Leading Independent Proxy Firm ISS Joins Glass Lewis in Recommending that Amarin Shareholders Vote “AGAINST” Sarissa’s Value-Destructive Proposals
February 16 2023 - 12:34PM
GlobeNewswire Inc.
Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ: AMRN) (“Amarin” or the “Company”)
today announced that the leading independent proxy advisory firm,
Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), has recommended that
shareholders vote
“AGAINST” all of Sarissa’s
proposals on the
WHITE proxy card at the upcoming
General Meeting of Shareholders, scheduled for February 28, 2023.
In its February 16, 2023, report, ISS determined that Sarissa’s
campaign is nothing more than a transparent attempt to de facto
seize control of the Board by removing Amarin’s new Chairman, Per
Wold-Olsen, and installing seven of its underqualified individuals.
ISS joins Glass Lewis in highlighting that Sarissa has failed to
make a compelling case for change and recommending shareholders
vote “AGAINST” the removal of Per Wold-Olsen and
“AGAINST” the election of every Sarissa nominee.
ISS stated1:
- “The board has appropriately refreshed itself and the company's
positioning for commercial success appears to be improving.
[Sarissa] has not presented convincing criticisms in either of
these areas. As such, [Sarissa] has not made a compelling
case for change.”
- “The company's strategic turn and operational execution since
the appointment of Mikhail as CEO are particularly instructive.
Quarterly revenue has stabilized, and the company has generated a
small positive adjusted cash flow over the past two quarters...
They nonetheless represent tangible steps forward that have
clearly improved the company's position, and suggest that the
company's current strategy is a credible path
forward.”
- “The board's refreshment then, appears to have been proactive,
thorough, and appropriate for the company's ongoing
repositioning.”
- “…contrary to the [Sarissa’s] assertion about unsustainable
cash burn, has been successful in stabilizing its cash levels over
the past three quarters.”
- “… the underperformance since Mikhail took over is not
necessarily a surprise, as the value of the company now
primarily depends on the success of commercialization efforts in
Europe, which remain in early stages.”
- “…the reason for this expenditure of shareholder effort comes
mainly as a result of the number and degree of the
company's positive actions during this period of time, and not from
a lack of clarity in shareholder communication.”
Commenting on ISS and Glass Lewis’s recommendations, the Amarin
Board of Directors (the “Board”) issued the following
statement:
ISS and Glass Lewis rightfully highlight that at a time when
Amarin needs to be laser focused on execution, nearly doubling the
size of the Board with underqualified individuals will impede
progress and be detrimental to shareholder value.
In its report, ISS recognizes Sarissa’s transparent tactic to
maximize the size of the Board is a de facto method to seize
control of the Board. Sarissa’s only “strategic idea” is one the
Board has already considered and determined would destroy
shareholder value. Sarissa continues to prove it fundamentally does
not understand our business and its slate falls woefully short on
the critical expertise Amarin needs today.
The Board is undertaking a deliberate, thoughtful and
independent refreshment process and has been reconstituted with
approximately 70% new independent directors appointed in 2022. This
Board has taken meaningful and proactive action to get the Company
on solid footing, improve operational and financial results and
instill a purpose-built Board and leadership team. As a result of
these actions, Amarin has made substantial early progress on its
new European and International commercial strategy, is on track to
exceed its $100 million annual cost savings plan and primed to
capture a multi-billion-dollar market opportunity.
Amarin has a world-class Board with the expertise needed to
oversee continued progress of the Company’s transformation plan. We
are confident their skillsets outmatch Sarissa’s slate in every
critical area. Mr. Wold-Olsen is one of the most well-respected
international healthcare executives with a demonstrated ability to
transform companies, and his track record of successful product
launches is undisputed. Since Mr. Wold-Olsen’s appointment to the
Board in January 2022 and subsequently his appointment as Chairman
in May 2022, he has demonstrated steadfast leadership and his
contributions to Amarin have been far-reaching from pricing
negotiations, launch activities, cost containment plans and Board
refreshment.
We strongly recommend that shareholders consider the facts and
vote “AGAINST” Sarissa’s proposals on the
WHITE proxy card today.
Amarin reminds shareholders that every vote is important, no
matter how many or few shares it represents. Shareholders are urged
to discard any blue proxy materials and to only vote using the
WHITE proxy card. Shareholders can switch their
vote at any time by simply voting on the WHITE
proxy card “AGAINST” all of Sarissa’s harmful
proposals. Only the latest-dated proxy counts.
Amarin shareholders of record as of January 23, 2023, are
entitled to vote at the General Meeting. For ADS holders, the
deadline to submit votes is 3 PM GMT (10 AM ET) on February 22,
2023, and for holders of ordinary shares, the deadline is 3 PM GMT
(10 AM ET) on February 24, 2023.
Amarin shareholders who need assistance in voting their shares
may call Amarin’s proxy solicitors, Morrow Sodali at (800) 662-5200
(toll-free) or (203) 658-9400 (collect) or Okapi Partners at (844)
343-2625 (toll-free) or (212) 297-0720 (international).
Additional materials regarding the Board of Directors’
recommendations for the General Meeting can be found at
www.voteamarin.com.Advisors
J.P. Morgan is acting as financial advisor. Ropes & Gray LLP
and Goodwin Procter LLP are acting as legal advisors to the
Company.
About Amarin
Amarin is an innovative pharmaceutical company leading a new
paradigm in cardiovascular disease management. From our foundation
in scientific research to our focus on clinical trials, and now our
commercial expansion, we are evolving and growing rapidly. Amarin
has offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey in the United States, Dublin
in Ireland, Zug in Switzerland, and other countries in Europe as
well as commercial partners and suppliers around the world. We are
committed to increasing the scientific understanding of the
cardiovascular risk that persists beyond traditional therapies and
advancing the treatment of that risk.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements which are
made pursuant to U.S. federal securities law. These forward-looking
statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial
risks and uncertainties. A further list and description of these
risks, uncertainties and other risks associated with an investment
in Amarin can be found in Amarin’s filings with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission, including Amarin’s annual report on
Form 10-K for the full year ended 2021, and Amarin’s
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
March 31, 2022, June 30, 2022, and September 30,
2022, and its other filings. Existing and prospective investors are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Amarin
undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information
contained in its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
Amarin’s forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential
impact of significant transactions the company may enter into, such
as mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures or any
material agreements that Amarin may enter into, amend or
terminate.
Amarin Contact Information
Investor Inquiries:Lisa DeFrancescoInvestor Relations Amarin
Corporation plcinvestor.relations@amarincorp.com (investor
inquiries)
Media Inquiries:Mark MarmurCorporate Communications, Amarin
Corporation plcPR@amarincorp.com (media inquiries)
Or
Steve Frankel / Andi Rose / Tali EpsteinJoele Frank, Wilkinson
Brimmer Katcher212-355-4449
1 Permission to use quotes neither sought nor obtained. Emphasis
added.
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