Parties’ Counterclaims (“the Jazz First Amended Answer”). The Jazz First Amended Answer is substantially similar to the Jazz Answer except insofar as it adds an affirmative defense for judicial estoppel and unclean hands. Corresponding amended answers were filed in the two below cases on the same day.

On June 23, 2022, Avadel CNS filed a Renewed Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, with respect to its counterclaim against Jazz seeking to have U.S. Patent No. 8731963 (the “REMS Patent”) de-listed from the Orange Book and seeking to have the motion resolved concurrent with the parties’ Markman hearing on August 31, 2022. On July 7, 2022, Jazz filed a response it styled as Objections to Avadel CNS’ Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings. On July 14, 2022, Avadel CNS replied to Jazz’s response, and on July 21, 2022, Avadel CNS requested oral argument on its delisting motion simultaneous with the Markman hearing. On August 24, 2022, the Court ordered Jazz to respond substantively to Avadel CNS’ motion, which Jazz did on August 26, 2022. Avadel CNS filed its reply on August 28, 2022.

On August 23, 2022, the Markman hearing was postponed. On September 7, 2022, the case was reassigned to a new judge, and the Markman hearing was held on October 25, 2022. At the Markman hearing, Avadel CNS reiterated its request for an expedited hearing on the Renewed Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings for the de-listing of the REMS Patent. On October 28, 2022, the Court granted Avadel CNS’ request and scheduled the hearing for November 15, 2022.

Second Jazz Complaint

On August 4, 2021, Jazz filed another formal complaint (the “Second Complaint”) initiating a lawsuit in the Court against the Avadel Parties. In the Second Complaint, Jazz alleges the Proposed Product described in the NDA owned by Avadel CNS will infringe at least one claim of U.S. Patent No. 11077079. The Second Complaint further includes typical relief requests such as preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, monetary damages and attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses.

On September 9, 2021, the Avadel Parties timely filed their Answer and Counterclaims (the “Second Avadel Answer”) with the Court in response to the Second Complaint. The Second Avadel Answer generally denies the allegations set forth in the Second Complaint, includes numerous affirmative defenses (including, but not limited to, non-infringement and invalidity of the patent-in-suit), and asserts a number of counterclaims seeking i) a declaratory judgment of non-infringement of the patent-in-suit, and ii) a declaratory judgment of invalidity of the patent-in-suit.

On October 22, 2021, the Court issued an oral order stating that this case should proceed on the same schedule as the case filed on May 12, 2021.

On September 7, 2022, the case was reassigned to a new judge.

Third Jazz Complaint

On November 10, 2021, Jazz filed another formal complaint (the “Third Complaint”) initiating a lawsuit in the Court against the Avadel Parties. In the Third Complaint, Jazz alleges the Proposed Product described in the NDA owned by Avadel CNS will infringe at least one claim of U.S. Patent No. 11147782. The Third Complaint further includes typical relief requests such as preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, monetary damages and attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses. This case will proceed on the same schedule as the cases associated with the First and Second Complaints above.

On December 21, 2021, the Court entered a revised schedule for the First, Second and Third Complaints, setting a new claim construction date of August 31, 2022.

On January 7, 2022, Avadel CNS timely filed its Answer and Counterclaims (the “Third Avadel Answer”) with the Court in response to the Third Complaint. The Third Avadel Answer generally denies the allegations set forth in the Third Complaint, includes numerous affirmative defenses (including, but not limited to, non-infringement and invalidity of the patent-in-suit), and asserts a number of counterclaims seeking i) a declaratory judgment of non-infringement of the patent-in-suit, and ii) a declaratory judgment of invalidity/unenforceability of the patent-in-suit.

On September 7, 2022, the case was reassigned to a new judge.

Fourth Jazz Complaint

On July 15, 2022, Jazz filed another formal complaint (the “Fourth Complaint”) initiating a lawsuit in the Court against Avadel CNS. In the Fourth Complaint, Jazz alleges the Proposed Product described in the NDA owned by Avadel CNS will infringe at least one claim of the REMS Patent, which was asserted in the First Complaint. The FDA required Avadel CNS to file a Paragraph IV certification against the REMS Patent, which Avadel CNS did under protest, consistent with its Renewed Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings for the de-listing of the REMS Patent from the Orange Book, which is pending in response to the above First Jazz Complaint action. Avadel CNS provided the required notice of its Paragraph IV certification to Jazz, and Jazz reasserted the REMS Patent in a separate action following receipt of that notice. The Fourth Complaint further includes typical relief requests such as preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, monetary damages and attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses.

On September 7, 2022, the case was reassigned to a new judge.

On September 21, 2022, Jazz served the Fourth Complaint. On October 21, 2022, Avadel CNS timely filed its Answer and Counterclaims (the “Fourth Avadel Answer”) with the Court in response to the Fourth Complaint. The Fourth Avadel Answer generally denies the allegations set forth in the Fourth Complaint, includes numerous affirmative defenses (including, but not limited to, non-infringement and invalidity of the patent-in-suit), and asserts a number of counterclaims for i) a declaratory judgment of non-infringement of the patent-in-suit, ii) a declaratory judgment of invalidity/unenforceability of the patent-in-suit, iii) de-listing of the patent-in-suit from the Orange Book; iv) monopolization under the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 (the “Sherman Act”); and v) attempted monopolization under the Sherman Act.

Avadel Complaint

On April 14, 2022, Avadel CNS and Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc (collectively the “Avadel Plaintiffs”) filed a formal complaint (the “Avadel Complaint”) initiating a lawsuit in the Court against Jazz and Jazz Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ltd. (collectively, the “Jazz Parties”). In the Avadel Complaint, the Avadel Plaintiffs allege that the Jazz Parties breached certain confidential disclosure agreements and misappropriated certain of the Avadel Plaintiffs’ trade secrets. The Avadel Complaint further includes typical relief requests such as injunctive relief, monetary damages and attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, as well as seeking correction of inventorship of certain Jazz patents, for which the Jazz Parties claim ownership, to include former Avadel Plaintiffs’ scientists.

On June 2, 2022, Jazz answered the Avadel Complaint. The Answer generally denies the allegations set forth in the Avadel Complaint and includes various affirmative defenses.

On July 8, 2022, Jazz filed a Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings seeking to have all Counts dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. The Avadel Plaintiffs’ response to that Motion was filed with the Court on July 29, 2022. Jazz’s reply was filed with the Court on August 5, 2022.

On September 7, 2022, the case was reassigned to a new judge.

Administrative Procedure Act Complaint

On July 21, 2022, Avadel CNS filed an Administrative Procedure Act suit against the FDA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (the “Federal Defendants”) in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (the “DC Court”) related to the NDA for LUMRYZ (sodium oxybate). This suit alleges that the FDA’s decision requiring Avadel CNS to file a patent certification concerning the REMS Patent was arbitrary, capricious and contrary to law and asks the DC Court to vacate the FDA’s decision and order the FDA to take final action on the LUMRYZ NDA. On July 28, 2022, the DC Court granted Jazz’s unopposed motion to intervene in the case to defend the FDA’s decision. The DC Court also entered an expedited briefing schedule governing Avadel CNS’s motion for preliminary injunction or, in the alternative, summary judgment, and the Federal Defendant’s and Jazz’s oppositions to that motion and anticipated cross-motions for summary judgment. On August 19, 2022, the Federal Defendants and Jazz filed their combined oppositions to Avadel CNS’s motion for preliminary injunction or, in the alternative, summary judgment, and cross-motions for summary judgment. On September 2, 2022, Avadel CNS filed its combined reply in support of its motion for preliminary injunction or, in the alternative, summary judgment, and opposition to the cross-motions for summary judgment. On September 14, 2022, the Federal Defendants and Jazz filed their replies in support of their cross-motions for summary judgment. On October 7, 2022, the DC Court heard oral arguments of Avadel CNS’s motion and the Federal Defendants and Jazz’s cross-motions. On November 3, 2022, the DC Court issued its opinion determining that Avadel CNS is not entitled to seek relief under the APA because of the availability of adequate alternative relief in the Court, specifically, in the form of its counterclaim to have the REMS Patent de-listed from the FDA’s Orange Book described above in the section regarding the First Jazz Complaint.

Material Commitments

Other than commitments disclosed in Note 15: Contingent Liabilities and Commitments to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in the 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, there were no other material commitments outside of the normal course of business.

Guarantees

The fair values of the Company’s guarantee to Deerfield Capital L.P. (“Deerfield”) and the guarantee received by the Company from Armistice Capital Master Fund, Ltd. largely offset and when combined are not material.

Deerfield Guarantee

In connection with the Company’s February 2018 divestiture of the Company’s pediatric assets, the Company guaranteed to Deerfield the quarterly royalty payment of 15% on net sales of the FSC products through February 6, 2026 (“FSC Product Royalties”), in an aggregate amount of up to approximately $10,300. Given the Company’s explicit guarantee to Deerfield, the Company recorded the guarantee in accordance with ASC 460. The balance of this guarantee liability was $844 at September 30, 2022. This liability is being amortized proportionately based on undiscounted cash outflows through the remainder of the contract with Deerfield.

Armistice Guarantee

In connection with the Company’s February 2018 divestiture of the pediatric assets, Armistice Capital Master Fund, Ltd., the majority shareholder of Cerecor, Inc., guaranteed to the Company the FSC Product Royalties. The Company recorded the guarantee in accordance with ASC 460. The balance of this guarantee asset was $841 at September 30, 2022. This asset is being amortized proportionately based on undiscounted cash outflows through the remainder of the contract with Deerfield.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2022, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.