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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 11-K

(Mark One)  

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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

OR

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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                             to                              

Commission file number 1-15525



 

A.  Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
401(k) Savings and Investment Plan

 

B.  Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
One Edwards Way
Irvine, California 92614
(949) 250-2500





Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
401(k) Savings and Investment Plan
Index to Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule

 
  Page
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   1
Financial Statements:    
  Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2003 and 2002   3
  Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002   4
  Notes to Financial Statements   5
Supplemental Schedules*    
Signature   11
Exhibits:    
  23.1—Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   13
  23.2—Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   14

*
Schedules required by Section 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under ERISA have been omitted because they are not applicable.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Participants and the Administrative and Investment Committee
for the Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Employee Benefit Plans:

        We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Edwards Lifesciences Corporation 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan (the "Plan") as of December 31, 2003, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2003. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

        We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2003 and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2003 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/  MOSS ADAMS LLP     
Orange County, California

May 28, 2004

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Participants and the Administrative and Investment Committee
for the Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Employee Benefit Plans:

        In our opinion, the accompanying statement of net assets available for benefits and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Edwards Lifesciences Corporation 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan (the "Plan") at December 31, 2002, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2002 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/  PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP    
Orange County, California

June 26, 2003

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Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
401(k) Savings and Investment Plan
Statements of Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits

 
  December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
ASSETS              
  Investments in Master Trust, at fair value   $ 138,638,810   $ 114,688,260  
  Receivables:              
    Dividends and interest receivable     152,834     316,189  
    Participant contributions         93,911  
    Company contributions     209,264     983,930  
   
 
 
    Total receivables     362,098     1,394,030  
   
 
 
    Total assets     139,000,908     116,082,290  
   
 
 
LIABILITIES              
  Accounts payable         (68,633 )
   
 
 
    Net assets available for benefits   $ 139,000,908   $ 116,013,657  
   
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

3



Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
401(k) Savings and Investment Plan
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

 
  Year Ended December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
Additions to net assets attributed to:              
  Investment income:              
    Net appreciation in fair value in Master Trust   $ 17,424,772   $  
    Interest     1,534,382     1,997,872  
    Dividends     152,834     162,178  
   
 
 
      Total investment income     19,111,988     2,160,050  
 
Contributions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
    Participant contributions     8,101,453     7,425,708  
    Company contributions     4,150,842     4,709,662  
    Rollover contributions     604,235     1,153,589  
   
 
 
      Total contributions     12,856,530     13,288,959  
   
 
 
        Total additions     31,968,518     15,449,009  

Deductions from net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Net depreciation in fair value in Master Trust         19,788,537  
  Benefits paid to participants     8,671,527     7,560,624  
  Administrative expenses     309,740     264,366  
   
 
 
    Total deductions     8,981,267     27,613,527  
   
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits     22,987,251     (12,164,518 )
Net assets available for benefits:              
  Beginning of year     116,013,657     128,178,175  
   
 
 
  End of year   $ 139,000,908   $ 116,013,657  
   
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

4



Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
401(k) Savings and Investment Plan
Notes to Financial Statements

1.     Description of the Plan

        The following description of the Edwards Lifesciences Corporation 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan (the "Plan") is provided for general information purposes only. Participants should refer to the Plan document for more complete information.

General

        The Plan is a defined contribution retirement plan subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"). Participation in the Plan is available to employees of the Company who have met certain eligibility requirements, as described below.

Eligibility

        Employees become eligible to participate in the Plan on the thirty-first day after an employee is credited with an hour of service. Eligible individuals are those who are U.S. employees of the Company, or a subsidiary, division or facility of the Company that has adopted the Plan, other than:

Plan Administration

        The Plan is administered by the Administrative and Investment Committee for the Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Employee Benefit Plans (the "Committee"). The Committee has authority, responsibility and control over the management of the assets of the Plan. Members of the Committee are appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company and are currently employees of the Company. State Street Bank and Trust Company ("Trustee") serves as trustee of the Plan assets and CitiStreet Institutional and Total Benefits Outsourcing provides record keeping services for the Plan.

Contributions

        The Plan allows tax deferred contributions intended to qualify under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC"). Eligible participants may make pre-tax contributions up to 25% of their eligible annual compensation within certain limitations. The Company matches the first three percent of the participant's annual eligible compensation contributed to the Plan on a dollar for dollar basis. The Company matches the next two percent of the participant's annual eligible compensation to the Plan on a 50% basis. Each participant who is an hourly manufacturing employee is eligible to receive discretionary profit sharing contributions in an amount targeted at three percent of such participant's annual base pay based on the achievement of certain performance measures. In addition, if a participant is age 50 or older, the participant is allowed to make additional catch-up contributions within certain limitations. Certain employees are also eligible for transitional contributions related to the spin-off from Baxter, as described more fully in the Plan document.

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Participant Accounts

        Each participant's account is credited with the participant's contributions, the Company's matching contributions and the allocation of the participant's share of the Plan's net earnings and losses, net of certain investment management fees. Allocations are based on participant account balances, as defined.

Vesting

        Participants are immediately fully vested in their plan accounts (other than their Company matching contributions) plus actual earnings thereon. Vesting in a participant's Company matching contributions plus actual earnings thereon is based on years of continuous service. A participant vests in Company matching contributions in annual increments of 20% and, therefore, is 100% vested after five years of credited service. On termination of service due to death, disability, or attainment of normal retirement age, a participant shall become fully vested.

Investment Options

        As of December 31, 2003, upon enrollment in the Plan, a participant may direct contributions in any of the following investment options within the Master Trust:

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Participant Loans

        Participants may borrow an amount ranging from a minimum of $500 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their vested account balances. The loans bear interest based on the applicable prime rate at the time of issuance plus 1%, which interest rates presently range from 5% to 10%, and have a maximum term of five years (or ten years if used to acquire a home). The loans are collateralized by the participants' vested interest in their accounts and any additional collateral as the Committee may require. Principal and interest are generally paid ratably through payroll deductions.

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Payment of Benefits

        On termination of service or otherwise becoming eligible to receive benefits, a participant may elect to receive a lump-sum amount equal to the value of the participant's account, receive periodic installments or transfer the balance in the participant's account to another qualified plan. Vested accounts of $5,000 or less will be automatically paid in a lump-sum amount.

        A participant may make withdrawals from the participant's accounts (except as provided in the Plan document) upon reaching age 591/2, becoming fully vested and completing five years of Plan participation. Withdrawals may also be made for financial hardship, which is determined pursuant to the provisions of the IRC. Upon making a hardship withdrawal, a participant may not make additional pre-tax contributions for a period of 6 months from the date of the withdrawal payment.

Administrative Expenses

        Substantially all investment manager, trustee and administrative fees incurred in the administration of the Plan were paid from the assets of the Plan.

Forfeitures

        A participant's non-vested balance is forfeited at the time of termination of employment. Such forfeitures may be used to offset future Company matching contributions.

2.     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting

        The accompanying financial statements of the Plan have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition

        The investment in the Master Trust (see Note 3) is valued at the net asset value of the underlying investments within the Master Trust. The Master Trust's assets are primarily invested in funds managed by State Street Bank and Trust Company through a commingled employee benefit funds trust. Units have been purchased in funds which invest primarily in securities of major U.S. companies, international equity securities in both developed and emerging markets, and government agency fixed income securities.

        Net appreciation (depreciation) in Master Trust includes realized gains and losses on the sale of investments and unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

Payment of Benefits

        Benefits to participants are recorded when paid.

Use of Estimates

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and related notes to the financial statements. Changes in such estimates may affect amounts reported in future periods.

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Risks and Uncertainties

        The Plan provides for various investment options in any combination of investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in risks in the near term would materially affect participants' account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits and the statements of changes in net assets available for benefits.

3.     Investments

        The Master Trust, held by State Street Bank and Trust Company, holds the assets of the Plan and the Edwards Lifesciences Corporation of Puerto Rico Savings and Investment Plan.

        The accompanying statements of net assets available for Plan benefits reflect the apportioned share of the underlying Plan assets and liabilities of the Trust. Allocations of net income from the Trust are based on the Plan's net assets at the beginning of the year with adjustments for contributions and benefit payments made during the year.

        Summarized financial information as provided by State Street Bank and Trust Company for the Trust as of December 31 is as follows:

 
  December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 21,550   $ 116,451  
Commingled and common stock funds     140,871,335     115,764,573  
Participant loans     5,054,897     4,784,465  
   
 
 
  Net assets held by Master Trust   $ 145,947,782   $ 120,665,489  
   
 
 
% of plan net assets held by Master Trust     95 %   95 %
   
 
 

        Investment income (loss) from Master Trust investments for the years ended December 31, 2003, and 2002 is as follows:

 
  Year Ended December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
Interest income   $ 1,687,510   $ 2,267,952  
Dividend income     152,834     163,292  
Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of Commingled and common stock funds     17,891,710     (20,497,989 )
   
 
 
Investment income (loss)   $ 19,732,054   $ (18,066,745 )
   
 
 
% of plan investment income (loss) from Master Trust     97 %   98 %
   
 
 

4.     Distribution Priorities upon Termination of the Plan

        Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to reduce, suspend or discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. Upon termination of the Plan, the account balance of each participant will become 100% vested and all assets, net of expenses, will be distributed to the participants or the participants' beneficiaries.

9



5.     Tax Status of the Plan

        The Company has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service on the Plan's federal income tax status. Although the Plan has since been amended, the Plan Administrator believes the Plan is currently designed and is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.

6.     Related Parties

        At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Plan, through its investment in the Master Trust, held units of participation in certain commingled funds and short-term investment funds of the Trustee and held shares of common stock of the Company. These transactions are allowable party-in-interest transactions under ERISA and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

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SIGNATURE

        The Plan.    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the administrator of the Plan has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

    EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION
401(K) SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

 

 

 

 
June 24, 2004   By: /s/  CORINNE H. LYLE      
Corinne H. Lyle
Member of the Administrative and
Investment Committee for the
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Employee Benefit Plans
       

11



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibits are identified below. Exhibit 23 is filed herein as an exhibit hereto.

Exhibit No.

  Description
23.1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

12




QuickLinks

Index to Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Statements of Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
Notes to Financial Statements
SIGNATURE
EXHIBIT INDEX