COLUMBIA, Md., Nov. 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (OTC Pink:OSIR) (the “Company”), a leading regenerative medicine company focused on developing and marketing products for wound care, orthopedics, and sports medicine, today announced the resolution of the previously disclosed investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) into the Company’s historical accounting practices.
The Company has agreed to settle with the SEC, without admitting or denying the allegations of the SEC, by consenting to the entry of a final judgment, subject to court approval, that permanently restrains and enjoins the Company from violating certain provisions of the federal securities laws. As part of the resolution, the Company also has agreed to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $1,500,000. This resolution, if approved by the Court, will resolve, as to the Company, the matters alleged by the SEC in the complaint.
The Company cooperated fully with the SEC during its investigation. Since the SEC’s investigation began, the Company has made numerous important changes to its internal control over financial reporting and disclosure practices, hired a new chief executive officer, chief financial officer and general counsel, and enhanced staff in its accounting and finance departments.
“We are very pleased to have reached the resolution announced today, which relates to activities that occurred during the tenure of the Company’s former management team,” said Peter Friedli, Chairman of the Board of the Company. “We have instituted broad remedial measures designed to detect and prevent the issues that led to the matter being resolved, and this resolution allows us to continue moving forward with the Company’s critical mission of making advances in the area of cellular and regenerative medicine.”
The resolution announced today relates only to the SEC. As previously disclosed, there is an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York relating to matters that were also investigated by the SEC, and the Company is cooperating fully with the investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
About Osiris Therapeutics
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., based in Columbia, Maryland, is a world leader in researching, developing, and marketing regenerative medicine products that improve health and lives of patients and lower overall healthcare costs. Having developed the world’s first approved stem cell drug, the Company continues to advance its research and development in biotechnology by focusing on innovation in regenerative medicine — including bioengineering, stem cell research and viable tissue based products. Osiris has achieved commercial success with products in wound care, orthopedics, and sports medicine, including Grafix®, Stravix®, BIO4® (available exclusively through Stryker), and Cartiform® (available exclusively through Arthrex). Osiris, Grafix, Stravix and Cartiform are registered trademarks of Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., and BIO4 is a registered trademark of Howmedica Osteonics Corp. Osiris makes no claims concerning functional activities of Grafix or Stravix. Although well characterized in scientific literature and studies, preservation of tissue integrity including cells may not be indicative of clinical outcome. More information can be found on the Company’s website, www.Osiris.com. (OSIR-G)
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about the Company’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project” or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s ability to move forward with its business activities, the effectiveness of the Company’s remediation measures, including the effectiveness of completed and planned improvements in its internal control over financial reporting. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Several factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the identification of additional errors in the restatement process for the 2015 quarterly and interim periods, changes or additional errors uncovered by the Company or its independent registered accounting firm, changes in the scope or focus of the accounting adjustments, the risk that additional information may arise prior to the expected filing with the SEC of the Company’s audited financial statements for 2015, 2016 and 2017 or subsequent events that would require us to make adjustments. In addition, the Company’s independent registered accounting firm may determine that other adjustments or errors exist in previously reported 2015 interim periods or other prior periods. Other risk factors affecting the Company are discussed in detail in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including its Form 10-K/A for 2014. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
For additional information, please contact:
Diane Savoie
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.
(443) 545-1834
OsirisPR@Osiris.com
Source: Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.
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