ATRIX LABORATORIES INC
S-3, 1996-04-05
PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS
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<PAGE>   1
 
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 5, 1996
 
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-

================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
                  DELAWARE                                        84-1043826
       (State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation or organization)                         Identification No.)
</TABLE>
 
                              2579 MIDPOINT DRIVE
                          FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80525
                                 (970) 482-5868
              (Address, including ZIP code, and telephone number,
       including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
                             ---------------------
           JOHN E. URHEIM, VICE CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
                              2579 MIDPOINT DRIVE
                          FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80525
                                 (970) 482-5868
           (Name, address, including ZIP code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                             ---------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
                                          Copies to:
           WARREN L. TROUPE, ESQ.                             BRUCE A. MANN, ESQ.
             BRIAN V. CAID, ESQ.                           C. PATRICK MACHADO, ESQ.
           DEBORAH A. HOGAN, ESQ.                         VALERIE A. VILLANUEVA, ESQ.
                 KUTAK ROCK                                 MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
     717 SEVENTEENTH STREET, SUITE 2900                      345 CALIFORNIA STREET
           DENVER, COLORADO 80202                       SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94104
               (303) 297-2400                                   (415) 677-7000
</TABLE>
 
                             ---------------------
 
    Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
    If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  /
/
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  / /
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering.  / /
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  / /
 
    If delivery of this prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  / /
                             ---------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
========================================================================================================
                                                              PROPOSED       PROPOSED
                                                               MAXIMUM        MAXIMUM
                                                AMOUNT        OFFERING       AGGREGATE      AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF                           TO BE        PRICE PER      OFFERING     REGISTRATION
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED                  REGISTERED(1)    SHARE(2)       PRICE(2)          FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $.001 par value per share.....    2,875,000      $11.375      $32,703,125    $11,276.94
========================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) Includes 375,000 shares which the Underwriters have an option to purchase to
    cover over-allotments, if any.
 
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
    pursuant to Rule 457(c) based on the closing sale price of the Common Stock
    on April 3, 1996.
                             ---------------------
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 5, 1996
 
                                2,500,000 SHARES
 
                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
[LOGO]                           COMMON STOCK
 
     All of the 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share (the
"Common Stock"), offered hereby are being sold by Atrix Laboratories, Inc.
("Atrix" or the "Company"). The Common Stock of the Company is traded on the
Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "ATRX". On April 4, 1996, the last
reported sale price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $11.75
per share. See "Price Range of Common Stock."
 
      THESE SECURITIES INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS"
BEGINNING ON PAGE 5 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN PURCHASING THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
OFFERED HEREBY.
 
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
     PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
      REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
==============================================================================================
                                                  Price to      Underwriting    Proceeds to
                                                   Public       Discount(1)      Company(2)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Per Share...................................        $              $               $
  Total(3)....................................        $              $               $
==============================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) See "Underwriting" for information concerning indemnification of the
     Underwriters and other matters.
(2) Before deducting certain expenses payable by the Company, estimated at
     $350,000.
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to
     375,000 additional shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments,
     if any. If the over-allotment option is exercised in full, the total Price
     to Public, Underwriting Discount and Proceeds to Company will be
     $           , $           and $           , respectively. See
     "Underwriting."
 
     The shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters named
herein, subject to prior sale, when, as and if delivered to and accepted by the
Underwriters, and subject to their right to reject orders in whole or in part.
It is expected that delivery of the certificates representing such shares will
be made against payment therefor at the office of Montgomery Securities on or
about              , 1996.
 
                            ------------------------
 
MONTGOMERY SECURITIES  CRUTTENDEN ROTH
                                                         INCORPORATED
                                            , 1996
<PAGE>   3
 
     [On this page the Registrant has included in the paper version of this
Prospectus, a picture depicting the ATRISORB(R) Barrier being applied to a tooth
and the ATRIDOX(TM) product being applied to a tooth. The picture also includes
illustrations of the ATRISORB(R) Barrier Kit and the ATRISORB(R) package.]
 
     The Company's ATRIDOX(TM) product with doxycycline is an investigational
drug and has not been approved by the FDA for commercial sale in the United
States. The ATRIDOX(TM) product is in clinical testing and clinical data
obtained to date are insufficient to demonstrate safety and efficacy. There can
be no assurance that the ATRIDOX(TM) product will receive FDA approval.
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK OF
THE COMPANY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS AND CERTAIN SELLING
GROUP MEMBERS (IF ANY) MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE
COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET IN ACCORDANCE WITH
RULE 10B-6A UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more
detailed information and financial statements, including notes thereto,
appearing elsewhere herein or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
Except as otherwise specified, all information in this Prospectus assumes no
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. See "Underwriting." This
Prospectus contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors,
including those set forth under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Atrix Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company" or "Atrix") is engaged in the
research and development of a broad range of dental, medical and veterinary
products based on its proprietary biodegradable sustained release drug delivery
system. The Company recently commenced marketing its ATRISORB(R) guided tissue
regeneration barrier ("ATRISORB(R) Barrier"), a periodontal product used to aid
in the regeneration of the ligament and bone supporting the tooth following
osseous flap surgery, in five of six European countries in which it has received
regulatory clearance. On March 22, 1996, the Company also received 510(k)
clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") to market
the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in the United States, which the Company intends to begin
in the third quarter of 1996. Additionally, in January 1995, the Company
commenced pivotal Phase III trials of the ATRIDOX(TM) product, its subgingival
drug delivery system containing doxycycline, for the treatment of periodontal
disease. All 822 patients have been enrolled and the clinical treatment phase of
the study will be completed in late May 1996. If results are favorable, the
Company intends to file a new drug application ("NDA") with the FDA in the first
quarter of 1997.
 
     The Company's patented ATRIGEL(R) drug delivery system ("ATRIGEL(R)
system") consists of biodegradable polymers dissolved in biocompatible solvents
that can be injected or inserted into the body as flowable compositions
(solutions, gels, pastes and putties), which then solidify upon contact with
body fluids to form a biodegradable solid implant. The ATRIGEL(R) system is
designed to provide extended localized or systemic drug delivery in a single
application, without the need for surgical implantation or removal. Another
feature of the ATRIGEL(R) system is the custom-tailored degradation and rate of
drug release of the implant. Drug release occurs through both degradation of the
polymer and diffusion of the drug out of the polymer. The ATRIGEL(R) system is
compatible with a broad range of pharmaceutical compounds, including water
soluble and insoluble compounds and high and low molecular weight compounds. The
Company has demonstrated in preclinical trials the systemic delivery of proteins
and peptides including hormones and growth factors. The Company believes that
its drug delivery system addresses many of the limitations associated with
traditional pharmaceutical delivery such as achieving therapeutic drug levels
over time, toxicity and side effects, high costs due to frequent administration
and poor patient compliance.
 
     It has been reported by the National Institute of Dental Research that 44%
of adults in the United States have some form of periodontal disease. Effective
treatment is currently possible only through periodic professional intervention
to arrest further tissue deterioration. The most common treatment is scaling and
root planing, and in more serious cases various forms of gum surgery, all of
which are performed by a dental professional or oral surgeon. The Company
believes that only a small portion of patients diagnosed with periodontal
disease seek treatment due to a number of factors including cost, pain and
potential medical complications associated with current treatments.
 
     Both of the Company's initial products are designed to treat periodontal
disease. The ATRISORB(R) Barrier is used to isolate the healing site and aid in
the regeneration of the tooth's support tissues following osseous flap surgery
or other periodontal procedures. Once the ATRISORB(R) Barrier is placed in the
mouth it solidifies to form a sutureless, custom-fit barrier which requires no
further reintervention for removal. The Company estimates that there are
currently over two million flap surgeries performed each year in the United
States. The Company's second product, the ATRIDOX(TM) product, combines the
ATRIGEL(R) system with the generic antibiotic doxycycline to form a product
designed to control the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. The ATRIDOX(TM)
product is intended to add a new, less invasive therapeutic procedure to current
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
interventional periodontal treatments. Results from Phase II clinical trials of
the ATRIDOX(TM) product suggest that the clinical measures of periodontal
disease such as pocket depth, bleeding and gum attachment level are improved
significantly.
 
     The Company's strategy is to develop and commercialize its proprietary
ATRIGEL(R) system in dental, medical and veterinary applications by using its
own capabilities and, in some instances, the expertise of corporate partners.
The Company continues to evaluate the ATRIGEL(R) system for other health care
applications including cancer, central nervous system disorders and various
veterinary treatments. The Company has research and development programs for
several of these applications with various pharmaceutical and health care
companies.
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     The Common Stock offered hereby involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk
Factors."
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
Common Stock Offered.............................  2,500,000 shares
Common Stock Outstanding After the Offering(1)...  10,933,296 shares
Use of Proceeds..................................  For research and development activities,
                                                   marketing and sales activities,
                                                   construction of a manufacturing facility
                                                   and general corporate purposes.
Nasdaq National Market Symbol....................  ATRX
</TABLE>
 
                         SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      YEAR        THREE
                                                      ENDED      MONTHS       YEAR         YEAR
                                                      SEPT        ENDED       ENDED       ENDED
                                                       30,       DEC 31,     DEC 31,     DEC 31,
                                                      1993        1993        1994         1995
                                                     -------     -------     -------     --------
<S>                                                  <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Contract revenue...................................  $ 1,378     $   165     $   713     $    580
Expenses
  Research expenses - ATRIDOX(TM) product..........    2,789         541       2,765        5,684
  Other research and development...................    3,065         842       3,902        3,905
  Administrative expenses..........................      937         163         688          830
  Acquisition of rights............................       --          --          --        3,802
Total expenses.....................................    6,791       1,546       7,355       14,221
Interest income....................................    1,556         374       1,320          987
Net loss...........................................  $(3,698)    $(1,007)    $(5,540)    $(12,658)
Net loss per share.................................  $ (0.48)    $ (0.13)    $ (0.72)    $  (1.58)
Weighted average shares outstanding................    7,695       7,721       7,741        8,002
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                     ---------------------------
                                                                      ACTUAL      AS ADJUSTED(2)
                                                                     --------     --------------
<S>                                                                  <C>          <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital....................................................  $ 10,913        $ 38,176
Total assets.......................................................    14,894          42,157
Accumulated deficit................................................   (31,056)        (31,056)
Total stockholders' equity.........................................    12,807          40,070
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Does not include 833,552 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
     options outstanding at an exercise price ranging from $.50 to $20.75 per
     share pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plans at March 31, 1996.
 
(2) Adjusted to give effect to the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered
     hereby at an assumed offering price of $11.75 after deducting the
     underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses, and the application
     of the estimated net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds" and
     "Capitalization."
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     An investment in the Common Stock offered hereby involves a high degree of
risk. In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus,
prospective investors should carefully consider the following risk factors
before purchasing the Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus contains
forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's
actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these
forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set
forth in the following risk factors and elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
EARLY STAGE COMPANY
 
     The Company has commenced commercial sales of only one product, the
ATRISORB(R) Barrier, the first commercial shipment of which occurred in March
1996, and has not recognized significant revenue from product sales to date. The
Company does not have regulatory approval to market any other products, and has
commenced human clinical trials on only one other product, the Phase III
clinical trials on its ATRIDOX(TM) product. All of the Company's other potential
products are at an early stage of development and will require extensive
research, development, and preclinical and clinical testing prior to
commercialization. In addition, the ATRIDOX(TM) product and all other potential
products of the Company will be subject to an extensive, time consuming and
costly regulatory approval process prior to commercialization. There can be no
assurance that any such potential products will prove safe and effective in
clinical trials, obtain required regulatory approvals, or be capable of
commercial scale production at an acceptable cost, or that any clinical trials,
including the Phase III clinical trial of the Company's ATRIDOX(TM) product,
will be completed on schedule, at or below budget or at all. Furthermore, there
can be no assurance that any of the Company's products that are sold
commercially, including the ATRISORB(R) Barrier, will be accepted by medical and
dental professionals or patients, or that reimbursement for the cost of such
products will be available from third party payors. Any failure of the Company
to achieve technical feasibility, demonstrate safety, achieve clinical efficacy,
obtain regulatory approval or successfully manufacture or commercialize its
products would have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
HISTORY OF OPERATING LOSSES; UNCERTAINTY OF FUTURE PROFITABILITY
 
     The Company has sustained losses in each year of its operations, and had
incurred an accumulated deficit of $31.1 million through December 31, 1995. The
Company had not received any revenues from product sales through December 31,
1995, and has not received significant revenues from product sales in 1996.
Notwithstanding the commencement of commercial sales of the ATRISORB(R) Barrier
in March 1996, the Company expects to incur additional losses over at least the
next two years due to increased research, development, manufacturing, sales and
marketing expenses. In particular, the Company expects to incur substantial
manufacturing, sales and marketing expenses in connection with the commercial
launch of the ATRISORB(R) Barrier. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations." There can be no assurance that
the Company will ever achieve substantial revenues from product sales or
profitability, or that profitability will be sustained for any particular period
of time.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION; UNCERTAINTY OF OBTAINING REGULATORY APPROVAL
 
     The Company's research, development and manufacturing activities are, and
its future business will be, subject to significant regulation by the FDA and
other governmental authorities in the United States, as well as comparable
regulatory agencies abroad. All of the Company's potential products will be
required to undergo lengthy and expensive preclinical and clinical studies and
to obtain FDA approval prior to commercialization. In order to obtain FDA
approval of a product, the Company must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the
FDA that such product is safe and effective for its intended uses and has been
manufactured in compliance with the FDA's current good manufacturing practice
("cGMP") regulations. The FDA may refuse to approve a product for commercial
sale or require additional testing or information prior to granting such
approval. While the Company obtained FDA clearance for the ATRISORB(R) Barrier
under the relatively short 510(k) premarket notification process, the
ATRIDOX(TM) product will be subject to the more lengthy and expensive NDA
process, which generally takes several years to complete. Uncertainty exists
regarding the precise
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
regulatory status of the Company's other potential products. The Company
believes that these products will have both device and drug components, and it
remains unclear whether these products will be regulated as devices or drugs. It
also remains unclear whether any such products regulated as devices will be
subject to the 510(k) or the pre-market approval ("PMA") process. In general,
regulation of drugs is more time consuming and costly than regulation of
devices, and regulation of devices under the PMA process is substantially more
time consuming and costly than under the 510(k) process. If the results of the
Phase III clinical trials of the ATRIDOX(TM) product are favorable, the Company
intends to file an NDA with the FDA in the first quarter of 1997. However,
because the protocol for the Phase III trials requires removal of the
ATRIDOX(TM) product following treatment, an additional study will be required if
the Company seeks approval to expand the labelling of the ATRIDOX(TM) product
for use without removal. The Company expects that such study would require
substantially less time and expense than the pivotal Phase III trials. While
such study could delay the timing of an NDA approval, the Company does not
expect significant delays to occur. There can be no assurance that such study
would be successful or that the Company would obtain approval for the expanded
labelling. The Company has only limited experience in submitting and pursuing
regulatory applications. There can be no assurance that any approval will be
granted to the Company on a timely basis or at all. Any failure to obtain
required regulatory approvals, or any substantial delay in obtaining such
approval, could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
     The Company is also subject to foreign regulatory requirements in
connection with the research, development, manufacture and sale of its products
abroad. These requirements vary widely from country to country, and there can be
no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve or remain in compliance
with any such requirements. Any failure to achieve or remain in compliance with
foreign requirements, notwithstanding authorizations to legally market the
products in the United States, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company. See "Business -- Government Regulation."
 
RELIANCE ON PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
 
     The Company considers patents and proprietary rights to be materially
significant to its business. The Company presently maintains eleven United
States and eight foreign patents, and has nineteen United States and
thirty-three foreign patent applications pending. The Company's ATRIGEL(R)
system, upon which the ATRISORB(R) Barrier, the ATRIDOX(TM) product and all of
the Company's presently anticipated future products are based, is protected by
claims contained in these patents and in pending patent applications. The
Company intends to aggressively defend its patent position and to file
additional patent applications in the future. However, there can be no assurance
that any of the Company's present or future patents will provide the Company
with significant protection or will not be challenged. The patent positions of
drug delivery companies, including Atrix, are uncertain and involve complex
legal and factual issues. Accordingly, the Company anticipates that any attempt
to enforce its patents would be time consuming and costly. Furthermore, there
can be no assurance that any such attempted enforcement would be successful, or
that third parties will not succeed in circumventing or invalidating any one or
more of the Company's patents. Moreover, the laws of some foreign countries do
not protect the Company's proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws
of the United States. Any invalidation or circumvention of the Company's patents
could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
     There can be no assurance that any of the Company's pending patent
applications will result in the issuance of patents, that the claims filed in
any pending patent application will not be significantly reduced prior to
issuance or that any issued patents will provide significant proprietary
protection or will not be invalidated or circumvented. Because patent
applications in the United States are maintained in secrecy until patents issue
and publication of discoveries in the scientific or patent literature often lags
behind actual discoveries, the Company cannot be certain that it was the first
inventor of inventions covered by its pending patent applications or that it was
the first to file patent applications for such inventions. Moreover, the Company
may have to participate in interference proceedings declared by the Patent and
Trademark Office to determine priority of invention that could result in
substantial cost to the Company, even if the eventual outcome is favorable to
the Company.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
     The Company is not aware of any patents that it believes would be infringed
by its proposed products. However, there can be no assurance that the Company
has identified all patents that may pose a risk of infringement by its proposed
products. There can be no assurance that third parties will not assert
infringement claims against the Company or that any such assertions will not
result in costly litigation or require the Company to obtain a license to the
intellectual property rights of such parties. There can be no assurance that any
such licenses would be available on terms acceptable to the Company, if at all.
Furthermore, parties making such claims may be able to obtain injunctive or
other relief that could effectively block the Company's ability to further
develop or commercialize its products in the United States and abroad and could
result in the award of substantial damages. Defense of any lawsuit or failure to
obtain any such license could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Finally, litigation, regardless of outcome, could result in substantial cost to
the Company, both financially and in terms of diversion of management's
attention. In January 1995, the Company received a letter from a third party
suggesting that the Company obtain a license to certain technology of that
party. Based on advice of patent counsel, the Company believes that it is not
infringing such technology and notified the third party to that effect in May
1995. See "Business -- Patents and Proprietary Rights."
 
UNCERTAINTY OF CUSTOMER ACCEPTANCE; THIRD PARTY REIMBURSEMENT
 
     Because its initial products and product candidates are targeted toward the
treatment of periodontal disease, the Company's primary customers for these
products will be dentists and periodontists. The Company expects that a
substantial portion of these customers will seek reimbursement for the Company's
products from third party payors, including Medicare, Medicaid, health
maintenance organizations and other public and private insurors. Third party
payors are increasingly challenging the price and cost-effectiveness of medical
and dental products and services. Significant uncertainty exists as to the
reimbursement status of newly approved health care products, such as the
ATRISORB(R) Barrier. The Company believes that certain third party payors
provide reimbursement at a specified rate for periodontal surgeries, without
additional reimbursement if a barrier product such as the ATRISORB(R) Barrier is
used therein. Furthermore, the Company believes that the portion of the United
States population that has dental insurance is substantially lower than the
percentage with medical insurance. Patients who lack dental insurance, and
therefore must pay the full cost of periodontal treatment, may elect to forego
the use of barrier products absent significant patient benefit associated with
such use. The Company's sales of the ATRISORB(R) Barrier and any future products
will depend to a great extent on the amount of available third party
reimbursement and the perceived patient benefits associated with the use of such
products. There can be no assurance that such reimbursement will be available or
that any of the Company's products will have advantages that will be significant
enough to cause dental professionals to purchase them.
 
LACK OF COMMERCIAL SCALE MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE; REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
 
     The Company has no significant commercial scale manufacturing experience.
To date, the Company has manufactured its products only on the small scale
needed for preclinical and clinical trials at its pilot production facility
which is estimated to allow the Company to manufacture, assemble and package
approximately 120,000 ATRISORB(R) Barrier kits annually. Both the ATRISORB(R)
Barrier for commercial distribution and the ATRIDOX(TM) product for
investigational use are manufactured at this facility. The Company expects that
the capacity of its existing facility will be inadequate to support the
production of commercial quantities of both products. Accordingly, the Company
intends to use a portion of the proceeds of this offering to build a new
manufacturing facility. See "Use of Proceeds." The Company expects to begin
commercial scale manufacturing at this facility in the first quarter of 1998.
There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to manufacture the
ATRISORB(R) Barrier or any other products at an acceptable cost and in
compliance with cGMP regulations. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that
the construction of the Company's new facility will be completed on schedule or
at or below budget. Failure or significant delay by the Company in successfully
scaling up its manufacturing processes or in complying with cGMP and other
regulations would have a material adverse effect on the Company. As an
alternative to establishing its own manufacturing facilities, the Company may in
the future seek to enter into collaborative arrangements where its partner would
handle manufacturing or to contract manufacturing out to third parties. There
can be no assurance that the Company will be able to enter into such
arrangements on favorable terms or at all. Any such failure could have a
material adverse effect on the Company.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
     The manufacture of the Company's products is subject to drug and device
cGMP regulations of the FDA. These regulations require, among other things, that
each manufacturer establish a quality assurance program by which it monitors the
manufacturing process and maintain records evidencing compliance with FDA
regulations and the manufacturer's specifications and procedures. Failure to
comply with these requirements can result in, among other consequences, warning
letters, civil penalties, suspensions or losses of regulatory approvals or
clearances, product recalls or seizures, orders to cease operations and criminal
penalties. The Company's existing manufacturing processes have not been
validated as being in compliance with cGMP regulations, but Atrix is in the
process of completing such validation. Any failure by the Company to manufacture
its present and future products in compliance with cGMP regulations could have a
material adverse effect on the Company.
 
LACK OF SALES AND MARKETING EXPERIENCE
 
     The Company has no significant experience in sales or marketing of
products. The Company intends to use a portion of the proceeds of this offering
to develop a small direct sales force for the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in the United
States. See "Use of Proceeds." Such sales are expected to commence in the third
quarter of 1996. In order to market the ATRISORB(R) Barrier and future products
successfully, the Company must develop a sales force with significant technical
expertise. In Europe, the Company plans to market the ATRISORB(R) Barrier
through distributors. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
establish or maintain a successful direct sales organization in the United
States or a distribution network in Europe. In addition, there can be no
assurance that there will be sufficient sales of the ATRISORB(R) Barrier or
future products to fund related sales and marketing expenses, many of which must
be incurred before sales commence. Failure to develop a successful sales force
in the United States or a distribution network in Europe may have a material
adverse effect on the Company.
 
DEPENDENCE ON THIRD PARTIES
 
     Although the Company has developed the ATRISORB(R) Barrier and the
ATRIDOX(TM) product independently, Atrix has entered into several collaborative
arrangements, and hopes to enter into additional collaborative arrangements,
with other companies covering the research, development, clinical trials,
regulatory approval, manufacture and marketing of various of its potential
products. The Company believes that its ability to successfully develop its
ATRIGEL(R) system for a wide array of human and animal health care applications
will depend in substantial part on its ability to enter into such collaborative
arrangements. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to enter
into or maintain existing or future collaborations, or that any such
collaborations will be successful. Any such failure could have a material
adverse effect on the Company. Furthermore, none of the Company's existing
collaborations are exclusive, and there can be no assurance that any of the
Company's present or future collaborative partners will not pursue parallel
development of other health care products that may compete directly with the
Company's products. The Company will have limited or no control over the
resources that any partner may devote to the Company's products. There can be no
assurance that any of the Company's present or future collaborative partners
will perform their obligations as expected or will devote sufficient resources
to the research, development, clinical testing, regulatory approval, manufacture
or marketing of the Company's products. The Company has engaged distributors to
market the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in Europe, and expects to utilize independent
distributors for all foreign sales of its future products. The Company
anticipates that all such distributors will handle products of multiple vendors,
potentially including products that compete directly with Atrix products offered
by such distributors. The Company will have limited or no control over the
resources that any independent distributor may devote to sales of the Company's
products or to the level of customer service any such distributor provides.
Atrix also relies on third parties to manufacture various components of the
ATRISORB(R) Barrier. The Company also expects to rely in varying degrees on
contract manufacturers for the ATRIDOX(TM) product and its other products in
development. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain
product in required quantities, of acceptable quality or at a competitive cost
from any such third party manufacturers. Any failure by any of the foregoing
third parties to devote sufficient efforts to the research, development,
clinical testing, regulatory approval, manufacture or marketing of the Company's
products could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
SOLE SOURCE SUPPLIER
 
     The Company presently obtains all of its requirements of a key component
used in the ATRISORB(R) Barrier and the ATRIDOX(TM) product from a sole source
supplier. The Company acquires such supplies pursuant to individual purchase
orders and does not have a contractual arrangement guaranteeing it access to any
particular amount of this material. To date, the Company has not experienced
difficulty obtaining this component on commercially reasonable terms. However,
any interruption of supply could have a material adverse effect on the Company,
including on its ability to manufacture and sell the ATRISORB(R) Barrier.
 
ACCESS TO PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOUNDS
 
     The Company's ability to successfully commercialize its ATRIGEL(R) system
will depend in substantial part on its ability to obtain access to the
pharmaceutical compounds to be delivered thereby. The Company intends to rely in
certain circumstances on the ability of its collaborative partners to provide
access to such pharmaceutical compounds. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to obtain such access, either directly or through its
collaborative partners. The failure of the Company to obtain rights to a
particular pharmaceutical would preclude the Company from developing its
ATRIGEL(R) system for delivery of such pharmaceutical. Furthermore, there can be
no assurance that the Company's use of such pharmaceutical will not be alleged
or determined to be infringing on third parties' rights. Any such failure or
infringement could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
COMPETITION; RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
 
     The drug delivery industry is highly competitive and rapidly evolving, with
significant developments expected to continue at a rapid pace. The Company's
success will depend on developing efficient and effective drug delivery products
and technologies. All of the Company's products will compete both with other
systems for delivery of a particular drug and with other forms of treatment of
the indication targeted by such products. The ATRISORB(R) Barrier will compete
directly with at least two barrier products, both of which are currently
marketed in the United States. In addition, the ATRIDOX(TM) product, if it
proves safe and effective in the ongoing Phase III clinical trial and is
subsequently approved by the FDA, will compete directly with at least one
presently marketed product. The Company is aware of many competitors in the
field of drug delivery, including competitors developing injectable or
implantable drug delivery systems, oral drug delivery systems, passive
transdermal systems, electrotransport systems, oral transmucosal systems and
inhalation systems. There can be no assurance that any such products or
technologies will not render the Company's products or technologies
uncompetitive or obsolete. In addition to competing for customers, the Company
also competes with these companies in seeking and obtaining quality
collaborative partners. Most of the Company's existing or potential competitors,
including each party presently selling products that compete directly with the
ATRISORB(R) Barrier and the potential ATRIDOX(TM) product, have substantially
greater research and development capabilities, experience, manufacturing,
marketing, financial and managerial resources than the Company. Furthermore,
acquisitions of competing drug delivery companies by large pharmaceutical
companies could enhance competitors' financial, marketing and other resources.
Accordingly, the Company's competitors may succeed in developing competing
technologies, obtaining FDA approval or gaining market share for products more
rapidly than the Company. See "Business -- Competition."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
     The success of the Company is dependent on its ability to retain highly
qualified management and scientific personnel, including John E. Urheim, Vice
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Dr. G. Lee Southard, President and
Chief Scientific Officer. Competition for such personnel is intense and the
inability to attract additional key employees or the loss of one or more current
key employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Although the
Company has been successful in retaining requisite personnel to date, there can
be no assurance that the Company will be successful in the future.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
UNCERTAINTY OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING
 
     The Company expects that the proceeds of this offering will be sufficient
to fund its operations through 1998. After that time, the Company intends to
seek additional funding through collaborative arrangements, contract research or
public or private financings. There can be no assurance that additional
financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. If additional funds
are raised by issuing equity securities, further dilution to then existing
stockholders may result. If adequate funds are not available, the Company may be
required to delay, scale back or eliminate one or more of its research and
development programs or obtain funds through arrangements with collaborative
partners or others that may require the Company to relinquish certain rights to
certain of its technologies, product candidates or products that the Company
would not otherwise relinquish.
 
VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
 
     The market prices for securities of drug delivery companies (including the
Company) have historically been highly volatile, and the market has from time to
time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to
the operating performance of particular companies. Future announcements
concerning the Company or its competitors, including the results of the ongoing
Phase III clinical trials on the ATRIDOX(TM) product and other clinical trials,
regulatory approvals, technological innovations or new products, developments in
patent or other proprietary rights and litigation, as well as general market
conditions, may have a significant effect on the market price of the Common
Stock.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company was organized as a Delaware corporation in August 1986 under
the name Vipont Research Laboratories, Inc. The Company changed its name to
Atrix Laboratories, Inc. in December 1989. The Company's principal offices are
located at 2579 Midpoint Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525, and its telephone
number is (970) 482-5868.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of
December 31, 1995, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of 2,500,000 shares of
Common Stock pursuant to this offering and the receipt of the estimated net
proceeds therefrom (after deducting the underwriting discount and commissions
and estimated offering expenses):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                    ------------------------
                                                                     ACTUAL      AS ADJUSTED
                                                                    --------     -----------
                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
    <S>                                                             <C>          <C>
    Stockholders' equity:
      Preferred stock; $.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares
         authorized; no shares issued or outstanding actual or
         adjusted.................................................  $     --       $    --
      Common stock; $.001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized;
         8,433,296 shares issued and outstanding; 10,933,296
         shares issued and outstanding as adjusted(1).............         8            11
      Unrealized holding loss on securities available-for-sale....       (35)          (35)
      Additional paid-in capital..................................    43,890        71,150
      Accumulated deficit.........................................   (31,056)      (31,056)
                                                                     -------       -------
              Total stockholders' equity..........................    12,807        40,070
                                                                     -------       -------
              Total capitalization................................  $ 12,807       $40,070
                                                                     =======       =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Does not include 833,552 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
     options outstanding at an exercise price ranging from $.50 to $20.75 per
     share pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plans at March 31, 1996.
 
                                    DILUTION
 
     The net tangible book value of the Company as of December 31, 1995 was
$12,132,650 or approximately $1.44 per share of Common Stock. Net tangible book
value per share represents the amount of the Company's tangible assets less
total liabilities, divided by 8,433,296 shares of Common Stock outstanding on
such date.
 
     Net tangible book value dilution per share represents the difference
between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of Common Stock in the
offering made hereby and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of
Common Stock immediately after completion of the offering. After giving effect
to the sale of shares of Common Stock in this offering based on the assumed
public offering price per share of $11.75 and the application of the estimated
net proceeds therefrom after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated
offering expenses, the pro forma net tangible book value of the Company as of
December 31, 1995 would have been $39,395,150 or $3.60 per share, representing
an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $2.16 per share to existing
stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $8.15 per
share to purchasers of Common Stock in the offering, as illustrated in the
following table:
 
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                                  <C>        <C>
    Assumed public offering price per share............................             $11.75
                                                                                     -----
      Net tangible book value per share at December 31, 1995...........  $ 1.44
      Increase per share attributable to new investors.................    2.16
                                                                          -----
      Pro forma net tangible book value per share after offering.......               3.60
                                                                                     -----
    Net tangible book value dilution per share to new investors........             $ 8.15
                                                                                     =====
</TABLE>
 
The above calculation excludes an aggregate of 833,552 shares of Common Stock
reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding options at an exercise price
ranging from $.50 to $20.75 per share at March 31, 1996.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 2,500,000 shares of
Common Stock offered hereby are estimated to be approximately $27,262,500
($31,404,375 if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full),
at the assumed public offering price per share of $11.75 and after deducting the
underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. The Company expects
approximately $9.0 million of such net proceeds will be used to fund further
research of its products. In addition, the Company expects to use approximately
$7.0 million of such net proceeds to commercialize its dental products in the
United States and Europe, which includes developing a small direct sales force
for the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in the United States. Further, approximately $7.0
million of such net proceeds will be used for the construction of a new
manufacturing facility and the purchase of the related and necessary
manufacturing equipment. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used for
working capital requirements and general corporate purposes. Pending application
of the proceeds as described above, the Company intends to invest the net
proceeds of this offering in interest-bearing bank accounts and United States
Government or Government-backed securities.
 
     The amounts actually expended for each purpose may vary significantly
depending upon numerous factors, including the progress of the Company's
research and development programs, the results of preclinical and clinical
studies, the timing of regulatory approvals, the rate of technological advances,
the commercial potential of the Company's products under development and the
status of competitive products. In addition, expenditures will also depend on
the establishment of collaborative relationships with other companies, if any,
and other factors.
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"ATRX." The following table sets forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, the
range of high and low sales price per share of the Common Stock, as reported on
the Nasdaq National Market:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           HIGH     LOW
                                                                           ----     ----
    <S>                                                                    <C>      <C>
    1996:
      Second Quarter (through April 4, 1996).............................  $ 13     $11 3/8
      First Quarter......................................................  15 1/2   6 1/4
    1995:
      Fourth Quarter.....................................................  $7 3/4   $4 7/8
      Third Quarter......................................................     8     5 1/2
      Second Quarter.....................................................  8 1/8    6 3/8
      First Quarter......................................................     7     5 3/8
    1994:
      Fourth Quarter.....................................................  $6 5/8   $5 1/4
      Third Quarter......................................................  8 3/4    5 3/4
      Second Quarter.....................................................  7 1/4    5 7/8
      First Quarter......................................................  9 1/4    5 5/8
</TABLE>
 
     As of April 1, 1996, there were approximately 3,701 holders of record of
the Common Stock. On April 4, 1996, the last reported sale price for the Common
Stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $11.75.
 
     The Company has paid no cash dividends on its Common Stock since its
inception and does not plan to pay dividends on its Common Stock in the
foreseeable future.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
     The financial data presented below are derived from the financial
statements of the Company, which have been audited and reported upon by Deloitte
& Touche LLP, independent auditors. The selected financial information set forth
in the table below is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in
conjunction with, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations and the Company's financial statements and notes
thereto appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         THREE
                                         YEAR       YEAR       YEAR      MONTHS      YEAR       YEAR
                                        ENDED      ENDED      ENDED      ENDED      ENDED      ENDED
                                       SEPT 30,   SEPT 30,   SEPT 30,   DEC 31,    DEC 31,    DEC 31,
                                         1991       1992       1993       1993       1994       1995
                                       --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
<S>                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Contract revenue.....................  $  1,981   $  1,465   $  1,378   $    165   $    713   $    580
Expenses
  Research expenses - ATRIDOX(TM)
     product.........................     3,013      2,431      2,789        541      2,765      5,684
  Other research and development.....       754      2,129      3,065        842      3,902      3,905
  Administrative expenses............       644        996        937        163        688        830
  Acquisition of rights..............        --         --         --         --         --      3,802
  Acquisition of technology..........        --      4,505         --         --         --         --
Total expenses.......................     4,411     10,061      6,791      1,546      7,355     14,221
Interest income......................       448      1,696      1,556        374      1,320        987
Net loss.............................  $ (1,905)  $ (6,900)  $ (3,698)  $ (1,007)  $ (5,540)  $(12,658)
Net loss per share...................  $  (0.35)  $  (0.94)  $  (0.48)  $  (0.13)  $  (0.72)  $  (1.58)
Weighted average shares
  outstanding........................     5,370      7,340      7,695      7,721      7,741      8,002
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital......................  $  4,347   $ 17,779   $  9,372   $ 13,478   $ 12,616   $ 10,913
Total assets.........................     6,440     36,515     29,074     27,912     22,006     14,894
Note payable.........................     4,000      4,000         --         --         --         --
Accumulated deficit..................    (1,253)    (8,153)   (11,851)   (12,858)   (18,398)   (31,056)
Total stockholders' equity...........  $  1,422   $ 31,529   $ 28,118   $ 26,978   $ 21,191   $ 12,807
</TABLE>
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements which involve
risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially
from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of
certain factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in
this Prospectus.
 
OVERVIEW
 
     Since its inception, the Company has devoted its efforts and resources
primarily to research and development of dental products. Through December 31,
1995, the Company had no revenue from product sales. Substantially all of the
Company's revenue through September 30, 1991 was derived from a research funding
agreement with the Vipont Royalty Income Fund, Ltd. (the "Partnership"). See
Note 3 contained in Notes to the Financial Statements. Since then, the Company's
revenue has been derived from interest income and payments from unaffiliated
third parties under research contracts. The Company anticipates recording modest
revenues from sales of its ATRISORB(R) Barrier product sales in 1996.
 
     The Company has sustained losses in each year of its operations and expects
to incur additional losses over at least the next two years. During the year
ended December 31, 1995, the Company spent approximately $5,684,000 to complete
the Phase II clinical trial and commence pivotal Phase III clinical studies of
the ATRIDOX(TM) product. During 1995, the Company completed clinical trials for
the ATRISORB(R) Barrier. A 510(k) premarket notification was submitted to the
FDA on December 21, 1995, and on March 22, 1996, the Company received clearance
from the FDA to market the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in the United States.
 
     The Company anticipates that expenses for the year ending December 31,
1996, will increase as a result of increasing costs for product development,
preclinical and clinical testing, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, commercial
distribution activities, and general and administrative activities associated
with the ATRIDOX(TM) product and the ATRISORB(R) Barrier.
 
     During 1993, the Company changed its fiscal year end from September 30 to
December 31.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  Years Ended December 31, 1995 and 1994
 
     Contract revenue represented revenue the Company received from grants and
from unaffiliated third parties for performing contract research and development
activities for the ATRIGEL(R) system, and was approximately $571,000 for the
year ended December 31, 1995, compared to approximately $701,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1994, representing a 19% decrease. The decrease in contract
revenue was a result of the Company completing a number of contracts that were
in progress in the comparable period, while contracts initiated in the current
period have generated less revenue.
 
     Interest income for the year ended December 31, 1995 was approximately
$987,000 compared to approximately $1,320,000 for the year ended December 31,
1994, representing a 25% decrease. Interest income decreased due to a reduction
in principal balances of investments as a result of the funds being used in
general operations. The majority of the funds were invested in United States
government bond funds, long-term United States government and government agency
investments. The remaining cash and cash equivalents were invested in interest
bearing accounts to fund the Company's short-term operations.
 
     A loss on sale of marketable securities for the year ended December 31,
1995 was approximately $5,000 compared to approximately $218,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1994. The current period loss was substantially less than the
comparable period due to improved bond market conditions. The prior period loss
resulted from the sale of marketable securities available-for-sale at a time
when the bond market had substantially declined compared to the period when the
securities were purchased. The proceeds from the sale of marketable securities
were used to fund normal operations.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
     Research expenses - ATRIDOX(TM) product for the year ended December 31,
1995 were approximately $5,684,000 compared to approximately $2,765,000 for the
year ended December 31, 1994, representing a 106% increase. The increase
resulted from the two Phase III clinical trials for the ATRIDOX(TM) product
which began in January 1995.
 
     Other research and development expenses included activities for the
development of the ATRISORB(R) Barrier product and other research activities.
Other research and development expenses were approximately $3,905,000 for the
year ended December 31, 1995, compared to similar expenses of approximately
$3,902,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994.
 
     Administrative expenses increased to approximately $830,000 during the year
ended December 31, 1995, from approximately $688,000 for the year ended December
31, 1994, representing a 20% increase. The primary reasons for this increase
were expenses for legal fees, corporate marketing partner efforts and recently
hired employees.
 
     Acquisition of rights represented the exchange of shares of Common Stock
for the Partnership's units. For the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company
expensed $3,802,000 which included the issuance of 550,868 shares of Common
Stock valued at approximately $6.40 per share and expenses related to completing
the transaction.
 
     The Company recorded a net loss of approximately $12,658,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1995, compared to a net loss of approximately $5,540,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1994, representing a 128% increase. The current
period loss was higher primarily due to a one-time charge of $3,802,000
associated with the acquisition of the Partnership. The current period loss was
further increased due to decreased revenues from research contracts, increased
expenses associated with the two Phase III clinical trials for the ATRIDOX(TM)
product and additional research and development on the ATRISORB(R) Barrier
product and the ATRIGEL(R) system.
 
  Year Ended December 31, 1994 and Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 1993
 
     Contract revenue represented revenue the Company received from grants and
from unaffiliated third parties for performing contract research and development
activities for the ATRIGEL(R) system, and was approximately $701,000 for the
year ended December 31, 1994, compared to approximately $1,037,000 for the year
ended September 30, 1993, representing a 32% decrease. The decrease in contract
revenue was a result of the Company completing joint development contracts that
were in progress in the prior year.
 
     Contract revenue from related parties represented the reimbursement for
joint development costs from Colgate-Palmolive Company ("Colgate") for the
ATRISORB(R) Barrier and from the Partnership for management fees. Revenue was
approximately $12,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994 compared to
approximately $342,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1993. The reason
for the decrease was due to the termination of the joint development agreement
with Colgate in January 1993.
 
     Interest income for the year ended December 31, 1994, was approximately
$1,320,000 compared to approximately $1,556,000 for the year ended September 30,
1993, representing a 15% decrease. The majority of the funds were invested in
United States government bond funds, long-term United States government and
government agency investments. The remaining cash and cash equivalents were
invested in interest bearing cash accounts to meet the Company's short-term
operating needs. There was a loss on sale of marketable securities of
approximately $218,000 in the year ended December 31, 1994, compared to a gain
of approximately $158,000 for the same period ended September 30, 1993. The
change resulted from the sale of available-for-sale securities at a time when
the marketable securities bond market had substantially declined compared to the
period when the securities were purchased. The proceeds from the sale were used
to fund normal operations.
 
     Research expenses - ATRIDOX(TM) product for the year ended December 31,
1994, were approximately $2,765,000 compared to approximately $2,789,000 for the
year ended September 30, 1993. The slight decrease was due to the change in
activity in the clinical area, specifically the cost associated with completing
the clarifying study in the prior year compared to preparation to begin the
pivotal Phase III clinical studies.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
Research expenses are anticipated to increase in subsequent quarters as
additional clinical study expenses are incurred.
 
     Other research and development expenses included activities for the
development of the ATRISORB(R) Barrier and other development activities for the
Company's own benefit. Other research and development expenses increased to
approximately $3,902,000 during the year ended December 31, 1994, from
approximately $3,065,000 for the year ended September 30, 1993, representing a
27% increase. The primary reasons for the increase were higher expenses as a
result of conducting final stage clinical studies on the ATRISORB(R) Barrier and
increased research and development activities related to the ATRIGEL(R) system.
 
     Administrative expenses decreased to approximately $688,000 during the year
ended December 31, 1994, from approximately $937,000 for the year ended
September 30, 1993, representing a 27% decrease. The primary reasons for this
decrease were the reduction of expenses associated with the Company's accounting
and administrative staff, lower expenses related to stockholder reporting and no
fiscal year relocation expenses associated with the employment of the Company's
Chief Executive Officer. In addition, in the year ended September 30, 1993,
$50,000 was expensed for the "manufacture and purchase option" as a result of
Colgate terminating the joint development contract in January 1993.
 
     The Company recorded a net loss of approximately $5,540,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1994, compared to a net loss of approximately $3,698,000 for
the year ended September 30, 1993, representing a 50% increase. The current
period loss was higher due to decreased revenues and increased expenses
associated with additional research on the ATRISORB(R) Barrier, the ATRIGEL(R)
system and training preparation for the pivotal Phase III clinical studies on
the ATRIDOX(TM) product.
 
  Three Months Ended December 31, 1993 and 1992
 
     Contract revenue represented revenue the Company received from grants and
from unaffiliated third parties for performing contract research and development
and activities, and was approximately $162,000 for the three months ended
December 31, 1993, compared to approximately $241,000 for the three months ended
December 31, 1992 representing a 33% decrease. The decrease in contract revenue
was a result of the Company completing projects in progress in the prior year.
 
     Contract revenue from related parties represented the reimbursement for
joint development costs from Colgate for the ATRISORB(R) Barrier and from the
Partnership for management fees. Revenue was approximately $3,000 for the three
months ended December 31, 1993, and approximately $159,000 for the three months
ended December 31, 1992. The reason for the decrease was due to the completion
of the joint development contract with Colgate.
 
     Interest income for the three months ended December 31, 1993, was
approximately $374,000 compared to approximately $392,000 for the three months
ended December 31, 1992. This decrease was due to a reduction in principal
investments as a result of the funds being used in general operations. The
majority of the funds were invested in mutual funds, long-term United States
government and government agency investments. The remaining cash and cash
equivalents were invested to meet the Company's short-term operating needs.
 
     Research expenses - ATRIDOX(TM) product for the three months ended December
31, 1993, were approximately $541,000 compared to approximately $648,000 for the
three months ended December 31, 1992, representing a 17% decrease. The decrease
reflects the completion of the clarifying study during the current quarter.
 
     Other research and development expenses included activities for the
development of the ATRISORB(R) Barrier and all other research and development
activities. Other research and development expenses increased to approximately
$842,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1993, from approximately
$696,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1992. The primary reasons for
the increase were higher costs as a result of conducting final stage clinical
studies on the ATRISORB(R) Barrier and increased research and development
activities related to the ATRIGEL(R) system.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
     Administrative expenses were $163,000 for the three months ended December
31, 1993, compared to $227,000 for the three months ended December 31, 1992,
representing a 28% decrease. The primary reason for this decrease was due to the
Company's maintaining a reduced accounting and administrative staff and lower
expenses related to stockholder reporting than incurred in the comparative
quarter.
 
     The Company recorded a net loss of approximately $1,007,000 for the three
months ended December 31, 1993, compared to a net loss of approximately $637,000
for the three months ended December 31, 1992, representing a 58% increase. This
increase in the net loss was primarily the result of decreased revenues from
contracts and increased expenses associated with additional research on the
ATRIGEL(R) system.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     As of December 31, 1995, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of
approximately $925,000, marketable securities available-for-sale of
approximately $10,997,000, and other current assets of approximately $1,078,000,
for total current assets of approximately $13,000,000. The Company reclassified
investments from marketable securities current and non-current to
available-for-sale in 1995. Current liabilities totaled approximately
$2,087,000, which resulted in working capital of approximately $10,913,000.
 
     During the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company used net cash from
operating activities of approximately $7,953,000. This was primarily a result of
a net loss of approximately $12,658,000, which included a one-time non-cash
charge of $3,521,000 for the acquisition of Partnership units for common stock.
Adjustments in arriving at cash used in operating activities include
depreciation and amortization of $626,000, and changes in other operating assets
and liabilities, including the effects of an increase in prepaid expenses of
approximately $454,000 due to payments for clinical studies, an increase in
accounts payable of approximately $1,382,000, and an increase in inventory of
$202,000.
 
     Net cash provided by investing activities was approximately $6,606,000
during the year ended December 31, 1995. The principal reason for the increase
was from sale of marketable securities available-for-sale and the proceeds from
maturities of marketable securities to fund normal operating activities during
the current period.
 
     Net cash provided from financing activities was approximately $392,000. The
increase was a result of the exercise of stock options by certain directors and
employees.
 
     The Company anticipates that its existing available cash, cash equivalents
and marketable securities, combined with the net proceeds of this offering and
interest income, will be adequate to satisfy its capital requirements through
1998, after which time the Company intends to seek additional financing. See
"Risk Factors -- Uncertainty of Additional Funding." The Company's long-term
capital expenditure requirements will depend on numerous factors, including the
progress of the Company's research and development programs, the time required
to file and process regulatory approval applications, the development of the
Company's commercial manufacturing facilities, the ability of the Company to
obtain additional licensing arrangements, and the demand for the Company's
products, if and when approved.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
     The following Business section contains forward-looking statements which
involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a
result of certain factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors" and
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
OVERVIEW
 
     Atrix is engaged in the research and development of a broad range of
dental, medical and veterinary products based on its proprietary biodegradable
sustained release drug delivery system. The Company recently commenced marketing
its ATRISORB(R) Barrier, a periodontal product used to aid in the regeneration
of the ligament and bone supporting the tooth following osseous flap surgery, in
five of six European countries in which it has received regulatory clearance. On
March 22, 1996, the Company also received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to
market the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in the United States, which the Company intends
to begin in the third quarter of 1996. Additionally, in January 1995, the
Company commenced pivotal Phase III trials of the ATRIDOX(TM) product, its
subgingival drug delivery system containing doxycycline, for the treatment of
periodontal disease. All 822 patients have been enrolled and the clinical
treatment phase of the study will be completed in late May 1996. If results are
favorable, the Company intends to file an NDA with the FDA in the first quarter
of 1997.
 
     The Company's strategy is to develop and commercialize its proprietary
ATRIGEL(R) system in dental, medical and veterinary applications by using its
own capabilities and, in some instances, the expertise of corporate partners.
The Company continues to evaluate the ATRIGEL(R) system for other health care
applications including cancer, central nervous system disorders and various
veterinary treatments. The Company has research and development programs for
several of these applications with various pharmaceutical and health care
companies.
 
ATRIX TECHNOLOGY
 
     The Company's patented ATRIGEL(R) system is comprised of biodegradable
polymers dissolved in biocompatible solvents and is administered as flowable
compositions (e.g. solutions, gels, pastes, and putties), which then solidify
upon contact with body fluids to form biodegradable implants. The ATRIGEL(R)
system is designed to provide extended localized or systemic drug delivery in a
single application, without the need for surgical implantation or removal.
 
     The ATRIGEL(R) system is compatible with a broad range of pharmaceutical
compounds, including water soluble and insoluble compounds and high and low
molecular weight compounds. The Company has demonstrated in preclinical trials
the systemic delivery of proteins and peptides, including hormones such as
leutinizing hormone releasing hormone ("LHRH") and a wide range of growth
factors. Another feature of the ATRIGEL(R) system is the custom-tailored
degradation and rate of drug release of the implant. The Company has
demonstrated in preclinical trials sustained drug release over periods of
several days to several months depending on the specific needs and the
particular drug. Drug release occurs through both degradation of the polymer and
diffusion of the drug out of the polymer. Drug release is controlled by the type
and molecular weight of the polymer as well as the solvent used in the system.
 
     The Company believes the ATRIGEL(R) system addresses many of the
limitations associated with traditional drug delivery technologies. Most drugs
are administered orally or by injection at intermittent and frequent doses.
These routes of administration are not optimal for several reasons, including
difficulty in maintaining uniform drug levels over time, problems with toxicity
and side effects, high costs due to frequent administration and poor patient
compliance. Furthermore, innovations in biotechnology have led to an increase in
the number of protein and peptide drugs under development. These therapeutics,
because of their larger molecular size and susceptibility to degradation in the
gastrointestinal tract, must currently be administered by multiple injections
often in a hospital or other clinical setting.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
     The Company believes that the ATRIGEL(R) system may provide benefits over
traditional methods of drug administration such as capsules, injections and
continuous infusion as a result of the following properties:
 
     -   Safety. All components of the ATRIGEL(R) system are biocompatible and
        have independently established safety and toxicity profiles. In
        addition, the polymers used in the system are members of a class of
        polymers some of which have previously been approved by the FDA for
        human use in other applications. The Company's ATRIDOX(TM) product will
        use a polymer and solvent similar to that used in the ATRISORB(R)
        Barrier, which the FDA cleared for marketing in the United States on
        March 22, 1996.
 
     -   Versatility. The ATRIGEL(R) system is compatible with a broad range of
        pharmaceutical compounds, including water soluble and insoluble
        compounds and high and low molecular weight compounds. In addition, the
        Company has demonstrated in preclinical trials the local and systemic
        delivery of proteins and peptides, including hormones such as LHRH and a
        wide range of growth factors.
 
     -   Site Specificity. The ATRIGEL(R) system can be delivered directly to a
        target area, thus potentially achieving higher drug concentrations at
        the desired site of action and minimizing systemic side effects. In
        humans, the Company has delivered high concentrations of the generic
        antibiotic doxycycline to the periodontal tissue with minimal systemic
        concentrations of the drug. In preclinical models, the Company has
        delivered several cancer drugs directly to tumors achieving high local
        concentration of the drugs with minimal systemic concentrations.
 
     -   Systemic Drug Delivery. The ATRIGEL(R) system also can be used to
        provide sustained drug release into the systemic circulation for those
        applications where the entire body requires treatment, and the drug is
        not active when taken orally. In preclinical models, the Company has
        demonstrated the systemic delivery of peptides at therapeutic levels for
        up to 120 days from a single depot injection.
 
     -   Customized Continuous Release. The Company has demonstrated in
        preclinical trials sustained drug release over periods of several days
        to several months, depending on the specific needs and the particular
        drug.
 
     -   Biodegradability. The ATRIGEL(R) system will biodegrade and is not
        expected in most applications to require removal when the drug is
        depleted.
 
     -   Ease of Application. The ATRIGEL(R) system can be injected or inserted
        as flowable compositions (e.g. solutions, gels, pastes, and putties) by
        means of ordinary cannulas and syringes, or can be sprayed or painted
        onto tissues.
 
     The ATRIGEL(R) system can be used without a drug as a medical device. In
such cases, the product would have all of the properties described above except
those dependent on the release of a drug. The Company's first product, the
ATRISORB(R) Barrier, utilizes the ATRIGEL(R) system without a drug and is
classified as a medical device.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
     The Company's business strategy is to develop and commercialize its
proprietary ATRIGEL(R) system in dental, medical and veterinary applications by
using its own capabilities and, in some instances, the expertise of corporate
partners. The Company's initial applications of the ATRIGEL(R) system are in the
field of dentistry. At this time, the Company plans to develop, manufacture and
market these products on its own. For certain medical and animal health
applications, the Company plans to develop, manufacture and market products in
collaboration with third parties. The Company is currently pursuing development
programs in collaboration with third parties in areas such as cancer, nervous
system disorders and various veterinary applications.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
 
     The Company is using the ATRIGEL(R) system to develop a broad range of
medical, dental and veterinary products. The following table sets forth certain
information about each of the Company's products currently under development.
 
                    ATRIX TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION AND STATUS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          TECHNOLOGY                 INDICATION               STATUS(1)              PARTNER
- ------------------------------  --------------------    ----------------------    -------------
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                       <C>
Dental Applications:
  ATRISORB(R) Barrier           Periodontal Surgery     Available for                  --
                                                          marketing in the
                                                          U.S. and six
                                                          European countries
  ATRIDOX(TM) Product           Periodontitis           Phase III                      --
  ATRISORB(R) Barrier with
     Doxycycline                Periodontal Surgery     Preclinical                    --
  ATRISORB(R) Barrier with      Periodontal             Preclinical                    --
     Growth Factors             Regeneration
Medical Applications:
  ATRIGEL(R) System with
     Leuprolide Acetate         Cancer                  Preclinical               Gensia
  ATRIGEL(R) System with
     a CNS Drug                 Schizophrenia           Preclinical               Eli Lilly
Veterinary Applications:
  ATRIDOX(TM) Product           Periodontitis           Preclinical               Heska
  ATRIGEL(R) System for
     Vaccine Delivery           Animal Vaccine          Field Trial               Pharmacia &
                                                                                  Upjohn
</TABLE>
 
(1) See "-- Government Regulation."
 
     DENTAL APPLICATIONS
 
     The Company's initial dental products are targeted at periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is characterized by chronic infection and inflammation of
the gums and surrounding tissue, resulting in the formation of periodontal
pockets (spaces between the gum and tooth) as the bone and periodontal ligament
surrounding the tooth deteriorate. Periodontal disease is not currently curable,
but continuous maintenance can prevent and/or delay flare-ups and further
deterioration. The severity of the disease varies from the mildest cases,
clinically termed gingivitis (bleeding gums), to the more severe cases,
clinically termed periodontitis, which is characterized by bone and ligament
loss around the tooth.
 
     Periodontal disease is most prevalent after the age of 35. In a 1985-86
survey by the National Institute of Dental Research, it was determined that 44%
of adults in the United States had bleeding on probing and attachment loss of 3
millimeters or more, meeting the clinical definition of periodontal disease.
Progression of the disease is usually painless and asymptomatic allowing the
condition to become advanced before treatment is sought by the patient.
Effective treatment is possible only through periodic professional intervention
to arrest further tissue deterioration. The most common treatment, scaling and
root planing, requires the dental professional to scrape away accumulated plaque
and calculus above and below the gumline. For more serious cases, various forms
of gum surgery are the primary treatment. The Company believes that only a small
portion of patients diagnosed with periodontal disease seek treatment due to a
number of factors, including cost, pain and potential medical complications
associated with current treatments.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
     The ATRISORB(R) Barrier. The Company's first product, the ATRISORB(R)
Barrier, utilizes the ATRIGEL(R) system formulated without a drug to act as a
barrier to aid in the regeneration of the ligament and bone tissue supporting
the tooth following osseous flap surgery. Osseous flap surgery, a common
treatment for severe cases of periodontal disease, involves the cutting of a
flap of gum tissue to expose infected tooth surfaces not reachable by
conventional scaling and root planing procedures. Published research has shown
that to obtain optimal healing following flap surgery, it is necessary to
isolate the healing wound site from the adjacent gum tissue. If the surgical
site is not isolated, gum epithelial cells will grow into the wound slowing the
reattachment of the supporting ligament and bone cells. The placement of a
barrier that isolates the surgical site from the gum tissue has been shown to
selectively facilitate growth of the periodontal ligament cells, leading to
connective tissue and bone regeneration at the base of the periodontal defect.
According to an American Dental Association Survey in 1990, there are over 2
million flap surgeries performed each year in the United States.
 
     The ATRISORB(R) Barrier is formed outside of the mouth using a sterile,
single-procedure barrier forming kit. Once placed in the mouth over the
periodontal defect, the semi-solid barrier further solidifies upon contact with
oral fluids and adheres to the tooth's surface, isolating the healing site from
gum tissue and promoting selective regeneration of ligament and bone tissue. The
Company's preclinical and clinical trials have been presented at scientific
meetings and published in a number of scientific journals. To date, the Company
has published four studies. In the pivotal trial for the 510(k) submission
ATRISORB(R) Barrier was shown to be substantially equivalent to a currently
marketed barrier.
 
     The Company believes the ATRISORB(R) Barrier has several advantages over
existing guided tissue regeneration products. These advantages include
conforming to the site, no requirement for sutures, a shorter period of time
required for placement, and no requirement of a second surgery to remove the
biodegradable ATRISORB(R) Barrier. In addition, periodontists can form multiple
barriers from a single kit, thereby reducing inventory requirements.
 
     The Company completed human clinical trials of the ATRISORB(R) Barrier
during 1995 and filed a 510(k) notification with the FDA on December 21, 1995 to
market the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in the United States for guided tissue
regeneration applications. The Company received clearance of its 510(k)
application from the FDA on March 22, 1996. The Company also has received
clearance to market the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in Denmark, France, Ireland, Spain,
Switzerland and The Netherlands. In March 1996, Atrix commenced marketing the
ATRISORB(R) Barrier in each of the above mentioned European countries, except
Ireland. The Company expects to commence commercial sales in the United States
in the third quarter of 1996.
 
     The ATRIDOX(TM) Product with Doxycycline. The ATRIDOX(TM) product combines
the ATRIGEL(R) system with the generic antibiotic doxycycline to form a product
designed to control the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. The ATRIDOX(TM)
product is intended to add a new, less invasive pharmaceutical maintenance
procedure to current periodontal treatment. The ATRIDOX(TM) product is
administered by a periodontist or a general dentist by filling the periodontal
pocket with the ATRIDOX(TM) product using a cannula that is similar in design to
a periodontal probe. The ATRIDOX(TM) product releases doxycycline in a sustained
manner over a period of seven days. In Phase II clinical trials, the Company
demonstrated that the ATRIDOX(TM) product reduced bleeding on probing, reduced
pocket depth and increased attachment level at statistically significant levels
over the vehicle alone. The Phase II trial included 180 patients with moderate
to severe periodontal disease. The patients were treated at baseline and at four
months with the ATRIDOX(TM) product. In these clinical trials, administration of
the ATRIDOX(TM) product was rapid, required a minimal amount of patient chair
time and involved minimal discomfort compared to conventional methods of
therapy.
 
     In January 1995 the Company commenced pivotal Phase III trials on the
ATRIDOX(TM) product. The pivotal Phase III trials consist of two studies which
are being conducted at 20 sites and include 822 patients. The study protocol
calls for patients to be treated at baseline and again at four months to
simulate the use of the ATRIDOX(TM) product in a periodontal practice. All
patients have been enrolled and the clinical treatment phase of the study will
be completed in late May 1996. The clinical parameters being assessed are
attachment level gain, pocket depth reduction and bleeding on probing in
comparison to the placebo, scaling and root
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
planing alone, and oral hygiene alone. If the results are favorable, the Company
expects to file an NDA with the FDA during the first quarter of 1997.
 
     ATRISORB(R) Barrier with Doxycycline. The ATRISORB(R) Barrier with
doxycycline is under development by the Company in order to address concerns
about infections following periodontal surgery. It has been shown clinically
that post operative infections often lead to less than optimum healing.
Medicinal agents such as doxycycline can be incorporated into the ATRISORB(R)
Barrier, which the Company believes could provide a drug delivery capability not
feasible with other barriers currently on the market. As a result, the Company
believes the ATRISORB(R) Barrier with doxycycline will contribute to better
healing of the surgical site.
 
     ATRISORB(R) Barrier with Tissue Growth Factors. Tissue growth factors are
capable of stimulating the growth of cellular components responsible for
regeneration of a periodontal defect. The Company has demonstrated that when
tissue growth factors are placed in a periodontal defect without a suitable drug
delivery system, there is minimal regeneration. In preclinical trials the
Company has demonstrated that regeneration of certain periodontal defects is
enhanced when certain tissue growth factors are used with ATRISORB(R) than when
the factors are delivered without the benefit of the ATRISORB(R) Barrier system.
 
     MEDICAL AND VETERINARY HEALTH APPLICATIONS
 
     Consistent with its business strategy, the Company continues to develop the
ATRIGEL(R) system for health care applications other than dentistry. The
Company's current medical applications under development are funded by joint
development agreements with other pharmaceutical and health care companies.
 
     ATRIGEL(R) for Leuprolide Acetate. In 1995, the Company signed an exclusive
worldwide license agreement to collaborate with Gensia, Inc. (Gensia) in the
development of a product for the treatment of solid tumor cancers using the
ATRIGEL(R) system. Under the terms of the license, the Company is responsible
for conducting a feasibility study to characterize release rates of an existing
off-patent, anti-cancer drug and the development of a dosage form to be
evaluated in human clinical trials.
 
     Gensia is responsible for conducting the clinical trials, scale-up and
manufacture of the product. The product will be marketed by Gensia Laboratories,
Ltd., a division of Gensia, which is developing a broad line of oncolytic
products. In addition, Gensia will fund the development program at Atrix, make
certain milestone payments, and pay a royalty on future sales of the product.
 
     The product being developed is leuprolide acetate, a luteinizing hormone
releasing hormone peptide currently sold in the U.S. and abroad by Tap
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a joint venture of Abbott Laboratories and Takeda
Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. The product is sold under the brand name Lupron(R).
 
     ATRIGEL(R) System for Animal Vaccine Delivery. The Company has collaborated
with Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. (formerly The Upjohn Company) ("Upjohn") since
1991 to evaluate the ATRIGEL(R) system for the development of animal treatment
products. In 1994, Upjohn exercised its option for an exclusive license for the
ATRIGEL(R) system technology for animal vaccines. Upjohn has paid the Company a
licensing fee and is required to pay a royalty to the Company on future sales of
the project. During 1995, Upjohn initiated field trials to evaluate two
ATRIGEL(R) system vaccine formulations for efficacy. The Company intends to
continue to work with Upjohn as needed to optimize these products and to obtain
regulatory approval for their use in animals.
 
     ATRIGEL(R) System for a CNS Drug. In 1994, the Company signed a research
and development agreement with Eli Lilly and Company ("Lilly") to evaluate the
potential use of the ATRIGEL(R) system with an antipsychotic drug under
development by Lilly. Pursuant to the agreement, Lilly has funded the Company's
feasibility program. Atrix completed the feasibility program in December 1995
and the Company and Lilly are currently discussing terms of a licensing
agreement.
 
     ATRIDOX(TM) Product for Veterinary Applications. In 1995, the Company
signed an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Heska Corporation to
develop a product to treat periodontal disease in companion animals. Under the
terms of the license, the Company will develop a subgingival therapy for
periodontal disease in dogs and cats, comprised of the antibiotic doxycycline
and the ATRIGEL(R) system. In addition,
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
Heska will fund certain elements of the Company's development program and make
certain milestone payments and the Company will supply all of Heska's
requirements for the product.
 
     ATRIGEL(R) System for Solid Tumor Cancers. The Company believes the
ATRIGEL(R) system is well suited for the local delivery of certain anti-cancer
agents and has the potential to capitalize on the potency of these drugs while
diminishing the systemic side effects associated with them. The Company believes
that the ATRIGEL(R) system can release the agent into the solid tumor at higher
concentrations and for longer periods of time while providing lower systemic
levels of drug than generally can be achieved through injection or intravenous
delivery. High systemic levels of the drug frequently lead to undesirable side
effects. The Company has conducted preclinical studies where the ATRIGEL(R)
system containing the anti-cancer drugs cisplatin, doxorubicin and vinblastine
has been injected directly into solid tumors. These studies resulted in reduced
tumor volume and increased survival while minimizing side effects when compared
to the agents administered intravenously. Sustained release of the agents for
periods up to 28 days has been demonstrated preclinically.
 
     Other Potential Applications. The Company has conducted research and
development for pain control by incorporating analgesics and anti-inflammatory
agents into the ATRIGEL(R) system. In addition, the Company has delivered in
preclinical studies the narcotic antagonist, naltrexone, in a controlled release
fashion for potential application in drug and alcohol abuse. The Company has
aerosolized its ATRIGEL(R) system to provide a spray-on barrier to separate
tissues in a potential application for surgical adhesion prevention. The Company
has no plans at this time to pursue these applications but is in a position to
complete the development work for a potential marketing partner.
 
MARKETING AND SALES
 
     The Company plans to market most dental products itself in the United
States and will use distributors in Europe. Certain dental applications may be
large enough to warrant the use of additional distributors in the United States
in conjunction with the Company's own efforts. There are approximately 4,000
periodontists in the United States and 3,000 dentists that perform osseous flap
procedures in Europe. The Company received clearance to market the ATRISORB(R)
Barrier in six European countries, and on March 22, 1996 received clearance by
the FDA to market the product in the United States. In March 1996, Atrix
commenced marketing the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in five of the six European
countries in which it received clearance, and expects to commence commercial
sales in the United States in the third quarter of 1996. The Company expects its
present and future corporate partners to market its non-dental products. See
"Risk Factors -- Lack of Sales and Marketing Experience."
 
MANUFACTURING
 
     The Company has limited experience in manufacturing any of its products on
a commercial scale. To date, the Company has manufactured its dental products
only on the small scale needed for clinical trials and testing formulations. The
Company recently expanded and upgraded its pilot manufacturing facility. The
Company's facility has the capacity to produce approximately 120,000 ATRISORB(R)
Barrier kits annually. The Company is in the process of completing validation to
comply with cGMP regulations for the manufacture of its dental products. For
certain steps in the manufacturing process the Company currently uses contract
manufacturers. See "Risk Factors -- Lack of Commercial Scale Manufacturing
Experience; Regulatory Compliance" and "-- Dependence on Third Parties."
 
     The Company plans to use a portion of the proceeds of this offering to
build a new manufacturing facility. The Company will need to significantly
scale-up its current manufacturing processes and comply with cGMPs and other
regulations prescribed by various regulatory agencies in the United States and
other countries. Failure by the Company to successfully scale-up its
manufacturing processes or to comply with cGMPs and other regulations would have
a material adverse effect on the Company. Prior to the completion of such
facility, the Company will use contract manufacturers if necessary in order to
produce its additional requirements for the ATRISORB(R) Barrier. As an
alternative to establishing its own manufacturing capabilities or entering into
collaborative agreements, the Company may contract its manufacturing to an
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
independent third party. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to enter into any such arrangements with a collaborative partner or independent
third parties on favorable terms, or at all. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on
Third Parties."
 
PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
 
     The Company considers patent protection and proprietary position to be
materially significant to its business. The Company maintains eleven United
States patents and eight foreign patents, and has nineteen United States and
thirty-three foreign patent applications pending. The Company's ATRIGEL(R)
system, upon which the ATRISORB(R) Barrier, the ATRIDOX(TM) product and all of
the Company's presently anticipated future products are based, is protected by
claims contained in these patents and in pending patent applications.
 
     Notwithstanding the Company's pursuit of patent protection, there is no
assurance that others will not develop delivery systems, compositions and/or
methods that infringe the Company's patent rights resulting from outright
ownership or non-revocable exclusive licensure of patents which relate to the
Company's delivery systems, composition and/or methods. In that event, such
delivery systems, compositions and methods may compete with the Company's
systems, compositions and methods and may adversely affect the operations of the
Company. Further, there is no assurance that patent protection will afford
adequate protection against competitors with similar systems, composition or
methods, nor is there any assurance that the patents will not be infringed or
circumvented by others. Moreover, it may be costly to pursue and to prosecute
patent infringement actions against others, and such actions could hamper the
business of the Company. The Company also relies on its unpatented proprietary
know-how. No assurance can be given that others will not be able to develop
substantially equivalent proprietary know-how or otherwise obtain access to the
Company's know-how, or that the Company's rights under any patents will afford
sufficient protection. See "Risk Factors -- Reliance on Patents and Proprietary
Rights."
 
COMPETITION
 
     The development of therapeutic approaches to treat periodontal disease is
competitive. GTR barriers have been developed by several companies and can be
broadly categorized as nonbiodegradable and biodegradable barriers.
Nonbiodegradable barriers are marketed by William L. Gore Company and TEF Gen
USA, under the trade names Gore-Tex Periodontal Material and TefGen-FD(R)
Barrier Membrane, respectively. Biodegradable barriers are marketed by Guidor,
Inc., Calcitek, Inc. and William L. Gore under the names Guidor, Biomend and
Resolut Regeneration Material, respectively. These barriers come in multiple
sizes and shapes, require suturing to hold them in place, take more time to
apply and can be used only to treat a single site.
 
     The treatment of periodontis by the subgingival controlled release delivery
of antimicrobial agents is also competitive. Actisite(R), marketed in the United
States by Proctor & Gamble and in Europe by ALZA Corporation, is currently the
only product cleared by the FDA for this use in the United States. Actisite(R)
is an ethylene vinyl acetate co-polymer fiber incorporated with 25%
tetracycline. Actisite(R) is nonbiodegradable is placed by a periodontal
professional into a periodontal pocket by means of a dental tool and requires
removal after 10 days. The indicated use for Actisite(R) is as an adjunctive
treatment to scaling and root planing. The Company is aware of other products in
development which may be competitive with the Company's first products.
 
     The drug delivery industry is characterized by rapidly evolving technology
and intense competition. The Company's competitors include major pharmaceutical,
chemical, drug delivery and biotechnology companies, many of which have
financial, technical and marketing resources significantly greater than those of
the Company. In addition, many drug delivery and biotechnology companies have
formed collaborations with large, established pharmaceutical companies to
support research, development and commercialization of products that may be
competitive with those of the Company. There can be no assurance that product
introductions or developments by others will not render the Company's products
or technologies obsolete or place them at a competitive disadvantage.
 
     Products utilizing the Company's proprietary drug delivery systems are
expected to compete with other products for specified indications, including
drugs marketed in conventional and alternative dosage forms.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
New drugs or further developments in alternative drug delivery methods may
provide greater therapeutic benefits for a specific drug or indication, or may
offer comparable performance at lower cost, than those offered by the ATRIGEL(R)
system. The Company expects proprietary products approved for sale to compete
primarily on the basis of product efficacy, safety, patient convenience,
reliability, availability, price and patent position. There can be no assurance
that product introductions or developments by others will not render the
Company's expected products or technologies noncompetitive or obsolete. See
"Risk Factors -- Competition; Rapid Technological Change."
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
     The research and development, manufacturing and marketing of the Company's
products are subject to regulation by the FDA in the United States and by
comparable authorities in other countries. These national authorities and other
federal, state and local entities regulate, among other things, research and
development activities and the testing, manufacture, safety, effectiveness,
labeling, storage, record keeping, approval, advertising and promotion of the
Company's products.
 
     The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the "Act"), the Public Health
Services Act, the Controlled Substance Act and other Federal statutes and
regulations govern or influence all aspects of the Company's business.
Noncompliance with applicable requirements can result in fines, criminal
prosecution, recall, seizure of products, injunctions, total or partial
suspension of production, withdrawals of approvals, and refusal of the
government to approve or clear product premarket submissions and applications or
to allow the Company to enter into contracts with the government. In addition,
administrative remedies can involve the recall of products as well as the
refusal of the government to approve pending applications, supplements to
approved applications or premarket notifications. The FDA also has the authority
to withdraw approval of drugs in accordance with statutory due process
procedures.
 
     In order to obtain FDA approval of a new product, whether it is a drug or
device, the Company must submit proof of safety and effectiveness for NDAs and
PMAs. In most cases, such proof entails extensive preclinical and clinical
studies and laboratory tests. The preparation of an NDA or PMA applications and
processing of those applications by the FDA is expensive and may take several
years to complete. There can be no assurance that the FDA will file an NDA or a
PMA for substantive review. There can be no assurance that the FDA will act
favorably or timely in making such reviews, and significant difficulties or
costs may be encountered by the Company in its efforts to obtain FDA approvals
that could delay or preclude the Company from marketing any products it may
develop. There can also be no assurance that the FDA will not request the
development of additional safety or effectiveness data. Based upon the data, the
FDA may also limit the scope of labelling claims for products or deny the NDA or
PMA. With respect to patented products or technologies, delays imposed by the
governmental approval process may materially reduce the period during which the
Company will have the exclusive right to exploit such patented products, even
though patent extensions may be possible.
 
     The Company's products, as presently anticipated, will be regulated as
either drugs or medical devices. Each type of product is regulated by different
provisions of the Act. The FDA's authority over medical devices derives from the
1976 Medical Device Amendments, the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990 and the
regulations promulgated thereunder. At least 90 days prior to commencing
commercial distribution, a pre-market notification under Section 510(k) of the
law must be filed with the FDA with respect to certain medical devices intended
for commercial distribution. After receipt of the pre-market notification, the
FDA will determine whether the device is "substantially equivalent" to a device
already lawfully marketed and whether the device is otherwise subject to a PMA
requirement. Devices for which pre-market notifications have been filed may not
be marketed until the FDA issues an order finding the device to be substantially
equivalent to an already legally marketed device which is not otherwise subject
to a requirement of pre-market approval under Section 515 of the Act. Devices
which are found by the FDA to be not substantially equivalent to a legally
marketed device, and devices which are substantially equivalent to a device that
requires pre-market approval before marketing, must submit and receive approval
of a PMA before commercialization may commence. The preparation by the Company
and the FDA's review of a PMA are complex, typically including both animal and
human trials and may take several years to complete. Such trials must be
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
conducted under an Investigational Device Exemption approved by the FDA and must
be approved and monitored by an Institutional Review Board ("IRB").
 
     The Company received clearance to market the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in the
United States on March 22, 1996. The regulatory requirements for marketing
medical devices in the European Union (the "EU") are currently in transition as
the EU's new Medical Device Directive is being implemented. Some countries do
not currently require pre-market approval or notification for this type of
product, while other countries do not distinguish between medical devices and
drug products. The EU's Medical Device Directive transition period will end in
June 1998, after which time all medical devices will require a Communaute
Europeene (a "CE Mark") before they can be marketed in any EC member state.
Obtaining the CE Mark will require compliance with EU directives, which include
manufacturing and quality assurance documentation (and inspections) mandated by
the ISO 9000 Series standards and information on the product, performance,
safety, manufacture and quality control.
 
     The Company currently expects to market the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in the nine
foreign countries which currently permit marketing based on compliance with
national medical device requirements. Of these foreign countries, the Company
has received clearance to market the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in Denmark, France,
Ireland, Spain, Switzerland and The Netherlands. The Company also is actively
pursuing clearance to market the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in Italy, Israel, and
Sweden. The Company plans to complete the additional work required to obtain the
CE Mark prior to expiration of the Medical Device Directive transition period in
June 1998 and upon obtaining a CE Mark to market the ATRISORB(R) Barrier in
additional foreign countries.
 
     Products such as the Company's drug delivery system have been generally
regulated under the new drug and related provisions of the Act. The process
required by the FDA before a drug delivery system may be marketed in the United
States depends on whether the drug has existing approval. If the drug is a new
chemical entity that has not been previously approved, then the process includes
(i) preclinical laboratory and animal tests, (ii) an investigational new drug
("IND") exemption which has become effective, (iii) adequate and well-controlled
human clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the drug in its
intended application and (iv) FDA approval of an NDA. If the drug has been
previously approved, then the approval process is substantially similar, except
that certain toxicity tests normally required for the IND may not be required.
 
     Clinical trials are conducted in accordance with protocols that detail the
objectives of the study, the statistical methods to be used in the study, a
description of study end points, criteria for evaluating the safety and
effectiveness, and an array of detailed parameters that are necessary to produce
an adequate and well controlled clinical study. Each protocol is submitted to
the FDA as part of the IND. The FDA must review and approve the protocol and IND
application. However, such an approval is not tantamount to commitment to
approve an NDA, even when the study results are favorable. Each clinical study
is conducted under the authority of a qualified IRB which is in compliance with
the requirements of 21 CFR, part 56. The IRB will consider, among other things,
ethical factors, the safety of human subjects, the protection of patient
confidentiality, informed consents, and the possible liability of the
institution.
 
     Clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases, but
these phases may overlap. During Phase I, the initial introduction of the drug
into healthy human subjects, the product is tested for safety, dosage tolerance,
absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. Phase II involves trials in
a limited patient population to (i) determine the efficacy of the product for
specific, target indications, (ii) determine dosage tolerance and optimal
dosage; and, (iii) identify possible adverse effects and safety risks. If Phase
II evaluations demonstrate that a drug has promising therapeutic benefits and
has an acceptable safety profile, Phase III trials are undertaken to further
evaluate clinical efficacy and to further test for safety within an expanded
patient population often at geographically dispersed clinical study sites. A
clinical plan, or "protocol," must be submitted to the FDA prior to the
commencement of each clinical trial. All patients involved in the clinical
trials must provide informed consent prior to their participation. The FDA may
order the temporary or permanent discontinuation of a clinical trial at any
time. The results of the clinical trials are submitted to the FDA as part of the
NDA to establish the safety and effectiveness of the drug for its intended
indications. The FDA may order the temporary or permanent discontinuation of
clinical trials at any time if it
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
believes that clinical subjects are being exposed to an unacceptably high safety
risk or the design of the trial will not meet its stated objectives.
 
     The results of product development, testing, preclinical trials and
clinical trials are submitted to the FDA in an NDA for approval of the marketing
and commercial shipment of the product. Prosecution of an NDA can take several
years to complete, and there is no assurance that the FDA will approve a
submitted NDA.
 
     The FDA may deny an NDA if applicable regulatory criteria, including
compliance with cGMP, are not satisfied. The FDA may require additional clinical
testing or other types of testing, or manufacturing or quality control changes.
Even if such data are submitted or such changes are made, the FDA may ultimately
decide that the NDA does not satisfy the criteria for approval, and will deny
approval of the application. Before approval of an NDA, the FDA will inspect
records and manufacturing processes relating to the production and laboratory
testing of the finished drug product to ensure compliance with cGMPs. Following
approval, the FDA may condition marketing on receipt of final printed labelling.
Product approvals may be withdrawn by the FDA if compliance with regulatory
standards is not maintained or if new evidence demonstrating that the drug is
unsafe or lacks efficacy for its intended uses becomes known after the product
reaches the market. The FDA may require testing and surveillance programs to
monitor the effect of the Company's proprietary drug delivery systems which have
been commercialized, and has the power to prevent or limit further marketing of
the product based on the results of these post-marketing surveillance programs.
Any failure to obtain required regulatory approvals, or any substantial delay in
obtaining such approval, could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
See "Risk Factors -- Government Regulation; Uncertainty of Obtaining Regulatory
Approval" and "-- Lack of Commercial Scale Manufacturing Experience; Regulatory
Compliance."
 
     Each domestic drug product manufacturing establishment must be registered
with, and achieve a satisfactory inspection from, the FDA. Establishments
handling controlled substances must be licensed by the United States Drug
Enforcement Administration. Domestic manufacturing establishments are subject to
inspection by the FDA prior to the approval of an NDA and to biennial
inspections by the FDA for cGMP compliance after an NDA has been approved.
Additionally, after approval the Company must make adverse product experience
reports to the FDA. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 1992, enacted to
expedite drug approval by providing the FDA with resources to hire additional
medical reviewers, imposes user fees on manufacturers who submit certain
applications to the FDA for pre-market approval of new drugs. Also, under
specified conditions, manufacturers of new drugs are subject to establishment
fees and product fees. Drug user fees are substantial.
 
THIRD PARTY REIMBURSEMENT
 
     The cost of a significant portion of medical care in the United States is
funded by government and private insurance programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid,
health maintenance organizations and private insurers, including Blue Cross/Blue
Shield plans. Governmental imposed limits on reimbursement of hospitals and
other health care providers (including dental practitioners) have significantly
impacted their spending budgets. Under certain government insurance programs, a
health care provider is reimbursed a fixed sum for services rendered in treating
a patient, regardless of the actual charge for such treatment. Private
third-party reimbursement plans are also developing increasingly sophisticated
methods of controlling health care costs through redesign of benefits and
exploration of more cost-effective methods of delivering health care. In
general, these government and private cost-containment measures have caused
health care providers to be more selective in the purchase of medical products.
 
     Significant uncertainty exists as to the reimbursement status of newly
approved health care products, and there can be no assurance that adequate
third-party coverage will be available. Limitations imposed by government and
private insurance programs and the failure of certain third-party payers to
fully or substantially reimburse health care providers for the use of the
products could have a material adverse effect on the Company. See "Risk
Factors -- Uncertainty of Customer Acceptance; Third Party Reimbursement."
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     As of April 1, 1996, the Company employed 71 employees on a full-time basis
and one person on a part-time basis. Of the 71 full-time employees, 62 are
engaged in research and clinical testing and the remaining nine are in
administrative capacities. Seven employees have earned doctorate or advanced
degrees. None of the Company's employees are represented by a union or
collective bargaining unit and management considers relations with employees to
be good.
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
     The directors and officers of the Company and their ages as of April 1,
1996 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              NAME                AGE                    POSITION
              ----                ---                    --------
<S>                               <C>    <C>
John E. Urheim(1)...............  55     Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
                                           Director
Dr. G. Lee Southard(1)..........  59     President, Chief Scientific Officer and
                                         Director
Dr. Richard L. Dunn.............  55     Vice President, Drug Delivery Research
Dr. Charles P. Cox..............  43     Vice President, New Business Development
Dr. J. Steven Garrett...........  50     Vice President, Dental Clinical Research
Michael R. Duncan...............  33     Vice President, Manufacturing
Rees M. Orland..................  51     Vice President, Marketing and Sales
Kimberly A. Marks...............  33     Corporate Controller, Assistant Secretary and
                                           Assistant Treasurer
William C. O'Neil, Jr.(1)(2)....  61     Chairman of the Board
David R. Bethune(2).............  55     Director
Dr. R. Bruce Merrifield(3)......  74     Director
Dr. Jere E. Goyan(3)............  64     Director
Dr. D. Walter Cohen(1)(3).......  69     Director
C. Rodney O'Connor..............  63     Director
H. Stuart Campbell(2)...........  67     Director
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Member of the Executive Committee.
 
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee.
 
(3) Member of the Audit Committee.
 
     John E. Urheim has served as Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a
director of the Company since June 1993. From April 1989 through June 1993, he
was a principal of Urheim Consultants, a health care consulting firm. Mr. Urheim
has 25 years prior work experience at Abbott Laboratories, G.D. Searle, Owens
Illinois Corporation, and Gynex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Mr. Urheim received his
Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science from Cornell College
and a Masters degree in Economics from the University of Iowa.
 
     Dr. G. Lee Southard has been a director of the Company since 1986 and has
served as President of the Company since 1987. Dr. Southard has served as Chief
Scientific Officer of the Company since June 15, 1993 and serves as a director
of Mesa Laboratories, Inc., a medical equipment and data measurement company.
Dr. Southard received his Bachelor of Science degree from the Virginia Military
Institute, his Master of Science degree from George Washington University and
his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
 
     Dr. Richard L. Dunn has served as Vice President, Drug Delivery Research
since 1992. From 1987 to 1992, he served as Vice President, Research and
Development. Dr. Dunn received his Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry
from the University of Florida.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
     Dr. Charles P. Cox has served as Vice President, New Business Development
since January 1996, and served as Vice President, Product Development from
September 1992 to January 1996. Dr. Cox served as Project Director of Research
and Development, Project Planning and Management for G.D. Searle & Company, a
pharmaceutical company, from 1987 to September 1992. Dr. Cox received a Bachelor
of Arts in Zoology from the University of Tulsa, a Masters of Business
Administration from Northwestern University, and a Masters of Science and a
Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Oklahoma.
 
     Dr. J. Steven Garrett has served as Vice President, Dental Clinical
Research since April 1995. He served as Professor of Periodontics at Loma Linda
University from 1986 to 1995 and was in private practice specializing in
periodontics for 17 years. Dr. Garrett is a Diplomat of the American Academy of
Periodontology and serves on the editorial boards of numerous professional
journals.
 
     Michael R. Duncan has served as Vice President, Manufacturing since October
1995. He served as Director of Production Operations and Packaging Manager for
Geneva Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, from 1992 to 1995. Prior
to 1992, he served as a Production Planner at Roxanne Laboratories, Inc. Mr.
Duncan received a degree in Business Administration from Regis University.
 
     Rees M. Orland has served as Vice President, Marketing and Sales since
January 1996. He was the owner of RMO Consulting Group, a healthcare marketing
consulting business, from 1992 to 1996 and served as Corporate Senior Vice
President for Collagen Corporation from 1991 to 1992. Mr. Orland received a
Bachelors degree and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of
Michigan.
 
     Kimberly A. Marks has served as Corporate Controller and Assistant
Secretary of the Company since February 1991 and as Assistant Treasurer since
November 1992. Ms. Marks received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the
University of Denver.
 
     William C. O'Neil, Jr. has been Chairman of the Board of the Company since
1994 and a director since 1988. He has served as Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of ClinTrials Research, Inc., a clinical research services
company, since 1989. Mr. O'Neil also serves as a director of Sigma Aldrich
Corp., American Healthcorp, Central Parking and Advocat. Mr. O'Neil received a
Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Bonaventure University and a Masters of
Business Administration from Harvard University.
 
     David R. Bethune has been a director of the Company since 1995. He has
served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Aesgen, Inc., a generic
pharmaceutical drug company, since 1995 and served as Group Vice President of
American Cyanamid Company from 1992 to 1995. In September 1992, he was named a
member of the Executive Committee of American Cyanamid Company. He was President
of the Lederle Laboratories Division of American Cyanamid Company from 1988 to
1992. Mr. Bethune also serves as a director of Elan Corp., the American
Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education, Partnership for Prevention and is a
founding trustee of the American Cancer Society Foundation. He received a
Bachelors degree in Business from Lenoir Rhyne College.
 
     Dr. R. Bruce Merrifield has been a director of the Company since 1986. He
has been a professor at Rockefeller University since 1966 and associate editor
for the International Journal of Peptide and Protein Research and a member of
the Editorial Board of Analytical Biochemistry. In 1984, Dr. Merrifield was
awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Dr. Merrifield also serves as a director
of Profile Diagnostic Sciences, Inc. Dr. Merrifield received his Ph.D. degree
from the University of California, Los Angeles.
 
     Dr. Jere E. Goyan has been a director of the Company since 1986. He has
served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Alteon, Inc., a
pharmaceutical company, since May 1993, acting Chief Executive Officer from May
1993 to August 1993, Senior Vice President, Research and Development from April
1, 1993 to May 1993, and a member of the Board of Directors since January 1993.
Dr. Goyan was professor of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry at, and Dean
of, the School of Pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco, from
1965 and 1967, respectively, to 1993, and currently serves as Emeritus Dean of
the School of Pharmacy. Dr. Goyan also serves as a director of Emisphere
Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim and Sciclone, Inc. Dr. Goyan received his
Ph.D. degree from the University of California.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
     Dr. D. Walter Cohen has been a director of the Company since 1992. He has
served as Chancellor of the Medical College of Pennsylvania since July 1993 and
President of the Medical College of Pennsylvania from 1990 to 1993. Since 1950,
Dr. Cohen also has had a dental practice specializing in periodontics. Dr. Cohen
received his DDS from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry.
 
     C. Rodney O'Connor has been a director of the Company since 1986. He has
served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cameron Associates, Inc., a
financial communications firm, since 1976. Mr. O'Connor is currently a director
of Fundamental Management Corp. Mr. O'Connor received a Masters Degree in
Finance from the Wharton School of Finance.
 
     H. Stuart Campbell has been a director of the Company since 1995. He is the
owner and an officer of Highland Packaging Labs, Inc., which is a specialty
packaging company for the pharmaceutical industry, and he currently serves as a
director for Biomatrix, Inc., Isomedix, Inc. and Mesa Laboratories, Inc. Mr.
Campbell received a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
COMMON STOCK
 
     The authorized common stock of the Company consists of 25,000,000, $.001
par value per share and as of April 1, 1996, there were 8,484,567 shares of
Common Stock outstanding and held of record by approximately 3,701 stockholders.
Holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on matters
to be voted upon by the stockholders of the Company. The Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company (the "Certificate") provides for cumulative voting
for the election of directors on or after the date on which the Company becomes
aware that any stockholder has become the beneficial owner, directly or
indirectly, of 30% or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. No class of the
Company's stock carries with it any preemptive right to subscribe for any
securities of the Company.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Under its Certificate, the Company has authority to issue 5,000,000 shares
of preferred stock, $.001 par value per share, in one or more series as
determined by the Board of Directors. No shares of preferred stock are currently
issued or outstanding. The Board of Directors may, without further action by the
stockholders of the Company, issue series of preferred stock and fix the rights
and preferences of those shares, including the dividend rights, dividend rates,
conversion rights, exchange rights, voting rights, terms of redemption,
redemption price or prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares
constituting any series or the designation of such series. The rights of the
holders of Common Stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by,
the rights of the holders of any preferred stock issued by the Company in the
future.
 
PROVISIONS WHICH MAY DELAY A CHANGE IN CONTROL OF THE COMPANY
 
     The Certificate contains certain provisions which may delay or discourage a
change in control of the Company, including provisions establishing a classified
board of directors, permitting cumulative voting in certain circumstances,
establishing a process to enlarge and fill vacancies on the board of directors
and deterring certain self-dealing transactions. Certain of these provisions are
designed to increase the likelihood that the Company's Board of Directors, if
presented with a proposal for a business combination or other major transaction
from a third party that has acquired a block of the Company's stock, will have
sufficient time to review the proposal and possible alternatives to the proposal
and to act in what it believes to be in the best interests of the stockholders.
These provisions may discourage certain types of non-negotiated transactions
which would result in a change of control of the Company and are expected to
encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to consult first
with the Company's Board of Directors to negotiate the terms of any proposed
business combination or offer.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
     The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Montgomery Securities and Cruttenden Roth Incorporated (the "Underwriters")
have severally agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the
Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") among the Company and the
Underwriters, to purchase from the Company the number of shares of Common Stock
indicated below opposite their respective names at the public offering price
less the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters to
pay for and accept delivery of the shares of Common Stock are subject to certain
conditions precedent, and that the Underwriters are committed to purchase all of
the shares if they purchase any of the shares.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                NUMBER OF
                                   UNDERWRITER                                   SHARES
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------
    <S>                                                                         <C>
    Montgomery Securities.....................................................
    Cruttenden Roth Incorporated..............................................
                                                                                 -------
              Total...........................................................
                                                                                 =======
</TABLE>
 
     The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that they propose
initially to offer the shares of Common Stock to the public at the public
offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus and to certain
dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of $          per share.
The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in
excess of $          per share to certain other dealers. After the public
offering, the offering price and other selling terms may be changed by the
Underwriters. The Common Stock is offered subject to receipt and acceptance by
the Underwriters, and to certain other conditions, including the right to reject
orders in whole or in part.
 
     The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable not
later than 30 days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to a
maximum of 375,000 additional shares of Common Stock at the public offering
price less the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus. To the extent that the Underwriters exercise this option, each of
the Underwriters will be committed, subject to certain conditions, to purchase
such additional shares in approximately the same proportion as set forth in the
above table. The Underwriters may purchase such shares only to cover
over-allotments made in connection with this offering.
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company will indemnify the
Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act, or will contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required
to make in respect thereof.
 
     Executive officers and directors of the Company, holding in the aggregate
521,855 shares of Common Stock and options to purchase 330,266 shares of Common
Stock, have agreed not to directly or indirectly offer, sell or otherwise
dispose of any of such Common Stock or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable therefor for a period of 90 days after the date of this Prospectus
without the prior written consent of Montgomery Securities. The Company has
agreed that, for a period of 90 days after the date of this Prospectus, it will
not, without the prior written consent of Montgomery Securities, issue, offer
for sale, sell, transfer, grant options to purchase or otherwise dispose of any
shares of its Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for
its Common Stock or other equity security, except pursuant to the Company's
Amended and Restated Performance Stock Option Plan and Non-Qualified Stock
Options Plans (the "Stock Option Plans").
 
     In connection with this offering, certain Underwriters and selling group
members may engage in passive market making transactions in the Common Stock on
the Nasdaq National Market immediately prior to the commencement of sales in
this offering, in accordance with Rule 10b-6A under the Exchange Act. Passive
market making consists of displaying bids on the Nasdaq National Market limited
by the bid prices of independent market makers for a security and making
purchases of a security which are limited by such prices and effected in
response to order flow. Net purchases by a passive market maker on each day are
limited to a specified percentage of the passive market maker's average daily
trading volume in the Common Stock during a specified prior period and must be
discontinued when such limit is reached. Passive market making may
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
stabilize the market price of the Common Stock at a level above that which might
otherwise prevail and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby is being passed
upon for the Company by Kutak Rock, Denver, Colorado. Certain legal matters in
connection with this offering will be passed upon for the Underwriters by
Morrison & Foerster LLP, San Francisco, California. Patton Boggs, L.L.P.,
Washington, D.C., has reviewed and passed upon certain legal (excluding factual)
matters contained in the Prospectus under the captions "Risk
Factors -- Government Regulation; Uncertainty of Obtaining Regulatory Approval,"
"-- Lack of Commercial Scale Manufacturing Experience; Regulatory Compliance"
and "Business -- Government Regulation."
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1994 and 1995
and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, the three months ended
December 31, 1993, and the year ended September 30, 1993, incorporated by
reference and included in this Prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche
LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report thereon incorporated by
reference and appearing herein, and have been so incorporated by reference and
included herein in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
     The statements in the Prospectus under the captions "Risk
Factors -- Reliance on Patents and Proprietary Rights," and "Business -- Patents
and Proprietary Rights" have been reviewed and approved by Merchant & Gould,
Minneapolis, Minnesota, patent counsel for the Company, as experts in such
matters, and are included herein in reliance upon that review and approval.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company may be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities of the Commission located at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices
located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048, and at
500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can
also be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W, Washington, D.C. 20549. The
Common Stock of the Company is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market. Reports and
other information concerning the Company may be inspected at the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. at 9513 Key West Avenue, Rockville,
Maryland 20850.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), with respect to the Common Stock offered hereby. This
Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration
Statement, certain parts of which have been omitted in accordance with the rules
and regulations of the Commission. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to
the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily
complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract
or other document filed as an exhibit or incorporated by reference to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, each such
statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. For further
information with respect to the Company and the Common Stock offered hereby,
reference is made to the Registration Statement. Copies of the Registration
Statement may be inspected, without charge, at the offices of the Commission, or
obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission
at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are hereby
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus: (1) the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and (2) the description
of the Company's Common Stock contained in its Registration Statement on Form
8-A filed with the Commission on January 12, 1990. All documents filed by the
Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of
the offering covered by this Prospectus will be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing
of such documents. Any statement contained herein or in any document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
 
     The Company will provide, without charge to each person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of
any and all of the information that has been or may be incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits
are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Such requests
should be directed to Atrix Laboratories, Inc. Attention: Corporate Secretary,
2579 Midpoint Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525, telephone (970) 482-5868.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   35
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    PAGE
                                                                                 -----------
<S>                                                                              <C>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.................................................  F-2
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Balance Sheets -- December 31, 1994 and 1995...................................  F-3
Statements of Operations -- Year Ended September 30, 1993, Three Months Ended
  December 31, 1993, and Years Ended December 31, 1994 and 1995................  F-4
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity -- Year Ended September 30, 1993,
  Three Months Ended December 31, 1993, and Years Ended December 31, 1994 and
  1995.........................................................................  F-5
Statements of Cash Flows -- Year Ended September 30, 1993, Three Months Ended
  December 31, 1993, and Years Ended December 31, 1994 and 1995................  F-6
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS..................................................  F-7 - F-12
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   36
 
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
  Atrix Laboratories, Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Atrix Laboratories, Inc.
(the "Company") as of December 31, 1994 and December 31, 1995, and the related
statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the
year ended September 30, 1993, three months ended December 31, 1993, and years
ended December 31, 1994 and 1995. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. 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 audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 1994 and
December 31, 1995, and the results of its operations, and its cash flows for the
year ended September 30, 1993, three months ended December 31, 1993, and years
ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
 /s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
     DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP


 
Denver, Colorado
January 26, 1996
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   37
 
                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                       1994            1995
                                                                   ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                <C>             <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents......................................  $  1,880,275    $    925,487
  Marketable securities, held-to-maturity, at cost (Note 2)......     7,896,827              --
  Marketable securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (Note
     2)..........................................................     3,300,894      10,996,847
  Accounts receivable............................................        93,469         190,665
  Interest receivable............................................       140,848         112,303
  Prepaid expenses and deposits..................................       119,102         572,751
  Inventories (Note 1)...........................................            --         202,264
                                                                    -----------     -----------
          Total current assets...................................    13,431,415      13,000,317
                                                                    -----------     -----------
MARKETABLE SECURITIES, HELD-TO-MATURITY, AT COST (Note 2)........     7,172,095              --
                                                                    -----------     -----------
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
  Equipment, furniture and fixtures..............................     1,276,895       1,847,164
  Leasehold improvements.........................................       368,851         506,190
                                                                    -----------     -----------
          Total..................................................     1,645,746       2,353,354
  Accumulated depreciation and amortization......................      (771,274)     (1,133,864)
                                                                    -----------     -----------
          Property and equipment, net............................       874,472       1,219,490
                                                                    -----------     -----------
OTHER ASSETS:
  Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $37,065
     and $52,240.................................................       527,640         674,116
                                                                    -----------     -----------
TOTAL............................................................  $ 22,005,622    $ 14,893,923
                                                                    ===========     ===========
                             LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable-trade.........................................  $    481,267    $  1,862,850
  Accrued salaries and payroll taxes.............................        63,000          72,199
  Other accrued liabilities (Note 8).............................       195,815         152,108
  Deferred revenue...............................................        75,000              --
                                                                    -----------     -----------
          Total current liabilities..............................       815,082       2,087,157
                                                                    -----------     -----------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 5 and 8)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: (Note 4)
  Preferred stock $.001 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares,
     none issued or outstanding..................................            --              --
  Common stock $.001 par value; authorized 25,000,000 shares;
     7,743,078 and 8,433,296 shares issued and outstanding.......         7,743           8,433
  Unrealized holding loss on securities available-for-sale (Note
     2)..........................................................      (396,965)        (35,176)
  Additional paid-in capital.....................................    39,977,455      43,889,473
  Accumulated deficit............................................   (18,397,693)    (31,055,964)
                                                                    -----------     -----------
          Total stockholders' equity.............................    21,190,540      12,806,766
                                                                    -----------     -----------
TOTAL............................................................  $ 22,005,622    $ 14,893,923
                                                                    ===========     ===========
</TABLE>
 
                     See notes to the financial statements
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   38
 
                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             THREE
                                          YEAR ENDED      MONTHS ENDED     YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                                         SEPTEMBER 30,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                             1993             1993            1994            1995
                                         -------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                      <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>
REVENUE:
  Contract revenue (Note 6)............   $  1,036,514    $   162,209     $    701,112    $    571,164
  Contract revenue from related party
     (Notes 5 and 6)...................        341,924          3,000           12,000           9,000
  Interest income......................      1,556,187        373,930        1,320,258         986,995
  (Loss) gain on sale of securities....        157,681             --         (218,043)         (4,895)
                                           -----------    -----------      -----------    ------------
          Total revenue................      3,092,306        539,139        1,815,327       1,562,264
                                           -----------    -----------      -----------    ------------
EXPENSES:
  Research expenses-ATRIDOX(R)
     product...........................      2,788,787        540,512        2,764,587       5,683,805
  Other research and development.......      3,064,702        841,849        3,902,480       3,904,730
  Administrative expenses..............        937,035        163,416          688,122         829,509
  Acquisition of rights (Note 3).......             --             --               --       3,802,491
                                           -----------    -----------      -----------    ------------
          Total expenses...............      6,790,524      1,545,777        7,355,189      14,220,535
                                           -----------    -----------      -----------    ------------
NET LOSS...............................   $ (3,698,218)   $(1,006,638 )   $ (5,539,862)   $(12,658,271)
                                           ===========    ===========      ===========    ============
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE..............   $      (0.48)   $     (0.13 )   $      (0.72)   $      (1.58)
                                           ===========    ===========      ===========    ============
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING          7,695,164      7,721,023        7,740,981       8,001,985
                                           ===========    ===========      ===========    ============
</TABLE>
 
                     See notes to the financial statements.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   39
 
                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
 
                 STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        COMMON STOCK        ADDITIONAL     UNREALIZED                        TOTAL
                                     -------------------      PAID-IN        HOLDING      ACCUMULATED     STOCKHOLDERS'
                                      SHARES      AMOUNT      CAPITAL      GAIN (LOSS)      DEFICIT          EQUITY
                                     ---------    ------    -----------    -----------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>       <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 1992........  7,627,256    $7,627    $39,673,890     $      --     $ (8,152,975)   $ 31,528,542
                                     ---------    ------    -----------     ---------     ------------    ------------
Exercise of employee stock
  options..........................     89,917        90        209,113            --               --         209,203
Issuance of common stock for
  warrants.........................      3,850         4         19,245            --               --          19,249
Unrealized holding gain............         --        --             --        59,634               --          59,634
Net loss for the year..............         --        --             --            --       (3,698,218)     (3,698,218)
                                     ---------    ------    -----------     ---------     ------------    ------------
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 1993........  7,721,023    $7,721    $39,902,248     $  59,634     $(11,851,193)   $ 28,118,410
                                     ---------    ------    -----------     ---------     ------------    ------------
Unrealized holding loss............         --        --             --      (133,637)              --        (133,637)
Net loss for the period............         --        --             --            --       (1,006,638)     (1,006,638)
                                     ---------    ------    -----------     ---------     ------------    ------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1993.........  7,721,023    $7,721    $39,902,248     $ (74,003)    $(12,857,831)   $ 26,978,135
                                     ---------    ------    -----------     ---------     ------------    ------------
Exercise of employee stock
  options..........................     14,080        14         35,340            --               --          35,354
Issuance of common stock for
  warrants.........................      7,975         8         39,867            --               --          39,875
Unrealized holding loss............         --        --             --      (322,962)              --        (322,962)
Net loss for the year..............         --        --             --            --       (5,539,862)     (5,539,862)
                                     ---------    ------    -----------     ---------     ------------    ------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1994.........  7,743,078    $7,743    $39,977,455     $(396,965)    $(18,397,693)   $ 21,190,540
                                     ---------    ------    -----------     ---------     ------------    ------------
Exercise of stock options..........    139,350       139        391,611            --               --         391,750
Acquisition of rights..............    550,868       551      3,520,407            --               --       3,520,958
Unrealized holding gain............         --        --             --       361,789               --         361,789
Net loss for the year..............         --        --             --            --      (12,658,271)    (12,658,271)
                                     ---------    ------    -----------     ---------     ------------    ------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1995.........  8,433,296    $8,433    $43,889,473     $ (35,176)    $(31,055,964)   $ 12,806,766
                                     =========    ======    ===========     =========     ============    ============
</TABLE>
 
                     See notes to the financial statements.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   40
 
                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEAR            THREE            YEAR            YEAR
                                                       ENDED        MONTHS ENDED       ENDED           ENDED
                                                   SEPTEMBER 30,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                       1993             1993            1994            1995
                                                   -------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net loss.......................................  $  (3,698,218)   $(1,006,638 )   $ (5,539,862)   $(12,658,271)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
   used in operating activities:
    Depreciation.................................        215,825         61,187          277,075         369,663
    Amortization of patents......................          6,896          1,890           13,632          15,175
    Amortization of bond premiums................        367,544        157,798          360,763         241,623
    (Gain) loss on sale of marketable
      securities.................................       (157,681)            --          218,043           4,895
    Write-off of obsolete patents................         69,038             --          134,380           5,506
    Acquisition of rights through issuance of
      common stock...............................             --             --               --       3,520,958
    Net changes in current assets and
      liabilities:
    Accounts receivable..........................        (74,433)       (11,598 )        (62,176)        (97,196)
    Inventory....................................             --             --               --        (202,264)
    Prepaid expenses and deposits................         72,205        (53,702 )         43,199        (453,649)
    Income tax refund receivable.................        112,492             --               --              --
    Interest receivable..........................        244,661        150,996           17,035          28,545
    Accounts payable - trade.....................         92,903        109,921          (18,134)      1,381,583
    Accrued salaries and payroll taxes...........          8,116            355           10,412           9,199
    Other accrued liabilities....................         20,576         (6,335 )        (32,106)        (43,707)
    Deferred revenue.............................       (151,865)      (125,643 )        (79,357)        (75,000)
                                                    ------------    -----------      -----------    ------------
         Net cash used in operating activities...     (2,871,941)      (721,769 )     (4,657,096)     (7,952,940)
                                                    ------------    -----------      -----------    ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Acquisition of equipment, furniture and
      fixtures...................................       (231,475)       (43,053 )       (312,294)       (577,342)
    Acquisition of leasehold improvements........             --         (2,983 )        (27,055)       (137,339)
    Investments in intangible assets.............       (184,291)       (46,893 )       (157,829)       (167,157)
    Proceeds from maturities of marketable
      securities.................................     12,934,404             --        5,000,000       5,185,800
    Proceeds from sale of marketable securities,
      available-for-sale.........................     11,314,120             --        4,848,194       2,533,283
    Investment in marketable securities..........    (19,522,350)      (116,902 )     (3,478,191)       (230,843)
                                                    ------------    -----------      -----------    ------------
         Net cash provided by (used in) investing
           activities............................      4,310,408       (209,831 )      5,872,825       6,606,402
                                                    ------------    -----------      -----------    ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Prepayment of long-term borrowing from related
    party........................................     (3,586,272)            --               --              --
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock and
    exercise of stock options....................        228,452             --           75,229         391,750
                                                    ------------    -----------      -----------    ------------
         Net cash (used in) provided by financing
           activities............................     (3,357,820)            --           75,229         391,750
                                                    ------------    -----------      -----------    ------------
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH
  EQUIVALENTS....................................     (1,919,353)      (931,600 )      1,290,958        (954,788)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD...      3,440,270      1,520,917          589,317       1,880,275
                                                    ------------    -----------      -----------    ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD.........  $   1,520,917    $   589,317     $  1,880,275    $    925,487
                                                    ============    ===========      ===========    ============
</TABLE>
 
                     See notes to the financial statements.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   41
 
                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
 
                       NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    FOR YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1993, THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993,
                   AND YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
     Atrix Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in 1986. Its
principal business is the research and development of a broad range of medical,
dental and veterinary products based upon a biodegradable sustained release drug
delivery system. Subsequent to December 31, 1995, the Company received 510(k)
clearance to market its first product, the ATRISORB(R) GTR Barrier, in the
United States. The Company has also received clearance to market the product in
six European countries. All of the Company's other products are in either the
research, development, or clinical stage.
 
CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR END
 
     Effective October 1, 1993, the Company changed its year end from September
30 to a calendar year ending December 31.
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
     Cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with an original
maturity of three months or less.
 
INVESTMENTS
 
     Investments in marketable securities for which the Company has the ability
and intent to hold to maturity are carried at amortized cost. Other securities
are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value with the
unrealized holding gain or loss included in stockholders' equity. Premiums and
discounts associated with bonds are amortized using the effective interest rate
method.
 
INVENTORIES
 
     Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in,
first-out (FIFO) method, or market. The components of inventories at December
31, 1995 are:
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                                                 <C>
                Raw Materials.....................................  $155,632
                Work In Progress..................................    46,632
                                                                    --------
                                                                    $202,264
                                                                    ========
</TABLE>
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
     Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the
estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over
the term of the related lease.
 
     Betterments, renewals and extraordinary repairs that extend the life of an
asset are capitalized; other repairs and maintenance are expensed. Repairs and
maintenance expense was $66,375, $14,696, $72,865 and $83,106 for the year ended
September 30, 1993, the three months ended December 31, 1993, and the years
ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 respectively.
 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
     Certain technology rights acquired from the Company's former parent, Vipont
Pharmaceutical, Inc. ("VPI"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive
Company ("Colgate"), were transferred at cost less accumulated amortization and
are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.
Also included in intangible assets are the legal costs incurred to obtain
patents. Upon receiving a determination that the Company's claims have been
approved, these costs are amortized over the patent's
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   42
 
                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
 
                NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
estimated useful life commencing with the approval of the patent. Costs
associated with patents are expensed upon the determination that such costs are
not recoverable.
 
REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
     The Company recognizes revenue on research contracts as research work is
performed and costs are incurred. Deferred revenue is recorded with respect to
payments received that relate to research activities to be performed in
subsequent periods.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
     Costs incurred in connection with research and development activities are
expensed as incurred. These costs consist of direct and indirect costs
associated with specific projects as well as fees paid to various entities that
perform certain research on behalf of the Company.
 
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
 
     Net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted
average number of shares outstanding during the period. Fully diluted earnings
per share is the same as primary earnings per share.
 
USE OF ESTIMATES
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
     Effective October 1, 1993, the Company changed its method of accounting for
income taxes to comply with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes" (See Note 7).
 
2. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
 
     At December 31, 1995 marketable securities balances are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      ESTIMATED
                                               NUMBER OF SHARES/                        FAIR
                                               PRINCIPAL AMOUNT         COST            VALUE
                                               -----------------     -----------     -----------
    <S>                                        <C>                   <C>             <C>
    Available-for-sale:
      U.S. Government and Agency Bond Funds
         Thornburg Fund......................         36,161         $   458,151     $   453,461
         Pimco Fund..........................        363,720           3,470,553       3,422,601
                                                   ---------         -----------     -----------
              Total..........................        399,881         $ 3,928,704     $ 3,876,062
                                                   ---------         -----------     -----------
      U.S. Government and Agency Bonds.......      7,025,000         $ 7,103,319     $ 7,120,785
                                                   ---------         -----------     -----------
              Total..........................      7,424,881         $11,032,023     $10,996,847
                                                   =========         ===========     ===========
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   43
 
                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
 
                NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     At December 31, 1994 marketable securities balances are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      ESTIMATED
                                                 NUMBER OF SHARES/                       FAIR
                                                 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT         COST          VALUE
                                                 -----------------     ----------     ----------
    <S>                                          <C>                   <C>            <C>
    Available-for-sale:
      U.S. Government and Agency Bond Funds
         Thornburg Fund........................         34,014         $  431,770     $  401,360
         Pimco Fund............................        341,122          3,266,089      2,899,534
                                                     ---------         -----------    ----------
              Total............................        375,136         $3,697,859     $3,300,894
                                                     =========         ===========    ==========
    Held-to-maturity -- current:
      U.S. Government and Agency Bonds.........      4,570,000         $4,756,027     $4,619,995
         Commercial paper......................      3,177,025          3,140,800      3,153,758
                                                     ---------         -----------    ----------
                                                     7,747,025         $7,896,827     $7,773,753
                                                     =========         ===========    ==========
    Held-to-maturity -- non-current:
      U.S. Government and Agency Bonds.........      7,025,000         $7,172,095     $6,947,833
                                                     =========         ===========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
     The U.S. Government and Agency bonds mature in 1-2 years.
 
     The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities" as of
September 30, 1993. This statement requires that marketable securities that are
available-for-sale be stated at fair value with the difference between cost and
fair value included as a component of stockholders' equity. In the fourth
quarter of 1995 the Company reassessed its classification of securities pursuant
to a recent interpretation of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115 and
reclassified securities with a market value of $7,120,785 from held-to-maturity
to available-for-sale as of December 31, 1995 in accordance with such
interpretation. An unrealized holding gain of $17,466 was recorded in
stockholders' equity in connection with the transfer.
 
     At December 31, 1995, gross unrealized gains and losses pertaining to
marketable securities were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            GAINS      LOSSES
                                                           -------     -------
                <S>                                        <C>         <C>
                Available-for-sale.......................  $32,689     $67,865
                                                           =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
3. VIPONT ROYALTY INCOME FUND, LTD.
 
     The Company was the sole general partner of Vipont Royalty Income Fund,
Ltd., a Colorado limited partnership (the "Partnership"). The primary asset of
the Partnership was its right to receive payments from the Company based on
royalties and/or proceeds from the sale of rights relating to the ATRIDOX
product, if any, pursuant to certain agreements (the "Agreements") between the
Company and the Partnership. On September 27, 1995, the limited partners (the
"Limited Partners") of the Partnership approved the merger (the "Merger"), of
the Partnership with and into Atrix, L.P., a Colorado limited partnership
("Atrix, L.P."). The Company was the sole limited partner of Atrix, L.P.
AtrixSub, a Colorado corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company,
was the sole general partner of Atrix, L.P. The Company determined the value of
the Partnership using an income valuation approach based on projected royalty
payments from projected sales of the ATRIDOX product. The Company issued 550,868
shares of common stock, valued at $6.40 per share for purposes of the Merger,
for a total consideration of $3,524,000. Additional expenses related to the
Merger of approximately $278,000 were paid by the Company. The total cost of
acquiring the Partnership rights of approximately $3,802,000 is considered a
research and development cost and accordingly, was expensed in 1995. Immediately
following the Merger, the Agreements were terminated pursuant to a
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   44
 
                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
 
                NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
Termination Agreement dated September 27, 1995 entered into between the Company
and Atrix, L.P. Subsequent to the Merger, Atrix, L.P. and AtrixSub were
dissolved.
 
4. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Performance Stock Option Plan
 
     The Company has reserved 1,500,000 of its authorized but unissued Common
Stock for stock options to be granted under its Amended and Restated Performance
Stock Option Plan. Under the terms of the plans, options are not exercisable for
a period of one to three years from the date of grant. The exercise price of all
options is the closing bid price of the stock on the date of grant. There are
265,967 shares which remain available under the plan for future employee stock
option grants.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  NUMBER
                                                                    OF           EXERCISE
                                                                  SHARES      PRICE PER SHARE
                                                                 --------     ---------------
    <S>                                                          <C>          <C>
    Options outstanding September 30, 1992.....................   556,450       $ .50 - 20.75
    Options granted............................................   383,655        6.63 -  9.88
    Options canceled or expired................................   (73,741)        .50 - 20.75
    Options exercised..........................................   (89,917)        .50 -  7.87
                                                                 --------
    Options outstanding September 30, 1993.....................   776,447       $ .50 - 20.75
    Options granted............................................    69,345                5.88
                                                                 --------
    Options outstanding December 31, 1993......................   845,792       $ .50 - 20.75
    Options granted............................................    19,000        6.13 -  9.13
    Options canceled or expired................................   (58,850)       5.88 - 14.00
    Options exercised..........................................   (14,080)        .50 -  3.75
                                                                 --------
    Options outstanding December 31, 1994......................   791,862       $ .50 - 20.75
    Options granted............................................   153,088        6.63 -  6.88
    Options canceled or expired................................   (45,345)       5.88 - 15.88
    Options exercised..........................................  (139,350)        .50 -  5.88
                                                                 --------
    Options outstanding December 31, 1995......................   760,255       $ .50 - 20.75
                                                                 ========
</TABLE>
 
Options outstanding were available for exercise as follows:
 
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                          <C>          <C>
    Currently Exercisable......................................   501,350
    1996.......................................................   156,546
    1997.......................................................    54,263
    1998.......................................................    48,096
                                                                 --------
    Total......................................................   760,255
                                                                 ========
</TABLE>
 
  Non-qualified Stock Option Plan
 
     During 1991, the Company reserved 50,000 of its authorized but unissued
Common Stock for stock options to be granted to outside consultants. The Company
granted 30,000 shares to a consultant at an exercise price equal to the market
price on the date of grant, which became fully exercisable on November 12, 1993.
In April 1994, the Company granted a non-qualified option to purchase 7,500
shares to a consultant at an exercise price equal to the market price on the
date of grant, to vest over a period of three years. In August, 1995, the
Company granted a non-qualified option to purchase of 7,000 shares to a
consultant at an exercise price equal to the market price on the date of grant.
The option will vest based on performance criteria. In September, 1995, the
Company granted a non-qualified option to purchase 3,360 shares to a consultant
at an exercise price equal to the market price on the date of grant which became
fully exercisable as of
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   45
 
                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
 
                NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
December 31, 1995. In October, 1995, the Company amended its non-qualified stock
option plan on a registration statement S-8 to increase the number of shares
available from 50,000 to 100,000.
 
5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     In 1992 and 1993, the Company received a total of $1,000,000 from Colgate
for funding of research and development of a biodegradable membrane for guided
tissue regeneration in periodontal flap surgery ("GTR Product"). The Research
and Development Agreement provided that in the event Colgate exercised its right
to terminate, which it did after the $1,000,000 expenditure, the Company could
supply the GTR Product to any third party. However, in such event the Company
agreed to reimburse Colgate for all actual out-of-pocket costs expended by
Colgate, the manner and period for such reimbursement to be mutually agreed upon
by the parties but in no event shall the full reimbursement to Colgate for its
expenditures extend for a period of more than two years after the effective date
of an executed agreement by the Company to supply the GTR Product to a third
party.
 
6. MAJOR CUSTOMERS
 
     Contract revenue for one customer was $125,642 for the three months ended
December 31, 1993, and for two customers was $210,000 and $335,357 for 1994, and
$225,000 and $227,000 for 1995.
 
7. INCOME TAXES
 
     Effective October 1, 1993, the Company prospectively adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" (SFAS No.
109), which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and
reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are
computed annually for differences between the financial statement basis and the
income tax basis of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or
deductible amounts in the future. Such deferred income tax liability
computations are based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the years in
which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. A valuation
allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to
the amounts expected to be realized. There was no cumulative effect on prior
years resulting from the adoption of SFAS No. 109 because, as of October 1,
1993, a valuation allowance was established equal to the net deferred tax
assets, due to uncertainties as to the ultimate realization of deferred tax
assets.
 
     Net deferred tax assets and the valuation allowance at December 31, 1994
and 1995, consist of:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1994             1995
                                                               -----------     ------------
    <S>                                                        <C>             <C>
    Deferred tax assets (liabilities):
      Net operating loss carry forwards......................  $ 6,284,000     $  9,941,000
      Amortization of intangibles............................    1,575,000        2,881,000
      Available-for-sale securities..........................      148,000           13,000
      Depreciation...........................................       22,000           60,000
      Investment in Partnership..............................       85,000               --
      Other items............................................      (12,000)         (50,000)
                                                               -----------     ------------
              Net deferred tax assets........................    8,102,000       12,845,000
                                                               -----------     ------------
    Less valuation allowance.................................   (8,102,000)     (12,845,000)
                                                               -----------     ------------
              Total..........................................  $         0     $          0
                                                               ===========     ============
</TABLE>
 
     At December 31, 1995 the Company has approximately $26,652,000 of federal
income tax net operating loss carry forwards which expire through 2010.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   46
 
                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
 
                NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
8. LEASE COMMITMENTS
 
     As of December 31, 1995, minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable
operating leases of one year or more are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31,
- ------------
<S>                                                     <C>
   1996...............................................  $261,674
   1997...............................................   240,337
   1998...............................................   109,837
   1999...............................................    13,170
   2000...............................................     6,585
                                                        --------
   Total..............................................  $631,603
                                                        ========
</TABLE>
 
     Other accrued liabilities includes deferred rent of $152,108 as of December
31, 1995 and $195,815 as of December 31, 1994. Rent expense was $197,798 the
year ended September 30, 1993, $43,911 for the three months ended December 31,
1993, $179,204 for 1994, and $202,503 for 1995.
 
9. ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
     Effective December 31, 1995, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of
Financial Instruments." SFAS 107 requires, among other things, that the Company
disclose the fair value of financial instruments, and the methods and
significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial
instruments. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the
Company using available market information.
 
     The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments as of
December 31, 1995 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 CARRYING        ESTIMATED
                                                                  AMOUNT        FAIR VALUE
                                                                -----------     -----------
    <S>                                                         <C>             <C>
    Cash and cash equivalents.................................  $   925,487     $   925,487
    Marketable securities, available-for-sale.................  $10,996,847     $10,996,847
</TABLE>
 
     The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value
of financial instruments:
 
          Cash and cash equivalents -- The carrying amount is a reasonable
     estimate of fair value.
 
          Marketable securities, available-for-sale -- The fair value is based
     on quoted market prices or dealer quotes.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   47
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
     No dealer, salesman or any other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations in connection with this offering,
other than those made in this Prospectus, and, if given or made, such
information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized
by the Company or any of the Underwriters. This Prospectus does not constitute
an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than
the shares of Common Stock to which it relates, or an offer to, or a
solicitation of, any person in any jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation
would be unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made
hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create an implication that there has
been no change in the affairs of the Company since the date hereof or that the
information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date
hereof.
 
                          ----------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                          ----------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Page
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary.....................   3
Risk Factors...........................   5
The Company............................  10
Capitalization.........................  11
Dilution...............................  11
Use of Proceeds........................  12
Price Range of Common Stock............  12
Selected Financial Data................  13
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations...........................  14
Business...............................  18
Management.............................  28
Description of Capital Stock...........  30
Underwriting...........................  31
Legal Matters..........................  32
Experts................................  32
Available Information..................  32
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference............................  33
Index to Financial Statements.......... F-1
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
                                2,500,000 SHARES
 
                                      LOGO
 
                                     ATRIX
                               LABORATORIES, INC.
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                            ------------------------
                             MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
 
                                CRUTTENDEN ROTH
                                  INCORPORATED
                                            , 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   48
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The following table sets forth the expenses to be borne by the registrant,
other than underwriting discounts and commissions, in connection with the
issuance and distribution of the Common Stock hereunder.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              PAYABLE BY THE
                                                                                REGISTRANT
                                                                              --------------
    <S>                                                                       <C>
    SEC registration fee....................................................   $   11,276.94
    NASD filing fee.........................................................        3,770.31
    Nasdaq filing fee.......................................................       17,500.00
    Accounting fees and expenses............................................       40,000.00
    Legal fees and expenses.................................................      130,000.00
    Printing costs..........................................................      125,000.00
    Blue Sky fees and expenses..............................................       15,000.00
    Miscellaneous...........................................................        7,452.75
                                                                               -------------
              Total.........................................................   $  350,000.00
                                                                               =============
</TABLE>
 
     The foregoing items, except for the SEC registration fee, the NASD filing
fee and the Nasdaq filing fee, are estimated.
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     Section 145 ("Section 145") of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware (the "DGCL") provides that directors and officers of Delaware
corporations may, under certain circumstances, be indemnified against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) and other liabilities actually and reasonably
incurred by them as a result of any suit brought against them in their capacity
as a director or officer, if they acted in good faith and in a manner they
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if they had
no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. Section 145 also
provides that directors and officers may also be indemnified against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) incurred by them in connection with a derivative
suit if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no
indemnification may be made without court approval if such person was adjudged
liable to the corporation.
 
     The Company has implemented such indemnification provisions in its
Certificate of Incorporation which provides that officers and directors shall be
entitled to be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by law
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was an officer or director of the
Company.
 
     The above discussion of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
Sections 102(b)(7) and 145 of the DGCL is not intended to be exhaustive and is
qualified in its entirety by such Certificate of Incorporation and statutes.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   49
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 
     The following is a complete list of exhibits filed as part of the
Registration Statement. Exhibit numbers correspond to the numbers in the Exhibit
Table of Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
 
<TABLE>
    <C>        <S>
      1.1      Underwriting Agreement.
      5.1      Opinion of Kutak Rock as to the legality of the Common Stock being registered.
     23.1      Consent of Kutak Rock (see Exhibit 5.1).
     23.2      Consent of Merchant & Gould.
     23.3      Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
     24.1      Powers of Attorney (included on page II-4 of the Registration Statement).
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
     of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section
     13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is
     incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to
     be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
     and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
     initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (2) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
     Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
     controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
     or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
     Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
     policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
     event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
     the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
     officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense
     of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
     controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
     registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
     settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
     jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
     public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
     adjudication of such issue.
 
             (3)(a) For purposes of determining any liability under the
        Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of
        prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon
        Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant
        pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act
        shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time
        it was declared effective.
 
             (b) For the purpose of determining any lability under the
        Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a
        form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
        relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
        securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
        offering thereof.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   50
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Fort Collins, State of Colorado, on the fifth day of
April, 1996.
 
                                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.
                                            (Registrant)
 


                                            By: /s/  JOHN E. URHEIM
                                                -------------------------------
                                                John E. Urheim,
                                                Vice Chairman of the Board
                                                and Chief Executive Officer
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   51
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints John E. Urheim his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any
or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
Statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting
unto such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, to all intents
and purposes and as full as he may or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or
substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    NAME                                    TITLE                     DATE
- ---------------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ---------------
<S>                                            <C>                               <C>
/s/      WILLIAM C. O'NEIL, JR.                Chairman of the Board of
William C. O'Neil, Jr.                           Directors                       April 5, 1996
/s/           JOHN E. URHEIM                   Vice Chairman of the Board of
John E. Urheim                                   Directors and Chief Executive
                                                 Officer                         April 5, 1996
/s/       DR. G. LEE SOUTHARD                  President, Chief Scientific
Dr. G. Lee Southard                              Officer and Director            April 5, 1996
/s/    DR. R. BRUCE MERRIFIELD                 Director
Dr. R. Bruce Merrifield                                                          April 5, 1996
/s/            JERE E. GOYAN                   Director
Dr. Jere E. Goyan                                                                April 5, 1996
/s/         RODNEY O'CONNOR                    Director
C. Rodney O'Connor                                                               April 5, 1996
/s/       DR. D. WALTER COHEN                  Director
Dr. D. Walter Cohen                                                              April 5, 1996
/s/         DAVID R. BETHUNE                   Director
David R. Bethune                                                                 April 5, 1996
/s/       H. STUART CAMPBELL                   Director
H. Stuart Campbell                                                               April 5, 1996
/s/        KIMBERLY A. MARKS                   Corporate Controller, Assistant
Kimberly A. Marks                                Secretary and Assistant
                                                 Treasurer                       April 5, 1996
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   52
                                   EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Exhibit
   Number                       Exhibit Description                                              Page
   -------                      -------------------                                              ----
<S>            <C>                                                                               <C>
      1.1      Underwriting Agreement.
      5.1      Opinion of Kutak Rock as to the legality of the Common Stock being registered.
     23.1      Consent of Kutak Rock (see Exhibit 5.1).
     23.2      Consent of Merchant & Gould.
     23.3      Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
     24.1      Powers of Attorney (included on page II-4 of the Registration Statement).
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
                                   EXHIBIT 1.1




                                2,500,000 SHARES

                            ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK



                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT


April __, 1996


MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
CRUTTENDEN ROTH INCORPORATED
c/o MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
600 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, California  94111

Dear Sirs:

                 SECTION 1.  Introductory.  Atrix Laboraties, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), proposes to issue and sell 2,500,000 shares of its
authorized but unissued Common Stock (the "Common Stock") to you (the
"Underwriters").  Said aggregate of 2,500,000 shares are herein called the
"Firm Common Shares."  In addition, the Company proposes to grant to the
Underwriters an option to purchase up to 375,000 additional shares of Common
Stock (the "Optional Common Shares"), as provided in Section 4 hereof.  The
Firm Common Shares and, to the extent such option is exercised, the Optional
Common Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Common Shares."

                 You have advised the Company that the Underwriters propose to
make a public offering of their respective portions of the Common Shares on the
effective date of the registration statement hereinafter referred to, or as
soon thereafter as in your judgment is advisable.

                 The Company hereby confirms its agreements with respect to the
purchase of the Common Shares by the Underwriters as follows:

                 SECTION 2.  Representations and Warranties of the Company.
The Company hereby represents and warrants to the several Underwriters that:




                                      1

<PAGE>   2
                 (a)  A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-___)
         with respect to the Common Shares has been prepared by the Company in
         conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
         amended (the "Act"), and the rules and regulations (the "Rules and
         Regulations") of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
         "Commission") thereunder, and has been filed with the Commission.  The
         Company has prepared and has filed or proposes to file prior to the
         effective date of such registration statement an amendment or
         amendments to such registration statement, which amendment or
         amendments have been or will be similarly prepared.  There have been
         delivered to you two signed copies of such registration statement and
         amendments, together with two copies of each exhibit filed therewith.
         Conformed copies of such registration statement and amendments (but
         without exhibits) and of the related preliminary prospectus have been
         delivered to you in such reasonable quantities as you have requested
         for each of the Underwriters.  The Company will next file with the
         Commission one of the following:  (i) prior to effectiveness of such
         registration statement, a further amendment thereto, including the
         form of final prospectus, (ii) a final prospectus in accordance with
         Rules 430A and 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations or (iii) a term
         sheet (the "Term Sheet") as described in and in accordance with Rules
         434 and 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations.  As filed, the final
         prospectus, if one is used, or the Term Sheet and Preliminary
         Prospectus, if a final prospectus is not used, shall include all Rule
         430A Information and, except to the extent that you shall agree in
         writing to a modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the
         form furnished to you prior to the date and time that this Agreement
         was executed and delivered by the parties hereto, or, to the extent
         not completed at such date and time, shall contain only such specific
         additional information and other changes (beyond that contained in the
         latest Preliminary Prospectus) as the Company shall have previously
         advised you in writing would be included or made therein.

         The term "Registration Statement" as used in this Agreement shall mean
         such registration statement at the time such registration statement
         becomes effective and, in the event any post-effective amendment
         thereto becomes effective prior to the First Closing Date (as
         hereinafter defined), shall also mean such registration statement as
         so amended; provided, however, that such term shall also include (i)
         all Rule 430A Information deemed to be included in such registration
         statement at the time such registration statement becomes effective as
         provided by Rule 430A of the Rules and Regulations and (ii) any
         registration statement filed pursuant to 462(b) of the Rules and
         Regulations relating to the Common Shares.  The term "Preliminary
         Prospectus" shall mean any preliminary prospectus referred to in the
         preceding paragraph and any preliminary prospectus included in the
         Registration Statement at the time it becomes effective that omits
         Rule 430A Information.  The term "Prospectus" as used in this
         Agreement shall mean either (i) the prospectus relating to the Common
         Shares in the form in which it is first filed with the Commission
         pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations or, (ii) if a
         Term Sheet is not used and no filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the
         Rules and Regulations is required, shall mean the form of final
         prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time such
         registration statement becomes effective or (iii) if a Term Sheet is
         used, the Term Sheet in the form in which it is first filed with the
         Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations,
         together with the Preliminary Prospectus included in the Registration





                                      2
<PAGE>   3
         Statement at the time it becomes effective.  The term "Rule 430A
         Information" means information with respect to the Common Shares and
         the offering thereof permitted to be omitted from the Registration
         Statement when it becomes effective pursuant to Rule 430A of the Rules
         and Regulations.  Any reference herein to any Preliminary Prospectus
         or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the
         documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Form S-3 under
         the Act, as of the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus,
         as the case may be.

                 (b)  The Commission has not issued any order preventing or
         suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, and each Preliminary
         Prospectus has conformed in all material respects to the requirements
         of the Act and the Rules and Regulations and, as of its date, has not
         included any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
         material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
         of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and
         at the time the Registration Statement becomes effective, and at all
         times subsequent thereto up to and including each Closing Date
         hereinafter mentioned, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus,
         and any amendments or supplements thereto, will contain all material
         statements and information required to be included therein by the Act
         and the Rules and Regulations and will in all material respects
         conform to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations,
         and neither the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus, nor any
         amendment or supplement thereto, will include any untrue statement of
         a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
         provided, however, no representation or warranty contained in this
         subsection 2(b) shall be applicable to information contained in or
         omitted from any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement,
         the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon
         and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by
         or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for use in the
         preparation thereof.  The documents incorporated by reference in the
         Prospectus, when they were filed with the Commission, conformed in all
         material respects to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 
         of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission 
         thereunder (the "Exchange Act"), and none of such documents contained 
         an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material 
         fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the 
         statements therein not misleading.

                 (c)  The Company does not own or control, directly or
         indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity, including
         any subsidiary.  The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
         existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its
         jurisdiction of incorporation, with full power and authority
         (corporate and other) to own and lease its properties and conduct its
         respective business as described in the Prospectus; the Company is in
         possession of and operating in compliance with all authorizations,
         licenses, permits, consents, certificates and orders material to the
         conduct of its business, all of which are valid and in full force and
         effect; the Company is duly qualified to do business and is in good
         standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which the
         ownership or leasing of properties or the conduct of its business
         requires such qualification, except for jurisdictions in which the
         failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect upon
         the Company; and no proceeding has been instituted in any




                                      3
<PAGE>   4
         such jurisdiction, revoking, limiting or curtailing, or seeking to
         revoke, limit or curtail, such power and authority or qualification.

                 (d)  The Company has an authorized and outstanding capital
         stock as set forth under the heading "Capitalization" in the
         Prospectus; the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock have
         been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and
         nonassessable, are duly listed on the Nasdaq National Market, have
         been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws,
         were not issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive rights or
         other rights to subscribe for or purchase securities, and conform to
         the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.  Except as 
         disclosed in or contemplated by the Prospectus and the financial 
         statements of the Company, and the related notes thereto, included in 
         the Prospectus, the Company has no outstanding options to purchase, 
         or any preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or to 
         purchase, any securities or obligations convertible into, or any 
         contracts or commitments to issue or sell, shares of its capital 
         stock or any such options, rights, convertible securities or 
         obligations.  The description of the Company's stock option, stock 
         bonus and other stock plans or arrangements, and the options or other 
         rights granted and exercised thereunder, set forth in the Prospectus 
         accurately and fairly presents the information required to be shown 
         with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.

                 (e)  The Common Shares to be sold by the Company have been
         duly authorized and, when issued, delivered and paid for in the manner
         set forth in this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued,
         fully paid and nonassessable, and will conform to the description
         thereof contained in the Prospectus.  No preemptive rights or other
         rights to subscribe for or purchase exist with respect to the issuance
         and sale of the Common Shares by the Company pursuant to this
         Agreement.  No stockholder of the Company has any right which has not
         been waived to require the Company to register the sale of any shares
         owned by such stockholder under the Act in the public offering
         contemplated by this Agreement.  No further approval or authority of
         the stockholders or the Board of Directors of the Company will be
         required for the issuance and sale of the Common Shares to be sold by
         the Company as contemplated herein.

                 (f)  The Company has full legal right, power and authority to
         enter into this Agreement and perform the transactions contemplated
         hereby.  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
         delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding
         obligation of the Company in accordance with its terms.  The making
         and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation
         of the transactions herein contemplated will not (i) violate any
         provisions of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or other
         organizational documents, of the Company, or (ii) conflict with,
         result in the breach or violation of, or constitute, either by itself
         or upon notice or the passage of time or both, a default under any
         agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, franchise, license,
         indenture, permit or other instrument to which the Company is a party
         or by which the Company or any of its respective properties may be
         bound or affected,





                                      4
<PAGE>   5
         any statute or any authorization, judgment, decree, order, rule or
         regulation of any court or any regulatory body, administrative agency
         or other governmental body applicable to the Company or any of its
         respective properties, which conflict, breach, violation or default
         referred to in this clause (ii) is material.  No consent, approval, 
         authorization or other order of any court, regulatory body, 
         administrative agency or other governmental body is required for the 
         execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the 
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for compliance 
         with the Act, the Blue Sky laws applicable to the public offering of 
         the Common Shares by the several Underwriters and the clearance of 
         such offering with the National Association of Securities Dealers, 
         Inc. (the "NASD").

                 (g)  Deloitte & Touche, LLP, who have expressed their opinion
         with respect to the financial statements and schedules filed with the
         Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included or
         incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and in the Registration
         Statement, are independent accountants as required by the Act and the
         Rules and Regulations.

                 (h)  The financial statements and schedules of the Company,
         and the related notes thereto, included or incorporated by reference
         in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus present fairly the
         financial position of the Company as of the respective dates of such
         financial statements, and the results of operations and changes in
         financial position of the Company for the respective periods covered
         thereby.  Such statements, schedules and related notes have been
         prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
         applied on a consistent basis as certified by the independent
         accountants named in subsection 2(g).  No other financial statements
         or schedules are required to be included in the Registration
         Statement.  The selected financial data set forth in the Prospectus
         under the captions "Capitalization" and "Selected Financial Data"
         fairly present the information set forth therein on the basis stated
         in the Registration Statement.

                 (i)  Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, and except as to
         defaults which individually or in the aggregate would not be material
         to the Company, the Company is not in violation or default of any
         provision of its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or other
         organizational documents, nor is in breach of or default with respect
         to any provision of any agreement, judgment, decree, order, mortgage,
         deed of trust, lease, franchise, license, indenture, permit or other
         instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its
         properties are bound; and there does not exist any state of facts
         which constitutes an event of default on the part of the Company as
         defined in such documents or which, with notice or lapse of time or
         both, would constitute such an event of default.

                 (j)  There are no contracts or other documents required to be
         described in the Registration Statement or to be filed as exhibits to
         the Registration Statement by the Act or by the Rules and Regulations
         which have not been described or filed as required.  The contracts so
         described in the Prospectus are accurate and complete; all such
         contracts are in full force and effect on the date hereof (other than
         any such contracts that have expired in accordance with their terms); 
         and neither the Company, nor to the best of the Company's knowledge, 
         any other party is in breach of or default under any of such contracts.





                                      5
<PAGE>   6
                 (k)  There are no legal or governmental actions, suits or
         proceedings pending or, to the best of the Company's knowledge,
         threatened to which the Company is or may be a party or of which
         property owned or leased by the Company is or may be the subject, or
         related to environmental or discrimination matters, which actions,
         suits or proceedings might, individually or in the aggregate, prevent
         or adversely affect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
         result in a material adverse change in the condition (financial or
         otherwise), properties, business, results of operations or prospects
         of the Company; and no labor disturbance by the employees of the
         Company exists or is imminent which might be expected to affect
         adversely such condition, properties, business, results of operations
         or prospects.  The Company is not a party or subject to the provisions
         of any material injunction, judgment, decree or order of any court,
         regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body.

                 (l)  The Company has good and marketable title to all the
         properties and assets reflected as owned in the financial statements
         hereinabove described (or elsewhere in the Prospectus), subject to no
         lien, mortgage, pledge, charge or encumbrance of any kind except (i)
         those, if any, reflected in such financial statements (or elsewhere in
         the Prospectus), or (ii) those which are not material in amount and do
         not adversely affect the use made and proposed to be made of such
         property by the Company.  The Company holds its leased properties
         under valid and binding leases, with such exceptions as are not
         materially significant in relation to the business of the Company.
         Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company owns or leases all
         such properties as are necessary to its operations as now conducted or
         as proposed to be conducted.

                 (m)  Since the respective dates as of which information is
         given in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and except as
         described in or specifically contemplated by the Prospectus:  (i) the
         Company has not incurred any material liabilities or obligations,
         indirect, direct or contingent, or entered into any material verbal or
         written agreement or other transaction which is not in the ordinary
         course of business or which could result in a material reduction in
         the future earnings of the Company; (ii) the Company has not sustained
         any material loss or interference with its business or properties from
         fire, flood, windstorm, accident or other calamity, whether or not
         covered by insurance; (iii) the Company has not paid or declared any
         dividends or other distributions with respect to its capital stock and
         the Company is not in default in the payment of principal or interest
         on any outstanding debt obligations; (iv) there has not been any
         change in the capital stock (other than upon the sale of the Common
         Shares hereunder and upon the exercise of options described in the
         Registration Statement) or indebtedness material to the Company (other
         than in the ordinary course of business); and (v) there has not been
         any material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise),
         business, properties, results of operations or prospects of the
         Company.

                 (n)  Except as disclosed in or specifically contemplated by
         the Prospectus, the Company has sufficient trademarks, trade names,
         patent rights, mask works, copyrights, licenses, approvals and
         governmental authorizations to conduct its business as now conducted;
         the expiration of any trademarks, trade names, patent rights, mask
         works, copyrights, licenses, approvals or governmental authorizations
         would not have a material





                                      6
<PAGE>   7
         adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business,
         results of operations or prospects of the Company; and the Company has
         no knowledge of any material infringement by it of trademark, trade
         name rights, patent rights, mask works, copyrights, licenses, trade
         secret or other similar rights of others, and there is no claim being
         made against the Company regarding trademark, trade name, patent, mask
         work, copyright, license, trade secret or other infringement which
         could have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or
         otherwise), business, results of operations or prospects of the
         Company.

                 (o)  The Company has not been advised, and has no reason to
         believe, that it is not conducting business in compliance with all
         applicable laws, rules and regulations of the jurisdictions in which
         it is conducting business, including, without limitation, all
         applicable local, state and federal environmental laws and
         regulations; except where failure to be so in compliance would not
         materially adversely affect the condition (financial or otherwise),
         business, results of operations or prospects of the Company.

                 (p)  The Company has filed all necessary federal, state and
         foreign income and franchise tax returns and has paid all taxes shown
         as due thereon; and the Company has no knowledge of any tax deficiency
         which has been or might be asserted or threatened against the Company
         which could materially and adversely affect the business, operations
         or properties of the Company.

                 (q)  The Company is not an "investment company" within the
         meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                 (r)  The Company has not distributed and will not distribute
         prior to the First Closing Date any offering material in connection
         with the offering and sale of the Common Shares other than the
         Prospectus, the Registration Statement and the other materials
         permitted by the Act.

                 (s)  The Company maintains insurance of the types and in the
         amounts generally deemed adequate for its business, including, but not
         limited to, insurance covering real and personal property owned or
         leased by the Company against theft, damage, destruction, acts of
         vandalism and all other risks customarily insured against, all of
         which insurance is in full force and effect.

                 (t)  The Company has not at any time during the last five
         years (i) made any unlawful contribution to any candidate for foreign
         office, or failed to disclose fully any contribution in violation of
         law, or (ii) made any payment to any federal or state governmental
         officer or official, or other person charged with similar public or
         quasi-public duties, other than payments required or permitted by the
         laws of the United States or any jurisdiction thereof.

                 (u)  The Company has not taken and will not take, directly or
         indirectly, any action designed to or that might be reasonably
         expected to cause or result in stabilization or





                                      7
<PAGE>   8
         manipulation of the price of the Common Stock to facilitate the sale 
         or resale of the Common Shares.

         SECTION 3.  Representations and Warranties of the Underwriters.  The
several Underwriters, represent and warrant to the Company that the information
set forth (i) on the cover page of the Prospectus with respect to price,
underwriting discounts and commissions and terms of offering and (ii) under
"Underwriting" in the Prospectus was furnished to the Company by and on behalf
of the Underwriters for use in connection with the preparation of the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus and is correct in all material
respects.

SECTION 4.  Purchase, Sale and Delivery of Common Shares.  On the basis of the
representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the
terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to
the Underwriters the Firm Common Shares.  The Underwriters agree, severally and
not jointly, to purchase from the Company the number of Firm Common Shares
described below.  The purchase price per share to be paid by the several
Underwriters to the Company shall be equal to the initial price to the public
per share less an amount per share equal to the per share underwriting
discount.  The initial price to the public, which shall be a fixed price, and
the underwriting discount will be determined by separate agreement between the
Company and the Underwriters in substantially the form set forth as Schedule B
hereto on the basis of the reported prices or quotations of the Common Stock on
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System
(NASDAQ) immediately prior to the determination.  Such initial public offering
price shall not be higher than the last sale price of the Common Stock of the
Company in the National Market System as reported by NASDAQ immediately prior
to such determination of the initial public offering price.

The obligation of each Underwriter to the Company shall be to purchase from the
Company that number of full shares set forth opposite the name of such
Underwriter in Schedule A hereto.

Delivery of certificates for the Firm Common Shares to be purchased by the
Underwriters and payment therefor shall be made at the offices of Montgomery
Securities, 600 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California (or such other
place as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Underwriters) at such time
and date, not later than the third (or, if the Firm Common Shares are priced,
as contemplated by Rule 15c6-1(c) under the Exchange Act, after 4:30 P.M. 
Washington D.C. time, the fourth) full business day following the first date 
that any of the Common Shares are released by you for sale to the public, as 
you shall designate by at least 48 hours' prior notice to the Company (or at 
such other time and date, not later than one week after such fifth full 
business day as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Underwriters) (the 
"First Closing Date"); provided, however, that if the Prospectus is at any 
time prior to the First Closing Date recirculated to the public, the First 
Closing Date shall occur upon the later of the third or fourth, as the case 
may be, full business day following the first date that any of the Common 
Shares are released by you for sale to the public or the date that is 48 hours 
after the date that the Prospectus has been so recirculated.

Delivery of certificates for the Firm Common Shares shall be made by or on
behalf of the Company to you, for the respective accounts of the Underwriters
against payment by you, for the accounts of the several Underwriters, of the
purchase price therefor by fed funds to the order of





                                      8
<PAGE>   9
the Company.  The certificates for the Firm Common Shares shall be registered
in such names and denominations as you shall have requested at least two full
business days prior to the First Closing Date, and shall be made available for
checking and packaging on the business day preceding the First Closing Date at
a location in New York, New York, as may be designated by you.  Time shall be
of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified in this Agreement
is a further condition to the obligations of the Underwriters.

In addition, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements
herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the
Company hereby grants an option to the several Underwriters to purchase,
severally and not jointly, up to an aggregate of 375,000 Optional Common Shares
at the purchase price per share to be paid for the Firm Common Shares, for use
solely in covering any over-allotments made by you for the account of the
Underwriters in the sale and distribution of the Firm Common Shares.  The
option granted hereunder may be exercised at any time (but not more than once)
within 30 days after the first date that any of the Common Shares are released
by you for sale to the public, upon notice by you to the Company setting forth
the aggregate number of Optional Common Shares as to which the Underwriters are
exercising the option, the names and denominations in which the certificates
for such shares are to be registered and the time and place at which such
certificates will be delivered.  Such time of delivery (which may not be
earlier than the First Closing Date), being herein referred to as the "Second
Closing Date," shall be determined by you, but if at any time other than the
First Closing Date shall not be earlier than three nor later than five full
business days after delivery of such notice of exercise.  The number of
Optional Common Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be determined
by multiplying the number of Optional Common Shares to be sold by the Company
pursuant to such notice of exercise by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of Firm Common Shares to be purchased by such Underwriter as set
forth opposite its name in Schedule A and the denominator of which is 2,500,000
(subject to such adjustments to eliminate any fractional share purchases as you
in your discretion may make).  Certificates for the Optional Common Shares will
be made available for checking and packaging on the business day preceding the
Second Closing Date at a location in New York, New York, as may be designated
by you.  The manner of payment for and delivery of the Optional Common Shares
shall be the same as for the Firm Common Shares purchased from the Company as
specified in the two preceding paragraphs.  At any time before lapse of the
option, you may cancel such option by giving written notice of such
cancellation to the Company.  If the option is cancelled or expires unexercised
in whole or in part, the Company will deregister under the Act the number of
Option Shares as to which the option has not been exercised.

You have advised the Company that each Underwriter has authorized you to accept
delivery of its Common Shares, to make payment and to receipt therefor.  You
may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment for any Common Shares to be
purchased by any Underwriter whose funds shall not have been received by you by
the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, for the
account of such Underwriter, but any such payment shall not relieve such
Underwriter from any of its obligations under this Agreement.

Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Underwriters propose to make a
public offering of their respective portions of the Common Shares as soon after
the effective date of the Registration Statement as in the judgment of the
Underwriters is advisable and at the public





                                      9
<PAGE>   10
offering price set forth on the cover page of and on the terms set forth in the
final prospectus, if one is used, or on the first page of the Term Sheet, if
one is used.

         SECTION 5.  Covenants of the Company.  The Company covenants and
agrees that:

                 (a)  The Company will use its best efforts to cause the
         Registration Statement and any amendment thereof, if not effective at
         the time and date that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the
         parties hereto, to become effective.  If the Registration Statement
         has become or becomes effective pursuant to Rule 430A of the Rules and
         Regulations, or the filing of the Prospectus is otherwise required
         under Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations, the Company will file
         the Prospectus, properly completed, pursuant to the applicable
         paragraph of Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations within the time
         period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to you of
         such timely filing.  The Company will promptly advise you in writing
         (i) of the receipt of any comments of the Commission, (ii) of any
         request of the Commission for amendment of or supplement to the
         Registration Statement (either before or after it becomes effective),
         any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or for additional
         information, (iii) when the Registration Statement shall have become
         effective, and (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop
         order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of
         the institution of any proceedings for that purpose.  If the
         Commission shall enter any such stop order at any time, the Company
         will use its best efforts to obtain the lifting of such order at the
         earliest possible moment.  The Company will not file any amendment or
         supplement to the Registration Statement (either before or after it
         becomes effective), any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus of
         which you have not been furnished with a copy a reasonable time prior
         to such filing or to which you reasonably object or which is not in
         compliance with the Act and the Rules and Regulations.

                 (b)  The Company will prepare and file with the Commission,
         promptly upon your request, any amendments or supplements to the
         Registration Statement or the Prospectus which in your judgment may be
         necessary or advisable to enable the several Underwriters to continue
         the distribution of the Common Shares and will use its best efforts to
         cause the same to become effective as promptly as possible.  The
         Company will fully and completely comply with the provisions of Rule
         430A of the Rules and Regulations with respect to information omitted
         from the Registration Statement in reliance upon such Rule.

                 (c)  If at any time within the nine-month period referred to
         in Section 10(a)(3) of the Act during which a prospectus relating to
         the Common Shares is required to be delivered under the Act any event
         occurs, as a result of which the Prospectus, including any amendments
         or supplements, would include an untrue statement of a material fact,
         or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
         necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or if it is
         necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus, including any
         amendments or supplements, to comply with the Act or the Rules and
         Regulations, the Company will promptly advise you thereof and will
         promptly prepare and file with the Commission, at its own expense, an
         amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or omission
         or an amendment or supplement which will effect such compliance and
         will use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective





                                     10
<PAGE>   11
         as soon as possible; and, in case any Underwriter is required to
         deliver a prospectus after such nine-month period, the Company upon
         request, but at the expense of such Underwriter, will promptly prepare
         such amendment or amendments to the Registration Statement and such
         Prospectus or Prospectuses as may be necessary to permit compliance
         with the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Act.

                 (d)  As soon as practicable, but not later than 45 days after
         the end of the first quarter ending after one year following the
         "effective date of the Registration Statement" (as defined in Rule
         158(c) of the Rules and Regulations), the Company will make generally
         available to its security holders an earnings statement (which need
         not be audited) covering a period of 12 consecutive months beginning
         after the effective date of the Registration Statement which will
         satisfy the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the
         Act.

                 (e)  During such period as a prospectus is required by law to
         be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer, the
         Company, at its expense, but only for the nine-month period referred
         to in Section 10(a)(3) of the Act, will furnish to you or mail to your
         order copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the
         Preliminary Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to any such
         documents in each case as soon as available and in such quantities as
         you may request, for the purposes contemplated by the Act.

                 (f)  The Company shall cooperate with you and your counsel in
         order to qualify or register the Common Shares for sale under (or
         obtain exemptions from the application of) the Blue Sky laws of such
         jurisdictions as you designate, will comply with such laws and will
         continue such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect
         so long as reasonably required for the distribution of the Common
         Shares.  The Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign
         corporation or to file a general consent to service of process in any
         such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or where it
         would be subject to taxation as a foreign corporation.  The Company
         will advise you promptly of the suspension of the qualification or
         registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Common Shares
         for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or
         threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the
         issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or
         exemption, the Company, with your cooperation, will use its best
         efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof.

                 (g)  During the period of five years hereafter, the Company
         will furnish to each of the Underwriters:  (i) as soon as practicable
         after the end of each fiscal year, copies of the Annual Report of the
         Company containing the balance sheet of the Company as of the close of
         such fiscal year and statements of income, stockholders' equity and
         cash flows for the year then ended and the opinion thereon of the
         Company's independent public accountants; (ii) as soon as practicable
         after the filing thereof, copies of each proxy statement, Annual
         Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Report on Form 8-K
         or other report filed by the Company with the Commission, the NASD or
         any securities exchange; and (iii) as soon as available, copies of any
         report or communication of the Company mailed generally to holders of
         its Common Stock.





                                     11
<PAGE>   12
                 (h)  During the period of 90 days after the first date that
         any of the Common Shares are released by you for sale to the public,
         without the prior written consent of Montgomery Securities (which
         consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of Montgomery 
         Securities) the Company will not other than pursuant to stock option 
         plans disclosed in the Prospectus and any options granted thereunder 
         issue, offer, sell, grant options to purchase or otherwise dispose of 
         any of the Company's equity securities or any other securities 
         convertible into or exchangeable with its Common Stock or other 
         equity security.

                 (i)  The Company will apply the net proceeds of the sale of
         the Common Shares sold by it substantially in accordance with its
         statements under the caption "Use of Proceeds" in the Prospectus.

                 (j)  The Company will use its best efforts to qualify or
         register its Common Stock for sale in non-issuer transactions under
         (or obtain exemptions from the application of) the Blue Sky laws of
         the State of California (and thereby permit market making transactions
         and secondary trading in the Company's Common Stock in California),
         will comply with such Blue Sky laws and will continue such
         qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect for a period of
         five years after the date hereof.

                 (k)  The Company will use its best efforts to list, subject to
         official notice of issuance, on the Nasdaq National Market, the Stock
         to be issued and sold by the Company.

                 You may, in your sole discretion, waive in writing the
performance by the Company of any one or more of the foregoing covenants or
extend the time for their performance.

         SECTION 6.  Payment of Expenses.  Whether or not the transactions
contemplated hereunder are consummated or this Agreement becomes effective or
is terminated, the Company agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred
in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) all expenses incident to the
issuance and delivery of the Common Shares (including all printing and
engraving costs), (ii) all fees and expenses of the registrar and transfer
agent of the Common Stock, (iii) all necessary issue, transfer and other stamp
taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Common Shares to the
Underwriters, (iv) all fees and expenses of the Company's counsel and the
Company's independent accountants, (v) all costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of
the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus
(including all exhibits and financial statements) and all amendments and
supplements provided for herein, this Agreement, the Agreement Among
Underwriters, the Selected Dealers Agreement, the Underwriters' Questionnaire,
the Underwriters' Power of Attorney and the Blue Sky memorandum, (vi) all
filing fees, attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the
Underwriters in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining
exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the
Common Shares for offer and sale under the Blue Sky laws, (vii) the filing fee
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and (viii) all other
fees, costs and expenses referred to in Item 14 of the Registration Statement.
Except as provided in this Section 6, Section 8 and Section 10 hereof, the





                                     12
<PAGE>   13
Underwriters shall pay all of their own expenses, including the fees and
disbursements of their counsel (excluding those relating to qualification,
registration or exemption under the Blue Sky laws and the Blue Sky memorandum
referred to above).

         SECTION 7.  Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters.  The
obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Firm Common
Shares on the First Closing Date and the Optional Common Shares on the Second
Closing Date shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and
warranties on the part of the Company herein set forth as of the date hereof
and as of the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may
be, to the accuracy of the statements of Company officers made pursuant to the
provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations
hereunder, and to the following additional conditions:

                 (a)  The Registration Statement shall have become effective
         not later than 5:00 P.M. (or, in the case of a registration statement
         filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Rules and Regulations relating to
         the Common Shares, not later than 10 P.M.), Washington, D.C.  Time, on
         the date of this Agreement, or at such later time as shall have been
         consented to by you; if the filing of the Prospectus, or any
         supplement thereto, is required pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules
         and Regulations, the Prospectus shall have been filed in the manner
         and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) of the Rules and
         Regulations; and prior to such Closing Date, no stop order suspending
         the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued
         and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or
         shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or you, shall be
         contemplated by the Commission; and any request of the Commission for
         inclusion of additional information in the Registration Statement, or
         otherwise, shall have been complied with to your satisfaction.

                 (b)  You shall be satisfied that since the respective dates as
         of which information is given in the Registration Statement and
         Prospectus, (i) there shall not have been any change in the capital
         stock other than pursuant to the exercise of outstanding options
         disclosed in the Prospectus of the Company or any material change in
         the indebtedness (other than in the ordinary course of business) of
         the Company, (ii) except as set forth or contemplated by the
         Registration Statement or the Prospectus, no material verbal or
         written agreement or other transaction shall have been entered into by
         the Company, which is not in the ordinary course of business or which
         could result in a material reduction in the future earnings of the
         Company, (iii) no loss or damage (whether or not insured) to the
         property of the Company shall have been sustained which materially and
         adversely affects the condition (financial or otherwise), business,
         results of operations or prospects of the Company, (iv) no legal or
         governmental action, suit or proceeding affecting the Company which is
         material to the Company or which affects or may affect the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been instituted
         or threatened, and (v) there shall not have been any material change
         in the condition (financial or otherwise), business, management,
         results of operations or prospects of the Company which makes it
         impractical or inadvisable in the judgment of the Underwriters to
         proceed with the public offering or purchase the Common Shares as
         contemplated hereby.





                                     13
<PAGE>   14
                 (c)  There shall have been furnished to you, on each Closing
         Date, in form and substance satisfactory to you, except as otherwise
         expressly provided below:

                          (i)  An opinion of Kutak Rock, counsel for the
                 Company, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the First
                 Closing Date, or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be,
                 to the effect that:

                                  (1)  The Company has been duly incorporated
                          and is validly existing as a corporation in good
                          standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
                          incorporation, is duly qualified to do business as a
                          foreign corporation and is in good standing in all
                          other jurisdictions where the ownership or leasing of
                          properties or the conduct of its business requires
                          such qualification, except for jurisdictions in which
                          the failure to so qualify would not have a material
                          adverse effect on the Company, and has full corporate
                          power and authority to own its properties and conduct
                          its business as described in the Registration
                          Statement;

                                  (2)  The authorized, issued and outstanding
                          capital stock of the Company is as set forth under
                          the caption "Capitalization" in the Prospectus; all
                          necessary and proper corporate proceedings have been
                          taken in order to authorize validly such authorized
                          capital stock; all outstanding shares of Common Stock
                          have been duly and validly issued, are fully paid 
                          and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance 
                          with federal and state securities laws, were not 
                          issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive 
                          rights or other rights to subscribe for or purchase 
                          any securities and conform to the description 
                          thereof contained in the Prospectus; without 
                          limiting the foregoing, there are no preemptive or 
                          other rights to subscribe for or purchase any of the 
                          Common Shares to be sold by the Company pursuant to
                          the Prospectus;

                                  (3)  The certificates evidencing the Common
                          Shares to be delivered hereunder are in due and
                          proper form under Delaware law, and when duly
                          countersigned by the Company's transfer agent and
                          registrar, and delivered to you or upon your order
                          against payment of the agreed consideration therefor
                          in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement,
                          the Common Shares represented thereby will be duly
                          authorized and validly issued, fully paid and
                          nonassessable, will not have been issued in violation
                          of or subject to any preemptive rights or other
                          rights to subscribe for or purchase






                                     14
<PAGE>   15
                          securities and will conform in all respects to the 
                          description thereof contained in the Prospectus;

                                  (4)  Except as disclosed in or specifically
                          contemplated by the Prospectus, to the best of such
                          counsel's knowledge, there are no outstanding
                          options, warrants or other rights calling for the
                          issuance of, and no commitments, plans or
                          arrangements to issue, any shares of capital stock of
                          the Company or any security convertible into or
                          exchangeable for capital stock of the Company;

                                  (5)

                                        (a) The Registration Statement has
                                  become effective under the Act, and, to the
                                  best of such counsel's knowledge, no stop
                                  order suspending the effectiveness of the
                                  Registration Statement or preventing the use
                                  of the Prospectus has been issued and no
                                  proceedings for that purpose have been
                                  instituted or are pending or contemplated by
                                  the Commission; any required filing of the
                                  Prospectus and any supplement thereto
                                  pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and
                                  Regulations has been made in the manner and
                                  within the time period required by such Rule
                                  424(b);

                                        (b)  The Registration Statement, the
                                  Prospectus and each amendment or supplement
                                  thereto (except for the financial statements
                                  and schedules included therein as to which
                                  such counsel need express no opinion) comply
                                  as to form in all material respects with the
                                  requirements of the Act and the Rules and
                                  Regulations;

                                        (c)  To the best of such counsel's
                                  knowledge, there are no franchises, leases,
                                  contracts, agreements or documents of a
                                  character required to be disclosed in the
                                  Registration Statement or Prospectus or to be
                                  filed as exhibits to the Registration
                                  Statement which are not disclosed or filed,
                                  as required;

                                        (d)  To the best of such counsel's
                                  knowledge, there are no legal or governmental
                                  actions, suits or proceedings pending or
                                  threatened against the Company which are
                                  required to be described in the Prospectus
                                  which are not described as required; and

                                        (e)  The documents incorporated by
                                  reference in the Prospectus (except for any
                                  financial information included in such 
                                  documents as to which such counsel need 
                                  express no opinion), when they were filed 
                                  with the Commission, complied as to form in 
                                  all material respects with the requirements 
                                  of the Exchange Act and the rules and 
                                  regulations of the Commission thereunder; 
                                  and such counsel has no reason to believe 
                                  that any of





                                     15
<PAGE>   16
                                  such documents (except for any financial
                                  information included in such documents as to 
                                  which such counsel need express no opinion), 
                                  when they were so filed, contained an untrue 
                                  statement of a material fact or omitted to 
                                  state a material fact necessary in order to 
                                  make the statements therein, in the light of 
                                  the circumstances under which they were made 
                                  when such documents were so filed, not 
                                  misleading.

                                  (6)  The Company has full right, power and
                          authority to enter into this Agreement and to sell
                          and deliver the Common Shares to be sold by it to the
                          several Underwriters; this Agreement has been duly
                          and validly authorized by all necessary corporate
                          action by the Company, has been duly and validly
                          executed and delivered by and on behalf of the
                          Company, and is a valid and binding agreement of the
                          Company in accordance with its terms, except as
                          enforceability may be limited by general equitable
                          principles, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
                          moratorium or other laws affecting creditors' rights
                          generally and except as to those provisions relating
                          to indemnity or contribution for liabilities arising
                          under the Act or the Exchange Act as to which no 
                          opinion need be expressed; and no approval, 
                          authorization, order, consent, registration, filing, 
                          qualification, license or permit of or with any 
                          court, regulatory, administrative or other 
                          governmental body is required for the execution and 
                          delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the 
                          consummation of the transactions contemplated by 
                          this Agreement, except such as have been obtained 
                          and are in full force and effect under the Act and 
                          such as may be required under applicable Blue Sky 
                          laws in connection with the purchase and 
                          distribution of the Common Shares by the Underwriters
                          and the clearance of such offering with the NASD;

                                  (7)  The execution and performance of this
                          Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
                          herein contemplated will not conflict with, result in
                          the breach of, or constitute, either by itself or
                          upon notice or the passage of time or both, a default
                          under, any agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, lease,
                          franchise, license, indenture, permit or other
                          instrument known to such counsel to which the Company
                          is a party or by which the Company or any of its
                          property may be bound or affected which is material
                          to the Company, or violate any of the provisions of
                          the certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or other
                          organizational documents, of the Company or, so far
                          as is known to such counsel, violate any statute,
                          judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation of any
                          court or governmental body having jurisdiction over
                          the Company or any of its or their property;

                                  (8)  The Company is not in violation of its
                          certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or other
                          organizational documents, or to the best of such
                          counsel's knowledge, in breach of or default with
                          respect to any provision of any agreement, mortgage,
                          deed of trust, lease, franchise, license, indenture,
                          permit or other instrument known to such counsel to





                                     16
<PAGE>   17
                          which the Company is a party or by which it or any of
                          its properties may be bound or affected, except where
                          such default would not materially adversely affect
                          the Company; and, to the best of such counsel's
                          knowledge, the Company is in compliance with all
                          laws, rules, regulations, judgments, decrees, orders
                          and statutes of any court or jurisdiction to which
                          they are subject, except where noncompliance would
                          not materially adversely affect the Company;

                                  (9)  To the best of such counsel's
                          knowledge, no holders of securities of the Company
                          have rights which have not been waived to the
                          registration of shares of Common Stock or other
                          securities, because of the filing of the Registration
                          Statement by the Company or the offering contemplated
                          hereby;

                                  (10) No transfer taxes are required to be
                          paid in connection with the sale and delivery of the
                          Common Shares to the Underwriters hereunder.

         In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely as to matters of
         local law, on opinions of local counsel, and as to matters of fact, on
         certificates of officers of the Company and of governmental officials,
         in which case their opinion is to state that they are so doing and
         that the Underwriters are justified in relying on such opinions or
         certificates and copies of said opinions or certificates are to be
         attached to the opinion.  Such counsel shall also include a statement
         to the effect that nothing has come to such counsel's attention that
         would lead such counsel to believe that either at the effective date
         of the Registration Statement or at the applicable Closing Date the
         Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any such amendment or
         supplement, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits
         to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
         make the statements therein not misleading;

                          (ii)  An opinion of Merchant & Gould patent counsel
                 to the Company, to the effect that such counsel to the
                 Company, to the effect that such counsel has reviewed the
                 statements set forth in the Registration Statement and the
                 Prospectus under the captions "Risk Factors -- Reliance on
                 Patents and Proprietary Rights" and "Business--Patents and
                 Proprietary Rights"; and such statements accurately summarize
                 the matters described therein.  Such counsel shall also
                 include a statement to the effect that nothing has come to
                 such counsel's attention that would lead such counsel to
                 believe that either as of the date of this Agreement or as of
                 the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case
                 may be, such section of the Registration Statement and the
                 Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement, contain any untrue
                 statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
                 fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
                 statements therein not misleading;

                          (iii)  An opinion of Patton Boggs, LLP, special
                 regulatory counsel to the Company, to the effect that, based
                 on the information in the Registration Statement and the law
                 as currently in effect, the statements under the captions





                                     17
<PAGE>   18
                 "Risk Factors - Government Regulation; Uncertainty of 
                 Obtaining Regulatory Approval" and "- Lack of Commercial Scale
                 Manufacturing Experience; Regulatory Compliance" (second 
                 paragraph only), and "Business - Government Regulation" and 
                 to the extent they reflect matters arising under the federal 
                 Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the regulations thereto or legal
                 conclusions relating to such law such statements fairly
                 summarize the material legal and regulatory requirements
                 applicable to the premarketing testing and approval of the
                 Company's products as they are described in the prospectus.
                 Such counsel shall also provide a statement (which may be
                 issued separately from the opinion referred to above) to the 
                 effect that while such counsel cannot opine as to factual 
                 matters, nothing has come to such counsel's attention
                 regarding the ATRISORB Barrier that would lead such counsel to
                 believe that either as of the date of this Agreement or as 
                 of the First Closing Date or the Closing Second Date, as the 
                 case may be, such section of the Registration Statement and 
                 the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement, contained any 
                 untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a 
                 material fact necessary to make the statements therein not 
                 misleading;

                          (iv)  Such opinion or opinions of Morrison &
                 Foerster, LLP counsel for the Underwriters dated the First
                 Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be,
                 with respect to the incorporation of the Company, the
                 sufficiency of all corporate proceedings and other legal
                 matters relating to this Agreement, the validity of the Common
                 Shares, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and
                 other related matters as you may reasonably require, and the
                 Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents
                 and shall have exhibited to them such papers and records as
                 they may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them
                 to pass upon such matters.  In connection with such opinions,
                 such counsel may rely on representations or certificates of
                 officers of the Company and governmental officials.

                          (v)  A certificate of the Company executed by the
                 Chairman of the Board or President and the chief financial or
                 accounting officer of the Company, dated the First Closing
                 Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, to the
                 effect that:

                                  (1)  The representations and warranties of
                          the Company set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement
                          are true and correct as of the date of this Agreement
                          and as of the First Closing Date or the Second
                          Closing Date, as the case may be, and the Company has
                          complied with all the agreements and satisfied all
                          the conditions on its part to be performed or
                          satisfied on or prior to such Closing Date;

                                  (2)  The Commission has not issued any order
                          preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus or
                          any Preliminary Prospectus filed as





                                     18
<PAGE>   19
                          a part of the Registration Statement or any amendment
                          thereto; no stop order suspending the effectiveness
                          of the Registration Statement has been issued; and to
                          the best of the knowledge of the respective signers,
                          no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted
                          or are pending or contemplated under the Act;

                                  (3)  Each of the respective signers of the
                          certificate has carefully examined the Registration
                          Statement and the Prospectus; in his opinion and to
                          the best of his knowledge, the Registration Statement
                          and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements
                          thereto contain all statements required to be stated
                          therein regarding the Company; and neither the
                          Registration Statement nor the Prospectus nor any
                          amendment or supplement thereto includes any untrue
                          statement of a material fact or omits to state any
                          material fact required to be stated therein or
                          necessary to make the statements therein not
                          misleading;

                                  (4)  Since the initial date on which the
                          Registration Statement was filed, no agreement,
                          written or oral, transaction or event has occurred
                          which should have been set forth in an amendment to
                          the Registration Statement or in a supplement to or
                          amendment of any prospectus which has not been
                          disclosed in such a supplement or amendment;

                                  (5)  Since the respective dates as of which
                          information is given in the Registration Statement
                          and the Prospectus, and except as disclosed in or
                          contemplated by the Prospectus, there has not been
                          any material adverse change or a development
                          involving a material adverse change in the condition
                          (financial or otherwise), business, properties,
                          results of operations, management or prospects of the
                          Company; and no legal or governmental action, suit or
                          proceeding is pending or threatened against the
                          Company which is material to the Company, whether or
                          not arising from transactions in the ordinary course
                          of business, or which may adversely affect the
                          transactions contemplated by this Agreement; since
                          such dates and except as so disclosed, the Company
                          has not entered into any verbal or written agreement
                          or other transaction which is not in the ordinary
                          course of business or which could result in a
                          material reduction in the future earnings of the
                          Company or incurred any material liability or
                          obligation, direct, contingent or indirect, made any
                          change in its capital stock, made any material change
                          in its short-term debt or funded debt or repurchased
                          or otherwise acquired any of the Company's capital
                          stock; and the Company has not declared or paid any
                          dividend, or made any other distribution, upon its
                          outstanding capital stock payable to stockholders of
                          record on a date prior to the First Closing Date or
                          Second Closing Date; and

                                  (6)  Since the respective dates as of which
                          information is given in the Registration Statement
                          and the Prospectus and except as disclosed in or





                                     19
<PAGE>   20
                          contemplated by the Prospectus, the Company has not
                          sustained a material loss or damage by strike, fire,
                          flood, windstorm, accident or other calamity (whether
                          or not insured).

                          (vi)  On the date before this Agreement is executed
                 and also on the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date
                 a letter addressed to you, from Deloitte & Touche, LLP,
                 independent accountants, the first one to be dated the day
                 before the date of this Agreement, the second one to be dated
                 the First Closing Date and the third one (in the event of a
                 Second Closing) to be dated the Second Closing Date, in form
                 and substance satisfactory to you.

                          (vii)  On or before the First Closing Date, letters
                 from each director and designated officer of the Company, in 
                 form and substance satisfactory to you, confirming that for a 
                 period of 90 days after the first date that any of the Common 
                 Shares are released by you for sale to the public, such 
                 person will not directly or indirectly sell or offer to sell 
                 or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock or any 
                 right to acquire such shares without the prior written 
                 consent of Montgomery Securities, which consent may be 
                 withheld at the sole discretion of Montgomery Securities.

All such opinions, certificates, letters and documents shall be in compliance
with the provisions hereof only if they are satisfactory to you and to Morrison
& Foerster, LLP, counsel for the Underwriters.  The Company shall furnish you
with such manually signed or conformed copies of such opinions, certificates,
letters and documents as you request.  Any certificate signed by any officer of
the Company and delivered to the Underwriters or to counsel for the
Underwriters shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company
to the Underwriters as to the statements made therein.

If any condition to the Underwriters' obligations hereunder to be satisfied
prior to or at the First Closing Date is not so satisfied, this Agreement at
your election will terminate upon notification by you to the Company without
liability on the part of any Underwriter or the Company except for the expenses
to be paid or reimbursed by the Company pursuant to Sections 6 and 8 hereof and
except to the extent provided in Section 10 hereof.

         SECTION 8.  Reimbursement of Underwriters' Expenses.  Notwithstanding
any other provisions hereof, if this Agreement shall be terminated by you
pursuant to Section 7, or if the sale to the Underwriters of the Common Shares
at the First Closing is not consummated because of any refusal, inability or
failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or to comply
with any provision hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse you and the other
Underwriters upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses that shall have been
reasonably incurred by you and them in connection with the proposed purchase
and the sale of the Common Shares, including but not limited to fees and
disbursements of counsel, printing expenses, travel expenses, postage,
telegraph charges and telephone charges relating directly to the offering
contemplated by the Prospectus.  Any such termination shall be without
liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of this
Section, Section 6 and Section 10 shall at all times be effective and shall
apply.





                                     20
<PAGE>   21
         SECTION 9.  Effectiveness of Registration Statement.  You and the
Company will use your and its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement
to become effective, to prevent the issuance of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement and, if such stop order be issued,
to obtain as soon as possible the lifting thereof.

         SECTION 10.  Indemnification.

                 (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
         Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter
         within the meaning of the Act against any losses, claims, damages,
         liabilities or expenses, joint or several, to which such Underwriter
         or such controlling person may become subject, under the Act, the
         Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, 
         or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any 
         litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent 
         of the Company), insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities 
         or expenses (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) 
         arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue 
         statement of any material fact contained in the Registration 
         Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, or any 
         amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon 
         the omission or alleged omission to state in any of them a material 
         fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the 
         statements in any of them not misleading, or arise out of or are 
         based in whole or in part on any inaccuracy in the representations 
         and warranties of the Company contained herein or any failure of the 
         Company to perform its obligations hereunder or under law; and will 
         reimburse each Underwriter and each such controlling person for any 
         legal and other expenses as such expenses are reasonably incurred by 
         such Underwriter or such controlling person in connection with 
         investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such 
         loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, 
         that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent 
         that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense arises out of 
         or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or 
         omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, any 
         Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement 
         thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with the information 
         furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 3 hereof.  In addition 
         to its other obligations under this Section 10(a), the Company agrees 
         that, as an interim measure during the pendency of any claim, action, 
         investigation, inquiry or other proceeding arising out of or based 
         upon any statement or omission, or any alleged statement or omission, 
         or any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the 
         Company herein or failure to perform its obligations hereunder, all 
         as described in this Section 10(a), it will reimburse each 
         Underwriter on a quarterly basis for all reasonable legal or other 
         expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any 
         such claim, action, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding, 
         notwithstanding the absence of a judicial determination as to the 
         propriety and enforceability of the Company's obligation to reimburse 
         each Underwriter for such expenses and the possibility that such 
         payments might later be held to have been improper by a court of 
         competent jurisdiction.  To the extent that any such interim 
         reimbursement payment is so held to have been improper, each 
         Underwriter shall promptly return it to the Company together with 
         interest, compounded daily, determined on the basis of the prime rate
         (or other commercial lending





                                     21
<PAGE>   22
         rate for borrowers of the highest credit standing) announced from time
         to time by Bank of America NT&SA, San Francisco, California (the
         "Prime Rate").  Any such interim reimbursement payments which are not
         made to an Underwriter within 30 days of a request for reimbursement,
         shall bear interest at the Prime Rate from the date of such request.
         This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which
         the Company may otherwise have.

                 (b)  Each Underwriter will severally indemnify and hold
         harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who
         signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who
         controls the Company within the meaning of the Act, against any
         losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses to which the Company,
         or any such director, officer or controlling person may become
         subject, under the Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state
         statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including
         in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with
         the written consent of such Underwriter), insofar as such losses,
         claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
         thereof as contemplated below) arise out of or are based upon any
         untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact 
         contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, 
         the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out 
         of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state in any 
         of them a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to 
         make the statements in any of them not misleading, in each case to 
         the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or 
         alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in 
         the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the 
         Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon 
         and in conformity with the information furnished to the Company 
         pursuant to Section 3 hereof; and will reimburse the Company, or any 
         such director, officer or controlling person for any legal and other 
         expenses as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Company, or 
         any such director, officer or controlling person in connection with 
         investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such 
         loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action.  In addition to 
         its other obligations under this Section 10(b), each Underwriter 
         severally agrees that, as an interim measure during the pendency of 
         any claim, action, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding arising 
         out of or based upon any statement or omission, or any alleged 
         statement or omission, described in this Section 10(b) which relates 
         to information furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 3 hereof, 
         it will reimburse the Company (and, to the extent applicable, each 
         officer, director or controlling person) on a quarterly basis for all 
         reasonable legal or other expenses incurred in connection with 
         investigating or defending any such claim, action, investigation, 
         inquiry or other proceeding, notwithstanding the absence of a 
         judicial determination as to the propriety and enforceability of the 
         Underwriters' obligation to reimburse the Company (and, to the extent 
         applicable, each officer, director or controlling person) for such 
         expenses and the possibility that such payments might later be held 
         to have been improper by a court of competent jurisdiction.  To the 
         extent that any such interim reimbursement payment is so held to have 
         been improper, the Company (and, to the extent applicable, each 
         officer, director or controlling person) shall promptly return it to 
         the Underwriters together with interest, compounded daily, determined 
         on the basis of the Prime Rate.  Any such interim reimbursement 
         payments which are not made to the





                                     22
<PAGE>   23
         Company within 30 days of a request for reimbursement, shall bear
         interest at the Prime Rate from the date of such request.  This
         indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which such
         Underwriter may otherwise have.

                 (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
         Section of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified
         party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an
         indemnifying party under this Section, notify the indemnifying party
         in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify
         the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it
         may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise than
         under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section or to the
         extent it is not prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure.  In
         case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such
         indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an
         indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to
         participate in, and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with all
         other indemnifying parties similarly notified, to assume the defense
         thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified
         party; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include
         both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the
         indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a
         conflict between the positions of the indemnifying party and the
         indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that
         there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified
         parties which are different from or additional to those available to
         the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have
         the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and
         to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of
         such indemnified party or parties.  Upon receipt of notice from the
         indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to
         assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified
         party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such
         indemnified party under this Section for any legal or other expenses
         subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the
         defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed
         such counsel in connection with the assumption of legal defenses in
         accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence or (ii) the
         indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably
         satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified
         party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the
         action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall
         be at the expense of the indemnifying party.

                 (d)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 10 is
         required by its terms but is for any reason held to be unavailable to
         or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
         paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) in respect of any losses, claims, damages,
         liabilities or expenses referred to herein, then each applicable
         indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
         such indemnified party as a result of any losses, claims, damages,
         liabilities or expenses referred to herein (i) in such proportion as
         is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the
         Company and the Underwriters from the offering of the Common Shares or
         (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted
         by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
         only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also
         the relative fault of the Company and the Underwriters in connection
         with the statements or omissions





                                     23
<PAGE>   24
         or inaccuracies in the representations and warranties herein which
         resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as
         well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The respective
         relative benefits received by the Company and the Underwriters shall
         be deemed to be in the same proportion, in the case of the Company as
         the total price paid to the Company for the Common Shares sold by it
         to the Underwriters (net of underwriting commissions but before
         deducting expenses), and in the case of the Underwriters as the
         underwriting commissions received by them bears to the total of such
         amounts paid to the Company and received by the Underwriters as
         underwriting commissions.  The relative fault of the Company and the
         Underwriters shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
         whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or
         the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact or the
         inaccurate or the alleged inaccurate representation and/or warranty
         relates to information supplied by the Company or the Underwriters and
         the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
         opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The
         amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims,
         damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to
         include, subject to the limitations set forth in subparagraph (c) of
         this Section 10, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably
         incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending
         any action or claim.  The provisions set forth in subparagraph (c) of
         this Section 10 with respect to notice of commencement of any action
         shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under this
         subparagraph (d); provided, however, that no additional notice shall
         be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given
         under subparagraph (c) for purposes of indemnification.  The Company
         and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if
         contribution pursuant to this Section 10 were determined solely by pro
         rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity
         for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
         take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the
         immediately preceding paragraph.  Notwithstanding the provisions of
         this Section 10 no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any
         amount in excess of the amount of the total underwriting commissions
         received by such Underwriter in connection with the Common Shares
         underwritten by it and distributed to the public.  No person guilty of
         fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
         the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
         guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Underwriters'
         obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 10 are several in
         proportion to their respective underwriting commitments and not joint.

                 (e)  It is agreed that any controversy arising out of the
         operation of the interim reimbursement arrangements set forth in
         Sections 10(a) and 10(b) hereof, including the amounts of any
         requested reimbursement payments and the method of determining such
         amounts, shall be settled by arbitration conducted under the
         provisions of the Constitution and Rules of the Board of Governors of
         the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or pursuant to the Code of
         Arbitration Procedure of the NASD.  Any such arbitration must be
         commenced by service of a written demand for arbitration or written
         notice of intention to arbitrate, therein electing the arbitration
         tribunal.  In the event the party demanding arbitration does not make
         such designation of an arbitration tribunal in such demand or





                                     24
<PAGE>   25
         notice, then the party responding to said demand or notice is
         authorized to do so.  Such an arbitration would be limited to the
         operation of the interim reimbursement provisions contained in
         Sections 10(a) and 10(b) hereof and would not resolve the ultimate
         propriety or enforceability of the obligation to reimburse expenses
         which is created by the provisions of such Sections 10(a) and 10(b)
         hereof.

     SECTION 11.  Default of Underwriters.  It shall be a condition to this
Agreement and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver the Common
Shares hereunder, and of each Underwriter to purchase the Common Shares in the
manner as described herein, that, except as hereinafter in this paragraph
provided, each of the Underwriters shall purchase and pay for all the Common
Shares agreed to be purchased by such Underwriter hereunder upon tender to the
Underwriters of all such shares in accordance with the terms hereof.  If any
Underwriter or Underwriters default in their obligations to purchase Common
Shares hereunder on either the First or Second Closing Date and the aggregate
number of Common Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters
agreed but failed to purchase on such Closing Date does not exceed 10% of the
total number of Common Shares which the Underwriters are obligated to purchase
on such Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated
severally, in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder, to purchase
the Common Shares which such defaulting Underwriters agreed but failed to
purchase on such Closing Date.  If any Underwriter or Underwriters so default
and the aggregate number of Common Shares with respect to which such default
occurs is more than the above percentage and arrangements satisfactory to the
Underwriters and the Company for the purchase of such Common Shares by other
persons are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement will
terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or
the Company except for the expenses to be paid by the Company pursuant to
Section 6 hereof and except to the extent provided in Section 10 hereof.

     In the event that Common Shares to which a default relates are to be
purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters or by another party or parties,
the Underwriters or the Company shall have the right to postpone the First or
Second Closing Date, as the case may be, for not more than five business days
in order that the necessary changes in the Registration Statement, Prospectus
and any other documents, as well as any other arrangements, may be effected.
As used in this Agreement, the term "Underwriter" includes any person
substituted for an Underwriter under this Section.  Nothing herein will relieve
a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

     SECTION 12.  Effective Date.  This Agreement shall become effective
immediately as to Sections 6, 8, 10, 13 and 14 and, as to all other provisions,
(i) if at the time of execution of this Agreement the Registration Statement
has not become effective, at 2:00 P.M., California time, on the first full
business day following the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or (ii)
if at the time of execution of this Agreement the Registration Statement has
been declared effective, at 2:00 P.M., California time, on the first full
business day following the date of execution of this Agreement; but this
Agreement shall nevertheless become effective at such earlier time after the
Registration Statement becomes effective as you may determine on and by notice
to the Company or by release of any of the Common Shares for sale to the
public.  For the purposes of this Section 12, the Common Shares shall be deemed
to have been so released upon the release for publication of any newspaper
advertisement relating to the Common Shares or upon the release by you of
telegrams (i) advising





                                     25
<PAGE>   26
Underwriters that the Common Shares are released for public offering, or (ii)
offering the Common Shares for sale to securities dealers, whichever may occur
first.

     SECTION 13.  Termination.  Without limiting the right to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to any other provision hereof:

            (a)  This Agreement may be terminated by the Company by notice to
    you or by you by notice to the Company at any time prior to the time this
    Agreement shall become effective as to all its provisions, and any such
    termination shall be without liability on the part of the Company to any
    Underwriter (except for the expenses to be paid or reimbursed by the
    Company pursuant to Sections 6 and 8 hereof and except to the extent
    provided in Section 10 hereof) or of any Underwriter to the Company (except
    to the extent provided in Section 10 hereof).

            (b)  This Agreement may also be terminated by you prior to the
    First Closing Date by notice to the Company (i) if additional material
    governmental restrictions, not in force and effect on the date hereof,
    shall have been imposed upon trading in securities generally or minimum or
    maximum prices shall have been generally established on the New York Stock
    Exchange or on the American Stock Exchange or in the over the counter
    market by the NASD, or trading in securities generally shall have been
    suspended on either such Exchange or in the over the counter market by the
    NASD, or a general banking moratorium shall have been established by
    federal, New York or California authorities, (ii) if an outbreak of major
    hostilities or other national or international calamity or any substantial
    change in political, financial or economic conditions shall have occurred
    or shall have accelerated or escalated to such an extent, as, in the
    judgment of the Underwriters, to affect adversely the marketability of the
    Common Shares, (iii) if any adverse event shall have occurred or shall
    exist which makes untrue or incorrect in any material respect any statement
    or information contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or
    which is not reflected in the Registration Statement or Prospectus but
    should be reflected therein in order to make the statements or information
    contained therein not misleading in any material respect, or (iv) if there
    shall be any action, suit or proceeding pending or threatened, or there
    shall have been any development or prospective development involving
    particularly the business or properties or securities of the Company or any
    of its subsidiaries or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
    which, in the reasonable judgment of the Underwriters, may materially and
    adversely affect the Company's business or earnings and makes it
    impracticable or inadvisable to offer or sell the Common Shares.  Any
    termination pursuant to this subsection (b) shall without liability on the
    part of any Underwriter to the Company or on the part of the Company to any
    Underwriter (except for expenses to be paid or reimbursed by the Company
    pursuant to Sections 6 and 8 hereof and except to the extent provided in
    Section 10 hereof.

            (c)  This Agreement shall also terminate at 5:00 P.M., California
    time, on the tenth full business day after the Registration Statement shall
    have become effective if the initial public offering price of the Common
    Shares shall not then as yet have been determined as provided in Section 4
    hereof.  Any termination pursuant to this subsection (c) shall without
    liability on the part of any Underwriter to the Company or on the part of
    the Company to any





                                     26
<PAGE>   27
    Underwriter (except for expenses to be paid or reimbursed by the Company
    pursuant to Sections 6 and 8 hereof and except to the extent provided in
    Section 10 hereof.

     SECTION 14.  Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery.  The
respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other
statements of the Company, of its officers and of the several Underwriters set
forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and
effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter
or the Company or any of its or their partners, officers or directors or any
controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive delivery of and
payment for the Common Shares sold hereunder and any termination of this
Agreement.

     SECTION 15.  Notices.  All communications hereunder shall be in writing
and, if sent to the Underwriters shall be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and
confirmed to you at Montgomery Securities, 600 Montgomery Street, San
Francisco, California 94111, Attention:  _______________, with a copy to
Morrison & Foerster LLP, 345 California Street, San Francisco, California 94104,
Attention: Bruce  A. Mann, Esq.; and if sent to the Company shall be mailed,
delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to the Company at 2579 Midpoint Drive,
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525, Attention:  Chief Executive Officer, with a copy
to Kutak Rock, Suite 2900, 717 Seventeenth Street, Denver, Colorado 80202,
Attention: Warren L. Troupe, Esq.  The Company or you may change the address 
for receipt of communications hereunder by giving notice to the others.

     SECTION 16.  Successors.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the parties hereto, including any substitute Underwriters
pursuant to Section 11 hereof, and to the benefit of the officers and directors
and controlling persons referred to in Section 10, and in each case their
respective successors, personal representatives and assigns, and no other
person will have any right or obligation hereunder.  No such assignment shall
relieve any party of its obligations hereunder.  The term "successors" shall
not include any purchaser of the Common Shares as such from any of the
Underwriters merely by reason of such purchase.

     SECTION 17.  Partial Unenforceability.  The invalidity or unenforceability
of any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or provision hereof.
If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason
determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made
such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it
valid and enforceable.

     SECTION 18.  Applicable Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws (and not the laws pertaining to
conflicts of laws) of the State of California.

     SECTION 19.  General.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of
the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all
contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect
to the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, and all of which shall
constitute one and the same document.





                                     27
<PAGE>   28
In this Agreement, the masculine, feminine and neuter genders and the singular
and the plural include one another.  The section headings in this Agreement are
for the convenience of the parties only and will not affect the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.  This Agreement may be amended or modified,
and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived, only by a
writing signed by the Company and you.

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement,
kindly sign and return to us the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon it will
become a binding agreement between the Company and the several Underwriters
including you, all in accordance with its terms.


                                         Very truly yours,

                                         ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.



                                         By:  ______________________________
                                              Chief Executive Officer


The foregoing Underwriting Agreement
is hereby confirmed and accepted by
us in San Francisco, California as of the
date first above written.

MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
CRUTTENDEN ROTH INCORPORATED

By MONTGOMERY SECURITIES



By:  ______________________________
     Partner





                                     28
<PAGE>   29
                                  SCHEDULE A




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Number of Firm
                                                                             Common Shares
Name of Underwriter                                                          to be Purchased
- -------------------                                                          ---------------
<S>                                                                          <C>
Montgomery Securities .....................................................
Cruttenden Roth Incorporated ..............................................


                                                                             ---------------
                 TOTAL ....................................................                                       
                                                                             ===============
</TABLE>





                                     A-1
<PAGE>   30
                                  SCHEDULE B

                                                              April __, 1996

                        PRICE DETERMINATION AGREEMENT

             Referring to Section 4 of the Underwriting Agreement dated April
__, 1996, between the Company and the Underwriters as therein defined with
respect to the purchase and sale of the Common Shares, we hereby confirm our
agreement that the initial public offering price of the Common Shares shall be
$_____ per share; that the underwriting discount shall be $_____ per share; and
that the purchase price to be paid by the several Underwriters for the Common
Shares to be purchased from the Company shall be $_____ per share.

             This Agreement may be executed in various counterparts which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

                                               MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
                                               CRUTTENDEN ROTH INCORPORATED
                                               By Montgomery Securities



                                               By ___________________________
                                                       Partner



                                               ATRIX LABORATORIES, INC.



                                               By ___________________________
                                               Acting on behalf of the Company





                                     B-1

<PAGE>   1
                                  EXHIBIT 5.1


                                 April 5, 1996


Board of Directors
Atrix Laboratories, Inc.
2579 Midpoint Drive
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525

         Re:     Registration Statement on Form S-3

Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Atrix Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company")
in connection with the filing of a registration statement on Form S-3,
including a related preliminary prospectus, under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act").  The registration statement covers a proposed offering
by the Company of 2,500,000 shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share
(the "Common Stock").  Such registration statement and prospectus on file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") at the time such
registration statement becomes effective (including financial statements and
schedules, exhibits and all other documents filed as a part thereof or
incorporated therein) are herein called, respectively, the "Registration
Statement" and the "Prospectus."

         In connection with this opinion, we have made such investigations and
examined such records, including the Company's Certificate of Incorporation,
Bylaws and corporate minutes as we deemed necessary to the performance of our
services and to give this opinion.  We have also examined and are familiar with
the originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction,
of such other documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have
deemed necessary for the preparation of this opinion.  In expressing this
opinion, we have relied, as to any questions of fact upon which our opinion is
predicated, upon representations and certificates of the officers of the
Company.
<PAGE>   2
Atrix Laboratories, Inc.
April 5, 1996
Page 2

         In giving this opinion we assumed:

                 (a)      the genuineness of all signatures and the
         authenticity and completeness of all documents submitted to us as
         originals;

                 (b)      the conformity to originals and the authenticity of
         all documents supplied to us as certified, photocopied, conformed  or
         facsimile copies and the authenticity and completeness of the
         originals of any such documents; and

                 (c)      the proper, genuine and due execution and delivery of
         all documents by all parties to them and that there has been no breach
         of the terms thereof.

         Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth
above, and assuming (i) that the Registration Statement has become effective
under the Act, (ii) that all required actions are taken and conditions
satisfied with respect to the issuance of the Common Stock as specified in the
Prospectus, and (iii) consideration is received for the Common Stock, we are of
the opinion that at the time the Common Stock is issued, the Common Stock will
be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and the use of our name in the Registration Statement.
In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the
Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated pursuant thereto.


                                                   Very truly yours,

                                                   /s/ Kutak Rock

kj

<PAGE>   1
                                  EXHIBIT 23.2


                          CONSENT OF MERCHANT & GOULD


         We hereby consent to the reference to our name under the heading of
"Experts" included in the Registration Statement of Atrix Laboratories, Inc.,
of which this Exhibit is a part, and in any amendments to the Registration
Statement.

                                        MERCHANT & GOULD


Date:  April 3, 1996              By:        /s/ ALBIN J. NELSON
                                                 Albin J. Nelson

<PAGE>   1
 
                                  EXHIBIT 23.3
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
     We consent to the use in this Registration Statement of Atrix Laboratories,
Inc. on Form S-3 of our report dated January 26, 1996, included in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K of Atrix Laboratories, Inc. for the year ended December 31,
1995, and to the use of our report dated January 26, 1996, appearing in the
Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the
reference to us under the headings "Selected Financial Data" and "Experts" in
such Prospectus.
 


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
    DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
April 4, 1996


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