Sales Performance - Sales of TAVR products represented 75%, 77%, and 79% of net sales in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively[25]. - Sales of surgical tissue heart valve products accounted for 18%, 19%, and 19% of net sales in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively[28]. - In 2024, 59% of net sales were derived from customers in the United States, while 41% came from international markets[35][36]. - Total net sales for 2024 reached 429.5 million or 8.6% compared to 2023[162]. - Net sales in the United States were 258.1 million or 8.8% from 4,106.1 million, a rise of 3,879.8 million in 2023[163]. - The Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Therapies segment saw a significant increase of 78.2%, with sales rising to 197.6 million[163]. Research and Development - Research and development spending increased by 9% year over year, representing 19% of 2024 sales, primarily due to investments in transcatheter structural heart programs[45]. - The company is developing new products to improve transcatheter aortic heart valve replacement procedures and investing in technologies for mitral and tricuspid valve diseases[47]. - Research and development activities are primarily conducted in the United States and Israel, with collaborations with leading research institutions and clinicians globally[53]. - The company focuses on developing medical technologies for cardiovascular disease treatment, including bioprosthetic surgical tissue heart valves and transcatheter valves[52]. - The company completed patient enrollment in the PROGRESS pivotal trial for moderate AS patients and received CE Mark approval for the Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA valve in Europe[167]. - Research and Development (R&D) expenses increased as the company continued to invest in aortic transcatheter valve innovations and clinical trial activities[177]. Regulatory and Compliance - Compliance with FDA regulations is resource-intensive, and several products are pending regulatory clearance or approval[60]. - The EU's Medical Device Regulation (MDR) implemented in May 2021 requires re-certification of many products, leading to substantial additional expenses[66]. - The company is subject to various laws and regulations, including anti-kickback laws and the Stark law, which could impact its operations[62]. - The regulatory approval process for new products requires extensive clinical trials, and unfavorable clinical data could adversely impact the company's market prospects[95]. - The company is subject to rigorous governmental regulations, which may incur significant compliance costs and impact business operations if not adhered to[124]. Financial Performance - Gross profit increased in 2024, although the gross profit margin decreased by 0.6 percentage points due to foreign currency fluctuations[174]. - Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A) expenses rose due to higher personnel-related costs and expenses related to recent business combinations[176]. - Interest income increased to 67.2 million in 2023, driven by a higher average investment balance and yield[186]. - Other non-operating income rose to 13.9 million in 2023, mainly due to gains from the remeasurement of previously held equity interests[187]. - The effective income tax rate decreased to 9.8% in 2024 from 11.1% in 2023, attributed to increased tax benefits from foreign earnings and favorable audit settlements[188]. - Net cash flows from operating activities decreased by 542.3 million in 2024, primarily due to tax payments of 2.3 billion in 2024, mainly from the sale of Critical Care, offset by 252.4 million in capital expenditures[217]. - Net cash used in financing activities was 1.2 billion[219]. Employee and Culture - The talent management strategy aims to attract and retain a motivated workforce aligned with the company's patient-focused innovation strategy[77]. - The company is committed to maintaining an ethical culture, promoting diversity, and ensuring fair compensation practices across all operating regions[83]. - As of December 31, 2024, the company had approximately 15,800 employees worldwide, with the majority located in the United States, Singapore, and Costa Rica[88]. - The company emphasizes a patient-focused culture and aims to foster inclusion and collaboration among employees to drive innovation[84]. - The company conducts a multilingual global employee survey, myVoice, to gather feedback on various topics, including patient focus and diversity, which is reviewed by management and the Board of Directors[85]. - The company offers competitive employee benefits and well-being packages, focusing on mental health, nutrition, and physical activity, to enhance employee performance[86]. - The company is committed to developing talent from within, providing extensive learning and development resources for employees at all levels[87]. Risks and Challenges - The company faces risks related to the failure to innovate and market products effectively, which could materially affect its prospects[94]. - Manufacturing and quality problems could materially affect the company's business, especially as it expands into new markets[96]. - The company relies on key physicians and research institutions for product development and marketing, and any disruption in these relationships could adversely impact its business[98]. - The company is subject to risks associated with public health crises, which could result in material adverse impacts on its financial condition and operations[99]. - The company faces challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified talent, which is critical for its continued success and operational stability[105]. - The integration of acquired businesses and technologies may be costly and could divert resources from other product developments, potentially impacting overall business performance[106]. - The company has been impacted by domestic and global economic conditions, which may affect sales and operations due to factors like inflation and interest rates[111]. - Changes in health care legislation and reimbursement policies could adversely affect demand for the company's products and their pricing[112]. - The company is involved in pending or threatened lawsuits related to products, workplace matters, and governmental investigations, which may impact financial performance[236]. - Legal accruals require significant judgment due to the complexities and uncertainties of each case, affecting the company's financial statements[236]. Acquisitions and Divestitures - The company sold its Critical Care product group to Becton, Dickinson and Company on September 3, 2024, which may introduce operational complexities and risks[108]. - The company entered into agreements to acquire multiple medical device companies for a total cash purchase price of 1.1 billion paid upon closing of the transactions[211]. - The company sold its Critical Care product group for 19.0 million for consulting, legal, and advisory services related to the transaction[181].
Edwards(EW) - 2024 Q4 - Annual Report