Item 1A. Risk Factors
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Product Liability Risks Related to our Vivo and LockeT Products
We may incur material losses and costs as a result of product liability claims that may be brought against us and recalls, which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, as a medical device company, we face an inherent risk of damage to our reputation if one or more of our products are, or are alleged to be, defective.
Our business exposes us to potential product liability risks that are inherent in the design, manufacture and marketing of our products. In particular, our medical device products are often used in connection with or subsequent to surgical and intensive care settings with seriously ill patients. For example, our LockeT product is designed to be applied to a sutured wound on the human body for varying periods of time, and component failures, lack of appropriate sterility, manufacturing flaws, design defects or inadequate disclosure of product-related risks with respect to these or other products we manufacture or sell could result in an unsafe condition or injury to, or death of, the patient. Further, with respect to our LockeT product, we have outsourced manufacturing to a third-party and therefore face additional risk regarding the quality of that manufacturing. As a result, we face an inherent risk of monetary liability and damage to our reputation if one or more of our products are, or are alleged to be, defective. Although we carry product liability insurance, we may be exposed to product liability claims in the event that our products actually or allegedly fail to perform as expected or the use of our products results, or is alleged to result, in bodily injury and/or property damage. The outcome of litigation, particularly any class-action lawsuits, is difficult to quantify. Plaintiffs often seek recovery of very large or indeterminate amounts, including punitive damages. The magnitude of the potential losses relating to these lawsuits may remain unknown for substantial periods of time and the cost to defend against any such litigation may be significant. Accordingly, we could experience material product liability losses in the future and incur significant costs to defend these claims.
In addition, if any of our products are, or are alleged to be, defective, we may voluntarily participate, or be required by applicable regulators, to participate in a recall of that product if the defect or the alleged defect relates to safety. In the event of a recall, we may experience lost sales and be exposed to individual or class-action litigation claims and reputational risk. Product liability and recall costs may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business relationship with distributors and/or persons in Qatar and elsewhere in the Middle East could be disrupted by the armed conflict in Israel and the Gaza strip and/or changes in U.S. international relations and/or related geopolitical changes.
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