Masimo Shares Final Thoughts Ahead of September 19 Annual Meeting Where Everything is at Stake
“For more than 35 years, the team at Masimo has poured our heart and soul into driving innovations for patients and value for stockholders. We have internalized our stockholders’ feedback and we are changing – some of those changes have already been implemented and others are just around the corner, including the separation of our consumer business and expansion of our Board. This builds on the continued momentum we are driving across Masimo, as demonstrated by our strong second quarter results and recently announced strategic partnerships with companies such as
“We urge you not to trust
Here is why stockholders should support Masimo’s nominees:
MASIMO’S MANAGEMENT TEAM AND NON-POLITAN DIRECTORS HAVE THE EXPERTISE NEEDED TO RUN THE BUSINESS AND DRIVE STOCKHOLDER VALUE.
-
Masimo delivered strong Q2 2024 earnings and raised 2024 guidance. Highlights of the Company’s strong Q2 2024 earnings include achieving 22% growth in healthcare revenue year-over-year and record-breaking levels of new hospital contracts for a second consecutive quarter. Reflecting continued confidence in Masimo’s business and strategy, the Company has materially raised its full-year GAAP consolidated EPS guidance range to
$1.74-$1.89 , and the non-GAAP consolidated EPS guidance range to$3.80-$4.00 1, affirming that the Company remains on track to achieve its goal of doubling EPS to$8 in the next five years. -
Masimo has announced a monumental partnership with
Google to develop a state-of-the-art reference platform for Wear OS byGoogle ™ smartwatches2. Masimo’s next generation biosensing technologies, precision components and advanced signal processing algorithms will serve as the foundation for Wear OS devices. As a result, Masimo’s OEM business will be at the very center of the Wear OS ecosystem as it grows and scales – and is well positioned to help supercharge the future of high-performing, premium wearable devices for consumers everywhere. -
The Company has 4,000 patents, including 900 that bear Joe Kiani’s name. Masimo’s founder and CEO,
Joe Kiani , is a driving force behind the Company’s innovation and not only takes a hands-on approach to R&D, but also motivates the team to solve the “unsolvable” for patients around the world.Joe Kiani is a well-known and well-respected leader in the industry, with numerous medical professionals and third parties vouching for his capabilities and achievements as aMedTech company CEO. Stockholders are encouraged to view third party letters of support and video testimonials on Masimo’s website at https://protectmasimosfuture.com/testimonials-and-accomplishments. - Masimo’s recent progress builds on decades of value creation. Masimo has shown that it has the right leadership, expertise and critical industry connections – resulting in a 35-year track record of delivering growth, stockholder value and lifesaving and life-improving technologies. In fact, Masimo has doubled its non-GAAP earnings since 2017 and beat consensus earnings estimates 29 of the last 30 quarters.
CHANGE IS HAPPENING AT MASIMO, AND THE COMPANY WILL CONTINUE LISTENING TO STOCKHOLDERS.
- Advanced discussions with JV partners are continuing. Masimo is actively continuing its advanced discussions and negotiations with partners for a potential joint venture transaction in which Masimo would sell the majority stake of its Consumer businesses to a joint venture (the “Potential JV”). The potential partners with which Masimo is in very active discussions include a large US-based technology company. Masimo is having near daily communications with partners to the Potential JV and management is optimistic that the partners will deliver a binding term sheet offer for the Potential JV in the very near term for Masimo Board of Directors approval. The Company and management remain highly committed to engaging in a transaction that maximizes stockholder value.
-
Declassification of the Masimo Board has already started and will be complete at the 2026 Annual Meeting. Since the 2023 Annual Meeting, and in accordance with stockholder feedback, the Company began the process of declassifying the Board. Consequently, stockholders will have the opportunity to hold
Joe Kiani and other non-Politan directors accountable for the Board’s progress in just nine months at the 2025 Annual Meeting. -
Masimo will expand the Board to 9 to 11 members. Masimo has also committed to expanding the Board to 9 to 11 Board members with highly qualified, additive independent directors. As part of this process,
Joe Kiani will not recommend any potential candidates to theNominating, Compliance and Corporate Governance Committee .
ISS AND GLASS LEWIS BASED RECOMMENDATIONS ON POLITAN’S LIES; EGAN-JONES SUPPORTS MANAGEMENT IN ONLY PROXY ADVISORY FIRM RECOMMENDATION MADE AFTER MULTIPLE CORRECTIVE DISCLOSURES BY POLITAN AND
-
Importantly, the Court found that Politan’s false statements improperly influenced the recommendations made to stockholders by ISS and Glass Lewis.3 Notably, Egan-Jones, the sole proxy advisory firm to issue its recommendation following access to and review of post-litigation discovery facts and Politan’s corrections, has recommended that stockholders vote in favor of only Masimo’s director nominees –
Joe Kiani andChristopher Chavez . In summarizing its position, Egan-Jones stated:- “Joe Kiani’s track record in driving innovation and securing IP rights is critical to Masimo’s future success.”
- “A dissident win could result in an abrupt and destabilizing management change, hindering Masimo's growth trajectory.”
- “The current management team is well-positioned to continue leveraging Masimo's patents and product pipeline for long-term shareholder value.”
INTEGRITY, CHARACTER AND EXPERTISE MATTER.
-
Politan and
Quentin Koffey were held in contempt of court. OnSeptember 13 , theU.S. District Court for the Central District of California (“the Court”) found Politan andQuentin Koffey in contempt of court in connection with theirSeptember 12, 2024 violation of a court order.- The full Court order can be found here:https://protectmasimosfuture.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Order-Regarding-Contempt-Proceeding.pdf
-
Politan and
Quentin Koffey abused Koffey’s Board position. The evidence shows that Politan made secret payments to access recently separated Masimo employees and a top executive at Masimo’s largest competitor in an effort to dig up information damaging to Masimo for the proxy contest. Politan andQuentin Koffey only disclosed these payments after they were caught doing so during the litigation. -
A federal Judge affirmed that Politan and
Quentin Koffey lied to Masimo stockholders. In itsSeptember 13 order, the Court also found that Politan andQuentin Koffey had actively and repeatedly disseminated materially false and misleading statements to Masimo stockholders – confirming thatQuentin Koffey and Politan have been dishonest with stockholders. The appendix at the end of this release sets forth some of the Court’s most relevant statements.- Politan and
Quentin Koffey Lied About the Spin-off.Quentin Koffey falsely claimed that the Special Committee had unanimously rejected the term sheet he had previously agreed upon withJoe Kiani . In fact, Politan’s corrective disclosures revealed thatQuentin Koffey never shared the agreed upon term sheet with any other member of the Special Committee. - Politan and
Quentin Koffey Lied About the Board’s Role in the Sale Process.Quentin Koffey falsely claimed that the Board authorizedJoe Kiani to carry out a sale of the Company without further Board oversight. In fact, Politan’s corrective disclosures revealed thatQuentin Koffey knew this not to be true. - Politan and
Quentin Koffey Lied About the Outcome of the Sale Process.Quentin Koffey falsely implied thatJoe Kiani unilaterally rejected offers for Masimo because those offers didn’t satisfyJoe Kiani personally. In fact, Politan’s corrective disclosures revealed thatQuentin Koffey knew that Masimo had not received or rejected any offers. - The full Court order can be found here: https://protectmasimosfuture.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Order-Regarding-Motion-for-Preliminary-Injunction.pdf
- Politan and
- Politan and Quentin Koffey’s prior investments have underperformed. While Politan claims to have experience overseeing companies to the benefit of stockholders, the facts show that Politan actually has a very poor track record in this regard. Centene and Azenta, two other Politan targets, have failed to realize an increase in stockholder value since Politan’s intervention.
The Board believes, and analysts, industry experts, Egan-Jones and other third parties have affirmed, that a takeover by Politan and
For more information on how to protect the value of your investment at Masimo, visit www.ProtectMasimosFuture.com.
|
Your Vote Is Important, Please Use The Updated GOLD Proxy Card Today! |
|
If you have questions about how to vote your shares, please call the firm assisting us with the solicitation of proxies, |
|
1 (877) 456-3463 (toll-free from the |
or |
+1 (412) 232-3651 (from other locations) |
About Masimo
Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI) is a global medical technology company that develops and produces a wide array of industry-leading monitoring technologies, including innovative measurements, sensors, patient monitors, and automation and connectivity solutions. In addition, Masimo Consumer Audio is home to eight legendary audio brands, including Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, and Polk Audio. Our mission is to improve life, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the cost of care. Masimo SET ® Measure-through Motion and Low Perfusion ™ pulse oximetry, introduced in 1995, has been shown in over 100 independent and objective studies to outperform other pulse oximetry technologies. 1 Masimo SET ® has also been shown to help clinicians reduce severe retinopathy of prematurity in neonates, 2 improve CCHD screening in newborns 3 and, when used for continuous monitoring with Masimo Patient SafetyNet ™ in post-surgical wards, reduce rapid response team activations, ICU transfers, and costs. 4-5 Masimo SET ® is estimated to be used on more than 200 million patients in leading hospitals and other healthcare settings around the world, 6 and is the primary pulse oximetry at all 10 top
References
- Published clinical studies on pulse oximetry and the benefits of Masimo SET ® can be found on our website at www.masimo.com. Comparative studies include independent and objective studies which are comprised of abstracts presented at scientific meetings and peer-reviewed journal articles.
- Castillo A et al. Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Preterm Infants through Changes in Clinical Practice and SpO2 Technology. Acta Paediatr. 2011 Feb;100(2):188-92.
- de-Wahl Granelli A et al. Impact of pulse oximetry screening on the detection of duct dependent congenital heart disease: a Swedish prospective screening study in 39,821 newborns. BMJ. 2009;Jan 8;338.
-
McGrath S et al. Surveillance Monitoring Management for General Care Units: Strategy, Design, and Implementation.
The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety . 2016 Jul;42(7):293-302. - McGrath S et al. Inpatient Respiratory Arrest Associated With Sedative and Analgesic Medications: Impact of Continuous Monitoring on Patient Mortality and Severe Morbidity. J Patient Saf. 2021; 17(8):557-561.
- Estimate: Masimo data on file.
- As ranked in the 2024 Newsweek World’s Best Hospitals listing, available at https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/worlds-best-hospitals-2024/united-states.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2024 Annual Meeting”) of Masimo and the potential stockholder approval of the Board’s nominees; changes to Masimo’s governance, including the composition of Masimo’s Board of Directors and Masimo’s plans to expand the Board; and the proposed separation of Masimo’s consumer business, including the status of ongoing discussions between Masimo and the other Potential JV parties, the proposed terms and structure of the Potential JV, the status of ongoing discussions between Masimo and other parties to the Potential JV, the ability of the parties to enter into a potential transaction, the terms of a potential transaction with such other parties to the JV and expectations around timing for receiving any term sheet and the potential binding nature of any such term sheet, the expectation that the Potential JV will maximize stockholder value or be the best path for success; and Masimo’s EPS targets and guidance. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations about future events affecting Masimo and are subject to risks and uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Masimo’s control and could cause its actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in its forward-looking statements as a result of various risk factors, including, but not limited to (i) uncertainties regarding future actions that may be taken by Politan in furtherance of its nomination of director candidates for election at the 2024 Annual Meeting, (ii) the potential cost and management distraction attendant to Politan’s nomination of director nominees at the 2024 Annual Meeting, (iii) the risk that the Potential JV may not be entered into or completed in a timely manner or at all; (iv) the failure to receive, on a timely basis or otherwise, any required approvals of the Potential JV by Masimo’s Board of Directors and/or regulatory authorities, (v) factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of Masimo’s most recent periodic reports filed with the
Non-GAAP Financial Measure
This communication discusses the Company’s non-GAAP consolidated EPS for the year ending
Additional Information Regarding the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Where to Find It
On
Certain Information Regarding Participants
The Company, its directors and certain of its executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s stockholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2024 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, of the Company’s directors and executive officers in the Company is included in the Amended Revised Proxy Statement, which can be found through the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/937556/000121390024071554/ea0206756-07.htm, and any changes thereto may be found in any amendments or supplements to the Amended Revised Proxy Statement and other documents as and when filed by the Company with the
Disclaimer
The Company has neither sought nor obtained the consent from any third party to use any statements or information contained in this press release that have been obtained or derived from statements made or published by such third parties. Any such statements or information should not be viewed as indicating the support of such third parties for the views expressed herein.
APPENDIX
“For example, Masimo alleges that “Glass Lewis and ISS, [shareholder advisory firms], have already recommended Masimo stockholders vote their proxies in favor of the Politan slate, citing Defendants’ lies as the truth.” (FAC 262.) The evidence supports this allegation. (See e.g., ISS Report at 22, 33; Ex. 111 (“Glass Lewis Report”), at 12.) As these reports are tools for shareholders to use when deciding how to cast their vote, Masimo has shown, with particularity, how Politan’s false or misleading statements are likely to be an “essential link” in the accomplishment of Politan’s proposed transaction, the election of its Nominees. See Desaigoudar, 223 F.3d at 1022.”
“I think the fact that the Court has held the defendants in contempt is likely a factor that a reasonable shareholder would consider in considering the positions of the parties and evaluating their respective arguments in the shareholder fight.”
“The Court agrees with Masimo that it has pleaded particular facts that give rise to
a strong inference of negligence. See § 78u-4(b)(2)(A). For example, Masimo alleges Politan’s proxy materials claim that Masimo’s Board delegated authority to Kiani and
management to sell Masimo without approval of the Board. (FAC 236.) It then cites
the proxy materials discussed in Section III.B.1.f.i where Politan made these claims.
(Id. 237.) As mentioned above, Politan’s statement was misleading as it does not
accurately reflect the
“As the shareholder vote is only days away and this case is unlikely to produce a final decision on the merits until well after that time, it is likely that an irreparable harm will occur to Masimo if an uninformed vote takes place. See Allergan, 2014 WL 5604539, at *16. Accordingly, the Court finds that Masimo has established that it is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief. Winter, 555 U.S. at 20. ”
“
Unquestionably, “effective enforcement of federal securities laws promotes the
public interest.” Taseko Mines Ltd. v. Raging
“Defendants are missing the point. Politan’s proxy
materials state not only that the Board granted Kiani the authority to pursue a sale of
Masimo, but that he was delegated the authority to “carry out a sale of the entire
Company without any obligation to provide process updates to the Board.” (Swartz
Decl., Ex. 86, at 6 (emphasis added).) It is Kiani’s ability to execute the sale of company
that Masimo alleges is misleading. (Suppl. to Mot. at 24.) That statement implies
Kiani’s power swept far broader then merely seeking a potential buyer or hiring advisors
and potentially creates a false impression that the Board would have no say in Masimo’s
sale. But the minutes from the
“The statement is also material because Kiani and the Board’s leadership,
especially its deference to Kiani, is directly at issue in the present proxy fight. (See, e.g., ISS Report, at 1 (“Instead of using last year’s proxy contest as a chance to break with the past, the board has continued to bow to Kiani, including by allowing him to exercise
inappropriate influence over the refreshment process.”); id. at 33 (“[T]he nature of the CEO’s role in board refreshment over the past year was inappropriate due to [Masimo’s]
corporate governance track record, and the board has again adopted defensive rhetoric
that reflects indifference to shareholders. This is strong evidence in support of a case for
further change.”). Therefore, it is apparent to the Court that a “reasonable shareholder”
preparing to vote would see this falsehood about Kiani’s power over the Board as
“important.” See TSC Indus., 426 U.S. at 449. Learning that Politan’s statement in fact
falsely portrays Kiani’s power has the potential to influence that “reasonable
shareholders” perspective about the Board and Kiani’s management of the Masimo.
Accordingly, Masimo did show that Politan’s statement about Kiani’s power would have
sufficiently satisfied the first element of its Section 14(a) claim. See
“Defendants further dispute that Politan’s assertion that Kiani “was unable to find a
deal on what he considered to be satisfactory terms” is misleading. (Opp’n at 29.)
Instead, they argue there is no “material difference” between not receiving an offer and
not finding a deal on satisfactory terms. (Id.)
The Court disagrees. As discussed above, Kiani’s power over Masimo’s Board is
one of the main lines of attack being made by Politan and promulgated to shareholders in
this proxy fight. (See, e.g., ISS Report at 1, 33.) Politan’s statement insinuates that
Kiani made the decision on his own to reject offers to buy Masimo. Thus, the Court
finds it material and substantially likely that Politan’s false statement would have
“assumed actual significance in the deliberations of the reasonable shareholder.” See
TSC Indus., 426 U.S. at 449. Consequently, Masimo did show this statement sufficiently
would have satisfied the first element of its Section 14(a) claim. See
“The parties agreed at the hearing that the Court’s ruling itself would be material to an investor’s vote decision in the proxy fight. Politan’s disclosure gave it an unfair advantage in the proxy fight because, so long as Masimo was bound by the sealing order, it could not meaningfully reply to Politan’s press release. Therefore, the Court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, see In re Dual-Deck Video, 10 F.3d at 695, that it is highly probable Politan and Koffey violated the Court’s Order when they issued the disclosure. Accordingly, the Court finds there is no “fair ground of doubt as to the wrongfulness of” Politan and Koffey’s conduct. See Taggart, 587 U.S. at 561 (citation omitted).”
__________________
1 Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measure” below for additional detail.
2
3 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction,
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240915066117/en/
Investor Contact:
(949) 297-7077
ekammerman@masimo.com
Media Contact
:
(949) 396-3376
elamb@masimo.com
Source: