UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

x

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

or

¨

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

For the transition period from                      to                     .

Commission File Number: 0-19961

 

ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Curaçao

 

N/A

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

7 Abraham de Veerstraat

Curaçao

 

N/A

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

599-9-4658525

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Common Stock, $0.10 par value

 

Nasdaq Global Select Market

(Title of Class)

 

(Name of Exchange on Which Registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated filer

 

¨

  

Accelerated filer

 

x

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  

Smaller reporting company

 

¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates, based upon the closing price of the common stock on the last business day of the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2014, as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market, was approximately $671.9 million.

As of April 23, 2015, 18,766,158 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain sections of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission in connection with the 2015 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report.

 

 

 

 

 


 

Orthofix International N.V.

Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2014

Table of Contents

 

 

  

 

  

Page

PART I

  

 

  

 

Item 1.

  

Business

  

3

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

  

18

Item 1B.

  

Unresolved Staff Comments

  

32

Item 2.

  

Properties

  

32

Item 3.

  

Legal Proceedings

  

32

Item X.

  

Executive Officers of the Registrant

  

36

Item 4.

  

Mine Safety Disclosure

  

37

PART II

  

 

  

 

Item 5.

  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

  

38

Item 6.

  

Selected Financial Data

  

40

Item 7.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  

41

Item 7A.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  

54

Item 8.

  

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

  

54

Item 9.

  

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

  

54

Item 9A.

  

Controls and Procedures

  

54

Item 9B.

  

Other Information

  

60

PART III

  

 

  

 

Item 10.

  

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

  

60

Item 11.

  

Executive Compensation

  

60

Item 12.

  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

  

60

Item 13.

  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

  

60

Item 14.

  

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

  

60

PART IV

  

 

  

 

Item 15.

  

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

  

61

 

 

 

 


 

Explanatory Note  

Orthofix International N.V. (together with its respective consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, the “Company,” sometimes referred to as “we,” “us,” or “our”) is filing this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 (this “Annual Report” or this “Form 10-K”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on a late basis.  As described in the Form 12b-25 filed by the Company on March 17, 2015, this Form 10-K and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively (the “Late Form 10-Qs”), were delayed while the Company prepared restated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (including the interim quarterly periods contained within the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012) and the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2014.  These restated financial statements were filed with, and are further described in, (i) an amendment to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K/A”), (ii) an amendment to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2014 (the “2014 First Quarter Form 10-Q/A,” and together with the 2013 Form 10-K/A, the “Amendments”), and (iii) the Late Form 10-Qs.  The Amendments and the Late Form 10-Qs were each filed with the SEC on March 31, 2014.  As further described herein, in connection with these matters, the Company was granted relief by a NASDAQ Hearings Panel to remain listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market provided that the Company filed the Late Form 10-Qs on or prior to March 31, 2014 and files this Form 10-K on or prior to April 30, 2015.  Continued listing with the NASDAQ Stock Market is also contingent upon the Company remaining current in its SEC periodic reporting obligations in the future.  The Company currently is preparing its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015, and expects to make such filing with the SEC no later than May 18, 2015 (the due date for such filing in the event that the Company seeks relief pursuant to SEC Rule 12b-25).

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to our business and financial outlook, which are based on our current beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue” or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of our future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date hereof, unless it is specifically otherwise stated to be made as of a different date. We undertake no obligation to further update any such statement, or the risk factors described in Item 1A under the heading Risk Factors, to reflect new information, the occurrence of future events or circumstances or otherwise.

The forward-looking statements in this filing do not constitute guarantees or promises of future performance. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences may include, but are not limited to, risks relating to our March 2014 completed original restatement of historical financial statements following an independent review by the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, together with related legal proceedings (including potential action by the Division of Enforcement of the SEC and pending securities class action litigation), our March 2015 completed further restatement of historical financial statements, our review of allegations of improper payments involving the our Brazil-based subsidiary (which review is described in Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings”), our recent non-compliance with certain Nasdaq Stock Market LLC listing rules, and related pending hearings proceedings in connection therewith, the expected sales of our products, including recently launched products, unanticipated expenditures, changing relationships with customers, suppliers, strategic partners and lenders, changes to and the interpretation of governmental regulations, the resolution of pending litigation matters (including our indemnification obligations with respect to certain product liability claims against, and the government investigation of, our former sports medicine global business unit) (as further described in Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings”) and other reports that we will file in the future), our ongoing compliance obligations under a corporate integrity agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (and related terms of probation) and a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, risks relating to the protection of intellectual property, changes to the reimbursement policies of third parties, the impact of competitive products, changes to the competitive environment, the acceptance of new products in the market, conditions of the orthopedic industry, credit markets and the economy (including the expiration of our current secured revolving credit agreement in August 2015), corporate development and market development activities, including acquisitions or divestitures, unexpected costs or operating unit performance related to recent acquisitions, and other risks described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” as well as in other reports that we file in the future.

 

 

 

 


 

PART I

Item 1.

Business

In this report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Orthofix,” “the Company” and “our Company” refer to the combined operations of all of Orthofix International N.V. and its respective consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, unless the context requires otherwise.

Company Overview

We are a diversified, global medical device company focused on improving patients’ lives by providing superior reconstructive and regenerative orthopedic and spine solutions to physicians worldwide. Headquartered in Lewisville, TX, the Company has four strategic business units that include BioStim, Biologics, Extremity Fixation and Spine Fixation. Orthofix products are widely distributed via the Company’s sales representatives, distributors and its subsidiaries. In addition, Orthofix is collaborating on research and development activities with leading clinical organizations such as the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation and the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

We have administrative and training facilities in the United States (“U.S.”), Italy, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Puerto Rico and manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Italy. We use independent distributors as well as directly distribute our products in the U.S., Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Brazil, Australia, and Puerto Rico. In several other markets we distribute our products through independent distributors.

Orthofix International N.V. is a limited liability company operating under the laws of Curaçao. The Company was formed on October 19, 1987 under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles, with the principal executive office in the Netherlands Antilles on the island of Curaçao. Curaçao became a separate and autonomous country on October 10, 2010. Our executive offices in Curaçao are located at 7 Abraham de Veerstraat, Curaçao. Our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and Annual Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A and amendments to those reports, are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information on our website or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into this report. Our Internet website is located at http://www.orthofix.com. Our SEC filings are also available on the SEC Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.

Business Segments

Our segment information is prepared on the same basis that management reviews the financial information for operational decision-making purposes. We manage our business by our four strategic business units (“SBUs”), which are comprised of BioStim, Biologics, Extremity Fixation, Spine Fixation, and supported by Corporate activities. These SBUs represent the segments for which our Chief Executive Officer, who is our Chief Operating Decision Maker (the “CODM”), reviews financial information and makes resource allocation decisions among business units. Accordingly, our segment information has been prepared based on our four SBU’s reporting segments. These four segments are discussed below.

BioStim

The BioStim SBU manufactures, distributes, and provides support services of market leading devices that enhance bone fusion. These Class III medical devices are indicated as an adjunctive, noninvasive treatment to improve fusion success rates in cervical and lumbar spine as well as a therapeutic treatment for non-spine fractures that have not healed (non-unions). These devices utilize Orthofix’s patented pulsed electromagnetic field (“PEMF”) technology, which is supported by strong basic mechanism of action data in the scientific literature and as well as strong level one randomized controlled clinical trials in the medical literature.  Current research and clinical studies are also underway to identify potential new clinical indications.  This SBU uses both distributors and independent sales representatives to sell its devices to hospitals, doctors and other healthcare providers, primarily in the U.S.

Biologics

The Biologics SBU provides a portfolio of regenerative products and tissue forms that allow physicians to successfully treat a variety of spinal and orthopedic conditions. This SBU specializes in the marketing of the Company’s regeneration tissue forms. Biologics markets its tissues through a network of distributors, independent sales representatives and affiliates to supply to hospitals, doctors, and other healthcare providers, primarily in the U.S. Our partnership with the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (“MTF”) allows us to exclusively market our Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE® tissue forms for musculoskeletal defects to enhance bony fusion.

3


 

Extremity Fixation

The Extremity Fixation SBU offers products and solutions that allow physicians to successfully treat a variety of orthopedic conditions unrelated to the spine. This SBU specializes in the design, development, and marketing of the Company’s orthopedic products used in fracture repair, deformity correction and bone reconstruction procedures. Extremity Fixation distributes its products through a network of distributors, independent sales representatives and affiliates. This SBU uses both independent distributors and direct sales representatives to sell orthopedic products to hospitals, doctors, and other health providers, globally.

Spine Fixation

The Spine Fixation SBU specializes in the design, development and marketing of a portfolio of implant products used in surgical procedures of the spine. Spine Fixation distributes its products through a network of distributors and affiliates. This SBU uses distributors and independent sales representatives to sell spine products to hospitals, doctors and other healthcare providers, globally.

Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to develop and deliver advanced repair and regenerative solutions to the spine and orthopedic markets in order to facilitate bone fusion and healing as well as correct bone and spine deformities. Our strategy for growth and profitability includes the following initiatives by SBU:

BioStim: Provide osteogenesis stimulation devices that deliver noninvasive treatment for promoting healing in fractured bones and spinal fusions.  Our key initiatives are:

Invest in basic science, clinical and evidence-based research to support broader indications for our stimulation products;

Enhance our customer service and physician interaction through automation;

Leverage our leadership in spinal osteogenesis stimulation to increase our market share in appendicular (non-spine) osteogenesis stimulation; and

Invest in product development for next generation osteogenesis technology.

Biologics: Provide a portfolio of regenerative tissues and products that provide physicians with additional surgical options that augment their surgical procedures and results. Our key initiatives are:

Continually add new distribution in key under penetrated markets and by capitalizing on other business units’ customer relationships and hospital access;

Penetrate new and un-tapped Orthopedics fields of use such as the: Trauma, Joint Revisions and Craniomaxillofacial markets; and

Continue to focus our sales efforts on our newest state of the art tissue form, Trinity ELITE®.

Extremity Fixation: Provide external and internal temporary to definitive fixation devices used in fracture repair, deformity correction and bone reconstruction. Our key initiatives are:

Increase coverage in the U.S. and existing international markets and expand into additional high potential countries;

Implement a worldwide sales productivity process that will drive an increase in market penetration in each country;

Develop and acquire premium products for temporary fixation, deformity correction and pediatrics, rather than generic or commodity fixation products; and

Restructure the U.S. business for growth and profitability.

Spine Fixation: Provide a portfolio of surgical products that allow physicians to successfully treat a variety of spinal conditions. Our key initiatives are:

Rationalize our cost structure to increase the margin contribution of this business;

Optimize our sales channel in the U.S. by increasing the number of our sales representatives by fifty percent in the next two years and adding field based management and training resources; and

Increase new product introductions through product acquisitions and a more streamlined and productive new product development process.

4


 

Other Financial and Business Initiatives:

Continue to identify, recruit and hire highly talented and experienced commercial and corporate leaders;

Expand our geographic sales coverage to high priority countries and U.S. territories where we currently are underpenetrated;

Drive sales in the U.S. by expanding our integrated delivery networks, group purchasing organizations and regional hospital system commercial contracting team and expertise;

Invest in a reimbursement strategy and team dedicated to addressing the requirements of third party payors. This team will be supported with evidence-based clinical research and cost effectiveness studies coordinated by our research team;

Continue to enhance physician relationships through extensive product education and training programs;

Achieve more effective and efficient business processes, systems and controls throughout the organization; and

Increase our research and development investment in our core technologies of osteogenesis stimulation and regenerative tissue forms.

Corporate

Corporate activities are comprised of the operating expenses, including share-based compensation of Orthofix International N.V. and its holding company subsidiaries, along with activities not necessarily identifiable within the four SBUs.

Net Sales by SBU:

The table below presents net sales for continuing operations by SBU reporting segment. Net sales include product sales and marketing service fees.  

 

 

 

Net Sales by SBU

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

Net Sales

 

 

Percent of

Total Net

Sales

 

 

Net Sales

 

 

Percent of

Total Net

Sales

 

 

Net Sales

 

 

Percent of

Total Net

Sales

 

BioStim

 

$

154,676

 

 

 

38

%

 

$

145,085

 

 

 

36

%

 

$

174,562

 

 

 

40

%

Biologics

 

 

55,881

 

 

 

14

%

 

 

53,746

 

 

 

14

%

 

 

53,731

 

 

 

12

%

Extremity Fixation

 

 

109,678

 

 

 

27

%

 

 

103,359

 

 

 

26

%

 

 

112,011

 

 

 

25

%

Spine Fixation

 

 

82,042

 

 

 

21

%

 

 

95,421

 

 

 

24

%

 

 

99,885

 

 

 

23

%

Total Net Sales

 

$

402,277

 

 

 

100

%

 

$

397,611

 

 

 

100

%

 

$

440,189

 

 

 

100

%

  

Additional financial information regarding our business segments can be found in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as well as in Item 8 under the heading “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

 

 

 

5


 

Products

Our revenues are derived from the sales of products and marketing service fees in four SBUs, BioStim, Biologics, Extremity Fixation and Spine Fixation, which accounted for 38%, 14%, 27%, and 21%, respectively, of our total net sales in 2014. Marketing service fee sales is comprised of fees earned for the marketing of tissue forms including Trinity Evolution®, Trinity ELITE® and VersaShield®.

The following table identifies our principal products by trade name and describes their primary applications:

 

Product

  

Primary Application

BioStim Solutions

  

 

 

 

Cervical-Stim®

  

Pulsed electromagnetic field (“PEMF”) non-invasive cervical spine regenerative stimulator used to enhance bone growth

 

 

Spinal-Stim®

  

PEMF non-invasive lumbar spine regenerative stimulator used to enhance bone growth

 

 

Physio-Stim®

  

PEMF long bone non-invasive regenerative stimulator used to enhance bone growth in non-union factures

 

 

Biologic Solutions

  

 

 

 

AlloQuent® Structural Allografts

  

Interbody devices made of cortical bone that are designed to restore the space that has been lost between two or more vertebrae due to a degenerated disc

 

 

Trinity ELITE®

  

A fully moldable allograft with viable cells used during surgery that is designed to enhance the success of a spinal fusion or bone fusion procedure

 

 

Trinity Evolution®

  

An allograft with viable cells used during surgery that is designed to enhance the success of a spinal fusion or bone fusion procedure

 

 

VersaShield®

  

A thin hydrophilic amniotic membrane designed to serve as a wound or tissue covering for a variety of surgical demands

 

 

Collage® Synthetic Osteoconductive Scaffold

  

A bone void filler

 

 

Extremity  Fixation Solutions

  

 

 

 

Fixator

  

External fixation and internal fixation, including the Sheffield Ring, limb-lengthening systems, DAF, ProCallus™, XCaliber® and Gotfried P.C.C.P®

 

 

Eight-Plate Guided Growth System®

  

Treatment for bowed legs or knock knees of children

 

 

LRS Advanced Limb Reconstruction System®

  

External fixation for limb lengthening and corrections of deformity

 

 

TrueLok™

  

Ring fixation system for limb lengthening and deformity correction

 

 

TL-HEX TrueLok Hexapod System®(“TL-HEX™”)

  

Hexapod external fixation system for trauma and deformity correction with associated software

 

 

Galaxy Fixation™ System

  

External fixation system for temporary and definitive fracture fixation, including anatomical specific clamps.

 

 

PREFIX™ and PREFIX 2™

  

External fixation range for temporary fixation of fractures in trauma

 

 

VeroNail® Trochanteric Nailing System

  

Trochanteric titanium nailing system for hip fractures

 

 

Centronail® Titanium Nailing System

  

Complete range of intramedullary nails including the Humeral Nail

 

 

Cemex®

  

Bone cement

 

 

OSCAR®

  

Ultrasonic bone cement removal

 

 

6


 

Product

  

Primary Application

Centronail® Ankle Compression Nailing System (“CAN”)

  

A differentiated solution for hindfoot fusions

 

 

Contours™ Lapidus Plating System™ (“LPS”)

  

A plate design contoured specifically for a tarsometatarsal (“TMT”) fusion

 

 

Contours PHP Proximal Humeral Plate™ (“PHP”)

  

An innovative plating solution for fraction fixation of the proximal humerus.

 

 

 

Contours VPS® Volar Plating System™ III

  

The 3rd generation of plates to treat distal radius fractures.

 

 

 

Spine Fixation Solutions

 

 

 

 

 

3°™ /Reliant® Anterior Cervical Plating Systems

  

Plating systems implanted during anterior cervical spine fusion procedures

 

 

Hallmark® Anterior Cervical Plate System

  

A cervical plating system implanted during anterior cervical spine fusion procedures

 

 

Ascent® LE Posterior Occipital Cervico-Thoracic (“POCT”) System

  

A system of pedicle screws and rods implanted during a posterior spinal fusion procedure involving the stabilization of several degenerated or deformed cervical vertebrae

 

 

NewBridge® Laminoplasty Fixation System

  

A device implanted during a posterior surgical procedure designed to expand the cervical vertebrae and relieve pressure on the spinal canal

 

 

Construx® Mini PEEK Spacer System

  

Smaller, unibody versions of the Construx PEEK VBR System, implanted as a cervical interbody or partial vertebrectomy solution

 

 

CONSTRUX®Mini PTC™ PEEKTI Composite Spacer System™

  

A cervical interbody with porous titanium end plates that may promote bone ingrowth and a PEEK core to maintain imaging characteristics.

 

 

Construx® PEEK VBR System

  

A modular device implanted during the replacement of degenerated or deformed spinal vertebrae to provide additional anterior support

 

 

NGage® Surgical Mesh System

  

A modular metallic interbody implant placed between two vertebrae designed to restore disc space and increase stability that has been lost due to degeneration or deformity

 

 

PILLAR® PL & TL PEEK VBR System

  

Interbody devices for Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (“PLIF”) and Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (“TLIF”) procedures

 

 

FORZA® Spacer System

  

PLIF and TLIF procedures

 

 

PILLAR® AL PEEK Partial VBR System

  

An intervertebral body fusion device for Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (“ALIF”) procedures

 

 

PILLAR® SA PEEK Spacer System

  

An intervertebral body fusion device that incorporates screw fixation to optimize implant stability

 

 

Firebird® Spinal Fixation System

  

A system of rods, crossbars and modular pedicle screws designed to be implanted during a posterior lumbar spine fusion procedure

 

 

Firebird® Deformity Correction System

  

An extension to the Firebird TM Spinal Fixation System that provides additional instrument and implant options for complex thoracolumbar spine procedures

 

 

Phoenix® Minimally Invasive Spinal Fixation System

  

A multi-axial extended reduction screw body used with the Firebird Spinal Fixation System designed to be implanted during a posterior thoracolumbar spine fusion procedure

 

 

SFS™ Spinal Fixation System

  

A system of screws, hooks, rods, spacers, staples, washers, dominos, lateral offsets, cross-connectors that provides simple, reliable and comprehensive stabilization solution for spinal non-cervical fixation

 

 

 

 

 

SambaScrew®

  

A minimally invasive screw system that is intended for fixation of sacroiliac joint disruptions in skeletally mature patients

7


 

Product

  

Primary Application

 

 

 

ProView™ Minimal Access Portal (“MAP”) System

  

An instrument system for minimally invasive posterior lumbar spinal fusion, including tubular and expandable retractors, a percutaneous screw delivery system and the ONYX ™ System for Disc removal and interbody space preparation

 

 

 

Unity® Lumbosacral Fixation System

  

A plating system implanted during anterior lumbar spine fusion procedures

 

 

 

LONESTAR® Cervical Stand Alone

  

A stand-alone spacer system designed to provide the biomechanical strength to a tradition or minimal invasive ACDF procedure with less disruption of patient anatomy and preserve the anatomical profile.

 

 

 

SKYHAWK® Lateral Interbody Fusion System

 

Provides a complete solution for the surgeon to perform a Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion, an approach to spinal fusion in which the surgeon access the intervertebral disc space using a surgical approach from the patient’s side that disturbs fewer structures and tissues.

 

 

 

CENTURION® Posterior Occipital Cervico-Thoracic System

 

A multiple component system comprised of a variety of non-sterile, single use components made of titanium alloy or cobalt chrome that allow the surgeon to build a spinal implant construct.

We have proprietary rights in all of the above products with the exception of Cemex®, Eight-Plate Guided Growth System® and Contour VPS®. We have the exclusive distribution rights for the Cemex® in Italy and for the Eight-Plate Guided Growth System® and Contour VPS® worldwide.

We have numerous trademarked products and services including but not limited to the following: Orthofix®, Blackstone®, Spinal-Stim®, Cervical-Stim®, 3°™, Reliant®, Hallmark®, Firebird®, Ascent®, Construx®, Unity®, NGage®, Newbridge®, Trinity ELITE®, Trinity Evolution®, VersaShield®, PILLAR™, Alloquent®, ProView®, ProCallus®, XCaliber®, VeroNail®, Centronail®, PREFIX™, Gotfried P.C.C.P®, Physio-Stim®, TrueLok™, Galaxy Fixation™ System and TL-HEX™, LONESTAR®, SKYHAWK® and CENTURION®.

BioStim

Spinal Regenerative Solutions

Regenerative stimulators used in spinal applications are designed to enhance bone growth and the success rate of certain spinal fusions by stimulating the body’s own natural healing mechanism post-surgically. These non-invasive portable devices are intended to be used as part of a home treatment program prescribed by a physician.

We offer two spinal regenerative stimulation devices, Spinal-Stim® and Cervical-Stim®, through our subsidiary, Orthofix Inc. Our stimulation products use a PEMF technology designed to enhance the growth of bone tissue following surgery and are placed externally over the site to be healed. Research data shows that our PEMF signal induces mineralization and results in a process that stimulates new regeneration at the spinal fusion site. We have sponsored independent research at the Cleveland Clinic, New York University and University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, where scientists conducted animal and cellular studies to identify the mechanisms of action of our PEMF signals on bone and efficacy of healing. From this effort, a total of six studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals. Among other insights, the studies illustrate positive effects of PEMF on callus formation and bone strength as well as proliferation and differentiation of cells involved in regeneration and healing. Furthermore, we believe that the research work with Cleveland Clinic allowing for characterization and visualization of the Orthofix PEMF waveform is paving the way for signal optimization for a variety of new applications and indications. This collection of pre-clinical data along with additional clinical data could represent new clinical indication opportunities for our regenerative stimulation solutions.

Some spine fusion patients are at greater risk of not achieving a solid fusion of new bone around the fusion site. These patients typically have one or more risk factors such as smoking, obesity or diabetes, or their surgery involves the revision of a failed fusion or the fusion of multiple levels of vertebrae in one procedure. For these patients, post-surgical regenerative stimulation has been shown to significantly increase the probability of fusion success. Spinal-Stim® is a non-invasive spinal fusion stimulator system commercially available in the U.S. since 1990 and approved in Europe. Spinal-Stim® is designed for the treatment of the lower thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine. The device uses proprietary technology and a wavelength to generate a PEMF signal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) has approved Spinal-Stim® as a spinal fusion adjunct to increase the probability of fusion success and as a non-operative treatment for salvage of failed spinal fusion at least nine months post-operatively.

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Our Cervical-Stim® stimulator product remains the only FDA-approved bone growth stimulator on the market indicated for use as an adjunct to cervical (upper) spine fusion surgery in patients at high-risk for non-fusion. The FDA approved this device in 2004, and it has been commercially available in the U.S. since 2005.

Orthopedic Regenerative Solutions

Our Physio-Stim® regenerative stimulator products use PEMF technology similar to that described previously in the discussion of our spine stimulators. The primary difference is that the Physio-Stim® physical configuration is designed for use on long bones.

A bone’s regenerative power results in most fractures healing naturally within a few months. In certain situations, however, fractures do not heal or heal slowly, resulting in “non-unions.” Traditionally, orthopedists have treated such fracture conditions surgically, often by means of a bone graft with fracture fixation devices, such as bone plates, screws or intramedullary rods. These are examples of “invasive” treatments. Our patented regenerative stimulators are designed to use a low level of PEMF signals to activate the body’s natural healing process.

Our systems offer portability, rechargeable battery operation, integrated component design, patient monitoring capabilities and the ability to cover a large treatment area without factory calibration for specific patient application.

Biologics

The regenerative solutions offered as part of our biologics’ portfolio include solutions for a variety of musculoskeletal defects used in spinal and extremity orthopedic procedures.

Regenerative Solutions

Our premier biologics tissues include Trinity ELITE® and Trinity Evolution®, which are allografts that contain viable cells and are used during surgery in the treatment of musculoskeletal defects for bone reconstruction and repair. These allografts are intended to offer a viable alternative to an autograft procedure; harvesting autograft adds risk of an additional surgical procedure and related patient discomfort in conjunction with a repair surgery.

To offer structural support and facilitate bone growth in spine fusion procedures we offer a full line of Alloquent® allograft structural spacers derived from human cadaveric bone. These spacers are used to restore the height lost between vertebral bodies when discs are removed in fusion procedures and to facilitate spine fusion.

We market Collage®, as an osteoconductive scaffold and a bone graft substitute product. The product is a combination synthetic bone graft substitute comprised of beta tri-calcium phosphate and type 1 bovine collagen.

We market VersaShield®, a thin hydrophilic amniotic membrane designed to serve as a wound or tissue covering for a variety of surgical demands. Amniotic tissue forms derived from donated human placenta are used in a wide variety of applications and are valued for their healing properties, scar reduction and anti-adhesion characteristics. VersaShield® is derived from the human placental layers amnion and chorion; these thin elastic membranes allow the tissue to conform to the surface of the surgical site.

We receive a marketing fee through our collaboration with MTF for Trinity Evolution®, Trinity ELITE®, and VersaShield®. Under our Agreements with MTF, MTF processes the tissues, maintains inventory, and invoices hospitals and surgery centers and other points of care for service fees, which are submitted by customers via purchase orders. We have exclusive worldwide rights to market our Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE® technologies, and market our VersaShield® under a private label brand via a non-exclusive marketing agreement for the tissue form.

To date, our Biologics are offered primarily in the U.S. market due in part to restrictions in providing U.S. human donor tissue in other countries.

Extremity Fixation

The medical devices offered in our Extremity Fixation SBU include both internal and external fixation solutions for extremity repair and deformity correction, both for adults and pediatrics.

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Extremity Repair Solutions

Our fracture repair products consist of fixation devices designed to stabilize a broken bone until it can heal. Our fracture repair products come in two main types: external devices and internal devices. With these devices, we can treat simple and complex fracture patterns along with achieving deformity corrections.

External Fixation

External fixation devices are used to stabilize fractures from outside the skin with minimal invasion into the body. These fixation devices use screws that are inserted into the bone on either side of the fracture site, to which the fixator body is attached externally. The bone segments are aligned by manipulating the external device using patented ball joints and, when aligned, are locked in place for stabilization. External fixation may also be used as temporary devices in complex trauma cases to stabilize the fracture prior to treating it definitively. We believe that external fixation is among the most minimally invasive surgical options for fracture management. Also, we believe external fixation is the ideal treatment option for highly complex fractures, patients who have fractures close to the joints, or patients with known risk factors or co-morbidities.

The Limb Reconstruction System (“LRS”) uses callus distraction to lengthen bone in a variety of procedures. It can be used in monofocal lengthening and corrections of deformity. Its multifocal procedures include bone transport, simultaneous compression and distraction at different sites, bifocal lengthening and correction of deformities with shortening. In 2009, improvements on size, flexibility and ease of use were implemented for the release of the LRS Advanced Limb Reconstruction System®.

Our external fixation product, Galaxy Fixation™, which was released in 2012, incorporates a streamlined combination of clamps with both pin-to-bar and bar-to-bar coupling capabilities that provide a complete range of applications and reduces inventory. It also includes specific units for the elbow, shoulder and wrist. While the rigidity and stability allows for use in definitive fixation, the design also addresses the need for rapid stabilization needed for temporary fixation in large trauma centers.

The TrueLok™ Ring Fixation System is a surgeon-designed, lightweight external fixation system for limb lengthening and deformity correction. In essence, a ring fixation construct consists of circular rings and semi-circular external supports centered on the patient’s limb and secured to the bone by crossed, tensioned wires and half pins. The rings are connected externally to provide stable bone fixation. The main external connecting elements are threaded rods, linear distractors, or hinges and angular distractors, which allow the surgeon to adjust the relative position of rings to each other. The ring positions are manipulated either acutely or gradually in minute increments to perform the correction of the deformity, limb lengthening, or bone segment transportation as required by the surgeon. Created with pre-assembled function blocks, the TrueLok is a simple, stable, versatile ring fixation system.

Building on the TrueLok brand, in the international markets, TL-HEX™ TrueLok Hexapod System®, was released in 2012. TL-HEX™ is a hexapod-based system designed at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children as a three-dimensional bone segment reposition module to augment the previously developed TrueLok™ frame. In essence, the system consists of circular and semi-circular external supports secured to the bones by wires and half pins and interconnected by six struts. This allows multi-planar adjustment of the external supports. The rings’ position is adjusted either rapidly or gradually in precise increments to perform bone segment repositioning in three-dimensional space. All the basic components from the TrueLok Ring Fixation System (wire and half pin fixation bolts, posts, threaded rods, plates as well as other assembly components and instrumentation) can be utilized with TL-HEX™; therefore external supports from both systems can be connected to each other when building fixation blocks. As with any other hexapod-type external fixator, for successful application of the TL-HEX™, an associated software is also available (www.tlhex.com).

Another one of our external fixation devices is the XCaliber® fixator, which is made from a lightweight radiolucent material and provided in three configurations to cover long bone fractures, fractures near joints and ankle fractures. The radiolucency of XCaliber® fixators allows X-rays to pass through the device and provides the surgeon with improved X-ray visualization of the fracture and alignment. These three configurations cover a broad range of fractures. The XCaliber® fixators are provided pre-assembled in sterile kits to decrease time in the operating room.

Our proprietary XCaliber® bone screws are designed to be compatible with our external fixators and reduce inventory for our customers. Some of these screws are covered with hydroxyapatite, a mineral component of bone that reduces superficial inflammation of soft tissue and improves bone grip. Other screws in this proprietary line do not include the hydroxyapatite coating, but offer different advantages such as patented thread designs for better adherence in hard or poor quality bone. We believe we have a full line of bone screws to meet the demands of the market. Adding to the XCaliber® bone screw product line are also cylindrical screws first released for the US market and which we expect will be following in international markets. The type of screw is geared towards the trauma applications of the Galaxy Fixation™ System.

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Internal Fixation

Internal fixation devices come in various sizes, depending on the bone that requires treatment, and consist of either long rods, commonly referred to as nails, or plates that are attached with the use of screws. A nail is inserted into the medullary canal of a fractured long bone of the human arms and legs, e.g., humerus, femur and tibia. Alternatively, a plate is attached by screws to an area such as a broken wrist, hip or foot. Examples of our internal fixation devices include:

The Centronail® Titanium Nailing System is designed to stabilize fractures in the femur, tibia, supracondylar and humerus. Its main advantages are, it is made of titanium, offers improved mechanical distal targeting and instrumentation and has a design that requires significantly less inventory.

The Centronail® Ankle Compression Nail from Orthofix is an arthrodesis nailing system designed to improve upon the stability, simplicity, and flexibility of current hindfoot nails. This product was released in the US market in 2012.

The VeroNail® marks Orthofix’s entry into the intramedullary hip nailing market. Designed for use in hip fractures, it provides a minimally-invasive screw and nail design intended to reduce surgical trauma and allow patients to begin walking again shortly after the operation. It uses a dual screw configuration that we believe provides more stability than previous single screw designs.

The Contours LPS™ (Lapidus Plating System) sold in the U.S. is intended for the correction of moderate to severe forefoot hallus valgus (HV), accompanying bunions and associated instability. The Lapidus Plating System consists of plates, screws and instrumentation. The anatomical plates are low-profile, titanium, (left and right) designed specifically for 1st metatarsocuneiform joint arthrodesis allowing compression across the joint achieved through a delta-shaped hole and compression screws. Lapidus System screws are titanium, low-profile and self-tapping, and include locking, non-locking, and bone compression screws in a variety of lengths.

In addition to the treatment of bone fractures, we also design, manufacture and distribute devices intended to treat congenital bone conditions, such as angular deformities (e.g., bowed legs in children), or degenerative diseases, as well as conditions resulting from a previous trauma. An example of a product offered in this area is the Eight-Plate Guided Growth System®.

Spine Fixation

Neck and back pain is a common health problem for many people throughout the world and often requires surgical or non-surgical intervention for improvement. Neck and back problems are usually of a degenerative or neurological nature and are generally more prevalent among the older population. As the population ages, we believe physicians will see an increasing number of patients with degenerative spine issues who wish to have a better quality of life than that experienced by previous generations. Treatment options for spine disorders are expected to expand to fill the existing gap between conservative pain management and invasive surgical options, such as spine fusion.

We believe our spine products are positioned to address the needs of spine patients. Our products currently address the cervical fusion segment as well as the lumbar fusion segment, which is the largest sub-segment of the spine market.

We offer a wide array of spinal repair products used during surgical procedures intended to treat a variety of spine conditions. Many of these surgeries are fusion procedures in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine that utilize metal plates, rods and screws, interbody spacers, Human Cell, Tissues and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products, or HCT/P, as well as vertebral body replacement devices to promote bone growth.

Spinal Repair Solutions

The human spine is made up of 33 interlocking vertebrae that protect the spinal cord and provide structural support for the body. The top seven vertebrae make up the cervical spine, which bears the weight of the skull and provides the largest range of motion. The next 17 mobile vertebrae encompass the thoracic and lumbar, or thoracolumbar, sections of the spine. The thoracic spine (12 vertebrae) helps to protect the organs of the chest cavity by attaching to the rib cage, and is the least mobile segment of the spine. The lumbar spine (five vertebrae) carries the greatest portion of the body’s weight, allowing a degree of flexion, extension and rotation thus handling the majority of the bending movement. Additionally, five fused vertebrae make up the sacrum (part of the pelvis) and four vertebrae make up the final part of the spine, the coccyx.

Spinal bending and rotation are accomplished through the vertebral discs located between each vertebra. Each disc is made up of a tough fibrous exterior, called the annulus, which surrounds a soft core called the nucleus. Excess pressure, deformities, injury or disease can lead to a variety of conditions affecting the vertebrae and discs that may ultimately require medical intervention in order to relieve patient pain and restore stability in the spine.

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Spinal fusion is the permanent union of two or more vertebrae to immobilize and stabilize the affected portion of the spine. Most fusion surgeries involve the placement of a bone graft between the affected vertebrae, which is typically held in place by metal implants that also provide stability to the spine until the desired growth of new bone can complete the fusion process. These implants typically consist of some combination of rods, screws and plates that are designed to remain in the patient even after the fusion has occurred.

Most fusion procedures performed on the lumbar area of the spine are done from the posterior, or back, while the majority of cervical fusions are performed from the anterior, or front, of the body. However, the growing use of interbody devices specially designed for an anterior approach has resulted in the increasing use this approach for many lumbar surgeries. Interbody devices are small hollow implants typically made of bone, metal or a thermoplastic compound called Polyetheretherketones (“PEEK”) that are placed between the affected vertebrae to restore the space lost by the degenerated disc. The hollow spaces within these interbody devices are typically packed with some form of bone grafting material designed to accelerate the formation of new bone around the graft, which ultimately results in the desired fusion.

We provide a wide array of implants designed for use primarily in cervical, thoracic and lumbar fusion surgeries. These implants are made of metal, bone, or PEEK. The majority of implants offered by our products are made of titanium metal. This includes the 3°™, Reliant® and Hallmark® cervical plates. Additionally, the Spinal Fixation System (“SFS”), the Firebird® Spinal Fixation Systems, the Phoenix® Minimally Invasive Spinal Fixation System, the Ascent® and Ascent® LE POCT Systems are sets of rods, crossbars and screws that are implanted during posterior fusion procedures. The Firebird ™ Modular and pre-assembled Spinal Fixation System are designed to be used in either open or minimally-invasive posterior lumbar fusion procedures with our product ProView® MAP System. We also offer specialty plates that are used in less common procedures, and as such, are not manufactured by many device makers. These specialty plates include the Newbridge® Laminoplasty Fixation System that is designed to expand the cervical vertebrae and relieve pressure on the spinal canal, as well as the Unity® plate, which is used in anterior lumbar fusion procedures.

We also offer a variety of devices made of PEEK, including vertebral body replacements and interbody devices. Vertebral body replacements are designed to replace a patient’s degenerated or deformed vertebrae, whereas interbody devices, or cages, are designed to replace a damaged disc, restoring the space that had been lost between two vertebrae.

Product Development

Our research and development departments are responsible for new product development. We work regularly with certain institutions referred to below as well as with physicians and other consultants on the long-term scientific planning and evolution of our research and development efforts. These efforts are performed in accordance with best practices on interactions with healthcare professionals as set forth, for example, in the AdvaMed Code of Ethics (“AdvaMed Code”) and the Eucomed Code of Business Practices (“Eucomed Code”). Our primary research and development facilities are located in Verona, Italy and Lewisville, Texas.

We maintain interactive relationships with spine and orthopedic centers in the U.S., Europe, and South and Central America, including research and clinical organizations such as the MTF, the Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation and the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Several of the products that we market have been developed through these collaborations. In addition, we regularly receive suggestions for new products from the scientific and medical community, some of which result in Orthofix entering into assignment or license agreements with physicians and third parties. We also receive a substantial number of requests for the production of customized items, some of which have resulted in new products. We believe our policy of accommodating such requests enhances our reputation in the medical community.

In 2014, 2013 and 2012 we incurred $25.0 million, $26.8 million and $28.6 million, respectively, of research and development expense.

Patents, Trade Secrets, Assignments and Licenses

We rely on a combination of patents, trade secrets, assignment and license agreements as well as non-disclosure agreements to protect our proprietary intellectual property. We own numerous U.S. and foreign patents and have numerous pending patent applications and license rights under patents held by third parties. Our primary products are patented in major markets in which they are sold. There can be no assurance that pending patent applications will result in issued patents, that patents issued or assigned to or licensed by us will not be challenged or circumvented by competitors or that such patents will be found to be valid or sufficiently broad to protect our technology or to provide us with any competitive advantage or protection. Third parties might also obtain patents that would require assignments to or licensing by us for the conduct of our business. We rely on confidentiality agreements with key employees, consultants and other parties to protect, in part, trade secrets and other proprietary technology.

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We obtain assignments or licenses of varying durations for certain of our products from third parties. We typically acquire rights under such assignments or licenses in exchange for lump-sum payments or arrangements under which we pay to the licensor a percentage of sales. However, while assignments or licenses to us generally are irrevocable, there is no assurance that these arrangements will continue to be made available to us on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. The terms of our license and assignment agreements vary in length from a specified number of years to the life of product patents or the economic life of the product. These agreements generally provide for royalty payments and termination rights in the event of a material breach.

Corporate Compliance and Government Regulation

Corporate Compliance and Ethics Program

We have a comprehensive compliance program, which we branded the Integrity Advantage™ Program, which is overseen by our Chief Compliance Officer throughout our Company. It is a fundamental policy of our Company to conduct business in accordance with the highest ethical and legal standards. Our corporate compliance and ethics program is designed to promote legal compliance and ethical business practices throughout our domestic and international businesses.

Our Integrity Advantage™ Program is designed to meet U.S. Sentencing Commission Guidelines for effective organizational compliance and ethics programs and to prevent and detect violations of applicable federal, state and local laws. Key elements of the Integrity Advantage™ Program include:

Organizational oversight by senior-level personnel responsible for the compliance function within our Company;

Written standards and procedures, including a Corporate Code of Business Conduct;

Methods for communicating compliance concerns, including anonymous reporting mechanisms;

Investigation and remediation measures to ensure prompt response to reported matters and timely corrective action;

Compliance education and training for employees and contracted business associates;

Auditing and monitoring controls to promote compliance with applicable laws and assess program effectiveness;

Disciplinary guidelines to enforce compliance and address violations;

Exclusion lists screening of employees, and contracted business associates; and

Risk assessments to identify areas of regulatory compliance risk.

For information regarding the Company’s current review of allegations of potential improper payments involving the Company’s Brazil-based subsidiary, see Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings.”

Government Regulation

Our research, development and clinical programs, as well as our manufacturing and marketing operations, are subject to extensive regulation in the U.S. and other countries. Most notably, all of our products sold in the U.S. are subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Services Act as implemented and enforced by the FDA. The regulations that cover our products and facilities vary widely from country to country. The amount of time required to obtain approvals or clearances from regulatory authorities also differs from country to country.

Unless an exemption applies, each medical device we wish to commercially distribute in the U.S. will be covered by either premarket notification (“510(k)”) clearance, letter to file, approval of a premarket approval application (“PMA”), or some other approval from the FDA. The FDA classifies medical devices into one of three classes. Devices deemed to pose low risk are placed in class I. Those devices that are considered moderate risk are class II, which typically requires the manufacturer to submit to the FDA a premarket notification requesting permission to commercially distribute the device, a process generally known as 510(k) clearance. Some low risk class I devices are exempted from this requirement. Devices deemed by the FDA to pose the greatest risks, such as life-sustaining, life-supporting or implantable devices, or devices deemed not substantially equivalent to a previously cleared 510(k) device, are placed in class III, requiring approval of a PMA.

Manufacturers of most class II medical devices are required to obtain 510(k) clearance prior to marketing their devices. To obtain 510(k) clearance, a company must submit a premarket notification demonstrating that the proposed device is “substantially equivalent” in intended use and in technological and performance characteristics to another legally marketed 510(k)-cleared “predicate device.” By regulation, the FDA is required to clear or deny a 510(k) premarket notification within 90 days of submission of the application. As a practical matter, clearance may take longer. The FDA may require further information, including clinical data, to

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make a determination regarding substantial equivalence. After a device receives 510(k) clearance, any modification that could significantly affect its safety or effectiveness, or that would constitute a major change in its intended use, requires a new 510(k) clearance or could require a PMA approval. With certain exceptions, most of our products are subject to the 510(k) clearance process. On January 27, 2010, the FDA requested comments on actions that the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (“CDRH”) can consider taking to strengthen the 510(k) review process conducted by the CDRH. In August 2010, the FDA published a series of recommended changes to the 510(k) review process.

Class III medical devices are required to undergo the PMA approval process in which the manufacturer must establish the safety and effectiveness of the device to the FDA’s satisfaction. A PMA application must provide extensive preclinical and clinical trial data and also information about the device and its components regarding, among other things, device design, manufacturing and labeling. Also during the review period, an advisory panel of experts from outside the FDA may be convened to review and evaluate the application and provide recommendations to the FDA as to the approvability of the device. In addition, the FDA will typically conduct a preapproval inspection of the manufacturing facility to ensure compliance with quality system regulations. By statute, the FDA has 180 days to review the PMA application, although, generally, review of the application can take between one and three years, or longer. Once approved, a new PMA or a PMA Supplement is required for modifications that affect the safety or effectiveness of the device, including, for example, certain types of modifications to the device’s indication for use, manufacturing process, labeling and design. Our regenerative bone growth stimulation products are classified as Class III by the FDA, and have been approved for commercial distribution in the U.S. through the PMA process.

In addition, our Biologics business markets tissue for bone repair and reconstruction under the brand names Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE® which are allogeneic, cancellous bone matrices containing viable stem cells. We believe these allografts are properly classified under FDA’s Human Cell, Tissues and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products, or HCT/P, regulatory paradigm and not as a medical device or as a biologic or as a drug. We believe they are regulated under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act and C.F.R. Part 1271. Biologics also distributes certain surgical implant products known as “allograft” products that are derived from human tissues and which are used for bone reconstruction or repair and are surgically implanted into the human body. We believe that these tissues are properly classified by the FDA as minimally-manipulated tissue and are covered by FDA’s “Good Tissues Practices” regulations, which cover all stages of allograft processing. There can be no assurance our suppliers of the Trinity Evolution®, Trinity ELITE® and allograft products will continue to meet applicable regulatory requirements or that those requirements will not be changed in ways that could adversely affect our business. Further, there can be no assurance these products will continue to be made available to us or that applicable regulatory standards will be met or remain unchanged. Moreover, products derived from human tissue or bones are from time to time subject to recall for certain administrative or safety reasons and we may be affected by one or more such recalls. For a description of these risks, see Item 1A Risk Factors.

The medical devices we develop, manufacture, distribute and market are subject to rigorous regulation by the FDA and numerous other federal, state and foreign governmental authorities. The process of obtaining FDA clearance and other regulatory approvals to develop and market a medical device, particularly from the FDA, can be costly and time-consuming, and there can be no assurance such approvals will be granted on a timely basis, if at all. While we believe we have obtained all necessary clearances and approvals for the manufacture and sale of our products and that they are in material compliance with applicable FDA and other material regulatory requirements, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue such compliance. After a device is placed on the market, numerous regulatory requirements continue to apply. Those regulatory requirements include: product listing and establishment registration; Quality System Regulation (“QSR”), which require manufacturers, including third-party manufacturers, to follow stringent design, testing, control, documentation and other quality assurance procedures during all aspects of the manufacturing process; labeling regulations and FDA prohibitions against the promotion of products for uncleared, unapproved or off-label uses or indications; clearance of product modifications that could significantly affect safety or efficacy or that would constitute a major change in intended use of one of our cleared devices; approval of product modifications that affect the safety or effectiveness of one of our PMA approved devices; Medical Device Reporting regulations, which require that manufacturers report to FDA if their device may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury, or has malfunctioned in a way that would likely cause or contribute to a death or serious injury if the malfunction of the device or a similar device were to recur; post-approval restrictions or conditions, including post-approval study commitments; post-market surveillance regulations, which apply when necessary to protect the public health or to provide additional safety and effectiveness data for the device; the FDA’s recall authority, whereby it can ask, or under certain conditions order, device manufacturers to recall from the market a product that is in violation of governing laws and regulations; regulations pertaining to voluntary recalls; and notices of corrections or removals.

We and certain of our suppliers also are subject to announced and unannounced inspections by the FDA to determine our compliance with FDA’s QSR and other regulations. If the FDA were to find that we or certain of our suppliers have failed to comply with applicable regulations, the agency could institute a wide variety of enforcement actions, ranging from a public warning letter to more severe sanctions such as: fines and civil penalties against us, our officers, our employees or our suppliers; unanticipated expenditures to address or defend such actions; delays in clearing or approving, or refusal to clear or approve, our products; withdrawal or suspension of approval of our products or those of our third-party suppliers by the FDA or other regulatory bodies;

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product recall or seizure; interruption of production; operating restrictions; injunctions; and criminal prosecution. In June 2011, the FDA preannounced an inspection to close out the March 2009 Warning Letter issued to Blackstone Medical, Inc., and to determine compliance to Orthofix’s Quality System Requirements as well as to our Tissue Distribution program. At the close of the inspection, Orthofix received one Quality System observation on a form 483 however the FDA inspector concluded that all the corrective actions pertinent to the warning letter were adequately completed. When the FDA concludes that an inspection is “closed” under 21 C.F.R. 20.64 (d) (3), it will release a copy of the Establishment Inspection Report (“EIR”) to the inspected establishment. Orthofix received its EIR for the June 2011 inspection in August 2011 indicating that this inspection was closed. The corrective action associated with the one observation on the 483 was fully corrected by Orthofix and verified by the FDA in January 2012 during a routine inspection of the Lewisville facility. At the conclusion of the January inspection the FDA issued a 483 due to minor deficiencies within our quality systems. The Company replied with a formal response, and after reviewing the evidence the FDA determined our corrective action adequate and the audit was closed. In addition to the domestic FDA inspections, all manufacturing facilities of the Company are subject to annual Notified Body inspections. No major findings have been received and certification has been granted or maintained. The FDA also has the authority to request repair, replacement or refund of the cost of any medical device manufactured or distributed by us. Any of those actions could have a material adverse effect on our development of new laboratory tests, business strategy, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Moreover, governmental authorities outside the U.S. have become increasingly stringent in their regulation of medical devices, and our products may become subject to more rigorous regulation by non-U.S. governmental authorities in the future. U.S. or non-U.S. government regulations may be imposed in the future that may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. The European Commission (“EC”) has harmonized national regulations for the control of medical devices through European Medical Device Directives with which manufacturers must comply. Under these new regulations, manufacturing plants must have received a full Quality Assurance Certification from a “Notified Body” in order to be able to sell products within the member states of the European Union. This Certification allows manufacturers to stamp the products of certified plants with a “CE” mark. Products covered by the EC regulations that do not bear the CE mark cannot be sold or distributed within the European Union. We have received certification for all currently existing manufacturing facilities.

Our products may be reimbursed by third-party payors, such as government programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare or private insurance plans and healthcare networks. Third-party payors may deny reimbursement if they determine that a device provided to a patient or used in a procedure does not meet applicable payment criteria or if the policyholder’s healthcare insurance benefits are limited. Also, third-party payors are increasingly challenging the medical necessity and prices paid for our products and services. The Medicare program is expected to continue to implement a new payment mechanism for certain items of durable medical equipment, prosthetic, orthotic supplies (“DMEPOS”) via the implementation of its competitive bidding program. The initial implementation was terminated shortly after it began in 2008 and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) began the rebid process in 2009 (“Round 1 Rebid”) with implementation of the rebid round occurring on January 1, 2011. Payment rates for certain DMEPOS items included in the Round 1 Rebid product categories, which categories do not currently include our products, will be determined based on bid prices rather than the current Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule. CMS has released the geographical areas included in Round 2 of the program, yet final decisions concerning which products will be affected have not been announced. The Company’s bone growth stimulation products are exempt from this competitive bidding process.

Our subsidiary Orthofix Inc. received accreditation status by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (“ACHC”) for the services of DMEPOS. ACHC, a private, not-for-profit corporation, which is certified to ISO 9001:2000 standards, was developed by home care and community-based providers to help companies improve business operations and quality of patient care. Although accreditation is generally a voluntary activity where healthcare organizations submit to peer review their internal policies, processes and patient care delivery against national standards, CMS required DMEPOS suppliers to become accredited. By attaining accreditation, Orthofix Inc. has demonstrated its commitment to maintain a higher level of competency and strive for excellence in its products, services, and customer satisfaction.

Our sales and marketing practices are also subject to a number of U.S. laws regulating healthcare fraud and abuse such as the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and the federal Physician Self-Referral Law (known as the “Stark Law”), the Civil False Claims Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) as well as numerous state laws regulating healthcare and insurance. These laws are enforced by the Office of Inspector General within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other federal, state and local agencies. Among other things, these laws and others generally: (1) prohibit the provision of anything of value in exchange for the referral of patients for, or the purchase, order, or recommendation of, any item or service reimbursed by a federal healthcare program, (including Medicare and Medicaid); (2) require that claims for payment submitted to federal healthcare programs be truthful; (3) prohibit the transmission of protected healthcare information to persons not authorized to receive that information; and (4) require the maintenance of certain government licenses and permits.

In addition, U.S. federal and state laws protect the confidentiality of certain health information, in particular individually identifiable information such as medical records and restrict the use and disclosure of that protected information. At the federal level,

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the Department of Health and Human Services promulgates health information privacy and security rules under HIPAA. These rules protect health information by regulating its use and disclosure, including for research and other purposes. Failure of a HIPAA “covered entity” to comply with HIPAA regarding such “protected health information” could constitute a violation of federal law, subject to civil and criminal penalties. Covered entities include healthcare providers (including those that sell devices or equipment) that engage in particular electronic transactions, including, as we do, the transmission of claims to health plans. Consequently, health information that we access, collect, analyze, and otherwise use and/or disclose includes protected health information that is subject to HIPAA. As noted above, many state laws also pertain to the confidentiality of health information. Such laws are not necessarily preempted by HIPAA in particular those state laws that afford greater privacy protection to the individual than HIPAA. These state laws typically have their own penalty provisions, which could be applied in the event of an unlawful action affecting health information.

On February 1, 2013, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published a final rule that makes information publicly available about payments or other transfers of value from certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologicals and medical supplies covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (“CHIP”), defined as applicable manufacturers, to physicians and teaching hospitals, which are defined as covered recipients. Called the “National Physician Payment Transparency Program: Open Payments,” this is one of many steps in the Affordable Care Act designed to create greater transparency in health care markets.

The final rule, which implements Section 6002 of the Affordable Care Act, also makes information publicly available about physician (or immediate family members of a physician) ownership or investment interests in applicable manufacturers and group purchasing organizations (“GPOs”).

The law specifies that applicable manufacturers must report annually to the Secretary of Health and Human Services all payments or transfers of value (including gifts, consulting fees, research activities, speaking fees, meals, and travel) from applicable manufacturers to covered recipients. In addition to reporting on payments, applicable manufacturers, as well as applicable GPOs, must report ownership and investment interests held by physicians (or the immediate family members of physicians) in such entities. However, the law does not require applicable manufacturers or applicable GPOs to report ownership or investment interests held by teaching hospitals. The law requires CMS to provide applicable manufacturers, applicable GPOs, covered recipients, and physician owners and investors at least 45 days to review, dispute and correct their reported information before posting it on a publicly available website. The information on the website must be easily aggregated, downloaded and searchable.

Sales, Marketing and Distribution

General Trends

We believe that demographic trends, principally in the form of a better informed, more active and aging population in the major healthcare markets of the U.S., Western Europe and Japan, together with opportunities in emerging markets such as the Asia-Pacific Region (including China) and Latin America, as well as our focus on innovative products, will continue to have a positive effect on the demand for our products.

Strategic Business Units

Our revenues are generally derived from the sales of products in four SBUs, BioStim, Biologics, Extremity Fixation, and Spine Fixation, which accounted for 38%, 14%, 27%, and 21%, respectively, of our total net sales in 2014.

Sales, Marketing and Distributor Network

We have established a broad distribution network comprised of direct sales representatives and distributors. This established distribution network provides us with a platform to introduce new products and expand sales of existing products. We distribute our products worldwide in over 50 countries.

In our largest market, the U.S., our sales, marketing and distribution network is comprised of several sales forces addressing different business units. A hybrid distribution network of direct sales representatives and independent distributors addresses the BioStim SBU for regenerative stimulation products. Primarily an independent distribution network supplemented by some direct sales representatives addresses the Biologics SBU. A hybrid distribution network of both direct sales representatives and distributors addresses the Extremity Fixation SBU. Primarily an independent distribution network addresses the Spine Fixation SBU.

Outside the U.S., we employ both direct sales representatives and distributors within our international sales subsidiaries. We also utilize independent distributors in Europe, the Far East, the Middle East and Central and South America in countries where we do

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not have subsidiaries. In order to provide support to our independent distribution network, we have a group of sales and marketing specialists who regularly visit independent distributors to provide training and product support.

Marketing and Product Education

We seek to market our products principally to medical professionals, hospitals, government health agencies and organizations that contract on a large scale.

We support our sales force through specialized training workshops in which surgeons and sales specialists participate. We also produce marketing and training materials, including materials outlining surgical procedures, for our customers, sales force and distributors in a variety of languages using printed, video and multimedia formats.

To provide additional advanced training for surgeons, consistent with the AdvaMed Code and the Eucomed Code guidelines, we organize regular multilingual teaching seminars in multiple locations. Those places include our facility in Verona, Italy, various locations in Latin America and the Orthofix Institute for Research, Training and Education in the North American Operations and Training Center in Lewisville, Texas. The Orthofix Institute is a state of the art facility that features a lecture room, classroom, workshop and a 7-station bioskills laboratory. In 2014, surgeons from around the world attended these product education seminars, which included a variety of lectures from specialists as well as demonstrations and hands-on workshops. Each year many of our sales representatives and distributors independently conduct basic product training and education courses to local surgeons. We also regularly provide sales training at our training center in Lewisville, Texas, with our sales representatives in the field and in regional locations throughout the world. Additionally, we have implemented a web-based sales training program, which provides ongoing education for our sales representatives.

Competition

Our regenerative stimulation products, which are part of our Biologics and BioStim SBU’s, compete principally with similar products marketed by Biomet Spine, a business unit of Biomet, Inc; DJO Incorporated; and the Exogen product line owned by Smith and Nephew plc. and Essex Woodlands, a private equity firm. Our spinal implant, HCT/P products, and Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE®, HCT/Ps from which we derive marketing fees, compete with products marketed by Medtronic, Inc.; DePuy Synthes, a division of Johnson and Johnson; Stryker Corp.; Zimmer, Inc.; NuVasive, Inc.; Biomet Spine; and various smaller public and private companies. For external and internal fixation devices, our principal competitors include DePuy Synthes; Zimmer, Inc.; Stryker Corp.; Smith & Nephew plc; and Biomet Orthopedics, a business unit of Biomet, Inc.

We believe we enhance our competitive position by focusing on product features such as innovation, ease of use, versatility, cost and patient acceptability. We attempt to avoid competing based solely on price. Overall cost and medical effectiveness, innovation, reliability, after-sales service and training are the most prevalent methods of competition in the markets for our products, and we believe we compete effectively.

Manufacturing and Sources of Supply

We generally design, develop, assemble, test and package our stimulation and orthopedic products, and subcontract the manufacture of a substantial portion of the component parts. We design and develop our spinal implant and Alloquent® Allograft HCT/Ps and subcontract the manufacture of a significant portion of the parts and instruments. Through subcontracting a portion of our manufacturing, we attempt to maintain operating flexibility in meeting demand while focusing our resources on product development, education and marketing as well as quality assurance standards. Although certain of our key raw materials are obtained from a single source, we believe alternate sources for these materials are available. Further, we believe an adequate inventory supply is maintained to avoid product flow interruptions. We have not experienced difficulty in obtaining the materials necessary to meet our production schedules.

Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE®, HCT/Ps for which we have exclusive marketing rights, are allograft tissue forms that are supplied to customers by MTF in accordance with orders received directly from us. MTF sources, processes and packages the tissue forms and is the sole supplier of Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE® to our customers.

Our products are currently manufactured and assembled in the U.S., Italy, and the United Kingdom. We believe our plants comply in all material respects with the requirements of the FDA and all relevant regulatory authorities outside the U.S. For a description of the laws to which we are subject, see Item 1—Business—Corporate Compliance and Government Regulation. We actively monitor each of our subcontractors in order to maintain manufacturing and quality standards and product specification conformity.

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Our business is generally not seasonal in nature. However, sales associated with products for elective procedures appear to be influenced by the somewhat lower level of such procedures performed in the late summer. In addition, we do not consider the backlog of firm orders to be material.

Capital Expenditures

We incurred tangible and intangible capital expenditures in the amount of $18.5 million, $29.7 million and $28.8 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, principally for computer software and hardware, patents, licenses, plant and equipment, tooling and molds and product instrument sets. In 2014 and 2013, the most significant capital expenditure was $5.4 million and $17.3 million, respectively, related to instrumentation and tooling. We plan to invest approximately $20 to $25 million in capital expenditures during 2015 to support the planned expansion of our business and our infrastructure initiative, which we call “Bluecore.” See Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional information on Bluecore.  We expect these capital expenditures to be financed principally with cash generated from operations.  

Employees

At December 31, 2014, we had 922 employees worldwide. Of these, 622 were employed in the U.S. and 300 were employed at other non-U.S. locations. Our relations with our Italian employees, who numbered 162 at December 31, 2014, are governed by the provisions of a National Collective Labor Agreement setting forth mandatory minimum standards for labor relations in the metal mechanic workers industry. We are not a party to any other collective bargaining agreement. We believe we have good relations with our employees. Of our 922 employees, 384 were employed in sales and marketing functions, 208 in general and administrative roles, 220 in production and operations and 110 in research and development.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

In addition to the other information contained in this report and the exhibits hereto, you should carefully consider the risks described below. These risks are not the only ones that we may face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also impair our business operations. This report also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks faced by us described below or elsewhere in this report.

Our management has identified material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting which could, if not remediated, result in additional material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements. We may be unable to develop, implement and maintain appropriate controls in future periods.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and SEC rules require that our management report annually on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures. Among other things, our management must conduct an assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to allow management to report on, and our independent registered public accounting firm to audit, the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. As disclosed in Part II, Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures” of this report, our management, with the participation of our current President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, has determined that we have material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 related to revenue recognition practices for sales to the Company’s distributors,  accounts receivable reserves, inventory reserves, foreign subsidiary oversight and manual journal entry control procedures. Some of these material weaknesses resulted in material misstatements in our previously filed annual audited and interim unaudited consolidated financial statements, which caused us to file multi-year restatements of historical financial statements in each of March 2014 and March 2015.

A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. We are actively engaged in developing and implementing a remediation plan designed to address such material weaknesses. However, additional material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting may be identified in the future. Any failure to implement or maintain required new or improved controls, or any difficulties we encounter in their implementation, could result in additional material weaknesses, or could result in material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements. These misstatements could result in a further restatement of our consolidated financial statements, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations, reduce our ability to obtain financing or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, leading to a decline in our stock price.

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Although we are working to remedy the ineffectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, there can be no assurance as to when the remediation plan will be fully developed, when it will be fully implemented or the aggregate cost of implementation. Until our remediation plan is fully implemented, our management will continue to devote significant time and attention to these efforts. If we do not complete our remediation in a timely fashion, or at all, or if our remediation plan is inadequate, there will continue to be an increased risk that we will be unable to timely file future periodic reports with the SEC and that our future consolidated financial statements could contain errors that will be undetected. Further and continued determinations that there are material weaknesses in the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting could also reduce our ability to obtain financing or could increase the cost of any financing we obtain and require additional expenditures of both money and our management’s time to comply with applicable requirements. For more information relating to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (and disclosure controls and procedures) and the remediation plan undertaken by us, see Part II, Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures.”

Our failure to prepare and timely file our periodic reports with the SEC limits our access to the public markets to raise debt or equity capital.

We did not file our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2013, September 30, 2013, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively, or this Form 10-K, within the time frame required by SEC rules. Because we have not remained current in our reporting requirements with the SEC, we are limited in our ability to access the public markets to raise debt or equity capital. Our limited ability to access the public markets could prevent us from pursuing transactions or implementing business strategies that we might otherwise believe are beneficial to our business. Even if we maintain timely compliance with our SEC reporting obligations prospectively, until one year from the date of the filing of this Form 10-K, we will be ineligible to use shorter and less costly filing forms, such as Form S-3, to register our securities for sale. We may use Form S-1 to register a sale of our stock to raise capital or complete acquisitions, but doing so would likely increase transaction costs and adversely impact our ability to raise capital or complete acquisitions of other companies in a timely manner.

We have not been in compliance with Nasdaq Stock Market LLC’s requirements for continued listing and, as a result, our common stock may be delisted from trading on Nasdaq, which could have a material effect on us and our shareholders.

As a result of the accounting review that led to our filing of a multi-year restatement of historical financial statements in March 2014, we were late in the filing of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013, which caused us to be out of compliance with the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) and subject to having our stock delisted from trading on Nasdaq. In connection with our completion of that restatement in March 2014, a Nasdaq Hearings Panel determined on April 1, 2014 that we had regained compliance with Nasdaq’s listing rules. However, as a result of our further evaluation of certain accounting matters, and ultimate determination in August 2014 that we would further restate historical financial statements (which restatement was completed in March 2015), our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively, as well as this Form 10-K, also became late.  Under NASDAQ rules, this resulted in us receiving a delisting determination letter and participating in a NASDAQ Hearings Panel process.  Pursuant to that process, the Hearings Panel granted our request for an extension through March 31, 2015 to file these two Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and through April 30, 2015 to file this Form 10-K.

As of the date hereof, we have now filed each of these reports within the applicable extension periods provided by the Hearings Panel, and we therefore believe that we currently again comply with Nasdaq’s listing rules. However, there can be no assurance that the Nasdaq Hearings Panel will determine that we are in compliance, or that such panel will not otherwise determine to delist our common stock or put restrictions on the ability of our common stock to remain listed prospectively. In addition, the Company currently is preparing its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015, and currently expects to make such filing with the SEC no later than May 16, 2015 (the due date for such filing in the event that the Company seeks relief pursuant to SEC Rule 12b-25).  However, in the event that the Company is not able to file this report by such date (or any future SEC period report by its applicable due date), it would constitute an additional delinquency with Nasdaq’s listing rules, thereby requiring the Company to seek further relief from the Hearings Panel to avoid delisting.

If our common stock were delisted, there could be no assurance whether or when it would again be listed for trading on Nasdaq or any other exchange. Further, the market price of our shares might decline and become more volatile, and our shareholders may find that their ability to trade in our stock would be adversely affected. Furthermore, institutions whose charters do not allow them to hold securities in unlisted companies might sell our shares, which could have a further adverse effect on the price of our stock.

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If we fail to comply with the terms of our Deferred Prosecution Agreement and Corporate Integrity Agreement (and a related term of probation) we may be subject to criminal prosecution and/or exclusion from federal healthcare programs.

On June 6, 2012, in connection with our settlement of a U.S. government investigation and related qui tam complaint related to our regenerative stimulation business, and our settlement of a U.S. government investigation and related qui tam complaint related to Blackstone Medical, Inc. (“Blackstone”), we entered into a five-year corporate integrity agreement (the “CIA”) with the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS-OIG”). The CIA acknowledges the existence of our current compliance program, and requires that we continue to maintain during the term of the CIA a compliance program designed to promote compliance with federal healthcare and Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) requirements. We are also required to maintain several elements of the existing program during the term of the CIA, including maintaining a Chief Compliance Officer, a Compliance Committee, and a Code of Conduct. The CIA requires that we conduct certain additional compliance-related activities during the term of the CIA, including various training and monitoring procedures, and maintaining a disciplinary process for compliance obligations. Pursuant to the CIA, we are required to notify the HHS-OIG in writing, among other things, of: (i) any ongoing government investigation or legal proceeding involving an allegation that the Company has committed a crime or has engaged in fraudulent activities; (ii) any other matter that a reasonable person would consider a probable violation of applicable criminal, civil, or administrative laws related to compliance with federal healthcare programs or FDA requirements; and (iii) any change in location, sale, closing, purchase, or establishment of a new business unit or location related to items or services that may be reimbursed by federal healthcare programs. We are also subject to periodic reporting and certification requirements attesting that the provisions of the CIA are being implemented and followed, as well as certain document and record retention mandates. The CIA provides that in the event of an uncured material breach of the CIA, we could be excluded from participation in federal healthcare programs and/or subject to prosecution and subject to other monetary penalties, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In connection with this settlement and the guilty plea of our subsidiary, Orthofix Inc., to one felony count of obstruction of a federal audit (18 U.S.C. §1516), the court imposed a five-year term of probation on Orthofix Inc., with special conditions that mandate certain non-disparagement obligations and order Orthofix Inc. to continue complying with the terms of the CIA through the expiration of its term. In the event that we fail to satisfy these terms of probation, we could be subject to additional criminal penalties or prosecution, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

On July 10, 2012, we entered into definitive agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the SEC agreeing to settle our self-initiated and self-reported internal investigation of our Mexican subsidiary, Promeca S.A. de C.V. (“Promeca”), regarding non-compliance by Promeca with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”). As part of the settlement, we entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (“DPA”) with the DOJ and a consent to final judgment (the “Consent”) with the SEC. The DOJ has agreed not to pursue any criminal charges against us in connection with this matter if we comply with the terms of the DPA. The DPA takes note of our self-reporting of this matter to the DOJ and the SEC, and of remedial measures, including the implementation of an enhanced compliance program, previously undertaken by us. The DPA and the Consent collectively require, among other things, that with respect to anti-bribery compliance matters we shall continue to cooperate fully with the government in any future matters related to corrupt payments, false books and records or inadequate internal controls. In that regard, we have represented that we have implemented and will continue to implement a compliance and ethics program designed to prevent and detect violations of the FCPA and other applicable anti-corruption laws. We will periodically report to the government during the term of the DPA regarding such remediation and implementation of compliance measures. As part of the settlement, we also agreed pursuant to the Consent to certain reporting obligations to the SEC regarding the status of our remediation and implementation of compliance measures. In the event that we fail to comply with these obligations, we could be subject to criminal prosecution by the DOJ for the FCPA-related matters we self-reported. Such a criminal prosecution could subject us to penalties that could have a material adverse effect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

We are investigating allegations involving potential improper payments with respect to our subsidiary in Brazil.

In August 2013, the Company’s internal legal department was notified of certain allegations involving potential improper payments with respect to our Brazilian subsidiary, Orthofix do Brasil. The Company engaged outside counsel to assist in the review of these matters, focusing on compliance with applicable anti-bribery laws, including the FCPA. This review remains ongoing. The FCPA and related provisions of law provide for potential criminal and civil sanctions in connection with anti-bribery violations, including criminal fines, civil penalties, disgorgement of past profits and other kinds of remedies. We currently cannot reasonably estimate a possible loss, or range of loss, in connection with this review. In the event that such loss is substantial, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Consistent with the provisions of the DPA and the Consent described above, the Company contacted the DOJ and the SEC in August 2013 to voluntarily self-report the Brazil-related allegations, and the Company and its counsel remain in contact with both agencies regarding the status of the review. In the event that the DOJ and the SEC find that the matters related to our Brazilian

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subsidiary could give rise to a review of our obligations under the terms of the DPA and/or the Consent, we currently cannot reasonably estimate a possible loss, or range of loss, in connection with that review, including any effects it may have with respect to the DPA and the Consent. In the event such a review were to occur, any losses resulting therefrom, if substantial, could have a material adverse effect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The SEC Enforcement Staff’s investigation and a pending securities class action complaint have resulted in significant costs and expenses, have diverted resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

As further described in Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings” of this Form 10-K, in July 2013, the Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company began conducting an independent review, with the assistance of outside professionals, of certain accounting matters. This review resulted in a March 2014 completed multi-year restatement of our historical consolidated financial statements.  In March 2015, we completed a further multi-year restatement of historical consolidated financial statements.

We initiated contact with the staff of the Division of Enforcement of the SEC (the “SEC Enforcement Staff”) in July 2013 to advise them of the initiation of the Audit Committee’s review and the then-potential restatement of our annual audited and interim unaudited consolidated financial statements. The SEC is conducting a formal investigation of these matters, and both the Company and the Audit Committee are cooperating fully with the SEC. Since our initial contact, we have received requests from the SEC for documents and other information concerning various accounting practices, internal controls and business practices, and it is anticipated that we may receive additional such requests in the future. We have further provided notice concerning these matters to HHS-OIG pursuant to our CIA with HHS-OIG, which is described in more detail in Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings.”

As also further described in Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings” of this Form 10-K, on August 14, 2013, a securities class action complaint against the Company was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York arising out of the restatement of our prior consolidated financial statements and the matters described above. The lead plaintiff’s complaint, as amended, purports to bring claims on behalf of persons who purchased the Company’s common stock between March 2, 2010 and July 29, 2013. The complaint asserts that the Company and four of its former executive officers, Alan W. Milinazzo, Robert S. Vaters, Brian McCollum, and Emily V. Buxton (collectively, the “Individual Defendants”), violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b-5 (“Rule 10b-5”) by making false or misleading statements in or relating to the Company’s financial statements. The complaint further asserts that the Individual Defendants were liable as control persons under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act for any violation by the Company of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act or Rule 10b-5. As relief, the complaint requests compensatory damages on behalf of the proposed class and lead plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees and costs. On March 6, 2015, the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss as to Mr. Milinazzo and denied it with respect to the Company and the other Individual Defendants.

We have incurred and/or expect to incur significant professional fees and other costs in responding to the SEC investigation and in defending against the class action complaint. If we do not prevail in the pending complaint or any other litigation, we may be required to pay a significant amount of monetary damages that may be in excess of our insurance coverage. Further, if the SEC were to conclude that enforcement action is appropriate, or if HHS-OIG were to conclude that we violated the CIA, we could be required to pay large civil penalties and fines. The SEC also could impose other sanctions against us or certain of our current and former directors and officers. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Additionally, while we believe we have made appropriate judgments in determining the errors and correct adjustments in preparing our restated consolidated financial statements, the SEC may disagree with the manner in which we have accounted for and reported these adjustments. Accordingly, there is a risk that we may have to further restate our historical consolidated financial statements, amend prior filings with the SEC or take other actions not currently contemplated. In addition, our Board of Directors, management and employees may expend a substantial amount of time on the SEC investigation and the pending class action complaint, diverting resources and attention that would otherwise be directed toward our operations and implementation of our business strategy, all of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The potential for additional litigation or other proceedings or enforcement actions could adversely affect us, require significant management time and attention, result in significant legal expenses or damages, and cause our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows to suffer.

The matters that led to the SEC investigation and the class action complaint described above have also exposed us to greater risks associated with litigation, regulatory proceedings and government enforcement actions. We and current and former members of our senior management may in the future be subject to additional litigation or governmental proceedings relating to such matters. Subject to certain limitations, we are obligated to indemnify our current and former officers and directors in connection with any such lawsuits or governmental proceedings and related litigation or settlement amounts. Regardless of the outcome, these lawsuits and any

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other litigation or governmental proceedings that may be brought against us or our current or former officers and directors, could be time-consuming, result in significant expense and divert the attention and resources of our management and other key employees. An unfavorable outcome in any of these matters could exceed coverage provided under potentially applicable insurance policies. Any such unfavorable outcome could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Further, we could be required to pay damages or additional penalties or have other remedies imposed against us, or our current or former directors or officers, which could harm our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Continuing negative publicity may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

As a result of the restatement of our consolidated financial statements and related matters, the ongoing SEC investigation, the securities class action complaint and our recent non-compliance with Nasdaq listing rules, we have been the subject of negative publicity. This negative publicity may adversely affect our stock price and may harm our reputation and our relationships with current and future investors, lenders, customers, suppliers and employees. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows may be materially adversely affected.

We may be subject to federal and state healthcare fraud and abuse laws, and could face substantial penalties if we are determined not to have fully complied with such laws.

Healthcare fraud and abuse regulation by federal and state governments impact our business. Healthcare fraud and abuse laws potentially applicable to our operations include:

the federal Health Care Programs Anti-Kickback Law, which constrains our marketing practices, educational programs, pricing and discounting policies, and relationships with healthcare practitioners and providers, by prohibiting, among other things, soliciting, receiving, offering or paying remuneration, in exchange for or to induce the purchase or recommendation of an item or service reimbursable under a federal healthcare program (such as the Medicare or Medicaid programs);

federal false claims laws, which prohibit, among other things, knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, claims for payment from Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal government payors that are false or fraudulent; and

state laws analogous to each of the above federal laws, such as anti-kickback and false claims laws that may apply to items or services reimbursed by non-governmental third-party payors, including commercial insurers.

Due to the breadth of some of these laws, there can be no assurance that we will not be found to be in violation of any such laws, and as a result we may be subject to penalties, including civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, the curtailment or restructuring of our operations or the exclusion from participation in federal or state healthcare programs. Any penalties could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our financial results. Any action against us for violation of these laws, even if we successfully defend against them, could cause us to incur significant legal expenses and divert our management’s attention from the operation of our business.

In addition, it is possible that one or more private insurers with whom we do business may attempt to use any penalty we might be assessed or any exclusion from federal or state healthcare program business as a basis to cease doing business with us. If this were to occur, it could also have a material adverse effect on our business and financial position.

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

Our products are sold either directly by us or by independent sales representatives to customers or to our independent distributors and purchased by hospitals, doctors and other healthcare providers. These products may be reimbursed by third-party payors, such as government programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare, or private insurance plans and healthcare networks. Major third-party payors for medical services in the U.S. and internationally continue to work to contain health care costs and are increasingly challenging the policies and the prices charged for medical products and services. Any medical policy developments that eliminate, reduce or materially modify coverage of, or reimbursement rates for, our products could have an impact on our ability to sell our products. In addition, third-party payors may deny reimbursement if they determine that a device or product provided to a patient or used in a procedure does not meet applicable payment criteria or if the policyholder’s healthcare insurance benefits are limited. These policies and criteria may be revised from time-to-time.

Limits put on reimbursement could make it more difficult to buy our products and substantially reduce, or possibly eliminate, patient access to our products. In addition, should governmental authorities continue to enact legislation or adopt regulations that

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affect third-party coverage and reimbursement, access to our products and coverage by private or public insurers may be reduced with a consequential material adverse effect on our sales and profitability.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”), in its ongoing implementation of the Medicare program, has obtained a related technical assessment of the medical study literature to determine how the literature addresses spinal fusion surgery in the Medicare population. The impact that this information will have on Medicare coverage policy for our products is currently unknown, but we cannot provide assurances that the resulting actions will not restrict Medicare coverage for our products. It is also possible that the government’s focus on coverage of off-label uses of devices approved by the FDA could lead to changes in coverage policies regarding off-label uses by TriCare, Medicare and/or Medicaid. There can be no assurance that we or our distributors will not experience significant reimbursement problems in the future related to these or other proceedings. Globally, our products are sold in many countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, which have publicly funded healthcare systems. The ability of hospitals supported by such systems to purchase our products is dependent, in part, upon public budgetary constraints. Any increase in such constraints may have a material adverse effect on our sales and collection of accounts receivable from such sales.

As required by law, CMS has continued efforts to implement a competitive bidding program for selected durable medical equipment, prosthetic, orthotic supplies (“DMEPOS”) items paid for by the Medicare program. In this program, Medicare rates are based on bid amounts for certain products in designated geographic areas, rather than the Medicare fee schedule amount. Only those suppliers selected through the competitive bidding process within each designated competitive bidding area (CBA) are eligible to have their products reimbursed by Medicare. CMS completed the Round 1 Rebid process in the last quarter of 2012. The implementation of Rebid for Round 1 occurred on January 1, 2013 and for Round 2 on July 1, 2013. Our products are not yet included in the competitive bidding process. We cannot predict which products from any of our businesses will ultimately be affected or whether or when the competitive bidding process will be extended to our businesses. While some of our products are designated by FDA as Class III medical devices and thus are not currently included within the competitive bidding program, some of our products may be encompassed within the program at varying times. There can be no assurance that the implementation of the competitive bidding program will not have an adverse impact on the sales of some of our products.

We and certain of our suppliers may be subject to extensive government regulation that increases our costs and could limit our ability to market or sell our products.

The medical devices we manufacture and market are subject to rigorous regulation by the FDA and numerous other federal, state and foreign governmental authorities. These authorities regulate the development, approval, classification, testing, manufacturing, labeling, marketing and sale of medical devices. Likewise, our use and disclosure of certain categories of health information may be subject to federal and state laws, implemented and enforced by governmental authorities that protect health information privacy and security. For a description of these regulations, see Item 1, “Business,” under the subheading “Government Regulation.”

The approval or clearance by governmental authorities, including the FDA in the U.S., is generally required before any medical devices may be marketed in the U.S. or other countries. We cannot predict whether, in the future, the U.S. or foreign governments may impose regulations that have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The process of obtaining FDA clearance and other regulatory clearances or approvals to develop and market a medical device can be costly and time-consuming, and is subject to the risk that such approvals will not be granted on a timely basis, if at all. The regulatory process may delay or prohibit the marketing of new products and impose substantial additional costs if the FDA lengthens review times for new devices. The FDA has the ability to change the regulatory classification of a cleared or approved device from a higher to a lower regulatory classification, which could materially adversely impact our ability to market or sell our devices. In addition, we may be subject to compliance action, penalties or injunctions if we are determined to be promoting the use of our products for unapproved or off-label uses, or if the FDA challenges one or more of our determinations that a product modification did not require new approval or clearance by the FDA.

We and certain of our suppliers also are subject to announced and unannounced inspections by the FDA to determine our compliance with FDA’s QSR and other regulations. If the FDA were to find that we or certain of our suppliers have failed to comply with applicable regulations, the agency could institute a wide variety of enforcement actions, ranging from a public warning letter to more severe sanctions such as: fines and civil penalties against us, our officers, our employees or our suppliers; unanticipated expenditures to address or defend such actions; delays in clearing or approving, or refusal to clear or approve, our products; withdrawal or suspension of approval of our products or those of our third-party suppliers by the FDA or other regulatory bodies; product recall or seizure; interruption of production; operating restrictions; injunctions; and criminal prosecution. The FDA also has the authority to request repair, replacement or refund of the cost of any medical device manufactured or distributed by us. Any of the foregoing actions could have a material adverse effect on our development of new laboratory tests, business strategy, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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The impact of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) and other United States healthcare reform legislation on us remains uncertain.

In 2010 federal legislation to reform the United States healthcare system was enacted into law. The ACA is far-reaching and is intended to expand access to health insurance coverage, improve quality and reduce costs over time. The ACA mandated certain CMS demonstration projects to test the effects of new approaches for paying for health services and delivering care, including bundled payments, value-based purchasing programs, establishment of accountable care organizations, a focus on patient-centered homes and physician payment reforms that incentivize the delivery of high quality, resource-conscious health care. Several provisions of the ACA specifically impact the medical equipment industry, including the elimination of the full inflation update to the DMEPOS fee schedule for the years 2011 through 2014. Instead, beginning in 2011, the ACA reduced the inflation update for DMEPOS by a “productivity adjustment” factor intended to reflect productivity gains in delivering health care services. For 2014, the update factor is 1.0% (reflecting a 1.8% inflation update that is partially offset by a 0.8% “productivity adjustment”).

The ACA establishes new disclosure requirements (Physician Payment Sunshine Act) regarding financial arrangements between medical device, pharmaceutical and biologics manufacturers that participate in U.S. federal health care programs and physicians and teaching hospitals, including physicians who serve as consultants. The recordkeeping requirements were effective as of August 1, 2013. Manufacturers and GPOs were required to report the data for August through December of 2013 to CMS by June 30, 2014, and the first reports were made publicly available on September 30, 2014.  The regulations require us to report annually to CMS certain payments and transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals.  Failure to fully and accurately disclose transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals could subject us to civil monetary penalties. Several states also have enacted specific marketing and payment disclosure requirements, and other states may do so in the future.

We expect the new law will have a significant impact upon various aspects of our business operations. However, it is unclear how the new law will impact patient access to new technologies or reimbursement rates under the Medicare program. Many of the details of the new law will be included in new and revised regulations, which have not yet been promulgated, and require additional guidance and specificity to be provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor and Department of the Treasury. Accordingly, while it is too early to understand fully and predict the ultimate impact of the new law on our business, the legislation could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition or results of operations.

Our business may be adversely affected if consolidation in the healthcare industry leads to demand for price concessions or if a group purchasing organization or similar entity excludes us from being a supplier.

Because healthcare costs have risen significantly over the past decade, numerous initiatives and reforms have been launched by legislators, regulators and third-party payors to curb these costs. As a result, there has been a consolidation trend in the healthcare industry to create larger companies, including hospitals, with greater market power. As the healthcare industry consolidates, competition to provide products and services to industry participants has become and may continue to become more intense. This has resulted and may continue to result in greater pricing pressures and the exclusion of certain suppliers from important markets as group purchasing organizations (“GPOs”), independent delivery networks and large single accounts continue to use their market power to consolidate purchasing decisions. If a GPO were to exclude us from being one of their suppliers, our net sales could be adversely impacted. We expect that market demand, government regulation, third-party reimbursement policies and societal pressures will continue to change the worldwide healthcare industry, which may exert further downward pressure on the prices of our products.

The industry in which we operate is highly competitive. New developments by others could make our products or technologies non-competitive or obsolete.

The medical devices industry is highly competitive. We compete with a large number of companies, many of which have significantly greater financial, manufacturing, marketing, distribution and technical resources than we do. Many of our competitors may be able to develop products and processes competitive with, or superior to, our own. Furthermore, we may not be able to successfully develop or introduce new products that are less costly or offer better performance than those of our competitors, or offer purchasers of our products payment and other commercial terms as favorable as those offered by our competitors. For more information regarding our competitors, see Item 1, “Business,” under the subheading “Competition.”

In addition, the orthopedic medical device industry in which we compete is undergoing, and is characterized by, rapid and significant technological change. We expect competition to intensify as technological advances are made. New technologies and products developed by other companies are regularly introduced into the market, which may render our products or technologies non-competitive or obsolete.

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

Our ability to market our BioStim, Biologics, Extremity Fixation and Spine Fixation products successfully depends, in part, on the acceptance of the products by independent third parties (including hospitals, doctors, other healthcare providers and third-party payors) as well as patients. Unanticipated side effects or unfavorable publicity concerning any of our products could have an adverse effect on our ability to maintain hospital approvals or achieve acceptance by prescribing physicians, managed care providers and other retailers, customers and patients.

We could be subject to indemnification obligations under our agreement with the purchaser of our former sports medicine business unit.

In May 2012, we sold our former sports medicine business unit, Breg, Inc., to an affiliate of Water Street Healthcare Partners II, L.P. pursuant to a stock purchase agreement between us and the buyer. Under the stock purchase agreement, we have agreed to indemnify the buyer with respect to certain specified matters, including (i) an ongoing U.S. government investigation and certain ongoing product liability matters relating to a previously owned infusion pump product line, and (ii) product liability claims relating to pre-closing sales of cold therapy units and certain post-closing sales of cold therapy units. These matters are further described under the subheading “Matters Related to Our Former Breg Subsidiary and Possible Indemnification Obligations” in Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings”. We currently cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss, or range of loss, in connection with certain of these indemnified matters. In the event that they are substantial, it could have a material adverse effect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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

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

We also rely on trade secrets, unpatented proprietary expertise and continuing technological innovation that we protect, in part, by entering into confidentiality agreements with assignors, licensees, suppliers, employees and consultants. These agreements may be breached and there may not be adequate remedies in the event of a breach. Disputes may arise concerning the ownership of intellectual property or the applicability or enforceability of confidentiality agreements. Moreover, our trade secrets and proprietary technology may otherwise become known or be independently developed by our competitors. If patents are not issued with respect to our products arising from research, we may not be able to maintain the confidentiality of information relating to these products. In addition, if a patent relating to any of our products lapses or is invalidated, we may experience greater competition arising from new market entrants.

Third parties may claim that we infringe on their proprietary rights and may prevent us from manufacturing and selling certain of our products.

There has been substantial litigation in the medical device industry with respect to the manufacture, use and sale of new products. These lawsuits relate to the validity and infringement of patents or proprietary rights of third parties. We may be required to defend against allegations relating to the infringement of patent or proprietary rights of third parties. Any such litigation could, among other things:

require us to incur substantial expense, even if we are successful in the litigation;

require us to divert significant time and effort of our technical and management personnel;

result in the loss of our rights to develop or make certain products; and

require us to pay substantial monetary damages or royalties in order to license proprietary rights from third parties or to satisfy judgments or to settle actual or threatened litigation.

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

We may be subject to product and other liability claims that may not be covered by insurance and could require us to pay substantial sums. Moreover, fluctuations in insurance expense could adversely affect our profitability.

We are subject to an inherent risk of, and adverse publicity associated with, product liability and other liability claims, whether or not such claims are valid. We maintain product liability insurance coverage in amounts and scope that we believe are reasonable and adequate. There can be no assurance, however, that product liability or other claims will not exceed our insurance coverage limits or that such insurance will continue to be available on reasonable, commercially acceptable terms, or at all. A successful product liability claim that exceeds our insurance coverage limits could require us to pay substantial sums and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

In addition to product liability insurance coverage, we hold a number of other insurance policies, including directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, property insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. If the costs of maintaining adequate insurance coverage should increase significantly in the future, our operating results could be materially adversely impacted.

Our allograft and mesenchymal stem cell allografts could expose us to certain risks that could disrupt our business.

Our Biologics business markets tissue under the brand names Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE®. Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE® are derived from human cadaveric donors, and our ability to market the tissues depends on our supplier continuing to have access to donated human cadaveric tissue, as well as the maintenance of high standards by the supplier in its processing methodology. The supply of such donors is inherently unpredictable and can fluctuate over time. We believe that Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE® are properly classified under the FDA’s HCT/P regulatory paradigm and not as a medical device or as a biologic or drug. There can be no assurance that the FDA will not at some future date re-classify Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE®, and the reclassification of this product from a human tissue to a medical device could have adverse consequences for us or for the supplier of this product and make it more difficult or expensive for us to conduct this business by requiring premarket clearance or approval as well as compliance with additional post-market regulatory requirements. The success of our Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE® allografts will depend on these products achieving broad market acceptance, which can depend on the product achieving broad clinical acceptance, the level of third-party reimbursement and the introduction of competing technologies. Because Trinity Evolution ® and Trinity Elite are classified as HCT/Ps, they can from time to time be subject to recall for safety or administrative reasons.

Our Biologics business also distributes allograft products that are derived from human tissue harvested from cadavers that are used for bone reconstruction or repair, which are surgically implanted into the human body. We believe these allograft products are properly classified as HCT/P products and not as a medical device or a biologic or drug. There can be no assurance that the FDA would agree that this regulatory classification applies to these products and any regulatory reclassification could have adverse consequences for us or for the suppliers of these products and make it more difficult or expensive for us to conduct this business by requiring premarket clearance or approval and compliance with additional post-market regulatory requirements. Moreover, the supply of these products to us could be interrupted by the failure of our suppliers to maintain high standards in performing required donor screening and infectious disease testing of donated human tissue used in producing allograft implants. Our allograft implant business could also be adversely affected by shortages in the supply of donated human tissue or negative publicity concerning methods of recovery of tissue and product liability actions arising out of the distribution of allograft implant products.

We may not be able to successfully introduce new products to the market, and market opportunities that we expect to develop for our products may not be as large as we expect.

During 2014, we continued to make improvements in revenues related to several new products we introduced to the market over the past two years, including the CONSTRUX®Mini PTC™ PEEKTI Composite Spacer System™, Phoenix®™ Minimally Invasive Spinal Fixation System, the Firebird®™ Deformity Correction System, the FORZA®™ Spacer System, TL-HEX™ TrueLok Hexapod System®, Galaxy Fixation™ System, Contours LPS™ (Lapidus Plating System), Centronail® Ankle Compression Nail, among others. Despite our planning, the process of developing and introducing new products (including product enhancements) is inherently complex and uncertain and involves risks, including the ability of such new products to satisfy customer needs, gain broad market acceptance (including by physicians) and obtain regulatory approvals, which can depend, among other things, on the product achieving broad clinical acceptance, the level of third-party reimbursement and the introduction of competing technologies. If the market opportunities that we expect to develop for our products, including new products, are not as large as we expect, it could adversely affect our ability to grow our business.

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Growing our business requires that we educate and train physicians regarding the distinctive characteristics, benefits, safety, clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of our products.

Acceptance of our products depends in part on our ability to (i) educate the medical community as to the distinctive characteristics, benefits, safety, clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of our products compared to alternative products, procedures and therapies, and (ii) train physicians in the proper use and implementation of our products. We support our sales force and distributors through specialized training workshops in which surgeons and sales specialists participate. We also produce marketing materials, including materials outlining surgical procedures, for our sales force and distributors in a variety of languages using printed, video and multimedia formats. To provide additional advanced training for surgeons, consistent with the AdvaMed Code and the Eucomed Code guidelines, we organize monthly multilingual teaching seminars in multiple locations, including our Orthofix Institute for Research, Training and Education in the North American Operations and Training Center in Lewisville, Texas. However, we may not be successful in our efforts to educate the medical community and properly train physicians. If physicians are not properly trained, they may misuse or ineffectively use our products, which may result in unsatisfactory patient outcomes, patient injury, negative publicity or lawsuits against us. In addition, a failure to educate the medical community regarding our products may impair our ability to achieve market acceptance of our products.

We may be adversely affected by any disruption in our information technology systems, which could adversely affect our cash flows, operating results and financial condition.

Our operations are dependent upon our information technology systems, which encompass all of our major business functions. We rely upon such information technology systems to manage and replenish inventory, to fill and ship customer orders on a timely basis, to coordinate our sales activities across all of our products and services and to coordinate our administrative activities. A substantial disruption in our information technology systems for any prolonged time period (arising from, for example, system capacity limits from unexpected increases in our volume of business, outages or delays in our service) could result in delays in receiving inventory and supplies or filling customer orders and adversely affect our customer service and relationships. Our systems might be damaged or interrupted by natural or man-made events or by computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions affecting the global Internet. There can be no assurance that such delays, problems, or costs will not have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, operating results and financial condition.

As our operations grow in both size and scope, we will continuously need to improve and upgrade our systems and infrastructure while maintaining the reliability and integrity of our systems and infrastructure. The expansion of our systems and infrastructure will require us to commit substantial financial, operational and technical resources before the volume of our business increases, with no assurance that the volume of business will increase. In particular, are currently seeking to upgrade our financial reporting system and other information technology systems. These and any other upgrades to our systems and information technology, or new technology, now and in the future, will require that our management and resources be diverted from our core business to assist in compliance with those requirements. There can be no assurance that the time and resources our management will need to devote to these upgrades, service outages or delays due to the installation of any new or upgraded technology (and customer issues therewith), or the impact on the reliability of our data from any new or upgraded technology will not have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, operating results and financial condition.

A significant portion of our operations run on a single Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) platform. To manage our international operations efficiently and effectively, we rely heavily on our ERP system, internal electronic information and communications systems and on systems or support services from third parties. Any of these systems are subject to electrical or telecommunications outages, computer hacking or other general system failure. It is also possible that future acquisitions will operate on different ERP systems and that we could face difficulties in integrating operational and accounting functions of new acquisitions. Difficulties in upgrading or expanding our ERP system or system-wide or local failures that affect our information processing could adversely affect our cash flows, operating results and financial condition.

We are dependent on third-party manufacturers for many of our products.

We contract with third-party manufacturers to produce most of our products, like many other companies in the medical device industry. If we or any such manufacturer fails to meet production and delivery schedules, it can have an adverse impact on our ability to sell such products. Further, whether we directly manufacture a product or utilize a third-party manufacturer, shortages and spoilage of materials, labor stoppages, product recalls, manufacturing defects and other similar events can delay production and inhibit our ability to bring a new product to market in timely fashion. For example, the supply of Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE® are derived from human cadaveric donors, and our ability to market the tissues depends on our supplier continuing to have access to donated human cadaveric tissue, as well as, the maintenance of high standards by the supplier in its processing methodology. The supply of such donors is inherently unpredictable and can fluctuate over time. Further, because Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE® are classified as HCT/Ps, they could from time to time be subject to recall for safety or administrative reasons.

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Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate.

Our operating results have fluctuated significantly in the past on a quarterly basis. Our operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter in the future and we may experience losses in the future depending on a number of factors, including the extent to which our products continue to gain or maintain market acceptance, the rate and size of expenditures incurred as we expand our domestic and establish our international sales and distribution networks, the timing and level of reimbursement for our products by third-party payors, the extent to which we are subject to government regulation or enforcement and other factors, many of which are outside our control.

We depend on our senior management team.

Our success depends upon the skill, experience and performance of members of our senior management team, who have been critical to the management of our operations and the implementation of our business strategy. We do not have key man insurance on our senior management team, and the loss of one or more key executive officers could have a material adverse effect on our operations and development.

In order to compete, we must attract, retain and motivate key employees, and our failure to do so could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

In order to compete, we must attract, retain and motivate executives and other key employees, including those in managerial, technical, sales, marketing, finance and support positions. Hiring and retaining qualified executives, engineers, technical staff and sales representatives are critical to our business, and competition for experienced employees in the medical device industry can be intense. To attract, retain and motivate qualified employees, we utilize stock-based incentive awards such as employee stock options. If the value of such stock awards does not appreciate as measured by the performance of the price of our common stock and ceases to be viewed as a valuable benefit, our ability to attract, retain and motivate our employees could be adversely impacted, which could negatively affect our results of operations and/or require us to increase the amount we expend on cash and other forms of compensation.

We are party to numerous contractual relationships.

We are party to numerous contracts in the normal course of our business. We have contractual relationships with suppliers, distributors and agents, as well as service providers. In the aggregate, these contractual relationships are necessary for us to operate our business. From time to time, we amend, terminate or negotiate our contracts. We are also periodically subject to, or make claims of breach of contract, or threaten legal action relating to our contracts. These actions may result in litigation. At any one time, we have a number of negotiations under way for new or amended commercial agreements. We devote substantial time, effort and expense to the administration and negotiation of contracts involved in our business. However, these contracts may not continue in effect past their current term or we may not be able to negotiate satisfactory contracts in the future with current or new business partners.

Termination of our existing relationships with our independent sales representatives or distributors could have an adverse effect on our business.

We sell our products in many countries through independent distributors. Generally, our independent sales representatives and our distributors have the exclusive right to sell our products in their respective territories and are generally prohibited from selling any products that compete with ours. The terms of these agreements vary in length, generally from one to ten years. Under the terms of our distribution agreements, each party has the right to terminate in the event of a material breach by the other party and we generally have the right to terminate if the distributor does not meet agreed sales targets or fails to make payments on time. Any termination of our existing relationships with independent sales representatives or distributors could have an adverse effect on our business unless and until commercially acceptable alternative distribution arrangements are put in place. In addition, we operate in areas of the world that have been disproportionately affected by the global recession and we bear risk that existing or future accounts receivable may be uncollected if these distributors or hospitals experience disruptions to their business that cause them to discontinue paying ongoing accounts payable or become insolvent.

We face risks related to foreign currency exchange rates.

Because some of our revenue, operating expenses, assets and liabilities are denominated in foreign currencies, we are subject to foreign exchange risks that could adversely affect our operations and reported results. To the extent that we incur expenses or earn revenue in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, any change in the values of those foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar could cause our profits to decrease or our products to be less competitive against those of our competitors. To the extent that our current assets denominated in foreign currency are greater or less than our current liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, we have

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potential foreign exchange exposure. The fluctuations of foreign exchange rates during 2014 have had an unfavorable impact of $0.3 million on net sales from continuing operations outside of the U.S. Although we seek to manage our foreign currency exposure by matching non-dollar revenues and expenses, exchange rate fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the future. To minimize such exposures, we enter into currency hedges from time to time. At December 31, 2014, we had outstanding a currency swap to hedge a €28.7 million foreign currency exposure.

We are subject to differing tax rates in several jurisdictions in which we operate.

We have subsidiaries in several countries. Certain of our subsidiaries sell products directly to other Orthofix subsidiaries or provide marketing and support services to other Orthofix subsidiaries. These intercompany sales and support services involve subsidiaries operating in jurisdictions with differing tax rates. Tax authorities in these jurisdictions may challenge our treatment of such intercompany transactions. If we are unsuccessful in defending our treatment of intercompany transactions, we may be subject to additional tax liability or penalty, which could adversely affect our profitability.

We are subject to differing customs and import/export rules in several jurisdictions in which we operate.

We import and export our products to and from a number of different countries around the world. These product movements involve subsidiaries and third parties operating in jurisdictions with different customs and import/export rules and regulations. Customs authorities in such jurisdictions may challenge our treatment of customs and import/export rules relating to product shipments under aspects of their respective customs laws and treaties. If we are unsuccessful in defending our treatment of customs and import/export classifications, we may be subject to additional customs duties, fines or penalties that could adversely affect our profitability.

Our business is subject to economic, political, regulatory and other risks associated with international sales and operations.

Since we sell our products in many different countries, our business is subject to risks associated with conducting business internationally. We anticipate that net sales from international operations will continue to represent a substantial portion of our total net sales. In addition, a number of our manufacturing facilities and suppliers are located outside the U.S. Accordingly, our future results could be harmed by a variety of factors, including:

changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions;

trade protection measures and import or export licensing requirements or other restrictive actions by foreign governments;

consequences from changes in tax or customs laws;

difficulty in staffing and managing widespread operations;

differing labor regulations;

differing protection of intellectual property;

unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; and

application of the FCPA and other anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws to our operations.

We may incur costs and undertake new debt and contingent liabilities in a search for acquisitions, and we may be unsuccessful in our search for such acquisitions or have difficulty integrating any acquired businesses or product lines.

We continue to search for viable acquisition candidates that would expand our market sector or global presence. We also seek additional products appropriate for current distribution channels. The search for an acquisition of another company or product line by us could result in our incurring costs from such efforts as well as the undertaking of new debt and contingent liabilities from such searches or acquisitions. Such costs may be incurred at any time and may vary in size depending on the scope of the acquisition or product transactions and may have a material impact on our results of operations.

In addition, we compete with other medical device companies for these opportunities, and we may be unable to consummate such acquisitions on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. To the extent we are able to make acquisitions; we may experience difficulties in integrating any acquired companies or products into our existing business, including attrition of key personnel from acquired companies or businesses, and significant costs, charges or write downs. In addition, unforeseen operating difficulties integrating acquired companies or businesses could require us to devote significant financial and managerial resources that would otherwise be available to our existing businesses. To the extent we issue additional equity in connection with acquisitions, this may dilute our existing shareholders.

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We may incur significant costs or retain liabilities associated with disposition activity.

We may from time to time sell, license, assign or otherwise dispose of or divest assets, the stock of subsidiaries or individual products, product lines or technologies, which we determine are no longer desirable for us to own, some of which may be material. Any such activity could result in our incurring costs and expenses from these efforts, some of which could be significant, as well as retaining liabilities related to the assets or properties disposed of even though, for instance, the income-generating assets have been disposed of. These costs and expenses may be incurred at any time and may have a material impact on our results of operations.

Our subsidiary, Orthofix Holdings, Inc., maintains a $100 million senior secured line of credit that expires in August 2015.

On August 30, 2010, the Company, through one of its U.S. subsidiaries, Orthofix Holdings, Inc., entered into a credit agreement providing for (1) a five-year term loan facility of $100 million, and (2) a five-year revolving credit facility of $200 million.  These loan arrangements refinanced and replaced a prior credit facility that Orthofix Holdings had entered into in 2006 in connection with an acquisition transaction.  At the time of implementation in August 2010, the full $100 million term loan facility and approximately $132.4 million of the revolving credit facility were drawn.  The Company subsequently paid all amounts drawn under both the term loan and revolving loan and, as of the date hereof, there is no balance on either loan facility.  Further, in January 2015, at the Company’s request, the lenders agreed to reduce the available capacity under the revolving facility to $100 million.  

The credit agreement contains a term that expires on August 30, 2015.  As such, to retain the currently available borrowing capacity (or to increase it further), we will need either to amend the existing agreement with the current lenders, or enter into a new credit agreement with the current or different group of lenders.  However, there can be no assurance that the current lenders, or a different group of lenders, will be willing to provide us financing on terms as favorable as those contained in the current agreement, or at all (including in the event that current favorable conditions in U.S. and international credit markets were to deteriorate).  This might impair our ability to obtain sufficient funds for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, research and development and other corporate purposes.  In addition, borrowings under an amended or new credit agreement could be subject to interest rate terms that are less favorable than those that have been available to the Company under the current agreement.

Further, the current credit agreement contains negative covenants applicable to us and our subsidiaries, including restrictions on indebtedness, liens, dividends and mergers and sales of assets. The credit agreement also contains certain financial covenants, a breach of which could result in an event of default under the Credit Agreement, which could permit acceleration of the debt payments under the facility. We believe that we were in compliance with the negative covenants, and there were no events of default, at December 31, 2014 (and in prior periods). However, an amended or new credit agreement would likely have a different set of negative covenants, and there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to meeting such financial covenants in future fiscal quarters.  The failure to do so could result in an event of default under such agreement, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position

Our results of operations could vary as a result of the methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies.

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations (see Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” under the subheading “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”). Such methods, estimates and judgments are, by their nature, subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and factors may arise over time that leads us to change our methods, estimates and judgments. Changes in those methods, estimates and judgments could significantly affect our results of operations.

Valuation adjustments to “goodwill”, which represents a significant portion of our total assets, may adversely affect our net income and we may never realize the full value of our intangible assets.

A significant portion of our assets is comprised of goodwill. We may not receive the recorded value for our goodwill if we sell or liquidate our business or assets. The material concentration of goodwill increases the risk of a large charge to earnings if recoverability of goodwill is impaired, which would have an adverse effect on our net income.

Provisions of Curaçao law may have adverse consequences for our shareholders.

We were organized under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles in 1987, with our principal executive office in the Netherlands Antilles located on the island of Curaçao. Prior to October 10, 2010, the Netherlands Antilles, together with Aruba and the Netherlands, formed the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with Curaçao being an island territory of the Netherlands Antilles. Under a constitutional reform of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, agreed upon among the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba and the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved effective October 10, 2010. Also effective October 10, 2010, Curaçao became an individual constitutional entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, having its own government and laws. As a result of the constitutional

30


 

reform and the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, the Netherlands Antilles law ceased to exist and the Company is now a Curaçao legal entity subject to Curaçao law. Although Curaçao has become a separate and autonomous country with its own laws and regulations, the civil and corporate Netherlands Antilles law, as they applied to the Company before October 10, 2010, did not change under the constitutional reform. In effect, Curaçao has adopted the Netherlands Antilles civil and corporate law (to which the Company was subject) that was in effect prior to October 10, 2010.

Our corporate affairs are therefore now governed by our Articles of Association and the corporate law of Curaçao as laid down in Book 2 of the Curaçao Civil Code (“CCC”). Although certain of the provisions of the CCC resemble certain of the provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the U.S., principles of law relating to such matters as the validity of corporate procedures, the fiduciary duties of management and the rights of our shareholders may differ from those that would apply if the Company were incorporated in a jurisdiction within the U.S. For example, there is no statutory right of appraisal under Curaçao corporate law, nor is there a right for shareholders of a Curaçao corporation to sue a corporation derivatively. In addition, we have been advised by Curaçao counsel that it is unlikely that (1) the courts of Curaçao would enforce judgments entered by U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws and (2) actions can be brought in Curaçao in relation to liabilities predicated upon the U.S. federal securities laws.

 

 

 

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Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2.

Properties

Our principal facilities as of December 31, 2014 are:

 

Facility

 

Location

 

Approx.

Square

Feet

 

 

Ownership

Manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and research and

   development facility for Spine and Orthopedics Products and

   administrative facility for Corporate, Spine, and Biologics

 

Lewisville, TX

 

 

140,000

 

 

Leased

Research and development, component manufacturing, quality

   control and training facility for fixation products and sales

   management, distribution and administrative facility for Italy

 

Verona, Italy

 

 

38,000

 

 

Owned

International Distribution Center for Orthofix products

 

Verona, Italy

 

 

18,000

 

 

Leased

Sales management, distribution and administrative offices

 

Florham Park, NJ

 

 

2,700

 

 

Leased

Sales management, distribution and administrative facility for United

   Kingdom

 

Maidenhead, England

 

 

18,460

 

 

Leased

Sales management, distribution and administrative facility for Brazil

 

Curitiba, Brazil

 

 

1,065

 

 

Leased

Sales management, distribution and administrative facility for Brazil

 

São Paulo, Brazil

 

 

21,617

 

 

Leased

Sales management, distribution and administrative facility for France

 

Arcueil, France

 

 

8,500

 

 

Leased

Sales management, distribution and administrative facility for Germany

 

Ottobrunn, Germany

 

 

16,145

 

 

Leased

Sales management, distribution and administrative facility for Puerto

   Rico

 

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

 

 

2,996

 

 

Leased

 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

We are party to outstanding legal proceedings, investigations and claims as described below. We believe that it is unlikely that the outcome of each of these matters, including the matters discussed below, will have a material adverse effect on our Company and its subsidiaries as a whole, notwithstanding that the unfavorable resolution of any matter may have a material effect on our net earnings (if any) in any particular quarter. However, we cannot predict with any certainty the final outcome of any legal proceedings, investigations (including any settlement discussions with the government seeking to resolve such investigations) or claims made against us as described in the paragraphs below, and there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of any such matter will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

We record accruals for certain outstanding legal proceedings, investigations or claims when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings, investigations and claims that could affect the amount of any accrual, as well as any developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. When a loss contingency is not both probable and reasonably estimable, we do not accrue the loss. However, if the loss (or an additional loss in excess of the accrual) is at least a reasonable possibility and material, then we disclose a reasonable estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if such reasonable estimate can be made. If we cannot make a reasonable estimate of the possible loss, or range of loss, then that is disclosed.

The assessments of whether a loss is probable or a reasonable possibility, and whether the loss or range of loss is reasonably estimable, often involve a series of complex judgments about future events. Among the factors that we consider in this assessment are the nature of existing legal proceedings, investigations and claims, the asserted or possible damages or loss contingency (if reasonably estimable), the progress of the matter, existing law and precedent, the opinions or views of legal counsel and other advisers, the involvement of the U.S. Government and its agencies in such proceedings, our experience in similar matters and the experience of other companies, the facts available to us at the time of assessment, and how we intend to respond, or have responded, to the proceeding, investigation or claim. Our assessment of these factors may change over time as individual proceedings, investigations or claims progress. For matters where we are not currently able to reasonably estimate a range of reasonably possible loss, the factors that have contributed to this determination include the following: (i) the damages sought are indeterminate, or an investigation has not manifested itself in a filed civil or criminal complaint, (ii) the matters are in the early stages, (iii) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories or a large or uncertain number of actual or potential cases or parties, and/or (iv) discussions with the government or other parties in matters that may be expected ultimately to be resolved through negotiation and settlement have not reached the point where we believe a reasonable estimate of loss, or range of loss, can be made. In such instances, we believe that

32


 

there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution of such matters, including a possible eventual loss, fine, penalty or business impact, if any.

In addition to the matters described in the paragraphs below, in the normal course of our business, we are involved in various lawsuits from time to time and may be subject to certain other contingencies. To the extent losses related to these contingencies are both probable and reasonably estimable we accrue appropriate amounts in the accompanying financial statements and provide disclosures as to the possible range of loss in excess of the amount accrued, if such range is reasonably estimable. We believe losses are individually and collectively immaterial as to a possible loss and range of loss.

Matters Related to the Audit Committee’s Review and the Restatement of Certain of our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Audit Committee Review

In July 2013, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors began conducting an independent review, with the assistance of outside professionals, of certain accounting matters. This review resulted in a restatement of our previously filed consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013, as well as the restatement of certain financial information for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. This restatement, which we completed and filed in March 2014, is referred to herein as the “Original Restatement.”

In connection with the Company’s preparation of its consolidated interim quarterly financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2014, the Company determined that certain entries with respect to the previously filed financial statements contained in the filings containing the Original Restatement were not properly accounted for under U.S. GAAP. As a result, the Company determined in August 2014 to restate its previously filed consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and quarterly reporting periods contained within the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, as well as the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2014. This restatement, which we completed in March 2015, is referred to herein as the “Further Restatement.”  

SEC Investigation

In connection with the initiation of the Audit Committee’s independent review, we initiated contact with the staff of the Division of Enforcement of the SEC (the “SEC Enforcement Staff”) in July 2013 to advise them of these matters. The Audit Committee and the Company, through respective counsel, have been in direct communication with the SEC Enforcement Staff regarding these matters. The SEC is conducting a formal investigation of these matters, and both the Company and the Audit Committee are cooperating fully with the SEC.

In connection with the above-referenced communications, the Company has received requests from the SEC for documents and other information concerning various accounting practices, internal controls and business practices, and other related matters. Such requests cover the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, and in some instances, prior periods. It is anticipated that we may receive additional requests from the SEC in the future, including with respect to the Further Restatement.

We have previously provided notice concerning our communications with the SEC to the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS-OIG”) pursuant to our corporate integrity agreement with HHS-OIG (which agreement is described below in this Item 3).

We cannot predict if, when or how this matter will be resolved or what, if any, actions we may be required to take as part of any resolution of these matters. Any action by the SEC, HHS-OIG or other governmental agency could result in civil or criminal sanctions against us and/or certain of our current and former officers, directors and employees. At this stage in the matter, we cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss, or range of loss, in connection with it.

Securities Class Action Complaint

On August 14, 2013, a securities class action complaint against the Company, currently styled Tejinder Singh v. Orthofix International N.V., et al. (No.:1:13-cv-05696-JGK), was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York arising out of the then anticipated restatement of our prior financial statements and the matters described above. Since the date of original filing, the complaint has been amended.

The lead plaintiff’s complaint, as amended, purports to bring claims on behalf of persons who purchased the Company’s common stock between March 2, 2010 and July 29, 2013. The complaint asserts that the Company and four of its former executive officers, Alan W. Milinazzo, Robert S. Vaters, Brian McCollum, and Emily V. Buxton (collectively, the “Individual Defendants”),

33


 

violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b-5 (“Rule 10b-5”) by making false or misleading statements in or relating to the Company’s financial statements. The complaint further asserts that the Individual Defendants were liable as control persons under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act for any violation by the Company of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act or Rule 10b-5. As relief, the complaint requests compensatory damages on behalf of the proposed class and lead plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees and costs. On March 6, 2015, the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss as to Mr. Milinazzo and denied it with respect to the Company and the other Individual Defendants. This matter remains at an early stage and, as of the date of this Form 10-K, we cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss, or range of loss, in connection with it.

Matters Related to Promeca

On July 10, 2012, we entered into definitive agreements with the DOJ and the SEC agreeing to settle our self-initiated and self-reported internal investigation of our Mexican subsidiary, Promeca S.A. de C.V. (“Promeca”), regarding non-compliance by Promeca with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”). Under the terms of these agreements, we voluntarily disgorged profits to the United States government in an amount of $5.2 million, inclusive of pre-judgment interest, and agreed to pay a fine of $2.2 million. We paid $2.2 million in July 2012 and $5.2 million in September 2012. As part of the settlement, we entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (“DPA”) with the DOJ and a consent to final judgment (the “Consent”) with the SEC.

The DOJ has agreed not to pursue any criminal charges against us in connection with this matter if we comply with the terms of the DPA. The DPA takes note of our self-reporting of this matter to DOJ and the SEC, and of remedial measures, including the implementation of an enhanced compliance program, previously undertaken by us. The DPA and the Consent collectively require, among other things, that with respect to anti-bribery compliance matters we shall continue to cooperate fully with the government in any future matters related to corrupt payments, false books and records or inadequate internal controls. In that regard, we have represented that we have implemented and will continue to implement a compliance and ethics program designed to prevent and detect violations of the FCPA and other applicable anti-corruption laws. We will periodically report to the government during the term of the DPA regarding such remediation and implementation of compliance measures. As part of the settlement, we also agreed pursuant to the Consent to certain reporting obligations to the SEC regarding the status of our remediation and implementation of compliance measures. In the event that we fail to comply with these obligations, we could be subject to criminal prosecution by the DOJ for the FCPA-related matters we self-reported.

Review of Potential Improper Payments Involving Brazil Subsidiary

In August 2013, our internal legal department was notified of certain allegations involving potential improper payments with respect to our Brazilian subsidiary, Orthofix do Brasil. We engaged outside counsel to assist in the review of these matters, focusing on compliance with applicable anti-bribery laws, including the FCPA. This review remains ongoing. The FCPA and related provisions of law provide for potential criminal and civil sanctions in connection with anti-bribery violations, including criminal fines, civil penalties, disgorgement of past profits and other kinds of remedies. We currently cannot reasonably estimate a possible loss, or range of loss, in connection with this review.

Consistent with the provisions of the DPA and the Consent described above, the Company contacted the DOJ and the SEC in August 2013 to voluntarily self-report the Brazil-related allegations, and the Company and its counsel remain in contact with both agencies regarding the status of the review. In the event that the DOJ and the SEC find that the matters related to our Brazilian subsidiary could give rise to a review of our obligations under the terms of the DPA and/or the Consent, we currently cannot reasonably estimate a possible loss, or range of loss, in connection with that review, including any effects it may have with respect to the DPA and the Consent.

Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS-OIG

As previously disclosed, on June 6, 2012, we entered into a definitive settlement agreement with the United States of America, acting through the DOJ and on behalf of HHS-OIG; the TRICARE Management Activity, through its General Counsel; the Office of Personnel Management, in its capacity as administrator of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program; the United States Department of Veteran Affairs; and the qui tam relator, pursuant to which we agreed to pay $34.2 million (plus interest at a rate of 3% from May 5, 2011 through the day before payment was made) to settle criminal and civil matters related to the promotion and marketing of our regenerative stimulator devices (which we have also described in the past as our “bone growth stimulator devices”). In connection with such settlement agreement, Orthofix Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary, also pled guilty to one felony count of obstruction of a June 2008 federal audit (§18 U.S.C. 1516) and paid a criminal fine of $7.8 million and a mandatory special assessment of $400. Also as previously disclosed, on October 29, 2012, we, through our subsidiary, Blackstone Medical, Inc., entered into a definitive settlement agreement with the U.S. government and the qui tam relator, pursuant to which we paid $32 million to settle claims (covering a period prior to Blackstone’s acquisition by us) concerning the compensation of physician consultants and

34


 

related matters. All of the $32 million we paid pursuant to such settlement was funded by proceeds we received from an escrow fund established in connection with our acquisition of Blackstone in 2006.

On June 6, 2012, in connection with these settlements, we also entered into a five-year corporate integrity agreement with HHS-OIG (the “CIA”). The CIA acknowledges the existence of our current compliance program and requires that we continue to maintain during the term of the CIA a compliance program designed to promote compliance with federal healthcare and FDA requirements. We are also required to maintain several elements of our previously existing program during the term of the CIA, including maintaining a Chief Compliance Officer, a Compliance Committee, and a Code of Conduct. The CIA requires that we conduct certain additional compliance-related activities during the term of the CIA, including various training and monitoring procedures, and maintaining a disciplinary process for compliance obligations.

Pursuant to the CIA, we are required to notify the HHS-OIG in writing, among other things, of: (i) any ongoing government investigation or legal proceeding involving an allegation that the Company has committed a crime or has engaged in fraudulent activities; (ii) any other matter that a reasonable person would consider a probable violation of applicable criminal, civil, or administrative laws related to compliance with federal healthcare programs or FDA requirements; and (iii) any change in location, sale, closing, purchase, or establishment of a new business unit or location related to items or services that may be reimbursed by federal healthcare programs. We are also subject to periodic reporting and certification requirements attesting that the provisions of the CIA are being implemented and followed, as well as certain document and record retention mandates. The CIA provides that in the event of an uncured material breach of the CIA, we could be excluded from participation in federal healthcare programs and/or subject to monetary penalties.

Matters Related to Our Former Breg Subsidiary and Possible Indemnification Obligations

On May 24, 2012, we sold Breg to an affiliate of Water Street Healthcare Partners II, L.P. (“Water Street”) pursuant to a stock purchase agreement (the “Breg SPA”). Under the terms of the Breg SPA, upon closing of the sale, the Company and its subsidiary, Orthofix Holdings, Inc., agreed to indemnify Water Street and Breg with respect to certain specified matters, including the following:

Breg was engaged in the manufacturing and sale of local infusion pumps for pain management from 1999 to 2008. Since 2008, numerous product liability cases have been filed in the United States alleging that the local anesthetic, when dispensed by such infusion pumps inside a joint, causes a rare arthritic condition called “chondrolysis.” The Company incurred losses for settlements and judgments in connection with these matters during 2014, 2013 and 2012 of $3.8 million, $6.7 million and  $6.8 million, respectively. In addition, several cases remain outstanding for which the Company currently cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss, or range of loss.

On or about August 2, 2010, Breg received a HIPAA subpoena issued by the DOJ. The subpoena sought documents from us and our subsidiaries for the period of January 1, 2000 through the date of the subpoena. We believe that this subpoena relates to an investigation by the DOJ into whether Breg’s sale, marketing and labeling of local infusion pumps for pain management, prior to Breg’s divestiture of this product line in 2008, complied with FDA regulations and federal law. We believe that document production in response to the subpoena was completed as of July 2012, and we currently do not expect any liability to result from this matter.

At the time of its divestiture by us, Breg was currently and had been engaged in the manufacturing and sales of motorized cold therapy units used to reduce pain and swelling. Several domestic product liability cases have been filed in recent years, mostly in California state court, alleging the use of cold therapy causes skin and/or nerve injury and seeking damages on behalf of individual plaintiffs who were allegedly injured by such units or who would not have purchased the units had they known they could be injured. In September 2014, the Company entered into a master settlement agreement resolving all pending pre-close claims. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement, the Company paid approximately $1.3 million, and additional amounts owed under the settlement were paid directly by the Company’s insurance providers. These amounts paid by the Company were recorded as an expense in discontinued operations during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2014. Remaining cold therapy claims include a putative consumer class of individuals who did not suffer physical harm following use of the devices, and an appeal of an adverse July 2012 California jury verdict and a post-close cold therapy claim pending in California state court. We have established an accrual of $5.7 million for the July 2012 verdict and post-close cold therapy liabilities, however, actual liability could be higher or lower than the amount accrued. The putative class action is at an early stage and the Company currently cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss, or range of loss.

35


 

Item X.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table sets forth certain information about the persons who served as our executive officers as of the date of this Form 10-K.

 

Name

 

Age

 

 

Position

Bradley R. Mason

 

 

61

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer and Director

Doug Rice

 

 

49

 

 

Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer

Davide Bianchi

 

 

50

 

 

President, Global Extremity Fixation

Michael M. Finegan

 

 

51

 

 

Chief Strategy Officer

Jeffrey M. Schumm

 

 

53

 

 

Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

  

Our officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers. The following is a summary of the background of each executive officer.

Bradley R. Mason. Mr. Mason was appointed as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer in March 2013 and became a Director in June of 2013. He had previously served as the Company’s Group President, North America from June 2008 through October 2009, and as a Strategic Advisor from November 2009 through October 2010, when he had originally retired from the Company. Prior to being appointed as Group President, North America, he had served as a Vice President of the Company since December 2003, when the Company acquired Breg, Inc. Prior to its acquisition by Orthofix, Mr. Mason had served as President and Chairman of Breg, a company he principally founded in 1989 with five other shareholders. Mr. Mason has over 30 years of experience in the medical device industry, some of which were spent with dj Orthopedics (formally DonJoy) where he held the position of Executive Vice President. After his original retirement from Orthofix in 2010, he served in a variety of part-time consulting and advisory roles, including as a consultant to Orthofix from October 2012 to March 2013. Mr. Mason is the named inventor on 38 issued patents in the orthopedic product arena. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with an Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degree from MiraCosta College

Doug Rice. Mr. Rice became the Company’s Chief Financial Officer in April 2015.  He joined Orthofix as Chief Accounting Officer on September 4, 2014 and was appointed to the position of Interim Chief Financial Officer as of September 27, 2014. Mr. Rice joined the Company from Vision Source, an international optometric network provider, where he had served since 2012 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Rice served as the Vice President Finance, Treasurer of McAfee, a security technology company, from 2007 to 2012, when it was acquired by Intel. From 2000 to 2007, he served as the Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller of Concentra, Inc., a national healthcare service provider. Mr. Rice’s over 25 years of finance experience also included finance leadership positions with la Madelieine, Allied Marketing Group as well as PricewaterhouseCoopers (formerly Coopers & Lybrand) He is a certified public accountant, and holds an MBA and BBA, with honors, from Southern Methodist University.

Davide Bianchi. Mr. Bianchi joined Orthofix International N.V. as President, International Extremity Fixation in July 2013 and was named as the Company’s President, Global Extremity Fixation in December 2013. From February 2009 through June 2013, Mr. Bianchi served as President of the Heart Valve Global Business Unit at Sorin Group. Earlier in his career, he spent ten years with Edwards Lifesciences, where he served as the European Marketing Manager; the Business Director, Emerging Markets; the Managing Director, Germany; the VP, Sales; and, most recently, the VP, Marketing, EMEA. Mr. Bianchi received his Master in Business Management from ISTUD Milano.

Michael M. Finegan. Mr. Finegan joined Orthofix International N.V. in June 2006 as Vice President of Corporate Development, and became the President, Biologics in March 2009. In October 2011, he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Business Development, and President, Biologics, and in June 2013, to his current position as Chief Strategy Officer. Prior to joining Orthofix, Mr. Finegan spent sixteen years as an executive with Boston Scientific in a number of different operating and strategic roles, most recently as Vice President of Corporate Sales. Earlier in his career, Mr. Finegan held sales and marketing roles with Marion Laboratories and spent three years in banking with First Union Corporation (Wachovia). Mr. Finegan earned a BA in Economics from Wake Forest University.

Jeffrey M. Schumm. Mr. Schumm joined Orthofix International N.V. as Assistant General Counsel in January 2007, was promoted to Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in October 2010 and, in June 2013, was named as the Company’s Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Schumm served as Vice President and General Counsel for Regeneration Technologies, Inc. Earlier in his career, he served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Florida, as an associate at Holland & Knight LLP and as a Staff Attorney at the Supreme Court of Florida. Mr. Schumm received his Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering and Masters in Business Administration from Lehigh University, and he is a magna cum laude graduate of the Florida State University College of Law.

36


 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosure

Not applicable.

 

 

 

37


 

PART II

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market for Our Common Stock

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® Global Select Market under the symbol “OFIX.” The following table shows the quarterly range of high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported by Nasdaq® for each of the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2014. As of April 23, 2015 we had 326 holders of record of our common stock. The closing price of our common stock on April 23, 2015 was $36.36.

 

 

 

High

 

 

Low

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

39.94

 

 

$

35.87

 

Second Quarter

 

 

35.76

 

 

 

26.19

 

Third Quarter

 

 

28.58

 

 

 

20.77

 

Fourth Quarter

 

 

22.90

 

 

 

19.64

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

30.38

 

 

$

20.50

 

Second Quarter

 

 

36.25

 

 

 

29.68

 

Third Quarter

 

 

36.63

 

 

 

20.50

 

Fourth Quarter

 

 

31.01

 

 

 

27.91

 

  

Dividend Policy

We have not paid dividends to holders of our common stock in the past. We currently intend to retain all of our consolidated earnings to finance credit agreement obligations and to finance the continued growth of our business. Certain subsidiaries of the Company have restrictions on their ability to pay dividends in certain circumstances pursuant to the Credit Agreement. We have no present intention to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

In the event that we decide to pay a dividend to holders of our common stock in the future with dividends received from our subsidiaries, we may, based on prevailing rates of taxation, be required to pay additional withholding and income tax on such amounts received from our subsidiaries.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

There were no securities sold by us during 2014 that were not registered under the Securities Act.

Exchange Controls

Although there are Curaçao laws that may impose foreign exchange controls on us and that may affect the payment of dividends, interest or other payments to nonresident holders of our securities, including the shares of common stock, we have been granted an exemption from such foreign exchange control regulations by the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten. Other jurisdictions in which we conduct operations may have various currency or exchange controls. In addition, we are subject to the risk of changes in political conditions or economic policies that could result in new or additional currency or exchange controls or other restrictions being imposed on our operations. As to our securities, Curaçao law and our Articles of Association impose no limitations on the rights of persons who are not residents in or citizens of the Curaçao to hold or vote such securities.

Taxation

Orthofix International N.V. was organized under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles and is headquartered in Curaçao. On October 10, 2010, the Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist and Curaçao became a separate and autonomous country. As of October 10, 2010, the laws as they existed under the Netherlands Antilles automatically became the laws of the country of Curaçao. Our tax rulings and agreements as they existed under the Netherlands Antilles remain in effect. Under the laws of the country of Curaçao as currently in effect, a holder of shares of common stock who is not a resident of, and during the taxable year has not engaged in trade or business through a permanent establishment in Curaçao will not be subject to Curaçao income tax on dividends paid with respect to the shares of common stock or on gains realized during that year on sale or disposal of such shares; Curaçao does not impose a withholding tax on dividends paid by us. There are no gift or inheritance taxes levied by Curaçao when, at the time of such gift or at the time of death, the relevant holder of common shares was not domiciled in Curaçao. No reciprocal tax treaty presently exists between Curaçao and the U.S.

38


 

Performance Graph

The following performance graph in this Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference into such a filing.

The graph below compares the five-year total return to shareholders for Orthofix common stock with comparable return of two indexes: the Nasdaq Stock Market and Nasdaq stocks for surgical, medical, and dental instruments and supplies.

The graph assumes that you invested $100 in Orthofix Common Stock and in each of the indexes on December 31, 2009. Points on the graph represent the performance as of the last business day of each of the years indicated.

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Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

The following selected consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The financial data as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by, reference to Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

2011

 

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands, except margin and per share data)

 

Consolidated operating results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

402,277

 

 

$

397,611

 

 

$

440,189

 

 

$

435,519

 

 

$

461,919

 

Gross profit

 

 

303,365

 

 

 

290,699

 

 

 

339,463

 

 

 

339,104

 

 

 

367,324

 

Gross profit margin

 

 

75

%

 

 

73

%

 

 

77

%

 

 

78

%

 

 

80

%

Total operating income (loss) (3)

 

 

17,136

 

 

 

(11,192

)

 

 

74,872

 

 

 

6,611

 

 

 

67,626

 

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

 

 

(3,744

)

 

 

(18,205

)

 

 

45,121

 

 

 

(15,806

)

 

 

31,058

 

Net (loss) income from discontinued operations

 

 

(4,793

)

 

 

(10,607

)

 

 

(2,269

)

 

 

(1,892

)

 

 

13,299

 

Net (loss) income (1) (2) (3)

 

$

(8,537

)

 

$

(28,812

)

 

$

42,852

 

 

$

(17,698

)

 

$

44,357

 

Net income (loss) per share of common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

 

$

(0.20

)

 

$

(0.97

)

 

$

2.38

 

 

$

(0.87

)

 

$

1.76

 

Net (loss) income from discontinued operations

 

 

(0.26

)

 

 

(0.57

)

 

 

(0.12

)

 

 

(0.10

)

 

 

0.76

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(0.46

)

 

$

(1.54

)

 

$

2.26

 

 

$

(0.97

)

 

$

2.52

 

Net income (loss) per share of common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

 

$

(0.20

)

 

$

(0.97

)

 

$

2.33

 

 

$

(0.87

)

 

$

1.73

 

Net (loss) income from discontinued operations

 

 

(0.26

)

 

 

(0.57

)

 

 

(0.12

)

 

 

(0.10

)

 

 

0.74

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(0.46

)

 

$

(1.54

)

 

$

2.21

 

 

$

(0.97

)

 

$

2.47

 

  

(1)

The Company has not paid any dividends in any of the years presented.

(2)

Includes the gain on sale of vascular operations of $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

(3)

Operating income includes charges related to U.S. Government resolutions of $1.3 million and $57.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Operating income in 2014 and operating loss in 2013 include costs incurred of $15.6 million and $12.9 million, respectively, for legal and other professional services in connection with the Audit Committee’s independent review of certain accounting matters and the multi-year restatements of our consolidated financial statements that we filed in March 2014 and March 2015, respectively.  Operating loss in 2013 also includes an impairment of goodwill of $19.2 million.  

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

(at year-end)

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

2011

 

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

Consolidated financial position

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

393,185

 

 

$

411,975

 

 

$

464,546

 

 

$

676,160

 

 

$

596,352

 

Total long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

20,016

 

 

 

210,013

 

 

 

220,007

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

299,627

 

 

 

295,863

 

 

 

356,439

 

 

 

280,304

 

 

 

281,354

 

Weighted average number of shares of common shares

   outstanding (basic)

 

 

18,459,054

 

 

 

18,697,228

 

 

 

18,977,263

 

 

 

18,219,343

 

 

 

17,601,956

 

Weighted average number of shares of common shares

   outstanding (diluted)

 

 

18,459,054

 

 

 

18,697,228

 

 

 

19,390,413

 

 

 

18,219,343

 

 

 

17,913,545

 

  

 

40


 

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis addresses the results of our operations based upon the consolidated financial statements included herein, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This discussion should be read in conjunction with “Forward-Looking Statements” and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. This discussion and analysis also addresses our liquidity and financial condition and other matters.

General

We are a diversified, global medical device company focused on improving patients’ lives by providing superior reconstructive and regenerative orthopedic and spine solutions to physicians worldwide. Headquartered in Lewisville, TX, the Company has four strategic business units that include BioStim, Biologics, Extremity Fixation and Spine Fixation. Orthofix products are widely distributed via the Company’s sales representatives, distributors and its subsidiaries. In addition, Orthofix is collaborating on research and development activities with leading clinical organizations such as the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation and the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

We have administrative and training facilities in the U.S., Italy, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Puerto Rico and manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Italy. We directly distribute products in the U.S., Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Brazil, Australia and Puerto Rico. In several of these and other markets, we also distribute our products through independent distributors.

Our consolidated financial statements include the financial results of our Company and our wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and entities over which we have control. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Our reporting currency is the U.S. Dollar. All balance sheet accounts, except shareholders’ equity, are translated at year-end exchange rates, and revenue and expense items are translated at weighted average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Gains and (losses) resulting from foreign currency transactions, including those generated from intercompany operations, are included in other income and expense. Gains and (losses) resulting from the translation of foreign currency financial statements are recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ equity.

Our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are not significantly impacted by seasonality trends. However, sales associated with products for elective procedures appear to be influenced by the somewhat lower level of such procedures performed in the late summer. In addition, we do not believe our operations will be significantly affected by inflation. However, in the ordinary course of business, we are exposed to the impact of changes in interest rates and foreign currency fluctuations. Our objective is to limit the impact of such movements on earnings and cash flows. In order to achieve this objective, we seek to balance non-dollar denominated income and expenditures. During the year, we have used derivative instruments to hedge foreign currency fluctuation exposures. See Item 7A—“Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Selected 2014 Financial Highlights

Our 2014 results and financial condition include the following items of significance:

Compared to prior year, BioStim revenues increased $9.6 million to $154.7 million, or 6.6%, Extremity Fixation revenues increased $6.3 million or 6.1%, Biologics increased $2.1 million or 4.0% and Spine Implants decreased $13.4 million, or 14.0%.

An increase in gross profit margin from 73.1% in 2013 to 75.4% in 2014 was primarily due to lower inventory reserve charges in 2014.  

The decrease in operating expenses in 2014 compared to 2013 was primarily a result of an impairment of goodwill of $19.2 million in 2013, which did not recur in 2014.  Within operating expenses, general and administrative and costs related to the accounting review and restatement expenses increased, which were mostly offset by a decrease in sales and marketing expense.

 

2014 Operational Achievements

We had a number of operational accomplishments in 2014, led by the addition of experienced and talented people to both our Board of Directors and management team. We also introduced a number of new product lines in our fixation businesses. In our Extremity Fixation business in Europe we introduced; TrueLok Hex, our next generation ring fixation system; and Galaxy Unyco, a novel monocortical external fixation screw.  In our Spine Fixation business we launched; Centurion, our state-of-the-art posterior

41


 

cervical system; LoneStar cervical stand-alone interbody; Samba Screw SI joint fixation system; and we did a limited market release of SkyHawk, our new lateral fusion and interbody system with its innovative retractor.  Additionally, we increased our investment in pre-clinical and clinical research and expanded our sales channels worldwide.  Lastly, we initiated project “Bluecore,” a multi-year, company-wide process and systems improvement initiative. See “Discussion of Infrastructure Initiative” below for additional information on Bluecore.

 

2015 Outlook

 

For fiscal year 2015, the Company expects:

Net sales in the range of $385 million to $390 million, representing a decline of (0.7%) to growth of 0.6% on a constant currency basis and a decline of 4.3% to 3.1% on a reported basis.

Adjusted EBITDA to be between $55 million and $58 million.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion of operating results is based upon the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions form the basis for the carrying values of assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate these estimates, which are based on historical experience and various other assumptions that management believe to be reasonable under the circumstances at that certain point in time.  Actual results may differ, significantly at times, from these estimates. We have reviewed our critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

We believe the following critical accounting policies and estimates affect the significant estimates and judgments we use in preparation of our consolidated financial statements.  

Revenue Recognition

Commercial revenue is related to the sale of our implant products, generally representing hospital customers. Revenues are recognized when these products have been utilized and a confirming purchase order has been received from the hospital.

Revenue is also derived from third-party payors, including commercial insurance carriers, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations and governmental payors such as Medicare, in connection with the sale of our stimulation products. Revenue is recognized when the stimulation product is placed on or implanted in and accepted by the patient and all perfunctory documents that are required by the third-party payor have been obtained. Amounts paid by these third-party payors are generally based on fixed or allowable reimbursement rates. These revenues are recorded at the expected or preauthorized reimbursement rates, net of any contractual allowances or adjustments. Certain billings are subject to review by the third-party payors and may be subject to adjustment.

For all distributor revenue, which is primarily related to implant products, we recognize revenue on the sell-through basis, effective April 1, 2013.  Prior to this date, we recognized revenue either on a sell-in or sell-through basis, depending on the specific circumstances of the distributor. In some cases we recognized distributor revenue as title and risk of loss passes at either shipment from our facilities or receipt at the distributor’s facility, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria had been achieved (the “sell-in method”). In some cases the revenue recognition criteria for distributor sales were not satisfied at the time of shipment or receipt; specifically, the existence of extra-contractual terms or arrangements caused us not to meet the fixed or determinable criteria for revenue recognition in some cases, and in others collectability had not been established. In situations where we are unable to satisfy the requirements to recognize revenue on the sell-in method, we recognize revenue relating to distributor arrangements once the product is delivered to the end customer (the “sell-through method”). Because we do not have reliable information about when our distributors sell the product through to end customers, we use cash collection from distributors as a basis for revenue recognition under the sell-through method. Although in many cases we are legally entitled to the accounts receivable at the time of shipment, we have not recognized accounts receivables or any corresponding deferred revenues associated with distributor transactions for which revenue is recognized on the sell-through method.

For distributors on the sell-in method prior to April 1, 2013, cost of sales were recognized upon shipment. For sell-through distributors, whose revenue is recognized upon cash receipt, we consider whether to match the related cost of sales expense with revenue or to recognize expense upon shipment. In making this assessment, we consider the financial viability of our distributors

42


 

based on their creditworthiness to determine if collectability of amounts sufficient to realize the costs of the products shipped is reasonably assured at the time of shipment to these distributors. In instances where the distributor is determined to be financially viable, we defer the costs of sales until the revenue is recognized.

Biologics revenue is primarily related to a collaborative arrangement with the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (“MTF”). We have exclusive global marketing rights and receive marketing fees from MTF based on products distributed by MTF. MTF is considered the primary obligor in these arrangements and therefore we recognize these marketing service fees on a net basis upon shipment of the product to the customer.

Revenues exclude any value added or other local taxes, intercompany sales, and trade discounts. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Contractual Allowances

The process for estimating the ultimate collection of accounts receivable involves significant assumptions and judgments. Historical collection and payor reimbursement experience is an integral part of the estimation process related to reserves for doubtful accounts and the establishment of contractual allowances. Accounts receivable are analyzed on a quarterly basis to assess the adequacy of both reserves for doubtful accounts and contractual allowances. Revisions in allowances for doubtful accounts estimates are recorded as an adjustment to bad debt expense within sales and marketing expenses. Revisions to contractual allowances are recorded as an adjustment to net sales. Our estimates are periodically tested against actual collection experience.

Inventory Allowances

Inventory, net of an allowance for excess and obsolescence, is stated at the lower of cost or market.  Reserves for excess, slow moving, and obsolete inventory are calculated as the difference between the cost of inventory and market, and are based on product life cycle, forecasted demand, and market conditions. Reserves for excess and obsolescence provisions are recorded as adjustments to cost of sales. As set forth in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 330, Inventory (specifically ASC 330-10-35-14), a write-down of inventory to the lower-of-cost-or-market value at the close of a fiscal year creates a new cost basis that subsequently should not be marked up based on changes in underlying circumstances.  Our inventory allowance is a “critical accounting estimate” because changes in the assumptions used to develop the estimate could materially affect key financial measures, including gross profit, net income, and inventory balances. We regularly evaluate our exposure for inventory write-downs.  If conditions or assumptions used in determining the market value change, additional inventory adjustments in the future may be necessary.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

In accordance with ASC Topic 360—Property, Plant and Equipment, intangible assets with finite lives are tested for impairment if any adverse conditions exist or change in circumstances has occurred that would indicate impairment or a change in the remaining useful life. If an impairment indicator exists, we test the intangible asset for recoverability. For purposes of the recoverability test, we group our intangible assets with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows if the intangible asset does not generate cash flows independent of other assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of the intangible asset (asset group) exceeds the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the intangible asset (asset group), we will write the carrying value down to the fair value in the period identified.

We generally calculate fair value of intangible assets as the present value of estimated future cash flows that we expect to generate from the asset using a risk-adjusted discount rate. In determining the estimated future cash flows associated with intangible assets, we use estimates and assumptions about future revenue contributions, cost structures and remaining useful lives of the asset (asset group). The use of alternative assumptions, including estimated cash flows, discount rates, and alternative estimated remaining useful lives could result in different calculations of impairment.

We test goodwill at least annually for impairment, and between annual tests if indicators of potential impairment exist. These indicators include, among others, declines in sales, earnings or cash flows, or the development of a material adverse change in the business climate. We assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a reporting unit. We have identified four reporting units, which are consistent with our reporting segments; BioStim, Biologics, Extremity Fixation, and Spine Fixation.

In order to calculate the respective carrying values, we initially recorded goodwill based on the purchase price allocation performed at the time of acquisition. Corporate assets and liabilities that directly relate to a reporting unit’s operations are ascribed directly to that reporting unit. Corporate assets and liabilities that are not directly related to a specific reporting unit, but from which the reporting unit benefits, are allocated based on the respective contribution measure of each reporting unit. Effective July 1, 2013,

43


 

we re-aligned the Company’s reporting structure and consequently reallocated the carrying value of goodwill from its previous reporting units to its new reporting units based on the relative fair value of each new reporting unit to total enterprise value at July 1, 2013.

As a result of our change in reporting structure, we allocated goodwill to each reporting unit, and subsequently evaluated the Extremity Fixation and Spine Fixation reporting units for the possible impairment of goodwill, as there were indicators of impairment when completing a qualitative analysis. The result of this step two analysis was a full impairment of the goodwill allocated to our Extremity Fixation, and Spine Fixation reporting units, totaling $19.2 million. There continue to be no indicators of impairment in our remaining reporting units, which were reevaluated at year end using a qualitative assessment.

Litigation and Contingent Liabilities

From time to time, we are parties to or targets of lawsuits, investigations and proceedings, including product liability, personal injury, patent and intellectual property, health and safety and employment and healthcare regulatory matters, which are handled and defended in the ordinary course of business. These lawsuits, investigations or proceedings could involve a substantial number of claims and could also have an adverse impact on our reputation and customer base. Although we maintain various liability insurance programs for liabilities that could result from such lawsuits, investigations or proceedings, we are self-insured for a significant portion of such liabilities. We accrue for such claims when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The process of analyzing, assessing and establishing reserve estimates for these types of claims involves judgment. Changes in the facts and circumstances associated with a claim could have a material impact on our results of operations and cash flows in the period that reserve estimates are revised. We believe our insurance coverage and reserves are sufficient to cover currently estimated exposures, but we cannot give any assurance that we will not incur liabilities in excess of recorded reserves or our present insurance coverage.

Tax Matters

We and each of our subsidiaries are taxed at the rates applicable within each of their respective jurisdictions. The composite income tax rate, tax provisions, deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities will vary according to the jurisdiction in which profits arise. Further, certain of our subsidiaries sell products directly to our other subsidiaries or provide administrative, marketing and support services to our other subsidiaries. These intercompany sales and support services involve subsidiaries operating in jurisdictions with differing tax rates. The tax authorities in such jurisdictions may challenge our treatments under residency criteria, transfer pricing provisions, or other aspects of their respective tax laws, which could affect our composite tax rate and provisions.

We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC Topic 740—Income Taxes, which contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that, on an evaluation of the technical merits, the tax position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. We re-evaluate our income tax positions periodically to consider factors such as changes in facts or circumstances, changes in or interpretations of tax law, effectively settled issues under audit and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement would result in recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision.

We include interest related to tax issues as part of income tax expense in our consolidated financial statements. We record any applicable penalties related to tax issues within the income tax provision.

Share-based compensation

The fair value of service-based stock options are determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Such value is recognized as expense over the service period net of estimated forfeitures.

The fair value of market-based stock options are determined at the date of the grant using the Monte Carlo valuation methodology. Such value is recognized as expense over the requisite service period adjusted for estimated forfeitures for each separately vesting tranche of the award. The Monte Carlo methodology that we use to estimate the fair value of market-based options incorporates into the valuation the possibility that the market condition may not be satisfied.

The expected term of options granted is estimated based on a number of factors, including the vesting and expiration terms of the award, historical employee exercise behavior for both options that are currently outstanding and options that have been exercised or are expired, the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock and an employee’s average length of service. The risk-free interest rate is determined based upon a constant U.S. Treasury security rate with a contractual life that approximates the expected

44


 

term of the option award. Management estimates expected volatility based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The compensation expense recognized for all equity-based awards is net of estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated based on an analysis of actual option forfeitures.

On June 30, 2014, we granted performance based restricted share awards to executive employees, which vesting is based on achieving earnings targets in two consecutive rolling four quarter periods.  The fair value of performance-based restricted stock awards are recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, over the derived requisite vesting period beginning in the period in which they are deemed probable to vest.

 

 

 

Results of Operations

The following table presents certain items in our consolidated statements of operations as a percent of net sales for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2014

(%)

 

 

2013

(%)

 

 

2012

(%)

 

Net sales

 

 

100

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

100

 

Cost of sales

 

 

25

 

 

 

27

 

 

 

23

 

Gross profit

 

 

75

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

77

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

41

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

41

 

General and administrative

 

 

19

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

12

 

Research and development

 

 

6

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

6

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Costs related to the accounting review and

   restatement

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

Impairment of goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

Total operating income (loss)

 

 

4

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

17

 

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

11

 

Net loss from discontinued operations

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(1

)

Net (loss) income

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

10

 

  

Our segment information is prepared on the same basis that management reviews the financial information for operational decision-making purposes. We manage our business by our four strategic business units (“SBUs”), which are comprised of BioStim, Biologics, Extremity Fixation, Spine Fixation, and supported by Corporate activities. These SBUs represent the segments for which our Chief Executive Officer, who is our Chief Operating Decision Maker (the “CODM”), reviews financial information and makes resource allocation decisions among business units. Accordingly, our segment information has been prepared based on our four SBU’s reporting segments. These four segments are discussed below.

BioStim

The BioStim SBU manufactures, distributes, and provides support services of market leading devices that enhance bone fusion. These Class III medical devices are indicated as an adjunctive, noninvasive treatment to improve fusion success rates in cervical and lumbar spine as well as a therapeutic treatment for non-spine fractures that have not healed (non-unions). These devices utilize Orthofix’s patented pulsed electromagnetic field (“PEMF”) technology, which is supported by strong basic mechanism of action data in the scientific literature and as well as strong level one randomized controlled clinical trials in the medical literature.  Current research and clinical studies are also underway to identify potential new clinical indications.  This SBU uses both distributors and independent sales representatives to sell its devices to hospitals, doctors and other healthcare providers, primarily in the U.S.

Biologics

The Biologics SBU provides a portfolio of regenerative products and tissue forms that allow physicians to successfully treat a variety of spinal and orthopedic conditions. This SBU specializes in the marketing of the Company’s regeneration tissue forms. Biologics markets its tissues through a network of distributors, independent sales representatives and affiliates to supply to hospitals, doctors, and other healthcare providers, primarily in the U.S. Our partnership with the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation

45


 

(“MTF”) allows us to exclusively market our Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE® tissue forms for musculoskeletal defects to enhance bony fusion.

Extremity Fixation

The Extremity Fixation SBU offers products and solutions that allow physicians to successfully treat a variety of orthopedic conditions unrelated to the spine. This SBU specializes in the design, development, and marketing of the Company’s orthopedic products used in fracture repair, deformity correction and bone reconstruction procedures. Extremity Fixation distributes its products through a network of distributors, independent sales representatives and affiliates. This SBU uses both independent distributors and direct sales representatives to sell orthopedic products to hospitals, doctors, and other health providers, globally.

Spine Fixation

The Spine Fixation SBU specializes in the design, development and marketing of a broad portfolio of implant products used in surgical procedures of the spine. Spine Fixation distributes its products through a network of distributors and affiliates. This SBU uses distributors and independent sales representatives to sell spine products to hospitals, doctors and other healthcare providers, globally.

Corporate

Corporate activities are comprised of the operating expenses, including share-based compensation, of Orthofix International N.V. and its holding company subsidiaries, along with activities not necessarily identifiable within the four SBUs.

Net Sales by SBU:

The table below presents net sales for continuing operations by SBU reporting segment. Net sales include product sales and marketing service fees.  

 

 

 

Net Sales by SBU

Year ended December 31,

 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

 

Percent of

Total Net

Sales

 

 

Net Sales

 

 

Percent of

Total Net

Sales

 

 

Net Sales

 

 

Percent of

Total Net

Sales

 

BioStim

 

$

154,676

 

 

 

38

%

 

$

145,085

 

 

 

36

%

 

$

174,562

 

 

 

40

%

Biologics

 

 

55,881

 

 

 

14

%

 

 

53,746

 

 

 

14

%

 

 

53,731

 

 

 

12

%

Extremity Fixation

 

 

109,678

 

 

 

27

%

 

 

103,359

 

 

 

26

%

 

 

112,011

 

 

 

25

%

Spine Fixation

 

 

82,042

 

 

 

21

%

 

 

95,421

 

 

 

24

%

 

 

99,885

 

 

 

23

%

Total Net Sales

 

$

402,277

 

 

 

100

%

 

$

397,611

 

 

 

100

%

 

$

440,189

 

 

 

100

%

 

2014 Compared to 2013

Net Sales

Net sales increased 1.2% or $4.7 million, to $402.3 million in 2014 compared to $397.6 million in 2013. The impact of foreign currency decreased sales by $0.3 million in 2014 when compared to 2013. Net sales include product sales and marketing service fees, which is comprised of biologic sales of Trinity Evolution® and Trinity ELITE®.

Net Sales by SBU

Net sales in our BioStim SBU increased 6.6% or $9.6 million, to $154.7 million in 2014 compared to $145.1 million in 2013. The increase was due to enhancements to the sales organization, which included adding management and salespeople in underserved geographies as well as additional sales representatives exclusively dedicated to our Physio-Stim® product line, as well as the reduction in third-party payor revenue in 2013 driven by our transition to recognize revenue upon accumulation of the full billable package for third-party payors given the increased complexity in insurance billing requirements.

Net sales in our Biologics SBU increased 4.0% or $2.1 million, to $55.9 million in 2014 compared to $53.7 million in 2013.  The increase was mainly due to an expanded sales channel as well as continued conversion to our next generation cell-based bone growth tissue technology (Trinity ELITE®).  These increases were offset slightly by a reduction in marketing fee percentages received for our Trinity products starting in April 2013.

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Net sales in our Extremity Fixation SBU increased 6.1% or $6.3 million, to $109.7 million in 2014 compared to $103.4 million in 2013. The increase was due to recently expanded product launches and improvement in international collections of cash basis sales. The increase was partially offset by declining revenue in Brazil, which has experienced significant disruption to the sales channel during 2014 as we rebuild our Brazil sales organization.  

Net sales in our Spine Fixation SBU decreased 14.0% or $13.4 million, to $82.0 million in 2014 compared to $95.4 million in 2013.  The decrease was due to a loss of sales momentum resulting from our efforts to reorganize the sales force to improve profitability, which began in late 2013 and continued through the first half of 2014.

Gross Profit

Our gross profit increased 4.4% or $12.7 million, to $303.4 million in 2014 compared to $290.7 million in 2013. Gross profit as a percent of net sales in 2014 was 75.4% compared to 73.1% in 2013. The increase in gross profit as a percent of net sales is primarily driven by higher inventory reserves in 2013.

Sales and Marketing Expense

Sales and marketing expense, which includes commissions and the bad debt provision decreased 5.1% or $8.9 million, to $166.5 million in 2014 compared to $175.5 million in 2013. As a percent of net sales, sales and marketing expense was 41.4% in 2014 compared to 44.1% in 2013.  The decrease was due to tighter cost controls of non-variable expenses, along with lower commission rates due to the reorganization of the Brazil and U.S. Spine Fixation sales forces, as well as a decrease in Spine Fixation sales.

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative expense increased 18.4% or $12.0 million, to $76.8 million in 2014 compared to $64.8 million in 2013. As a percent of net sales, general and administrative expense was 19.1% in 2014 compared to 16.3% in 2013. The increase is primarily due to our investment in the implementation of an internal audit function and focused efforts on key process and control improvements.  In addition, we spent $3.8 million in 2014 on Bluecore.  Also in 2014, medical insurance payouts were higher than normal causing a large fluctuation from the prior year since the company is self-insured up to a stop loss threshold.  

Research and Development Expense

Research and development expense decreased 6.6% or $1.8 million in 2014 to $25.0 million compared to $26.8 million in 2013. As a percent of net sales, research and development expense declined slightly to 6.2% in 2014 compared to 6.7% for the same period last year. The decrease was primarily due to a $2 million payment to Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (“MTF”) in the second quarter of 2013 for the development and commercialization of Trinity ELITE®, which was released in the first half of 2013.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

Amortization of intangible assets was $2.3 and $2.7 million for 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Amortization expense was mainly due to the amortization associated with licensing new products, which began in the second half of 2013.

Costs related to the accounting review and restatement

As part of our accounting review and restatement of our consolidated financial statements, the Company incurred $15.6 million and $12.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Impairment of Goodwill

As part of our change in reportable segments, we reallocated goodwill to each new reporting unit, and subsequently evaluated each reporting unit for impairment. As a result of this analysis, a full impairment of the goodwill allocated to our Spine Fixation and Extremity Fixation reporting units, of $19.2 million, was recognized in 2013.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net was $1.8 million in both 2014 and 2013, primarily as the result of substantial repayments of long-term debt during 2013, resulting in a lower year over year outstanding debt balance, and to a lesser extent, lower interest rates, offset by increased fees associated with a larger unused revolver balance.

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Other Income (Expense)

Other expense, net was $(2.9) million in 2014 compared to other income of $2.4 million in 2013. Other income for 2013 was primarily due to our receipt of $4.4 million related to the demutualization of a mutual insurance company in which we were an eligible member to share in such proceeds. In addition, 2014 was negatively impacted by foreign exchange rates. Several of our foreign subsidiaries hold trade payables or receivables in currencies (most notably the U.S. Dollar) other than their functional (local) currency, which results in foreign exchange gains or losses when there is relative movement between those currencies.

Income Tax Benefit (Expense)

We recognized a $16.2 million and $7.6 million provision for income tax for 2014 and 2013, respectively.   The income tax expense and effective tax rate for the year ended 2014 reflects a disproportionate ratio to the $7.6 million of income tax expense and effective tax rate of (71.7%) for the year ended 2013.  The principal factors affecting the Company’s 2014 effective tax rate were the Company’s mix of earnings amongst various tax jurisdictions, state taxes, changes in the valuation allowance, and changes in income tax reserves.  

Discontinued operations

Discontinued operations include losses of approximately $4.8 million and $10.6 million, net of income taxes, in 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The losses were primarily from legal settlements and legal costs, which relate to certain specified product liability matters in relation to the Company’s former subsidiary, Breg. Orthofix agreed to indemnify Breg and its purchaser with respect to such matters.

Net Income (Loss)

Net loss in 2014 was $(8.5) million, or $(0.46) per basic and diluted share, compared to net loss of $(28.8) million, or $(1.54) per basic and diluted share for 2013.

2013 Compared to 2012

Net Sales

Net sales decreased 9.7% to $397.6 million in 2013 compared to $440.2 million in 2012. The impact of foreign currency decreased sales by $1.1 million in 2013 when compared to 2012. Net sales include product sales and marketing service fees, which is comprised of sales of Trinity Evolution® and Trinity Elite ™.

Net Sales by SBU

Net sales in our BioStim SBU decreased 16.9% to $145.1 million in 2013 compared to $174.6 million in 2012. The decrease in BioStim revenue was primarily attributable to a decline in sales of our stimulation products for spine and cervical application caused by distribution turnover and changes in certain payor policies. The decrease for the year ended December 31, 2013 was also negatively impacted by a reduction in third-party payor revenue driven by our transition in third quarter of 2013 to recognize revenue upon accumulation of the full billable package for third-party payors given the increased complexity in insurance billing requirements.

Net sales in our Biologics SBU remained relatively constant at $53.7 million in 2013 compared to the same in 2012. Net sales were positively impacted by an increase in our marketing service fee revenue from MTF related to the launch of our new tissue from Trinity ELITE®; however, this increase was primarily offset by a reduction in our marketing service fee from 70% to 65%, which became effective April 1, 2013.

Net sales in our Extremity Fixation SBU decreased 7.7% to $103.4 million in 2013 compared to $112.0 million for 2012, a decrease of $8.6 million. This decrease is due primarily to two factors. The first was deterioration of sales in Brazil, which accounted for 2.7% of our total decline and the second was a prospective change from a sell-in to cash accounting methodology beginning April 1, 2013 to all non-Brazil distributors, w