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QuidelOrtho (QDEL) - 2023 Q4 - Annual Report

Global Operations - QuidelOrtho operates globally with manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and U.K., serving customers in over 130 countries[17]. - The company operates in over 130 countries with approximately 2,900 commercial sales, service, and regional marketing teammates, supporting a broad global footprint[34]. - The company manages its business geographically, with reportable segments including North America, EMEA, and China[18]. Product Offerings and Innovation - The company generated revenue primarily from Labs, Transfusion Medicine, Point of Care, and Molecular Diagnostics business units[21]. - The QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 test was introduced to new markets, including school districts and health departments[18]. - The Vitros XT 7600 integrated system offers 40% greater test throughput and a 98% up-time guarantee for e-connected U.S. customers[23]. - The Savanna platform can run up to 12 unique analytes from a single patient sample in less than 25 minutes[25]. - The Triage platform aids in diagnosing critical conditions, potentially reducing hospital admissions and improving clinical outcomes[26]. - QuidelOrtho's molecular diagnostics include the Lyra and Solana platforms, which provide high-quality testing for infectious diseases[25]. - The company completed a business combination with Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, enhancing its diagnostic capabilities[18]. - QuidelOrtho's product portfolio includes over 60 immunoassay tests, utilizing enhanced chemiluminescent technology for precision[23]. - The strategic focus includes expanding into the at-home testing market, with plans for additional tests such as for flu and RSV, reflecting a response to evolving healthcare needs[37]. Research and Development - R&D expenses increased to 246.8millionforfiscalyear2023,upfrom246.8 million for fiscal year 2023, up from 190.5 million in 2022 and 95.7 million in 2021, indicating a strong commitment to innovation and product development[41]. - The company aims to leverage third-party partnerships and acquisitions to enhance R&D capabilities and accelerate time to market for innovative offerings[39]. Supply Chain and Manufacturing - The company operates multiple manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and internationally, all certified to ISO 13485:2016 and MDSAP medical device standards, ensuring compliance with quality management systems[52][53][54][55][56][57][58]. - The company is diversifying its supply base and creating redundancy in its global supply chain to mitigate supply chain challenges[61]. - In fiscal years 2023 and 2022, the company faced increasing pressures on raw material pricing, although the pressures were less severe in 2023 compared to 2022[61]. Regulatory Compliance - The company’s diagnostic products are primarily marketed in the U.S. under 510(k) clearances and PMA approvals, which are subject to rigorous FDA regulations[70][73]. - The FDA can authorize emergency use of unapproved medical products during public health emergencies, which has applied to some of the company's respiratory products[71]. - The company must adhere to various healthcare-related laws regulating fraud, abuse, and marketing practices[87]. - The company is subject to various privacy, data security, and data protection laws, including HIPAA and GDPR, which impose significant compliance obligations and potential fines of up to €20 million or 4% of total worldwide annual turnover[90]. - The company is subject to routine inspections by the FDA and other regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with applicable requirements, including the FDA's Quality System Regulation[189]. Financial Performance and Market Risks - Sales of respiratory products accounted for approximately 24% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023[127]. - A significant portion of revenues is generated from a limited number of product families, particularly respiratory products, which have higher gross margins compared to other core products[128]. - The company faces risks from global market conditions, including economic downturns, inflation, and geopolitical instability, which could adversely affect sales and profitability[125]. - The company relies on a small number of key distributors for sales, and the loss of any of these distributors could significantly disrupt business operations[129]. - The company may experience challenges in achieving market acceptance of new products, which could impact future sales levels[145]. Employee and Corporate Governance - As of December 31, 2023, the company had approximately 7,100 employees worldwide, with 4,200 in the U.S. and 2,900 outside the U.S.[101]. - Approximately 15% of global associates are covered by a union or collective bargaining agreement, with no work stoppages reported to date[101]. - The executive management team consists of 8 members, with 25% identifying as female, and the board of directors has 27% female representation[107]. - The company plans to conduct periodic pulse surveys throughout 2024 to measure employee engagement and satisfaction[103]. - Employee benefits include health insurance, retirement plans with employer match, and various voluntary benefits tailored to individual needs[108]. Environmental and Social Responsibility - The company is committed to maintaining compliance with environmental regulations, with no expected material impact on financial position from current compliance costs[110]. - The company aims to align corporate actions with environmental sustainability and social responsibility to positively impact communities and stakeholders[113]. - The company has established a charitable giving program that includes matching employee contributions up to 200 annually and donations for volunteer work[115]. Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property - Cybersecurity risks pose a threat to the company's information systems, which are critical for business operations and may lead to costly disruptions[164]. - The company employs various measures to mitigate cybersecurity risks, including technical, physical, and organizational security measures, but vulnerabilities remain due to evolving threats[166]. - The company holds significant intellectual property, including patents and trade secrets, which are crucial for maintaining competitive advantage in the diagnostic market[171]. - Failure to protect intellectual property rights could lead to loss of market share or the need to reduce prices due to competition from lower-priced products[172].