The Company currently buys materials that are purchased under intellectual property rights agreements and are important components in its products. Management believes that other suppliers could provide similar materials on comparable terms. A change in suppliers, however, could cause a delay in manufacturing, either from the logistic and regulatory implications of changing suppliers or from product attributable changes to new components, any of which could result in a loss of sales and adversely affect operating results.

All of the Company’s existing and proposed diagnostic products are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, certain U.S., state and local agencies, and comparable regulatory bodies in other countries. Most aspects of development, production and marketing, including product testing, authorizations to market, labeling, promotion, manufacturing and record keeping, are subject to regulatory review. After marketing approval has been granted, the Company must continue to comply with governmental regulations. Failure to comply with applicable requirements can lead to sanctions, including withdrawal of products from the market, recalls, refusal to authorize government contracts, product seizures, civil money penalties, injunctions, and criminal prosecution.

The Company has multi-year contracts with two key employees. The contracts call for salaries presently aggregating $843,292 per year. The contracts are scheduled to expire on December 2021, and the Company’s minimum salary commitments under the agreements for the last six months of 2021 total $421,646. Under one of those contracts, however, the term of the contract will extend automatically until December 31, 2022 if neither party provides, by October 1, 2021, notice electing to have the contract terminate on December 31, 2021. If no such notice is timely delivered, the Company will have a minimum salary commitment under the contract of $460,000 for the year ending December 31, 2022.

The Company’s facility leases generally include optional renewal periods. Upon entering into a new facility lease, the Company evaluates the leasehold improvements and regulatory requirements related to its operations in that location. To the extent that the initial lease term of the related facility lease is less than the useful life of the leasehold improvements and potential regulatory costs associated with moving the facility, the Company concludes that it is reasonably certain that a renewal option will be exercised, and that renewal period is included in the lease term and the related payments are reflected in the right-of-use asset and lease liability.

The Company’s leases generally include fixed rental payments with defined annual increases. While certain of the Company’s leases are gross leases, the majority of the Company’s leases are net leases in which the Company makes separate payments to the lessor based on the lessor’s property and casualty insurance costs, the property taxes assessed on the property, and a portion of the common area maintenance where applicable. The Company has elected the practical expedient not to separate lease and nonlease components for all of the Company’s facility leases.

The SEC is conducting a non-public, fact-finding investigation relating to the public offering of common stock that Chembio completed in May 2020 (the “May 2020 Offering”), and to the FDA’s revocation in June 2020 of an emergency use authorization for the DPP COVID-19 IgM/IgG system that was issued by the FDA in April 2020. Chembio received subpoenas from the SEC in July 2020 and April 2021 seeking the production of documents in connection with this investigation. In addition, the SEC delivered subpoenas in April 2021 to five of Chembio’s employees (including its three executive officers, who consist of its Chief Executive Officer and President, its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and its Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific and Technology Officer). An additional subpoena was issued in June 2021 to Chembio’s former Interim Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chair. Each subpoena requested the production of documents relating to the same matters as are the subject of the subpoenas Chembio received. Chembio and the six individuals are cooperating fully in the SEC’s investigation and expect to continue to do so.

The plaintiffs in each of the above cases alleged claims under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), Rule 10b-5 thereunder and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. Special Situations Fund III QP, L.P., Special Situations Cayman Fund, L.P. and Special Situations Private Equity Fund, L.P. (collectively, the “Special Situations Funds”), also asserted claims under Sections 11, 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) relating to the May 2020 Offering.

Chembio and the plaintiffs entered into Court-approved stipulations relieving Chembio and the other defendants of the obligation to respond to the complaints in these cases pending the designation of a lead plaintiff pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Eight motions for appointment as lead plaintiff were filed by various prospective lead plaintiffs. However, all but two of these motions were withdrawn or otherwise abandoned, leaving before the Court two motions for appointment as lead plaintiff — one filed by the Special Situations Funds and one by Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan. By order entered December 29, 2020, Magistrate Judge Lindsay consolidated the cases and appointed the Special Situations Funds and Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan (together, the “Lead Plaintiffs”), as co-lead plaintiffs and their respective counsel as co-lead counsel. The consolidated cases are now pending under the caption “In re Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. Securities Litigation.”

The Lead Plaintiffs filed their Consolidated Amended Complaint (the “CAC”) on February 12, 2021. In summary, the CAC purports to allege claims based on assertedly false and misleading statements and omissions concerning the performance of the DPP COVID-19 IgM/IgG System, as well as an asserted failure to timely disclose that the emergency use authorization that had been granted by the FDA with respect to the DPP COVID-19 IgM/IgG System “was — or was at an increased risk of — being revoked.” The CAC names as defendants Chembio, Richard L. Eberly, Gail S. Page, Neil A. Goldman, Javan Esfandiari, Katherine L. Davis, Mary Lake Polan, John Potthoff and the underwriters for the May 2020 Offering, Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. and Dougherty & Company LLC.

The CAC purports to assert five counts under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. Counts I through III are brought under the Securities Act, allegedly on behalf of a purported class consisting of all persons who purchased Chembio common stock directly in or traceable to the May 2020 Offering pursuant to Chembio’s shelf registration statement on Form S 3 (File No. 333-227398) and the related prospectus, as supplemented by a prospectus supplement dated May 7, 2020 (the “Securities Act Class”). Count I purports to allege a claim for violation of Section 11 of the Securities Act against all defendants other than Messrs. Eberly and Esfandiari. Count II purports to allege a claim for violation of Section 12 of the Securities Act against all defendants other than Messrs. Eberly and Esfandiari. Count III purports to allege a claim under Section 15 of the Securities Act against Ms. Davis, Dr. Polan, Dr. Potthoff, Ms. Page and Mr. Goldman.

Counts IV and V are alleged claims under the Exchange Act on behalf of a purported class consisting of all persons who purchased Chembio common stock on the open market from March 12, 2020 through June 16, 2020 (the “Exchange Act Class”). Count IV purports to allege a claim for violation of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder against Chembio, Mr. Eberly, Ms. Page, Mr. Goldman and Mr. Esfandiari. Count V purports to allege a claim under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against Mr. Eberly, Ms. Page, Mr. Goldman and Mr. Esfandiari.

Lead Plaintiffs seek, on behalf of the Securities Act Class and the Exchange Act Class, among other things, an award of damages in an amount to be proven at trial, as well as an award of reasonable costs, including attorneys’ fees and expenses, expert fees, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper. The Lead Plaintiffs also seeks rescission “or a rescissory measure of damages” on behalf of the Securities Act Class as to Count II.

Pursuant to an order entered by the Court on January 29, 2021, any defendant wishing to move against the amended complaint was required to file, by February 18, 2021, a letter requesting a pre-motion conference. On that date, the defendants submitted letters to the Court requesting a pre-motion conference regarding anticipated motions to dismiss the CAC, and Lead Plaintiffs responded on February 24, 2021. In its January 29, 2021 order, the Court indicated that it would consider a briefing schedule on motions to dismiss after it had received and reviewed the parties’ correspondence.

On March 5, 2021, the Court entered an order in which it advised the parties it had determined a pre-motion conference was not necessary and established a briefing schedule on the defendants’ anticipated motions to dismiss. However, the defendants subsequently agreed with Lead Plaintiffs’ counsel to a modification of the schedule, which was then approved by the Court. Pursuant to that schedule, defendants’ motions and supporting papers were filed on March 26, 2021, the Lead Plaintiffs’ opposition papers were filed on April 16, 2021, and the defendants’ reply papers were filed on April 30, 2021. The defendants’ motions remain pending before the Court. At this stage in the litigation, the Company is not able to predict the probability of a favorable or unfavorable outcome.

On September 11, 2020, a putative stockholder derivative action captioned Karen Wong, derivatively on behalf of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc., Plaintiff v. Richard L. Eberly, Gail S. Page, Neil A. Goldman, Javan Esfandiari, Katherine L. Davis, Mary Lake Polan and John G. Potthoff, Defendants, and Chembio Diagnostics, Inc., Nominal Defendant (the “Wong complaint”) was filed purportedly on Chembio’s behalf in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The Wong complaint purports to assert a claim for violation of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9 thereunder based on ostensibly false and misleading statements and omissions concerning the Company’s rapid COVID-19 antibody test in the proxy statement disseminated in advance of Chembio’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on July 28, 2020. The Wong complaint also asserts claims against the individual defendants for purported breaches of fiduciary duties owed to Chembio, as well as unjust enrichment.

The Wong complaint requests a declaration that the individual defendants have breached or aided and abetted the breach of their fiduciary duties to Chembio, an award of damages to us, restitution, and an award of the plaintiff’s costs and disbursements in the action, including reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees, costs and expenses, and improvements to Chembio’s corporate governance and internal procedures regarding compliance with laws. Pursuant to a stipulation by which the individual defendants named in the Wong complaint agreed to waive service of process, the Court ordered that the time for defendants to answer or otherwise respond to the complaint be extended to November 19, 2020. The parties subsequently entered into a stipulation for a stay of proceedings in the action relating to the Wong complaint pending final disposition of motions to dismiss the pending putative class-action litigation, subject to certain conditions. The Court entered an order granting the requested stay on November 3, 2020. At this stage in the litigation, the Company is not able to predict the probability of a favorable or unfavorable outcome.

Chembio’s wholly owned subsidiary Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc. (“Systems”) and BioSure (UK) Ltd. (“BioSure”) entered into the BioSure Sure Check HIV 1/2 Assay OTC Agreement dated April 2, 2014 and as subsequently amended (as so amended, the “Distribution Agreement”). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, BioSure acquired the right to sell bundled products in the United Kingdom containing the Company’s Sure Check HIV 1/2 pouched tests. The Distribution Agreement terminated on April 1, 2019. On September 16, 2019, Systems initiated arbitration in the International Arbitration Tribunal of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution in New York, New York. Systems alleges that BioSure (a) breached various provisions of the Distribution Agreement, (b) misappropriated trade secrets of Systems, (c) engaged in deceptive business acts and practices, and (d) breached the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. On November 23, 2020, BioSure requested leave to file a counterclaim seeking recession of the Distribution Agreement based on alleged fraudulent concealment by Systems. Systems opposed BioSure’s request for leave to file the counterclaim on procedural and substantive grounds, and on December 11, 2020 the Tribunal denied the request for leave to file the counterclaim. The Tribunal’s denial was without prejudice to BioSure’s ability to assert its claim in a separate proceeding. BioSure continues to deny the relief sought and alleges certain statements Systems made to third parties about the Distribution Agreement were in bad faith and are a defense to Systems’ claims. BioSure also asserts that certain alleged misrepresentations entitle BioSure to “set off” any award Systems might receive from the Tribunal. The parties have completed discovery and submitted their first pre-hearing submissions. Systems intends to vigorously pursue its claims in the arbitration. The final merits hearing took place from April 20, 2021 to April 23, 2021. At this stage in the litigation, the Company is not able to predict the probability of a favorable or unfavorable outcome.

On March 19, 2021, John J. Sperzel III, Chembio’s former chief executive officer, filed a fifteen-count complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The complaint was filed following the dismissal of an action previously filed by Mr. Sperzel in the United States District Court in Maine, which was dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction over Chembio. In summary, the complaint filed in the Eastern District of New York alleges that Chembio wrongfully refused to allow Mr. Sperzel to exercise certain options to purchase, for an aggregate exercise price of $943,126, a total of 266,666 shares of common stock that were allegedly vested as of the date of his separation from Chembio, on January 3, 2020. The complaint alleges that under the terms of the applicable stock incentive plans, Mr. Sperzel had thirty days after the date on which he ceased to qualify as an “Eligible Person” under the plans within which to exercise the options, and asserts that by reason of his alleged continued service to us, he remained an “Eligible Person” and ostensibly retained the right to exercise the options. The Compensation Committee of the Board determined that the options expired on February 3, 2020, thirty days after Mr. Sperzel’s separation from Chembio, and that a purported attempt by Mr. Sperzel to exercise the options after that date was not valid.

Count I of the complaint purports to allege that Chembio breached Mr. Sperzel’s separation agreement by refusing to allow him to exercise the stock options. Counts II through XI of the complaint purport to allege claims for breach of each of ten separate stock option agreements, collectively asserting damages of “at least” $3,190,198. Count XII of the complaint alleges a breach of Mr. Sperzel’s separation agreement based on Chembio’s purported failure to pay Mr. Sperzel consulting fees to which he claims to be entitled for consulting services allegedly performed following his separation. Count XIII of the complaint alleges a claim for breach of an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing under Nevada common law based on the allegation that Chembio prevented Mr. Sperzel from obtaining the benefits of the stock option agreements and separation agreement. Mr. Sperzel alleges that he suffered damages in excess of $3 million as a result of the purported breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Count XIV of the complaint purports to assert a claim for quantum meruit, alleging that “it is reasonable for Sperzel to expect payment in exchange for ... services” he assertedly provided to us and, based on allegations that upon his separation Mr. Sperzel was not informed as to the pending expiration of the stock options he later sought to exercise, that Chembio has been unjustly enriched. Finally, count XV of the complaint seeks a declaratory judgment that Mr. Sperzel is relieved from performance under his separation agreement due to asserted material breaches of the agreement based on the allegations summarized above. The complaint seeks compensatory damages in an unspecified amount, a declaration, as described above, and an award of Mr. Sperzel’s costs and expenses in the litigation, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, expert costs and disbursements. The complaint requests a trial by jury. In recently served initial disclosures, Mr. Sperzel claims entitlement to recover damages in a total amount not less than $10 million, together with prejudgment interest at the rate of 9% per annum.

From time to time the Company may become involved in legal proceedings or may be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of its business. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company currently believes that the final outcome of these ordinary course matters will not have a material adverse effect on its business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on the Company because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors.