Arbitrator Rules for Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc. in Dispute With Azpa Pharmaceuticals Pty. Ltd.

Rhea-AI Summary

Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: NEPT) announced a favorable ruling from an independent arbitrator in a dispute with Azpa Pharmaceuticals. Neptune was awarded approximately CAD$8M in claimed damages, legal fees, and interest. The arbitrator upheld Neptune's interpretation of an exclusive distribution agreement for specific products in Australia and New Zealand, wholly rejecting Azpa's counterclaim of CAD$137M. This outcome enhances Neptune's financial position and solidifies its legal standing in the region.

Positive

• Awarded CAD$8M in damages from Azpa Pharmaceuticals.
• Complete rejection of Azpa's CAD$137M counterclaim strengthens Neptune's legal position.

Negative

• None.

LAVAL, QC, Feb. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc. ("Neptune" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: NEPT) (TSX: NEPT), a diversified and fully integrated health and wellness company focused on natural, plant-based, sustainable and purpose-driven lifestyle brands, today announced that an independent arbitrator engaged to resolve a commercial dispute between Neptune and Azpa Pharmaceuticals Pty. Ltd. ("Azpa") rendered a decision in favor of Neptune, awarding Neptune its full claimed damages, legal fees, and interest of roughly CAD$8M.  

In 2007 and again in 2011, Azpa entered into a distribution agreement with Neptune for exclusive distribution rights for specific Neptune products in Australia and New Zealand. In 2013, Azpa failed to pay Neptune for shipments of products, giving rise to the arbitration. 

The arbitrator's award entirely upheld Neptune's interpretation of the distributorship agreement and fully rejected Azpa's CAD$137M counter claim.

Neptune's General Counsel, Kelly Kosmin said, "We are very pleased with this outcome and the complete rejection of Azpa's counter claim against Neptune. The arbitrator carefully considered all of the evidence and her decision is fully supported."   

About Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc.

Neptune Wellness Solutions is a unique global health and wellness company that is changing consumer habits through the creation and distribution of environmentally friendly, ethical and innovative consumer product goods. Neptune's simultaneous focus on B2C and B2B customer-oriented brand development provides the Company with international reach and scale from its owned and operated facilities that extract and create product formulation, all the way to the sales floor at top global retailers.

Underpinned by a disruptive spirit, Neptune's diversified, and fully integrated business model focuses on natural, plant-based, sustainable and purpose-driven lifestyle brands and the use of cannabinoids in household products to make them safer, healthier and more effective. Its portfolio includes emerging brands such as Forest Remedies™, Ocean Remedies™, Neptune Wellness™, Mood Ring™, and OCEANO3™, which are poised for rapid growth and expansion.

Backed with a cost-efficient manufacturing and supply chain infrastructure that can be scaled up and down or into adjacent product categories to identify new innovation opportunities, Neptune quickly adapts to consumer preferences and demand, and is bringing its products as well as other Fortune 100 brands to market through strategic distribution partnerships, mass retail partners and e-commerce channels. Neptune is committed to its core mission of redefining health and wellness and helping humanity thrive by providing sustainable consumer focused solutions. For additional information, please visit: www.neptunecorp.com

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. securities laws and Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other unknown factors that could cause the actual results of Neptune to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements which explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements labeled with the terms "believes", "belief", "expects", "intends", "projects", "anticipates", "will", "should" or "plans" to be uncertain and forward-looking. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and the "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information" section contained in Neptune's latest Annual Information Form (the "AIF"), which also forms part of Neptune's latest annual report on Form 40-F, and which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml and on the investor section of Neptune's website at www.neptunecorp.com. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Neptune does not undertake to update any such forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The forward-looking statements contained herein include, without limitation, statements about the expected closing of the Offering; anticipated use of proceeds of the Offering; and other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in Neptune's public securities filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities commissions. Additional information about these assumptions and risks and uncertainties is contained in the AIF under "Risk Factors".

Neither NASDAQ nor the Toronto Stock Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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SOURCE Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc.

FAQ

What was the outcome of the arbitration between Neptune and Azpa Pharmaceuticals?

Neptune was awarded approximately CAD$8M in damages, and Azpa's CAD$137M counterclaim was fully rejected.

What is the significance of the arbitration ruling for Neptune's financial position?

The ruling positively impacts Neptune's financial standing, securing substantial damages and legal fees.

When was the arbitration decision announced for Neptune?

The arbitration decision was announced on February 18, 2021.

What were the terms of the distribution agreement with Azpa Pharmaceuticals?

The distribution agreement granted Azpa exclusive rights to distribute Neptune's products in Australia and New Zealand.

How does the arbitration ruling affect Neptune's business operations?

The favorable ruling reinforces Neptune's legal rights and could enhance its market position in Australia and New Zealand.