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Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies 
Litigation  

The Company is subject to potential liabilities generally incidental to its 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 March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 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”) delisted 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 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 delisting of the REMS Patent. On October 28, 2022, the Court granted Avadel CNS’ request and scheduled the hearing for November 15, 2022.

The Court held the Markman hearing on November 15, 2022 and issued a claim construction ruling on November 18, 2022. Also, on November 18, 2022 the Court granted Avadel’s Renewed Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings and ordered Jazz to request delisting of the REMS Patent from the Orange Book. On November 22, 2022, Jazz appealed that decision and on December 14, 2022, the Federal Circuit issued a stay of the delisting order until further notice. Oral argument was held February 14, 2023. On February 24, 2023, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Court affirmed the previous ruling from the Court, ordering the delisting of the REMS Patent from the Orange Book, which has since occurred. On March 7, 2023, in response to a joint stipulation filed by the parties, the Court issued an order dismissing Jazz’s infringement claims against the Avadel Parties relating to the REMS Patent as well as Avadel Parties’ noninfringement and invalidity counterclaims relating to the REMS Patent.

On March 15, 2023, the parties submitted a Stipulation and Proposed Order Modifying the Case Schedule to accommodate additional claim construction proceedings. That stipulation remains pending before the Court. On April 26, 2023, the parties filed their Supplemental Joint Claim Construction Brief.

On July 3, 2023, the Court issued a modified scheduling order establishing a new trial date of February 26, 2024.

On July 21, 2023, in response to a Court order, the parties submitted a Stipulation and Proposed Order Modifying the Case Schedule with an updated proposed schedule to accommodate additional claim construction proceedings. On August 4, 2023, the Court entered a modified version of the parties’ proposed schedule, which was revised on August 28, 2023. The parties’ Second Supplemental Joint Claim Construction Brief was filed on October 10, 2023, and a Markman hearing regarding the disputed terms occurred on November 1, 2023. The Court issued its claim construction order on December 15, 2023.

On August 15, 2023, Avadel renewed its request to consolidate this litigation with the litigation described in the Avadel Complaint below. On November 3, 2023, the Court denied that request.

On November 30, 2023, the parties filed cross motions for summary judgment. The parties filed opposition briefs on December 15, 2023. The parties filed reply briefs on December 22, 2023. On February 14, 2024, the Court denied the parties’ summary judgment motions. On February 15, 2024, the Court held its Pretrial Conference. Trial was held from February 26, 2024 to March 1, 2024 (the “February Patent Trial”). On March 4, 2024, the jury returned a verdict of no infringement for U.S. Patent
No. 10758488 and infringement of U.S. Patent No. 11147782, with damages of $234, which are included in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets in other non-current liabilities at March 31, 2024.

On March 19, 2024, the Court issued a Supplemental Scheduling Order setting a June 4, 2024 hearing on Jazz’s request for a permanent injunction or ongoing royalty. An ongoing royalty, if any, will be determined by the Court, and a range of possible loss, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

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 delisting of the REMS Patent from the Orange Book, which was later ordered to be delisted in 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) delisting 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.

On December 9, 2022, Jazz filed a Motion to Dismiss Avadel’s Antitrust Counterclaims. Avadel filed its opposition brief on December 27, 2022, and Jazz filed its reply brief on January 6, 2022. On January 11, 2023, Avadel filed a request for oral argument on the motion, which is still pending.

On March 6, 2023, the parties filed a stipulation of dismissal, dismissing Jazz’s claims with respect to the REMS Patent and Avadel CNS’s related non-infringement and invalidity counterclaims. The Court entered that stipulation on March 7, 2023.

On May 19, 2023, the Court issued a scheduling order establishing timing for litigation events including i) completion of fact discovery by March 14, 2024, and ii) a deadline for case dispositive motions of September 20, 2024. On January 23, 2024, the parties submitted a stipulation to extend the case schedule. On January 24, 2024, the Court ordered an extension of the case schedule, including i) completion of fact discovery by June 20, 2024 and ii) a deadline for case dispositive motions by January 31, 2025. On January 24, 2024, the Court issued an order setting a pretrial conference for October 30, 2025 and a 5-day trial to begin on November 3, 2025. On April 22, 2024, the parties submitted a stipulation extending certain pretrial deadlines, including i) extending completion of fact discovery to September 27, 2024 and ii) extending the deadline for case dispositive motions to April 4, 2025.

On June 29, 2023, Jazz filed a Motion to Stay the case, pending resolution of its Motion to Dismiss. Briefing on that Motion to Stay closed on August 10, 2023. On March 13, 2024, Jazz filed a Supplemental Motion to Stay, pending the resolution of the post-trial briefing and any appeals from the February Patent Trial. That motion remains pending before the Court.

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 February 2, 2023, the Court held a hearing on Jazz’s Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings.

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

On February 2, 2023, the Court held a hearing on Jazz’s Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings.

On July 18, 2023, the Court denied Jazz’s Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings.

On August 15, 2023, the parties submitted competing proposed scheduling orders, and Avadel requested consolidation with the above First Jazz Complaint litigation. That request for consolidation was denied on November 3, 2023.

On November 17, 2023, the parties submitted an updated joint proposed scheduling order. On January 30, 2024, the parties agreed to a 6-week stay of discovery and submitted a proposed stipulation extending certain case deadlines to accommodate the same. On February 9, 2024, the parties submitted an updated proposed scheduling order consistent with that stipulation, setting the close of fact discovery for August 9, 2024 and a trial date of December 15, 2025. That proposed scheduling order remains pending before the Court as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
On March 19, 2024, Jazz filed a Motion to Stay, pending the resolution of the post-trial briefing and any appeals from the February Patent Trial. That motion remains pending before the Court.

Jazz’s Administrative Procedure Act Complaint

On June 22, 2023, Jazz 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. This suit alleges that the FDA’s approval of LUMRYZ was an unlawful agency action and asks the DC Court to set aside FDA’s approval of LUMRYZ. On June 28, 2023, the DC Court granted Avadel CNS’s unopposed motion to intervene in the case to defend the FDA’s decision. On August 14, 2023, the Court entered a scheduling order establishing timing for litigation events including early summary judgment briefing closing December 22, 2023. On September 22, 2023, Jazz filed its Motion for Summary Judgment. On October 20, 2023, the FDA and Avadel filed their Cross Motions for Summary Judgment. Briefing on the parties’ motions closed January 4, 2024. On February 14, 2024, the Court set hearing for oral argument on the parties’ motions for February 27, 2024. On February 21, 2024, the Court rescheduled the oral argument to April 9, 2024. On April 2, 2024, the Court rescheduled the oral argument to May 10, 2024.

Material Commitments
Other than commitments disclosed in Note 14: Contingent Liabilities and Commitments to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, there were no other material commitments outside of the normal course of business.