DEF 14A 1 d296110ddef14a.htm DEF 14A DEF 14A
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

Filed by the Registrant  ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ☐

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

 

Definitive Additional Materials

 

Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)

 

No fee required.

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

 

 


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LOGO

May 2, 2022

Dear Fellow Shareholders:

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Bausch Health Companies Inc., it is my pleasure to invite you to attend our Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time. Due to the continuing public health concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board has determined to conduct the Meeting in an exclusively virtual format via a live internet webcast. There will be no physical meeting. We believe the virtual Meeting will facilitate shareholder attendance and participation by enabling shareholders to participate in the Meeting at no cost, while safeguarding the health and well-being of our shareholders, employees, and Board.

At the Meeting, shareholders will vote on the proposals listed in the Notice of Annual Meeting (the “Notice”) and the accompanying Proxy Statement (as defined below), as well as receive a report on the progress of the Company.

We are providing access to our proxy materials, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, in a fast and efficient manner via the internet. On May 2, 2022, we will begin mailing the proxy materials to all shareholders of record as of April 28, 2022 and will post our proxy materials on the website (www.proxyvote.com).

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the virtual Meeting, we hope you will vote as soon as possible. You will find voting instructions in the Notice, on the proxy card or your voting instruction form. You may vote via the internet or by telephone. Alternatively, if you requested a printed copy of the proxy materials by mail, you may mark, date, sign and mail the proxy card in the envelope provided.

We appreciate your continued ownership of Bausch Health shares and your support.

 

Sincerely,

LOGO

Joseph C. Papa

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer


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BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC.

2150 Saint Elzéar Blvd. West

Laval, Québec H7L 4A8

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JUNE 21, 2022

 

 

To the Shareholders of

Bausch Health Companies Inc.:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Bausch Health Companies Inc., a British Columbia corporation (the “Company,” “Bausch Health,” “we” or “our”), will be conducted in an exclusively virtual formal via a live internet webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BHC2022 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, for the following purposes:

1.  to elect twelve directors to serve on the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) until the close of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, their successors are duly elected or appointed, or such director’s earlier resignation or removal;

2.  to approve, in an advisory vote, the compensation of our named executive officers;

3.  to approve an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan;

4.  to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as the Company’s auditor until the close of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and to authorize the Board to fix the auditor’s remuneration;

5.  to receive the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the auditor’s report thereon; and

6.  to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

The record date for the Meeting is April 28, 2022. Only shareholders at the close of business on April 28, 2022 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting.

We are providing access to our proxy materials, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, to each shareholder in a fast and efficient manner via the internet. On May 2, 2022, we will begin mailing the proxy materials to all shareholders as of the record date of April 28, 2022 and will post our proxy materials at www.proxyvote.com. The management proxy circular and proxy statement that accompanies this Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders contains additional information regarding the proposals to be considered at the Meeting, and shareholders are encouraged to read it in its entirety.

We encourage shareholders to vote as soon as possible. Shareholders can vote via the internet, by going to www.proxyvote.com and following the instructions on the website. Record shareholders can also call toll free 1-800-690-6903 on a touch tone telephone and following the instructions provided by “Vote Voice.” You will need to refer to the 16-digit control number provided on your proxy card. You may also vote by proxy by completing, dating and signing the proxy card provided with those materials and sending it in the envelope provided to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717, United States. Non-record shareholders (beneficial holders) who receive these materials through their broker or other intermediary should follow the instructions provided by their broker or intermediary.

For your vote to be effective, your voting instructions, if mailed in, must be received by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”) not later than 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Thursday, June 16, 2022, or, in the case of any adjournment of the Meeting, not less than 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and applicable holidays, prior to the time of the rescheduled meeting. The Board, or the chairperson of


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the Meeting may, at their discretion, accept late proxies or waive the time limit for deposit of proxies, but are under no obligation to accept or reject any late proxy. If you have voted by proxy via the internet or by telephone or mail, any subsequent vote by proxy through any of these methods or during the Meeting will cancel any other proxy you may have previously submitted in connection with the Meeting, and only the latest dated proxy received prior to the deadline will be counted. A proxy received after this deadline may only be effective to revoke any prior proxy.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

LOGO

Christina M. Ackermann

General Counsel

Dated: May 2, 2022


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MANAGEMENT PROXY CIRCULAR AND PROXY STATEMENT

     1  

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF BAUSCH HEALTH SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

     1  

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 21, 2022

     2  

ATTENDING THE MEETING

     2  

QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTING

     3  

PROPOSAL NO. 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     9  

BACKGROUND

     9  

NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS

     10  

NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD

     12  

STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

     26  

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

     40  

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     41  

OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY’S SECURITIES

     43  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

     43  

OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

     45  

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS

     47  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS

     48  

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

     48  

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

     66  

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

     67  

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

     76  

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE

     80  

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

     82  

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

     86  

CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

     87  

PROPOSAL NO. 2 ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     89  

PROPOSAL NO. 3 APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

     90  

PROPOSAL NO. 4 APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR

     103  

AUDITOR FEES

     103  

OTHER

     105  

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

     105  

COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     106  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     106  

PROXY SOLICITATION

     106  

HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

     107  

MISCELLANEOUS

     107  

EXHIBIT A — Charter of the Board of Directors

     A-1  

EXHIBIT B — Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan

     B-1  

APPENDIX 1

     E-1  

 

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BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC.

2150 Saint Elzéar Blvd. West

Laval, Québec H7L 4A8

 

 

MANAGEMENT PROXY CIRCULAR AND PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JUNE 21, 2022

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

This Management Proxy Circular and Proxy Statement (“Proxy Statement”) contains information about the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Bausch Health Companies Inc., which will be conducted in an exclusively virtual format via a live internet webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BHC2022 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on June 21, 2022, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Meeting”), for the purposes set forth in this Proxy Statement and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In this document, the words “Bausch Health,” “we,” “our,” “ours” “us” and similar terms refer only to Bausch Health Companies Inc. and not to any other person or entity. References to “US$” or “$” are to United States dollars. Unless otherwise indicated, the statistical and financial data contained in this Proxy Statement are as of May 2, 2022.

We are providing you with this Proxy Statement and related materials in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our management. See the section titled “Questions About Voting — Who is soliciting my proxy?” on page 8 for additional information.

We are providing access to our proxy materials, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, in a fast and efficient manner via the internet. On May 2, 2022, we will begin mailing the proxy materials to all shareholders as of the record date of April 28, 2022 and post our proxy materials on the website referenced in the Notice (www.proxyvote.com).

All properly executed written proxies, and all properly completed proxies submitted via the internet or by telephone or mail, which are delivered pursuant to, and which appoint Joseph C. Papa and Christina M. Ackermann, or each of them, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, as proxyholders in accordance with, this solicitation will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the directions given in the proxy, unless the proxy is revoked prior to completion of voting at the Annual Meeting.

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF BAUSCH HEALTH SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

We are pleased to offer to our shareholders the benefits and convenience of electronic delivery of Meeting materials, including:

 

   

email delivery of the Proxy Statement, Annual Report and any related materials;

 

   

shareholder voting on-line;

 

   

reduction of the number of bulky documents shareholders receive; and

 

   

reduction of our printing and mailing costs associated with more traditional methods.

We encourage you to conserve natural resources and to reduce printing and mailing costs by signing up for electronic delivery of Bausch Health shareholder communications.

 

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If you are a registered shareholder or a beneficial owner of common shares, no par value, of the Company (“Common Shares”), or if a broker or other intermediary holds your Common Shares, and you would like to sign up for electronic delivery, please visit www.proxyvote.com and enter the information requested to enroll. Your electronic delivery enrollment will be effective until you cancel it. If you have questions about electronic delivery, please call Bausch Health Investor Relations at 514-856-3855 or send an email to ir@bauschhealth.com.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 21, 2022

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (the “Annual Report”) is available on the internet at our website at www.bauschhealth.com, through the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”) at www.sedar.com or through the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s electronic data system, EDGAR, at www.sec.gov. To request a printed copy of our Annual Report, which we will provide to you without charge, either write to Bausch Health Investor Relations at Bausch Health Companies Inc., 2150 Saint Elzéar Blvd. West, Laval, Québec H7L 4A8, Canada, or send an email to Bausch Health Investor Relations at ir@bauschhealth.com.

This Proxy Statement and the Annual Report are available at: www.proxyvote.com.

This Proxy Statement contains information regarding, among other things:

 

   

the date and time of the Meeting;

 

   

instructions for accessing the live internet webcast of the Meeting;

 

   

a list of the proposals being submitted to shareholders for approval; and

 

   

information concerning voting.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting, please promptly provide your voting instructions. Your promptness in voting will assist in the expeditious and orderly processing of the proxies and in ensuring that a quorum is present at the Meeting. If you vote your proxy or follow the instructions for voting from the voting instruction from, you may nevertheless attend, and vote your Common Shares during, the live webcast of the Meeting by using the 16-digit control number on the Notice, proxy card or voting instruction form. If you want to revoke your instructions at a later time prior to the vote for any reason, you may do so in the manner described in this Proxy Statement.

ATTENDING THE MEETING

The Meeting will be conducted exclusively via live internet webcast. The Board, certain members of management, and representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers, our auditor, will dial into the webcast from remote locations.

What do I need to do if I wish to attend the Meeting?

The Meeting will be conducted in an exclusively virtual format via live internet webcast available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BHC2022. You will be able to access the Meeting using an internet connected device such as a laptop, computer, tablet or mobile phone, and the meeting platform will be supported across browsers and devices that are running the most updated version of the applicable software plugins. You will need your 16-digit control number located on the Notice, proxy card or voting instruction form to enter the virtual Meeting as a shareholder.

 

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Shareholders as of the record date can access and vote at the Meeting during the live webcast as follows:

1.  Log into www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BHC2022 at least 15 minutes before the Meeting starts. You should allow ample time to check into the virtual Meeting and to complete the related procedures.

2.  Enter your 16-digit control number into the Shareholder Login section (your control number is located on your proxy card, voting instruction form or Notice) and click on “Enter Here.”

3.  Follow the instructions to access the Meeting and vote when prompted.

Even if you currently plan to participate in the virtual Meeting, you should consider voting your shares in advance so that your vote will be counted in the event that you later decide not to attend, or are unable to access, the virtual Meeting. If you access and vote on any matter at the Meeting during the live webcast, then you will revoke any previously submitted proxy.

Those accessing and voting at the virtual Meeting must remain connected to the internet at all times during the Meeting in order to vote when balloting commences. It is your responsibility to ensure internet connectivity for the duration of the Meeting.

There will be technical support phone numbers available on the virtual meeting website at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BHC2022.

How do I ask a question at the Meeting?

We believe that the ability to allow for shareholders or their proxyholders to participate in the Meeting in a meaningful way, including asking questions, remains important despite the virtual format of the Meeting. At the Meeting, shareholders and proxyholders will have an opportunity to ask questions at the meeting in writing by sending a message to the chair of the Meeting online through the virtual meeting platform. Questions received from shareholders or proxyholders which relate to the business of the Meeting are expected to be addressed in the question-and-answer session that will follow the Meeting. Such questions will be read by the chair of the Meeting or a designee of the chair and responded to by a representative of the Company as they would be at a shareholders meeting that was being held in person. As at an in-person meeting, to ensure fairness for all attendees, the chair of the Meeting will decide on the amount of time allocated to each question and will have the right to limit or consolidate questions and to reject questions that do not relate to the business of the Meeting or which are determined to be inappropriate or otherwise out of order. It is anticipated that shareholders and proxyholders will have substantially the same opportunity to ask questions on matters of business at the meeting as in past years when the annual meeting of shareholders was held in person.

QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTING

What decisions will the shareholders be making at the Meeting?

You will be asked to vote on each of the following proposals:

 

   

to elect twelve directors to serve on the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) until the close of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, their successors are duly elected or appointed, or such director’s earlier resignation or removal (“Proposal No. 1”);

 

   

to approve, in an advisory vote, the compensation of our named executive officers (“Proposal No. 2”);

 

   

to approve an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“Proposal No. 3”); and

 

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to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) to serve as the Company’s auditor until the close of the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and the authorization of the Board to fix the auditor’s remuneration (“Proposal No. 4”).

The Board recommends that you vote: (i) FOR each of the director nominees proposed by the Board in this Proxy Statement, to serve on the Board until the close of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, their successors are duly elected or appointed, or such director’s earlier resignation or removal; (ii) FOR the approval, in an advisory vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers; (iii) FOR the approval of an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan; and (iv) FOR the appointment of PwC as our auditor until the close of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the authorization of the Board to fix the auditor’s remuneration.

In addition, you may be asked to vote in respect of any other matters that may properly be brought before the Meeting. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board is not aware of any such other matters.

A simple majority of votes cast at the Meeting, whether virtually, by proxy or otherwise, in favor of Proposal No. 2, Proposal No. 3 and Proposal No. 4 will constitute approval of any such proposal submitted to a vote. With respect to Proposal No. 1, the election of directors will be subject to the Company’s majority vote policy described in “Proposal No. 1 — Election of Directors — Background” on page 9.

What impact does a Withhold or Abstain vote have?

 

   

Proposal No. 1: With respect to each director nominee, you may either vote “For” the election of such nominee or “Withhold” your vote with respect to the election of such nominee. If you vote “For” the election of a nominee, your Common Shares will be voted accordingly. If you select “Withhold” with respect to the election of a nominee, your vote will not be counted as a vote cast for the purposes of electing such nominee but will be considered in the application of the majority vote policy described in “Proposal No. 1 — Election of Directors — Background” on page 9.

 

   

Proposal No. 2: Proposal No. 2 is a non-binding advisory vote. You may select “For,” “Against” or “Abstain” with respect to such proposal. Abstentions will have no effect and will not be counted as votes cast on Proposal No. 2.

 

   

Proposal No. 3: With respect to the approval of an amendment and restatement of the 2014 Plan, you may vote “For”, “Against,” or “Abstain” with respect to such proposal. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote “Against” Proposal No. 3.

 

   

Proposal No. 4: With respect to the appointment of the proposed auditor, you may either vote “For” such appointment or “Withhold” your vote with respect to such appointment. If you vote “For” the appointment of the proposed auditor, your Common Shares will be voted accordingly. If you select “Withhold” with respect to the appointment of the proposed auditor, your vote will not be counted as a vote cast for the purposes of appointing the proposed auditor.

What is the effect if I do not cast my vote?

If a record shareholder does not cast its vote by proxy or in any other permitted fashion, no votes will be cast on its behalf on any of the items of business at the Meeting. If a non-record shareholder does not instruct its intermediary on how to vote on any of the items of business at the Meeting and the intermediary does not have discretionary authority to vote the non-record shareholder’s Common Shares on the matter, or elects not to vote in the absence of instructions from the non-record shareholder, no votes will be cast on behalf of such non-record shareholder with respect to such item (a “broker non-vote”). If you are a beneficial owner whose Common Shares are held of record by a broker authorized to trade on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), NYSE rules permit your broker to exercise discretionary voting authority to vote your Common Shares on Proposal

 

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No. 4, the appointment of PwC as our auditor, even if the broker does not receive voting instructions from you. However, NYSE rules do not permit your broker to exercise discretionary authority to vote on Proposal No. 1, the election of directors, Proposal No. 2, the advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers or Proposal No. 3, the approval of an amendment and restatement of the 2014 Plan. If you have further questions on this issue, please contact your intermediary bank or broker or Bausch Health Investor Relations at ir@bauschhealth.com.

What constitutes a quorum for the Meeting?

A minimum of two persons who either are, or represent by proxy, shareholders holding, in the aggregate, at least 25% of the outstanding Common Shares entitled to vote at the Meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting. Votes withheld, abstentions, and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.

Who is entitled to vote?

Each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each Common Share registered in his or her name as of the close of business on April 28, 2022, the record date for the purpose of determining holders of Common Shares entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

As of April 28, 2022, 361,446,847 Common Shares were issued and outstanding and entitled to be voted at the Meeting.

How do I vote?

The voting process is different depending on whether you are a record (registered) or non-record shareholder:

 

   

You are a non-record shareholder if your Common Shares are held on your behalf by a bank, trust company, securities broker, trustee or other intermediary. This means the Common Shares are registered in your intermediary’s name, and you are the beneficial owner. Most shareholders are non-record shareholders.

 

   

You are a record shareholder if your name appears in our share register.

Non-record shareholders

If you are a non-record shareholder, you should receive voting instructions from your broker or other intermediary holding your shares. You should carefully follow the instructions provided by the broker or intermediary in order to instruct them how to vote your Common Shares. The availability of voting by telephone or internet, and the deadline for providing your broker or nominee with your voting instructions, will depend on the voting process of your broker or intermediary.

Your intermediary must receive your voting instructions in sufficient time for your intermediary to act on them prior to the deadline for the deposit of proxies of 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Monday, June 20, 2022, or, in the case of any adjournment of the Meeting, not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and applicable holidays) prior to the rescheduled Meeting.

If you wish to vote your Common Shares online during the Meeting, you may do so by following the instructions provided during the webcast of the Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the virtual Meeting, we recommend that you vote before the Meeting by following the instructions provided by your broker or intermediary, so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to, or are unable to, attend the Meeting.

 

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Record shareholders

If you are a record shareholder, there are several ways for you to vote your Common Shares or submit your proxy:

Via the internet:    Go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions on the website. You will be prompted to provide the 16-digit control number printed on your proxy card. The internet voting service will be available until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Monday, June 20, 2022.

By telephone:    You may vote via telephone by calling toll free 1-800-690-6903. You will be prompted to provide the 16-digit control number printed on your proxy card). The telephone voting service will be available until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Monday, June 20, 2022.

By mail:    Complete, sign and date each proxy card you received, and return it in the prepaid envelope to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717, United States. Broadridge must receive your proxy card not later than 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in order for your vote to be counted if sent in by mail. If the Meeting is adjourned or postponed, Broadridge must receive your proxy card at least 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and applicable holidays, before the rescheduled Meeting.

During the Meeting:     You may vote your Common Shares online during the Meeting by following the instructions provided during the webcast of the Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the virtual Meeting, we recommend that you submit your proxy card or vote by telephone or internet by the above deadlines so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to, or are unable to, attend the Meeting.

 

We provide internet proxy voting to allow you to vote your Common Shares via the internet, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware that you must bear any costs associated with your internet access, such as usage charges from internet access providers and telephone companies.

The Board, or the Chairperson of the Meeting may, at their discretion, accept late proxies or waive the time limit for deposit of proxies, but are under no obligation to accept or reject any late proxy.

If you receive more than one set of proxy materials, your Common Shares are registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on each Notice and/or proxy card to ensure that all of your Common Shares are voted.

How do I appoint a proxyholder?

Your proxyholder is the person you appoint to cast your votes on your behalf at the Meeting. You can choose anyone you want to be your proxyholder; it does not have to be either of the persons we have designated on your proxy card or voting instruction form, nor does it have to be a shareholder. Please ensure that the person you have appointed will be attending the virtual Meeting and has your Control Number and other information required in order to vote your Common Shares. Since the Meeting will take place virtually, the process for appointing another person as your proxyholder other than the persons we have designated, is different than it would be for an in person meeting.

If you wish to appoint such a person as your proxyholder and you are a record shareholder, you must follow the instructions on your proxy card. Non-record shareholders wishing to appoint such a person as their proxyholder must contact their intermediary for instructions.

 

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How will my Common Shares be voted if I give my proxy?

If you sign and return a proxy card or voting instruction form and do not appoint a third-party proxyholder, or if you vote via the internet or by telephone in advance of the Meeting, you appoint Mr. Papa and Ms. Ackermann as your proxyholders (with full power of substitution), either of whom will be authorized to vote and otherwise act for you at the Meeting, including any continuation after adjournment of the Meeting. Unless you specify voting instructions, Mr. Papa and Ms. Ackermann, as your proxyholders, will vote your Common Shares as follows:

 

   

FOR each of the director nominees proposed by the Board in this Proxy Statement, to serve on the Board until the close of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, their successors are duly elected or appointed, or such director’s earlier resignation or removal;

 

   

FOR the approval, in an advisory vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers;

 

   

FOR the approval of an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan; and

 

   

FOR the appointment of PwC as the auditor for the Company to hold office until the close of the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the authorization of the Board to fix the auditor’s remuneration.

If I change my mind, can I revoke my proxy once I have given it?

If you are a non-record shareholder, you can revoke your prior voting instructions by contacting your broker to revoke your proxy or change your voting instructions, by providing new instructions to your broker or intermediary on a later date (if you provide your voting instructions by mail) or at a later time (if you provide your voting instructions by telephone or via the internet), or by voting at the Meeting.. Any new voting instructions given to brokers or other intermediaries in connection with the revocation of proxies must be received in sufficient time to allow them to act on such instructions prior to the deadline for the deposit of proxies of 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Monday, June 20, 2022, or at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and applicable holidays) prior to the time of the Meeting if it is rescheduled. If you choose to provide voting instructions multiple times, only the latest one which is not revoked and is received prior to such deadline will be counted.

If you are a record shareholder, you may revoke any proxy that you have given until the time of the Meeting by voting again by telephone or via the internet as instructed above, by signing and dating a new proxy card and submitting it as instructed above, or by voting at the Meeting. If you choose to submit a proxy multiple times before the Meeting via the internet or by telephone or mail, or a combination thereof, only your latest vote, which is not revoked and is received prior to 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Monday, June 20, 2022 (or 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and applicable holidays, before the Meeting if it is rescheduled) will be counted. A record shareholder who votes during the Meeting will automatically revoke any proxy previously given by that shareholder regarding business considered by that vote. However, mere attendance at the Meeting by a record shareholder who has voted by proxy does not revoke such proxy. If your proxy is delivered following the proxy cut-off time it will revoke your previous proxy; however, it will not be valid for voting except at the discretion of the Board or the chairperson of the Meeting, who are under no obligation to accept or reject any late proxy.

What if amendments are made to these proposals or if other matters are brought before the Meeting?

The proxy card also gives discretionary authority to proxyholders to vote as the proxyholders see fit with respect to amendments or variations to proposals identified in the Notice of Meeting or other matters that may come before the Meeting whether or not the amendment, variation or other matter that comes before the Meeting is or is not routine and whether or not the amendment, variation or other matter that comes before the Meeting is contested.

 

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As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board is not aware of any such amendments, variations or other matters to come before the Meeting. However, if any such changes that are not currently known to the Board should properly come before the Meeting, the Common Shares represented by your proxyholders will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the proxyholders, and in accordance with the rules of the SEC.

Who is soliciting my proxy?

Management of the Company is soliciting your proxy for use at the Meeting. All associated costs of solicitation will be borne by the Company. It is expected that the solicitation will be primarily by mail, but proxies may also be solicited personally, by advertisement, by telephone, internet, telegraph, courier service, telecopies or other electronic means by directors, officers or employees of the Company without special compensation or by the Company’s proxy solicitor, D.F. King Co., Inc. (“D.F. King”) for a fee of $10,000 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The Company will bear the entire cost of solicitation, including the preparation, assembly, internet hosting, maintaining a dedicated call line, and printing and mailing the Proxy Statement and form of proxy card. The Company will pay those entities holding Common Shares in the names of their beneficial owners, such as brokers, nominees, fiduciaries and other custodians, for their reasonable fees and expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to their beneficial owners and for obtaining their instructions. We anticipate that the Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy card will be distributed to shareholders on or about May 2, 2022.

How can I contact the independent directors and/or the Chairman of the Board?

You may contact the independent directors and/or the Chairman of the Board with the assistance of the Company’s Investor Relations Department. Shareholders or other interested persons can call or send a letter or email to:

Bausch Health Companies Inc.

Investor Relations

2150 Saint Elzéar Blvd. West

Laval, Québec H7L 4A8

Canada

Phone: 514-856-3855

Email: ir@bauschhealth.com

Whom should I contact if I have questions concerning the Proxy Statement or the proxy card?

If you have questions concerning the information contained in this Proxy Statement or require assistance in completing the proxy card, you may contact Bausch Health Investor Relations as provided above.

How can I contact the Company’s transfer agent?

You may contact the Company’s transfer agent by mail or by telephone (within Canada and the United States):

TSX Trust Company

P.O. Box 700

Station B

Montreal, QC H3B 3K3

Canada

Email: shareholderinquiries@tmx.com

Fax: 888-249-6189

Phone (for all security transfer inquiries): 1-800-387-0825 or 416-682-3860

Website: www.tsxtrust.com

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

BACKGROUND

Bausch + Lomb Separation

On August 6, 2020, we announced our plan to separate our eye-health business into an independent publicly traded entity, Bausch + Lomb Corporation (“Bausch + Lomb”) from the remainder of Bausch Health Companies Inc. On April 28, 2022, we launched the roadshow for the initial public offering of Bausch + Lomb (the “B+L IPO”).

On April 26, 2022, each of John A. Paulson and Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D. gave notice of his intended resignation from the Board, effective and conditional upon the closing of the B+L IPO (such date, the “IPO Closing Date”). The IPO Closing Date is expected to occur before the Annual Meeting, and therefore neither director is being nominated for election. The decision of each of Mr. Paulson and Dr. Von Eschenbach to resign from the Board was not due to any dispute or disagreement with the Company or the Board on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. Effective and conditional upon the IPO Closing Date, the Board has resolved to appoint Richard C. Mulligan and Thomas J. Appio, both of whom are nominated for election at this Meeting, to fill the vacancies that will be created by the departures of Mr. Paulson and Dr. Von Eschenbach. There are no arrangements or understandings between either Dr. Mulligan or Mr. Appio and any other persons pursuant to which he was selected as a director, and there have been no transactions since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year, or are currently proposed, regarding Dr. Mulligan or Mr. Appio that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K other than the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 18, 2022, between us and Mr. Appio, filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K on February 23, 2022, or unless otherwise disclosed elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.

As previously announced, Mr. Appio will also replace Mr. Papa as CEO effective as of the IPO Closing Date. Mr. Papa will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board if elected. In addition, certain other changes in management will occur effective as of the IPO Closing Date. See “Executive Officers – Certain Changes Upon Completion of the B+L IPO.”

The twelve director nominees standing for election at the Meeting are therefore based on the members of the Board that we expect to be in place at the time of the Meeting (assuming the IPO Closing Date has already occurred). However, there can be no assurance as to when the B+L IPO will be completed, if at all. If the B+L IPO is not completed prior to the Meeting, the resignations of Mr. Paulson and Dr. von Eschenbach will not be effective, Dr. Mulligan and Mr. Appio will not be appointed to the Board, and we may amend this proxy statement to update the nominees standing for election at the Meeting.

Director Nominees

We have twelve director nominees standing for election at the Meeting. Under the Company’s Articles, directors are elected annually. Directors elected at the Meeting will hold office until the close of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company, their successors are duly elected or appointed, or such director’s earlier resignation or removal. In an uncontested election, any director nominee who receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” such election is required to tender his or her resignation promptly following the vote, which resignation must state that it will become effective upon acceptance by the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board shall then consider the offered resignation and make a recommendation to the Board as to whether it should accept such resignation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is expected to accept such resignation, except in exceptional circumstances. Within 90 days of the applicable vote, the Board must decide whether to accept such resignation, and promptly disclose its decision via press release. Full details of this policy are set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, available on our website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Corporate Governance – Governance Documents”). Our website is not part of this Proxy Statement; references to our website address in this Proxy Statement are intended to be inactive textual references only.

 

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Each of the twelve director nominees has established his or her eligibility and willingness to serve on the Board. Set forth in the section titled “Nominees for Election to the Board” beginning on page 12 are the names of the director nominees together with details about their backgrounds and experience. Also indicated is the number of the Company’s securities beneficially owned, controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, by each of the director nominees as of April 28, 2022, as well as the aggregate value based on the $19.74 per share closing price of our Common Shares as reported on the NYSE on April 28, 2022. For each director nominee, you will find a record of attendance at meetings of the Board and the committees of the Board on which such director nominee served during 2021.

The Board has determined that ten of the twelve director nominees are independent within the meaning of all applicable securities regulatory and stock exchange requirements in Canada and the United States. In addition, in accordance with the applicable stock exchange requirements and Board committee charters, the Board has determined that all members of the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee, Talent and Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent directors.

Unless otherwise instructed, the designated proxyholders intend to vote FOR the election of the twelve director nominees proposed by the Board in this Proxy Statement. If, for any reason, at the time of the Meeting any of these director nominees are unable or unwilling to serve, unless otherwise specified in the signed proxy card, it is intended that the designated proxyholders will vote in their discretion for a substitute nominee or nominees.

NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS

The Board is responsible for nominating director candidates for election to the Board, and for appointing directors to the Board to fill any vacancies that may occur in between annual elections of directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become directors and recommending to the Board director candidates for nomination either for election by shareholders or for appointment by the Board. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers, among other things, (i)the independence, skills, qualifications and experience of director candidates in a manner consistent with the selection criteria approved by the Board from time to time; (ii) the composition, competencies and skills of the Board as a whole, and the needs of the individual Board committees; (iii) the wide range of attributes, competencies, characteristics, experiences and backgrounds contemplated by the Company’s Board Diversity Policy, as described below; and (iv) in evaluating incumbent directors for re-nomination, the performance of such directors.

The Company does not have a director retirement policy or set term limits for independent directors, because the Board does not believe either is necessary to provide for adequate Board renewal. The Company believes that the director nomination process described above has resulted in a reasonable level of Board renewal in recent years, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee actively considers this issue in recommending to the Board director candidates for nomination for election by shareholders. Our current Board is comprised of directors who have served on our Board, including, as applicable, the board of a predecessor of the Company, from less than one year to more than fourteen years.

Upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board has adopted a formal written Board Diversity Policy. The objective of the Board Diversity Policy is to require the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to consider of a wide range of attributes, competencies, characteristics, experiences and backgrounds, including specifically considering the number of women and minorities on the Board, when reviewing the composition of the Board in the director nomination and re-nomination process. The key provisions of the Board Diversity Policy emphasize the Company’s view on the

benefits of diverse backgrounds and the need to consider diversity in evaluating the needs of the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees and annually evaluates the implementation and

 

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effectiveness, both as measured annually and cumulatively, of the Board Diversity Policy in conjunction with its director evaluation and nomination process. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assesses the effectiveness of the Board Diversity Policy by reference to, among other things, the extent to which the current Board and the nominees for election to the Board reflect the stated objectives of the Board Diversity Policy. The recently approved Board Diversity Policy provides for a target of 30% women and/or minority representation on the Board by the end of 2024. The Board Diversity Policy provides that any search firm engaged to assist in identifying candidates for appointment to the Board will be directed to consider the desire of the Company to have its Board reflect diversity as contemplated by the policy, including the number of women directors. If all of our director nominees are elected by shareholders at this Meeting, two directors, representing 17% of our directors, will be women. For a discussion of the Company’s policy regarding the level of women in executive officer positions, see “Statement of Corporate Governance Practices — Talent and Compensation Committee — Succession Planning” on page 38.

In considering an individual’s experience, the following additional criteria are also considered with respect to the composition of the Board as a whole:

Healthcare and Healthcare Industry Expertise:    The Board values directors with experience in healthcare and the healthcare industry, including the pharmaceutical, consumer and life science industries, who can draw on their functional expertise and industry relationships to assist the Board and management in executing the Company’s strategy.

International Business Experience:    To complement the Company’s multinational and cross-border operations, the Board seeks to have directors with a global business perspective who can assist the Board and management in successfully navigating the business, political, legal and regulatory environments in the countries in which the Company conducts, or seeks to conduct, its business.

Financial Literacy:    The Board believes that it is important for its directors to possess significant financial reporting, compliance and accounting expertise. Among other functions, the Board and the Audit and Risk Committee have oversight responsibility with respect to the quality and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the internal and external audit functions, and internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. It is therefore important that its directors are financially knowledgeable.

Corporate Governance Experience:    The Board is responsible for the stewardship of the Company and supervising its management, business and affairs, in addition to being responsible for adopting and monitoring the Company’s corporate governance guidelines and policies. In order to carry out these responsibilities, it is important that the Board be comprised of individuals who understand corporate governance issues, the various constituencies interested in such issues, and have a proven track record of sound business judgment, integrity and high ethical standards. Many of the Company’s director nominees have experience serving on public company boards in multiple jurisdictions, including in the United States and Canada.

Executive Leadership:    The Board believes that it is important for its directors to possess strong management experience at senior corporate levels. It is important that the Board be comprised of individuals who have held senior management positions with companies or business entities who have experience with mergers, acquisitions and strategic business transactions and who have a strong background in implementing, managing and overseeing strategic planning and business development initiatives. A number of the Company’s director nominees possess extensive leadership experience and have held a number of senior management and leadership positions with global organizations.

 

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Submitting Director Recommendations to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also consider director recommendations submitted by the Company’s shareholders. Shareholders who wish to have the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consider their recommendations should submit their recommendation in writing to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, attention: Chairperson, Bausch Health Companies Inc., 2150 Saint Elzéar Blvd. West, Laval, Québec, H7L 4A8, Canada.

Director recommendations made by shareholders in such manner will undergo the same evaluation by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board as all other director nominees. For more detailed information on this evaluation process, please refer to the charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which is available on the Company’s website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Corporate Governance – Corporate Governance Documents”). For additional information regarding our director standards, please refer to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on the Company’s website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Corporate Governance — Governance Documents”).

In order for a director candidate nominated by a shareholder to be included as a nominee in the management proxy circular and proxy statement for an Annual Meeting of Shareholders, such shareholder’s nomination must satisfy the criteria and procedures prescribed under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act (“BCBCA”) and in the Company’s Articles. For additional information regarding the deadlines and procedures for submitting such nominations for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, please see the discussion on page 105 under “Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.”

NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD

Each of the proposed director nominees will be an incumbent director (assuming that the B+L IPO has closed prior to the date of the Meeting, at which time the appointment of Dr. Mulligan and Mr. Appio to fill the vacancies created by the resignations of Mr. Paulson and Dr. von Eschenbach will be effective). Prior to the IPO Closing Date, neither Dr. Mulligan nor Mr. Appio was a member of the Board. See “Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors – Background – Bausch + Lomb Separation.” Dr. Mulligan was recommended by the Board in light of his extensive experience in the biotechnology and life sciences industries and international reputation in academia, and Mr. Appio was recommended by the Board in light of his role as CEO following the completion of the B+L IPO. Each director nominee elected at the 2022 Annual Meeting will hold office until the close of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, his or her successor is duly elected or appointed, or such director’s earlier resignation or removal.

 

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The results from the 2021 election of directors are as follows:

 

Name

   For      Withheld      Broker Non-Votes  

Richard U. De Schutter

     200,369,606        5,768,489        60,380,196  

D. Robert Hale(1)

     196,356,636        9,781,459        60,380,196  

Brett Icahn

     196,491,749        9,646,346        60,380,196  

Dr. Argeris (Jerry) N. Karabelas

     198,928,372        7,209,723        60,380,196  

Sarah B. Kavanagh

     203,110,562        3,027,533        60,380,196  

Steven D. Miller

     200,857,243        5,280,852        60,380,196  

Joseph C. Papa(2)

     198,455,884        7,682,211        60,380,196  

John A. Paulson(2)

     205,191,567        946,528        60,380,196  

Robert N. Power

     177,088,588        29,049,507        60,380,196  

Russel C. Robertson

     197,810,980        8,327,115        60,380,196  

Thomas W. Ross, Sr.

     186,746,866        19,391,229        60,380,196  

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.(2)

     205,016,196        1,121,899        60,380,196  

Amy B. Wechsler, M.D.

     200,266,488        5,871,607        60,380,196  

 

(1)

Mr. Hale resigned from his role as an independent director of the Board, effective as of June 19, 2021. Mr. Hale’s decision to resign from the Board was not due to any dispute or disagreement with the Company or the Board on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

 

(2)

Mr. Paulson and Dr. Von Eschenbach have notified us of their intention to resign from the Board , and Mr. Papa will be replaced by Mr. Appio as CEO, in each case effective upon the completion of the B+L IPO. See “Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors – Background – Bausch + Lomb Separation.”

The following narratives provide details about each of the director nominees’ background and experience, and summarizes the specific attributes, competencies and characteristics that led to the determination of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board to nominate such individual as a director for election by the shareholders at the Meeting. In addition, the narrative lists the number of meetings of the Board and any applicable committee each director nominee attended during 2021 and any public company directorships, other than with the Company, held by the nominees during the past five years. The narrative also sets out (i) the number of securities of the Company each director nominee beneficially owned, controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, as of April 28, 2022; (ii) the aggregate value of such securities based on the $19.74 per share closing price of our Common Shares on April 28, 2022, as reported on the NYSE; and (iii) the progress of each director nominee toward the director share ownership requirement established by the Board. For further detail regarding the share ownership requirement for non-employee Directors, see the discussion in the section titled “Statement of Corporate Governance Practices — Directors’ Share Ownership” on page 30. For further detail regarding the share ownership requirement for Mr. Papa and Mr. Appio, see the discussion in the section titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Other Compensation Governance Practices — Share Ownership Guidelines” on page 63.

 

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Mr. Appio will serve as CEO and a director of the Company effective upon the completion of the B+L IPO. He has served as the Company’s President & Co-Head Bausch + Lomb/International since August 2018, and was previously Executive Vice President, Company Group Chairman, International from August 2016 until July 2018. Prior to joining Bausch Health in 2013, Mr. Appio served in several positions with Bausch + Lomb, including as Vice President, North Asia/Japan and as Managing Director, Greater China and Japan. Prior to joining Bausch + Lomb, Mr. Appio served 23 years with Schering-Plough in a wide range of leadership and operations responsibilities. Mr. Appio holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business.

Director Qualifications:

The Board has determined that Mr. Appio’s extensive management experience and demonstrated leadership with the Company is a valuable contribution to the Board.

Mr. Thomas J. Appio

New Jersey, USA

Age 60

Not Independent

Stock Ownership:

 

   

204,083 Common Shares — $4,028,598

   

271,454 RSUs (comprised of 271,454 unvested RSUs —$5,358,502)

   

876,005 Stock Options

   

Total Equity Value at Risk: $4,028,598 based on the value of the Common Shares beneficially owned by Mr. Appio (but excluding all options and unvested RSUs).

Mr. Appio is subject to share ownership guidelines under the terms of his employment agreement with the Company, as further described in the section titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Other Compensation Governance Practices – Share Ownership Guidelines” on page 63.

2021 Meeting Attendance:

 

   

Not applicable.

 

 

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Mr. De Schutter has served on the Board since January 2017. Mr. De Schutter is the owner of asset management firm L.B. Gemini, Inc., where he has served as President and director since 2000. He previously served as the Chairman and CEO of DuPont Pharmaceuticals Company from July 2000 until its acquisition by Bristol-Myers Squibb in October 2001. Mr. De Schutter was also a director and Chief Administrative Officer of Pharmacia Corporation, which was created through the merger of Monsanto Company and Pharmacia & Upjohn in 2000. Prior to this merger, Mr. De Schutter was a director, Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer for Monsanto. From 1995 to 1999, he served as Chairman and CEO of G.D. Searle & Co., Monsanto’s wholly owned pharmaceutical subsidiary. Mr. De Schutter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1963, and a Master of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1965 from the University of Arizona.

Mr. De Schutter has served as a director of AuVen Therapeutics, a private equity company focused on the healthcare industry, since 2007, and as a director of Sermonix Pharmaceuticals Inc., a private biotechnology company, since April 2019. He previously served as Chairman of publicly traded pharmaceutical companies Incyte Corporation, from 2003 to 2015, and Durata Therapeutics, Inc., from 2012 to 2014. Mr. De Schutter also served as a director of Smith & Nephew plc, a publicly traded medical device company, from 2001 to 2014, during which time he also served as the Lead Independent Director from 2011 to 2014.

Director Qualifications:

The Board has determined that Mr. De Schutter’s many years of experience in senior management and board positions of publicly traded companies, as well as his extensive insight and knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare-related issues qualify him to serve as a member of the Board and the committees on which he serves.

Mr. Richard U. De Schutter

Arizona, USA

Age 81

Independent

Stock Ownership:

 

   

280,657 Common Shares — $5,540,169

   

40,235 Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) (comprised of 32,590 vested RSUs — $643,327, and 7,645 unvested RSUs — $150,912)

   

Total Equity Value at Risk1: $6,183,496, representing 1,237% of the Company’s current aggregate amount of $500,000 required under the share ownership guidelines for non-employee Directors and 6,183% of the annual Board retainer.

2021 Meeting Attendance:

 

   

Board — 8/8

   

Talent and Compensation Committee — 9/9

   

Finance and Transactions Committee — 4/4

   

Special Transactions Committee — 5/5

 

1 

The Total Equity Value at Risk calculation for each director includes only Common Shares and vested RSUs held by the relevant director. It does not include the value of any options (as applicable) or unvested RSUs.

 

 

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Mr. Icahn was appointed to the Board on March 17, 2021 pursuant to the Appointment and Nomination Agreement described under “Certain Transactions” beginning on page 87 (the “Nomination Agreement”). Since October 2020, he has been a portfolio manager for Icahn Capital LP, a subsidiary of Icahn Enterprises L.P., a diversified holding company engaged in a variety of businesses, including investment, automotive, energy, food packaging, metals, real estate and home fashion. Mr. Icahn has held a variety of investment advisory roles at Icahn Enterprises L.P. since 2002, including as an investment strategy consultant from 2017 to October 2020, and as portfolio manager of the Sargon Portfolio from 2010 to 2017.

Mr. Icahn has served on the board of Icahn Enterprises L.P., a private entity since October 2020. He has also been a director of Newell Brands Inc., a publicly traded global marketer of consumer and commercial products, since March 2018 and Dana Inc., a supplier of automotive products and services, since January 2022. Mr. Icahn was previously a director of Nuance Communications, Inc., a provider of voice and language solutions, from October 2013 to March 2016. Mr. Icahn also previously served on the boards of American Railcar Industries, Inc., Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. and Voltari Corporation. Mr. Carl C. Icahn, the founder and controlling shareholder of Icahn Enterprises L.P., has or previously had non-controlling interests in Nuance Communications, Inc., Hain Celestial Group, Inc. and Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. Mr. Icahn received a B.A. from Princeton University.

Director Qualifications:

The Board has determined that Mr. Icahn’s experience at the Icahn entities, and his service as a director of multiple public company boards, and his tenure as a Portfolio Manager provide him with expertise in investing and capital allocation, which qualifies him to serve as a member of the Board and the committees on which he serves.

Brett Icahn

Florida, USA

Age 42

Independent

Stock Ownership:

 

   

744 Common Shares — $14,687

   

12,363 Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) (comprised of 4,718 vested RSUs — $93,133, and 7,645 unvested RSUs — $150,912)

   

Total Equity Value at Risk: $107,820 representing 22% of both the Company’s current aggregate amount of $500,000 required under the share ownership guidelines for non-employee Directors and 108% of the annual Board retainer. Mr. Icahn has until March 17, 2026 to achieve the expected minimum equity ownership under such share ownership guidelines.

2021 Meeting Attendance:1

 

   

Board — 6/8

   

Finance and Transactions Committee — 3/4

   

Special Transactions Committee — 5/5

 

1 

Mr. Icahn was appointed to the Board on March 17, 2021 and his Board and committee meeting attendance is based on meetings held after that date.

 

 

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Dr. Karabelas has served on the Board since June 2016. Since January 2021, he has been a Venture Partner at Apple Tree Partners, a life sciences venture firm. From December 2001 until December 2020, he was a Partner at Care Capital, LLC, a life sciences venture firm. Dr. Karabelas was previously the founder and Chairman at Novartis BioVenture Fund, and served as Head of Healthcare and CEO of Worldwide Pharmaceuticals for Novartis Pharma AG. Prior to joining Novartis, Dr. Karabelas was Executive Vice President of SmithKline Beecham, where he was responsible for U.S. and European operations, regulatory and strategic marketing. Dr. Karabelas received a B.S. from the University of New Hampshire and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy.

Dr. Karabelas has been a director of REGENXBIO Inc., a publicly held clinical-stage biotechnology company, since May 2015, and since July 2020 has also served as Lead Independent Director. He has also served on the board of Braeburn Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held specialty pharmaceuticals company, since September 2015. Dr. Karabelas previously served as Chairman of the board of Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company (which merged with Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 2017), from July 2012 until June 2016.

Director Qualifications:

The Board has determined that Dr. Karabelas’s many years of experience in senior management positions, his strong knowledge of strategic and regulatory issues, his insight into international operations and his international perspective on the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare related issues qualify him to serve as a member of the Board and the committees on which he serves.

Dr. Argeris (Jerry) N. Karabelas

New Hampshire, USA

Age 69

Independent

Stock Ownership:

 

   

4,000 Common Shares — $78,960

   

85,328 Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) (comprised of 77,683 vested RSUs — $1,533,462, and 7,645 unvested RSUs — $150,912)

   

Total Equity Value at Risk: $1,612,422, representing 322% of the Company’s current aggregate amount of $500,000 required under the share ownership guidelines for non-employee Directors and 1,612% of the annual Board retainer.

2021 Meeting Attendance:

 

   

Board — 8/8

   

Talent and Compensation Committee — 9/9

   

Science and Technology Committee — 5/5

   

Special Transactions Committee — 5/5

 

 

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Ms. Kavanagh has served on the Board since July 2016. She is currently a corporate director. From 2011 through May 2016, Ms. Kavanagh served as a Commissioner of the Ontario Securities Commission, where she also served as chairperson of the audit committee starting in 2014. Between 1999 and 2010, Ms. Kavanagh served in various senior investment banking roles at Scotia Capital Inc., including Vice-Chair and Co-Head of Diversified Industries Group, Head of Equity Capital Markets, and Head of Investment Banking. Prior to Scotia Capital, she held several senior financial positions with operating companies. She started her career as an investment banker with a bulge bracket firm in New York. Ms. Kavanagh graduated from Harvard Business School with a Master of Business Administration and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Williams College.

Since 2013, Ms. Kavanagh has been a director of Hudbay Minerals Inc., a publicly traded Canadian mining corporation, and a member of the board of trustees of WPT Industrial REIT, a publicly traded open-ended real estate investment trust. In addition to her public company directorships, she is a director of AST and Cymax Technology Group and also serves as a director of Sustainable Development Technology Canada. She completed the Directors Education Program at the Institute of Corporate Directors in 2011.

Director Qualifications:

The Board has determined that Ms. Kavanagh’s extensive experience of complex financial and capital market issues at various banking institutions, and her in-depth knowledge of financial and operational matters qualify her to serve as a member of the Board and the committees on which she serves.

Sarah B. Kavanagh

Ontario, Canada

Age 65

Independent

Stock Ownership:

 

   

0 Common Shares — $0

   

83,060 Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) (comprised of 75,415 vested RSUs — $1,488,692, and 7,645 unvested RSUs — $150,912)

   

Total Equity Value at Risk: $1,488,692, representing 298% of the Company’s current aggregate amount of $500,000 required under the share ownership guidelines for non-employee Directors and 1,489% of the annual Board retainer.

2021 Meeting Attendance:

 

   

Board — 8/8

   

Audit and Risk Committee — 10/10

   

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee — 10/10

   

Finance and Transactions Committee — 4/4

   

Special Transactions Committee — 5/5

 

 

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Mr. Miller was appointed to the Board on March 17, 2021 pursuant to the Nomination Agreement described under “Certain Transactions” beginning on page 87. Since October 2020, Mr. Miller has been a portfolio manager for Icahn Capital LP, a subsidiary of Icahn Enterprises L.P., a diversified holding company engaged in a variety of businesses. Prior to joining Icahn Capital L.P., Mr. Miller was an analyst in the Distressed and Special Situations investment group in the New York office of BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC from 2013 to 2019. Mr. Miller represented BlueMountain on the Ad Hoc Group of Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Bondholders from 2014 to 2019, and from 2011 to 2013 he was an analyst in the Distressed Products Group in the New York office of Goldman, Sachs & Co. Mr. Miller received a B.S. summa cum laude from Duke University in 2011.

Mr. Miller has been a director of Conduent Incorporated, a publicly traded business process services company, since February 2021, and a director of Xerox Holdings Corporation, an office equipment company, since May 2021.

Director Qualifications:

The Board has determined that Mr. Miller’s experience as a portfolio manager and securities analyst has provided him with experience in investing and finance and complex debt matters, respectively, which qualifies him to serve as a member of the Board and the committees on which he serves.

Steven D. Miller

Florida, USA

Age 33

Independent

Stock Ownership:

 

   

50,844 Common Shares — $1,003,661

   

12,385 Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) (comprised of 4,740 vested RSUs — $93,568, and 7,645 unvested RSUs — $150,912)

   

Total Equity Value at Risk: $1,097,229 representing 219% of both the Company’s current aggregate amount of $500,000 required under the share ownership guidelines for non-employee Directors and 1,097% of the annual Board retainer.

2021 Meeting Attendance:1

 

   

Board — 6/8

   

Finance and Transactions Committee — 4/4

   

Special Transactions Committee — 5/5

 

 

1 

Mr. Miller was appointed to the Board on March 17, 2021 and his Board and committee meeting attendance is based on meetings held after that date.

 

 

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Dr. Mulligan will serve as a director of the Company and the Chairperson of the Science and Technology Committee, effective upon the completion of the B+L IPO. Dr. Mulligan is currently the Mallinckrodt Professor of Genetics, Emeritus, at Harvard Medical School, after serving as the Mallinckrodt Professor of Genetics and Director of the Harvard Gene Therapy Initiative from 1996 to 2013. Dr. Mulligan also currently serves as Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Sana Biotechnology, Inc. a public biotechnology company, and a director of Biogen Inc., a public biotechnology company. Prior to Harvard, Dr. Mulligan was a professor of Molecular Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and chief scientific officer of Somatix Therapy Corporation, a drug discovery and development company that he founded. Dr. Mulligan was a founding partner of Sarissa Capital Management LP from 2013 to 2016 and from March 2017 to October 2018 served as Portfolio Manager at Icahn Capital LP. He was named a MacArthur Foundation Fellow in 1981.

Director Qualifications:

The Board has determined that Dr. Mulligan’s extensive experience in the biotechnology and life sciences industries and international reputation in academia qualifies him to serve as a member of the Board and the committees on which he serves.

Richard C. Mulligan

New Jersey, USA

Age 67

Independent

Stock Ownership:

 

   

0 Common Shares — $0

   

0 RSUs — $0

   

Total Equity Value at Risk: $0 representing 0% of the Company’s current aggregate amount of $500,000 required under the share ownership guidelines for non-employee Directors and 0% of the annual Board retainer. Dr. Mulligan has until the fifth anniversary of his appointment to the Board to achieve the expected minimum equity ownership under such share ownership guidelines.

2021 Meeting Attendance:

 

   

Not applicable

 

 

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Mr. Papa has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 2016. Mr. Papa will step down as Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective upon the completion of the B+L IPO, and will continue as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Papa has more than 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, healthcare and specialty pharmaceutical industries, including 20 years of branded prescription drug experience. He served as the CEO of Perrigo Company plc (“Perrigo”) from 2006 to April 2016, where he also served as Chairman from 2007 to April 2016. Prior to joining Perrigo, Mr. Papa served from 2004 to 2006 as Chairman and CEO of the Pharmaceutical and Technologies Services segment of Cardinal Health, Inc. From 2001 to 2004, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Watson”). Prior to joining Watson, Mr. Papa held management positions at DuPont Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacia/Searle and Novartis AG. Mr. Papa holds a BS in pharmacy from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Mr. Papa joined the board of directors of Prometheus Biosciences, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company, in August 2020, and previously served as a director of Smith & Nephew plc, a publicly traded medical device company, from 2008 to April 2018.

Director Qualifications:

The Board has determined that Mr. Papa’s extensive experience as a chief executive officer of a public company, where he demonstrated leadership capability and extensive knowledge of complex financial and operational issues facing large organizations, and his understanding of operations and financial strategy in challenging environments, qualify him to serve as a member of the Board. Additionally, Mr. Papa’s knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and business, combined with his drive for innovation and excellence, position him well to serve as the Chairman of the Board.

Joseph C. Papa

New Jersey, USA

Age 66

Not Independent

Stock Ownership:

 

   

1,011,622 Common Shares — $19,969,418

   

83,530 RSUs (comprised of 83,530 unvested RSUs —$1,648,882)

   

1,794,471 Stock Options

   

Total Equity Value at Risk: $19,969,418, based on the value of the Common Shares beneficially owned by Mr. Papa (but excluding all options and unvested RSUs).

Mr. Papa is subject to share ownership guidelines under the terms of his employment agreement with the Company, as further described in the section titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Other Compensation Governance Practices – Share Ownership Guidelines” on page 63.

2021 Meeting Attendance:

 

   

Board — 8/8

 

 

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Mr. Power has served on the Board since August 2008. He is currently a corporate director. From 2009 to 2011, Mr. Power was a faculty member at The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, where he taught multinational marketing. Mr. Power has over 25 years’ experience working in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, which he gained serving in a number of leadership positions with Wyeth from 1985 through 2007, including Director — New Product Development, Managing Director — U.K./Ireland, Vice President — Global Marketing, President — Europe, Middle East, Africa, President — International and Executive Vice President — Global Business Operations. Mr. Power also has completed the Director Professionalism course offered by the National Association of Corporate Directors. Mr. Power has a B.S. in statistics from the State University of New York and an M.S. in biostatistics from the Medical College of Virginia- Virginia Commonwealth University.

Director Qualifications:

The Board has determined that Mr. Power’s extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry and international business is a valuable contribution to the Board. In addition, his experience in general management, strategic planning, working with Research and Development organizations, business development, product marketing, merging and streamlining of organizations and his demonstrated leadership in a multi-billion-dollar business qualify Mr. Power as a member of the Board and the committees on which he serves.

Robert N. Power

Pennsylvania, USA

Age 65

Independent

Stock Ownership:

 

   

6,601 Common Shares — $130,304

   

94,823 Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) (comprised of 87,178 vested RSUs — $1,720,894, and 7,645 unvested RSUs — $150,912)

   

Total Equity Value at Risk: $1,851,198, representing 370% of the Company’s current aggregate amount of $500,000 required under the share ownership guidelines for non-employee Directors and 1,851% of the annual Board retainer.

2021 Meeting Attendance:

 

   

Board — 8/8

   

Audit and Risk Committee — 10/10

   

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee — 10/10

   

Science and Technology Committee — 5/5

 

 

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Mr. Robertson has served on the Board since June 2016. He is currently a corporate director. From 2013 through August 2016, Mr. Robertson served as Executive Vice President and Head, Anti-Money Laundering, at BMO Financial Group (“BMO”), a diversified financial services organization. Prior to that role, he served as Executive Vice President, Business Integration, at BMO Financial Group, and as Vice Chair at BMO Financial Corp. from 2011. He joined BMO as interim Chief Financial Officer, BMO Financial Group in 2008 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer, BMO Financial Group in 2009. Before joining BMO, Mr. Robertson spent over 35 years as a Chartered Public Accountant. In this capacity, he held various senior positions with a number of major accounting firms, including Vice Chair, Deloitte & Touche LLP in Toronto, Canada, from 2002 to 2008, and Canadian Managing Partner, Arthur Andersen LLP, from 1994 to 2002. Mr. Robertson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours) from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.

Mr. Robertson has served on the board of Hydro One Limited, a publicly traded electricity transmission and distribution utility serving the Canadian province of Ontario, since August 2018, and since 2012 has served on the board of Turquoise Hill Resources, a publicly traded Canadian mineral exploration and development company. Mr. Robertson previously served on the board of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc., a multi-manager asset management business, from 2013 to August 2016.

Director Qualifications:

The Board has determined that Mr. Robertson’s extensive experience of complex financial matters at Deloitte & Touche LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP, in-depth knowledge of financial and accounting matters and leadership capabilities in senior finance positions qualify him to serve as a member of the Board and as Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Russel C. Robertson

Ontario, Canada

Age 74

Independent

Stock Ownership:

 

   

0 Common Shares — $0

   

128,253 Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) (comprised of 120,608 vested RSUs — $2,380,802, and 7,645 unvested RSUs — $150,912)

   

Total Equity Value at Risk: $2,380,802, representing 476% of the Company’s current aggregate amount of $500,000 required under the share ownership guidelines for non-employee Directors and 2,381% of the annual Board retainer.

2021 Meeting Attendance:

 

   

Board — 8/8

   

Audit and Risk Committee — 10/10

   

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee — 10/10

 

 

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Mr. Ross has served on the Board since March 2016 and was appointed our Lead Independent Director in June 2016. He served as president of the Volcker Alliance from July 2016 until December 2021. He continues to serve as a Senior Advisor to the Volcker Alliance as well as a director on the Alliance board. He is President Emeritus of the University of North Carolina (“UNC”), having served as President from 2011 to January 2016. Mr. Ross was named the Sanford Distinguished Fellow in Public Policy at the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy in 2016. Prior to becoming President of the UNC system, Mr. Ross served as President of Davidson College, Executive Director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, director of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, a Superior Court judge, chief of staff to U.S. Congressman Robin Britt, a member of the Greensboro, NC law firm Smith, Patterson, Follin, Curtis, James & Harkavy, and Assistant Professor of Public Law and Government at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Government. Mr. Ross holds a B.A. in Political Science from Davidson College and a J.D. from University of North Carolina School of Law.

Director Qualifications:

The Board has determined that Mr. Ross’s demonstrated leadership in senior management positions, extensive experience with corporate governance responsibilities and complex knowledge of legal, compliance and operational issues qualify him to serve as a member of the Board and the committees on which he serves.

Thomas W. Ross, Sr.

North Carolina, USA

Age 71

Independent

Stock Ownership:

 

   

11,500 Common Shares — $227,010

   

86,424 Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) (comprised of 78,779 vested RSUs — $1,555,097, and 7,645 unvested RSUs — $150,912)

   

Total Equity Value at Risk: $1,782,107, representing 356% of the Company’s current aggregate amount of $500,000 required under the share ownership guidelines for non-employee Directors and 1,782% of the annual Board retainer.

2021 Meeting Attendance:

 

   

Board — 8/8

   

Audit and Risk Committee — 10/10

   

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee — 10/10

   

Special Transactions Committee — 5/5

 

 

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Dr. Wechsler has served on the Board since June 2016. She has been a practicing dermatologist in New York City since 2005. Dr. Wechsler is the author of The Mind-Beauty Connection, published by Simon & Schuster in 2008. She is board certified in both dermatology and psychiatry and is also an Adjunct Clinical Professor in Psychiatry at the Weill Cornell Medical College. As an expert on skin health, Dr. Wechsler serves as an advisor for Chanel Skin Care and is also a certified trainer and well-known KOL Speaker, qualified to teach physicians and other medical professionals in the use of various dermatological products. Dr. Wechsler is an active member of several medical professional organizations, including the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the Independent Doctors of New York, The Physicians Scientific Society, and The Skin Cancer Foundation. Dr. Wechsler completed her residency in psychiatry and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital’s Payne Whitney Clinic, and completed a residency in dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center.

Director Qualifications:

The Board has determined that Dr. Wechsler’s many years of experience as a board-certified dermatologist and psychiatrist, her strong knowledge of medical products to assist patients with their medical needs and her insight into the medical field and pharmaceutical industry and healthcare related issues qualify her to serve as a member of the Board and on the committees on which she serves.

Amy B. Wechsler, M.D.

New York, USA

Age 52

Independent

Stock Ownership:

 

   

0 Common Shares — $0

   

99,354 Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) (comprised of 91,709 vested RSUs — $1,810,336, and 7,645 unvested RSUs — $150,912)

   

Total Equity Value at Risk: $1,810,336, representing 362% of the Company’s current aggregate amount of $500,000 required under the share ownership guidelines for non-employee Directors and 1,810% of the annual Board retainer.

2021 Meeting Attendance:

 

   

Board — 6/8

   

Talent and Compensation Committee — 7/9

   

Science and Technology Committee — 5/5

 

 

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Messrs. Icahn and Miller were appointed to the Board on March 17, 2021 pursuant to the Nomination Agreement described under “Certain Transactions” beginning on page 87. No other directors or director nominees of the Company were selected for nomination at the Meeting pursuant to any arrangement or understanding. None of the directors or director nominees are related by blood, marriage or adoption to one another or to any executive officer of the Company.

STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

The Board is committed to sound and effective corporate governance practices with the goal of ensuring the Company’s financial strength and overall business success. Our governance practices are periodically assessed against those practices suggested by recognized governance authorities and are designed to maintain alignment with shareholder interests and key governance best practices.

Director Independence

The Board believes that, in order to be effective, our Board must be able to operate independently of management. As described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, available on our website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Corporate Governance — Corporate Governance Documents”), a sufficient number of directors must satisfy the applicable tests of independence, such that the Board complies with all independence requirements under corporate and securities laws and stock exchange requirements applicable to the Company. The Corporate Governance Guidelines further provide that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, as well as the Board, reviews the relationships that each director has with the Company in order to satisfy itself that these independence criteria have been met. On an annual basis, as part of our disclosure procedures, all directors complete a questionnaire pertaining to, among other things, share ownership, family and business relationships, and director independence standards. The Board must then disclose in the Company’s annual management proxy circular and proxy statement the identity of each of the independent directors and the basis for the Board’s determination for each of the directors who are not independent.

The Board is currently comprised of twelve members. The Board has determined that eleven of our twelve current directors (or 92%) are “independent directors” within the meaning of applicable regulatory and stock exchange requirements in Canada and the United States, as none of them have a material relationship with the Company that could be reasonably expected to interfere with their exercise of independent judgment. The eleven independent directors currently on the board are: Mr. Ross (Lead Independent Director), Mr. De Schutter, Mr. Icahn, Dr. Karabelas, Ms. Kavanagh, Mr. Miller, Mr. Paulson, Mr. Power, Mr. Robertson, Dr. von Eschenbach, and Dr. Wechsler.

None of our current directors (all of whom are director nominees, except for Mr. Paulson and Dr. von Eschenbach) have entered into employment, service or similar contracts with us, with the exception of Mr. Papa and Mr. Appio. On April 25, 2016, Mr. Papa entered into an employment agreement with the Company as its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). In addition, Mr. Appio, a director nominee who has been appointed to fill one of the vacancies created by the departures of Mr. Paulson and Dr. Von Eschenbach effective upon the IPO Closing Date, has entered into an employment agreement with the Company to serve as CEO effective as of the IPO Closing Date (at which time Mr. Papa will step down as CEO). For this reason, the Board has determined that neither Mr. Papa nor Mr. Appio is an independent director and will not be eligible to serve on the Audit and Risk Committee, the Talent and Compensation Committee, or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board has also determined that Dr. Mulligan, a director nominee who will be appointed to the Board upon the IPO Closing Date, is independent.

Board Leadership Structure

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that our Board may determine from time to time the most effective leadership structure for the Company, including whether the same individual should serve both as

 

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Chairman of the Board and the CEO. Mr. Papa, our CEO, also serves as Chairman of the Board. Due to the in-depth knowledge of the Company’s operations gained by serving as CEO, Mr. Papa is well positioned to identify and lead Board deliberations regarding important matters relating to the Company’s operations, strategic priorities, and overall development. The Board believes that serving as both CEO and Chairman of the Board enables Mr. Papa to facilitate effective communication between Company management and the Board and to ensure key issues and recommendations are brought to the attention of the Board. The Board believes that this leadership structure, in conjunction with the appointment of a Lead Independent Director, is the most effective for the Company at this time, and that the existing corporate governance practices effectively achieve independent oversight and management accountability. Effective on the IPO Closing Date, Mr. Papa will continue as Chairman of the Board and Mr. Appio will act as CEO.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines also provide that, if the same individual serves as Chairman of the Board and CEO, or if the Chairman of the Board is otherwise not independent, our Board shall appoint a Lead Independent Director. Our independent directors annually appoint a Lead Independent Director. Mr. Ross has been appointed to serve as Lead Independent Director each year since June 2016.

The responsibilities of the Lead Independent Director are set forth in the Company’s Position Description for the Lead Independent Director, which is posted on the Company’s website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Corporate Governance — Corporate Governance Documents”). These responsibilities include: (i) fostering processes that allow the Board to function independently of management and encouraging open and effective communication between the Board and management of the Company; (ii) providing input to the Chairman on behalf of the independent directors with respect to Board agendas; (iii) presiding at all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, as well as regularly scheduled executive sessions of independent directors; (iv) in the case of a conflict of interest involving a director, if appropriate, asking the conflicted director to leave the room during discussion concerning such matter and, if appropriate, asking such director to recuse him or herself from voting on the relevant matter; (v) communicating with the Chairman and the CEO, as appropriate, regarding meetings of the independent directors and resources and information necessary for the Board to effectively carry out its duties and responsibilities; (vi) serving as liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors; (vii) being available to directors who have concerns that cannot be addressed through the Chairman; (viii) calling meetings of the independent directors, as needed or when appropriate; and (ix) performing other functions as may reasonably be requested by the Board or the Chairman. In the event the Company appoints an independent Chairman of the Board, the responsibilities of the Lead Independent Director will be assumed by the independent Chairman of the Board.

Meetings of Independent Directors

The Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the independent directors of the Board may meet in executive session at any meeting of the Board, and that an opportunity shall be provided during the meeting for any member of the Board to make such a request. The independent directors generally meet in executive sessions without management present during their regularly scheduled board and committee meetings, and on an as-needed basis during ad hoc meetings. Mr. Ross, our Lead Independent Director, presides over executive sessions of the Board, and the committee chairs, all of whom are independent, preside over executive sessions of the Committees. During 2021, our independent directors held executive sessions at each of the four regularly scheduled Board meetings and at one ad hoc meeting.

Meetings of the Board

The Board meets regularly, at least four times per year, including at least once annually to review our strategic plan. Additional meetings can be called when necessary. From January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021, the Board had four regularly scheduled meetings and seven ad hoc meetings to review specific matters. All agendas for Board and Board committee meetings are set by the Chairman of the Board in consultation with the Board committee Chairpersons, as necessary.

 

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As required by the Company’s Articles, at least 50% of the directors then in office must be present in order to transact business at any Board meeting. All incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the total Board and Committee meetings on which he or she served in 2021.

During 2021, the Board had five standing committees: the Audit and Risk Committee, the Talent and Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Finance and Transactions Committee, and the Science and Technology Committee. In addition, on June 3, 2020, the Board established an ad hoc Special Transactions Committee to assist with evaluating strategic alternatives, including the proposed separation of the Company’s eye health business into an independent, publicly traded entity.

Directors are expected to attend and participate in substantially all meetings of the Board and of all committees on which they serve. The Board and Board committee attendance records for all directors who served on the Board during 2021 are set forth below.

 

    Board
Meetings
    Audit
and Risk
Committee
Meetings
    Talent and
Compensation
Committee
Meetings
    Nominating
and
Corporate
Governance
Committee
Meetings
    Finance and
Transactions
Committee
Meetings
    Science and
Technology
Committee
Meetings
    Special
Transactions
Committee
Meetings
    Overall  

Director

     #           %           #           %           #           %           #           %           #           %           #           %           #           %           #           %     

Richard U. De Schutter

    8       100                 9       100                 4       100                 5       100     26       100

D. Robert Hale(1)

    4       100                 5       100                 2       100                 1       100     12       100

Brett Icahn(2)

    6       75                                         3       75                 5       100     14       100

Dr. Argeris (Jerry) N. Karabelas

    8       100                 9       100                             5       100     5       100     27       100

Sarah B. Kavanagh

    8       100     10       100                 10       100     4       100                 5       100     37       100

Steven D. Miller(2)

    6       100                                         3       100                 5       100     14       100

Joseph C. Papa

    8       100                                                                             8       100

John A. Paulson

    8       89                                         4       100                 5       100     14       100

Robert N. Power

    8       89     10       100                 10       100                 5       100                 33       100

Russel C. Robertson

    8       89     10       100                 10       100                                         28       100

Thomas W. Ross, Sr.

    8       89     10       100                 10       100                             5       100     33       100

Andrew C. von Eschenbach

    8       89                                                     5       100                 13       100

Amy B. Wechsler, M.D.

    6       67                 7       78                             5       100                 18       82

 

(1) 

Mr. Hale resigned from his role as an independent director of the Board, effective as of June 19, 2021.

 

(2) 

Mr. Icahn and Mr. Miller were appointed to the Board on March 17, 2021.

Although we do not have a formal policy requiring our directors to attend our Annual Meetings of Shareholders, we expect all directors to attend the Meeting absent exceptional circumstances. The 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders was attended by all directors who were serving on the Board at that time and we anticipate that our directors will attend this year’s virtual Meeting.

Charter of the Board

The Board is responsible for the overall stewardship of the Company and its business, including supervising the management of the Company’s business and affairs. The Board discharges this responsibility directly and through delegation of specific responsibilities to committees of the Board and to our officers. Under the charter of the Board (the “Board Charter”), the Board has established committees to assist with its responsibilities. Our current standing Board committees are: the Audit and Risk Committee, the Talent and Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Finance and Transactions Committee, and the

Science and Technology Committee. The Board has also established an ad hoc Special Transactions Committee to assist with evaluating strategic alternatives, including the proposed separation of the Company’s eye health business into an independent, publicly traded entity.

 

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Under the Board Charter, the Board is responsible for, among other things, the following corporate governance-related matters: (i) overseeing the Company’s performance and the quality, depth and continuity of management needed to meet the Company’s strategic objectives; (ii) developing and approving the Company’s approach to and practices regarding corporate governance; (iii) succession planning; (iv) overseeing orientation and education programs for new directors and ongoing education opportunities for continuing directors; (v) reviewing, discussing and approving the Company’s strategic planning and organizational structure and supervising management to oversee that the strategic planning and organizational structure preserve and enhance the business of the Company and the Company’s underlying value; (vi) approving and assessing compliance with all significant policies and procedures by which the Company is operating, including the Bausch Health Code of Conduct (as described below); (vii) reviewing the Company’s principal risks and assessing whether appropriate systems are in place to manage such risks; and (viii) ensuring the integrity and adequacy of the Company’s internal controls.

The Board Charter is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit A and is available on our website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Corporate Governance – Corporate Governance Documents”).

Position Descriptions

The Board has developed written position descriptions for the Chairman of the Board, the CEO, the Lead Independent Director, and the Chairpersons of each of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Talent and Compensation Committee, the Finance and Transactions Committee, and the Science and Technology Committee. The position descriptions are reviewed annually and are posted on our website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Corporate Governance — Corporate Governance Documents”).

Orientation and Continuing Education

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees the Board’s continuing education program, which was developed to assist directors in maintaining or enhancing their skills and abilities as directors and updating their knowledge and understanding of the Company and the pharmaceutical industry. New directors are oriented to the roles of the Board and individual directors and the business and affairs of the Company through discussions with the incumbent directors and the Company’s management by periodic presentations from senior management on major business, industry and competitive issues. Management and outside advisors provide information and education sessions to the Board and its committees as necessary to keep the directors up-to-date with, among other things, (i) disclosure and corporate governance requirements and best practices; (ii) the Company, its business and the environment in which it operates; and (iii) developments in the responsibilities of directors. The Board may invite representatives of various business units to Board meetings to discuss business strategy and market analysis, as well as make on-site visits of the operations of the Company at the various facilities of the Company. Directors may also attend outside conferences and seminars that are relevant to their roles at the Company’s expense, with the approval of the Chairman of the Board. In 2021, our directors participated in outside seminars and conferences on educational topics that included financial reporting and audit matters, human capital management, environmental, social and governance (“ESG”), board committee effectiveness, executive compensation and cybersecurity.

Ethical Business Conduct

Bausch Health Code of Conduct

We have a written code of business conduct and ethics, (the “Code of Conduct), that applies to all employees (including our officers) and directors of the Company and its worldwide subsidiaries. Among other things, the Code of Conduct is designed to deter wrongdoing and promote honest and ethical conduct, including (i) the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest; (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely and

 

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understandable public disclosure; (iii) compliance with applicable laws and regulations; (iv) protection of the Company’s assets; and (v) maintaining a harassment-free work environment.

Our employees and directors are required to maintain an understanding of, and ensure their compliance with, the Code of Conduct, which we review annually. Supervisors are responsible for maintaining awareness of the Code of Conduct, and for reporting any deviations from the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct also require the Company to conduct regular audits to test compliance with the Code of Conduct. Subject to Board approval, responsibility for the establishment and periodic review and update of the Code of Conduct falls within the mandate of the Audit and Risk Committee.

All individuals subject to the Code of Conduct are obligated to promptly report violations and potential violations of law, the Code of Conduct, or policies of the Company referenced in the Code of Conduct. Such violations or suspected violations may be reported to the appropriate Company representative, or anonymously and confidentially through the Company’s business ethics hotline. All potential violations must in turn be reported to the Company’s General Counsel or Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer. The Board has established reporting procedures in order to encourage employees and directors to raise concerns regarding matters addressed by the Code of Conduct on a confidential basis free from discrimination, retaliation or harassment. Employees of the Company who violate the Code of Conduct may face disciplinary actions, including dismissal.

Code of Ethics

We also maintain a Code of Ethics for the CEO and Senior Finance Executives (the “Code of Ethics”), which is designed to deter wrongdoing and promote (i) honest and ethical conduct in the practice of financial management; (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure; and (iii) compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Violations of the Code of Ethics are reported to the General Counsel or Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer. Failure to observe the terms of the Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal.

The foregoing description of the Code of Conduct and the Code of Ethics is intended as a summary only, and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, reference to all of the provisions of the Code of Conduct, a copy of which is available on our website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Corporate Governance – Governance Documents”). These documents are also available in print to shareholders upon request. Shareholders may submit their request to Investor Relations, Bausch Health Companies Inc., 2150 Saint Elzéar Blvd. West, Laval, Québec H7L 4A8, Canada.

We intend to satisfy any disclosure requirements regarding amendments to, or waivers of, any provision of the Code of Conduct or the Code of Ethics, by posting such information on the Company’s website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Corporate Governance – Governance Documents”).

Directors’ Share Ownership

To support the alignment of directors’ interests with our interests and those of our shareholders, the Board has adopted share ownership guidelines for our non-employee directors. The directors’ share ownership guidelines, which are set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, provide that each non-employee director is expected to hold or control Common Shares, vested restricted or deferred share units, or a combination thereof, valued at five (5) times the annual Board cash retainer not later than the fifth anniversary of his or her first election or appointment to the Board. Based on the current annual cash retainer of the Board of $100,000, the minimum value of equity each of our non-employee directors are required to hold is $500,000. Messrs. Icahn and Miller, who were appointed to the Board on March 17, 2021, will have until March 17, 2026 to meet the director share ownership requirements described in this paragraph. If Dr. Mulligan is appointed to the Board prior to this Meeting, he will have until the fifth anniversary of the IPO Closing Date to meet the director share ownership

 

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requirements described in this paragraph. All of our other non-employee directors as of April 28, 2022 have satisfied the minimum equity ownership requirement based on the $19.74 per share closing price of our Common Shares on April 28, 2022, as reported on the NYSE.

Mr. Papa and Mr. Appio are excluded from the share ownership guidelines for non-employee directors. They are subject to share ownership guidelines established by our Talent and Compensation Committee, as further discussed in the section titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Other Compensation Governance Practices – Share Ownership Guidelines” on page 63.

Risk Oversight

Our Board recognizes the importance of effective risk oversight in the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, improving long-term organizational performance and enhancing shareholder value.

Our management is responsible for identifying, assessing and managing our exposure to various risks. The global Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) office, which reports to our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Head of Commercial Operations, was established to assist with this process. Our ERM office routinely meets with the Company’s Executive Committee and members of senior leadership to (i) identify emerging risks across the Company’s operations; (ii) review, assess and prioritize identified risks; and (iii) develop risk mitigation plans, and each quarter provides the Audit and Risk Committee with updates on these activities. Risks identified through this process include those related to our R&D pipeline, strategic planning, debt and finance, human capital, IT and cybersecurity, business disruption, and legal and compliance. During 2020, the ERM office expanded this process to include risks across all risk categories arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

While our executive officers and members of our senior leadership team are responsible for our day-to-day risk management, including identifying risks and implementing risk mitigation plans, our Board is responsible for promoting a culture of risk management within the Company and overseeing the Company’s principal risks and assessing whether appropriate systems are in place to manage such risks. The Board exercises its risk oversight responsibilities both directly as well as through its standing committees. The Board committees regularly review and discuss risk topics that fall under the duties and responsibilities described in their committee charters, as summarized below, and report to the Board any significant risks identified during their review. The Board discusses those risks, and also receives regular reports regarding material legal, IT and cybersecurity, commercial, finance and business development matters.

The Audit and Risk Committee, in addition to its oversight of the ERM office as described above, oversees risks relating to (i) financial statements, reporting and internal controls; (ii) technology, information security and cybersecurity; (iii) compliance and ethics programs, including receipt and handling of business ethics reports received through the reporting program; and (iv) legal and regulatory issues.

The Talent and Compensation Committee oversees risks related to human capital and compensation, including (i) the Company’s compensation policies and practices; (ii) the Company’s incentive and equity compensation plans; (iii) workforce staffing; and (iv) executive and senior leadership succession. For additional information regarding the Talent and Compensation Committee’s oversight of risk relating to compensation policies and practices, see “Talent and Compensation Committee — Compensation Risk Determination” on page 64.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee provides oversight with respect to risks related to the Company’s corporate governance, including: (i) the composition, size, structure, and effectiveness of the Board and its committees; (ii) director succession; (iii) director independence; and (iv) the Company’s corporate governance policies and practices.

 

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The Finance and Transactions Committee oversees risks relating to the Company’s (i) debt; (ii) credit and liquidity; (iii) capital structure; and (iv) business development activities.

The Science and Technology Committee oversees risks relating to (i) the Company’s product pipeline; (ii) R&D initiatives; and (iii) regulatory matters.

ESG and Sustainability; Board Oversight

Our vision is to continue to be a trusted health care partner, and our mission is improving people’s lives with our health care products. Bausch Health’s mission is supported by the following five guiding principles that are foundational to our success and future growth, and provide direction for the company:

 

  (i)

customer focus;

 

  (ii)

people;

 

  (iii)

innovation;

 

  (iv)

quality health care outcomes; and

 

  (v)

efficiency.

Our mission and five guiding principles define how we approach ESG matters. Based on them, we have framed our ESG work around five key ESG commitment areas:

 

  (i)

operate with integrity;

 

  (ii)

respect the environment;

 

  (iii)

advance global health and patient care;

 

  (iv)

improve our communities; and

 

  (v)

support employee growth and well-being.

We believe that focusing on these commitment areas are integral to the success of the Company and the health of the communities we operate in and serve. We publish a corporate social responsibility (“CSR”) report that highlights our corporate responsibility commitments. The CSR report provides an overview of our ESG practices and programs. Our 2021 CSR report is available on our website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Responsibility” and under the subtab “CSR Report”). Neither the CSR report nor our website are incorporated by reference to this Proxy Statement.

Board Oversight of ESG Matters

Each of the Board, the Audit and Risk Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Talent and Compensation Committee shares responsibility for oversight of various aspects of our ESG practices and programs. Our Talent and Compensation Committee oversees our human capital management programs, and the processes, policies and governance related to our executive compensation practices. Our Audit and Risk Committee oversees our compliance and ethics program. Finally, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees our Board governance practices, environmental and sustainability programs, and corporate governance policies. In its oversight role, the Board receives periodic updates from each of these standing committees and from management, and a complete ESG status update is provided to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee quarterly, including on the Company’s environmental and sustainability efforts and programs.

 

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Key Areas of Focus and Progress

Below are a few examples of initiatives we have undertaken with respect to each of our five ESG commitment areas:

I. Operate with Integrity

 

1. Corporate Governance

  We have implemented a broad system of internal controls and policies.
   

We provide annual corporate governance training for employees.

   

Our Board provides independent leadership of the Company, and our Lead Independent Director provides independent leadership of the Board.

   

The Audit and Risk Committee oversees our compliance and ethics programs.

 

2. Patient Access and Pricing

  Our management-level Patient Access and Pricing Committee works to enable patients to have access to the Company’s products at cost consistent with their ability to pay.
 

  We have pledged that the average annual price increase for our branded prescription products will be set at no greater than single digits.

 

3. Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

  Our Diversity and Inclusion (“D&I”) Council provides oversight of D&I initiatives and has set 2022 objectives and intiatives for the Company.
 

  Our Supplier Diversity Program works with various organizations to strengthen our outreach and engagement with the diverse business community, including: Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, National Minority Supplier Development Council, Diversity Alliance for Science, HUBZone Contractors National Council, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and Elite Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business.
 

  Our Women’s Leadership Network has facilitated discussions and hosted events addressing leadership, building resilience and managing stress.

II. Respect the Environment

 

1. EHS+S Organization

Our global Environment, Health, Safety + Sustainability (“EHS+S”) organization provides the leadership and infrastructure to enable our regional sites around the world to achieve a more sustainable and regenerative state, while reducing the adverse environmental impact of our products.

 

2. Energy and Water Usage

Our Energy Efficiency Group helps us continue to make progress to reduce overall energy usage at our global manufacturing and supply chain sites by assessing and investigating our energy use and energy reduction efforts. Some of our recent activities include:

 

   

We installed a solar farm in our manufacturing site in France, which will support approximately 10% of the site’s total energy needs.

   

We conducted energy audits in Poland and Italy to identify and design energy reduction projects.

   

We installed reverse osmosis-powered equipment and a wastewater monitoring system in our facility in Milan, Italy to, respectively, reduce waste water generation and evaluate water conservation strategies.

   

We upgraded the cooling system in our Berlin, Germany facility to reduce energy consumption and wastewater disposal.

 

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3. Carbon Emissions

We monitor and continue to make progress to reduce our global carbon emissions. For example:

 

   

We consider the environmental impact of vehicles we use for our in-field sales and support teams, and recently launched our Scope 3 Emissions Tracking Initiative to track the environmental impact of these vehicles.

   

We reduced our global carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 23,000 metric tons in 2021 as compared to 2018 levels.

   

Our new nitrogen-generating plant at our Waterford, Ireland facility reduces carbon dioxide emissions by almost 200 tons per year.

 

4. Waste Management

  Bausch + Lomb’s ONE by ONE Recycling Program, the first contact lens recycling program of its kind, continues to expand its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of contact lens materials.
 

  For six years we have collaborated with TerraCycle to offer contact lens wearers a free and convenient way to recycle their used contact lenses and packaging materials. ONE by ONE and Biotrue® Eye Care Recycling programs have recycled a total of 48,235,850 million units, or 290,145 pounds, of used contact lenses, eye care and lens care materials. Both programs are made possible through a collaboration with TerraCycle®, a world leader in the collection and repurposing of hard-to-recycle post-consumer waste. Building upon the success of the ONE by ONE program, we created the Biotrue® Eye Care Recycling program in 2021, which allows consumers to also recycle their used eye care and lens care materials, such as lens cases and lens solution bottle caps. Together, these programs are helping us keep recyclable plastic and aluminum eye health materials out of landfills and oceans so we can help preserve our environment for future generations.
   

Our Zero Waste to Landfill initiative yielded a 94% landfill diversion rate in our Rochester, NY site.

III. Advance Global Health & Patient Care

 

1. Philanthropy – Bausch Foundation

We established the Bausch Foundation in 2017 to support initiatives aimed at disease prevention, improving patient outcomes and lives, and education related to our core businesses. As of 2020 and into 2022, the Bausch Foundation has:

 

   

Contributed millions of dollars’ worth of financial and product donations to charitable health organizations, including, but not limited to: (i) National Society to Prevent Blindness; (ii) Children’s Skin Disease Foundation; (iii) the National Psoriasis Foundation; (iv) Eye Bank Association of America; (v) American Association for the Study of Liver Disease; and (vi) Feeding America.

   

Funded scholarship programs for students with dermatological and gastrointestinal conditions.

   

In response to COVID-19, donated hand sanitizers to first responders and volunteers, contact lenses to frontline medical workers in China, and ARTELAC® Splash eye drops to health care providers in hospitals in Spain.

   

Partnered with Global Giving, a non-profit organization, to match employee contributions in support of Ukraine citizens impacted by the Russia conflict.

   

In honor of Juneteenth, donated to The International Center for Professional Development’s (ICPD) Scientist Mentoring and Diversity Program for Medical Technology a one-year career mentoring program that pairs ethnically diverse students and early career researchers with mentors who work at companies in the medical technology, biotech and consumer healthcare industries; also provided two mentors from the company for the programs.

 

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Through our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) established connections with charities whose missions align with those of our individual ERGs and made donations to them. The charities included the Asian Health Foundation, the National Civil Rights Museum, OutRight Action International, Community Hope and Dress for Success.

 

2. Patient Safety and Health Advocacy

We invest millions of dollars each year to support provider education, research grants and charitable organizations devoted to improving patient care and quality of life and advancing the safety and effectiveness of health care products.

IV. Improve our Communities

 

1. Community Enrichment

We believe the Company’s long-term success is linked directly to our ability to make a positive difference in our communities. As such, we support community enrichment activities, such as volunteering, investing in scholarship programs, and donating to local charities. Examples include:

 

   

In collaboration with TerraCycle®, we donated custom training modules to the Guide Dog Foundation.

 

   

We supported Camp Wonder and Camp Discovery, week-long free programs for children with chronic skin conditions.

   

Employees throughout the world led volunteering and fundraising efforts in their communities.

   

We supported World Sight Day Challenge fundraising efforts.

V. Employee Growth and Well-Being

 

1. Health and Safety

  In 2021, we exceeded our Days Away Rate (“DAR”) annual goal. Our DAR measures days that employees are unable to work due to workplace injury or illness. With a “Not to Exceed” DAR Goal of less than 12 days per 100 employees, our Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain achieved an actual DAR of 6 days per 100 employees, surpassing both our annual goal and the industry’s average a DAR of 24 days per 100 employees.
   

In 2021, with the COVID-19 outbreak, we continued to focus on supporting our employees by continuing to make available our remote work policies, which had been broadened in 2020 to enable our global employees to work from home whenever possible, and continuing to implement safety measures in circumstances where remote work was not possible (such as at our manufacturing and distribution facilities).

 

2. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  In 2021, we continued to expand our (“ERGs”), providing opportunities for professional growth, development and informal networking. These ERGs have helped strengthen our focus on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion by providing forums to voice concerns and multiple perspectives, as well as to establish connections with charities whose missions align with those of our individual ERGs to give back to these communities.

 

3. Employee Health and Wellness

  Our holistic approach to supporting employee health and wellness is centered around three pillars of well-being: physical, emotional, and financial.
 

  Across each of these pillars, we offer a range of benefits and support resources to help our employees be healthy and feel successful in both their professional and personal lives.

 

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4. Talent Development

  We are committed to the development of our employees and believe that our success coincides with our employees’ achievements of personal and professional goals.
   

Through our Employee Development Framework, we endeavor to support our employees’ interests to grow to their full potential, achieve career goals, and contribute to the success of our Company.

   

We provide a variety of development programs to support our employees at every stage of their career and incorporate individual development plans that aim to help our employees reach their career goals.

Board Committees

During 2021, the Board had five standing committees: the Audit and Risk Committee, the Talent and Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Finance and Transactions Committee, and the Science and Technology Committee. In addition, on June 3, 2020, the Board established an ad hoc Special Transactions Committee to assist with evaluating strategic alternatives, including the proposed separation of the Company’s eye health business into an independent, publicly traded entity. No member of any committee is an employee of the Company or its subsidiaries. The specific responsibilities of each of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Talent and Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Finance and Transactions Committee, and the Science and Technology Committee are identified in the respective committee’s charter. Copies of the charters for each of the foregoing committees are available on our website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Corporate Governance — Corporate Governance Documents”) and are also available in print to shareholders upon request submitted to Investor Relations, Bausch Health Companies Inc., 2150 Saint Elzéar Blvd. West, Laval, Québec H7L 4A8, Canada.

The Chairman of the Board and the Chairperson of each of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Talent and Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are expected to be available to respond to questions from shareholders at the Meeting.

The table below sets forth each current director’s membership on our Board committees.

 

    Audit and Risk
Committee
  Talent and
Compensation
Committee
  Nominating and
Corporate
Governance
Committee
  Finance and
Transactions
Committee
  Science and
Technology
Committee
  Special
Transactions
Committee

Richard U. De Schutter

           

Brett Icahn

           

Dr. Argeris (Jerry) N. Karabelas

    Chairperson        

Sarah B. Kavanagh

        Chairperson    

Steven D. Miller

           

Joseph C. Papa(1)

           

John A. Paulson(3)

           

Robert N. Power

      Chairperson      

Russel C. Robertson

  Chairperson          

Thomas W. Ross, Sr.(2)

            Chairperson

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D. (3)

          Chairperson  

Amy B. Wechsler, M.D.

           

 

(1) 

Chairman of the Board

 

(2) 

Lead Independent Director

 

(3)

Mr. Paulson and Dr. Von Eschenbach have notified us of their intention to resign from the Board effective upon the completion of the B+L IPO. See “Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors – Background – Bausch + Lomb Separation.”

 

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Audit and Risk Committee

The Audit and Risk Committee is comprised of four independent directors: Mr. Robertson (Chairperson), Ms. Kavanagh, Mr. Power and Mr. Ross. The responsibilities, powers and operation of the Audit and Risk Committee are set out in the written charter of the Audit and Risk Committee. Pursuant to the Audit and Risk Committee Charter, each member of the Audit and Risk Committee is an independent director as defined and required by applicable regulatory and stock exchange rules. The Board has concluded that each member of the Audit and Risk Committee is “financially literate” as defined under National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees and as required under NYSE rules, and each of Mr. Robertson and Ms. Kavanagh qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” under the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

The Audit and Risk Committee operates pursuant to the Audit and Risk Committee Charter. Its responsibilities include, among other things, responsibility for reviewing and recommending to the Board our annual financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis of results of operation and financial condition (“MD&A”) and reviewing and approving our interim financial statements and MD&A. As contemplated in the Audit and Risk Committee Charter, the Audit and Risk Committee periodically meets with our internal auditor and with our external auditor without management being present. The Audit and Risk Committee also recommends to the Board the external auditor to be nominated for approval by the Company’s shareholders, as well as the compensation of the external auditor. The Audit and Risk Committee Charter provides that the Audit and Risk Committee must establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing practices.

In accordance with the Audit and Risk Committee Charter, the Audit and Risk Committee also provides assistance to the Board in fulfilling its oversight function, including with respect to: (i) the quality and integrity of our financial statements; (ii) compliance with our Bausch Health Code of Conduct, and legal and regulatory requirements, including with respect to disclosure of financial information; (iii) the qualifications, performance and independence of our external auditor; (iv) the performance of our senior finance employees and internal audit function; (v) internal controls and certifications; (vi) monitoring the appropriateness and effectiveness of the Company’s risk management systems and policies, including evaluating on a regular basis the effectiveness and prudence of senior management in managing the Company’s operations and the risks to which it is exposed; and (vii) overseeing the Company’s compliance programs, policies and procedures, and investigating compliance matters.

The Audit and Risk Committee Charter provides that no member of the Audit and Risk Committee may hold 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares or serve simultaneously on the audit committee of more than two other public companies, unless the Board determines that such simultaneous service would not impair his or her ability to serve effectively on the Audit and Risk Committee.

Talent and Compensation Committee

The Talent and Compensation Committee is comprised of three independent directors: Dr. Karabelas (Chairperson), Mr. De Schutter and Dr. Wechsler. The responsibilities, powers and operation of the Talent and Compensation Committee are set out in the written charter of the Talent and Compensation Committee. In accordance with the Talent and Compensation Committee Charter, each member of the Talent and Compensation Committee is an independent director as defined and required by applicable regulatory and stock exchange rules.

As described in the Talent and Compensation Committee Charter, the key responsibilities of the Talent and Compensation Committee include: (i) reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives in connection with the compensation of our CEO, evaluating the CEO’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, and

 

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(either as a committee or together with the other independent directors who satisfy the independence, “non-employee” and “outside director” requirements under the Talent and Compensation Committee Charter) determining and approving the compensation of the CEO based on such evaluation; (ii) reviewing and approving each element of total compensation for all officers (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)); (iii) reviewing and approving arrangements with executive officers relating to their employment relationships with us; (iv) reviewing talent management and succession planning materials for key roles; (v) providing strategic supervision of our benefit plans, programs and policies; and (vi) reviewing and recommending to the Board for approval the Compensation Discussion & Analysis to be included in the Company’s annual management proxy circular and proxy statement and/or annual report on Form 10-K, and preparing the Talent and Compensation Committee Report.

Compensation

For details on the philosophy and approach adopted by the Talent and Compensation Committee with respect to compensation of our officers, please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 48.

The Talent and Compensation Committee has the authority to retain and compensate any consultants and advisors it considers necessary to fulfill its mandate. It shall, annually or on an as-needed basis, specify the work to be performed by, and agree on the associated fees to be paid to the compensation consultants. It shall also review annually the work performed and fees paid. In addition, the Talent and Compensation Committee Charter provides that the Talent and Compensation Committee shall report to the Board, on an annual basis, the nature of any additional work or non-Board based services conducted by any such compensation consultant and associated fees paid, if approved by the Chairperson of the Talent and Compensation Committee.

Periodically, and at least annually, the Talent and Compensation Committee selects and retains independent consultants to conduct comprehensive reviews and assessments of our policies, procedures and internal controls for setting compensation of the CEO and other members of senior management. The consultant prepares and submits relevant information and analyses to the Talent and Compensation Committee. As discussed below under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” in 2021, the Talent and Compensation Committee retained Pay Governance LLC (“Pay Governance”), as its independent consultant to provide advice on compensation matters. Pay Governance’s services included the following: (i) periodically reviewing our executive compensation programs, including base salary, short-term incentives, equity-based incentives, total cash compensation levels and total direct compensation of certain senior positions, against those of a peer group; (ii) advising the Talent and Compensation Committee with regard to the compensation packages of the CEO and other members of senior management; (iii) reviewing the proxy and specifically the Compensation Discussion and Analysis; and (iv) preparing materials for and attending select Talent and Compensation Committee Meetings. Pay Governance did not provide any additional services to the Company during the fiscal year 2021. The Talent and Compensation Committee has assessed, at the relevant times, the independence of Pay Governance and concluded that its engagement of Pay Governance did not raise any conflict of interest with the Company or any of the Company’s directors or executive officers.

The Talent and Compensation Committee considers the advice and analysis of the independent compensation consultants, together with other factors the Talent and Compensation Committee considers appropriate (including feedback from shareholders and corporate governance groups, market data, knowledge of the comparator group and personal knowledge and experience of the Talent and Compensation Committee members), in reaching its decisions and making compensation determinations for the CEO and executive officers.

Succession Planning

The Board regularly undertakes a thorough review of succession planning for the members of the Company’s Executive Committee, including our CEO, over the course of the year, led by the efforts of the Talent

 

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and Compensation Committee. The Talent and Compensation Committee continuously reviews the Executive Committee and key positions within the Company to ensure the continuity and comprehensiveness of succession planning company-wide. Among other factors, the Talent and Compensation Committee considers the level of representation of women in executive officer and managerial positions when making appointments and during succession planning by taking into account the overall number of women currently serving in such roles at the Company and by actively considering women candidates for such positions when they become available; however, the Company does not have a specific target number or date by which to achieve a specific level of representation of women in executive officer and managerial positions, as it considers a multitude of factors in determining the best person for any position. Women currently lead a substantial portion of our businesses and global functions, in the following roles: Executive Vice President, General Counsel, President Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals (who also serves as an executive officer of the Company); SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer; SVP, Head of Legal International; SVP, Global Head of Ethics and Compliance; SVP, Vision Care; SVP, U.S. Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals, Market Access, and Generics and VPs of Marketing and/or Sales for various lines of business. Currently, one (representing 14%) of the Company’s executive officers is a woman.

The Board regularly receives exposure to executives, managers and other personnel in the organization by having the executives and managers participate in Board meetings and present on the Company’s business and strategy. The Board’s participation in these events provides significant exposure to the Company’s leadership team and strategic focus, which greatly enhances the Board’s ability to conduct succession planning, as well as to gain insight as it oversees organization risk and strategy.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of four independent directors: Mr. Power (Chairperson), Ms. Kavanagh, Mr. Robertson and Mr. Ross. The responsibilities, powers and operation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are set out in the committee’s written charter. As required by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is an independent director as defined and required by applicable regulatory and stock exchange rules.

As described in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, the key responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include: (i) identifying individuals qualified to become directors and recommending to the Board new nominees for election by shareholders or for appointment by the Board, and engaging the services of third party search firms to assist in identifying such individuals; (ii) providing recommendations to the Board regarding the competencies and skills the Board should possess, and the qualifications of its directors; (iii) recommending for Board approval, if appropriate, revisions to our corporate governance practices and procedures; (iv) developing new charters for any new committees established by the Board, if not otherwise mandated by the Board; (v) monitoring relationships and communication between management and the Board and monitoring emerging best practices in corporate governance; (vi) reviewing the composition and mandate of the Board and each committee of the Board annually and, if appropriate, recommending to the Board any changes it considers desirable with respect thereto; and (vii) overseeing our orientation process for new directors and our continuing education program for all directors.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually develops and recommends processes for assessing the performance and effectiveness of the Board and the committees of the Board and reports the results of such assessments to the Board on an annual basis. Pursuant to these processes established by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and adopted by the Board, the Board and each committee conduct annual self-assessments of their performance and effectiveness. The self-assessments include a review of the compliance of the Board and each committee with their respective charters, the adequacy of information provided, the skills and experience of the members, and other matters. The results of the individual directors’ surveys are compiled by the Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and presented to the Lead Independent director and Chairman of the Board for discussion. Following these discussions, the Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee provides a report to the full Board identifying the

 

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opportunities for improvement identified in the self-assessment process. The Board has previously conducted periodic peer reviews of the directors to supplement the annual Board and committee self-assessments and will do so again when the Board determines peer reviews will add value to these annual self-assessments. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also makes recommendations to the Board regarding director compensation and may retain advisors to assist with evaluating and making these recommendations. For additional information regarding the compensation of our non-employee directors, and the role of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in reviewing and recommending changes to non-employee director compensation, please see “Director Compensation” beginning on page 81.

Finance and Transactions Committee

The Finance and Transactions Committee is currently comprised of five independent directors: Ms. Kavanagh (Chairperson), Mr. De Schutter, Mr. Paulson, and Messrs. Icahn and Miller, who joined this Committee upon their appointment to the Board on March 17, 2021. It was established to assist the Board in providing fiduciary oversight and strategic advice with respect to the Company’s significant transactional and financing activities, and monitoring the overall financial condition of the Company, including the impact of these activities on the Company’s financial condition.

Science and Technology Committee

The Science and Technology Committee is comprised of four independent directors: Dr. von Eschenbach (Chairperson), Dr. Karabelas, Mr. Power, and Dr. Wechsler. The Science and Technology Committee was established to provide oversight and strategic advice with respect to the Company’s research and development programs and pipeline, and the Company’s strategic direction and development in research and development and technology.

Special Transactions Committee

The Special Transactions Committee is currently comprised of seven independent directors: Mr. Ross (Chairperson), Mr. De Schutter, Dr. Karabelas, Ms. Kavanagh, Mr. Paulson, and Messrs. Icahn and Miller, who joined this Committee upon their appointment to the Board on March 17, 2021. The Special Transactions Committee was established on June 3, 2020 to assist the Company with evaluating strategic alternatives, including the proposed separation of the Company’s eye health business into an independent, publicly traded entity.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

Each of Dr. Karabelas, Mr. De Schutter, Mr. Hale, and Dr. Wechsler, representing all of the directors who served on the Talent and Compensation Committee during 2021, is (i) a non-employee director for purposes of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, as amended, (ii) an “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to the extent applicable; and (iii) an independent director. None of the members of the Talent and Compensation Committee is a current or former officer of the Company. There were no compensation committee interlocks with other companies in 2021 within the meaning of Item 407(e)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. See “Certain Transactions — Certain Related-Party Transactions” on page 87 for a description of related-party transactions.

 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The executive officers of the Company are as follows:

 

Name

 

Age

  

Title

Joseph C. Papa

  66   

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Christina M. Ackermann

  57   

Executive Vice President, General Counsel

and Head of Commercial Operations

Thomas J. Appio

  60    Chief Executive Officer, Pharma Business

Joseph F. Gordon

  58    President & Co-Head Bausch + Lomb/International

Robert A. Spurr

  60    U.S. President, Pharma Business

Sam Eldessouky

  49    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Below is a description of each executive officer who is not also a director nominee of the Company.

CHRISTINA M. ACKERMANN has been our Executive Vice President and General Counsel since August 2016, and from July 2020 has also served as Head of Commercial Operations. In 2022, Ms. Ackermann’s role expanded to include President, Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals of the Company’s eye healthcare business. Prior to joining Bausch Health, Ms. Ackermann was part of the Novartis group of companies for the 14 years, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, General Counsel for Alcon, where she was responsible for the Legal, Intellectual Property and Compliance functions. She previously served as Global Head, Legal and General Counsel at Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, from 2007 to 2012. She joined Novartis Pharma in 2002 as Head, Legal Technical Operations and Ophthalmics and assumed the role of Head Legal General Medicine in July 2005. Before Novartis, Ms. Ackermann served in Associate General Counsel roles with Bristol Myers Squibb and DuPont Pharmaceuticals, as well as in private practice, where she focused on securities and mergers & acquisitions. Ms. Ackermann has been a director of Graybug Vision, Inc., a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, since August 2020. Ms. Ackermann has a Post Graduate Diploma in EC Competition Law from King’s College, the University of London, U.K., a Bachelor of Laws from Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada, and attended York University, Toronto, Ontario, for her undergraduate studies in Math, Political Sciences and Fine Arts.

JOSEPH F. GORDON has been our President & Co-Head Bausch + Lomb/International since August 2018. He previously served as our President, Consumer and Vision Care from December 2016 through July 2018 and as General Manager of U.S. Consumer from August 2013 to November 2016. Prior to joining Bausch Health in 2013, Mr. Gordon served in various positions with Bausch + Lomb, where he most recently served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Global Consumer from January 2011 to July 2013. Earlier in his career, he led sales and marketing organizations within Pfizer Inc., and Wyeth, a pharmaceutical company purchased by Pfizer Inc. in 2009. Mr. Gordon holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Rutgers University.

ROBERT A. SPURR currently serves as our U.S. President, Pharma Business, and has previously served as President, Salix, since May 2020, and was previously our Senior Vice President, Market Access and Commercial Operations from August 2018 to May 2020. Before joining Bausch Health, Mr. Spurr was the Vice President Market Access and Commercial Operations for Novartis Pharmaceuticals from August 2012 to August 2018.

SAM A. ELDESSOUKY joined us in 2016 as senior vice president and corporate controller and was appointed Chief Financial Officer effective June 1, 2021. He has been responsible for overseeing the global controllership functions, including financial reporting, regional finance and global policies. Previously, he served as senior vice president, controller and chief accounting officer for Tyco International plc from 2012 to 2016. During his tenure at Tyco, Mr. Eldessouky led the efforts to redesign the controller’s organization and the implementation of Enterprise Performance Management framework, and he played a significant role in the wholesale turnaround of Tyco’s business. He also played a key role in executing the spinoffs of Covidien and Tyco Electronics in 2006 and ADT NA and Flow Control in 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Eldessouky spent ten years at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where he held several roles of increasing responsibility and served in PwC’s

 

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National Office providing technical accounting guidance on complex accounting matters. Mr. Eldessouky holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Ain Shams University and a master’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Liverpool. He is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Financial Executives Research Foundation and Financial Executives International. Additionally, Mr. Eldessouky served as a member of the Global Preparers Forum, an external advisory body to the International Accounting Standards Board, from 2007 to 2013.

None of the executive officers of the Company were selected pursuant to any arrangement or understanding, other than their respective employment agreements with the Company. None of the executive officers are related by blood, marriage or adoption to one another or to any director or nominee for director of the Company.

Certain Changes Upon Completion of the B+L IPO

As previously disclosed, Mr. Eldessouky will serve as the Chief Financial Officer of Bausch + Lomb effective as of the IPO Closing Date. On January 3, 2022, Tom Vadaketh joined Bausch Health from eResearch Technology Inc., and will serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective as of the IPO Closing Date. In addition, as previously disclosed, Ms. Ackermann will become General Counsel of Bausch + Lomb and lead the ophthalmology pharmaceutical business, with specific responsibility for the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Asia Pacific markets effective as of the IPO Closing Date. Seana Carson, Senior Vice President of Legal, will be appointed General Counsel of Bausch Health effective as of the IPO Closing Date. As previously disclosed, Mr. Gordon will also transfer with Bausch + Lomb, effective as of the IPO Closing Date, where he will lead Bausch + Lomb’s global consumer, vision care and surgical businesses as well as the EMEA ophthalmology pharmaceutical business. In addition, effective as of the IPO Closing Date, Mr. Papa will step down as CEO to be replaced by Mr. Appio and continue as Chairman of the Board. See “Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors — Background — Bausch + Lomb Separation.” However, there can be no assurance as to when the B+L IPO will be completed, if at all. If the IPO Closing Date does not occur when it is expected then none of Mr. Vadaketh, Mr. Appio or Ms. Carson will be appointed, and each of Mr. Eldessouky, Mr. Papa and Ms. Ackermann are expected to remain in their current roles with the Company. If the IPO Closing Date does not occur prior to the Meeting, the resignations of Mr. Paulson and Dr. von Eschenbach will not be effective, and we may amend this proxy statement to update the nominees standing for election at the Meeting.

Mr. Vadaketh, 59, joined Bausch Health on January 3, 2022. Prior to joining Bausch Health Mr. Vadaketh served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of eResearch Technology, Inc. from September 2018 to December 2021 where he was responsible for leading the Finance function including controllership, treasury, taxation and financial planning, and prior to that was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cambrex Corporation. Mr. Vadaketh spent over 20 years at Procter & Gamble and Tyco International, where he held several roles at both companies of increasing responsibility. Mr. Vadaketh received his degree from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ACA) and an M.B.A from Manchester Business School. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Seana Carson, 50, joined Bausch Health in November of 2006 as Senior Legal Counsel. In her current role, she is responsible for the legal function for the international businesses of Bausch Health, and prior to that was Chief Compliance Officer. Ms. Carson received her law degree from Queens University in Ontario and an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario.

Neither Mr. Vadaketh nor Ms. Carson was selected pursuant to any arrangement or understanding, other than their respective employment agreements with the Company. Neither Mr. Vadaketh nor Ms. Carson is related by blood, marriage or adoption to one another or to any director or nominee for director of the Company.

 

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OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY’S SECURITIES

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Common Shares and the percentage of Common Shares owned beneficially by holders of more than 5% of our outstanding Common Shares as of April 28, 2022 (unless otherwise noted).

 

Identity of Owner or Group

   Number of Shares
and Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
    Percentage of
Class(1)
 

Mr. Carl C. Icahn

     34,109,152 (2)      9.44

c/o Icahn Associates Holding LLC, 16690 Collins Ave., Suite PH-1, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160

    

Paulson & Co. Inc.

     25,839,035 (3)      7.15

1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

    

Nomura Global Financial Products, Inc.

     19,515,079 (4)      5.40

Worldwide Plaza, 309 West 49th Street, New York, NY 10019

    

This table is based upon information supplied by the principal shareholders, Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the SEC and “early warning reports” and similar regulatory filings filed on SEDAR and on the Canadian System for the Electronic Disclosure by Insiders. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, we believe that the shareholders named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to the Common Shares indicated as beneficially owned.

 

(1) 

Based on 361,446,847 Common Shares outstanding on April 28, 2022.

 

(2) 

Based on information contained in a Schedule 13D/A filed by Mr. Carl C. Icahn with the SEC on March 11, 2021, Mr. Icahn and the following entities associated with Mr. Icahn may be deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, 34,109,152 Common Shares (including 29,076,005 Common Shares underlying forward contracts): Icahn Partners Master Fund LP (“Icahn Master”), Icahn Offshore LP (“Icahn Offshore”), Icahn Partners LP (“Icahn Partners”), Icahn Onshore LP (“Icahn Onshore”), Icahn Capital LP (“Icahn Capital”), IPH GP LLC (“IPH”), Icahn Enterprises Holdings L.P. (“Icahn Enterprises Holdings”), Icahn Enterprises G.P. Inc. (“Icahn Enterprises GP”), and Beckton Corp. (“Beckton”). According to this Schedule 13D/A, Icahn Master has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 14,169,189 Common Shares; Icahn Offshore has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 14,169,189 Common Shares; Icahn Partners has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 19,939,963 Common Shares; Icahn Onshore has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 19,939,963 Common Shares; and Icahn Capital, IPH, Icahn Enterprises Holdings, Icahn Enterprises GP, Becton and Mr. Icahn each have shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 34,109,152 Common Shares.

Each of Icahn Offshore, Icahn Capital, IPH, Icahn Enterprises Holdings, Icahn Enterprises GP, Beckton and Mr. Icahn may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own (as that term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the “Act”) the Common Shares which Icahn Master directly beneficially owns. Each of Icahn Offshore, Icahn Capital, IPH, Icahn Enterprises Holdings, Icahn

 

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Enterprises GP, Beckton and Mr. Icahn disclaims beneficial ownership of such Common Shares for all other purposes. Each of Icahn Onshore, Icahn Capital, IPH, Icahn Enterprises Holdings, Icahn Enterprises GP, Beckton and Mr. Icahn may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own (as that term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act) the Common Shares which Icahn Partners directly beneficially owns. Each of Icahn Onshore, Icahn Capital, IPH, Icahn Enterprises Holdings, Icahn Enterprises GP, Beckton and Mr. Icahn disclaims beneficial ownership of such Common Shares for all other purposes.

The address for each of Icahn Master, Icahn Offshore, Icahn Partners, Icahn Onshore, Icahn Capital, IPH, Icahn Enterprises Holdings, Icahn Enterprises GP, and Beckton is 16690 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160.

 

(3) 

According to information provided to the Company by Paulson & Co., Inc. on April 29, 2022, it has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 25,839,035 Common Shares. Mr. Paulson may be deemed an indirect beneficial owner of these Common Shares, which are directly owned by investment funds which he manages. Mr. Paulson disclaims beneficial ownership of these Common Shares, except to the extent he has a pecuniary interest therein.

 

(4) 

Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed jointly by Nomura Global Financial Products, Inc. and Nomura Holdings, Inc. with the SEC on February 14, 2022. Nomura Global Financial Products, Inc. may be deemed to beneficially own 19,515,079 Common Shares.

 

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OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth, as of April 28, 2022 (unless otherwise noted below), certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Common Shares and the percentage of Common Shares beneficially owned by (i) each director and each director nominee; (ii) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 67 (together, the “named executive officers,” or “NEOs”); and (iii) all directors and current executive officers as a group. None of the shares held by directors and executive officers included in the table are pledged as security. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the following table is c/o Bausch Health Companies Inc., 2150 St. Elzéar Blvd. West, Laval, Québec, Canada H7L 4A8.

 

Identity of Owner or Group

   Number of
Shares
and Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership(1) (2) (3)
     percentage is
subject to change
based on total
number of shares
outstanding
Percentage
of Class (4)
 

Named Executive Officers, Directors and Director Nominees

     

Christina M. Ackermann**

     284,864       

Thomas J. Appio**

     454,833       

Richard U. De Schutter

     320,892       

Sam A. Eldessouky**

     249,609       

D. Robert Hale(5)

     15,627,798        4.97

Paul S. Herendeen(6)

     1,660,330       

Brett Icahn

     13,107       

Dr. Argeris (Jerry) N. Karabelas

     89,328       

Sarah B. Kavanagh

     83,060       

Steven D. Miller

     73,229       

Richard C. Mulligan**

     0       

Joseph C. Papa**

     2,561,412       

John A. Paulson(7)**

     25,839,053        7.17

Robert N. Power

     101,424       

Russel C. Robertson

     128,253       

Thomas W. Ross, Sr.

     97,924       

Robert Spurr

     167,357       

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.**

     38,647       

Amy B. Wechsler, M.D.

     99,354       

Directors, director nominees and current executive officers of the Company as a group (18 persons)**

     48,659,127        13.32

 

 

*

Less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares.

 

**

Upon completion of the B+L IPO, Ms. Ackermann, Mr. Eldessouky and Mr. Papa will cease to be executive officers of Bausch Health. In addition, at such time Mr. Mulligan and Mr. Appio will be appointed as members of the Board to fill the vacancies created by the departures of Mr. Paulson and Dr. Von Eschenbach (which are conditioned upon the closing of the B+L IPO). See “Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors — Background — Bausch + Lomb Separation” and “Executive Officers — Certain Changes Upon Completion of the B+L IPO.”

 

(1) 

This table is based on information supplied by the individuals identified above. We believe that Common Shares shown as beneficially owned are those as to which the named persons possess sole voting and investment power. However, under the laws of California and certain other states, personal property owned by a married person may be community property, which either spouse may manage and control, and we have no information as to whether any Common Shares shown in this table are subject to community property laws.

 

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(2) 

The amounts reported include the following vested RSUs which are payable in Common Shares following the applicable director’s separation of service from the Company: Mr. De Schutter, 32,590; Mr. Icahn, 4,718; Dr. Karabelas, 85,328; Ms. Kavanagh, 83,060; Mr. Miller, 4,740; Mr. Paulson, 86,629; Mr. Power, 94,823; Mr. Robertson, 128,253; Mr. Ross, 86,424; Dr. von Eschenbach, 35,147; Dr. Wechsler, 91,709. These vested RSUs represent either or both of the following: (i) director fees paid in RSUs, pursuant to the election of the applicable director to defer such fees; and (ii) annual grants of RSUs, for which delivery of Common Shares underlying the RSUs was deferred pursuant to the election of the applicable director. For further information regarding director compensation, see the section titled “Director Compensation” beginning on page 81.

 

(3) 

The amounts reported include (i) the following stock options that are exercisable currently or will become exercisable within 60 days of April 28, 2022: Ms. Ackermann, 173,519; Mr. Appio, 250,750; Mr. Herendeen, 1,438,173; Mr. Eldessouky, 150,495, Mr. Papa, 1,549,790, Mr. Spurr, 142,739; and all current executive officers as a group (and excluding our directors and director nominees, who do not receive stock options), 3,705,466; and (ii) the following unvested RSUs that will vest within 60 days of April 28, 2022: Mr. Eldessouky, 11,224; Mr. De Schutter, 7,645; Mr. Hale, 7,645; Mr. Icahn, 7,645; Dr. Karabelas, 7,645; Ms. Kavanagh, 7,645; Mr. Miller, 7,645; Mr. Paulson, 7,645; Mr. Power, 7,645; Mr. Robertson, 7,645; Mr. Ross, 7,645; Dr. von Eschenbach, 7,645; Dr. Wechsler, 7,645; and all directors and current executive officers as a group, 102,964.

 

(4) 

Applicable percentage ownership is based on 361,446,847 Common Shares outstanding on April 28, 2022. In computing the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we deemed outstanding all Common Shares subject to options, warrants, rights or conversion privileges held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 28, 2022. We did not deem these shares outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Under Rule 13d-3 of the SEC, certain Common Shares may be deemed to be beneficially owned by more than one person (if, for example, a person shares the power to vote or the power to dispose of the Common Shares).

 

(5) 

According to information provided to the Company by VA Partners I, LLC on April 29, 2022, as of December 31, 2021, 15,616,761 shares were beneficially owned by ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P. and may be deemed to be indirectly beneficially owned by (i) VA Partners I, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., (ii) ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. as the manager of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., (iii) ValueAct Capital Management, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P., (iv) ValueAct Holdings, L.P. as the majority owner of the membership interests of VA Partners I, LLC, (v) ValueAct Holdings II, L.P. as the sole owner of the membership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, LLC and as the majority owner of the limited partnership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P., and (vi) ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Holdings, L.P. and ValueAct Holdings II, L.P. Mr. Hale is a partner at ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC. 11,037 shares of previously awarded restricted share units held by Mr. Hale and all board compensation accrue to the benefit of the investors in ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., and not to any individual. Under an agreement with ValueAct Capital, Mr. Hale is deemed to hold the shares for the benefit of the limited partners of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P. and indirectly for (i) VA Partners I, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., (ii) ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. as the manager of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., (iii) ValueAct Capital Management, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P., (iv) ValueAct Holdings, L.P. as the majority owner of the membership interests of VA Partners I, LLC, (v) ValueAct Holdings II, L.P. as the sole owner of the membership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, LLC and as the majority owner of the limited partnership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P., and (vi) ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Holdings, L.P. and ValueAct Holdings II, L.P. Each person disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities deemed to be owned by the group that are not directly owned by such person.

 

(6) 

Effective June 1, 2021, Mr. Herendeen stepped down from his role as the Company’s CFO and was appointed Advisor to the Chairman and CEO.

 

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(7) 

According to information provided to the Company by Paulson & Co., Inc. on April 29, 2022, it has the sole power to vote and sole power to dispose of 25,839,053 of our Common Shares. Mr. Paulson may be deemed an indirect beneficial owner of these Common Shares, which are directly owned by investment funds which he manages. Mr. Paulson disclaims beneficial ownership of these Common Shares, except to the extent he has a pecuniary interest therein. This number also includes 220 Common Shares owned indirectly as a Uniform Gift to Minors Act custodian for minor children.

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and the NYSE. Such executive officers, directors and shareholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Based solely upon its review of the copies of such forms it received, or written representations from certain reporting persons for whom no such forms were required, the Company believes that during fiscal year 2021, all executive officers, directors and 10% beneficial owners of the Company timely filed all forms required by Section 16(a) except for the following: Mr. Appio filed one late Form 4 relating to a single transaction due to a clerical error.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Executive Summary

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) section describes our compensation approach and programs for our NEOs for 2021. Our NEOs for 2021 are:

 

   

Joseph C. Papa, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

 

   

Sam A. Eldessouky, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

   

Christina M. Ackermann, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Head of Commercial Operations

 

   

Thomas J. Appio, CEO, Pharma Business

 

   

Robert A. Spurr, U.S. President, Pharma Business

 

   

Paul S. Herendeen, Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer(1)

2021 Business Results

In 2021, our reported revenues grew by five percent, and several of our key products gained market share. We also delivered on near-term R&D catalysts, with four new product launches. We achieved the following financial results for 2021:

 

   

GAAP Revenues of $8,434M

 

   

GAAP Net Loss of ($948M)

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) of $3,472M(2)

 

   

GAAP Cash Generated from Operations of $1,426M

We also continued to execute on our plans to pursue an initial public offering (“IPO”) of the Solta Medical business and to pursue an IPO and full separation of the Bausch + Lomb (“B+L”) business (the “B+L IPO”). We made great progress in our efforts to unlock value by creating three great companies, substantially completing our preparations and planning, including publicly filing the registration statements for the proposed IPOs of B+L and Solta. The launch of these IPOs are subject to market conditions, stock exchange and other approvals.

Our Compensation Philosophy

Bausch Health’s compensation philosophy is designed to attract, retain, and motivate talented executives, including our NEOs, who are committed to the ongoing transformation of our company and to improving people’s lives through our products. Our compensation program is designed to link executive compensation to long-term business performance, while providing compensation opportunities that are competitive as compared to our peers and align the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders. Our programs also balance appropriate risk-taking and incorporate shareholder feedback.

A significant portion of total compensation is linked to satisfying our financial targets, including achieving positive total returns to shareholders, and strategic initiatives. Our strategic initiatives focus on areas that are critical to our success, including an emphasis on fostering an inclusive work environment where everyone feels welcomed, supported and valued for their talents and contributions through our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

 

 

(1) 

Effective June 1, 2021, Mr. Herendeen stepped down from his role and was appointed Advisor to the Chairman and CEO.

(2) 

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Please see Appendix 1 for a reconciliation of our GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures and related disclosures.

 

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(“DE&I”) strategy, and identifying and addressing current and emerging environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) trends that help us understand the needs of our patients and customers and provide us with the ability to enrich the communities and natural environments where we live and work.

In determining the appropriate mix of base salary and incentive pay (including annual cash incentives and long-term equity) for our NEOs, the Talent and Compensation Committee seeks to balance:

 

   

attracting and retaining our executives with the stability of a competitive base salary;

 

   

promoting pay-for-performance, as we believe our compensation program should emphasize incentive pay that appropriately rewards executives for their contribution to our overall performance; and

 

   

aligning compensation with company performance and shareholder value creation through the use of performance-based equity compensation awards.

In allocating between short-term and long-term compensation, the Talent and Compensation Committee seeks to establish a balance between rewarding past performance and recognizing potential future contributions. In that respect, the Talent and Compensation Committee designs our annual incentive program to reward executives for the achievement of pre-determined financial metrics and strategic priorities, and it grants equity awards under our long-term incentive program to provide an opportunity for additional compensation based on delivering on our long-term performance and shareholder value creation.

The compensation opportunity provided to our NEOs is primarily performance-based. In 2021, 92% of our CEO’s and 85%, on average, of our other NEOs’ compensation opportunity was performance-based pay, subject to the achievement of annual and long-term performance goals, including the growth of our Common Share price over time.

Shareholder-Friendly Compensation Practices

We maintain the following shareholder-friendly compensation practices which further align the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders and balance appropriate risk taking.

What We Do

 

   

Share ownership guidelines — All NEOs are subject to significant share ownership guidelines. Pursuant to our Share Ownership Guidelines, our CEO is required to hold 6 times base salary, and our other NEOs are required to hold 3 times base salary.

 

   

Holding requirements — In connection with his hiring, our CEO was required to purchase $5,000,000 of Common Shares, and our other NEOs are required to hold 50% of their net shares that vest under our long-term incentive plans, until they satisfy our Share Ownership Guidelines.

 

   

Performance-based equity — We grant performance share units with rigorous absolute and relative performance goals, which align the interests of our executives with our shareholders.

 

   

Capped award payouts — We set maximum award levels under our annual incentive program and performance share units, with award payouts capped at 200%. In addition, payout for the portion of performance share units based on total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance is capped at 100% if absolute TSR is negative over the performance period.

 

   

Clawback — The Board may exercise its discretion to require any employee who receives equity-based compensation to reimburse bonus, incentive or equity-based compensation awarded in the event of (1) a material restatement or adjustment to our financial statements or (2) detrimental conduct by the employee that has caused material financial, operational, or reputational harm to us.

 

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Double trigger acceleration following a change in control — No unvested equity awards accelerate on a “single-trigger” basis in connection with a change in control. Instead, unvested equity awards accelerate on a “double-trigger” basis upon a qualifying termination of employment in connection with a change in control.

 

   

Limited severance — Our severance arrangements are modest, providing a cash severance payment for our NEOs as follows: for our NEOs (other than our CEO, and the CEO of the Pharma Business), a cash severance payment equal to one and a half times annual base salary and annual target incentive and two times in the event of termination following a change in control; and for our CEO and the CEO of the Pharma Business, a cash severance payment of two times annual base salary and annual target incentive.

 

   

Independent compensation consultant — The Talent and Compensation Committee has engaged an independent compensation consultant that has no other ties to us or to our management.

 

   

Shareholder engagement — We are committed to ongoing engagement with our shareholders through structured, engaged investor outreach that enables us to obtain ongoing feedback on our compensation program.

What We Don’t Do

 

   

No hedging — Our anti-hedging policy prohibits officers, directors and employees from engaging in hedging, short selling, or monetization transactions with our Common Shares.

 

   

No pledging — Our anti-pledging policy prohibits officers, directors and employees from holding our securities in a margin account where the securities are subject to margin sales or pledging our securities as loan collateral. The anti-pledging policy exempts any margin accounts in existence at the time the policy was adopted by the Company. None of our NEOs or directors hold our securities in margin accounts subject to margin sales or pledging as loan collateral.

 

   

No repricing of underwater options — Repricing of stock options is expressly prohibited by our Omnibus Incentive Plan.

 

   

No excise tax gross-ups — We will not gross-up any excise tax that may be triggered as a result of a change in control severance payment.

 

   

No single trigger vesting or payments — We do not provide for “single trigger” equity award vesting or other “single trigger” payments or benefits upon a change in control.

 

   

No dividend or dividend equivalents on unearned incentive awards

 

   

No supplemental executive retirement plan — Executives are only eligible to participate in our tax-qualified Retirement Savings Plan that is provided on the same terms to all employees.

 

   

No automatic or guaranteed annual salary increases

2021 Shareholder Engagement

At our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, we held a non-binding advisory vote with respect to the compensation of our NEOs (commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” vote) with approximately 93% of the total shareholders’ votes cast voted in favor of our executive compensation program. We believe these favorable results indicate strong support for continuing our current executive compensation program.

In recent years, we have had significant dialogue and engagement with our shareholders in order to solicit feedback on our compensation philosophy and underlying programs through direct engagement with shareholders and during investor meetings and conferences. Members of our Talent and Compensation Committee directly engaged with 7 shareholders in April 2021 representing approximately 10% of our outstanding shares at that time. Consistent with our favorable “say-on-pay” results, shareholders continued to provide their support during these meetings for how our executive compensation program has evolved in recent years.

 

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The Talent and Compensation Committee is committed to ongoing engagement with our shareholders and will continue to solicit and consider the feedback received from shareholders regarding our executive compensation program.

Compensation Process

Role of the Talent and Compensation Committee

Our Board’s Talent and Compensation Committee, which is comprised entirely of independent directors, is responsible for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating our executive compensation philosophy and objectives and oversees the compensation program for senior executives. The Talent and Compensation Committee reviews and approves, or recommends to the Board for approval, all components of executive pay and reports its decisions to the Board. The Board, with the assistance of the Talent and Compensation Committee, reviews or approves matters related to executive compensation on an as-needed basis. The Committee’s responsibilities and authority are described fully in the Committee’s charter, which is available on our website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Corporate Governance — Corporate Governance Documents”).

Role of Management

Our CEO makes recommendations to the Talent and Compensation Committee for base salary, annual incentive awards and equity grants for each NEO (other than the CEO, whose compensation is determined solely by the Talent and Compensation Committee, or recommended to the Board for approval). Our CEO and Chief Human Resources Officer also provide recommendations to the Committee on other elements of our compensation program for senior executives, including, for example, the design and metrics under our annual and long-term incentive programs.

Our CEO also leads a process each year to establish the collective strategic priorities of the senior executive team, and then, with each executive, agrees on individual performance goals that tie to the achievement of these strategic priorities. These strategic priorities are shared with the Talent and Compensation Committee and their input is considered before they are finalized.

Role of the Independent Compensation Consultant

In 2021, the Talent and Compensation Committee again engaged the services of Pay Governance as its independent consultant to provide advice on executive compensation matters. Pay Governance reported directly to the Talent and Compensation Committee, which instructed the consultants to give it objective advice and without influence by management, and to provide such advice for the benefit of the Board and our shareholders. Pay Governance did not provide any other services to the Company or its management. The Talent and Compensation Committee has evaluated Pay Governance’s independence by considering the requirements adopted by the NYSE and the SEC and has determined that no conflict of interest exists.

Peer Group

Each year, the Talent and Compensation Committee reviews its peer group to determine if any changes should be made in order to ensure our peers reflect the businesses in which we compete for talent, and include relevant comparators, such as industry, business focus, and revenue.

 

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For 2021, the Talent and Compensation Committee reviewed the recommendation of its independent compensation consultant, Pay Governance, and did not make any changes to the peer group, except to update our current peer from Mylan to Viatris, as a result of the combination of Mylan with Pfizer’s Upjohn unit, as follows:

 

Alcon

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Amgen Inc.

Baxter International

Biogen Inc.

CooperCompanies, Inc.

Eli Lilly and Company

Endo International plc

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc

Perrigo Company plc

Teva Pharmaceuticals

United Therapeutics Corporation

Viatris

Zimmer Biomet

Zoetis Inc

 

 

The Talent and Compensation Committee will again review this peer group to determine what changes should be made in 2022 in order to establish peer groups for each of the three planned independent companies.

Since we hire executives largely from within the pharmaceutical, medical device, and healthcare technology industries, we use data from this peer group to benchmark pay levels, as well as pay practices. In addition to proxy data for the above companies, the Talent and Compensation Committee also utilizes the Willis Towers Watson’s Pharmaceuticals and Health Sciences Survey to supplement this data both in terms of pay levels as well as pay practices.

The Talent and Compensation Committee references the median of the market data as a guide when making decisions. Market data is one element that the Talent and Compensation Committee uses to make pay decisions. Multiple factors are considered in determining total compensation opportunity, including our compensation philosophy, the executive’s role and responsibility, the executive’s past performance, internal equity, and expected contributions and experience in the role.

Components of Executive Compensation

The components of executive compensation for our NEOs, as described in more detail below, include (i) base salary; (ii) incentive pay (including annual cash incentive and long-term equity incentives); (iii) retirement and welfare benefits; and (iv) executive benefits and perquisites.

Base Salary

We set our base salaries at competitive levels necessary to attract and retain top performing senior executives, including our NEOs. Base salaries provide an amount of fixed compensation to each senior executive for the performance of their core duties.

Base salaries are periodically reviewed as part of our performance review process, as well as upon a promotion or other change in job responsibilities. To the extent base salaries are adjusted, the amount of any such adjustment would reflect a review of competitive market data, consideration of relative levels of pay internally, individual performance of the executive, and any other circumstances that the Talent and Compensation Committee determines are relevant.

The NEOs Base Salaries are as follows:

 

NEO

   2020 Salary      2021 Salary      % Increase  

Joseph C. Papa

   $ 1,600,000      $ 1,600,000        No Change  

Sam A. Eldessouky

   $ 500,000      $ 700,000        40

Christina M. Ackermann

   $ 750,000      $ 750,000        No Change  

Thomas J. Appio

   $ 775,000      $ 1,000,000        29

Robert A. Spurr

   $ 600,000      $ 700,000        17

Paul S. Herendeen

   $ 1,000,000      $ 500,000        (50 %) 

 

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During 2021, the changes to base salaries described above were all made in connection with the promotions of our NEOs into new roles. As previously disclosed, Mr. Eldessouky, who previously served as the Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, was promoted to Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Mr. Herendeen (who remained with the Company as Advisor to the Chairman and CEO, with a reduced salary commensurate with his new role). In addition, in connection with the separation of its B+L eye health business from the remainder of Bausch Health, which is hereinafter being referred to as “Bausch Pharma”, Mr. Appio will be the CEO of Bausch Pharma and Mr. Spurr will be the U.S. President, Pharma Business.

In early 2022, the Talent and Compensation Committee determined that no annual increases would be made to any NEOs’ salaries for 2022.

Annual Incentive Program

Our 2021 annual incentive program (the “2021 AIP”) provides an opportunity for our senior executives, including our NEOs, to earn an annual incentive, paid in cash, based on the achievement of certain financial targets and strategic priorities.

2021 Annual Incentive Program Opportunity

The NEOs annual incentive target, as a percentage of base salary, are as follows:

 

NEO

   Incentive Target  

Joseph C. Papa

     150

Sam A. Eldessouky

     68 %1 

Christina M. Ackermann

     80

Thomas J. Appio

     93 %2 

Robert A. Spurr

     80

Paul Herendeen

     50 %3 

 

1. 

Mr. Eldessouky’s target bonus opportunity reflects a change to his incentive target during fiscal 2021 in connection with a change in his role during the year. Mr. Eldessouky’s target bonus opportunity for fiscal 2022 is 80% of base salary.

 

2. 

Mr. Appio’s target bonus opportunity reflects a change to his incentive target during fiscal 2021 in connection with a change in his role during the year. Mr. Appio’s target bonus opportunity for fiscal 2022 is 120% of base salary.

 

3. 

Mr. Herendeen’s target bonus opportunity reflects a change to his incentive target during fiscal 2021 in connection with a change in his role during the year. Mr. Herendeen is not eligible for a bonus for fiscal 2022.

2021 Annual Incentive Program Design

For our senior executives, including our NEOs, the annual incentive program is based on performance against pre-established financial targets and strategic priorities approved by the Board. Performance against financial targets makes up 75% of the total payout, while performance against strategic priorities makes up 25% of the total payout.

Adjusted EBITDA and Revenue are two of the key financial metrics our shareholders use to assess our performance. We believe these metrics focus our NEOs on delivering both organic growth, as well as the Company’s bottom line for our shareholders. The Company’s strategic priorities are intended to focus the organization on the key initiatives that will drive shareholder value over time.

For 2021, the performance of our entire senior executive team, including all of our NEOs, was measured against the Company’s overall Adjusted EBITDA and Revenue performance for 75% of their total payout.

 

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Adjusted EBITDA makes up 60% of this financial portion of their payout, and Revenue makes up 40% of this financial portion of their payout. Consistent with prior years, Company-wide strategic priorities comprise the remaining 25% of their payout. This approach rewards our senior executive team for collectively working towards our mission of improving people’s lives with our health care products, across all segments of our business.

For 2021, the threshold, target, and stretch performance and corresponding payouts were as follows, with award payouts capped at 200% of incentive target.

 

     EBITDA     Revenue    

 

 
     Performance versus Plan     Payout  

Below Threshold

     <90     <93     0

Threshold

     90     93     10

Target

     100     100     100

Stretch

     110     107     200

Above Stretch

     >110     >107     200

The Talent and Compensation Committee determines whether the financial metrics and strategic priorities have been achieved. In addition, it retains the ability to reduce or eliminate payouts for individual executives, including the NEOs, even if financial metrics and strategic priorities are met, as well as to increase payouts based on individual performance. In making these decisions, the Talent and Compensation Committee may consider factors such as the performance of the individual executive against their individual objectives in support of strategic priorities or additional financial metrics applicable to the business or functional area for which the NEO is responsible.

2021 Financial Objectives

In the beginning of 2021, the Board approved the Company’s budget for the full year, including Adjusted EBITDA and Revenue targets. These same financial metrics were reviewed and approved by the Talent and Compensation Committee to determine achievement under the Annual Incentive Program.

For our NEOs, the financial targets are based on attaining budget (to receive a payout at target) or stretch targets (to receive a payout above target) for Adjusted EBITDA and Revenue, as follows:

 

Financial Metric(1)

   Weighting     Threshold      Target      Stretch      Actual      Achieved     Payout(2)  

Adjusted EBITDA

     60   $ 3.067B      $ 3.408B      $ 3.749B      $ 3.501B        102.7     127.5

Revenue(3)

     40   $ 8.057B      $ 8.663B      $ 9.269B      $ 8.446B        97.5     64.3
                

 

 

   

 

 

 
                     102

 

(1) 

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Please see Appendix 1 for a reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures and related disclosures.

 

(2) 

In determining final payout versus the 2021 financial plan, the Talent and Compensation Committee reviewed and approved external factors outside of management’s control (e.g. foreign exchange, an earlier or later than anticipated loss of exclusivity, and other material adjustments).

 

(3) 

Revenue for these purposes is the same as GAAP revenue, except that the exchange rates are those used for the Annual Incentive Plan.

Based on the foregoing results, the Talent and Compensation Committee certified that the total payout based on the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA and Revenue was 102% for all NEOs.

 

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2021 Strategic Priorities

In the beginning of 2021, the Talent and Compensation Committee reviewed and approved the following strategic priorities, which make up the remaining 25% of our NEOs’ payout:

 

Strategic Priority

   Weighting     Payout  

Continue to cultivate a high-performance, results-oriented culture by recruiting, engaging, developing, rewarding and retaining talent

     20     90

Drive operational excellence across the enterprise

     20     110

Increase size, breadth, and value of product pipeline

     20     100

Develop “paths to win” across the enterprise

     20     110

Accomplish key milestones required to separate B+L into an independent company

     20     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Total       102

Achievement for each initiative was reviewed by the Talent and Compensation Committee, and credit was determined based on results against each initiative, including the following:

 

   

We continued to cultivate a high-performance, results-oriented culture by: (i) launching a global employee development framework focused on capability building, career development, and leadership growth to all employees, as well as global leadership programs to high-potential employees in support of our succession planning process; (ii) continuing to foster connections amongst our workforce through employee resource groups and listening sessions, as well as online and facilitator-led development programs for executives, managers, and employees; (iii) introducing separation-related communication efforts in order to maintain a one-team mindset during separation efforts; and (iv) ensuring employee retention, which, in line with what most companies were experiencing in the industries and geographies in which we operate, trended higher than in 2020.

 

   

We drove operational excellence across the Company by: (i) delivering cost improvements across materials, in-plant efficiencies, and SKU reductions; (ii) executing on quality outcomes in support of business objectives; and (iii) achieving cash flow targets through management of payables, receivables, and inventories.

 

   

We increased the size, breadth, and value of our product pipeline by: (i) meeting planned filings and approvals; (ii) meeting expectations on phase III, early stage, and late stage projects; and (iii) launching four new products.

 

   

We further developed “paths to win” by: (i) developing an environmental, social, and governance scorecard and executing on these goals, and (ii) remaining agile and adaptable as new COVID variants emerged and regulations and guidelines changed, ensuring business continuity and the safety of our employees.

 

   

We accomplished key milestones required to separate B+L and Solta into independent companies by (i) completing all internal steps to ensure operations separation; (ii) establishing leadership teams for Bausch Pharma, B+L, and Solta and notified all employees globally which company they would work for post-separation; (iii) completing financial segmentation; and (iv) filing the registration statements for the proposed IPOs of B+L and Solta.

Our strong results and achievements for these Company-wide strategic priorities resulted in a payout of 102%.

 

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2021 Annual Incentive Program Payouts

Based on this performance against pre-established financial targets (102% payout, comprising 75% of the total payout) and strategic priorities (102% payout, comprising 25% of the total payout) as approved by the Board, the following total payouts, were approved for our NEOs:

 

NEO

   Incentive
Target (%)
    Incentive Target
($)
     Bonus
Payout
     Bonus Payout as
% of Target(1)
 

Joseph C. Papa

     150   $ 2,400,000      $ 2,448,000        102

Sam A. Eldessouky

     68   $ 472,500      $ 481,950        102

Christina M. Ackermann

     80   $ 600,000      $ 612,000        102

Thomas J. Appio

     93   $ 933,333      $ 952,000        102

Robert A. Spurr

     80   $ 560,000      $ 571,200        102

Paul Herendeen

     50   $ 500,000      $ 510,000        102

 

(1) 

Bonus Payout as % of Target is shown at the nearest whole percent.

The Talent and Compensation Committee did not make any further adjustments to the payouts as calculated above based on performance against these pre-established financial targets and strategic priorities approved by the Board.

Long-Term Incentive Program

This program provides an opportunity for our senior executives to be granted a balanced portfolio of Performance Share Units (“PSUs”), Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”), and Stock Options.

2021 Grants to NEOs

For 2021, all of our NEOs received 2021 LTIP awards, which were granted for our CEO 70% in PSUs, 15% in RSUs and 15% in Stock Options and for the other NEOs 40% in PSUs, 30% in RSUs, and 30% in Stock Options, with the following approximate values.

 

NEO

   Approved Value  

Joseph C. Papa(1)

   $ 15,250,000  

Sam A. Eldessouky(2)(3)

   $ 2,750,000  

Christina M. Ackermann(2)

   $ 2,500,000  

Thomas J. Appio(2)(4)

   $ 7,250,000  

Robert A. Spurr(2)(5)

   $ 2,100,000  

Paul Herendeen(2)

   $ 4,375,000  

 

(1)

Includes a PSU grant with an aggregate approved value of $4,000,000 for Mr. Papa, awarded in March 2021 as described below under B+L Separation Metrics.

 

(2)

Includes a one-time RSU grant with an aggregate approved value of $125,000 for Mr. Eldessouky, $500,000 for Ms. Ackermann, $450,000 for Mr. Appio, $350,000 for Mr. Spurr, and $875,000 for Mr. Herendeen, each of which were awarded in March 2021 in recognition of accomplishments related to BHC’s business recovery in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts in connection with the separation of the B+L business.

 

(3)

Includes a one-time promotion equity grant with an aggregate approved value of $2,000,000 for Mr. Eldessouky, which was awarded in June 2021 in connection with his appointment to CFO of BHC. This award was granted 50% in the form of RSUs and 50% in the form of stock options.

 

(4) 

Includes a one-time promotion equity grant with an aggregate approved value of $5,000,000 for Mr. Appio, which was awarded in September 2021 in connection with his appointment to CEO of Bausch Pharma. This award was granted 50% in the form of PSUs and 50% in the form of stock options.

 

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(5)

Includes a one-time promotion equity grant with an aggregate approved value of $500,000 for Mr. Spurr, which was awarded in September 2021 in connection with his appointment to U.S. President, Pharma Business. This award was granted 50% in the form of RSUs and 50% in the form of stock options.

2021 Performance Share Units

PSUs provide senior executives with the right to receive Common Shares at a future date, assuming performance against pre-determined metrics are achieved, specifically our Return on Tangible Capital (“ROTC”) and relative TSR, and, for our CEO, BHC’s Separation of B+L (as described in more detail below).

For 2021, for our CEO, ROTC and TSR metrics each comprised approximately 31% of the total PSU award, with the number of PSUs that may be achieved capped at 200%, and B+L separation-related metrics comprised approximately 37% of the total PSU award (the “B+L Separation PSUs”), with the number of PSUs that may be achieved capped at 100%. For 2021, for all other NEOs, ROTC and TSR each comprised 50% of the total PSU award, with the number of PSUs that may be achieved capped at 200%.

The value ultimately received is based on our performance against these metrics, which are key measures of our long-term performance, as well as the growth of our Common Share price over time.

Return On Tangible Capital Metrics

ROTC is measured over three years, from 2021 through 2023. Starting in 2019, the Talent and Compensation Committee updated the ROTC calculation by weighting the two components that comprise ROTC – Net Operating Profit After Taxes (“NOPAT”) (75%) and Net Operating Assets (25%) – with a higher weighting on the profitability component of this calculation. The following ROTC goals were set at the beginning of 2021 and apply to the grants made to our NEOs in 2021.

 

Financial Metric

   Weighting     Threshold      Target      Stretch      Actual      Achieved     Payout  

NOPAT

     75   $ 2.618B      $ 2.909B      $ 3.200B      $ 2.901B        99.7     97.9

Net Operating Assets

     25   $ 2.104B      $ 1.913B      $ 1.722B      $ 1.699B        111.2     200.0
                

 

 

   

 

 

 
                     123

The Talent and Compensation Committee has determined that, based on our combined NOPAT and Net Operating Asset results, 123% of the ROTC PSUs were achieved for 2021.

Total Shareholder Return Metrics

The relative TSR performance period is three years, from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023, and is measured as compared to the NYSE ARCA PHARMACEUTICAL INDEX peers. The following targets were set at the beginning of 2021 and apply to grants made in 2021:

 

     Percentile     Payout  

Below Threshold

     <30     0

Threshold

     30     50

Target

     50     100

Stretch

     80     200

Above Stretch

     >80     200

TSR is calculated as the stock price appreciation for the 20 days preceding the beginning of the performance period as compared to the 20 days preceding the end of the performance period, plus dividends and distributions made or declared (assuming such dividends or distributions are reinvested in the Common Shares of the Company) during the performance period. Further, if our absolute TSR is negative over the three-year period, any payout will in no event exceed 100%.

 

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B+L Separation Metrics

B+L separation-related metrics for purposes of our CEO’s B+L Separation PSUs are performance criteria related to the separation of B+L from BHC. These PSUs will be earned based upon the achievement of (a) the operational separation of the B+L business from BHC and (b) the consummation of the spin-off distribution of B+L from BHC. The number of PSUs that may be achieved is capped at 100%.

If the first performance metric is achieved, 50% of these PSUs will vest upon the closing of the B+L IPO, subject to continued employment through such applicable date. The remaining 50% of these PSUs will vest on the date the second performance metric is achieved, subject to continued employment through such applicable date.

2021 Restricted Share Units

RSUs provide senior executives with the right to receive Common Shares at a future date. The value ultimately received is based on the growth of our Common Share price over time. RSUs vest one-third per year, assuming continued employment.

2021 Stock Options

Stock options provide senior executives the opportunity to purchase our Common Shares at a price equal to the market price at the time of the grant. The value ultimately received is based on the growth of our Common Share price over time. Stock options vest one-third per year, and remain exercisable for a ten-year term, subject to continued employment.

2019 Performance Share Unit Vesting

On February 27, 2022, the PSUs granted in 2019 to Mr. Papa, Mr. Eldessouky, Ms. Ackermann, Mr. Appio, Mr. Spurr, and Mr. Herendeen vested based on their continued employment through the vesting date. ROTC comprised 50% of the total PSU award and TSR comprised 50% of the total PSU award, with the number of PSUs that could be achieved capped at 200%.

ROTC was measured over three years, from 2019 through 2021. 2019 ROTC was achieved at 117%, 2020 ROTC was achieved at 65%, and, as disclosed above, 2021 ROTC was achieved at 123%. The average of these three years resulted in a final ROTC payout of 101% for the 2019 ROTC PSUs.

TSR was measured on both an absolute and relative basis. The relative TSR performance period was three years, from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021, and was measured as compared to the NYSE ARCA PHARMACEUTICAL INDEX peers.

 

     Percentile     Payout  

Below Threshold

     <30     0

Threshold

     30     50

Target

     50     100

Stretch

     80     200

Above Stretch

     >80     200

TSR was calculated as the stock price appreciation for the 20 days preceding the beginning of the performance period ($21.49) as compared to the 20 days preceding the end of the performance period ($25.93), plus dividends and distributions made or declared (assuming such dividends or distributions are reinvested in the Common Shares of the Company) during the performance period. Based on our TSR ranking in the 38th percentile of our peers, the final payout was 70%. Further, since our absolute TSR was not negative over the three-year period, and the payout was already below 100%, an absolute TSR cap was not applied.

 

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The total number of PSUs that were achieved for the combined ROTC and TSR 2019 PSU award was 85%. These 2019 PSUs were delivered in February 2022, as shown in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table beginning on page 71.

LTIP Program Changes

BHC’s Compensation Committee has determined that (i) ROTC performance in respect of the 2022 performance period and the 2023 performance period applicable to the PSUs granted in each of 2020 and 2021, as applicable, will be deemed to be achieved at target at the closing of the B+L IPO, (ii) the last day of the TSR performance period applicable to such PSUs will be the date of the closing of the B+L IPO, with actual achievement of the TSR performance metrics measured by the Talent and Compensation Committee through such date, and (iii) the 2021 ROTC PSUs will service vest on March 3, 2023 (versus March 3, 2024).

The Talent and Compensation Committee also determined that 2022 LTIP awards should be awarded 50% in RSU and 50% in Stock Options, in light of the pending B+L IPO and the challenge of setting new PSU metrics in the midst of this transformational time for our company. Mr. Appio and Mr. Spurr received grants in March 2022 under this program, based on their future roles with Bausch Pharma. We intend to re-introduce PSUs in Bausch Pharma’s future LTIP program. Specifically, following the B+L IPO, the Talent and Compensation Committee will undertake a review of the LTIP for Bausch Pharma’s senior executives, including the NEOs, to ensure the LTIP program continues to align with Bausch Pharma’s future business strategy as well as pharmaceutical industry practices.

Matching Share Program

Starting in August 2018, NEOs became eligible to participate in the Bausch Health Companies Matching Share Program. Under this program, shares purchased on the open market by recipients are matched with one Matching Restricted Stock Unit (“MRSU”) issued under the 2014 Plan. Generally, MRSUs granted for a period of three years may not exceed the value of 50% of the sum of the NEO’s annual base salary and target annual cash bonus, less any shares sold within the past six months (excluding any shares sold to cover a tax obligation resulting from a vesting event).

Subject to the provisions of the 2014 Plan and applicable award agreements, MRSUs vest pro-rata over a three-year period, provided that the recipient is employed through the applicable vesting dates. Vesting ceases upon termination of employment (except in limited circumstances), and any MRSUs that do not become vested prior to the recipient’s termination of employment or that do not become vested according to the provisions of the terms of the award are forfeited.

None of our NEOs purchased shares under this program during 2021.

B+L Separation Bonus Opportunity

In October 2020, BHC’s Compensation Committee approved Mr. Eldessouky’s, Ms. Ackermann’s, Mr. Appio’s, Mr. Spurr’s and Mr. Herendeen’s eligibility for a performance-based separation bonus, which requires the achievement of pre-determined milestones related to the separation transaction. Payment is made in cash, with 50% conditioned upon meeting internal readiness criteria for the separation of the two companies and the remaining 50% conditioned upon the successful close of the B+L separation transaction. Payment is subject to continued employment, except in limited circumstances. The first 50% was paid in October 2021; additional details are shown below in the Summary Compensation Table on page 67.

Retirement and Welfare Benefits

The retirement and welfare benefit programs are a necessary element of the total compensation package to ensure a competitive position in attracting and maintaining a committed workforce. Participation in these programs is not tied to performance.

 

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Our specific contribution levels to these programs are adjusted annually to maintain a competitive position while considering costs.

 

   

Retirement Savings Plan — All employees in the United States, including our NEOs, are eligible to participate in a tax-qualified retirement savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Code. Eligible employees are able to contribute to the Retirement Savings Plan, on a before-tax basis, up to 75% of their eligible compensation, subject to the limit prescribed by the Code. In 2021, we matched 100% of the first 3% of pay and 50% on the next 3% of pay that is contributed to the Retirement Savings Plan. All employee contributions to the Retirement Savings Plan are fully vested upon contribution; matching contributions vest ratably over three years.

 

   

Welfare Plans — Our executives are also eligible to participate in our broad-based welfare benefits plans (including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and disability plans) upon the same terms and conditions as other employees.

Executive Benefits and Perquisites

We provide our NEOs with limited perquisites and other personal benefits that the Talent and Compensation Committee believes are reasonable and consistent with our overall compensation program to better attract and retain superior employees for key positions. The Talent and Compensation Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to our NEOs. The Talent and Compensation Committee intends to maintain only those perquisites and other benefits that it determines to be necessary components of total compensation and that are not inconsistent with shareholder interests.

The Talent and Compensation Committee permits the Chairman and CEO to use our aircraft for his business travel and, on a limited basis, for personal travel. Certain travel for immediate family members is also permitted, as reported on page 68 in footnote 4 to the Summary Compensation Table. We do not gross up the income tax incurred by Mr. Papa resulting from his personal use of our aircraft. The Talent and Compensation Committee believes that making our aircraft available to our Chairman and CEO allows him to serve shareholder interests by efficiently and securely conducting business during and when traveling.

Attributed costs of the personal benefits described above for our NEOs for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 are included in the column entitled “All Other Compensation” of the Summary Compensation Table on page 67.

Mr. Papa’s Employment Agreement

In April 2016, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Papa, which will be assigned to B+L upon, and subject to, the closing of the B+L IPO. The initial term of Mr. Papa’s agreement commenced on May 2, 2016 and continues until the fifth anniversary of the commencement date. Beginning at the expiration of the initial term, the term will automatically renew for successive one-year periods unless either party gives notice of non-renewal.

Cash Compensation

Pursuant to his agreement, Mr. Papa receives a base salary and a target annual incentive opportunity equal to 150% of his base salary, with a maximum annual incentive opportunity equal to 200% of his annual target incentive.

Equity Compensation

In connection with entering into his employment agreement, Mr. Papa received (i) 373,367 RSUs and (ii) an option to acquire Common Shares with a grant-date fair value equal to $10,000,000 at an exercise price equal to

 

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the fair market value of our Common Shares on the date of grant. Additionally, pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Papa was required to purchase $5,000,000 worth of Common Shares by no later than the first anniversary of his commencement date. Mr. Papa satisfied this obligation.

RSUs. As provided for under the RSU award agreement, 50% (186,684) of these RSUs vested on May 2, 2018, the second anniversary of his commencement date, based on pre-determined individual goals relating to (i) succession planning; (ii) government relations; (iii) employee relations; (iv) customer relations; and (v) shareholder relations being achieved. The remaining 50% vested on the fourth anniversary of his commencement date.

Options. The options vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries following the commencement date, subject to Mr. Papa’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date.

Future equity grants for Mr. Papa are at the sole discretion of the Board or the Talent and Compensation Committee.

Termination of Employment

The consequences of Mr. Papa’s termination of employment, whether or not in connection with a “change in control,” are described in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,” beginning on page 76.

Holding Requirements

Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Papa is restricted from selling, assigning, transferring or otherwise disposing of Common Shares acquired pursuant to equity awards granted to him in accordance with the employment agreement (net of any shares sold or withheld by us in payment of the exercise price or tax withholding obligations) until the fourth anniversary of his commencement date (or, if later, in the case of all of Mr. Papa’s options, the first anniversary of the exercise date or vesting date and, in the case of 50% of Mr. Papa’s options, the second anniversary of the exercise date or vesting date). In addition, Mr. Papa is restricted from selling, assigning, transferring or otherwise disposing of Common Shares he purchases pursuant to his employment agreement until the fourth anniversary of the purchase date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all sales restrictions will lapse upon a “change of control” (excluding any change of control following which Mr. Papa serves as the chief executive officer of the ultimate parent company), Mr. Papa’s death, disability and involuntary termination of employment without “cause” or for “good reason,” or, in the case of the purchased shares, Mr. Papa’s voluntary termination of employment.

Restrictive Covenants

Mr. Papa is subject to customary restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation covenants during his employment and for two years following termination of employment for any reason.

Mr. Eldessouky’s Employment Agreement

In May 2021, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Eldessouky upon his appointment as CFO, which will be assigned to B+L upon, and subject to, the closing of the B+L IPO. The initial three-year term of Mr. Eldessouky’s agreement commenced on June 1, 2021. The term will automatically renew for successive one-year periods unless either party gives notice of non-renewal.

Pursuant to his agreement, Mr. Eldessouky receives a base salary and a target annual incentive opportunity equal to 80% of his base salary, with a maximum annual incentive opportunity equal to 200% of his annual target incentive. In connection with his promotion to Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Eldessouky received an equity grant with an aggregate value of $2,000,000, 50% in the form of RSUs and 50% in the form of stock options. Ongoing equity grants are at the sole discretion of the Talent and Compensation Committee.

 

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The consequences of Mr. Eldessouky’s termination of employment, whether or not in connection with a “change in control,” are described in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,” beginning on page 76.

Mr. Eldessouky is subject to customary restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation covenants during his employment and for one year following termination of employment for any reason.

Ms. Ackermann’s Employment Agreement

In July 2016, we entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Ackermann, which will be assigned to B+L upon, and subject to, the closing of the B+L IPO. Ms. Ackermann’s agreement commenced on August 8, 2016.

Pursuant to her agreement, Ms. Ackermann receives a base salary and a target annual incentive opportunity equal to 80% of her base salary, with a maximum annual incentive opportunity equal to 200% of her annual target incentive. Ongoing equity grants are at the sole discretion of the Talent and Compensation Committee.

The consequences of Ms. Ackermann’s termination of employment, whether or not in connection with a “change in control,” are described in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,” beginning on page 76.

Ms. Ackermann is subject to customary restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation covenants during her employment and for one year following termination of employment for any reason.

Mr. Appio’s Employment Agreement

In March 2017, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Appio, which was amended in connection with his appointment to CEO, Bausch Pharma in 2021. The initial three-year term of Mr. Appio’s amended agreement commenced on September 1, 2021. The term will continue to automatically renew for successive one-year periods unless either party gives notice of non-renewal.

Pursuant to his agreement, Mr. Appio receives a base salary and a target annual incentive opportunity equal to 120% of his base salary, with a maximum annual incentive opportunity equal to 200% of his annual target incentive. In connection with his promotion to CEO, Bausch Pharma, Mr. Appio received an equity grant with an aggregate approved value of $5,000,000, 50% in the form of PSUs and 50% in the form of stock options. PSUs vest based on the achievement of absolute TSR, with 50% vesting if the stock price is $27.70, 100% vesting if the stock price is $30.47, 150% vesting if the stock price is $31.86, and 200% vesting if the stock price is $33.24. Absolute TSR will be measured using the price at the time of the separation of B+L from the Company using a 20-day trail and straight-line interpolation, and no shares will vest if the price at the time of measurement is less than $27.70. Ongoing equity grants are at the sole discretion of the Talent and Compensation Committee.

Mr. Appio’s expatriate assignment from New Jersey to China ended as of December 31, 2021, in connection with his appointment to CEO, Bausch Pharma. While on assignment in 2021, Mr. Appio received (i) Company-paid housing in China; (ii) tax equalization, with Mr. Appio responsible for actual taxes due in the United States and the Company responsible for any taxes due in non-U.S. jurisdictions in which Mr. Appio earns taxable income; and (iii) tax preparation services. These benefits are reported in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 67, including reimbursement related to the taxes on imputed income for these expatriate assignment benefits, as described on page 68 in footnote 4 to such table.

The consequences of Mr. Appio’s termination of employment, whether or not in connection with a “change in control,” are described in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,” beginning on page 76.

 

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Mr. Appio is subject to customary restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation covenants during his employment and for two years following termination of employment for any reason.

Mr. Spurr’s Employment Agreement

In May 2020, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Spurr, which was amended in connection with his appointment to U.S. President, Bausch Pharma in 2021. The initial three-year term of Mr. Spurr’s amendment agreement commenced September 1, 2021. The term will automatically renew for successive one-year periods unless either party gives notice of non-renewal.

Pursuant to his agreement, Mr. Spurr receives a base salary and a target annual incentive opportunity equal to 80% of his base salary, with a maximum annual incentive opportunity equal to 200% of his annual target incentive. In connection with his promotion to U.S. President, Bausch Pharma, Mr. Spurr received an equity grant with an aggregate approved value of $500,000, 50% in the form of RSUs and 50% in the form of stock options. Ongoing equity grants are at the sole discretion of the Talent and Compensation Committee.

The consequences of Mr. Spurr’s termination of employment, whether or not in connection with a “change in control,” are described in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,” beginning on page 76.

Mr. Spurr is subject to customary restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation covenants during his employment and for one year following termination of employment for any reason.

Mr. Herendeen’s Employment Agreement

In August 2016, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Herendeen, which was amended effective June 1, 2021 when he stepped down from his role as Chief Financial Officer and was appointed Advisor to the Chairman and CEO. Under this amended agreement, Mr. Herendeen’s employment shall continue through May 31, 2022 unless renewed by mutual agreement by Mr. Herendeen and the Company. Under this amended agreement, Mr. Herendeen receives an annual base salary of $500,000.

The consequences of Mr. Herendeen’s termination of employment, whether or not in connection with a “change in control,” are described in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,” beginning on page 76.

Mr. Herendeen is subject to customary restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation covenants during his employment and for one year following termination of employment for any reason.

Other Compensation Governance Practices

Share Ownership Guidelines

The Talent and Compensation Committee believes that purchasing and holding Common Shares with one’s own money should create an incentive to manage the Company prudently. When our CEO was hired in 2016, he was required to purchase at least $5,000,000 worth of Common Shares by no later than the first anniversary of his commencement date, which he did.

The Talent and Compensation Committee has also established minimum share ownership requirements for our NEOs. Our CEO is required to hold 6 times base salary, and our other NEOs are required to hold 3 times base salary. Common Shares and unvested RSUs are included in the calculation of share ownership. NEOs have five years to achieve these guidelines and must retain 50% of their net shares vesting until this requirement is met. Mr. Papa, Mr. Eldessouky, Ms. Ackermann, and Mr. Appio have satisfied this requirement; Mr. Spurr has until May 2025 to satisfy this requirement.

 

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Anti-Pledging, Anti-Hedging and Clawback Policies

We have adopted Anti-Hedging, Anti-Pledging, and recoupment (“Clawback”) Policies. The Anti-Hedging Policy generally prohibits officers, directors and employees from engaging in new hedging or monetization transactions with Company stock. This prohibition prevents officers, directors and employees from owning securities without the full risks and rewards of ownership and preserves the common interests and objectives of the Company and its officers, directors and employees. The Anti-Pledging Policy generally prohibits officers, directors and employees from holding our securities in a margin account where the securities are subject to margin sales or pledging our securities as loan collateral.

The Clawback Policy provides that the Board may exercise its discretion to require any employee who receives equity-based compensation to reimburse bonus, incentive or equity-based compensation awarded to such employees beginning in 2017 in the event of:

 

   

A material restatement or adjustment to our financial statements as a result of such employee’s knowing or intentional fraudulent or illegal misconduct; or

 

   

Such employee’s detrimental conduct that has caused material financial, operational or reputational harm to us, including (i) acts of fraud or dishonesty during the course of employment; (ii) improper conduct that causes material harm to us or our affiliates; (iii) improper disclosure of confidential material that causes material harm to us or our affiliates; (iv) the commission of a felony or crime of comparable magnitude that subjects us to material reputational harm; (v) commission of an act or omission that causes a violation of federal or other applicable securities law; or (vi) gross negligence in exercising supervisory authority.

Following a material restatement or adjustment of our financial statements, the compensation subject to clawback is the amount in excess of what would have been awarded based on the corrected performance measures, calculated on a pre-tax basis. If the financial reporting measure applicable to the incentive or equity-based compensation is a stock price or TSR measure, the Board has broad authority to estimate the effect of the financial restatement on our share price in calculating recoverable compensation. In the case of detrimental conduct, the Board has the ability to recover all incentive compensation.

We may not indemnify any covered employee, directly or indirectly, for any losses incurred in connection with the recovery of any compensation under the policy, including through the payment of insurance premiums, gross-up payments or supplemental payments. The policy will continue to apply to covered employees even after they cease to be employed by us.

Compensation Risk Determination

The Talent and Compensation Committee assesses the potential risks relating to our compensation policies and practices for our employees, including those related to our executive compensation programs. Periodically, the Talent and Compensation Committee reviews and discusses with management the relationship between the Company’s compensation policies and practices and its risk management, including the extent to which those policies and practices create risks for the Company, to ensure that such policies and practices support not only economic performance, but also compliance with our risk management objectives, and to ensure that they do not encourage excessive or unnecessary risk-taking and are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Tax and Accounting Implications

Tax Considerations of Our Executive Compensation

Section 162(m) of the Code generally limits the tax deductibility of annual compensation paid by public companies for certain executive officers to $1 million.

 

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The Talent and Compensation Committee may continue to approve compensation that will not be fully-deductible in order to ensure competitive levels of total compensation for its executive officers.

Accounting for Our Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based payments, including grants under each of our equity compensation plans in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 718.

 

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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Report of the Talent and Compensation Committee of the Board shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.

The Talent and Compensation Committee of our Board has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Talent and Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

 

Talent and Compensation Committee

Dr. Argeris (Jerry) N. Karabelas, Chairperson

Richard U. De Schutter

Amy B. Wechsler, M.D.

 

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2021 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table sets forth the annual and long-term compensation awarded to or paid to the NEOs for services rendered to the Company in all capacities during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

 

Name and Principal Position

  Year     Salary
($)
    Bonus
($)
    Stock
Awards
($)(1)
    Option
Awards
($)(2)
    Non-Equity
Incentive  Plan
Compensation
($)(3)
    All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
    Total
($)
 

Joseph C. Papa(5)

    2021       1,600,000             16,561,105       2,250,054       2,448,000       29,978       22,889,137  

Chief Executive Officer

    2020       1,526,539             8,127,907       2,251,352       2,160,000       53,563       14,119,361  
    2019       1,500,000             10,286,634       1,999,998       3,240,000       115,014       17,141,646  

Sam A. Eldessouky

    2021       620,385             1,778,793       1,187,756       731,950       13,340       4,332,224  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    2020       500,000             392,709       187,631       225,000       12,825       1,318,165  

Christina M. Ackermann

    2021       750,000             2,348,225       600,033       862,000       14,330       4,574,588  

Executive Vice President,

    2020       743,654             1,692,387       540,362       540,000       24,625       3,541,028  

General Counsel and Head of Commercial Operations

    2019       690,308             1,343,982       525,050       806,400       14,192       3,379,932  

Thomas J. Appio

    2021       854,135         6,752,818       540,009       1,202,000       839,084       10,188,046  

President & Co-Head

    2020       775,000             1,131,025       540,362       558,000       824,000       3,828,387  

Bausch + Lomb/International

    2019       768,942             1,343,982       525,050       892,800       427,227       3,958,001  

Robert A. Spurr

    2021       636,154             1,768,210       625,010       821,200       18,050       3,868,624  

President, U.S. Pharma Business

               

Paul S. Herendeen

    2021       707,692             4,109,488       1,050,034       1,010,000       21,635       6,898,849  

Former Executive Vice President

    2020       1,000,000             2,815,424       1,050,667       1,080,000       20,012       5,966,103  

and Chief Financial Officer(6)

    2019       1,000,000             3,175,712       1,050,049       1,728,000       23,600       6,977,361  

 

(1) 

This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for all stock awards granted in 2021, which includes PSUs and RSUs. The grant date fair value shown here differs from the approved value shown in the CD&A because of the accounting methodology required in this table. The grant date fair value of PSU awards was calculated based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions related to these awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 (excluding the effects of estimated forfeitures). For the 2021 amounts, the amount in the table includes the following values: (i) PSUs ($14,146,781) and RSUs ($2,414,324) for Mr. Papa; (ii) PSUs ($364,944) and RSUs ($1,413,849) for Mr. Eldessouky; (iii) PSUs ($1,167,925) and RSUs ($1,180,300) for Ms. Ackermann; (iv) PSUs ($3,086,514) and RSUs ($3,666,304) for Mr. Appio; (v) PSUs ($729,887) and RSUs ($1,038,323) for Mr. Spurr; and (vi) PSUs ($2,043,914) and RSUs ($2,065,574) for Mr. Herendeen.

The number of PSUs that are ultimately distributed will be determined based on (i) TSR, and (ii) ROTC, and (iii), for Mr. Papa, B+L separation-related metrics. The grant date fair value assuming a 200% payout, which is the maximum outcome of the performance conditions for TSR and ROTC, and a 100% payout, which is the maximum outcome of the performance for B+L separation-related metrics, would be $24,001,405 for Mr. Papa, $729,888 for Mr. Eldessouky, $2,335,850 for Ms. Ackermann, $6,173,028 for Mr. Appio, $1,459,774 for Mr. Spurr and $4,087,828 for Mr. Herendeen.

 

(2) 

For the 2021 amounts, this column represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, using Black-Scholes, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures.

 

(3)

This column represents the NEO’s 2021 AIP payouts as further described beginning on page 52 under “Components of Executive Compensation — Annual Incentive Program”. In addition, this column also represents the payout of 50% of the B+L separation bonus for our NEOs (other than Mr. Papa, who was not

 

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eligible for such bonus) for the achievement of pre-determined performance metrics related to the B+L separation transaction as further described under “ –B+L Separation Bonus Opportunity.”

 

(4) 

For 2021, amounts in this column for each NEO consist of the following:

 

     Papa      Eldessouky      Ackermann      Appio     Spurr      Herendeen  

401(k) Match

   $ 13,050      $ 13,050      $ 13,050      $ 13,050     $ 13,050      $
13,050
 

Use of Company Aircraft(A)

   $ 11,428                                 $ 3,585  

Use of Company Car(B)

          $ 290      $ 1,280                      

Executive Physical(C)

   $ 5,500      $      $            $ 5,000      $ 5,000  

Tax Reimbursement

                        $ 51,983 (D)              

Expat Program Benefits

                        $ 774,051               

 

  (A) 

Amount includes the value of Mr. Papa and Mr. Herendeen’s personal use of the Company’s aircraft (with the Company’s incremental cost calculated based on all variable costs for the year, including the mileage charge for the flight, the fuel and allocable maintenance charge for the flight, as well as the ground transportation charge, in accordance with the Company’s policy on aircraft use). Beginning with 2020, the Company modified its methodology for calculating this incremental cost by limiting the maintenance charge to the portion allocable to the flight. There was no income tax gross-up related to the personal use of the Company aircraft and Mr. Papa and Mr. Herendeen are solely responsible for the income tax incurred. We did not include the incremental cost of any portion of our monthly aircraft management fee, which we would have paid regardless of the personal use, or depreciation on the plane, which does not vary based on use.

 

  (B) 

This amount is the value of Mr. Eldessouky’s and Ms. Ackermann’s personal use of a Company vehicle.

 

  (C) 

This amount represents the value of the executive physical benefit provided to Company executives.

 

  (D) 

Mr. Appio was on an expatriate assignment from New Jersey to China during 2021. This amount represents the reimbursement related to the taxes on the imputed income from Mr. Appio’s Expat Program Benefits as provided for pursuant to the Company’s standard policy.

 

(5) 

Mr. Papa is Chairman of the Board. He does not receive any additional compensation of any kind for his services as a Board member.

 

(6) 

Mr. Herendeen ceased serving as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer on June 1, 2021 and transitioned to a new role as Advisor to the Chairman and CEO.

 

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table provides information on the grants of plan-based awards to the NEOs during the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

                Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)
    Estimated Future
Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(2)
    All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares of
Stock or
Units(3)
(#)
    All Other
Option
Awards:
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Options(4)
(#)
    Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards(5)
($/Sh)
    Grant
Date Fair
Value(6)
($)
 

Name

  Grant
Date
    Committee
Action
Date
    Threshold
($)
    Target
($)
    Maximum
($)
    Threshold
(#)
    Target
(#)
    Maximum
(#)
 

Joseph C. Papa

                       

2021 AIP

    2/15/2021       2/15/2021       0       2,400,000       4,800,000                

2021 TSR PSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021             55,613       111,226       222,452             6,233,105  

2021 ROTC PSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021             27,807       111,226       222,452             3,621,519  

2021 B+L Separation PSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021             —         131,823       131,823             4,292,157  

2021 RSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021                   74,150           2,414,324  

2021 Options

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021                     196,464       32.56       2,250,054  

Sam A. Eldessouky

                       

2021 AIP

    2/15/2021       2/15/2021       0       560,000       1,120,000                

2021 TSR PSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021             2,060       4,119       8,238             230,829  

2021 ROTC PSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021             1,030       4,119       8,238             134,115  

2021 RSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021                   10,298           335,303  

2021 Options

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021                     16,374       32.56       187,527  

2021 Promotion RSUs

    6/1/2021       3/10/2021                   33,673           1,078,546  

2021 Promotion Options

    6/1/2021       3/10/2021                     122,427       32.03       1,000,229  

Christina M. Ackermann

                       

2021 AIP

    2/15/2021       2/15/2021       0       600,000       1,200,000                

2021 TSR PSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021             6,591       13,182       26,364             738,719  

2021 ROTC PSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021             3,296       13,182       26,364             429,206  

2021 RSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021                   36,250           1,180,300  

2021 Options

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021                     52,392       32.56       600,033  

Thomas J. Appio

                       

2021 AIP

    2/15/2021       2/15/2021       0       1,200,000       2,400,000                

2021 TSR PSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021             5,932       11,864       23,728             664,859  

2021 ROTC PSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021             2,966       11,864       23,728             386,292  

2021 RSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021                   32,626           1,062,303  

2021 Options

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021                     47,151       32.56       540,009  

2021 Promotion PSUs

    9/1/2021       7/30/2021             22,565       90,260       180,520           2,035,363  

2021 Promotion RSUs

    9/1/2021       7/30/2021                   90,260           2,604,001  

Robert A. Spurr

                       

2021 AIP

    2/15/2021       2/15/2021       0       560,000       1,120,000                

2021 TSR PSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021             4,119       8,238       16,476             461,658  

2021 ROTC PSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021             2,060       8,238       16,476             268,229  

2021 RSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021                   23,892           777,923  

2021 Options

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021                     32,749       32.56       375,066  

2021 Promotion RSUs

    9/1/2021       7/30/2021                   9,026           260,400  

2021 Promotion Options

    9/1/2021       7/30/2021                     31,400       28.85       249,944  

Paul Herendeen

                       

2021 AIP

    2/15/2022       2/15/2022       0       1,200,000       2,400,000                

2021 TSR PSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021             11,535       23,069       46,138             1,292,787  

2021 ROTC PSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021             5,767       23,069       46,138             751,127  

2021 RSU

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021                   63,439           2,065,574  

2021 Options

    3/3/2021       2/15/2021                     91,684       32.56       1,050,034  

 

(1) 

2021 AIP represents the threshold, target, and maximum awards set under the program. The actual amount paid for 2021 is included in the Summary Compensation Table on page 67 under the column titled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”

 

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(2) 

Amounts shown are the threshold, target and maximum number of units that can be distributed under the 2021 PSUs awarded, based on the extent to which the metrics are achieved under these awards, as further described in the section titled “Components of Executive Compensation — Long-Term Incentive Program — 2021 Performance Share Units” on page 57. Earned PSUs, if any, can range from 0% to 100% of target for Mr. Papa’s B+L separation-related metrics and 0% to 200% of target for our NEO’s ROTC and TSR metrics.

 

(3) 

This column shows the number of RSUs granted in 2021. The 2021 RSUs vest in three equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date.

 

(4) 

This column shows the number of non-qualified Stock Options granted in 2021. The aggregate number of Stock Options granted in 2021 expressed as a percentage of the total issued and outstanding shares of the Company as of December 31, 2021 (otherwise known as the “burn rate”) was .45%.

 

(5) 

The non-qualified Stock Options vest one-third per year on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date and have a ten-year term. The exercise price is the closing price of the Company’s Common Shares on the grant date.

 

(6) 

This column shows the grant date fair value of each equity award computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair value of the TSR PSU awards was calculated based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions related to these awards in accordance with FASB ASC 718. The grant date fair value of the Stock Options was determined using Black-Scholes.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table provides information on the holdings of Stock Options and stock awards by the NEOs as of December 31, 2021. This table includes unexercised and unvested option awards and unvested RSUs and PSUs. Each equity grant is shown separately for each NEO. The market value of the stock awards is based on the closing market price of our Common Shares on December 31, 2021, which was $27.61.

 

            Option Awards  

Stock Awards

Name

 

Date of
Grant

 

Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
   

Options
Exercise
Price
($)

 

Option
Expiration
Date

 

Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
(#)

  Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
($)
   

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
or
Payout
Value
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
($)

Joseph C. Papa

  6/9/2016   682,652     0     23.92   5/2/2026        
  3/7/2018   338,058     0     15.32   3/7/2028        
  2/27/2019   157,455     78,728 (1)    23.16   2/27/2029        
  2/27/2019           122,990(2)   $ 3,395,744      
  2/27/2019               85,241(3)   $2,353,504
  2/27/2019           27,061(4)   $ 747,154      
  2/28/2019           10,000(4)   $ 276,100      
  9/13/2019           7,083(4)   $ 195,562      
  2/26/2020   113,704     227,410 (1)    24.77   2/26/2030        
  2/26/2020           76,177(5)   $ 2,103,247     40,520(6)   $1,118,757
  2/26/2020               60,780(7)   $1,678,136
  2/26/2020           54,027(4)   $ 1,491,685      
  3/3/2021   0     196,464 (1)    32.56   3/3/2031        
  3/3/2021           45,603(8)   $ 1,259,099     74,151(9)   $2,047,309
  3/3/2021               222,452(7)   $6,141,900
  3/3/2021               131,823(10)   $3,639,633
  3/3/2021           74,150(4)   $ 2,047,282      

Sam A. Eldessouky

  3/1/2017   31,430     0     14.38   3/1/2027        
  3/7/2018   31.697     0     15.32   3/7/2028        
  2/27/2019   14,766     7,383 (1)    23.16   2/27/2029        
  2/27/2019           5,123(2)   $ 141,446      
  2/27/2019               3,551(3)   $98,043
  2/27/2019           2,537(4)   $ 70,047      
  2/26/2020   9,476     18,953 (1)    24.77   2/26/2030        
  2/26/2020           2,821(5)   $ 77,888     1,501(6)   $41,443
  2/26/2020               2,251(7)   $62,150
  2/26/2020           4,502(4)   $ 124,300      
  3/3/2021   0     16,374 (1)    32.56   3/3/2031        
  3/3/2021           1,689(8)   $ 46,633     2,746(9)   $ 75,817
  3/3/2021               8,238(7)   $ 227,451
  3/3/2021           6,179 (4)   $ 170,602      
  3/3/2021           4,119 (4)   $ 113,726      
  6/1/2021   0     122,427 (1)    32.03   6/1/2031        
  6/1/2021           33,673(4)   $ 929,712      

Christina M. Ackermann

  8/10/2016   39,469     0     27.32   8/10/2026        
  2/27/2019   41,336     20,668 (1)    23.16   2/27/2029        
  2/27/2019           14,348(2)   $ 396,148      

 

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            Option Awards  

Stock Awards

Name

 

Date of
Grant

 

Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
   

Options
Exercise
Price
($)

 

Option
Expiration
Date

 

Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
(#)

  Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
($)
   

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
or
Payout
Value
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
($)

  2/27/2019               9,944(3)   $274,554
  2/27/2019           7,104(4)   $ 196,141      
  2/26/2020   27,291     54,582 (1)    24.77   2/26/2030        
  2/26/2020           8,125(5)   $ 224,331     4,322(6)   $119,330
  2/26/2020               6,483(7)   $178,996
  2/26/2020           12,966(4)   $ 357,991      
  3/10/2020           2,927(4)   $ 80,414      
  8/28/2020           18,781(4)   $ 518,543      
  3/3/2021   0     52,392 (1)    32.56   3/3/2031        
  3/3/2021           5,405(8)   $ 149,232     8,788(9)   $ 242,637
  3/3/2021               26,364(7)   $727,910
  3/3/2021           19,773(4)   $ 545,933      
  3/3/2021           16,477(4)   $ 454,930      

Thomas J. Appio

  8/9/2013   22,350     0     101.68   8/9/2023        
  3/1/2017   30,174     0     14.38   3/1/2027        
  3/7/2018  

65,923

    0     15.32   3/7/2028        
  2/27/2019   41,336     20,668 (1)    23.16   2/27/2029        
  2/27/2019           14,348(2)   $ 396,148      
  2/27/2019               9,944(3)   $274,554
  2/27/2019           7,104(4)   $ 196,141      
  2/26/2020   27,291     54,582 (1)    24.77   2/26/2030        
  2/26/2020           8,125(5)   $ 224,331     4,322(6)   $119,330
  2/26/2020               6,483(7)   $178,996
  2/26/2020           12,966(4)   $ 357,991      
  3/3/2021   0     47,151 (1)    32.56   3/3/2031        
  3/3/2021           4,864(8)   $ 134,295     7,909(9)   $ 218,367
  3/3/2021               23,728(7)   $ 655,130
  3/3/2021           17,796(4)   $ 491,348      
  3/3/2021           14,830(4)   $ 409,456      
  9/1/2021           90,260(4)   $ 2,492,079      
  9/1//2021               45,130(11)   $ 1,264,039

Robert A. Spurr

  8/27/2018   30,576     0     22.93   8/27/2028        
  2/27/2019   26,575     13,288 (1)    23.16   2/27/2029        
  2/27/2019           9,223(2)   $ 254,647      
  2/27/2019               6,392(3)   $176,483
  2/27/2019           4,567(4)   $ 126,095      
  10/1/2019           805(4)   $ 22,226      
  2/26/2020   18,952     37,906 (1)    24.77   2/26/2030        
  2/26/2020           5,642(5)   $ 155,776     3,001(6)   $82,858
  2/26/2020               4,502(7)   $124,300
  2/26/2020           9,004(4)   $ 248,600      
  3/3/2021   0     32,749 (1)    32.56   3/3/2031        
  3/3/2021           3,378(8)   $ 93,267     5,492(9)   $ 151,634
  3/3/2021               16,476(7)   $ 454,902
  3/3/2021           12,358(4)   $ 341,204      

 

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            Option Awards  

Stock Awards

Name

 

Date of
Grant

 

Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
   

Options
Exercise
Price
($)

 

Option
Expiration
Date

 

Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
(#)

  Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
($)
   

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
or
Payout
Value
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
($)

  3/3/2021           11,534(4)   $ 318,454      
  9/1//2021           9,026(4)   $ 249,208      
  9/1//2021   0     31,400 (1)    28.85   9/1/2031        

Paul S. Herendeen

  8/22/2016   1,000,000     0     28.74   8/22/2026        
  3/7/2018   72,387     0     15.32   3/7/2028        
  2/27/2019   82,668     41,334 (1)    23.16   2/27/2029        
  2/27/2019           28,697(2)   $ 792,324      
  2/27/2019               19,889(3)   $549,135
  2/27/2019           20,972(4)   $ 579,037      
  2/26/2020   53,064     106,128 (1)    24.77   2/26/2030        
  2/26/2020           15,799(5)   $ 436,210     8,404(6)   $232,034
  2/26/2020               12,606(7)   $348,052
  2/26/2020           42,020(4)   $ 1,160,172      
  3/3/2021   0     91,684 (1)    32.56   3/3/2031        
  3/3/2021           9,458(8)   $ 261,135     15,379(9)   $ 424,614
  3/3/2021               46,138(7)   $ 1,273,870
  3/3/2021           34,603(4)   $ 955,389      
  3/3/2021           28,836(4)   $ 796,162      

 

(1) 

Options vest one-third per year on the first, second and third anniversary of the grant date.

 

(2) 

The amount reported is the number of shares earned based on the average of the results of the 2019, 2020 and 2021 annual ROTC performance which was 101% of target. The shares were distributed to the NEOs on February 28, 2022.

 

(3) 

The amount reported is the number of shares earned based on the Company’s TSR at the end of the performance period. The Company’s TSR was at the 38th percentile of the Share Unit Peer Group’s TSR, and the number of shares earned was 70% of target. The shares were distributed to the NEOs on February 28, 2022.

 

(4) 

RSUs and MRSUs vest one-third per year on the first, second, and third anniversary of the grant date.

 

(5) 

The amount reported reflects the first and second tranches of the award and is shown at achievement of 94% of target. The award vests based on ROTC, measured over three one-year periods, from 2020 through 2022. In connection with the B+L IPO, the Compensation Committee determined to adjust the terms of the PSUs granted in 2020 to provide that ROTC performance in respect of the 2022 performance period will be deemed to be achieved at target as of the completion of the IPO.

 

(6)

The amount reported is the target number of shares for the third tranche of an award with three one-year periods. One-third of such PSUs delivered will be based on ROTC for 2020 and one-third of such PSUs delivered will be based on ROTC for 2021, which were achieved at 65% and 123%, respectively, as described on page 58 and reflected in footnote 5 above. In connection with the B+L IPO, the Compensation Committee determined to adjust the terms of the PSUs granted 2020 to provide that ROTC performance in

 

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respect of the 2022 performance period will be deemed to be achieved at target as of the completion of this offering. The value shown above reflects target achievement for the 2022 measurement period. The total number of PSUs delivered will be based on the average achievement with respect to each of the three one-year periods.

 

(7) 

The amount reported is the threshold number of shares for 2020 and the maximum number of shares for 2021. The award vests as follows: If at the end of the TSR performance period, the Company’s TSR equals or exceeds the 30th percentile of the Share Unit Peer Group’s TSR, then 50% of the target shares will be delivered; equals or exceeds the 50th percentile of the Share Unit Peer Group’s TSR, then 100% of the target shares will be delivered; equals or exceeds the 80th percentile of the Share Unit Peer Group’s TSR, then 200% of the target shares will be delivered. However, if the Company’s TSR for the TSR performance period is negative, no more than 100% of the target shares will be delivered. In connection with B+L IPO, the Compensation Committee determined to adjust the terms of the PSUs granted in each of 2020 and 2021 to provide that the last day of the TSR performance period applicable to such PSUs will be the date of the completion of the IPO, with actual achievement of the TSR performance metrics measured by BHC’s Compensation Committee through such date.

 

(8) 

The amount reported reflects the first tranche of the award for the first year of the three-year measurement periods and is shown at achievement of 123% of target. The award vests based on ROTC, measured over the three one-year periods, from 2021 through 2023. In connection with the B+L IPO, the Compensation Committee determined to adjust the terms of the PSUs granted in 2021 to provide that ROTC performance in respect of the 2022 performance period and the 2023 performance period will be deemed to be achieved at target as of the completion of the IPO.

 

(9) 

The amount reported is the target number of shares for the second and third tranches of an award with three one-year periods. One-third of such PSUs delivered will be based on ROTC for 2021, which were achieved at 123% as described on page 58 and reflected in footnote 8 above. In connection with the B+L IPO, the Compensation Committee determined to adjust the terms of the PSUs granted 2021 to provide that ROTC performance in respect of the 2022 and 2023 performance periods will be deemed to be achieved at target as of the completion of this offering. The value shown above reflects target achievement for the 2022 and 2023 measurement periods. The total number of PSUs delivered will be based on the average achievement with respect to each of the three one-year periods.

 

(10)

The amount reported is the target number of shares. These PSUs will be earned upon the achievement of (a) the operational separation of B+L from BHC and (b) the consummation of the spin-off distribution of B+L from BHC. The number of PSUs that may be achieved is capped at 100%. The earned PSUs will generally vest on the date the performance metric is achieved (or otherwise certified by the BHC Compensation Committee, if applicable).

 

(11) 

The amount reported is the threshold number of shares; the actual amount earned will be determined upon the full separation of B+L from the Company. The amount of shares that can be earned under the award is based on the value equal to the sum of (x) the average closing price of the Common Shares for the 20 trading days preceding (and not including) the performance measurement date plus (y) the aggregate value of any dividends paid or declared on such Common Shares (excluding the Distribution) over the performance period (the “Adjusted Share Price”). If the Adjusted Share Price equals or exceeds $27.70, 50% of target shares delivered; if the Adjusted Share Price equals or exceeds $30.47, 100% of target shares delivered; if the Adjusted Share Price equals or exceeds $31.86, 150% of target shares delivered; and if the Adjusted Share Price equals or exceeds $33.24, 200% of target shares delivered.

 

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Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table provides information regarding option exercises by the NEOs during 2021 and Common Shares acquired on the vesting of RSUs held by the NEOs during 2021.

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  

Name

   Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)
     Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
     Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)
     Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(1)
 

Joseph C. Papa

                   544,384        17,779,152  

Sam A. Eldessouky

                   26,274        858,832  

Christina M. Ackermann

     121,198        2,057,581        65,693        2,106,873  

Thomas J. Appio

                   66,759        2,108,076  

Robert A. Spurr

                   13,604        415,952  

Paul S. Herendeen

     105,095        1,425,614        165,047        5,362,158  

 

(1) 

The amounts reflected in this column represent the market value of the underlying Common Shares as of the vesting date.

 

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POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

The following table sets forth the expected benefits to be received by each NEO in each of the following termination scenarios. This table assumes a termination date of December 31, 2021 and a stock price of $27.61, which was the closing price of our Common Shares on December 31, 2021, the last business day of the year. The receipt of benefits is generally subject to executing and not revoking a release of claims. Other relevant assumptions and explanations are set forth in the footnotes following the table.

 

    Termination without
Cause or for
Good Reason ($)
    Termination within
12 months of
Change in Control ($)
    Termination due to
Death
or Disability ($)
    Termination due to
Retirement ($)
 

Joseph C. Papa

       

Cash(1)

    10,448,000       10,448,000       2,448,000        

RSUs(4)

    2,177,793       4,757,783       4,757,783       2,238,840  

PSUs(5)

    11,536,928       16,882,524       7,897,295       7,897,295  

Stock Options(6)

          996,184       996,184       996,184  

Other Benefits(1)

    28,966       28,966              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Estimated Incremental Value

    24,191,687       33,113,457       16,099,262       11,132,319  

Sam A. Eldessouky

       

Cash(2)

    2,621,950       3,330,000              

RSUs(4)

    163,805       1,408,386       1,408,386        

PSUs(5)

    319,064       521,543       319,064        

Stock Options(6)

          86,681       86,681        

Other Benefits(2)

    22,350       22,350              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Estimated Incremental Value

    3,127,169       5,368,960       1,814,131        

Christina M. Ackermann

       

Cash(2)

    2,887,000       3,550,000              

RSUs(4)

    710,180       2,154,353       2,154,353        

PSUs(5)

    899,824       1,503,970       899,824        

Stock Options(6)

          246,985       246,985        

Other Benefits(2)

    33,191       33,191              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Estimated Incremental Value

    4,530,195       7,488,499       3,301,162        

Thomas J. Appio

       

Cash(2)

    5,602,000       5,850,000              

RSUs(4)

    467,060       3,947,015       3,947,015       554,133  

PSUs(5)

    899,824       1,686,290       899,824       899,824  

Stock Options(6)

          246,985       246,985       246,985  

Other Benefits(2)

    6,904       6,904              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Estimated Incremental Value

    6,975,788       11,737,194       5,093,824       1,700,942  

Robert A. Spurr

       

Cash(2)

    2,711,200       3,300,000              

RSUs(4)

    321,377       1,305,787       1,305,787        

PSUs(5)

    590,254       987,093       590,254        

Stock Options(6)

          166,785       166,785        

Other Benefits(2)

    6,904       6,904              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Estimated Incremental Value

    3,629,735       5,796,569       2,062,826        

Paul S. Herendeen

       

Cash(3)

    1,010,000       1,010,000       510,000        

RSUs(4)

    1,466,020       3,490,760       3,490,760       1,739,209  

PSUs(5)

    1,786,972       2,920,951       1,786,972       1,786,972  

Stock Options(6)

          485,340       485,340       485,340  

Other Benefits(3)

    20,342       20,342              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Estimated Incremental Value

    4,283,334       7,927,393       6,273,072       4,011,521  

 

(1) 

If Mr. Papa’s employment is terminated by us without cause, or by Mr. Papa for good reason, including within 12 months of our change in control (or during the six-month period prior to a change in control if

 

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such termination was in contemplation of, and directly related to, the change in control), or upon the expiration of his employment term, Mr. Papa will be entitled to receive a cash severance payment equal to the sum of two times the sum of his annual base salary and annual target incentive payable in a lump sum and a prorated annual incentive based on actual performance, as shown above in “Cash” under “Termination without Cause or for Good Reason” and “Termination within 12 months of a Change in Control.” Mr. Papa will also be entitled to receive continued health benefits for 24 months at active employee rates, as shown above in “Other Benefits” under “Termination without Cause or for Good Reason” and “Termination within 12 months of a Change in Control.” For Mr. Papa, “good reason” includes (i) a diminution of duties and responsibilities, including removing Mr. Papa from the position of CEO; (ii) any reduction in base salary or target incentive opportunity; (iii) any relocation of Mr. Papa’s primary place of business that results in an increase of his one-way commute by 50 miles or more; and (iv) a material breach by the Company of a material provision of his employment agreement. If employment is terminated as a result of death or disability, the Company will pay any bonus earned but unpaid in respect to the fiscal year preceding the termination date, as shown above under “Termination due to Death or Disability.”

 

(2) 

If the employment of Mr. Eldessouky, Ms. Ackermann, Mr. Appio, or Mr. Spurr is terminated by us without cause, or by Mr. Eldessouky, Ms. Ackermann, Mr. Appio, or Mr. Spurr for good reason, Mr. Eldessouky, Ms. Ackermann, and Mr. Spurr will be entitled to receive a cash severance payment equal to the sum of one and a half times annual base salary and annual target incentive payable in a lump sum and Mr. Appio will be entitled to receive a cash severance payment equal to the sum of two times annual base salary and annual target incentive payable in a lump sum, a prorated annual incentive for the year of termination equal to the lesser of the annual incentive based on our actual performance and annual target incentive, a cash payment equal to the remaining 50% of the B+L separation bonus, continued health benefits at active employee rates for 12 months for Mr. Eldessouky, Ms. Ackermann, and Mr. Spurr and for 24 months for Mr. Appio, and, for Ms. Ackermann, outplacement support, as shown above under “Termination without Cause or for Good Reason.” For Mr. Eldessouky, Ms. Ackermann, Mr. Appio, and Mr. Spurr, “good reason” includes (i) a material reduction in duties and responsibilities, including a removal from their current position; (ii) any reduction in base salary or target incentive opportunity which is not comparable to the reductions for other similarly situated executive officers; and (iii) a material breach by us of a material provision of their employment agreement, and for Mr. Eldessouky, Mr. Appio, and Mr. Spurr, (iv) any relocation of their primary place of business that results in an increase of one-way commute by 50 miles or more. If such termination occurs in contemplation of our change in control or within 12 months following our change in control, Mr. Eldessouky, Ms. Ackermann, Mr. Appio, and Mr. Spurr will be entitled to receive a cash severance payment equal to two times the sum of annual base salary and annual target incentive payable in a lump sum, a prorated annual target incentive for the year of termination, continued health benefits for 12 months at active employee rates, and, for Ms. Ackermann, outplacement support, as shown above under “Termination within 12 months of a Change in Control.”

 

(3) 

If the employment of Mr. Herendeen is terminated for any reason, including the expiration of his employment term, he will be entitled to any previous compensation earned. Under “Termination without Cause or for Good Reason” and “Termination within 12 months of a Change in Control” this includes Mr. Herendeen’s prorated annual incentive for 2021, as well as a cash payment equal to the remaining 50% of the B+L separation bonus. Under “Termination due to Death or Disability,” this includes Mr. Herendeen’s prorated annual incentive for 2021.

 

(4) 

Pursuant to the terms of the equity award agreements governing all of the NEOs’ 2019, 2020, and 2021 RSUs and MRSUs, if their employment is terminated by us without cause or by the NEOs for good reason, unvested RSUs will vest pro-rata and if their employment is terminated due to death or disability, all unvested RSUs will vest. Under these agreements, if an NEO is terminated without cause (or, in the case of the 2019, 2020 and 2021 RSUs, by the NEO for good reason) within 12 months of a change in control (or during the six-month period prior to a change in control if such termination was in contemplation of, and directly related to, the change in control), all unvested RSUs will vest. This vesting treatment applies beginning after the first anniversary of the grant date if an NEO is terminated without cause or for good

 

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reason. Therefore, no value is shown above for the 2021 RSUs and MRSUs under “Termination without Cause or for Good Reason.” For all of the NEOs’ 2019, 2020 and 2021 RSUs, if the NEO voluntarily terminates his or her service with us on or after age 55, and age plus years of service total at least 65, all unvested RSUs will vest. This vesting treatment applies beginning after the first anniversary of the grant date. Therefore, no value is shown for the 2021 RSUs separately above for “Termination due to Retirement.”

 

(5) 

Pursuant to the terms of the equity award agreements governing all of the NEOs’ 2019, 2020 and 2021 PSUs, if their employment is terminated by us without cause, by the NEOs for good reason, or upon death or disability, they will be entitled to prorated vesting of unvested PSUs at actual performance as shown above under “Termination without Cause or for Good Reason” and “Termination due to Death or Disability.” This vesting treatment for the PSUs applies beginning after the first anniversary of the grant date. Therefore, no value is shown above for the 2021 PSUs under “Termination without Cause or for Good Reason” or “Termination due to Death or Disability.” If their employment is terminated by us without cause, or by the NEOs for good reason, in each case within 12 months of our change of control (or during the six-month period prior to a change in control if such termination was in contemplation of, and directly related to, the change in control), unvested PSUs will vest pro-rata based on target performance through the termination date (or, if later, the date of the change in control). In the event the PSUs are not assumed or substituted in connection with the change in control, unvested PSUs will vest pro-rata based on target performance on the date of such change in control. For all of the NEOs’ 2019, 2020 and 2021 PSUs, if the NEO voluntarily terminates his or her service with us on or after age 55, and age plus years of service total at least 65, any unvested portion of the PSU will vest pro-rata based on actual results. This vesting treatment applies beginning after the first anniversary of the grant date. Therefore, no value is shown separately above for the 2021 PSUs for “Termination due to Retirement.”

 

(6) 

Pursuant to the terms of the equity award agreements governing all of the NEOs’ 2019, 2020 and 2021 stock options, if their employment is terminated by us without cause, or terminated by the NEOs for good reason, in either case within 12 months of our change of control (or during the six-month period prior to a change in control if such termination was in contemplation of, and directly related to, the change in control), or in the case of death or disability, unvested options will vest in full. For all of the NEOs’ 2019, 2020 and 2021 stock options, if the NEO voluntarily terminates his or her service with us on or after age 55, and such NEO’s age plus years of service total at least 65, all unvested options will vest. This vesting treatment applies beginning after the first anniversary of the grant date. Therefore, no value is shown separately above for the 2021 stock options for “Termination due to Retirement.”

2021 Pay Ratio Disclosure

Pay Ratio

In accordance with the requirements of Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K (which we collectively refer to as the “Pay Ratio Rule”), we are providing the following estimated information for 2021:

 

   

the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees (excluding our CEO) was $44,617;

 

   

the annual total compensation of our CEO was $22,889,137; and

 

   

the ratio of these two amounts was 513 to 1. We believe that this ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Pay Ratio Rule.

Methodology for Identifying Our Median Employee

Employee Population

To identify the median of the annual total compensation of all of our employees (other than our CEO), we first identified our total employee population from which we determined our median employee. We determined

 

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that, as of December 31, 2021, our employee population consisted of approximately 19,601 individuals (of which approximately 32% were located in the United States and 68% were located in jurisdictions outside the United States).

As permitted by the Pay Ratio Rule, we adjusted our total employee population (as described above) for purposes of identifying our median employee by excluding approximately 120 of our employees located in certain jurisdictions outside of the United States given the relatively small number of employees in those jurisdictions (less than 25), as follows: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, Indonesia, Lithuania, Montenegro, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Philippines, and Switzerland.

After taking into to account the above described adjustments to our employee population as permitted by the Pay Ratio Rule, our total adjusted employee population for purposes of determining our median employee consisted of approximately 19,481 individuals.

Determining our Median Employee

To identify our median employee from our adjusted employee population, we compared the amount of base salary of our employees as reflected in our payroll records and converted to U.S. Dollars. In making this determination, we annualized the compensation of our full-time employees, including those who were hired in 2021 (but did not work for us for the entire fiscal year) and permanent part-time employees (reflecting what they would have earned if they had worked the entire year at their part-time schedule). We identified our median employee using this compensation measure, which was consistently applied to all our employees included in the calculation.

Determination of Annual Total Compensation of our Median Employee and our CEO

Once we identified our median employee, we then calculated such employee’s annual total compensation for 2021 by using the same methodology we used for purposes of determining the annual total compensation of our NEOs for 2021 as set forth in the 2021 Summary Compensation Table on page 67.

Our CEO’s annual total compensation for 2021 for purposes of the Pay Ratio Rule is equal to the amount reported in the “Total” column in the 2021 Summary Compensation Table.

Please note that SEC rules for identifying the median employee and calculating the pay ratio allow companies to apply various methodologies and apply various assumptions and, as result, the pay ratio reported by us may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported by other companies.

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name

   Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash
($)
     Stock Awards
($)(1)(2)
     All Other
Compensation
($)
     Total
($)
 

Richard U. De Schutter

            383,006               383,006  

D. Robert Hale(3)

     63,662        245,940               309,602  

Brett Icahn(4)

     1,007        366,298               367,305  

Dr. Argeris (Jerry) N. Karabelas

     147,000        245,940               392,940  

Sarah B. Kavanagh

     154,296        245,940               400,236  

Steven D. Miller(4)

     336        366,996               367,332  

John A. Paulson

            367,993               367,993  

Robert N. Power

     146,745        245,940               392,685  

Russel C. Robertson

            397,963               397,963  

Thomas W. Ross, Sr.

     217,106        245,940               463,046  

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.

     120,000        245,940               365,940  

Amy B. Wechsler, M.D.

     100,000        273,382               373,382  

 

(1)

The amounts shown in this column relate to the annual RSU grant made to each non-employee director in 2021, as further described below under the heading “Director Compensation,” and with respect to Mr. De Schutter, Mr. Paulson, Mr. Robertson and Dr. Wechsler, also relate to RSUs granted in lieu of cash for annual Board and/or committee retainers, pursuant to their respective elections. These amounts are based upon the grant date fair value of awards calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Fair value is calculated using the closing price of our Common Shares on the date of grant for purposes of determining the individual grant amounts.

 

(2)

Directors had aggregate outstanding RSUs at 2021 fiscal year-end as follows: Mr. De Schutter, 38,731, Mr. Hale, 7,645; Mr. Icahn, 11,023; Dr. Karabelas, 85,328; Ms. Kavanagh, 83,060; Mr. Miller, 11,045; Mr. Paulson, 85,289; Mr. Power, 94,823; Mr. Robertson, 126,585; Mr. Ross, 86,424; Dr. von Eschenbach, 35,147; and Dr. Wechsler, 99,054.

 

(3)

With respect to Mr. Hale, all Board compensation accrues to the benefit of the investors in ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., and not to any individual. Under an agreement with ValueAct Capital, Mr. Hale is deemed to hold the RSUs for the benefit of the limited partners of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P and indirectly for VA Partners I, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., (ii) ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. as the manager of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., (iii) ValueAct Capital Management, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P., (iv) ValueAct Holdings, L.P. as the majority owner of the membership interests of VA Partners I, LLC, (v) ValueAct Holdings II, L.P. as the sole owner of the membership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, LLC and as the majority owner of the limited partnership interests of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P., and (vi) ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Holdings, L.P and ValueAct Holdings II, L.P. Each person disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities deemed to be owned by the group that are not directly owned by such person.

 

(4) 

Messrs. Icahn and Miller were appointed to the Board on March 17, 2021.

 

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Director Compensation

In 2021, our directors’ fees consisted of the following:

 

Annual Cash Compensation

  

Board Retainer

   $ 100,000  

Additional Fee — Lead Independent Director

   $ 75,000  

Additional Retainers — Committee Chairpersons

  

Audit and Risk Committee Chairperson

   $ 40,000  

Talent and Compensation Committee Chairperson

   $ 25,000  

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chairperson

   $ 20,000  

Science and Technology Committee Chairperson

   $ 20,000  

Finance and Transactions Committee Chairperson

   $ 20,000  

Special Transactions Committee Chairperson

   $ 15,000  

Additional Retainers — Committee Members not serving as Chairpersons

  

Audit and Risk Committee Member

   $ 15,000  

Talent and Compensation Committee Member

   $ 15,000  

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member

   $ 12,500  

Science and Technology Committee Member

   $ 12,500  

Finance and Transactions Committee Member

   $ 12,500  

Special Transactions Committee Member

   $ 10,000  

Annual Equity Compensation

  

Annual RSU Grant

   $ 250,000  

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is required by its charter to periodically review, and make recommendations to the full Board regarding, the compensation of our non-employee directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has sole authority under its charter to retain and/or terminate compensation consultants or compensation consulting firms as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may deem appropriate in recommending non-employee director compensation.

In 2021, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee engaged Pay Governance LLC to assist in its periodic assessment of our non-employee director compensation. In their evaluation, which concluded in February 2021, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered, among other factors, (i) compensation data of comparator groups; (ii) the high level of expertise and the time commitment that service on our Board and the Board committees require; and (iii) the workload of each non-employee director. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determined that, based on these factors, it was appropriate to recommend that the Board increase the annual retainers for the Chairpersons of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Finance and Transactions Committee from $15,000 to $20,000, and to increase the annual retainer for the non-Chairperson members of the same committees from $10,000 to $12,500. The Board reviewed and approved these changes on, and effective as of, February 16, 2021.

Our directors may elect to receive their fees in cash, in RSUs, or in a combination of cash and RSUs. RSUs received pursuant to this election are paid in a lump sum of Common Shares at the end of such director’s service with the Company. All fees, whether payable in cash or RSUs, are delivered in quarterly installments, with the exception of the additional fee for the Lead Independent Director, which is paid once annually on the third day following each Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In addition to the above fees, directors are also reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses in attending in-person meetings.

 

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Any director serving as Non-Executive Chairperson would be entitled to receive an annual payment of $400,000 (payable $220,000 in RSUs and $180,000 in cash). There is currently no Non-Executive Chairperson on the Board, and Mr. Papa, our Chairman and CEO, received compensation in 2021 only in his capacity as our CEO. See Summary Compensation Table on page 67.

The Company also grants each non-employee director, on the third business day following each Annual Meeting of Shareholders, a number of RSUs with a fair market value equal to $250,000. These annual grants of RSUs vest and are deliverable prior to the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders, unless the director elects to defer issuance until the director’s separation from the Company.

Our non-employee directors are also subject to minimum share ownership requirement. For further detail regarding the share ownership requirement for non-employee directors, see the discussion in the section titled “Statement of Corporate Governance Practices — Directors’ Share Ownership” on page 30.

Upon his appointment to the Board at the IPO Closing Date, Dr. Mulligan will be eligible to participate in our non-employee director compensation programs described above.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

 

Plan Category

   Number of Securities
to Be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and
Rights
    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and
Rights
     Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected in Column (a))
 
     (a)     (b)      (c)  

Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Shareholders

     16,600,000 (1)    $ 27.65        11,600,000  

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved By Shareholders

                   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     16,600,000     $ 27.65        11,600,000  

 

(1)

Included in this amount is the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued under each of the PSUs and annual RSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, the weighted average remaining contractual term of outstanding options was 6.6 years.

Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan Summary

The Company’s 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan was initially adopted by the Board on April 7, 2014 and approved by our shareholders effective as of May 20, 2014, and was amended and restated effective as of each of April 30, 2018 and April 28, 2020, as approved by the Board and shareholders of the Company (the “2014 Plan”). For Information about the 2014 Plan, please see Proposal No. 3 starting on page 90.

2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan Summary

The Company’s 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”) was adopted and approved by the Board and the shareholders of the Company effective as of May 16, 2011. The Company ceased granting new awards under the 2011 Plan upon the approval of the 2014 Plan in 2014.

 

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Awards Under The 2011 Plan

Awards under the 2011 Plan may be granted as options (including both incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options), SARs, share awards (including restricted shares, deferred shares and share units that may be settled either in Common Shares or cash) or cash awards. A SAR entitles the participant to receive an amount equal to the difference between the market price of the Company’s Common Shares on the exercise date and the exercise price of the SAR (which may not be less than 100% of the market price of a Common Share on the grant date), multiplied by the number of Common Shares subject to the SAR. However, no SARs or deferred shares have been granted under the 2011 Plan. Awards may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem as determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion. A maximum of 328,923 Common Shares (less than 1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of December 31, 2021) may be issued pursuant to the exercise of options or in connection with the vesting of share awards under the terms of the 2011 Plan.

Eligibility

Persons eligible to receive awards are any employees, directors or individuals performing services for the Company or its subsidiaries in the capacity of a consultant, agent or otherwise, as determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee. Unless otherwise determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee, members of the Board shall generally not be eligible to receive SARs or options.

Participation Limits

Subject to adjustments made to reflect a change in the Company’s capital structure, including as a result of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or divestiture or other similar event (“capital structure adjustments”), the aggregate number of Common Shares that may be granted to any “covered employee” during a calendar year in the form of options, SARs, and/or share awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” (such terms having the meanings given in Section 162(m) of the Code, including any rules and regulations thereunder) shall not exceed 1,000,000 Common Shares (computed based on maximum performance).

Furthermore, (i) the number of Common Shares issuable to persons who are reporting insiders (as defined in National Instrument 55-104 Insider Reporting Requirements and Exemptions of the Canadian Securities Administrators), at any time, under all security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, cannot exceed 10% of issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company; and (ii) the number of Common Shares issued to such insiders, within any one-year period, under all security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, cannot exceed 10% of its issued and outstanding securities.

Expiration of Options and SARs

Generally, options and SARs are granted for a term determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee but not to exceed 10 years (the “Original Term”). For options granted as incentive stock options to certain participants, the Original Term shall not exceed five years. If the Original Term of an option and SAR held by a participant expires during a Company blackout period applicable to the participant which prohibits the participant from trading in Company securities, the term of such option shall be extended until the tenth business day following the end of the Company blackout period.

Exercise Price of Options and SARs

The exercise price per share for each option and SAR is not less than 100% of the closing price of the Common Shares on the trading day immediately preceding the date of grant.

 

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Vesting

Awards under the 2011 Plan are subject to such vesting provisions as the Talent and Compensation Committee may determine. Options currently outstanding vest in equal installments over a period of three or four years after the date of grant or 100% on the third or fourth anniversary of the grant date. Share units generally vest 100% on the third anniversary of the date of grant.

Dividend Equivalents

The Talent and Compensation Committee may provide that share awards earn dividends or dividend equivalents in the form of additional share awards, subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations as it may establish from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends or dividend equivalents may not be paid with respect to any share award subject to the achievement of performance criteria, unless and until the relevant performance criteria have been satisfied. Generally, holders of share units receive dividend equivalents which are subject to vesting in line with the underlying award to which they relate.

Termination of Employment

Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s employment agreement or letter, in the event that the optionholder’s employment is terminated by reason of death, disability, termination by the Company without cause or the participant voluntarily resigns, the right to exercise such option terminates on the date that is 90 days from the participant’s termination (but in no event beyond the Original Term). Any options or share units that are unvested and do not vest on the termination date are cancelled and forfeited.

In the event that the optionholder’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause within one year following a change of control, all unvested options will vest on such termination and the optionholder will have one year following such a termination to exercise the option (but in no event beyond the Original Term). In the case of a holder of share units whose employment is terminated by the Company within one year following a change of control, a number of the holder’s share units will vest on such termination equal to the number of share units granted multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of completed months between the date of grant and the date of termination and the denominator of which is thirty-six (36). Any remaining unvested share units which do not vest on the termination date will be cancelled and forfeited on the date of termination.

In the event that the optionholder’s employment is terminated by the Company for cause prior to the exercise of the option, the option shall terminate and expire as of the date of termination of the employment. In the case of a holder of share units whose employment is terminated by the Company for cause, all of the holder’s share units shall terminate as of the date of termination of the employment.

Nontransferability

Awards granted under the 2011 Plan, and during any period of restriction on transferability, Common Shares issued in connection with the exercise of an option, may not be sold, pledged, hypothecated, assigned, margined or otherwise transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and until the Common Shares underlying such award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Common Shares have lapsed or have been waived by the Talent and Compensation Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Talent and Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit (on such terms, conditions and limitations as it may establish) nonqualified stock options and/or Common Shares issued in connection with an option exercise to be transferred to a member of a participant’s immediate family or to a trust or similar vehicle for the benefit of a participant’s immediate family members.

Amendment and Termination

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to comply with applicable law or the rules of the NYSE, the rules of the TSX, or any other securities exchange on which the Common Shares are traded or quoted. Under the 2011 Plan, the Company shall obtain shareholder approval for: (i) a reduction in the exercise price or purchase price of an award (or the cancellation and re-grant of an award resulting in a lower exercise price or purchase price), except where the reduction is made to reflect a change in the Company’s capital structure, including as a result of a capital structure adjustment; (ii) the extension of the Original Term of an option; (iii) any amendment to remove or to exceed the participation limits described above; (iv) an increase to the maximum number of Common Shares issuable under the 2011 Plan (other than adjustments made to reflect a change in the Company’s capital structure, including as a result of a capital structure adjustment); (v) amendments to the amendment provision of the 2011 Plan other than amendments of a clerical nature; and (vi) any amendment that permits awards to be transferable or assignable other than for normal estate settlement purposes or for other purposes not involving the receipt of monetary consideration.

Without shareholder approval, the Board has the discretion to make certain amendments to the 2011 Plan, including: (i) amend the vesting provisions of an award; (ii) amend the payment provisions of an award; (iii) cancel or modify outstanding awards; (iv) waive any restrictions imposed with respect to awards or the Common Shares issued pursuant to awards; (v) make amendments to the 2011 Plan to ensure compliance with applicable securities and tax law as well as the TSX and NYSE rules; (vi) make any amendment of a clerical nature as well as any amendment clarifying any provision of the 2011 Plan; (vii) make any adjustment to reflect a change in the Company’s capital structure, including as a result of capital structure adjustments; and (viii) suspend or terminate the 2011 Plan.

Except for adjustments to awards made in connection with a change of control of the Company, no termination, suspension or amendment of the 2011 Plan or any award shall adversely affect the right of any participant with respect to any award theretofore granted, as determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee, without such participant’s written consent.

No amendments were made to the 2011 Plan in 2021.

Option and RSU Plans

As of April 28, 2022, 425,124 Common Shares (less than 1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares) had been issued upon the exercise of options granted under the 2011 Plan and 2,607,034 Common Shares (less than 1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares) had been issued in connection with the vesting of RSUs granted under the 2011 Plan. As of April 28, 2022, a total of 325,173 Common Shares (less than 1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares) remained reserved for issuance under the 2011 Plan, representing (i) 320,151 Common Shares (less than 1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares) issuable in respect of options and (ii) 5,022 Common Shares (less than 1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares) issuable in respect of RSUs granted and which remain outstanding under such plan. The Company ceased granting new awards under the 2011 Plan upon the approval of the 2014 Plan in 2014.

As of April 28, 2022, 2,187,177 Common Shares (less than 1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares) had been issued upon the exercise of options granted under the 2014 Plan and 16,487,546 Common Shares (4.6% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares) had been issued in connection with the vesting of RSUs granted under the 2014 Plan. As of April 28, 2022, a total of 17,890,295 Common Shares (4.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares) remained reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan, representing (i) 10,865,199 Common Shares (3% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares) issuable in respect of options and (ii) 7,025,096 Common Shares (1.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares) issuable in respect of RSUs granted and which remain outstanding under such plan.

 

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Report of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act or under the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.

The Audit and Risk Committee, comprised of independent directors, is delegated by the Board to monitor the integrity of our financial statements, the auditor’s qualifications and independence, the performance of the auditor and our internal auditor, and the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Management has primary responsibility for our financial statements and the overall reporting process as well as establishing and maintaining our internal controls. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our auditor for fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, had the responsibility for expressing an opinion as to whether the audited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States in all material respects and on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting.

The Audit and Risk Committee met with management and the auditor to review and discuss the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, as well as management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and the auditor’s assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting. The auditor, as well as the internal auditor, had full access to the Audit and Risk Committee, including regular meetings without management present.

The Audit and Risk Committee received from and discussed with the auditor the written report and the letter from the auditor required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the auditor’s communications with the Audit and Risk Committee concerning independence and has discussed with the auditor the auditor’s independence. Additionally, the committee discussed with the auditor the matters required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC.

The Audit and Risk Committee acts only in an oversight capacity and must rely on the information provided to it and on the representations made by management and the auditor. Based on the aforementioned reviews and discussions, and the report of the auditor, the Audit and Risk Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, be included in the Company’s Annual Report filed with the SEC.

Audit and Risk Committee

Russel C. Robertson, Chairperson

Sarah B. Kavanagh

Robert N. Power

Thomas W. Ross, Sr.

 

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CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

Certain Related-Party Transactions

As described in the section titled “Statement of Corporate Governance Practices — Ethical Business Conduct — Bausch Health Code of Conduct” beginning on page 29, the Board has adopted the Code of Conduct, which sets out the Company’s expectations for the conduct of our employees and directors in their dealings on behalf of the Company. The Conflict of Interest Policy set forth in our Code of Conduct requires that our employees and directors avoid situations in which they have a potential or actual conflict of interest with the Company. In accordance with our Conflict of Interest Policy, any employee, including our officers, involved in any type of relationship described in the Conflict of Interest Policy is required to immediately and fully disclose the relevant circumstances to his or her immediate supervisor, the General Counsel or the Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer, and in accordance with the process set out in the Company’s Conflicts of Interest Standard Operating Procedures. Non-employee directors are required to report their involvement in any type of relationship described in the Conflict of Interest Policy to the Audit and Risk Committee. In addition to reviewing cases where the conflict, or potential conflict, involves a member of the Board, the Audit and Risk Committee reviews transactions or proposed transactions in which an executive officer has an interest that conflicts with the Company’s interests and makes recommendations to the Board regarding any such transaction. Our Conflict of Interest Policy states that the following are types of outside activities that can create conflicts:

 

   

Ownership by a director or employee, or any member of the director’s or employee’s family, of a substantial interest in any concern that does business with the Company, whether as a supplier, dealer or customer, or are a competitor (except in the case of a publicly owned corporation whose securities are traded on the open market).

 

   

Serving as a director, officer, employee, consultant, advisor, or in any other capacity for any business or other organization with which the Company currently (or potentially) has a business relationship or which is, or can expect to become, a competitor of the Company.

 

   

Engaging in an outside activity with an individual, business or organization which currently (or potentially) has a competitive or business relationship with the Company where such activity is likely to decrease the impartiality, judgment, effectiveness or productivity expected from an employee.

 

   

Performance by a director or employee or a member of the director’s or employee’s family of services for any outside concern or individual that does business with the Company.

 

   

Outside employment which conflicts or might be reasonably expected to conflict with the normal duties of the director or employee.

Since January 1, 2021, the Company was involved in the following related-party transactions, which have been approved or ratified by either the Audit and Risk Committee or the Board:

Employment Relationship

Joseph C. Papa’s son, Dr. Matthew Papa, has been employed by the Company since September 2016, and is currently the Director, Strategy. In 2021, Dr. Papa received an aggregate of $355,043 in compensation.

Director Appointment and Nomination Agreement

On February 24, 2021, the Company entered into a Director Appointment and Nomination Agreement (“Nomination Agreement”) with Carl C. Icahn, Brett Icahn, Steven D. Miller, Icahn Partners, Icahn Master, Icahn Enterprises GP, Icahn Enterprises Holdings, IPH, Icahn Capital, Icahn Onshore, Icahn Offshore, and Beckton (collectively, the “Icahn Group”). Pursuant to the Nomination Agreement, effective as of March 17, 2021, the Board (i) increased its size to thirteen directors; (ii) appointed Brett Icahn and Steven Miller (collectively, the “Icahn Designees”) to the Board to fill the resulting vacancies; (iii) appointed the Icahn Designees to serve on the Finance and Transactions Committee and the Special Transactions Committee; and (iv) nominated the Icahn Designees for election at the Annual Meeting.

 

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From and after the date of the Nomination Agreement, so long as an Icahn Designee is a member of the Board, without the approval of the Icahn Designees who are then members of the Board, the Board will not increase its size above thirteen directors. In addition, the Icahn Group will be entitled, in the event any Icahn Designee resigns or for any reason fails to serve or is not serving as a director (subject to exceptions set forth in the Nomination Agreement, including as a result of such director not being nominated by the Company to stand for election at an annual meeting of shareholders subsequent to the 2021 Annual Meeting or the termination of the Icahn Group’s designation rights with respect to such director in accordance with the Agreement), to designate a replacement for appointment to the Board on the terms set forth in the Agreement. So long as an Icahn Designee is a member of the Board, the Icahn Group will also have certain rights with respect to newly created committees as set forth in the Nomination Agreement. In addition, any Board consideration of appointment and employment of named executive officers, mergers, acquisitions of material assets, dispositions of material assets, or similar extraordinary transactions, such consideration, and voting with respect thereto, will take place only at the full Board level or in committees of which one of the Icahn Designees is a member.

If at any time the Icahn Group ceases to hold a “net long position,” as defined in the Agreement, in at least (i) 17,757,550 Common Shares, one of the Icahn Designees will, and the Icahn Group will cause one Icahn Designee to, promptly resign from the Board; and (ii) 10,654,530 Common Shares, each of the Icahn Designees will, and the Icahn Group will cause each such Icahn Designee to, promptly resign from the Board.

So long as the Icahn Group holds “a net long position,” as defined in the Nomination Agreement, in at least 17,757,550 of the Company’s common shares, the Company will not adopt a Rights Plan, as defined in the Nomination Agreement, with an “Acquiring Person” beneficial ownership threshold below 20.0% of the then-outstanding common shares, unless (x) such Rights Plan provides that, if such Rights Plan is not ratified by the Company’s shareholders within 105 days of such Rights Plan being adopted, such Rights Plan shall automatically expire and (y) the “Acquiring Person” definition of such Rights Plan exempts the Icahn Group up to a beneficial ownership of 19.95% of the then-outstanding common shares.

The Nomination Agreement also includes other customary voting, standstill and non-disparagement provisions. Absent an uncured breach of the material provisions of the Nomination Agreement by the Company, the standstill restrictions on the Icahn Group will remain in effect until the later of (i) the end of the Annual Meeting and (ii) such date as no Icahn Designee is on the Board and the Icahn Group no longer has any right to designate a replacement (including if the Icahn Group has irrevocably waived such right in writing).

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 2

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

At our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, our Board recommended, and shareholders approved, in a non-binding advisory vote, that a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation (“say-on-pay”) be held every year. The Board determined that our shareholders should vote on a say-on-pay proposal every year, consistent with the preference expressed by our shareholders at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. At our 2021 Annual Meeting, approximately 93% of the total shareholders’ votes cast voted in favor of our executive compensation program. We believe these favorable results indicate strong support for continuing our current executive compensation program. Proposal No. 2 provides the Company’s shareholders with an opportunity to provide an advisory vote related to compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

The Company has a “pay-for-performance” philosophy that forms the foundation of the executive compensation program for our Company’s named executive officers. This philosophy and the executive compensation program approved by the Talent and Compensation Committee have been central to the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate individuals who are committed to the ongoing transformation of our company and to improving people’s lives through our products. Our compensation program is intended to link executive compensation to long-term business performance, while providing compensation opportunities that are competitive as compared to our peers and align the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders. Our programs also balance appropriate risk taking and incorporate shareholder feedback. Please refer to “Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis” starting on page 48 for detailed information regarding our executive compensation program for the Company’s named executive officers.

Pursuant to Schedule 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking for shareholder approval, in an advisory resolution, of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with SEC rules. This disclosure is provided in the section titled “Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the compensation tables and the narrative discussion following the compensation tables. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation program of our named executive officers and the executive compensation policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement. The Board requests that shareholders endorse the compensation of our named executive officers through the following resolution:

Resolved, that the shareholders approve, in an advisory resolution, the compensation paid to the named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables, and other narrative executive compensation disclosures, contained in this Proxy Statement.

This vote is advisory and therefore not binding on the Company, the Talent and Compensation Committee, or the Board. The Board and the Talent and Compensation Committee value the opinions of our shareholders and will take the outcome of the vote into consideration in the design of our executive compensation program going forward.

The Board recommends that the shareholders vote FOR Proposal No. 2.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 3

APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

The Board originally adopted the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) on April 7, 2014, which was approved by our shareholders effective as of May 20, 2014. The 2014 Plan was amended and restated on April 30, 2018 to increase the number of Common Shares available for issuance by an additional 11,900,000 Common Shares and on April 28, 2020 to increase the number of Common Shares available for issuance by an additional 13,500,000 Common Shares. As of December 31, 2021, 11,593,059 Common Shares were available for future issuance under the 2014 Plan, representing 3.23% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of that date. On February 14, 2022, the Talent and Compensation Committee approved an amendment and restatement to the 2014 Plan, subject to approval by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting, to, among other things, increase the number of Common Shares authorized for issuance under the 2014 Plan (the “Amended Plan”).

We are asking our shareholders to approve at the Annual Meeting an amendment and restatement to the 2014 Plan, which will result in an increase the number of Common Shares authorized for issuance under the 2014 Plan by 11,500,000 Common Shares. The proposed 11,500,000 additional Common Shares, which represents 3.20% of the 359,405,748 Common Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 3.18% of the 361,446,847 Common Shares outstanding as of our record date, April 28, 2022, is expected to allow us to make grants under the Amended Plan for approximately three years.

In connection with the adoption of the amendment and restatement of the 2014 Plan, the Board carefully considered our anticipated future equity needs, our historical equity compensation practices (including our historical share usage and “burn rate”, as discussed in the section titled “Historical Annual Common Share Usage” beginning on page 91) and the advice of the Talent and Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant. We believe that increasing the number of Common Shares issuable under the 2014 Plan is necessary in order to allow Bausch Health to continue to align the long-term financial interests of employees, members of the Board, consultants, members of our sales force and other service providers of the Company and its subsidiaries with those of the Company’s shareholders, to attract and retain those individuals by providing compensation opportunities that are competitive with other companies and provide incentives to those individuals who contribute significantly to the long-term performance and growth of the Company and its subsidiaries. As of the filing of this Proxy Statement, the number of persons eligible to participate in the Amended Plan is approximately 4,000. A copy of the Amended Plan is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit B.

In addition to the amendment increasing the number of Common Shares issuable under the 2014 Plan, the Amended Plan incorporates additional changes into the 2014 Plan, as summarized in “Summary of Amended Plan Terms” below.

As a shareholder of the Company, you are invited to vote with respect to the Amended Plan through the following resolution:

Resolved, that the shareholders approve the amendment and restatement of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2014 Plan Omnibus Plan (which will increase the maximum number of Common Shares available for issuance pursuant to Awards under the plan by 11,500,000 additional Common Shares).

The Board recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” Proposal No. 3.

 

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Considerations for the Approval of the Amended Plan

The Board believes that the Amended Plan is in the best interest of shareholders and supports this proposal for the following reasons:

 

   

The Plan is administered by our Talent and Compensation Committee, which is composed entirely of independent directors.

 

   

The Company strives to maximize employee and shareholder alignment through the use of equity awards, while minimizing dilution.

 

   

If the proposed amendments are not approved, the Company will not have sufficient Common Shares for grant needs and will lose a critical tool for recruiting, retaining and motivating employees. The Company would thus be at a competitive disadvantage in attracting and retaining talent.

 

   

The terms of the Company’s equity and other annual and long-term incentive compensation awards and employee policies are all designed to protect shareholder interests and encourage employees to focus on the long-term success of the Company and shareholder value creation.

 

   

Employees typically cannot fully monetize equity awards until three years after grant subject to certain exceptions. For example, RSUs granted for 2021 generally vest in one-third increments with the final third not converting to Common Shares until after the third year.

 

   

The Company does not permit “liberal” share recycling. Common Shares that are withheld to satisfy any tax withholding obligations may not again be available for issuance under the Amended Plan.

 

   

The Amended Plan does not contain an “evergreen” feature pursuant to which the Common Shares authorized for issuance under the Amended Plan can be increased automatically without shareholder approval.

 

   

Equity awards under the Amended Plan are generally double-trigger unless the outstanding awards are not assumed or substituted in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the Amended Plan).

 

   

The Company cannot, without shareholder approval, seek to effect any repricing of any previously granted “underwater” stock option or SAR.

 

   

Our NEOs are subject to share ownership guidelines to ensure that they face the same downside risk and upside potential as our shareholders. For additional details regarding the share ownership guidelines applicable to our NEOs and directors, see pages 63 and 30, respectively.

 

   

The Amended Plan continues to provide the Talent and Compensation Committee with the authority to subject awards granted under the Amended Plan to the Company’s clawback policy.

 

   

No participant is entitled under the Amended Plan to any tax gross-up payments for any excise tax pursuant to Sections 280G or 4999 of the IRC that may be incurred in connection with awards under the plan.

Historical Annual Common Share Usage

As of December 31, 2021, there were 8,885,000 Common Shares subject to outstanding options (2.47% of Common Shares Outstanding) and 7,642,000 Common Shares subject to outstanding unit awards (2.13% of Common Shares Outstanding) under all of our equity incentive compensation plans, as well as 11,593,059 Common Shares available for future grant (3.23% of Common Shares Outstanding). In total, the Company had 28,120,059 Common Shares subject to outstanding equity awards or available for future equity awards under the 2014 Plan and predecessor plans, which represented approximately 7.82% of fully diluted Common Shares outstanding (or “Overhang Percentage”). The 11,500,000 new Common Shares proposed to be included in the Amended Plan share reserve would increase the overhang percentage by an additional 3.20% to approximately 11.02% as of December 31, 2021. The options outstanding as of December 31, 2021 have a weighted average exercise price of $27.65 per share and a weighted average remaining life of 6.6 years.

 

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The Company’s gross burn rate for the fiscal year 2021 was 1.93% and average gross burn rate for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2021 was 1.98%. Burn rate does not take into account equity awards that have been cancelled or forfeited. Burn rate with respect to each year is calculated by dividing the total number of Common Shares subject to stock options and full value awards (such as restricted stock units) granted during the year (assuming achievement of the maximum performance levels for outstanding performance awards) by the total weighted-average number of Common Shares outstanding during the period. Using the Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) methodology for calculating burn rate, the Company’s three-year average (ISS adjusted) burn rate for equity grants made in fiscal years 2019, 2020 and 2021 was 2.72%, which was less than the allowable burn rate of 7.65% under ISS policy, based on the Company’s industry group. The Company’s burn rate calculation using the standard TSX methodology for the year ended 2021 was 1.66%, for the year ended 2020 was 1.82%, and for the year ended 2019 was 1.65%. This burn rate calculation assumes performance-based share units vest at target. Performance-based share units granted in 2019, 2020 and 2021 can pay out at a maximum of 2 times target.

Summary of Amended Plan Terms

The following is a summary of the Amended Plan which is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Amended Plan, a copy of which is included as Exhibit B to this Proxy Statement. The capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this summary have the meaning assigned to them in the Amended Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, the changes to the 2014 Plan incorporated in the Amended Plan and described below will only be applicable to equity awards granted after approval of the Amended Plan at the Annual Meeting.

Purpose

The purpose of the Amended Plan is to align the long-term financial interests of our employees, directors, consultants and other service providers with our shareholders, attract and retain such service providers and provide incentives to those individuals who are expected to contribute significantly to our long-term performance and growth.

Common Shares Subject to the Amended Plan

The Common Shares issued or to be issued under the Amended Plan consists of authorized but unissued Common Shares or issued Common Shares that have been reacquired by the Company in any manner. Subject to adjustment made in connection with a recapitalization, Change of Control (as defined in the Amended Plan) and certain other events set forth in the Amended Plan, the maximum number of Common Shares subject to Awards which may be issued pursuant to the Amended Plan will be equal to the sum of (i) 43,768,825 Common Shares, (ii) 11,500,000 Common Shares and (iii) the number of Common Shares becoming available for reuse after awards are terminated, forfeited, cancelled, exchanged or surrendered following the Effective Date under the Company’s 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Shares underlying “substitute awards” (i.e., awards granted as replacements for awards granted by a company that we or one of our subsidiaries acquires or with which we or one of our subsidiaries combines) will not reduce the number of Common Shares available for issuance under the Amended Plan.

In determining the number of Common Shares to be reserved for issuance under the Amended Plan, the Company’s management and Talent and Compensation Committee evaluated the historic share usage and “burn rate” under the 2014 Plan and the existing terms of outstanding Awards under the 2014 Plan, as discussed in the section titled “Historical Annual Common Share Usage” beginning on page 91.

The number of Common Shares authorized for grant under the Amended Plan is subject to adjustment, as described in the section titled “Types of Awards — Adjustments” on page 98. In addition, (i) the number of Common Shares issuable to Insiders, at any time, under all security-based compensation arrangements of the

Company, cannot exceed 10% of issued and outstanding Common Shares; (ii) the number of Common Shares issued to Insiders, within any one year period, under all security-based compensation arrangements of the

 

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Company, cannot exceed 10% of issued and outstanding securities; and (iii) the number of Common Shares issuable to non-employee members of the Board, at any time, under all security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, cannot exceed 1% of issued and outstanding Common Shares.

In any calendar year, no Participant who is a non-employee director of the Company may be granted Awards, in either equity, cash or other compensation, with an aggregate fair market value as of the grant date or payment date, as applicable, in excess of $750,000.

If any Common Shares subject to an Award (other than a substitute award) are forfeited, canceled, exchanged or surrendered, or if an Award (other than a substitute award) terminates or expires without a distribution of Common Shares to the participant, the Common Shares with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, cancellation, exchange, surrender, termination or expiration, again be available for Awards under the Amended Plan; however, the Common Shares surrendered or withheld as payment of either the exercise price of an option (including Common Shares otherwise underlying an award of a SAR that are retained by the Company to account for the exercise price of the SAR) and/or withholding taxes in respect of an Award will no longer be available for Awards under the Amended Plan.

The maximum number of Common Shares available for Awards under the Amended Plan shall not be affected by the payment of cash dividends on outstanding Awards (to the extent permitted under the Amended Plan), the payment of share-denominated awards that must be settled in cash, the granting of cash awards or substitute awards.

Administration of the Amended Plan

Except as otherwise required by law or as designated otherwise by the Board, the Amended Plan will be administered by our Talent and Compensation Committee. The Talent and Compensation Committee will have full power and authority to administer the Amended Plan, including, among other things, to (i) interpret the Amended Plan, (ii) determine the types of Awards to be granted, (iii) select Award recipients, (iv) establish the terms and conditions of awards, (v) determine the settlement or exercise method of Awards and (vi) adopt any administrative rules, regulations, procedures and guidelines governing the Amended Plan or any Awards granted under the Amended Plan as it deems to be appropriate. The Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards or administer the Amended Plan.

Eligibility

Generally, all of our employees, directors, advisors and consultants will be eligible to receive Awards under the Amended Plan, as selected by our Talent and Compensation Committee in its discretion in furtherance of the purpose of the Amended Plan (as described above). As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we expect that approximately 4,000 employees and 11 directors will be eligible to receive Awards under the Amended Plan.

The basis for participation in the Amended Plan is the Talent and Compensation Committee’s decision, in its sole discretion, that an Award to an eligible participant will further the Amended Plan’s purposes (as described above). In exercising such discretion, the Talent and Compensation Committee will consider the recommendations of management and the purposes of the Amended Plan, which are to continue to align the long-term financial interests of employees, directors, consultants, members of our sales force and other service providers of the Company and its subsidiaries with those of the Company’s shareholders, to attract and retain those individuals by providing compensation opportunities that are competitive with other companies and provide incentives to those individuals who contribute significantly to the long-term performance and growth of the Company and its subsidiaries. In recent years, all eligible directors have received Awards under the 2014 Plan (unless such compensation was waived) and approximately 18% of our employees have received Awards under the 2014 Plan.

 

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Types of Awards

The following types of Awards may be made under the Amended Plan. All of the Awards described below are subject to the conditions, limitations, restrictions, exercise price, vesting and forfeiture provisions determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, subject to such limitations as are provided in the Amended Plan. In addition, subject to the limitations provided in the Amended Plan and in accordance with applicable law, the Talent and Compensation Committee may accelerate or defer the vesting or payment of awards, cancel or modify outstanding Awards, and waive any conditions or restrictions imposed with respect to Awards or the Common Shares issued pursuant to Awards. As of April 28, 2022, the equity awards outstanding under our equity compensation plans were held by a total of 4,186 current and former employees and non-employee directors (all of the 4,186 current and former employees and non-employee directors held outstanding Awards granted under the 2014 Plan).

Non-qualified Stock Options

An award of a non-qualified stock option grants a participant the right to purchase a certain number of Common Shares during a specified term in the future, after a vesting period, at an exercise price equal to at least 100% of the Market Price (as defined below) of our Common Shares on the grant date (except in the case of substitute awards). The “Market Price” of Common Shares as of a particular date shall generally mean the closing price per Common Share on the national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are principally traded (subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Amended Plan in the event that the Company is no longer traded on a national securities exchange). Unless otherwise determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee, Directors shall generally not be eligible to receive options. The term of a non-qualified stock option may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The exercise price may be paid with cash, Common Shares already owned by the participant, or with the proceeds from a sale of the Common Shares subject to the option. The Talent and Compensation Committee may also provide that an option may be “net exercised”, meaning that the participant would receive the number of whole Common Shares equal to (A) the difference between (x) the aggregate Market Price of the Common Shares subject to the portion of such option then being exercised and (y) the aggregate exercise price for all such Common Shares under the portion thereof then being exercised plus (to the extent it would not give rise to adverse accounting consequences pursuant to applicable accounting principles or to adverse tax consequences to the Participants under Canadian federal, provincial or territorial tax laws) the amount of withholding tax due upon exercise divided by (B) the Market Price of a Common Share on the date of exercise. Any fractional share that would result from such equation shall be canceled. A non-qualified stock option is an option that does not meet the qualifications of an incentive stock option as described below.

Incentive Stock Options

An incentive stock option is a stock option that meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, which include an exercise price of no less than 100% of Market Price on the grant date, a term of no more than ten years, and that the option be granted from a plan that has been approved by shareholders. The repricing of incentive stock options is prohibited. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if granted to a participant who owns shares representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of shares of the Company, its parent or one of its subsidiaries, an incentive stock option must have a term of not more than five years and have an exercise price which is at least 110% of the Market Price. In addition, if the aggregate Market Price of the Common Shares (as of the grant date) for which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, such excess will be treated as non-qualified stock options.

Subject to adjustment, as described in the section titled “Types of Awards — Adjustments” below, the maximum number of Common Shares available for issuance with respect to incentive stock options under the Amended Plan is 55,268,825 Common Shares.

 

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Share Appreciation Rights

A share appreciation right (“SAR”) entitles the participant to receive an amount equal to the difference between the Market Price of the Company’s Common Shares on the exercise date and the exercise price of the SAR (which may not be less than 100% of the Market Price of a Common Share on the grant date, except for substitute awards), multiplied by the number of Common Shares subject to the SAR. A SAR may be granted in substitution for a previously granted option, and if so, the exercise price of any such SAR may not be less than 100% of the Market Price of Common Shares as determined at the time the option for which it is being substituted was granted. Payment to a participant upon the exercise of a SAR may be in cash or Common Shares (in which case, the number of Common Shares to be paid will be determined by dividing the amount calculated above by the Market Price of a Common Share at the time of payment). Unless otherwise determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee, Directors shall generally not be eligible to receive SARs.

Restricted Shares

A restricted share award is an award of outstanding Common Shares that does not vest until after a specified period of time, or satisfaction of other vesting conditions as determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee, and which may be forfeited if conditions to vesting are not met. Participants generally accrue (but are not paid) dividends or dividend equivalents on the Common Shares subject to their award during the vesting period (unless the awards are subject to performance-vesting criteria) and are also generally entitled to provide voting instructions with respect to the Common Shares underlying their awards.

Deferred Shares

A deferred share award is an unfunded, unsecured promise to deliver Common Shares to the participant in the future, if the participant satisfies the conditions to vesting, as determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee. Participants do not have voting rights, but generally accrue (but are not paid) dividend equivalent payments during the vesting period subject to the same vesting conditions as the underlying award.

Share Units

A Share Unit is an Award that represents the right to receive a Common Share or a cash payment equal to the Market Price of a Common Share. Share Units shall be subject to such terms and conditions (including service-based and/or performance-based vesting conditions), restrictions and limitations, as determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee.

Share Payment

Subject to limits in the Amended Plan, the Talent and Compensation Committee may issue unrestricted Common Shares, alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Talent and Compensation Committee determines. A share payment may (but need not) be granted as, or in payment of, a bonus, or to provide incentives or recognize special achievements or contributions.

Cash Awards

The Talent and Compensation Committee may issue awards that are payable in cash, as deemed by the Talent and Compensation Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Amended Plan. These cash awards will be subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee from time to time. The payment of cash awards may be subject to the achievement of specified performance criteria.

 

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Performance Criteria

Awards granted under the Amended Plan may be subject to specified performance criteria. Performance criteria are based on the Company’s attainment of performance measures pre-established by the Talent and Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, on one or more of the following:

 

   

revenues, income before taxes and extraordinary items, net income, operating income, earnings before income tax, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, cash flow or a combination of any or all of the foregoing;

 

   

after-tax or pre-tax profits including, without limitation, those attributable to continuing and/or other operations;

 

   

the level of the Company’s bank debt or other long-term or short-term public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of the Company either in absolute terms or as it relates to a profitability ratio including operating income or EBITA;

 

   

return on capital employed, return on assets, or return on invested capital;

 

   

after-tax or pre-tax return on shareholders’ equity;

 

   

economic value added targets based on a cash flow return on investment formula;

 

   

the market price of the Common Shares;

 

   

the market capitalization or enterprise value of the Company, either in amount or relative to industry peers;

 

   

the value of an investment in the Common Shares assuming the reinvestment of dividends;

 

   

the achievement of operating margin targets or other measures of improving profitability;

 

   

the filing of one or more new drug application(s) (“NDA”) or one or more new drug submission(s) (“NDS”) or the approval of one or more NDA(s) or one or more NDS(s) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the Canadian Therapeutic Products Directorate, as applicable;

 

   

the achievement of, or progress toward, a launch of one or more new drug(s);

 

   

the achievement of research and development milestones;

 

   

the achievement of other strategic milestones including, without limitation, the achievement of specific synergy capture and cost savings realization relating to integrations and the successful creation or execution of a restructuring plan for a specific business or function;

 

   

the successful completion of clinical trial phases;

 

   

licensing or acquiring new products or product platforms;

 

   

acquisition or divestiture of products or business;

 

   

the entering into new, or exiting from existing, geographic markets or industry segments; or

 

   

the attainment of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level in or increase in, all or a portion of controllable expenses or costs or other expenses or costs

For purposes of the first item above, “extraordinary items” includes all items of gain, loss or expense for the fiscal year determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence or related to a corporate transaction, restructuring, or related to a change in accounting principles. Each financial metric above may be on a business unit, geographic segment, total company, or per-share basis, and on a GAAP or non-GAAP adjusted basis.

 

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The performance criteria may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of performance under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of other entities. The Talent and Compensation Committee may designate additional business criteria on which the performance criteria may be based or adjust, modify or amend the previously mentioned business criteria, including to take into account actions approved by the Board or a committee thereof that affect the achievement of the original performance criteria. Performance criteria may include a threshold level of performance below which no Award will be earned, a level of performance at which the target amount of an Award will be earned and a level of performance at which the maximum amount of the Award will be earned. The Talent and Compensation Committee shall make appropriate equitable adjustments to the performance criteria in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting us or our financial statements, in response to changes in applicable laws or regulations, including changes in generally accepted accounting principles, or to account for items of gain, loss or expense determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence or related to the disposal of a segment of a business or related to a change in accounting principles, as applicable.

Deferrals

The Talent and Compensation Committee may postpone the exercise of Awards, or the issuance or delivery of Common Shares or cash pursuant to any Award for such periods and upon such terms and conditions as the Talent and Compensation Committee determines. In addition, the Talent and Compensation Committee may determine that all or a portion of a payment to a participant, whether in cash and/or Common Shares, will be deferred in order to prevent the Company or any subsidiary from being denied a U.S. federal income tax deduction with respect to an award granted under the Amended Plan. Notwithstanding this authority, the Talent and Compensation Committee will not postpone the exercise or delivery of shares or cash payable in respect of Awards constituting deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, where such postponement will cause the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A of the Code. Section 409A of the Code provides rules that govern the manner in which compensation of various types may be deferred and imposes taxes upon compensation that is improperly deferred or accelerated.

Blackout Periods

The Amended Plan provides that, to the extent applicable, (i) if the expiration of the term of options or SARs awarded under the Amended Plan occurs during a period self-imposed by the Company in accordance with TSX rules during which a participant is prohibited from trading in the Company’s securities (a “Blackout Period”), such term will be extended until the tenth business day after the end of such Blackout Period, and (ii) if share units are to be delivered during a Blackout Period, the Talent and Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, determine that Common Shares subject to such share units will instead be delivered as soon as practicable after the end of such Blackout Period, in each case subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code, if applicable.

Dividends and Dividends Equivalents

The Talent and Compensation Committee may provide that Share Units and/or Share Awards shall earn dividends or dividend equivalents, as applicable, subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations as the Talent and Compensation Committee may establish. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends or dividend equivalents (i) shall have the same vesting dates and shall be paid in accordance with the same terms as the Awards to which they relate, (ii) with respect to any Award subject to the achievement of performance criteria, shall not be paid unless and until the relevant performance criteria have been satisfied. Stock options and SARs will not be eligible for dividends and dividend equivalents and (iii) no stock options will be eligible for the payment of dividends or dividend equivalents.

 

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Adjustments

The Amended Plan will provide that the Talent and Compensation Committee will make appropriate equitable adjustments to the maximum number of Common Shares available for issuance under the Amended Plan and other limits stated in the Amended Plan, the number and kind of shares covered by outstanding Awards, and the exercise prices and performance measures applicable to outstanding Awards. These changes will be made to reflect changes in our capital structure (including a change in the number of Common Shares outstanding) on account of any share dividend, share split, reverse share split or any similar equity restructuring, or any combination or exchange of equity securities, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or similar event, or to the extent necessary to prevent the enlargement or diminution of participants’ rights by reason of any such transaction or event or any extraordinary dividend, divestiture or other distribution (other than ordinary cash dividends) of assets to shareholders, or on account of any change in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles. These adjustments will be made only to the extent they conform to the requirements of applicable provisions of the Code and other applicable laws and regulations. The Talent and Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may decline to adjust an Award if it determines that the adjustment would violate applicable law or result in adverse tax consequences to the participant or to the Company. Adjustments described in this paragraph are subject to any applicable regulatory approvals.

Termination of Service

Unless the applicable award agreement provides otherwise or the Talent and Compensation Committee determines otherwise, vesting with respect to an Award will cease upon termination of a participant’s employment or service with the Company, and unvested Awards shall be forfeited upon such termination. In the case of termination for cause, vested awards shall also be forfeited.

Change of Control

The Amended Plan provides that, unless otherwise set forth in a participant’s award agreement, all Awards that are assumed or substituted in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the Amended Plan) transaction will become fully vested, exercisable and free of restrictions, and any performance conditions on those Awards will be deemed to be achieved at the target performance level (or at such other level as determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee in its discretion or as specified in the definitive transaction documentation in connection with such Change of Control) if the participant’s employment or service is terminated by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the Amended Plan) or the participant resigns for “good reason” (as defined in the Amended Plan), in each case within 12 months following the Change of Control. In addition, the Amended Plan provides that, unless otherwise set forth in a participant’s award agreement, all Awards that are not assumed or substituted in connection with the Change of Control transaction will become fully vested (on a pro rata basis), exercisable and free of restrictions and any performance conditions on those Awards will be deemed to be achieved at target (or at such other level as determined by the Talent and Compensation Committee in its discretion or as specified in the definitive transaction documentation in connection with such Change of Control), on a pro rata basis, immediately upon the occurrence of the Change of Control transaction.

In addition, in the event of a Change of Control transaction, the Talent and Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, (i) provide that each option and each SAR which may, by its terms, only be settled in Common Shares, will, immediately upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, be deemed to have been exercised on a “net exercise” basis, and (ii) may, in its discretion, except as would otherwise result in adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code, provide that each Award, other than options and SARs will, immediately upon the occurrence of the Change of Control, be cancelled in exchange for a payment in an amount equal to the excess of the consideration paid per Common Share in the Change of Control over the purchase price (if any) per Common Share subject to the Award, multiplied by the number of Common Shares subject to the Award. Additionally, in the event of a Change of Control transaction, the Talent and Compensation Committee may, in

 

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its sole discretion, terminate any option or SAR for which the exercise or purchase price is equal to or exceeds the per Common Share value of the consideration to be paid in the Change of Control transaction without payment of consideration.

Transferability

Except in specific circumstances described in the Amended Plan, Awards granted under the Amended Plan may not be sold, pledged, hypothecated, assigned, margined or otherwise transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and until the Common Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Common Shares have lapsed or have been waived by the Talent and Compensation Committee.

Amendment and Termination

Subject to the approval of shareholders that we are seeking at the Annual Meeting, the Amended Plan will be effective as of June 21, 2022 and will remain in effect until the earlier of (i) the date all Common Shares subject to the Amended Plan have been purchased or acquired or (ii) June 21, 2032.

The Amended Plan and any Award may be amended, suspended or terminated at any time by the Board, provided that no amendment will be made without shareholder approval if such shareholder approval is required in order to comply with applicable law or the rules of the NYSE, the rules of the TSX, or any other securities exchange on which the Common Shares are traded or quoted. For instance, the Board may, without shareholder approval but subject to applicable law and the provisions of the Amended Plan, (i) amend the vesting provisions of an Award or of the Amended Plan, (ii) amend the payment provisions of an Award, (iii) cancel or modify outstanding Awards, (iv) waive any restrictions imposed with respect to Awards or the Common Shares issued pursuant to Awards or of the Amended Plan, (v) amend the provisions of the Amended Plan in order to ensure its compliance with applicable securities and tax law as well as the TSX and NYSE rules, (vi) make any amendment of a clerical nature as well as any amendment clarifying any provision of the Amended Plan, (vii) make any adjustment as described above under the heading “Adjustments”, and (viii) suspend or terminate the Amended Plan. Except as may be required to comply with applicable tax law, no termination, suspension or amendment of the plan may adversely affect the right of any participant with respect to a previously granted Award without the participant’s written consent.

The Company will obtain shareholder approval for: (i) subject to the Talent and Compensation Committee’s right to make equitable adjustments as mentioned above, a reduction in the exercise price or purchase price of an Award (or the cancellation and re-grant of an Award resulting in a lower exercise price or purchase price); (ii) the extension of the original term of an option over the maximum period of 10 years described above, except if such term occurs during a Blackout Period as described above; (iii) any amendment to remove or to exceed the participation limits described in the Amended Plan or any amendment to the limit of the number of incentive stock options that may be granted under the Amended Plan; (iv) an increase to the maximum number of Common Shares issuable under the Amended Plan (other than adjustments in accordance with the plan); (v) amendments to the amendment and termination section of the Amended Plan other than amendments of a clerical nature; and (vi) any amendment that permits Awards to be transferable or assignable other than for normal estate settlement purposes or for other purposes not involving the receipt of monetary consideration.

No Option and SAR Repricing

Except as provided in the section titled “Types of Awards — Adjustments” on page 98 and without limiting the section titled “Types of Awards — Amendment and Termination” beginning on page 99, the Talent and Compensation Committee may not, without shareholder approval, seek to effect any re-pricing of any previously granted “underwater” stock option or SAR by: (i) amending or modifying the terms of the stock option or SAR to lower the exercise price; (ii) cancelling the underwater stock option or SAR and granting either (A) replacement

 

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stock options or SARs having a lower exercise price or (B) restricted shares, share units, or other share awards in exchange; or (iii) cancelling or repurchasing the underwater stock options or SARs for cash or other securities. A stock option or SAR will be deemed to be “underwater” at any time when the market value of the Common Shares covered by such Award is less than the exercise price of the Award.

Clawback

Awards under the Amended Plan are subject to our Clawback Policy (adopted February 21, 2017), available on our website at ir.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Corporate Governance - Governance Documents”). In addition, the Talent and Compensation Committee may specify in an award agreement that an Award will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, include a termination of employment or service, violation of material policies, breach of non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants, or requirements to comply with minimum share ownership requirements, that may apply to the participant, or other conduct by the participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company and/or its subsidiaries. The Committee will also have full authority to implement any policies and procedures necessary to comply with Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Amended Plan Benefits

The Amended Plan was designed by the Talent and Compensation Committee, as part of a comprehensive compensation strategy to provide long-term broad-based incentives for employees to contribute to the growth of the Company and its subsidiaries.

If approved by the shareholders, participants in the Amended Plan will be eligible for annual long-term awards which may include performance shares, stock options, restricted stock and share payments (or other Awards permitted under the Amended Plan). The level and types of Awards will be fixed by the Talent and Compensation Committee in light of the participants’ targeted long-term incentive level. The Talent and Compensation Committee may impose additional conditions or restrictions to the vesting of such Awards as it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, the achievement of performance goals based on one or more business criteria.

Awards under the Amended Plan are made at the discretion of the Talent and Compensation Committee and are not determinable at this time. Moreover, the ultimate value of any grants that are made will depend on the value of the underlying Common Shares at the time of settlement, which likewise is not determinable at this time. Please refer to the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table” on page 69 to review equity and equity-based awards made to our NEOs in 2021.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of Amended Plan Awards

The following is a brief summary of the principal United States federal income tax consequences of transactions under the Amended Plan, based on current United States federal income tax laws. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive, does not constitute tax advice and, among other things, does not describe state, local or foreign tax consequences, which may be substantially different. In particular, this summary does not address Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax consequences, including those applicable to employees resident in or whose employment is exercised in Canada.

Non-Qualified Stock Options

Generally, a participant will not recognize taxable income on the grant or vesting of a non-qualified stock option. Upon the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, a participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference between the market value of our Common Shares received on the date of exercise

 

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and the option cost (number of Common Shares purchased multiplied by the exercise price per Common Share). The Company will ordinarily be entitled to a deduction on the exercise date equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant upon exercise.

Incentive Stock Options

No taxable income is recognized by a participant on the grant or vesting of an incentive stock option. If a participant exercises an incentive stock option in accordance with its terms and does not dispose of the Common Shares acquired within two years after the date of the grant of the incentive stock option or within one year after the date of exercise, the participant will be entitled to treat any gain related to the exercise of the incentive stock option as capital gain (instead of ordinary income). In this case, the Company will not be entitled to a deduction by reason of the grant or exercise of the incentive stock option, however the excess of the market value over the exercise price of the Common Shares acquired is an item of adjustment in computing alternative minimum tax of the participant. If a participant holds the Common Shares acquired for at least one year from the exercise date and does not sell or otherwise dispose of the Common Shares for at least two years from the grant date, the participant’s gain or loss upon a subsequent sale will be long-term capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the participant’s basis in the Common Shares acquired. If a participant sells or otherwise disposes of the Common Shares acquired without satisfying the required minimum holding period, such “disqualifying disposition” will give rise to ordinary income equal to the excess of the market value of the Common Shares acquired on the exercise date (or, if less, the amount realized upon disqualifying disposition) over the participant’s tax basis in the Common Shares acquired. The Company will ordinarily be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of the ordinary income resulting from a disqualifying disposition.

Share Appreciation Rights

Generally, a participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant or vesting of a SAR, but will recognize ordinary income upon the exercise of a SAR in an amount equal to the cash amount received upon exercise (if the SAR is cash-settled) or the difference between the market value of our Common Shares received from the exercise of the SAR and the amount, if any, paid by the participant in connection with the exercise of the SAR. The participant will recognize ordinary income upon the exercise of a SAR regardless of whether our Common Shares acquired upon the exercise of the SAR are subject to further restrictions on sale or transferability. The participant’s basis in the Common Shares will be equal to the ordinary income attributable to the exercise and the amount, if any, paid in connection with the exercise of the SAR. The participant’s holding period for Common Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a SAR begins on the exercise date. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Company will ordinarily be entitled to a deduction in the amount of the ordinary income recognized by the participant.

Restricted Shares

A participant generally will not be taxed at the time of a restricted share award but will recognize taxable income when the award vests or otherwise is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. The amount of taxable income will be the market value of the Common Shares at that time.

Participants may elect to be taxed at the time of grant by making an election under Section 83(b) of the Code within 30 days of the award date. If a restricted share award subject to the Section 83(b) election is subsequently canceled, no deduction will be allowed for the amount previously recognized as income, and no tax previously paid will be refunded. Unless a participant makes a Section 83(b) election, dividends paid to a participant on Common Shares of an unvested restricted share award will be taxable to the participant as ordinary income. If the participant made a Section 83(b) election, the dividends will be taxable to the participant as dividend income.

 

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The Company will ordinarily be entitled to a deduction at the same time and in the same amounts as the ordinary income recognized by the participant. Unless a participant has made a Section 83(b) election, the Company will also be entitled to a deduction, for federal income tax purposes, for dividends paid on restricted share awards.

Deferred Shares

A participant will generally not recognize taxable income on a deferred share award until Common Shares subject to the award are distributed. The amount of this ordinary income will be the market value of our Common Shares at the time of distribution. Any dividend equivalents paid on deferred share awards are taxable as ordinary income when paid to the participant.

The Company will ordinarily be entitled to a deduction at the same time and in the same amounts as the ordinary income recognized by the participant. The Company will also be entitled to a deduction, for federal income tax purposes, on any dividend equivalent payments made to the participant.

Share Units

Awards of share units are treated, for federal income tax purposes, in substantially the same manner as deferred share awards.

Share Awards

A participant will generally recognize taxable income on the grant of unrestricted Common Shares, in an amount equal to the market value of the Common Shares on the grant date. The Company will ordinarily be entitled to a deduction at the same time and in the same amounts as the ordinary income recognized by the participant.

Withholding

To the extent required by law, the Company will withhold from any amount paid in settlement of an Award amounts of withholding and other taxes due or take other action as the Company deems advisable to enable the Company and the participant to satisfy withholding and tax obligations related to any Awards (including by providing for tax withholding obligations due in respect of an Award to be satisfied by “net settlement” or by “sell-to-cover”).

Cash Awards

A participant will generally recognize taxable income upon the payment of a cash award, in an amount equal to the amount of the cash received. The Company will ordinarily be entitled to a deduction at the same time and in the same amounts as the ordinary income recognized by the participant.

Registration with the SEC

If our shareholders approve the amendment to the Amended Plan, we plan to file with the SEC, as soon as reasonably practicable after such approval, an amendment to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the additional shares available for issuance under the Amended Plan.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

For the information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, see “Equity Compensation Plan Information” on page 82.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 4

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR

The Audit and Risk Committee recommended to the Board that PwC be put before the shareholders at the Meeting for appointment as our auditor to serve until the close of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Board has accepted and endorsed this recommendation.

Under the BCBCA, at each annual meeting of shareholders, shareholders of a corporation appoint, by a majority of votes cast in respect of that proposal, an auditor to hold office until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an auditor is not appointed at a meeting of shareholders, the incumbent auditor continues in office until a successor is appointed. PwC currently serves as auditor of the Company and, therefore, shall continue to serve as the Company’s auditor in the event that this proposal is not adopted by the shareholders.

Representatives of PwC will be present at the Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if desired. Further, the representatives will be available to respond to appropriate shareholder questions submitted in the manner described under “Attending the Meeting — How do I ask a question at the Meeting?” on page 3.

A simple majority of votes cast at the Annual Meeting, whether virtually, or by proxy or otherwise, will be required to appoint PwC. You may either vote “For” the appointment of PwC or “Withhold” your vote with respect to such appointment. If you vote “For” the appointment of PwC, your Common Shares will be voted accordingly. If you select “Withhold” with respect to the appointment of PwC, your vote will not be counted as a vote cast for the purposes of appointing PwC.

As a shareholder of the Company, you are invited to vote with respect to the appointment of PwC as the auditor for the Company to hold office until the close of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and to authorize the Board to fix the auditor’s remuneration through the following resolution:

Resolved, that the shareholders hereby appoint PwC as auditor for the Company to hold office until the close of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the Board of Directors of the Company is hereby authorized to fix the auditor’s remuneration.

The Board recommends that the shareholders vote FOR Proposal No. 4.

AUDITOR FEES

For fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, PwC was our appointed auditor. Principal Auditor fee includes fees paid to PwC and affiliated PwC network firms through the world. The table below summarizes the fees (expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars) paid by the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries to PwC during 2021 and 2020.

 

     2021      2020  
     ($)      (%)      ($)      (%)  

Audit Fees

     14,138        39        14,002        68  

Audit-Related Fees(1)

     20,535        57        4,500        22  

Tax Fees(2)

     1,598        4        1,977        10  

All Other Fees(3)

     52        *        98        *  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     36,323        100        20,577        100  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

* 

Less than 1%.

 

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(1) 

Audit-related services are generally related to audits of financial statements prepared for special purposes, assignments relating to due diligence investigations, pre-implementation review procedures and employee benefit plan audits and, in 2021, were primarily related to the audit of the carve-out financials relating to the proposed B+L IPO and other strategic alternatives.

 

(2) 

Tax services are professional services rendered by our auditor for tax compliance and tax consulting primarily related to international transfer pricing.

 

(3) 

All other fees are amounts paid for miscellaneous permissible products and services.

Audit Fees

The aggregate fees for professional services rendered by PwC for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 for the audit of our consolidated annual financial statements and the reviews of the financial statements included in our Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, the audits of our internal control over financial reporting with the objective of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects, and the audits that are normally provided by PwC in connection with statutory and regulatory filings as well as for services billed related to our financing activities, such as comfort letters and consents, were approximately $14.1 million and $14.0 million, respectively.

Audit-Related Fees

The Audit and Risk Committee believes that the provision of the non-audit services referenced above is compatible with maintaining PwC’s independence.

Audit-related services are generally related to audits of financial statements prepared for special purposes, employee benefit plan audits, pre-implementation review procedures and assignments relating to due diligence investigations and procedures. Audit-related services primarily related to the aggregated fees billed in the respective calendar year for the special purpose financial statement audits for the years ended December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2021, including quarterly financial statement reviews for the applicable periods, and registration statement filings, consents, due diligence procedures and comfort letters associated with our eye-health and medical aesthetics businesses.

The aggregate fees billed for audit-related services rendered by PwC during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 that are traditionally performed by the principal accountant and are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements and are not included in “Audit Fees” above were approximately $20.5 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

Tax Fees

Tax services are professional services rendered by our auditor for tax compliance and tax consulting primarily related to international transfer pricing. The aggregate fees billed for tax services rendered by PwC during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were approximately $1.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

All Other Fees

There were insignificant amounts billed for miscellaneous permissible products and services as reported above to PwC during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. PwC did not provide any financial information systems design or implementation services to the Company during 2021 or 2020.

All fees described above were approved by the Audit and Risk Committee of our Board under its pre-approval policy.

 

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Audit and Risk Committee’s Pre-Approval of Non-Audit Services

The Audit and Risk Committee chooses and appoints (through nomination to the Company’s shareholders) the Company’s auditor to audit our financial statements. The Audit and Risk Committee pre-approves non-audit services that may be provided to the Company and its subsidiaries by its auditor. The Audit and Risk Committee is not permitted to approve any engagement of the Company’s auditor if the services to be performed either fall into a category of services that are not permitted by applicable law or the services would be inconsistent with maintaining the auditor’s independence.

OTHER

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

A shareholder who is entitled to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders may raise a proposal for consideration at such Annual Meeting of Shareholders. We will consider such proposal for inclusion in the proxy materials for the 2023 Annual Meeting only if our Corporate Secretary receives such proposal (at 2150 Saint Elzéar Blvd. West, Laval, Québec, H7L 4A8, Canada, or by facsimile 514-744-6272): (i) submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, on or before January 2, 2023, or (ii) submitted pursuant to Part 5, Division 7 of the BCBCA on or before March 14, 2023. The use of certified mail, return receipt, is advised. In addition, a proposal submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 can be submitted by sending an e-mail to ir@bauschhealth.com.

If the date of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is advanced or delayed more than 30 days from the date of the Annual Meeting, shareholder proposals intended to be included in the proxy statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by us within a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail the proxy statement, or provide a notice to you with respect to accessing such proxy statement on the internet, for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

The Company’s Articles provide that shareholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors must provide timely notice in writing to the Company’s secretary by personal delivery or facsimile transmission at the number shown on the Company’s issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The purpose of this advance notice requirement is to: (i) inform the Company of nominees for election at a shareholder meeting proposed by a shareholder sufficiently in advance of such meeting; (ii) provide an opportunity to inform all shareholders of any potential proxy contest and proposed director nominees sufficiently in advance of the applicable meeting; and (iii) enable the Board to make informed recommendations or present alternatives to shareholders.

To be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be received by the Company: (i) in the case of an annual general meeting, not later than the close of business on the 50th day before the meeting date or, if the first public announcement of the date of such meeting is less than 60 days prior to the meeting date, the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual general meeting was first made by the Company; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made by the Company. The Company’s Articles also prescribe the proper written form for a shareholder’s notice as well as additional requirements in connection with nominations. Shareholders

who failed to comply with the advance notice requirements would not be entitled to make nominations for directors at the Annual General or Special Meeting of Shareholders.

 

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COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Shareholders and other interested parties may contact the Company’s directors or independent directors in writing, as a group or individually, by directing their correspondence to the attention of Bausch Health Investor Relations, Bausch Health Companies Inc., 2150 Saint Elzéar Blvd. West, Laval, Québec, H7L 4A8, Canada. Shareholders and other interested parties may also contact the Company’s directors by calling the Company’s helpline in the United States and Canada at (888) 451-4510. Additional international telephone numbers are included in our Business Ethics Reporting Policy, which is available on our website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Corporate Governance – Governance Documents”). The Corporate Secretary will log incoming information and forward appropriate messages promptly to the director(s). Communications are distributed to the Board or to any individual director or directors as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communication.

Certain items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board will not be distributed to the Board, such as mass mailings, product complaints, product inquiries, new product suggestions, resumes and other forms of job inquiries, surveys and business solicitations or advertisements. In addition, material that is inappropriate or unsuitable will be excluded, with the provision that any communication that is excluded must be made available to any non-employee director upon request.

Communications that include information better addressed by the Audit and Risk Committee will be addressed directly by that Committee.

The Company has specifically consulted with its stakeholders in recent years on matters including executive compensation. See “Compensation Discussion & Analysis – Shareholder-Friendly Compensation Practices – 2021 Shareholder Engagement” beginning on page 50 for additional information.

ANNUAL REPORT AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Our financial information is contained in the Company’s consolidated annual financial statements and related MD&A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Our Annual Report is available on the internet at our website at www.bauschhealth.com (under the tab “Investors” and under the subtab “Annual Reports Archive”) or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or through the SEC’s electronic data system, EDGAR, at www.sec.gov. To request a printed copy of our Annual Report or consolidated financial statements and related MD&A as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, which we will provide to you without charge, either write to Bausch Health Investor Relations at Bausch Health Companies Inc., 2150 Saint Elzéar Blvd. West, Laval, Québec H7L 4A8, Canada, or send an email to Bausch Health Investor Relations at ir@bauschhealth.com. Neither the Annual Report nor the consolidated financial statements and related MD&A as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021 form part of the material for the solicitation of proxies. Additional information relating to the Company may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

PROXY SOLICITATION

We will bear the entire cost of solicitation, including the preparation, assembly, internet hosting, maintaining a dedicated call line and printing and mailing the Proxy Materials, including the management proxy circular and proxy statement and form of proxy card. In addition to soliciting proxies by telephone, internet and mail, directors, officers or employees of the Company may, without special compensation, solicit proxies in person, by telephone, telegraph, courier service, advertisement, telecopier or other electronic means. We have retained D.F. King to assist in the solicitation of proxies. We will pay fees to D.F. King of $10,000, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them. We will pay those entities holding Common Shares in the names of their beneficial owners, such as brokers, nominees, fiduciaries and other custodians for their reasonable fees and expenses in forwarding solicitation material to their beneficial owners and for obtaining their instructions.

 

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HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

Companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) are permitted under the SEC’s rules to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy materials and annual reports with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering a single management proxy circular and proxy statement addressed to those shareholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for shareholders and cost savings for companies.

A number of brokers with account holders who are our shareholders “household” our proxy materials. A single management proxy circular and proxy statement or Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, as applicable, will be delivered to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected shareholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If you prefer to receive multiple copies of the separate management proxy circular and proxy statement, as applicable, at the same address for the Meeting or for any future Annual Meetings of Shareholders, additional copies will be provided promptly upon written or oral request to your broker, or by contacting us at Bausch Health Companies Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 2150 Saint Elzéar Blvd. West, Laval, Québec H7L 4A8, Canada, telephone 514-856-3855 or toll-free at 877-281-6642. Shareholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Proxy Statement at their address and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their broker.

MISCELLANEOUS

If any other matters are properly presented for consideration at the Meeting, including, among other things, consideration of a motion to adjourn the Meeting to another time or place in order to solicit additional proxies in favor of the recommendation of the Board, the designated proxyholders intend to vote the Common Shares represented by the Proxies appointing them on such matters in accordance with the recommendation of the Board and the authority to do so is included in the Proxy.

As of the date this Proxy Statement, the Board knows of no other matters which are likely to come before the Meeting.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

LOGO

Joseph C. Papa

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Laval, Québec

May 2, 2022

WE WILL MAIL WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST A COPY OF OUR MOST RECENT ANNUAL REPORT, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SCHEDULES AND A LIST OF EXHIBITS. REQUESTS SHOULD BE SENT TO: CORPORATE SECRETARY, BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC., 2150 SAINT ELZÉAR BLVD. WEST, LAVAL, QUÉBEC H7L 4A8, CANADA. THE ANNUAL REPORT IS ALSO AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE ON THE COMPANY WEBSITE: WWW.BAUSCHHEALTH.COM.

 

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EXHIBIT A

BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC.

CHARTER OF THE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The board of directors (the “Board”) of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (the “Company”) is elected by shareholders and is responsible for the stewardship of the activities and affairs of the Company. The Board seeks to discharge such responsibility by reviewing, discussing and approving the Company’s strategic planning and organizational structure and supervising management to oversee that the strategic planning and organizational structure preserve and enhance the business of the Company and the Company’s underlying value.

DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

The Board discharges its responsibility for overseeing the management of the Company’s business by delegating to the Company’s senior officers the responsibility for day-to-day management of the Company. The Board discharges its responsibilities both directly and by delegation through its committees. In addition to these regular committees, the Board may appoint ad hoc committees periodically to address certain issues of a more short-term nature.

The Board’s primary roles are overseeing the Company’s performance and the quality, depth and continuity of management needed to meet the Company’s strategic objectives.

Other principal duties, which may be carried out directly or via one or more committees, include, but are not limited to the following categories:

1. Appointment of Management

 

(a)

The Board is responsible for approving the appointment of the chief executive officer (the “CEO”) and all other senior management.

 

(b)

In approving the appointment of the CEO and all other senior management, the Board will, to the extent feasible, satisfy itself as to the integrity of these individuals and that they create a culture of integrity throughout the Company.

 

(c)

The Board from time to time delegates to senior management the authority to enter into certain types of transactions, including financial transactions, subject to specified limits. Investments and other expenditures above the specified limits, and material transactions outside the ordinary course of business are reviewed by and are subject to the prior approval of the Board.

 

(d)

The Board oversees that succession planning programs are in place, including programs to train and develop management.

 

(e)

The Board assesses and revises the Company’s executive compensation policy to, among other things, better align management’s interests with those of the shareholders. This includes establishing minimum shareholding requirements for senior management.

2. Board Organization

 

(a)

The Board will receive recommendations from the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “NCG Committee”), but retains responsibility for managing its own affairs by giving its approval for its composition and size, the selection of the Chairperson of the Board, the selection of the Lead Independent Director of the Board, if applicable, candidates nominated for election to the Board, committee and committee chairperson appointments, committee charters and director compensation.

 

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The Board may establish committees of the Board, where required or prudent, and define their mandate.

 

(b)

The Board may delegate to Board committees matters it is responsible for, including the approval of compensation of the Board and management, the conduct of performance evaluations and oversight of internal controls systems, but the Board retains its oversight function and ultimate responsibility for these matters and all other delegated responsibilities.

 

(c)

The Board will oversee orientation and education program for new directors and ongoing educational opportunities for continuing directors.

3. Strategic Planning

 

(a)

The Board has oversight responsibility to participate directly, and through its committees, in reviewing, questioning and approving the mission of the Company and its objectives and goals.

 

(b)

The Board is responsible for participating in the development of, and reviewing and approving, the business, financial and strategic plans by which it is proposed that the Company may reach those goals.

4. Monitoring of Financial Performance and Other Financial Reporting Matters

 

(a)

The Board is responsible for enhancing congruence between shareholder expectations, the Company’s plans and management performance.

 

(b)

The Board is responsible for adopting processes for monitoring the Company’s progress toward its strategic and operational goals, and to revise and alter its direction to management in light of changing circumstances affecting the Company.

 

(c)

The Board is responsible for approving the audited financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis accompanying such financial statements and the annual earnings press release.

 

(d)

The Board is responsible for reviewing the quarterly financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis accompanying such financial statements and the quarterly earnings press release.

 

(e)

The Board is responsible for reviewing and approving material transactions outside the ordinary course of business and those matters which the Board is required to approve under the Articles, including the payment of dividends, purchase and redemptions of securities, acquisitions and dispositions.

5. Risk Management

 

(a)

The Board is responsible for overseeing the identification of the principal risks of the Company’s business, including cybersecurity risks, and the implementation of appropriate systems to effectively monitor and manage such risks with a view to the long-term viability of the Company and achieving a proper balance between the risks incurred and the potential return to the Company’s shareholders.

6. Policies and Procedures

 

(a)

The Board is responsible for:

 

  (i)

approving and assessing compliance with all significant policies and procedures by which Bausch Health is operated; and

 

  (ii)

approving policies and procedures designed to ensure that Bausch Health operates at all times within applicable laws and regulations.

 

  (iii)

The Board is responsible for supporting a corporate culture of integrity and responsible stewardship.

 

(b)

The Board shall enforce its policy respecting confidential treatment of the Company’s proprietary information and the confidentiality of Board deliberations.

 

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7. Communications and Reporting

 

(a)

The Board is responsible for:

 

  (i)

overseeing the accurate reporting of the financial performance and condition of the Company to shareholders, other securityholders and regulators on a timely and regular basis;

 

  (ii)

encouraging effective and adequate communication with shareholders, other stakeholders and the public; and

 

  (iii)

ensuring the integrity and adequacy of internal controls and management information systems.

8. Certain Individual Responsibilities of the Members of the Board

 

(a)

Each member of the Board is expected to attend all meetings of the Board, unless adequate notification of absence is provided.

 

(b)

Each member of the Board is expected to have reviewed all materials provided in connection with a meeting in advance of such meeting and be prepared to discuss such materials at the meeting.

9. REVIEW AND DISCLOSURE

 

(a)

The Board shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter for the Board of Directors (the “Charter”) periodically and otherwise as it deems appropriate and amend it accordingly. The performance of the Board shall be evaluated with reference to this Charter.

 

(b)

The Board shall ensure that this Charter is disclosed on the Company’s website and that this Charter or a summary of it which has been approved by the NCG Committee is disclosed in accordance with all applicable securities laws or regulatory requirements.

Dated: July 27, 2021

 

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EXHIBIT B

Bausch Health Companies Inc.

2014 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

(As Amended and Restated, Effective as of June 21, 2022)

1.    Purpose and Background

The purposes of the Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) are to (i) align the long-term financial interests of employees, directors, consultants, agents and other service providers of the Company and its Subsidiaries with those of the Company’s shareholders; (ii) attract and retain those individuals by providing compensation opportunities that are competitive with other companies; and (iii) provide incentives to those individuals who contribute significantly to the long-term performance and growth of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Bausch Health Companies Inc., a British Columbia corporation, adopted the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) effective as of April 7, 2014, which was approved by the shareholders at the 2014 annual meeting. The 2014 Plan reserved approximately 18 million Common Shares for the issuance of Awards. On April 30, 2018, the shareholders approved an amendment to the 2014 Plan to increase the number of Common Shares authorized under the 2014 Plan by an additional 11,900,000 Common Shares. On April 28, 2020, the shareholders approved an amendment and restatement of the 2014 Plan to increase the number of authorized Common Shares by an additional 13,500,000 Common Shares. As of December 31, 2021, 11,593,059 Common Shares were available for further issuance. On February 14, 2022, the Talent and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved an amendment and restatement of the 2014 Plan to increase the number of authorized Common Shares by an additional 11,500,000 Common Shares. The Plan, as amended and restated, has been adopted and approved by the Board (defined below) and shall be effective as of June 21, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), subject to the approval of shareholders.

2.    Term

Subject to the right of the Board to amend or terminate the Plan at any time pursuant to Section 19 hereof, the Plan shall remain in effect until the earlier of (i) the date all Common Shares subject to the Plan have been purchased or acquired according to the Plan’s provisions or (ii) the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after such termination date, but Awards granted prior to such termination date shall remain outstanding in accordance with their terms, and the authority of the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue or terminate any such Award, or to waive any conditions or rights under any such Award shall extend beyond such date.

3.    Definitions

Award” shall mean an Option, SAR, Share Unit, Share Award or Cash Award granted under the Plan.

Award Agreement” shall mean any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by a Participant, as determined in the discretion of the Committee.

Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

Blackout Period” means a period self-imposed by the Company (within the meaning of Section 613(m) of the TSX Company Manual) when the Participant is prohibited from trading in the Company’s securities.

Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or statutory or civic holiday, on which banks in Toronto, Ontario are open for business.

 

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Cash Award” means cash awarded under Section 7(d) of the Plan, including cash awarded as a bonus or upon the attainment of Performance Criteria or otherwise as permitted under the Plan.

Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in the Participant’s Service Agreement; provided that if no such agreement or definition exists, “Cause” shall mean, unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement: (i) conviction of any felony or indictable offense (other than one related to a vehicular offense) or other criminal act involving fraud; (ii) willful misconduct that results in a material economic detriment to the Company; (iii) material violation of Company policies and directives, which is not cured after written notice and an opportunity for cure; (iv) continued refusal by the Participant to perform the Participant’s duties after written notice identifying the deficiencies and an opportunity for cure; (v) a material violation by the Participant of any material covenants to the Company and (vi) such other actions constituting cause under applicable common law. No action or inaction shall be deemed willful if (x) not demonstrably willful and (y) taken or not taken by the Participant in good faith and with the understanding that such action or inaction was not adverse to the best interests of the Company. Reference in this definition to the Company shall also include direct and indirect Subsidiaries of the Company, and materiality shall be measured based on the action or inaction and the impact upon the Company taken as a whole.

Change of Control” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.

Code” shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and any successor thereto.

Committee” shall mean the Board or a committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan.

Common Shares” shall mean the common shares of the Company, no par value per share.

Company” shall mean Bausch Health Companies Inc., a corporation incorporated under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act.

Consultant” means any individual, including an advisor, consultant or agent, who is providing services to the Company or any Subsidiary under a written agreement, other than services provided in relation to a distribution, including, without limitation, any non-employee director serving on the Board of Directors of any Subsidiary.

Deferred Shares” shall mean an Award payable in Common Shares at the end of a specified deferral period that is subject to the terms, conditions and limitations described or referred to in Section 7(d)(iv).

Director” means any member of the Board.

Disability” shall mean, unless otherwise provided in an applicable Service Agreement or Award Agreement, that the Participant is (i) unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months or (ii) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Company; provided, that, if applicable to the Award, “Disability” shall be determined in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code.

Eligible Recipient” shall mean (i) any Employee, (ii) any Director or (iii) any Consultant.

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and any successor thereto.

 

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Good Reason” shall have the meaning set forth in the Participant’s applicable Service Agreement; provided that if no such agreement or definition exists, “Good Reason” shall mean, unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, the occurrence of any of the events or conditions described in clauses (i) and (ii) immediately below without the Participant’s consent, which are not cured by the Company (if susceptible to cure by the Company) within thirty (30) days after the Company has received written notice from the Participant which notice must be provided by the Participant within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the event or condition constituting Good Reason specifying the particular events or conditions which constitute Good Reason and the specific cure requested by the Participant: (i) any material reduction in the Participant’s duties or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto; provided that diminution of responsibility shall not include any such diminution resulting from a promotion, death or Disability, the Participant’s Termination of Service for Cause, or the Participant’s Termination of Service other than for Good Reason; and (ii) any reduction in the Participant’s base salary or target bonus opportunity which is not comparable to reductions in the base salary or target bonus opportunity of other similarly-situated employees at the Company.

Insider” shall mean a reporting insider, as defined in National Instrument 55-104 - Insider Reporting Requirements and Exemptions of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

ISO” shall mean an Option intended to be and designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

Intrinsic Value” with respect to an Option or SAR means (i) the excess, if any, of the price or implied price per Common Share in a Change of Control or other event over (ii) the exercise or price of such Award multiplied by (iii) the number of Shares covered by such Award.

Market Price” shall mean, with respect to Common Shares, (i) the closing price per Common Share on the national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are principally traded (as of the Effective Date, the New York Stock Exchange), or (ii) if the Common Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange but are then traded in an over-the-counter market, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for the Common Shares in such over-the-counter market, or (iii) if the Common Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an over-the-counter market, such value as the Committee, using any reasonable method of valuation, shall determine. With respect to property other than Common Shares, the Market Price shall mean the fair market value of such other property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee.

Nonqualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is granted to a Participant that is not designated as an ISO.

Option” shall mean the right to purchase a specified number of Common Shares at a stated exercise price for a specified period of time subject to the terms, conditions and limitations described or referred to in Section 7(a). The term “Option” as used in the Plan includes the terms “Nonqualified Stock Option” and “ISO.”

Original Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).

Participant” shall mean an Eligible Recipient who has been granted an Award under the Plan.

Performance Criteria” shall mean performance criteria based on the attainment by the Company or any Subsidiary (or any division or business unit of such entity) of performance measures pre-established by the Committee in its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, one or more of the following:

 

  (i)

revenues, income before taxes and extraordinary items, net income, operating income, earnings before income tax, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, cash flow or a combination of any or all of the foregoing;

 

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  (ii)

after-tax or pre-tax profits including, without limitation, that attributable to continuing and/or other operations;

 

  (iii)

the level of the Company’s bank debt or other long-term or short-term public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of the Company either in absolute terms or as it relates to a profitability ratio including operating income or EBITA;

 

  (iv)

return on capital employed, return on assets, or return on invested capital;

 

  (v)

after-tax or pre-tax return on stockholders’ equity;

 

  (vi)

economic value added targets based on a cash flow return on investment formula;

 

  (vii)

the Market Price of the Common Shares;

 

  (viii)

the market capitalization or enterprise value of the Company, either in amount or relative to industry peers;

 

  (ix)

the value of an investment in the Common Shares assuming the reinvestment of dividends;

 

  (x)

the achievement of operating margin targets or other measures of improving profitability;

 

  (xi)

the filing of one or more new drug application(s) (“NDA”) or one or more new drug submission(s) (“NDS”) or the approval of one or more NDA(s) or one or more NDS(s) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the Canadian Therapeutic Products Directorate, as applicable;

 

  (xii)

the achievement of, or progress toward, a launch of one or more new drug(s);

 

  (xiii)

the achievement of research and development milestones;

 

  (xiv)

the achievement of other strategic milestones including, without limitation, the achievement of specific synergy capture and cost savings realization relating to integrations and the successful creation or execution of a restructuring plan for a specific business or function;

 

  (xv)

the successful completion of clinical trial phases;

 

  (xvi)

licensing or acquiring new products or product platforms;

 

  (xvii)

acquisition or divestiture of products or business;

 

  (xviii)

the entering into new, or exiting from existing, geographic markets or industry segments; or

 

  (xix)

the attainment of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level in or increase in, all or a portion of controllable expenses or costs or other expenses or costs.

For purposes of item (i) above, “extraordinary items” shall mean all items of gain, loss or expense for the fiscal year determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence or related to a corporate transaction (including, without limitation, a disposition or acquisition) or restructuring or related to a change in accounting principles, all as determined in accordance with standards established by Opinion No. 30 of the Accounting Principles Board. Each financial metric described in item (i) above may be on a business unit, geographic segment, total company or per-share basis, and on a GAAP or non-GAAP adjusted basis. The Performance Criteria may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of performance under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of other entities. The Committee may designate additional business criteria on which the Performance Criteria may be based or adjust, modify or amend the aforementioned business criteria, including to take into account actions approved by the Board or a committee thereof that affect the achievement of the original performance criteria. Performance Criteria may include a threshold level of performance below which no Award will be earned, a level of performance at which the target amount of an Award will be earned and a level of performance at which the maximum amount of the Award will be earned. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall make equitable adjustments to the Performance Criteria in

 

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recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary, in response to changes in applicable laws or regulations, including changes in generally accepted accounting principles, or to account for items of gain, loss or expense determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence or related to the disposal of a segment of a business or related to a change in accounting principles, as applicable.

Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.

Restricted Shares” shall mean an Award of Common Shares that is subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations described or referred to in Section 7(d)(iii).

SAR” shall mean a share appreciation right that is subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations described or referred to in Section 7(b).

Section 16(a) Insider” shall mean an Eligible Recipient who is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.

Separation from Service” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations.

Service Agreement” means any employment, severance, consulting or similar agreement between the applicable Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Specified Employee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

Share Award” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(d)(i).

Share Payment” shall mean a share payment that is subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations described or referred to in Section 7(d)(ii).

Share Unit” shall mean a share unit that is subject to the terms, conditions and limitations described or referred to in Section 7(c).

Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain owns shares possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares in one of the other corporations in the chain (or such lesser percent as is permitted by Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)(E) of the Treasury Regulations).

Substitute Award” means an Award granted in connection with a transaction between the Company (or a Subsidiary) and another entity or business acquired by the Company (or a Subsidiary), or with which the Company or a Subsidiary combines, in substitution or exchange for, or conversion, adjustment, assumption or replacement of, awards previously granted by such other entity or business.

Termination of Service” means, unless as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the case of a Participant who is an Employee, cessation of the employment relationship such that the Participant is no longer an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, or, in the case of a Participant who is a Consultant or non-employee Director, the date the performance of services for the Company or any Subsidiary has ended; provided, however, that in the case of a Participant who is an Employee, the transfer of employment from the Company to a Subsidiary, from a Subsidiary to the Company, from one Subsidiary to another Subsidiary or, unless the Committee determines otherwise, the cessation of employee status but the continuation of the performance of services for the Company or a Subsidiary as a Director or Consultant shall not be deemed a

 

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cessation of service that would constitute a Termination of Service; provided, further, that a Termination of Service shall be deemed to occur for a Participant employed by, or performing services for, a Subsidiary when such Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary unless such Participant’s employment or service continues with the Company or another Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award subject to Section 409A of the Code (and not exempt therefrom), a Termination of Service occurs when a Participant experiences a Separation of Service.

Transferred Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

Treasury Regulations” shall mean the regulations promulgated under the Code by the United States Internal Revenue Service, as amended.

TSX” means the Toronto Stock Exchange.

4.     Administration

 

  (a)

Committee Authority. Subject to applicable law, the Committee shall have full and exclusive power to administer and interpret the Plan, to grant Awards and to adopt such administrative rules, regulations, procedures and guidelines governing the Plan and the Awards as it deems appropriate, in its sole discretion, from time to time. The Committee’s authority shall include, but not be limited to, the authority to (i) determine the type of Awards (including Substitute Awards) to be granted under the Plan; (ii) select Award recipients and determine the extent of their participation; (iii) determine Performance Criteria; (iv) establish all other terms, conditions, and limitations applicable to Awards, Award programs and, if applicable, the Common Shares issued pursuant thereto; (v) determine whether, to what extent, under what circumstances and by which methods Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, Common Shares, other Awards, other property, net settlement (including broker-assisted cashless exercise), or any combination thereof, or canceled, forfeited or suspended; and (vi) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents, trustees, brokers, depositories and advisors and determine such terms of their engagement as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan and due compliance with applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations. The Committee may accelerate or defer the vesting or payment of Awards, cancel or modify outstanding Awards, waive any conditions or restrictions imposed with respect to Awards or the Common Shares issued pursuant to Awards and make any and all other determinations that it deems appropriate with respect to the administration of the Plan, subject to the limitations contained in Sections 6(d) and 19 of the Plan and applicable law and listing rules with respect to all Participants.

 

  (b)

Administration of the Plan. The administration of the Plan shall be managed by the Committee. All determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members either present in person or participating by conference telephone at a meeting or by written consent. The Committee shall have the power to prescribe and modify the forms of Award Agreement, correct any defect, supply any omission or clarify any inconsistency in the Plan and/or in any Award Agreement and take such actions and make such administrative determinations that the Committee deems appropriate in its sole discretion. Any decision of the Committee in the administration of the Plan, as described herein, shall be final, binding and conclusive on all parties concerned, including the Company, its shareholders and Subsidiaries and all Participants. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards or administer the Plan. In any such case, the Board shall have all of the authority and responsibility granted to the Committee herein.

 

  (c)

Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may at any time delegate to one or more officers or Directors of the Company some or all of its authority over the administration of the Plan (including the authority to grant Awards under the Plan), with respect to individuals who are not Section 16(a) Insiders.

 

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  (d)

Indemnification. No member of the Committee or any other Person to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan has been delegated shall be personally liable for any action or determination made with respect to the Plan, except for his or her own willful misconduct or as expressly provided by statute. The members of the Committee and its delegates, including any employee with responsibilities relating to the administration of the Plan, shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement from the Company, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the by-laws and policies of the Company. To the fullest extent permitted by the law, in the performance of its functions under the Plan, the Committee (and each member of the Committee and its delegates) shall be entitled to rely upon information and advice furnished by the Company’s officers, accountants, counsel and any other party they deem appropriate, and neither the Committee nor any such Person shall be liable for any action taken or not taken in reliance upon any such advice.

5.     Participation

 

  (a)

Eligible Recipients. Subject to applicable law and Section 7 hereof, the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, which Eligible Recipients shall be granted Awards under the Plan. Holders of equity compensation awards granted by an entity or business that is acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary (or whose business is acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary) or with which the Company or a Subsidiary combines are eligible for grants of Substitute Awards under the Plan to the extent permitted under applicable law and the applicable regulations of any stock exchange on which the Company is then listed.

 

  (b)

Participation outside of the United States. In order to facilitate the granting of Awards to Employees who are foreign nationals or who are employed outside of the U.S., the Committee may provide for such special terms and conditions, including, without limitation, substitutes for Awards, as the Committee may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom. The Committee may approve any supplements to, or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of, this Plan (including sub-plans) as it may consider necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this Section 5(b) without thereby affecting the terms of this Plan as in effect for any other purpose, and the appropriate officer of the Company may certify any such documents as having been approved and adopted pursuant to properly delegated authority; provided, that no such supplements, amendments, restatements or alternative versions shall include any provisions that are inconsistent with the intent and purpose of this Plan, as then in effect; further provided that any such action taken with respect to an Employee who is subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be taken in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

6.     Available Shares of Common Shares

 

  (a)

Shares Subject to the Plan. Subject to the following provisions of this Section 6, the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued to Participants pursuant to Awards (all of which may be granted as ISOs) shall be equal to the sum of (i) 43,768,825 Common Shares, (ii) 11,500,000 Common Shares and (iii) the number of Common Shares becoming available for reuse after awards are terminated, forfeited, cancelled, exchanged or surrendered following the Effective Date under the Company’s 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Transferred Shares”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Transferred Shares shall no longer be available under the Company’s 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Common Shares issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan may be shares that have been authorized but unissued, or have been purchased in open market transactions or otherwise.

 

  (b)

Forfeited and Expired Awards. If any shares subject to an Award (other than a Substitute Award) are forfeited, canceled, exchanged or surrendered, or if an Award (other than a Substitute Award) terminates or expires without a distribution of Common Shares to the Participant, the Common Shares with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, cancellation, exchange, surrender, termination or expiration, again be available for Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the

 

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foregoing, (i) the Common Shares surrendered or withheld as payment of either the exercise price of an Option (including shares otherwise underlying an Award of a SAR that are retained by the Company to account for the exercise price of such SAR) and/or withholding taxes in respect of an Award shall no longer be available for Awards under the Plan and (ii) any Common Shares subject to any Substitute Award that is (A) forfeited, cancelled, exchanged, surrendered, cancelled or otherwise terminates or expires without a distribution of Common Shares or (B) surrendered or withheld as payment of either the exercise price of a Substitute Award and/or withholding taxes in respect of a Substitute Award, in each case, will not again become available for distribution in connection with Awards under the Plan.

 

  (c)

Other Items Not Included in Allocation. The maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Plan as set forth in Section 6(a) shall not be affected by (i) the payment in cash of dividends or dividend equivalents in connection with outstanding Awards to the extent such cash dividends or dividend equivalents are permitted in accordance with Section 8; (ii) the granting or payment of share-denominated Awards that by their terms may be settled only in cash, (iii) the granting of Cash Awards; or (iv) the grant of, or issuance of Common Shares pursuant to, Substitute Awards. For the avoidance of doubt, Common Shares underlying Substitute Awards and Common Shares remaining available for grant under a plan of an acquired company or of a company with which the Company or a Subsidiary combines (whether by way of amalgamation, merger, sale and purchase of shares or other securities or otherwise), appropriately adjusted to reflect the acquisition or combination transaction, shall not reduce the number of Common Shares remaining available for grant hereunder.

 

  (d)

ISO Limit. Subject to Section 6(f), the maximum number of Common Shares available for issuance with respect to ISOs shall be 55,268,825.

 

  (e)

Other Limitations on Shares that May be Granted under the Plan. Subject to Section 6(f), (i) the number of Common Shares issuable to Insiders, at any time, under all security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, cannot exceed 10% of issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company; (ii) the number of Common Shares issued to Insiders, within any one year period, under all security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, cannot exceed 10% of issued and outstanding securities; and (iii) the number of Common Shares issuable to non-employee members of the Board, at any time, under all security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, cannot exceed 1% of issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company.

 

  (f)

Adjustments. In the event of any change in the Company’s capital structure, including, but not limited to, a change in the number of Common Shares outstanding, on account of (i) any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or any similar equity restructuring or (ii) any combination or exchange of equity securities, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization, or divesture or any other similar event affecting the Company’s capital structure, or change in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, to reflect such change in the Company’s capital structure, the Committee shall make appropriate equitable adjustments to the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Plan as set forth in Section 6(a) and the limits set forth in Section 6(d) and Section 6(e). In the event of any extraordinary dividend, divestiture or other distribution (other than ordinary cash dividends) of assets to shareholders, or any transaction or event described above, to the extent necessary to prevent the enlargement or diminution of the rights of Participants, the Committee shall make appropriate equitable adjustments to the number or kind of shares subject to an outstanding Award (including the identity of the issuer), the exercise or hurdle price applicable to an outstanding Award, and/or any measure of performance that relates to an outstanding Award, including any applicable Performance Criteria. Any adjustment to ISOs under this Section 6(f) shall be made only to the extent not constituting a “modification” within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code. With respect to Awards subject to Section 409A of the Code, any adjustments under this Section 6(f) shall conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, the Committee may, in its discretion, decline to adjust any Award made to a Participant, if it determines that such adjustment would violate applicable law or result in adverse tax consequences to the Participant or to the Company. If, as a result of any adjustment under this section 6(f), a

 

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Participant would become entitled to a fractional Common Share, the Participant has the right to acquire only the adjusted number of full Common Shares and no payment or other adjustment will be made with respect to the fractional Common Shares so disregarded. Adjustments under this Section 6(f) are subject to any applicable regulatory approvals.

 

  (g)

Non-Employee Director Limitations. In any calendar year, no Participant who is a non-employee Director shall be granted Options, SARs, Share Units, Share Awards, Cash Awards or any other compensation with an aggregate fair market value as of the grant date (as determined in accordance with applicable accounting standards) or payment date, as applicable, in excess of $750,000.

7.     Awards Under The Plan

Awards under the Plan may be granted in the form of Options, SARs, Share Units, Share Awards or Cash Awards as described below. Awards may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

 

  (a)

Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be designated as Nonqualified Stock Options or ISOs. Options shall expire after such period, not to exceed a maximum of ten years, as may be determined by the Committee (the “Original Term”). If an Option is exercisable in installments, such installments or portions thereof that become exercisable shall remain exercisable until the Option expires or is otherwise canceled pursuant to its terms. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7(a), except as otherwise determined by the Committee, and subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code (including Section 1.409A-1(v)(C)(1) of the Treasury Regulations), if the Original Term of an Option held by a Participant expires during a Blackout Period, the term of such Option shall be extended until the tenth Business Day following the end of the Blackout Period, at which time any unexercised portion of the Option shall expire; provided, however, that in no event shall such extension pursuant to this provision result in the term of such Option being extended beyond the latest date which would not result in an extension within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(v)(C)(1) of the Treasury Regulations. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7(a), Options shall be subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions, and limitations determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, from time to time.

 

  (i)

Exercise Price. The Committee shall determine the exercise price per share for each Option, which, except with respect to Substitute Awards, shall not be less than 100% of the Market Price (as of the date of grant) of the Common Shares subject to the Option.

 

  (ii)

Exercise of Options. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions relating to vesting and exercisability, as determined by the Committee, and upon provision for the payment in full of the exercise price and applicable taxes due, the Participant shall be entitled to exercise the Option and receive the number of Common Shares issuable in connection with the Option exercise. The Common Shares issued in connection with the Option exercise may be subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Committee may determine, from time to time. The exercise price of an Option and applicable withholding taxes relating to an Option exercise may be paid by methods permitted by the Committee from time to time including, but not limited to, (1) a cash payment; (2) tendering (either actually or by attestation) Common Shares owned by the Participant (for any minimum period of time that the Committee, in its discretion, may specify), valued at the Market Price at the time of exercise; (3) arranging to have the appropriate number of Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of an Option withheld or sold (including pursuant to a “sell-to-cover” method) pursuant to such procedures as determined by the Committee in its discretion; or (4) any combination of the above. Additionally, the Committee may provide that an Option may be “net exercised,” meaning that upon the exercise of an Option or any portion thereof, the Company shall deliver the number of whole Common Shares equal to (A) the difference between (x) the aggregate Market Price of the Common Shares subject to the Option (or the portion of such

 

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Option then being exercised) and (y) the aggregate exercise price for all such Common Shares under the Option (or the portion thereof then being exercised) plus (to the extent it would not give rise to adverse accounting consequences pursuant to applicable accounting principles or to adverse tax consequences to the Participants under Canadian federal, provincial or territorial tax laws) the amount of withholding tax due upon exercise divided by (B) the Market Price of a Common Share on the date of exercise. Any fractional share that would result from such equation shall be canceled.

 

  (iii)

ISOs. The terms and conditions of ISOs granted hereunder shall be subject to the provisions of Section 422 of the Code and the terms, conditions, limitations and administrative procedures established by the Committee from time to time in accordance with the Plan. At the discretion of the Committee, ISOs may be granted only to an employee of the Company, its “parent corporation” (as such term is defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) or a Subsidiary.

 

  (1)

ISO Grants to 10% Shareholders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7(a), if an ISO is granted to a Participant who owns shares representing more than ten percent of the voting power of all classes of shares of the Company, its “parent corporation” (as such term is defined in Section 424 (e) of the Code) or a Subsidiary, the term of the Option shall not exceed five years from the time of grant of such Option and the exercise price shall be at least 110 percent of the Market Price (as of the date of grant) of the Common Shares subject to the Option.

 

  (2)

$100,000 Per Year Limitation for ISOs. To the extent the aggregate Market Price (determined as of the date of grant) of the Common Shares for which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company) exceeds $100,000, such excess ISOs shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.

 

  (3)

Disqualifying Dispositions. Each Participant awarded an ISO under the Plan shall notify the Company in writing immediately after the date he or she makes a “disqualifying disposition” of any Common Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of such ISO. A “disqualifying disposition” is any disposition (including any sale) of such Common Shares before the later of (i) two years after the date of grant of the ISO and (ii) one year after the date the Participant acquired the Common Shares by exercising the ISO. The Company may, if determined by the Committee and in accordance with procedures established by it, retain possession of any Common Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO as agent for the applicable Participant until the end of the period described in the preceding sentence, subject to complying with any instructions from such Participant as to the sale of such shares.

 

  (iv)

No Dividends or Dividend Equivalents. No Option will be eligible for the payment of dividends or dividend equivalents.

 

  (v)

Subject to applicable laws and Company policies, the Committee may provide in any applicable Award Agreement that, if, as of the last day of the Original Term of the Option, (i) the Market Price of the Common Shares subject to the Option exceeds the aggregate exercise price of the Option and (ii) the Participant has not previously exercised such Option, then the Option shall be deemed to have been automatically exercised by the Participant on such date (the “Automatic Exercise Date”), which such automatic exercise shall be made on a “net exercise” basis (pursuant to such terms and procedures as determined by the Committee) to cover the applicable exercise price applicable to such Option and any applicable tax withholding obligations; provided that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, this Section 7(a)(v) shall not apply to any Option held by a Participant who has incurred a Termination of Service on or before the Automatic Exercise Date.

 

  (b)

Share Appreciation Rights. A SAR represents the right to receive a payment in cash, Common Shares, or a combination thereof, in an amount equal to the product of (1) the excess of the Market Price per

 

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Common Share on the date the SAR is exercised over the exercise price per Common Share of such SAR (which exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Market Price of the Common Shares subject to the SAR as of the date the SAR was granted, except in the case of Substitute Awards) and (2) the number of Common Shares subject to the portion of the SAR being exercised. If a SAR is paid in Common Shares, the number of Common Shares to be delivered will equal the amount determined to be payable in accordance with the prior sentence divided by the Market Price of a Common Share at the time of payment. The Committee shall establish the Original Term of a SAR, which shall not exceed a maximum of ten years. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7(b), except as otherwise determined by the Committee, and subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code (including Section 1.409A-1(v)(C)(1) of the Treasury Regulations) if the Original Term of a SAR held by the Participant expires during a Blackout Period, the term of such SAR shall be extended until the tenth Business Day following the end of the Blackout Period, at which time any unexercised portion of the SAR shall expire; provided, however, that in no event shall such extension pursuant to this provision result in the term of such SAR being extended beyond the latest date which would not result in an extension within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(v)(C)(1) of the Treasury Regulations. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7(b), SARs shall be subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, from time to time. A SAR may only be granted to an Eligible Recipient to whom an Option could be granted under the Plan. No SAR will be eligible for the payment of dividends or dividend equivalents.

 

  (c)

Share Units. A Share Unit is an Award that represents the right to receive a Common Share or a cash payment equal to the Market Price of a Common Share. Share Units shall be subject to such terms and conditions (including, without limitation, service-based and/or performance-based vesting conditions, including Performance Criteria), restrictions and limitations as the Committee may determine to be applicable to such Share Units, in its sole discretion, from time to time and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

  (i)

Blackout Period. In the event that any Share Unit is scheduled by its terms to be settled in Common Shares (the “Original Distribution Date”) during a Blackout Period, then, if the Participant is restricted from selling Common Shares during the Blackout Period, the Committee, in its discretion, may determine that such Common Shares subject to the Share Unit shall not be delivered on such Original Distribution Date and shall instead be delivered as soon as practicable following the expiration of the Blackout Period; provided, however, that in no event shall the delivery of the Common Shares be delayed pursuant to this provision beyond the latest date on which such delivery could be made without violating Section 409A of the Code.

 

  (d)

Share Awards.

 

  (i)

Form of Awards. The Committee may grant Awards that are payable in Common Shares or denominated in units equivalent in value to Common Shares or are otherwise based on or related to Common Shares (“Share Awards”), including, but not limited to, Share Payments, Restricted Shares and Deferred Shares. Share Awards shall be subject to such terms, conditions (including, without limitation, service-based and performance-based vesting conditions, including Performance Criteria), restrictions and limitations as the Committee may determine to be applicable to such Share Awards, in its sole discretion, from time to time.

 

  (ii)

Share Payment. If not prohibited by applicable law, the Committee may issue unrestricted Common Shares in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall from time to time in its sole discretion determine. A Share Payment may (but need not) be granted as, or in payment of, a bonus, or to provide incentives or recognize special achievements or contributions.

 

  (iii)

Restricted Shares. Restricted Shares shall be subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions, and limitations determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, from time to time. The number of

 

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Restricted Shares allocable to an Award under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

  (iv)

Deferred Shares. Subject to Section 409A of the Code (to the extent applicable), Deferred Shares shall be subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, from time to time. A Participant who receives an Award of Deferred Shares shall be entitled to receive the number of Common Shares allocable to his or her Award, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, from time to time, at the end of a specified deferral period determined by the Committee. Awards of Deferred Shares represent only an unfunded, unsecured promise to deliver shares in the future and shall not give Participants any greater rights than those of an unsecured general creditor of the Company.

 

  (e)

Cash Awards. The Committee may grant Awards that are payable to Participants solely in cash, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, and, except as otherwise provided in this Section 7(e), such Cash Awards shall be subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions, and limitations determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, from time to time. Awards granted pursuant to this Section 7(e) may be granted with value and payment contingent upon the achievement of Performance Criteria. Payments earned hereunder may be decreased or increased in the sole discretion of the Committee based on such factors as it deems appropriate.

 

  (f)

Unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise or the Committee determines otherwise, (i) vesting with respect to an Award will cease upon a Termination of Service, and unvested Awards shall be forfeited upon such termination and (ii) in the case of a Termination of Service for Cause, vested Awards shall also be forfeited.

8.     Dividends and Dividend Equivalents

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide that Share Units and/or Share Awards shall earn dividends or dividend equivalents, as applicable. Such dividends or dividend equivalents may be credited to an account maintained on the books of the Company. Any payment or crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents will be subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations as the Committee may establish, from time to time, in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, reinvestment in additional Common Shares or common share equivalents; provided, however, if the payment or crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents is in respect of a Share Unit or Share Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, then the payment or crediting of such dividends or dividend equivalents shall conform to the requirements of Code Section 409A of the Code and such requirements shall be specified in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends or dividend equivalents (i) shall have the same vesting dates and shall be paid in accordance with the same terms as the Award to which they relate and (ii) with respect to any Award subject to the achievement of Performance Criteria, shall not be paid unless and until the relevant Performance Criteria have been satisfied, and then only to the extent determined by the Committee, as specified in the Award Agreement.

9.     Nontransferability

Except as may be permitted by the Committee or as specifically provided in an Award Agreement, Awards granted under the Plan, and during any period of restriction on transferability, Common Shares issued in connection with the exercise of an Option or a SAR, may not be sold, pledged, hypothecated, assigned, margined or otherwise transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and until the shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed or have been waived by the Committee. No Award or interest or right therein shall be subject to the debts, contracts or engagements of a Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, by judgment, lien, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy and divorce), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be

 

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null and void, of no effect, and not binding on the Company in any way. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit (on such terms, conditions and limitations as it may establish) Nonqualified Stock Options and/or shares issued in connection with an Option or a SAR exercise that are subject to restrictions on transferability, to be transferred to a member of a Participant’s immediate family or to a trust or similar vehicle for the benefit of a Participant’s immediate family members. During the lifetime of a Participant, all rights with respect to Awards shall be exercisable only by such Participant or, if applicable pursuant to the preceding sentence, a permitted transferee.

10.     Effect of a Termination of Service

 

  (a)

The Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any applicable Award Agreement, or may determine in any individual case, the circumstances in which, and the extent to which, an Award may be exercised, settled, vested, paid or forfeited in the event of a Participant’s Termination of Service.

 

  (b)

Subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Committee may determine, in its discretion, whether, and the extent to which, (i) an Award will vest during a leave of absence, (ii) a reduction in service level (for example, from full-time to part-time employment) will cause a reduction, or other change, to an Award and (iii) a leave of absence or reduction in service will be deemed a Termination of Service.

11.     Change of Control

 

  (a)

Unless otherwise determined in an Award Agreement, in the event of a Change of Control:

 

  (i)

With respect to each outstanding Award that is assumed or substituted in connection with a Change of Control, in the event of a Termination of Service without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason during the 12-month period following such Change of Control (i) such Award shall become fully vested and exercisable, (ii) the restrictions, payment conditions, and forfeiture conditions applicable to any such Award granted shall lapse, and (iii) any performance conditions (including any Performance Criteria) imposed with respect to Awards shall be deemed to be achieved at target performance levels or at such other level as determined by the Committee in its discretion or specified in the applicable Award Agreement or the definitive transaction documentation in connection with such Change of Control.

 

  (ii)

With respect to each outstanding Award that is not assumed or substituted in connection with a Change of Control immediately upon the occurrence of the Change of Control, (x) such Award (including both time-based and performance-based Awards) shall become fully vested and exercisable based on a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days between the grant date and the date of the Change of Control and the denominator of which is the number of days during the period beginning on the grant date of the Award and ending on the date of vesting of the Award or such other period determined by the Committee in its discretion or as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, (y) the restrictions, payment conditions, and forfeiture conditions applicable to any such Award granted shall lapse, and (z) any performance conditions (including any Performance Criteria) imposed with respect to performance-based Awards shall be deemed to be achieved at target performance levels (for the avoidance of doubt, prorated in accordance with clause (x)) or at such other level as determined by the Committee in its discretion or specified in the applicable Award Agreement or the definitive transaction documentation in connection with such Change of Control.

 

  (iii)

For purposes of this Section 10, an Award shall be considered assumed or substituted for if, following the Change of Control, the Award remains subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to the Award immediately prior to the Change of Control except that, if the Award related to Common Shares, the Award instead confers the right to receive common shares of the acquiring entity (or its parent).

 

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  (iv)

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in the event of a Change of Control, the Committee (a) may, in its discretion provide that each Option and each SAR which may, by its terms, only be settled in shares shall, immediately prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, be deemed to have been exercised on a “net exercise” basis; and (b) may, in its discretion, except as would otherwise result in adverse tax consequences under Code Section 409A, provide that each Award, other than Options and SARs which may, by their terms, only be settled in shares, shall, immediately upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, be cancelled in exchange for a payment in cash or securities in an amount equal to (i) the excess of the consideration paid per Common Share in the Change of Control over the exercise or purchase price (if any) per Common Share subject to the Award multiplied by (ii) the number of Common Shares then outstanding under the Award; provided that, if the Intrinsic Value of an Option or SAR is equal to or less than zero, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for the cancellation of such Award without payment of any consideration therefor (for the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a Change of Control, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate any Option or SAR for which the exercise or purchase price is equal to or exceeds the per Common Share value of the consideration to be paid in the Change of Control transaction without payment of consideration therefor).

 

  (b)

For purposes of this Agreement and, except to the extent as would result in a violation of Code Section 409A, a “Change of Control” shall be deemed to occur if and when the first of the following occurs:

 

  (i)

the acquisition (other than from the Company), by any person (as such term is defined in Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities;

 

  (ii)

the individuals who, as of the date hereof, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, unless the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Board, and such new director shall be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board;

 

  (iii)

the closing of an amalgamation or similar business combination (each, an “Amalgamation”) involving the Company if (i) the shareholders of the Company, immediately before such Amalgamation, do not, as a result of such Amalgamation, own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the entity resulting from such Amalgamation in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately before such Amalgamation or (ii) immediately following the Amalgamation, the individuals who comprised the Board immediately prior thereto do not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the entity resulting from such Amalgamation (or, if the entity resulting from such Amalgamation is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof);

 

  (iv)

a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the consummation of the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

 

  (c)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities is acquired by (i) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under one or more employee benefit plans maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) any corporation which, immediately prior to such acquisition, is owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in the same proportion as their ownership of shares in the Company immediately prior to such acquisition. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, solely to the extent required by Section 409A of the Code, a

 

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Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred only if a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or a change in ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company shall also be deemed to have occurred under Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

12.    Clawback

The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that a Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include a Termination of Service, violation of material policies, breach of non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants, or requirements to comply with minimum share ownership requirements, that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries. The Committee shall have full authority to implement any policies and procedures necessary to comply with Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any rules promulgated thereunder and any other regulatory regimes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Awards granted under the Plan (including any amounts or benefits arising from such Awards) shall be subject to any clawback or recoupment arrangements or policies the Company has in place from time to time, and the Committee may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and stock exchange rules or by any applicable Company policy or arrangement, and shall, to the extent required, cancel or require reimbursement of any Awards granted to the Participant or any Common Shares issued or cash received upon vesting, exercise or settlement of any such Awards or sale of Common Shares underlying such Awards.

13.    Award Agreements

Each Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement (as such may be amended from time to time) that sets forth the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations applicable to the Award, including, but not limited to, the provisions governing vesting, exercisability, payment, forfeiture, and Termination of Service, all or some of which may be incorporated by reference into one or more other documents delivered or otherwise made available to a Participant in connection with an Award.

14.     Tax Withholding

Participants shall be solely responsible for any applicable taxes (including, without limitation, income, payroll and excise taxes) and penalties, and any interest that accrues thereon, which they incur in connection with the receipt, vesting or exercise of an Award. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall have the right to require payment of, or may deduct from any payment made under the Plan or otherwise to a Participant, or may permit shares to be tendered or sold, including Common Shares delivered or vested in connection with an Award, in an amount sufficient to cover withholding of any federal, state, provincial, territorial, local, foreign or other governmental taxes or charges required by law or such greater amount of withholding as the Committee shall determine from time to time and to take such other action as may be necessary to satisfy any such withholding obligations. It shall be a condition to the obligation of the Company to issue Common Shares upon the exercise of an Option, or SAR, or upon settlement of a Share Award, that the Participant pay to the Company, on demand, such amount as may be requested by the Company for the purpose of satisfying any tax withholding liability. If the amount is not paid, the Company may refuse to issue shares.

15.     Other Benefit and Compensation Programs

Awards received by Participants under the Plan shall not be deemed a part of a Participant’s regular, recurring compensation for purposes of calculating payments or benefits from any Company benefit plan or severance program unless specifically provided for under the plan or program. Unless specifically set forth in an Award Agreement, Awards under the Plan are not intended as payment for compensation that otherwise would have

 

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been delivered in cash, and even if so intended, such Awards shall be subject to such vesting requirements and other terms, conditions and restrictions as may be provided in the Award Agreement.

16.     Unfunded Plan

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. The Plan shall not establish any fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant or other Person. To the extent any Participant holds any rights by virtue of an Award granted under the Plan, such rights shall constitute general unsecured liabilities of the Company and shall not confer upon any Participant or any other Person any right, title, or interest in any assets of the Company.

17.     Rights as a Shareholder

Unless the Committee determines otherwise, a Participant shall not have any rights as a shareholder with respect to Common Shares covered by an Award until the date the Participant becomes the holder of record with respect to such Common Shares. No adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to such date, except as provided in Section 8.

18.     Future Rights

No Eligible Recipient shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan. There shall be no obligation of uniformity of treatment of Eligible Recipients under the Plan. Further, the Company and its Subsidiaries may adopt other compensation programs, plans or arrangements as deemed appropriate or necessary. The adoption of the Plan, or grant of an Award, shall not confer upon any Eligible Recipient any right to continued employment or service in any particular position or at any particular rate of compensation, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or a Subsidiary to terminate the employment or service of Eligible Recipients at any time, free from any claim or liability under the Plan.

19.     Amendment and Termination

 

  (a)

The Plan and any Award may be amended, suspended or terminated at any time by the Board, provided that no amendment shall be made without shareholder approval if such shareholder approval is required in order to comply with applicable law or the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, the rules of the TSX, or any other securities exchange on which the Common Shares are traded or quoted. Except as otherwise provided in Section 11(a), no termination, suspension or amendment of the Plan or any Award shall materially adversely affect the right of any Participant with respect to any Award theretofore granted, as determined by the Committee, without such Participant’s written consent.

 

  (b)

Notwithstanding Section 19(a), the Company shall obtain shareholder approval for: (i) except as provided in Section 6(f), a reduction in the exercise price or purchase price of an Award (or the cancellation and re-grant of an Award resulting in a lower exercise price or purchase price); (ii) the extension of the Original Term of an Option; (iii) any amendment to the ISO limits described in Section 6(d); (iv) any amendment to remove or to exceed the participation limits described in Section 6(e), including but not limited to those applicable to Insiders; (v) an increase to the maximum number of Common Shares issuable under the Plan pursuant to Section 6(a) (other than adjustments in accordance with Section 6(f)); (vi) amendments to this Section 19 other than amendments of a clerical nature; and (vii) any amendment that permits Awards to be transferable or assignable other than for normal estate settlement purposes or for other purposes not involving the receipt of monetary consideration.

20.     Option and SAR Repricing

Except as provided in Section 6(f) and without limiting Section 19(b)(i), the Committee may not, without shareholder approval, seek to effect any re-pricing of any previously granted “underwater” Option or SAR by:

 

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(i) amending or modifying the terms of the Option or SAR to lower the exercise price; (ii) cancelling the underwater Option or SAR and granting either (A) replacement Options or SARs having a lower exercise price or (B) Restricted Shares, Share Units, or Other Share Awards in exchange; or (iii) cancelling or repurchasing the underwater Options or SARs for cash or other securities. An Option or SAR will be deemed to be “underwater” at any time when the Market Value of the Common Shares covered by such Award is less than the exercise price of the Award.

21.     Successors and Assigns

The Plan and any applicable Award Agreement shall be binding on all successors and assigns of a Participant, including, without limitation, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator or trustee of such estate, or any receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or representative of the Participant’s creditors.

22.     Severability

If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any Participant or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award Agreement, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Participant or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

23.     Governing Law

The Plan and all agreements entered into under the Plan shall be governed, construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.

24.    Interpretation

The Plan is designed and intended, to the extent applicable, to provide for grants and other transactions which are exempt under Rule 16b-3, and all provisions hereof shall be construed in a manner to so comply. Awards under the Plan are also intended to be exempt from, or otherwise comply with Section 409A of the Code to the extent subject thereto, and the Plan and all Awards shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the effective date of the Plan. If any provision of the Plan or any term or condition of any Award would otherwise frustrate or conflict with this intent, the provision, term or condition shall be interpreted and deemed amended so as to avoid this conflict. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, no payment or distribution under this Plan that constitutes an item of deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and becomes payable by reason of a Participant’s Termination of Service with the Company shall be made to such Participant until such Participant’s Termination of Service constitutes a Separation from Service. For purposes of this Plan and any Award granted hereunder, each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. If a participant is a Specified Employee, then to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of taxes under Section 409A of the Code, such Participant shall not be entitled to any payments upon a termination of his or her employment or service until the earlier of: (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such Participant’s Separation from Service or (ii) the date of such Participant’s death. Upon the expiration of the applicable waiting period set forth in the preceding sentence, all payments and benefits deferred pursuant to this Section 24 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single lump sum or in installments in the absence of such deferral) shall be paid to such Participant in a lump sum as soon as practicable, but in no event later than sixty (60) calendar days, following such expired period, and any remaining payments due under this Plan will be paid in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein

 

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or the terms of the applicable Award. If an Award includes a “series of installment payments” (within the meaning of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations), a Participant’s right to such series of installment payments shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments and not as a right to a single payment, and if an Award includes “dividend equivalents” (within the meaning of Section 1.409A-3(e) of the Treasury Regulations), a Participant’s right to such dividend equivalents shall be treated separately from the right to other amounts under the Award. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in no event shall the Company or any affiliate be liable to a Participant on account of an Award’s failure to (i) qualify for favorable U.S. or foreign tax treatment or (ii) avoid adverse tax treatment under U.S. or foreign law, including, without limitation, Section 409A, 4999 or 457A of the Code.

24.     Data Protection

In connection with the Plan, the Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, may need to process personal data (as such term, “personal information,” “personally identifiable information,” or any other term of comparable intent, is defined under applicable laws or regulations, in each case to the extent applicable) provided by the Participant to, or otherwise obtained by, the Company or its Subsidiaries, their respective third party service providers or others acting on the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ behalf. Examples of such personal data may include, without limitation, the Participant’s name, account information, social security number, tax number and contact information. The Company or its Subsidiaries may process such personal data for the performance of the contract with the Participant in connection with the Plan and in its legitimate business interests for all purposes relating to the operation and performance of the Plan, including but not limited to:

 

   

administering and maintaining Participant records;

 

   

providing the services described in the Plan;

 

   

providing information to future purchasers or merger partners of the Company or any Subsidiary, or the business in which such Participant works; and

 

   

responding to public authorities, court orders and legal investigations and complying with law, as applicable.

The Company or its Subsidiaries may share the Participant’s personal data with (i) Subsidiaries, (ii) trustees of any employee benefit trust, (iii) registrars, (iv) brokers, (v) third party administrators of the Plan, (vi) third party service providers acting on the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ behalf to provide the services described above, (vii) future purchasers or merger partners (as described above) or (viii) regulators and others, as required by law or in order to provide the services described in the Plan.

If necessary, the Company or its Subsidiaries may transfer the Participant’s personal data to any of the parties mentioned above in a country or territory that may not provide the same protection for the information as the Participant’s home country. Any transfer of the Participant’s personal data to recipients in a third country will be made subject to appropriate safeguards or applicable derogations provided for, and to the extent required, under applicable law. Further information on those safeguards or derogations can be obtained through, and other questions regarding this Section 25 may be directed to, the contact set forth in the applicable employee privacy notice or other privacy policy that previously has been made available by the Company or its applicable Subsidiary to the Participant (as applicable, and as updated from time to time by the Company or its applicable Subsidiary upon notice to the Participant, the “Employee Privacy Notice”). The terms set forth in this Section 25 are supplementary to the terms set forth in the Employee Privacy Notice (which, among other things, further describes the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ processing activities, and the rights of the Participant, with respect to the Participant’s personal data); provided that, in the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section 25 and the terms of the Employee Privacy Notice, the terms of this Section 25 shall govern and control in relation to the processing of such personal data in connection with the Plan.

 

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The Company and its Subsidiaries will keep personal data collected in connection with the Plan for as long as necessary to operate the Plan or as necessary to comply with any legal or regulatory requirements and in accordance with the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ backup and archival policies and procedures.

Certain Participants may have a right, as further described in the Employee Privacy Notice, to (i) request access to and rectification or erasure of the personal data provided, (ii) request the restriction of the processing of his or her personal data, (iii) object to the processing of his or her personal data, (iv) receive the personal data provided to the Company or its Subsidiaries and transmit such data to another party, and (v) to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

 

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Bausch Health Companies Inc.

Non-GAAP Information

   Appendix 1

Use of Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

To supplement the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), in this Proxy Statement, the Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, including, Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP), which does not have any standardized meaning under GAAP. Management uses this non-GAAP measure as a key metric in the evaluation of our Company’s performance and consolidated financial results and to forecast results as part of its guidance. Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) is intended to show our unleveraged, pre-tax operating results and therefore reflects our financial performance based on operational factors. In addition, cash bonuses for the Company’s executive officers and other key employees are based, in part, on the achievement of certain Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) targets. The Company believes this non-GAAP measure is useful to investors in their assessment of our operating performance and the valuation of our Company. In addition, this non-GAAP measure addresses questions the Company routinely receives from analysts and investors and, in order to assure that all investors have access to similar data, the Company has determined that it is appropriate to make this data available to all investors. Other companies may use similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated differently from the way we calculate such measures and accordingly, our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) may not be comparable to such similarly titled non-GAAP measures.

The reconciliation of net loss, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP to Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP), is shown in the table below. Readers are encouraged to review this reconciliation and should consider this non-GAAP measure as a supplement to, not a substitute for, or superior to, the corresponding measure calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

EBITDA (non-GAAP) is net loss attributable to the Company, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, adjusted for: interest expense, net, benefit from income taxes, and depreciation and amortization.

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) is EBITDA (non-GAAP) adjusted for the following items:

 

   

Asset impairments, including loss on assets held for sale: The Company has excluded the impact of impairments of finite-lived and indefinite-lived intangible assets, as well as impairments of assets held for sale, as such amounts are inconsistent in amount and frequency and are significantly impacted by the timing and/or size of acquisitions and divestitures. The Company believes that the adjustments of these items correlate with the sustainability of the Company’s operating performance. Although the Company excludes impairments of intangible assets and assets held for sale from measuring the performance of the Company and the business, the Company believes that it is important for investors to understand that intangible assets contribute to revenue generation.

 

   

Goodwill impairments: The Company excludes the impact of goodwill impairments. When the Company has made acquisitions where the consideration paid was in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired, the remaining purchase price is recorded as goodwill. For assets that we developed ourselves, no goodwill is recorded. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment. The amount of goodwill impairment is measured as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying value over its fair value. Management excludes these charges in measuring the performance of the Company and the business.

 

   

Restructuring and integration costs: The Company has incurred restructuring costs as it implemented certain strategies, which involved, among other things, improvements to its infrastructure and operations, internal reorganizations and impacts from the divestiture of assets and businesses. With regard to infrastructure and operational improvements which the Company has taken to improve efficiencies in the businesses and facilities, these tend to be costs intended to right size the business or organization that fluctuate significantly between periods in amount, size and timing, depending on the improvement

 

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project, reorganization or transaction. The Company believes that the adjustments of these items provide supplemental information with regard to the sustainability of the Company’s operating performance, allow for a comparison of the financial results to historical operations and forward-looking guidance and, as a result, provide useful supplemental information to investors.

 

   

Acquisition-related costs and adjustments (excluding amortization of intangible assets): The Company has excluded the impact of acquisition-related contingent consideration non-cash adjustments due to the inherent uncertainty and volatility associated with such amounts based on changes in assumptions with respect to fair value estimates, and the amount and frequency of such adjustments is not consistent and is significantly impacted by the timing and size of the Company’s acquisitions, as well as the nature of the agreed-upon consideration. In addition, the Company excludes the impact of acquisition-related costs and fair value inventory step-up resulting from acquisitions as the amounts and frequency of such costs and adjustments are not consistent and are impacted by the timing and size of its acquisitions. There were no acquisition-related costs or fair value inventory step-up for the periods presented.

 

   

Loss on extinguishment of debt: The Company has excluded loss on extinguishment of debt as this represents a cost of refinancing our existing debt and is not a reflection of our operations for the period. Further, the amount and frequency of such charges are not consistent and are significantly impacted by the timing and size of debt financing transactions and other factors in the debt market out of management’s control.

 

   

Share-based compensation: The Company has excluded costs relating to share-based compensation. The Company believes that the exclusion of share-based compensation expense assists investors in the comparisons of operating results to peer companies. Share-based compensation expense can vary significantly based on the timing, size and nature of awards granted.

 

   

Separation and IPO costs and separation-related and IPO-related costs: The Company has excluded certain costs incurred in connection with activities taken to: (i) separate the eye-health and the Solta aesthetic medical device businesses from the remainder of the Company and (ii) register the eye-health and the Solta aesthetic medical device businesses as independent publicly traded entities. Separation and IPO costs are incremental costs directly related to effectuating the separation of the eye-health business and the IPO of the Solta aesthetic medical device business (the “Solta IPO”) and include, but are not limited to, legal, audit and advisory fees, talent acquisition costs and costs associated with establishing a new board of directors and related board committees. Separation-related and IPO-related costs are incremental costs indirectly related to the separation of the eye-health business and the Solta IPO and include, but are not limited to, IT infrastructure and software licensing costs, rebranding costs and costs associated with facility relocation and/or modification. As these costs arise from events outside of the ordinary course of continuing operations, the Company believes that the adjustments of these items provide supplemental information with regard to the sustainability of the Company’s operating performance, allow for a comparison of the financial results to historical operations and forward-looking guidance and, as a result, provide useful supplemental information to investors.

 

   

Other non-GAAP adjustments: The Company has excluded certain other amounts including: legal and other professional fees incurred in connection with legal and governmental proceedings, investigations and information requests regarding certain of our legacy distribution, marketing, pricing, disclosure and accounting practices, litigation and other matters, and net gain on sales of assets. Given the unique nature of the matters relating to these costs, the Company believes these items are not normal operating expenses. For example, legal settlements and judgments vary significantly, in their nature, size and frequency, and, due to this volatility, the Company believes the costs associated with legal settlements and judgments are not normal operating expenses. In addition, as opposed to more ordinary course matters, the Company considers that each of the recent proceedings, investigations and information requests, given their nature and frequency, are outside of the ordinary course and relate to unique circumstances. The Company has also excluded expenses associated with acquired in-process research and development, as these amounts are inconsistent in amount and frequency and are significantly impacted by the timing, size and nature of acquisitions. Furthermore, as these amounts are associated with research and development acquired, the Company does not believe that they are a representation of the

 

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Company’s research and development efforts during any given period. The Company has also excluded IT infrastructure investment, that are the result of other, non-comparable events to measure operating performance. These events arise outside of the ordinary course of continuing operations. The Company has also excluded certain other costs, including settlement costs associated with the conversion of a portion of the Company’s defined benefit plan in Ireland to a defined contribution plan. The Company excluded these costs as this event is outside of the ordinary course of continuing operations and is infrequent in nature. The Company believes that the exclusion of such out-of-the-ordinary-course amounts provides supplemental information to assist in the comparison of the financial results of the Company from period to period and, therefore, provides useful supplemental information to investors. However, investors should understand that many of these costs could recur and that companies in our industry often face litigation.

Bausch Health Companies Inc. (unaudited)

 

     Years Ended,
December 31,
 
(in millions)    2021     2020  

Net loss attributable to Bausch Health Companies Inc.

   $ (948   $ (560

Interest expense, net

     1,419       1,521  

Benefit from income taxes

     (87     (375

Depreciation and amortization

     1,552       1,825  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA (non-GAAP)

     1,936       2,411  

Adjustments:

    

Asset impairments, including loss on assets held for sale

     234       114  

Goodwill impairments

     469        

Restructuring and integration costs

     18       11  

Acquisition-related costs and adjustments (excluding amortization of intangible assets)

     11       48  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     62       59  

Share-based compensation

     128       105  

Separation costs, separation-related costs, IPO costs and IPO-related costs

     164       32  

Other adjustments:

    

Litigation and other matters(a)

     356       422  

IT infrastructure investment

     27       21  

Legal and other professional fees(b)

     54       39  

Net gain on sale of assets

     (2     (1

Acquired in-process research and development costs

     8       32  

Other

     7       1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

   $ 3,472     $ 3,294  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

In 2021, Litigation and other matters of $356 million includes adjustments related to a Glumetza antitrust litigation matter, partially offset by insurance recoveries related to certain litigation matters. In 2020, Litigation and other matters of $422 million includes net charges related to a legacy U.S. securities class action matter (which is subject to an objector’s appeal of the final court approval), a SEC investigation matter and a Canadian securities litigation and related opt-outs matter.

 

(b) 

Legal and other professional fees are incurred in connection with legacy legal and governmental proceedings, investigations and information requests related to, among other matters, our distribution, marketing, pricing, disclosure and accounting practices.

 

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BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC. ATTN: CHRISTINA M. ACKERMANN 2150 SAINT ELZEAR BLVD. WEST LAVAL, QUEBEC H7L 4A8 CANADA SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE VOTE BY INTERNET Before The Meeting - Go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on June 16, 2022. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the website and then follow the instructions. When voting online, you may not appoint a person as proxyholder other than the nominees specified in this proxy card. During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BHC2022 You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions. VOTE BY TELEPHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your instructions up until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on June 16, 2022. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. When voting by telephone, you may not appoint a person as proxyholder other than the nominees specified in this proxy card. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, United States. To be effective, your proxy card must be received by Broadridge not later than 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on June 16, 2022. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: D85311-P70089 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4. Election of Directors For Withhold 1a. Thomas J. Appio 1b. Richard U. De Schutter 1c. Brett Icahn 1d. Dr. Argeris (Jerry) N. Karabelas 1e. Sarah B. Kavanagh 1f. Steven D. Miller 1g. Dr. Richard C. Mulligan 1h. Joseph C. Papa 1i. Robert N. Power 1j. Russel C. Robertson 1k. Thomas W. Ross, Sr. 1l. Amy B. Wechsler, M.D. 2. The approval, in an advisory vote, of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. For Against Abstain 3. The approval of an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. For Withhold 4. The appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as the Company’s auditor until the close of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and to authorize the Board to fix the auditor’s remuneration. Without limiting the general powers hereby conferred, the undersigned hereby directs the proxyholder to vote or withhold from voting the Common Shares represented by this proxy in the manner set forth above. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY. THE COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED, WHERE THE SHAREHOLDER HAS GIVEN A CHOICE, AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, FOR EACH OF 1, 2, 3 AND 4. THE PERSON OR PERSONS APPOINTED UNDER THIS PROXY ARE CONFERRED WITH DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY WITH RESPECT TO AMENDMENTS OR VARIATIONS OF THOSE MATTERS SPECIFIED IN THIS PROXY AND THE NOTICE OF MEETING AND WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY BE PROPERLY BROUGHT BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF WHETHER OR NOT THE AMENDMENT, VARIATION OR OTHER MATTER IS OR IS NOT ROUTINE OR CONTESTED. THIS FORM OF PROXY SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ACCOMPANYING NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT PROXY CIRCULAR AND PROXY STATEMENT. The undersigned hereby revokes any prior proxies. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date


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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting To Be Held on June 21, 2022: The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Management Proxy Circular, Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com. BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC. INSTRUMENT OF PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2022 The undersigned hereby appoints Joseph C. Papa and Christina M. Ackermann, or each of them, or instead of either of the foregoing, __, as proxyholder of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to attend, vote and act for and on behalf of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting (the virtual“Meeting”) of the Shareholders (the “Shareholders”) of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (the “Company”) to be held virtually via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BHC2022 on June 21, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) and at any adjournment of the virtual Meeting, and on every ballot that may take place in consequence thereof to the same extent and with the same powers as if the undersigned were personally present at the virtual Meeting, with authority to vote at the proxyholder’s discretion except as otherwise specified on the reverse side. NOTES: 1. A SHAREHOLDER HAS THE RIGHT TO APPOINT A PERSON OR COMPANY, WHO NEED NOT BE A SHAREHOLDER, TO ATTEND AND ACT ON ITS, HIS OR HER BEHALF AT THE MEETING OTHER THAN THE PERSONS DESIGNATED IN THIS FORM OF PROXY. THIS RIGHT MAY BE EXERCISED BY INSERTING SUCH PERSON’S NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED ABOVE AND SIGNING AND RETURNING THIS FORM OF PROXY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BELOW. YOU SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE PERSON YOU HAVE APPOINTED WILL BE ATTENDING THE VIRTUAL MEETING AND HAS YOUR CONTROL NUMBER AND OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED IN ORDER TO VOTE YOUR COMMON SHARES. 2. This form of proxy must be dated and executed by the Shareholder (using exactly the same name in which the shares are registered) or by his or her attorney authorized in writing or, if the Shareholder is a corporate body, by a duly authorized officer or attorney thereof. A copy of any such authorization should accompany this form of proxy. Persons signing as executors, administrators, trustees, etc. should so indicate. If the Common Shares are registered in the name of more than one owner, then all these registered owners should sign this form of proxy. If this form of proxy is not dated, it will be deemed to bear the date on which it was mailed to the Shareholder by the Company. 3. In order for this form of proxy to be effective, it must be signed and deposited with Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, United States, so that it arrives prior to 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on June 16, 2022, or, in the case of any adjournment of the Meeting, not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and applicable holidays) prior to the rescheduled Meeting.