Item 3. Legal Proceedings
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In May 2019, Theravance Biopharma, which is the owner of 85% of the economic interests in TRC, initiated arbitration against Innoviva and TRC, relating to a dispute as to the determination by Innoviva (as manager of TRC) to cause TRC to explore potential reinvestment opportunities for the royalty proceeds received by GSK into initiatives that Innoviva believes will increase the value of TRC and TRELEGY ® ELLIPTA ® . Theravance Biopharma alleged that, in causing TRC to not distribute substantially all royalty proceeds received from GSK, Innoviva breached the limited liability company operating agreement governing TRC (the “Operating Agreement”), as well as the fiduciary duties applicable to Innoviva as manager of TRC. The hearing in respect of the arbitration was conducted from July 23, 2019 through July 25, 2019. Post-arbitration oral argument was heard on August 14, 2019. On September 26, 2019, the arbitrator issued a final decision. The arbitrator ruled that Innoviva did not breach the Operating Agreement or its fiduciary duties by withholding royalties or pursuing reinvestment opportunities. Accordingly, Innoviva is permitted to continue to pursue development and commercialization initiatives. The arbitrator did conclude that Innoviva breached a provision of the Operating Agreement requiring Innoviva to deliver quarterly financial plans to Theravance Biopharma. However, the arbitrator concluded that this technical breach did not cause any damages to Theravance Biopharma and the arbitrator awarded limited injunctive relief to expand and clarify the disclosure obligations under the Operating Agreement related to the delivery of financial plans and the pursuit of investment opportunities (if those opportunities related to TRELEGY ® ELLIPTA ® ). Finally, the arbitrator ruled that the Company is entitled to indemnification from TRC for 95% of its fees and expenses incurred in connection with the arbitration.
On September 30, 2019, Innoviva and TRC filed a Verified Complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (“Court of Chancery”) to confirm the arbitration award. The award was confirmed by the Court of Chancery on May 4, 2020.
On July 16, 2020, Innoviva and TRC initiated a lawsuit in the Court of Chancery against Theravance Biopharma, seeking a permanent injunction preventing Theravance Biopharma from interfering with Innoviva's ability to cause TRC to reserve cash to pursue non-Trelegy related investment opportunities and a declaration that the arbitration award conclusively established that Innoviva, as manager of TRC, has such authority. The Court of Chancery directed the parties to obtain the arbitrator's opinion as to whether the arbitration award addressed non-Trelegy related investment opportunities. On July 31, 2020, the arbitrator, while reiterating that Innoviva has broad authority as manager of TRC, found that his award did not specifically address this situation. Accordingly, on August 5, 2020, the parties stipulated to the dismissal of the Court of Chancery action.
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On October 6, 2020, Theravance Biopharma initiated a new arbitration against Innoviva and TRC, challenging Innoviva’s authority as manager of TRC to cause TRC to pursue non-Trelegy related investment opportunities and again alleging that Innoviva is required to cause TRC to distribute substantially all royalty proceeds from GSK. The hearing in respect of the arbitration was conducted from February 16, 2021 through February 19, 2021. Post-arbitration oral argument was heard on March 8, 2021. On March 30, 2021, the arbitrator issued a final decision. The arbitrator ruled that Innoviva did not breach the Operating Agreement or its fiduciary duties by withholding royalties to pursue non-Trelegy-related investment opportunities. Additionally, the arbitrator ruled that the Company is entitled to indemnification from TRC for 100% of its fees and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the arbitration.
On April 15, 2021, Innoviva filed a Verified Complaint in the Court of Chancery to confirm the arbitration award. On May 19, 2021, Theravance Biopharma submitted an answer to the Verified Complaint and filed a Motion to Modify the Arbitral Award, alleging that it contained a mathematical error. The parties filed a proposed stipulation to remand the motion to Chancellor Chandler for his consideration, which the Court of Chancery granted. On June 25, 2021, Innoviva submitted a brief to Chancellor Chandler in opposition to the motion and on July 15, 2021, Theravance Biopharma submitted a reply brief. On August 6, 2021, Chancellor Chandler issued a modified final award, which did not affect any of his ultimate conclusions. The modified award was confirmed by the Court of Chancery on September 16, 2021.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
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