SCHEDULE "J" - SETTLEMENT APPROVAL NOTICE - XARELTO® LITIGATION: NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT APPROVAL

CALGARY, AB, Oct. 21, 2026 /CNW/ -- This Notice contains a summary of some of the terms of the Settlement Agreement. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined have the meaning ascribed to them in the Settlement Agreement. If there is a conflict between the provisions of this Notice and the Settlement Agreement, the terms of the Settlement Agreement shall prevail.

NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT APPROVAL

This is a notice for Class Members in the following Proceedings: Tluchak (Estate) et al. v. Bayer Inc. et al., commenced in the Court of King's Bench for Saskatchewan, Docket QBG-RG-00517-2015 and Gagnon c. Bayer inc., commenced in the Cour supérieure du Québec, Court File No. 500-06-000732-152 (the "Proceedings"). The Proceedings raised various allegations against the Defendants and sought damages on behalf of all Canadians for harm and injuries which were allegedly related to the use of Xarelto^®. The settlement of the Proceedings (the "Settlement") has been approved by the Courts.

WHO IS INCLUDED?

The Settlement applies to the following Class Members:

1. Canadian residents, excluding residents of Québec, who were prescribed and ingested Xarelto^® in Canada ("Primary Class Member") before October 27, 2025, and individuals who may make a claim pursuant to Family Compensation Legislation because of their relationship with a Primary Class Member ("Family Class Member") (the "Saskatchewan Class"); and
2. All persons residing in Québec who were prescribed and have ingested the drug Xarelto^® (rivaroxaban) from January 1, 2008 to October 27, 2025, and their successors, assigns, family members, and dependents (the "Québec Class").

SUMMARY OF THE SETTLEMENT

The Settlement provides for the payment of at least $4,500,000 (CDN) which will be used to pay compensation for Approved Claims, Provincial Health Insurer Claims, Administration Expenses, Class Counsel Fees and Disbursements and any applicable taxes. Payments to approved Claimants will be made to Class Members who meet the criteria in the Compensation Protocol described below within the specified timeframes.

The Defendants deny all allegations and deny any wrongdoing or liability. The Courts have not taken any position on the merits of the arguments of either the Plaintiffs or the Defendants, but have determined that the Settlement Agreement is fair, reasonable, and in the best interests of the Class Members. A term of the Settlement is that the Proceedings will be dismissed or discontinued, which means that the lawsuit has come to an end, and there will be no trial.

PARTICIPATING IN THE SETTLEMENT

Class Members who satisfy the eligibility criteria set out in the Compensation Protocol may be entitled to benefits that will be calculated in accordance with the points system detailed in the Compensation Protocol.

Until all claims have been adjudicated, it will not be possible to determine the exact value of the compensation that may be paid to eligible Claimants.

If you are a Class Member as defined above, you may be eligible for compensation if, on or before February 17, 2027, you submit a Claim Form with supporting medical, pharmaceutical, or other documentation that establishes that you or a family member was prescribed Xarelto^® in Canada before October 27, 2025, ("Primary Claimant"), and the Primary Claimant:

(a) experienced a bleeding event that led to the Primary Claimant's death, resulted in a brain injury or other significant organ damage with long-term cognitive or physical impairment, or required at least 24 hours of hospitalization; and

(b) used Xarelto^® within 24 hours before experiencing the bleeding event.

Supporting documentation to establish the prescription and use of Xarelto^® includes medical, pharmacy, and other records that Xarelto^® (or before November 2023, rivaroxaban) was prescribed and dispensed by a pharmacy. As more fully described in the Compensation Protocol, in some cases, a statement by a Claimant or his or her physician may suffice to establish the prescription and use of Xarelto^®.

To be eligible for compensation as a family member of a Primary Claimant, evidence must be provided of the requisite relationship, which differs by province.  A comprehensive list of eligible Family Claimants is located at www.mnp.ca/xareltosettlement .

The Claims Administrator is responsible for determining the validity of Claims and for allocating points to Approved Claims based upon the severity of the bleeding events. In special circumstances, such as young age of the primary claimant, devastating injuries, complete loss of ability to work, etc., an additional amount may be awarded from a Special Circumstances Fund. The Claims Administrator's decisions are final and may not be appealed.

MAKING A CLAIM

To make a Claim under the Settlement Agreement, you must complete and submit a Claim Package, including a completed Claim Form with the necessary supporting evidence detailed in the Compensation Protocol to the Claims Administrator on or before February 17, 2027. If you do NOT submit your Claim on time, you will not be eligible for any benefits under the Settlement Agreement. For further details on how claims will be evaluated, you should refer to the Compensation Protocol outlined in the Settlement Agreement, available at www.mnp.ca/xareltosettlement .

The Claim Form requires that you provide medical records which can be time consuming to retrieve. It is very important that you start this process as soon as possible, if you or your lawyer have not already done so. You may wish to retain a lawyer to assist you in this process. You can retain Class Counsel or a lawyer of your choice.

LEGAL FEES

The Courts approved Class Counsel Fees and Class Counsel Disbursements in the amount of at least $1,350,000 and up to $1,575,000, plus taxes. Class Counsel were retained on a contingency basis and were responsible for funding all expenses incurred in pursuing this litigation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

If you have questions about the Settlement, or would like to obtain more information or copies of the Settlement Agreement, Compensation Protocol or other related documents, in English or French, please visit the settlement website at www.mnp.ca/xareltosettlement, or contact the Claims Administrator or Class Counsel.

This Notice is a summary of the Settlement. You should consult the Settlement Agreement or contact Class Counsel or the Claims Administrator for specific details as to your rights and obligations under the Settlement Agreement.

CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR:

MNP Ltd. 
2000, 112 – 4 Ave SW
Calgary, AB T2P 0H3
Tel: [phone]

Rick Anderson, National Director, Class Action Claims Administration
Email: [email protected]  

CLASS COUNSEL:

Merchant Law Group LLP
2401 Saskatchewan Drive, Suite 100
Regina, SK  S4P 4H8
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Evatt Merchant, K.C.
Email: [email protected]   

Consumer Law Group Inc.
1030 rue Berri, Suite 102
Montréal, QC  H2L 4C3
Tel: [phone], ext. 2
Fax: [phone]
Jeff Orenstein
Email: [email protected]

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE DEFENDANTS OR THE COURTS ABOUT THESE PROCEEDINGS.

This Notice has been approved by the Court of King's Bench for Saskatchewan, and the Cour supérieure du Québec.

SOURCE MNP LTD