Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP Announces Securities Class Action Suit Filed Against Joseph C. Papa And Perrigo Company plc

NEW YORK, May 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP ("BLB&G") today announced that it filed a securities class action lawsuit on behalf of its client Roofers' Pension Fund ("Roofers") against Perrigo Company plc ("Perrigo" or the "Company") (NYSE: PRGO), and the Company's former Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") Joseph C. Papa (collectively "Defendants").  The action, which is filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, asserts claims under Sections 10(b), 14(e), and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b), 78n(e),  and 78t(a), and SEC Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5, on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Perrigo common stock between April 21, 2015 and May 11, 2016, inclusive (the "Class Period").  This action is also brought on behalf of all investors in Perrigo common stock as of November 13, 2015, which was the deadline for Perrigo investors to tender their shares in connection with a tender offer made by Mylan N.V. ("Mylan").

The Complaint alleges that during the Class Period, Defendants violated provisions of the Exchange Act by issuing false and misleading press releases, financial statements, filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and statements during investor conference calls.  Perrigo is a manufacturer of generic drugs and over-the-counter healthcare products.

On April 8, 2015, competing drug manufacturer Mylan approached the Perrigo Board of Directors with an offer to purchase Perrigo for $205 per share, representing a nearly 30% premium to the Company's total market capitalization.  Mylan's approach was well received by investors, and the price of Perrigo stock increased to as high as $215 per share in intraday trading on April 8.

However, beginning on April 21, 2015, and continuing throughout the Class Period, Perrigo publicly rejected Mylan's offer and falsely told investors that the offer substantially undervalued Perrigo and its growth prospects, and that the offer did not take into account the full benefits of the Company's acquisition of Omega Pharma N.V. ("Omega").  Even though Mylan subsequently raised its offer to approximately $235 per share, over the next six months, Perrigo continued to engage in a public campaign to convince shareholders to reject Mylan's proposal.  Convinced by Perrigo's strong opposition to Mylan's tender offer, on November 13, 2015, the majority of the Company's shareholders declined to tender their shares making the tender offer a failure.  Moreover, Defendants' misrepresentations caused Perrigo shares to trade at artificially inflated prices throughout the Class Period.

The truth began to be revealed on February 18, 2016, when Perrigo reported fourth quarter 2015 revenue, margins, earnings, and cash flow that were all lower than investors had been led to expect, and decreased earnings guidance for 2016.  The Company also announced the sudden need to restructure parts of the Omega business, and that it would need to take a $185 million impairment charge related to Omega's assets.  Then, on April 22, 2016, Reuters reported that Perrigo's longtime CEO, Papa, would be appointed as the new CEO of competing pharmaceutical company Valeant Pharmaceuticals.  Days later, on April 25, 2016, Perrigo confirmed that CEO Papa was, in fact, resigning to become the new CEO of Valeant.  The Company also drastically lowered its earnings guidance for 2016 and announced weak preliminary first-quarter 2016 results.  The Company attributed its poor financial performance to increased competitive pressures and weaker than expected performance within Omega.  Then, on May 12, 2016, Perrigo announced a first quarter net loss of $0.93 per share (which the Company later revised to a loss of $2.34 per share), which the Company largely attributed to an additional $467 million impairment charge relating to the Omega acquisition.  These disclosures caused a material decline in the price of Perrigo stock.

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff for the Class, you must file a motion with the Court no later than July 18, 2016, which is the first business day on which the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey is open that is 60 days after the publication date of May 18, 2016.  Any member of the proposed class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain a member of the proposed class.

Roofers is represented by BLB&G, a firm of over 100 attorneys with offices in New York, California, Louisiana, and Illinois.  If you wish to discuss this Action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact Avi Josefson of BLB&G at 212-554-1493, or via e-mail at [email protected].

Since its founding in 1983, BLB&G has built an international reputation for excellence and integrity.  Specializing in securities fraud, corporate governance, shareholders' rights, employment discrimination, and civil rights litigation, among other practice areas, BLB&G prosecutes class and private actions on behalf of institutional and individual clients worldwide. Unique among its peers, BLB&G has obtained several of the largest and most significant securities recoveries in history, recovering over $30 billion on behalf of defrauded investors. More information about BLB&G can be found online at www.blbglaw.com.

SOURCE Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP