30. Contingent assets and liabilities

30. Contingent assets and liabilities

The French entity has signed a lease agreement in October 2013 for new office premises in the “Parc Biocitech” in Romainville, France (with effect from 1 February 2015) to replace the current premises in Romainville. The agreement is entered into for a 12-year period. The net rent amounts to €1.4 million on an annual basis. Galapagos NV, as the parent company, has issued a guarantee on first demand for €2 million to lessor of the building. Additionally a bank guarantee, amounting to €3 million, was issued for the rental of the new premises. These guarantees entered into force upon signature of the lease agreement and will expire on 30 June 2015 after the move into the new facilities.

On 13 March 2014, the Group announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell the service division operations to Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (the “Buyer”) for a total consideration of up to €134 million. Charles River agreed to pay Galapagos an immediate cash consideration of €129 million. Upon achievement of a revenue target 12 months after transaction closing, Galapagos will be eligible to receive an earn-out payment of €5 million. In addition, approximately 5% of the total price consideration, including price adjustments, is being held on an escrow account which will be released on 30 June 2015 if no claim has been introduced by the Buyer. Following the divestment, Galapagos remains guarantor for a limited transitional period in respect of the lease obligations for certain U.K. premises amounting to £40 million future rent payments. The Buyer will fully indemnify Galapagos NV against all liabilities arising in connection with the lease obligation. Galapagos evaluated the risk to be remote. Finally, following common practice, Galapagos NV has given customary representations and warranties which are capped and limited in time.

In the course of 2008, a former director of one of the subsidiaries sued for wrongful termination and seeks damages of €1.1 million. The Group believes that the amount of damages claimed is unrealistically high. In 2014, the court requested an external advisor to evaluate the exact amount of damages. This analysis is still ongoing. Considering the defense elements provided in favor of Galapagos and also the latest evolution in the court, the Board and management evaluated the risk to be remote to possible, but not likely. Accordingly, it was decided not to record any provision in 2014 as the exposure is considered to be limited.