CANDELA LASER CORP
8-K, 1996-03-28
ELECTROMEDICAL & ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS
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<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                _______________

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                      PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  March 25, 1996


                              Candela Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


            Delaware                       0-14742             04-2477008
- -----------------------------------    ----------------    ------------------
  (State of other jurisdiction of      (Commission File      (IRS Employer
           Incorporation)                  Number)         Identification No.)
 
    530 Boston Post Road
    Wayland, Massachusetts                                 01778     
    ----------------------                                 -----     
     (Address of principal                               (zip code) 
       Executive Offices)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (508) 358-7400


                   __________________________________________
                   (Former name or former address, if changed
                               since last report)


                TOTAL NUMBER OF SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED PAGES ___
                        EXHIBIT INDEX APPEARS ON PAGE 8
<PAGE>
 
Item 5. Other Events
        ------------

        On September 4, 1992, the Board of Directors of Candela Corporation (the
"Company") declared a dividend of one common stock purchase right (a "Right")
for each outstanding share of the Company's Common Stock to stockholders of
record at the close of business on September 22, 1992 (the "Record Date").  Each
Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one share of
common stock at an initial exercise price of $48.00 per share (the "Purchase
Right"), subject to adjustment.  The description and terms of the Rights are set
forth in a Rights Agreement, as amended from time to time (the "Rights
Agreement") between the Company and The First National Bank of Boston, as Rights
Agent, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit  4.1 to Form 8-K dated September 4,
1992, and such previous filing, including exhibits, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
 
        The Company and The First National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent,
amended the Rights Agreement as of March 25, 1996 (the amendment being referred
to as the "First Amendment" and contained herein as Exhibit No. 4.3). A
Certificate of Amendment is contained herein as Exhibit No. 4.2. A description
of the Rights under the Rights Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment, is
set forth below. The following description of the Rights does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement
and the First Amendment.

        Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Common Stock certificates
representing shares then outstanding, and no separate Rights Certificates will
be distributed.  The Rights will separate from the Common Stock and a
Distribution Date will occur upon the earlier of (i) 10 days following the date
on which the Company's chief executive officer becomes aware that a person or
group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired,
or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of more than 25% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock (the "Stock Acquisition Date"), (ii) 10
business days following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer
that may result in a person or group beneficially owning 25% or more of such
outstanding shares of Common Stock or (iii) 10 business days after the
Continuing Directors (as defined in the Rights Agreement) of the Company shall
declare any Person to be an Adverse Person, upon a determination that such
Person, alone or together with its affiliates and associates, has become the
Beneficial Owner of an amount of Common Stock which the Continuing Directors
determine to be substantial (which amount shall in no event be less than 10% of
the shares of Common Stock then outstanding) and a majority of the Continuing
Directors (with the concurrence of a majority of the Independent Directors (as
defined in the Rights Agreement)) determines, after reasonable inquiry and
investigation, including consultation with such persons as such directors shall
deem appropriate, that (a) such beneficial ownership by such person is intended
to cause the Company to repurchase the Common Stock beneficially owned by such
person or to cause pressure on the Company to take action or enter into such
transaction or series of transactions intended to provide such person with
short-term financial gain under circumstances where such directors determine
that the best long-term interests of the Company and its stockholders would not
be served by taking such action or entering into such transaction or series of
transactions at that time or (b) such beneficial ownership is causing or is
reasonably likely to cause a material adverse impact (including, but not limited
to, impairment of relationships with customers or impairment of the Company's
ability to maintain its competitive position on the business or prospects of the
Company.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
        Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the
Rights), (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the Common Stock certificates and
will be transferred with and only with such Common Stock certificates, (ii) new
Common Stock certificates issued after the Record Date will contain a legend
incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference and (iii) the surrender for
transfer of any certificates for Common Stock outstanding, even without such
notation, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the
Common Stock represented by such certificate.  Pursuant to the Rights Agreement,
the Company reserves the right to require that, upon any exercise of Rights, a
number of Rights may be exercised so that only whole shares of Common Stock will
be issued.

        The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will
expire at the close of business on September 22, 2002, unless earlier redeemed
or exchanged by the Company as described below.

        As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, separate
certificates evidencing the Rights ("Rights Certificates") will be mailed to
holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of business on the
Distribution Date and, thereafter, such separate Rights Certificates alone will
represent the Rights. Except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors
and except in connection with shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of
employee stock options issuable under other employee stock benefit plans or upon
the conversion of convertible securities issued hereafter, only shares of Common
Stock issued prior to the Distribution Date will be issued with Rights.

        In the event the Continuing Directors determine that a person is an
Adverse Person or, at any time following the Distribution Date, (i) the Company
is the surviving corporation in a merger with an Acquiring Person and its Common
Stock is not changed or exchanged, (ii) a Person becomes the beneficial owner of
more than 25% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock (except pursuant to
an offer for all outstanding shares of Common Stock which the Independent
Directors determine to be fair to, and otherwise in the best interests of, the
Company and its stockholders), (iii) an Acquiring Person engages in one or more
"self-dealing" transactions as set forth in the Rights Agreement, or (iv) during
such time as there is an Acquiring Person, an event occurs which results in such
Acquiring Person's ownership interest being increased by more than 1% (e.g., a
                                                                       ----   
reverse stock split), each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to
receive, upon exercise, that number of shares of Common Stock (or, in certain
circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Company) which equals
the exercise price of the Right divided by one-half of the current market price
(as defined in the Rights Agreement) of the Common Stock at the date of the
occurrence of the event.  However, Rights are not exercisable following the
occurrence of any of the events set forth above until such time as the Rights
are no longer redeemable by the Company as set forth below.  Notwithstanding any
of the foregoing, following the occurrence of any of the events set forth in
this paragraph, all Rights that are, or (under certain circumstances specified
in the Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or
Adverse Person will be null and void.  The events set forth in this paragraph
are referred to as "Section 11(a)(ii) Events."

        In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date, (i)
the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction in
which the Company is not the surviving corporation (other than a merger which
follows an offer determined by the Board of Directors to be fair as described in
clause (ii) of the preceding paragraph), or (ii) more than 50% of the Company's
assets or earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of a Right (except

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
Rights which previously have been voided as set forth above) shall thereafter
have the right to receive, upon exercise, that number of shares of common stock
of the acquiring company which equals the exercise price of the Right divided by
one-half of the current market price (as defined in the Rights Agreement) of
such common stock at the date of the occurrence of the event.  The events set
forth in this paragraph and the Section 11(a)(ii) Events are collectively
referred to as "Triggering Events."

        At any time after the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, a
majority of the Continuing Directors (as defined in the Rights Agreement) may
exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by an Acquiring Person or Adverse
Person which have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one
share of Common Stock, or one Common Stock Equivalent (as defined in the Rights
Agreement), per Right (subject to adjustment).

        The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Common Stock or
other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject
to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock
dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Common
Stock, (ii) in the event of an issuance wholly for cash of any shares of Common
Stock or Securities which by their terms are convertible into shares of Common
Stock at less than the current market price, (iii) upon the distribution to
holders of the Common Stock of assets (excluding regular quarterly cash
dividends) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to
above).

        With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase
Price. No fractional shares will be issued and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment
in cash will be made based on the market price of the Common Stock on the last
trading date prior to the date of exercise.

        In general, the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in
part, at any time until ten days following the Stock Acquisition Date, at a
price of $.005 per Right (payable in cash, Common Stock or other consideration
deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors). Under certain circumstances set
forth in the Rights Agreement, the decision to redeem shall require the
concurrence of a majority of the Continuing Directors. The Company may not
redeem the Rights if the Continuing Directors have previously declared a person
to be an Adverse Person. After the redemption period has expired, the Company's
right of redemption may be reinstated if either (i) an Acquiring Person reduced
his beneficial ownership to less than 10% of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock in a transaction or series of transactions not involving the Company, or
(ii) the Board of Directors approves the merger of the Company with, or
acquisition of the Company by, a Person unrelated to the Acquiring Person.
Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering redemption of the
Rights, with, where required, the concurrence of the Continuing Directors, the
Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to
receive the $.005 per Right redemption price.
 
        Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not
be taxable to stockholders or to the Company, stockholders may, depending upon
the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights become
exercisable for Common Stock (or other consideration) of the Company or for
common stock of the acquiring company as set forth above.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
        Other than those provisions relating to the principal economic terms of
the Rights, any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the
Board of Directors of the Company prior to the earlier to occur of the
determination that a person is an Adverse Person or the Distribution Date. After
the earlier of such events, the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be
amended by the Board of Directors (in certain circumstances with the concurrence
of the Continuing Directors) in order to cure any ambiguity, to correct or
supplement any provision which may be defective or inconsistent with other
provisions, to make changes which do not adversely affect the interests of
holders of Rights (excluding the interest of any Acquiring Person or any Adverse
Person), or to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement;
provided, however, that no amendment to adjust the time period governing
- --------  -------                                                       
redemption shall be made at such time as the Rights are not redeemable.

        The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects, in that they will cause
substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire a significant
interest in the Company on terms not approved by the Board of Directors.
However, the Rights should not interfere with any merger or other business
combination approved by the Board of Directors.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits
         ---------------------------------

         (c)  Exhibits.
              -------- 

Exhibit No.                   Exhibit
- -----------                   -------

   4.1        Rights Agreement, dated as of September 4, 1992, between Candela
              Corporation and The First National Bank of Boston, which includes
              as Exhibit A the Form of Rights Certificate, and as Exhibit B the
              Summary of Rights to Purchase Common Stock (incorporated herein by
              reference from Form 8-K dated September 4, 1992).

   4.2        Certificate of Amendment, dated as of March 25, 1996, by Candela
              Corporation.

   4.3        First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of March 25, 1996,
              between Candela Corporation and The First National Bank of Boston.

   21.2       Press Release, dated March 26, 1996, announcing amendment of the
              Stockholder Rights Plan.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

March 26, 1996                               CANDELA CORPORATION



                                       By: /s/ Gerard E. Puorro
                                           -------------------------------
                                          Name:   Gerard E. Puorro
                                          Title:  President and Chief
                                                  Executive Officer

<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.              Description                      Page
- -----------              -----------                      ----

   4.1          Rights Agreement, dated as of September 4, 1992, between Candela
                Corporation and The First National Bank of Boston, which
                includes as Exhibit A the Form of Rights Certificate, and as
                Exhibit B the Summary of Rights to Purchase Common Stock
                (incorporated herein by reference from Form 8-K dated September
                2, 1992).

   4.2          Certificate of Amendment, dated as of March 25, 1996, by Candela
                Corporation.

   4.3          First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of March 25, 1996,
                between Candela Corporation and The First National Bank of
                Boston.

   21.2         Press Release, dated March 26, 1996, announcing amendment of the
                Stockholder Rights Plan.

                                      -8-

<PAGE>
 


                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                            ------------------------

     Pursuant to Section 26 of the Rights Agreement dated as of September 4,
1992 (the "Rights Agreement") between Candela Corporation (the "Company") and
The First National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"), the
Company hereby certifies that the First Amendment to the Rights Agreement,
attached as Exhibit 1 hereto, is in compliance with said Section 26.

Dated as of March 25, 1996.

                                       CANDELA CORPORATION



                                       By: /s/ Gerard E. Puorro 
                                          -----------------------------------
                                          Name:   Gerard E. Puorro
                                          Title:  President and Chief
                                                  Executive Officer

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 1
                                                                       ---------

                                FIRST AMENDMENT
                              TO RIGHTS AGREEMENT
                              -------------------


     FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as of March 25, 1996 (the "First Amendment"), to
Rights Agreement dated as of September 4, 1992 (the "Rights Agreement"), between
Candela Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and The First
National Bank of Boston, a national banking association, as Rights Agent (the
"Rights Agent").

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has determined that it would
be desirable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders for
the Company to supplement and amend the Rights Agreement in the manner set forth
in this First Amendment;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
set forth herein and in the Rights Agreement and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and pursuant to
Section 26 of the Rights Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows:

     1.   Section 1(a) of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended to read in its
entirety as follows:


          (a)  "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which, together
          with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the
          Beneficial Owner of more than 25% of the shares of Common Stock then
          outstanding, but shall not include the Company, any Subsidiary of the
          Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary
          of the Company, or any Person or entity organized, appointed or
          established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such
          plan.

     2.   Section 1 (OO) of the Rights Agreement is amended to read in its
entirety as follows:


          (OO) "Stock Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date on which the
          Company's chief executive officer becomes aware that a person or
          entity has become an Acquiring Person.
<PAGE>
 
     3.   The forms of Rights Certificate and Summary of Rights to Purchase
Common Stock attached as Exhibits A and B to the Rights Agreement, respectively,
are amended to read in their entireties as set forth in the forms of such
documents attached hereto and labeled Exhibits A and B, respectively.

     4.   The term "Agreement" as used in the Rights Agreement shall be deemed
to refer to the Rights Agreement as amended hereby.

     5.   The foregoing Amendments shall be effective as of the date hereof and,
except as set forth herein, the Rights Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect and shall be otherwise unaffected hereby.

     6.   This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Amendment to
be duly executed and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed,
all as of the day and year first above written.

Attest:                                CANDELA CORPORATION



By: /s/ Gordon H. Hayes, Jr.           By: /s/ Gerard E. Puorro
   ----------------------------           ----------------------------
  Name:  Gordon H. Hayes, Jr.              Name:   Gerard E. Puorro
  Title: Assistant Secretary               Title:  President and Chief
                                           Executive Officer


Attest:                                THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
                                        OF BOSTON


By: /s/ Linda Zenit                    By: /s/ Gordon C. Stevenson 
   ----------------------------           ----------------------------
  Name:  Linda Zenit                     Name:  Gordon C. Stevenson 
  Title: Account Manager                 TItle: Administration Manager
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------

Certificate No. R-                                      _________________ Rights


         NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER SEPTEMBER 22, 2002 OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED BY THE
         COMPANY.  THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF THE
         COMPANY, AT $0.005 PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS
         AGREEMENT.  UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY
         AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN ADVERSE PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN
         THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS MAY
         BECOME NULL AND VOID.  THE RIGHTS SHALL NOT BE EXERCISABLE, AND SHALL
         BE VOID SO LONG AS HELD, BY A HOLDER IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE
         REQUISITE QUALIFICATION TO THE ISSUANCE TO SUCH HOLDER, OR THE EXERCISE
         BY SUCH HOLDER, OF THE RIGHTS IN SUCH JURISDICTION SHALL NOT HAVE BEEN
         OBTAINED OR BE OBTAINABLE. [THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS
         CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR
         BECAME AN [ACQUIRING] [ADVERSE] PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF
         AN [ACQUIRING] [ADVERSE] PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE
         RIGHTS AGREEMENT).  ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS
         REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCE
         SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(e) OF SUCH AGREEMENT.]/1/


                               Rights Certificate

                              CANDELA CORPORATION

     This certifies that ___________________________, or registered assigns, is
the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which
entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of
the Rights Agreement, dated as of September 4, 1992 (the "Rights Agreement"),
between Candela Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and The
First National Bank of Boston (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase from the Company
at any time 

____________________
/1/ The portion of the legend in brackets shall be inserted only if applicable,
    shall be modified to apply to an Acquiring Person or an Adverse Person, as
    applicable, and shall replace the preceding sentence.
<PAGE>
 
                                      A-2

prior to 5:00 P.M. (Eastern time) on September 22, 2002 at the office or offices
of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or its successors as Rights
Agent, one fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $.01
per share (the "Common Stock"), of the Company, at a purchase price of $48.00
per share (the "Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender of this Rights
Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase and related Certificate duly
executed. The number of Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate (and the
number of shares which may be purchased upon exercise thereof) set forth above,
and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of
September 22, 1992, based on the Common Stock as constituted at such date.

     As more fully set forth in the Rights Agreement, following the occurrence
of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement),
if the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are beneficially owned by (i)
an Acquiring Person, an Adverse Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such
Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), which the Company's
Continuing Directors (as defined in the Rights Agreement), in their sole
discretion, determine is or was involved in or caused or facilitated, directly
or indirectly (including through any change in the Board), such Section
11(a)(ii) Event, (ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Adverse Person,
Affiliate or Associate who becomes a transferee after such Acquiring Person,
Adverse Person, Affiliate or Associate becomes such, or (iii) under certain
circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, a transferee of any such
Acquiring Person, Adverse Person, Affiliate or Associate who becomes a
transferee prior to or concurrently with such Acquiring Person or Adverse Person
becoming such, such Rights shall become null and void and no holder hereof shall
have any right with respect to such Rights from and after the occurrence of such
Section 11(a)(ii) Event.

     The Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate shall not be exercisable,
and shall be void so long as held, by a holder in any jurisdiction where the
requisite qualification to the issuance to such holder, or the exercise by such
holder, of the Rights in such jurisdiction shall not have been obtained or be
obtainable.
<PAGE>
 
                                      A-3

     As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number and
kind of shares of Common Stock or other securities, which may be purchased upon
the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are subject to
modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events, including
Triggering Events.

     This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which
Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the
Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates, which
limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of the exercisability of
such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement.
Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned office of the
Rights Agent and are also available upon written request to the Company.

    This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon
surrender at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for
such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to
purchase a like aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as the Rights
evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered shall
have entitled such holder to purchase.  If this Rights Certificate shall be
exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof
another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights
not exercised.

    Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by
this Certificate may (unless the Continuing Directors shall have made a
determination that a Person is an Adverse Person) be redeemed by the Company at
its option at a redemption price of $0.005 per Right at any time prior to the
earlier of the close of business on (i) the tenth day following the Stock
Acquisition Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement and as such time period may
be extended pursuant to the Rights Agreement), and (ii) the Expiration Date (as
defined in the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      A-4

Rights Agreement). Under certain circumstances set forth in the Rights
Agreement, the decision to redeem shall require the concurrence of a majority of
the Continuing Directors. After the expiration of the redemption period, the
Company's right of redemption may be reinstated if either (i) an Acquiring
Person reduces his beneficial ownership to less than 10% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock in a transaction or series of transactions not involving
the Company or (ii) the Board approves the merger of the Company with, or
acquisition of the Company by, a Person unrelated to the Acquiring Person, and
such reinstatement is approved by the Company's Board of Directors (with the
concurrence of a majority of the Continuing Directors).

    No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued upon the exercise of any
Right or Rights evidenced hereby, but in lieu thereof a cash payment will be
made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.

    No holder of this Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of shares of Common Stock or
of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the
exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein
be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a
stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or
upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or
withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or
other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Rights
Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until
the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate shall have been
exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.

    This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
<PAGE>
 
                                      A-5


    WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officer of the Company under
seal.
Dated as of _______________ 19__.


                                 CANDELA CORPORATION

                                 By_______________________________
                                    Title:

                                 By_______________________________
                                    Title:

Countersigned:
THE FIRST NATIONAL
BANK OF BOSTON

By_______________________
  Authorized Signature
<PAGE>
 
                                      A-6


                               FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
                               ------------------

                (To be executed by the registered holder if such
              holder desires to transfer the Rights Certificate.)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED

hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto


________________________________________________________________________________
                 (Please print name and address of transferee)
                                        
________________________________________________________________________________

this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein,
and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint __________________ Attorney,
to transfer the within Rights Certificate on the books of the within-named
Company, with full power of substitution.

Dated: _________________, 19__


                                  ______________________________
                                  Signature

Signature Guaranteed:
<PAGE>
 
                                      A-7


                                  Certificate
                                  -----------

     The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

     (1) this Rights Certificate [ ] is [ ] is not being sold, assigned and
transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person, an
Adverse Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Person (as such terms
are defined in the Rights Agreement);

     (2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it 
[  ] did [  ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate 
from any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person, an
Adverse Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Person.


Dated: _____________, 19__             ______________________________________ 
                                       Signature

Signature Guaranteed:

                                    NOTICE
                                    ------

     The signature to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must correspond
to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every
particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
<PAGE>
 
                                      A-8


                          FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
                          ----------------------------

                 (To be executed if holder desires to exercise
                 Rights represented by the Rights Certificate.)

To:  CANDELA CORPORATION

     The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise Rights represented by
this Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of the Rights (or such other securities of the Company or of any other
person which may be issuable upon the exercise of the Rights) and requests that
certificates for such shares be issued in the name of and delivered to:

Please insert social security
or other identifying number


                    ______________________________________________________ 
                         (Please print name an address)

__________________________________________________________________________ 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

     If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this
Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such Rights
shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
<PAGE>
 
                                      A-9


Please insert social security
or other identifying number:

 
___________________________________________________________________________
                        (Please print name and address)

___________________________________________________________________________ 

___________________________________________________________________________ 

Dated: ________________, 19__


                                       ____________________________________ 
                                       Signature

Signature Guaranteed:
<PAGE>
 
                                     A-10


                                  Certificate
                                  -----------
    The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

    (1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [   ] are [   ] are not
being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person,
an Adverse Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Person (as such terms
are defined in the Rights Agreement);

    (2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [ ]
did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any
Person who is, was or became an Acquiring Person, an Adverse Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of any such Person.

Dated: _______________, 19__           _________________________________________
                                       Signature



Signature Guaranteed:
                                     NOTICE
                                     ------

     The signature to the foregoing, Election to Purchase and Certificate must
correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in
every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT B
                                                                       ---------


                   SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK


     On September 4, 1992, the Board of Directors of Candela Corporation (the
"Company") declared a dividend distribution of one Right for each outstanding
share of Common Stock of the Company to stockholders of record at the close of
business on September 22, 1992.  Each Right entitles the registered holder to
initially purchase from the Company one share of Common Stock at a purchase
price of $48.00, subject to adjustment (the "Purchase Price").  The description
and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement, as amended from
time to time (the "Rights Agreement") between the Company and The First National
Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent.

     Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Common Stock certificates
representing shares then outstanding, and no separate Rights Certificates will
be distributed.  The Rights will separate from the Common Stock and a
Distribution Date will occur upon the earlier of (i) 10 days following the date
on which the Company's chief executive officer becomes aware that a person or
group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired,
or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of more than 25% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock (the "Stock Acquisition Date"), (ii) 10
business days following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer
that may result in a person or group beneficially owning 25% or more of such
outstanding shares of Common Stock or (iii) 10 business days after the
Continuing Directors of the Company shall declare any Person to be an Adverse
Person, upon a determination that such person, alone or together with its
affiliates and associates, has become the Beneficial Owner of an amount of
Common Stock which the Continuing Directors determine to be substantial (which
amount shall in no event be less than 10% of the shares of Common Stock then
outstanding) and a majority of the Continuing Directors (with the concurrence of
a majority of the Independent Directors) determines, after reasonable inquiry
and investigation, including consultation with such persons as such directors
shall deem appropriate, that (a) such beneficial ownership by such person is
intended to cause the Company to repurchase the Common Stock beneficially owned
by such person or to cause pressure on the Company to take action or enter into
a transaction or series of transactions intended to provide such person with
short-term financial gain under circumstances where such directors determine
that the best long-term interests of the Company and its stockholders (taking
into account any impact on the national security of the United States or the
impact on any constituency which applicable law permits directors to consider in
discharging their fiduciary duty) would not be served by taking such action or
entering into such transaction or series of transactions at that time or (b)
such beneficial ownership is causing or reasonably likely to cause a material
adverse impact (including, but not limited to, impairment of relationships with
customers or impairment of the Company's ability to maintain its competitive
position) on the business or prospects of the Company.
<PAGE>
 
                                      B-2


     Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the Common
Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such Common Stock
certificates, (ii) new Common Stock certificates issued after September 22, 1992
will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference and
(iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common Stock
outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the
Common Stock represented by such certificate.

     The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will expire
at the close of business on September 22, 2002 unless earlier redeemed by the
Company as described below.

     As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights Certificates
will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of
business on the Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Rights
Certificates alone will represent the Rights.

     In the event that the Continuing Directors determine that a person is an
Adverse Person or, at any time following the Distribution Date, (i) the Company
is the surviving corporation in a merger with an Acquiring Person and its Common
Stock is not changed or exchanged, (ii) a Person becomes the beneficial owner of
more than 25% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock (except pursuant to
an offer for all outstanding shares of Common Stock which the Independent
Directors determine to be fair to and otherwise in the best interests of the
Company and its stockholders), (iii) an Acquiring Person engages in one or more
"self-dealing" transactions as set forth in the Rights Agreement, or (iv) during
such time as there is an Acquiring Person, an event occurs which results in such
Acquiring Person's ownership interest being increased by more than 1% (e.g., a
                                                                      -----   
reverse stock split), each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to
receive, upon exercise, Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash,
property or other securities of the Company) having a value equal to two times
the exercise price of the Right.  However, Rights are not exercisable following
the occurrence of either of the events set forth above until such time as the
Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company as set forth below.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, following the occurrence of any of the
events set forth in this paragraph, all Rights that are, or (under certain
circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by an
Acquiring Person or an Adverse Person will be null and void.

     In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date, (i)
the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction in
which the Company is not the surviving corporation (other than a merger
described in the preceding paragraph or a merger which follows an offer
described in the preceding paragraph), or (ii) more than 50% of the Company's
assets or earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of a Right (except
Rights which previously have been voided as set forth above) shall thereafter
have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock of the acquiring company
having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right.

     The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Common Stock or
other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject
to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock
dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or 
<PAGE>
 
                                      B-3


reclassification of, the Common Stock, (ii) if holders of the Common Stock are
granted certain rights or warrants to subscribe for Common Stock or convertible
securities at less than the current market price of the Common Stock, or (iii)
upon the distribution to holders of the Common Stock of evidences of
indebtedness or assets (excluding regular quarterly or other periodic cash
dividends) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to
above).

     With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase
Price. No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued and, in lieu thereof,
an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Common Stock
on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise.

     In general, the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at
any time until ten days following the Stock Acquisition Date, at a price of
$0.005 per Right (payable in cash, Common Stock or other consideration deemed
appropriate by the Board of Directors).  Under certain circumstances set forth
in the Rights Agreement, the decision to redeem shall require the concurrence of
a majority of the Continuing Directors.  The Company may not redeem the Rights
if the Continuing Directors have previously declared a person to be an Adverse
Person.  After the redemption period has expired, the Company's right of
redemption may be reinstated if either (i) an Acquiring Person reduces its
beneficial ownership to less than 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
in a transaction or a series of transactions not involving the Company or (ii)
the Board of Directors approves the merger of the Company with, or acquisition
of the Company by, a Person unrelated to the Acquiring Person.

     Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering redemption
of the Rights, with, where required, the concurrence of the Continuing
Directors, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights
will be to receive the $0.005 per Right redemption price.

     The term "Continuing Directors" means any member of the Board of Directors
of the Company who was a member of the Board on the date of the Rights
Agreement, and any person who is subsequently elected to the Board if such
person is recommended or approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors, but
shall not include an Acquiring Person, an Adverse Person or an affiliate or
associate of an Acquiring Person or an Adverse Person, or any representative of
the foregoing entities. The term "Independent Directors" means Continuing
Directors who are not officers of the Company.

     Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not
be taxable to stockholders or to the Company, stockholders may, depending upon
the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights become
exercisable for Common Stock (or other consideration) of the Company or for
common stock of the acquiring company as set forth above.

     Other than those provisions relating to the principal economic terms of the
Rights, any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the
Board of Directors of the Company prior to the earlier to occur of the
determination that a person is an Adverse Person or 
<PAGE>
 
                                      B-4


the Distribution Date. After the earlier of such events, the provisions of the
Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board (in certain circumstances, with the
concurrence of the Continuing Directors) in order to cure any ambiguity, to
correct or supplement any provision which may be defective or inconsistent with
other provisions, to make changes which do not adversely affect the interests of
holders of Rights (excluding the interests of any Acquiring Person or any
Adverse Person), or to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights
Agreement; provided, however, that no amendment to adjust the time period
governing redemption shall be made at such time as the Rights are not
redeemable.

     A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated
September 4, 1992. A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge
from the Company. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement,
which is incorporated herein by reference.

<PAGE>
 
                                                           For Immediate Release


                              CANDELA CORPORATION
                              -------------------
                              ANNOUNCES AMENDMENT
                              -------------------
                           TO STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
                           --------------------------


          Wayland, MA, March 26, 1996 - Candela Corporation announced today that
it has amended its Stockholder Rights Plan effective immediately.  Candela's
Rights Plan, originally approved in September of 1992, is designed to deter
coercive or unfair takeover tactics and to prevent an acquirer from gaining
control of the Company without offering a fair price to all of the Company's
stockholders.

          Under the Rights Plan, each share of Common Stock is deemed to have
attached to it a purchase right initially entitling the holder to purchase from
the Company one share of Common Stock at an initial exercise price of $48.00 per
share.  Such purchase rights become exercisable for additional shares of Candela
Common Stock upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event as defined in the Rights
Plan.  The Rights Plan was amended to adjust the threshold for becoming an
Acquiring Person under the Plan from 18.5% to 25% of the Company's outstanding
Common Stock.  The definition of the term Stock Acquisition Date was also
amended such that it will be the first date on which Candela's chief executive
officer becomes aware that a person or entity has become an "Acquiring Person".

          Candela Corporation, headquartered in Wayland, Massachusetts, is a
leader in the design, development, manufacture and sale of laser systems for
medical and scientific applications.


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