GENUS INC
POS AM, 1998-08-05
SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY, NEC
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<PAGE>
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 5, 1998
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-48021
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
                                 POST-EFFECTIVE
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
                                  GENUS, INC.
 
             Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>
          CALIFORNIA                94-2790804
 (State or other jurisdiction    (I.R.S. Employer
              of                  Identification
incorporation or organization)       Number)
</TABLE>
 
                              1139 KARLSTAD DRIVE
                              SUNNYVALE, CA 94089
                                 (408) 747-7120
   (Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                              WILLIAM W. R. ELDER
                     PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                  GENUS, INC.
                              1139 KARLSTAD DRIVE
                              SUNNYVALE, CA 94089
                                 (408) 747-7120
(Name, address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of
                               agent for service)
                            ------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
                             ANDREW J. HIRSCH, ESQ.
                           KELLY AMES MOREHEAD, ESQ.
                        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                            PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                               650 PAGE MILL ROAD
                            PALO ALTO, CA 94304-1050
                                 (650) 493-9300
                              FAX: (650) 845-5000
                            ------------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
       FROM TIME TO TIME AS THE SEVERAL SELLING SHAREHOLDERS MAY DECIDE.
                            ------------------------
 
    If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please 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. /X/
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please 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 the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
                            ------------------------
 
    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.
 
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<PAGE>
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.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
 
                                1,676,877 SHARES
 
                                  GENUS, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                             ---------------------
 
    This Prospectus relates to the resale by certain holders of securities of
Genus, Inc. (the "Company" or "Genus") named herein (the "Selling Security
Holders") of (i) up to 1,120,000 shares of common stock, no par value of the
Company (the "Common Stock") issuable upon conversion of Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock of the Company (the "Series B Stock"), (ii) up to 107,009 shares
of Common Stock previously issued upon conversion of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock of the Company (the "Series A Stock") (the Common Stock
described in (i) and (ii) referred to herein as the "Shares"), (iii) 400,000
additional shares of Common Stock (the "Warrant Shares") issuable upon exercise
of certain warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase Common Stock and (iii) up to
49,868 additional shares of Common Stock (the "Dividend Shares") that may be
issued as dividends on the Series B Stock. The Shares, the Warrant Shares and
the Dividend Shares collectively are referred to herein as the "Securities."
Because of the possibility of antidilution adjustments to the conversion price
of the Series B Stock and the exercise price of the Warrants, the number of
shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion or exercise and subject to
this Prospectus is indeterminate and this Prospectus relates to the resale of
such entire indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock. The Securities may
be offered by the Selling Security Holders from time to time in transactions in
the over-the-counter market through The Nasdaq Stock Market in privately
negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the Securities,
through other means permitted by law, or through a combination of such methods
of sale, at fixed prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the
time of sale, at prices relating to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices. The Selling Security Holders may effect such transactions by
selling the Securities to or through broker-dealers, and such broker-dealers may
receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from
the Selling Security Holders and/or the purchasers of the Securities for whom
such broker-dealers may act as agents or to whom they may sell as principals, or
both (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of
customary commissions). In connection with any sales, the Selling Security
Holders and any brokers participating in such sales may be deemed to be
"underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act. See "Selling Security
Holders" and "Plan of Distribution." Information concerning the Selling Security
Holders may change from time to time and will be set forth in supplements to
this Prospectus.
 
    None of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities by the Selling Security
Holders will be received by the Company. The Company has agreed to bear all
expenses (other than selling commissions and fees and expenses of counsel and
other advisers to the Selling Security Holders) in connection with the
registration of the Securities being offered by the Selling Security Holders.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Security Holders against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act").
 
    The Company sold the Series A Stock and the Warrants to the Selling Security
Holders in a private transaction on February 12, 1998. On July 30, 1998, the
Company redeemed 70,000 shares of Series A Stock and issued the Series B Stock
to the Selling Security Holders in exchange for the outstanding unredeemed
Series A Stock. The Series B Stock is convertible at the option of the holder at
any time, or at the option of the Company upon the satisfaction of certain
conditions, unless previously redeemed or repurchased, into the Shares at a
conversion price of $1.25. If certain conditions relating to the registration of
the Shares are not timely met, the conversion price shall be reduced by 2% per
month for up to two months.
 
    The Company's Common Shares are traded on The Nasdaq National Market under
the symbol "GGNS."
 
    The Warrants are exercisable at any time until February 11, 2001 for 300,000
shares of Common Stock at a price of $3.67 per share and for 100,000 shares at a
price of $4.50 per share.
 
    The Series B Stock accrues a dividend ("Dividend") at a rate per share (as a
percentage of the Stated Value per share) of 6% per annum, payable in cash or
shares of Common Stock at the option of the Company. The aggregate unconverted
Stated Value of the issued and outstanding Series B Stock and Warrants was $1.4
million on July 30, 1998.
 
    The Series B Stock may be redeemed at the option of the Company on or after
July 30, 2003 at a redemption price equal to the product of (i) the average of
the closing bid prices for the five trading days immediately preceding (a) July
30, 2003 or (b) the date of payment by the Company of the redemption price,
whichever is greater, and (ii) the conversion ratio applicable to the Series B
Stock calculated on July 30, 2003. Each Selling Security Holder may require the
Company at any time to redeem all of its shares of the Series B Stock at a
redemption price equal to the Stated Value per share. In addition, the Series B
Stock may be redeemed at the option of the Selling Security Holder upon the
occurrence of certain triggering events at a price per share equal to the
product of (i) the average closing bid prices for the five trading days
immediately preceding (a) the date of the triggering event or (b) the date of
payment in full of such redemption price, whichever is greater, and (ii) the
conversion ratio on the date of the triggering event.
 
    THESE SECURITIES INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS,"
COMMENCING ON PAGE 4.
                            ------------------------
 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.
 
                The date of this Prospectus is            1998.
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    As used in this Prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms
"Genus" and the "Company" mean Genus, Inc. and its subsidiaries. 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"). Reports and proxy statements and other
information filed with the Commission pursuant to the informational requirements
of the Exchange Act may be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following regional offices of the Commission:
New York Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York
10048; and Chicago Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material may be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. In addition, the Commission maintains a World Wide
Web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other
information regarding registrants that filed electronically with the Commission.
The address of the site is http://www.sec.gov.
 
    The Company's Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market. Reports
and other information concerning the Company may be inspected at the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20006.
 
    This Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3
(herein, together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") filed by the Company with the Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the
securities offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are
omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For
further information, reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement,
copies of which may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, upon payment of the
fees prescribed by the Commission. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to
the contents of any contract or any other document filed, or incorporated by
reference, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, are qualified in all
respects by such reference.
 
                     INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
    The following documents, previously filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to the Exchange Act, are hereby incorporated by reference, except as
superseded or modified herein:
 
    Registration Statements on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on August 26,
1988 and May 3, 1990.
 
    Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 5, 1998.
 
    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 (the
"Form 10-Q") filed with the Commission on May 14, 1998.
 
    Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
(the "1997 Form 10-K") filed with the Commission on April 28, 1998.
 
    Each document filed subsequent to the date of this Prospectus pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and prior to the
termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
into this Prospectus and shall be part hereof from the date of filing of such
document. Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus 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 in this Prospectus modifies or supersedes
such statement. Any such statement so
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
    The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of any such
person, a copy of any document described above (other than exhibits). Requests
for such copies should be directed to Genus, Inc. at its principal offices
located at 1139 Karlstad Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089, telephone (408)
747-7120, attention: Investor Relations.
 
           Genus-Registered Trademark- is a trademark of Genus, Inc.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    AN INVESTMENT IN THE SHARES BEING OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS INVOLVES A HIGH
DEGREE OF RISK. THE FOLLOWING FACTORS, IN ADDITION TO THOSE DISCUSSED ELSEWHERE
IN THIS PROSPECTUS, SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN EVALUATING THE COMPANY AND
ITS BUSINESS PROSPECTS BEFORE PURCHASING SHARES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS
PROSPECTUS CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT 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.
 
    HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE.  Although the Company had net income of $19.3
million and $4.2 million in the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, the
Company experienced losses of $19.3 million, $9.2 million, and $6.9 million for
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1993, respectively. In addition, the
Company experienced an operating loss of $25.8 million in the first half of
1998. As a result of the Company's inconsistent sales and operating results in
recent years, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to attain
or sustain consistent future revenue growth on a quarterly or annual basis, or
that the Company will be able to attain or maintain consistent profitability on
a quarterly or annual basis.
 
    RELIANCE ON A SMALL NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS AND CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT
RISK.  The Company continued its efforts to expand its customer base in 1997 and
was successful, with new customers in Taiwan and North America. Historically,
the Company has relied on a limited number of customers for a substantial
portion of its net sales. In 1997, two customers, Samsung Electronics Company,
Ltd. and Innotech Corporation, accounted for 47% and 17%, respectively, of the
Company's net sales. In 1996, these same two customers accounted for 53% and
18%, respectively, of the Company's net sales. With the sale of its ion
implantation business in July 1998, the Company's main customer for its current
generation product is Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd. which accounted for over
90% of the Company's net sales of thin film products in 1997 and 1996. Because
the semiconductor manufacturing industry is concentrated in a limited number of
generally larger companies, the Company expects that a significant portion of
its future product sales will be concentrated within a limited number of
customers. None of these customers has entered into a long-term agreement
requiring it to purchase the Company's products. Furthermore, sales to certain
of these customers may decrease in the future when those customers complete
their current semiconductor equipment purchasing requirements for new or
expanded fabrication facilities. The loss of a significant customer or any
reduction in orders from a significant customer, including reductions due to
customer departures from recent buying patterns, market, economic or competitive
conditions in the semiconductor industry or in the industries that manufacture
products utilizing ICs, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
    The Company is dependent on a small number of customers. Accordingly, the
Company is subject to concentration of credit risk. If a major customer were to
encounter financial difficulties and become unable to meet its obligations, the
Company would be adversely impacted.
 
    RELIANCE ON INTERNATIONAL SALES.  Export sales accounted for approximately
74%, 84% and 88% of total net sales in the years ended 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. In addition, net sales to South Korean customers accounted for
approximately 50%, 59% and 63%, respectively, of total net sales during the same
periods. During the first half of 1998, the Company sold four systems, two of
which were sold to domestic customers, thereby decreasing export sales to
approximately 60% of total net sales. Nonetheless, the Company anticipates that
international sales, including sales to South Korea, will continue to account
for a significant portion of net sales. As a result, a significant portion of
the Company's sales will be subject to certain risks, including unexpected
changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs and other barriers, political and
economic instability, difficulties in accounts receivable collection,
difficulties in managing distributors or representatives, difficulties in
staffing and managing foreign subsidiary operations and potentially adverse tax
consequences. Although the Company's foreign system sales are primarily
denominated in U.S. dollars and the Company does not engage in hedging
transactions, the Company's foreign sales are subject
 
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to the risks associated with unexpected changes in exchange rates, which could
have the effect of making the Company's products more or less expensive. There
can be no assurance that any of these factors will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
    Further, the Company has a wholly owned South Korean subsidiary providing
service and support to the installed base of customers and whose functional
currency is the won. As a result of the devaluation of the won in the fourth
quarter of 1997, the Company incurred a foreign exchange loss of $1.1 million.
There can be no assurance that the Company will not incur currency losses or
gains in future quarters as the currency fluctuates.
 
    A substantial portion of the Company's sales are in Asia. Recent turmoil in
the Asian financial markets has resulted in dramatic currency devaluations,
stock market declines, restriction of available credit and general financial
weakness. In addition, Dynamic Random Access Memory ("DRAM") prices have fallen
dramatically and may continue to do so as some Asian integrated circuit ("IC")
manufacturers may be selling DRAMs at less than cost in order to raise cash.
These developments may affect the Company in several ways. Currency devaluation
may make dollar-denominated goods, such as the Company's, more expensive for
Asian clients. Asian manufacturers may limit capital spending. Furthermore, the
uncertainty of the DRAM market may cause manufacturers everywhere to delay
capital spending plans. These circumstances may also affect the ability of
Company customers to meet their payment obligations, resulting in the
cancellations or deferrals of existing orders and the limitation of additional
orders. Some of the Company's South Korean customers have rescheduled their
required delivery dates for orders previously placed and have announced delays
in the facilitization of their new manufacturing areas. In addition, some
portion of IC fabrication plant construction has been subsidized by Asian
governments. Financial turmoil may weaken these governments' willingness to
continue such subsidies. Such developments could have a material adverse affect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
    CYCLICAL NATURE OF THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY.  The Company's business
depends upon the capital expenditures of semiconductor manufacturers, which in
turn depend on the current and anticipated market demand for ICs and products
utilizing ICs. The semiconductor industry is cyclical and experiences periodic
downturns, which have an adverse effect on the semiconductor industry's demand
for semiconductor manufacturing capital equipment. Semiconductor industry
downturns have adversely affected the Company's revenues, operating margins and
results of operations. There can be no assurance that the Company's revenues and
operating results will not continue to be materially and adversely affected by
future downturns in the semiconductor industry. In addition, the need for
continued investment in R&D, substantial capital equipment requirements and
extensive ongoing worldwide customer service and support capability limits the
Company's ability to reduce expenses. Accordingly, there is no assurance that
the Company will be able to attain profitability in the future.
 
    FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS.  The Company's revenue and
operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. The
Company derives its revenue primarily from the sale of a relatively small number
of high-priced systems, many of which may be ordered and shipped during the same
quarter. The Company's results of operations for a particular quarter could be
adversely affected if anticipated orders, for even a small number of systems,
were not received in time to enable shipment during the quarter, anticipated
shipments were delayed or canceled by one or more customers or shipments were
delayed due to manufacturing difficulties. The Company's revenue and operating
results may also fluctuate due to the mix of products sold and the channel of
distribution.
 
    COMPETITION.  The semiconductor manufacturing capital equipment industry is
highly competitive. The Company faces substantial competition throughout the
world. The Company believes that to remain competitive, it will require
significant financial resources in order to offer a broader range of products,
to maintain customer service and support centers worldwide and invest in product
and process R&D. Many
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
of the Company's existing and potential competitors have substantially greater
financial resources, more extensive engineering, manufacturing, marketing and
customer service and support capabilities, as well as greater name recognition
than the Company. The Company expects its competitors to continue to improve the
design and performance of their current products and processes and to introduce
new products and processes with improved price and performance characteristics.
If the Company's competitors enter into strategic relationships with leading
semiconductor manufacturers covering chemical vapor deposition ("CVD") products
similar to those sold by the Company, it would materially adversely affect the
Company's ability to sell its products to these manufacturers. There can be no
assurance that the Company will continue to compete successfully in the United
States or worldwide. The Company faces direct competition in CVD tungsten
silicide ("WSix") from Applied Materials, Inc. and Tokyo Electron, Ltd. There
can be no assurance that these or other competitors will not succeed in
developing new technologies, offering products at lower prices than those of the
Company or obtaining market acceptance for products more rapidly than the
Company.
 
    DEPENDENCE ON NEW PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES.  The Company believes that its
future performance will depend in part upon its ability to continue to enhance
its existing products and their process capabilities and to develop and
manufacture new products with improved process capabilities. As a result, the
Company expects to continue to invest in R&D. The Company also must manage
product transitions successfully, as introductions of new products could
adversely affect sales of existing products. There can be no assurance that the
market will accept the Company's new products or that the Company will be able
to develop and introduce new products or enhancements to its existing products
and processes in a timely manner to satisfy customer needs or achieve market
acceptance. The failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore,
if the Company is not successful in the development of advanced processes or
equipment for manufacturers with whom it has formed strategic alliances, its
ability to sell its products to those manufacturers would be adversely affected.
 
    PRODUCT CONCENTRATION; RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE.  Semiconductor
manufacturing equipment and processes are subject to rapid technological change.
The Company derives its revenue primarily from the sale of WSix CVD systems. The
Company estimates that the life cycle for these systems is generally three to
five years. The Company believes that its future prospects will depend in part
upon its ability to continue to enhance its existing products and their process
capabilities and to develop and manufacture new products with improved process
capabilities. As a result, the Company expects to continue to make significant
investments in R&D. The Company also must manage product transitions
successfully, as introductions of new products could adversely affect sales of
existing products. There can be no assurance that future technologies, processes
or product developments will not render the Company's product offerings obsolete
or that the Company will be able to develop and introduce new products or
enhancements to its existing and future processes in a timely manner to satisfy
customer needs or achieve market acceptance. The failure to do so could
adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. Furthermore, if the Company is not successful in the development of
advanced processes or equipment for manufacturers with whom it currently does
business, its ability to sell its products to those manufacturers would be
adversely affected.
 
    DEPENDENCE ON PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS.  The Company's success depends
in part on its proprietary technology. While the Company attempts to protect its
proprietary technology through patents, copyrights and trade secret protection,
it believes that the success of the Company will depend on more technological
expertise, continuing the development of new systems, market penetration and
growth of its installed base and the ability to provide comprehensive support
and service to customers. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to protect its technology or that competitors will not be able to develop
similar technology independently. The Company currently has a number of United
States and foreign patents and patent applications. There can be no assurance
that any patents issued to the Company
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented or that the rights granted
thereunder will provide competitive advantages to the Company.
 
    From time to time, the Company has received notices from third parties
alleging infringement of such parties' patent rights by the Company's products.
In such cases, it is the policy of the Company to defend against the claims or
negotiate licenses on commercially reasonable terms where considered
appropriate. However, no assurance can be given that the Company will be able to
negotiate necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, or
that any litigation resulting from such claims would not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business and financial results.
 
    DEPENDENCE ON KEY SUPPLIERS.  Certain of the components and sub-assemblies
included in the Company's products are obtained from a single supplier or a
limited group of suppliers. Disruption or termination of these sources could
have a temporary adverse effect on the Company's operations. The Company
believes that alternative sources could be obtained and qualified to supply
these products, if necessary. Nevertheless, a prolonged inability to obtain
certain components could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
    DEPENDENCE ON INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTORS.  The Company currently sells and
supports its CVD products through direct sales and customer support
organizations in the U.S., Western Europe and South Korea and through eight
exclusive, independent sales representatives and distributors in the U.S.,
Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. The Company does
not have any long-term contracts with its sales representatives and
distributors. Although the Company believes that alternative sources of
distribution are available, the disruption or termination of its existing
distributor relationships could have a temporary adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
    LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES.  The Company's primary source of funds at
June 30, 1998 consisted of $3.8 million in cash and cash equivalents.
 
    The Company incurred operating losses during each of the two years in the
period ended December 31, 1997 and, as of June 30, 1998, had an accumulated
deficit of $76.4 million. The accompanying consolidated financial statements
have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern and do
not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the
recoverability and classification of assets and liabilities that may result from
the outcome of this uncertainty.
 
    With the proceeds from the sale of its ion implantation business in July
1998, the Company believes that its existing cash resources will be sufficient
to fund the Company's expected working capital requirements for at least the
next 12 months. There can be no assurance that the Company's existing cash
resources will be sufficient to implement the Company's operating strategy or
meet the Company's other working capital requirements. Accordingly, the Company
may be required to seek additional equity or debt financing. There can be no
assurance that the Company would be able to obtain additional debt or equity
financing, if and when needed, on terms that the Company finds acceptable. Any
additional equity or debt financing may involve substantial dilution to the
Company's shareholders, restrictive covenants or high interest costs.
 
    VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE.  The Company's Common Stock has experienced
substantial price volatility, particularly as a result of quarter-to-quarter
variations in the actual or anticipated financial results of, or announcements
by, the Company, its competitors or its customers, announcements of
technological innovations or new products by the Company or its competitors,
changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts and other events or
factors. Also, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume
fluctuations which have affected the market price of many technology companies,
in particular, and which have often been unrelated to the operating performance
of these companies. These broad market fluctuations, as well as general economic
and political conditions in the United States and the countries in which the
Company does business, may adversely affect the market price of the Company's
Common
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
Stock. In addition, the occurrence of any of the events described in these "Risk
Factors" could have a material adverse effect on such market price. See "Market
for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters" in the "1997
Form 10-K."
 
    READINESS FOR YEAR 2000.  Many existing computer systems and applications,
and other control devices, use only two digits to identify a year in the date
field, without considering the impact of the upcoming change in the century.
These computer systems and applications could fail or create erroneous results
unless corrected so that they can process data related to the year 2000. The
Company relies on its systems, applications and devices in operating and
monitoring all major aspects of its business, including financial systems (such
as general ledger, accounts payable and payroll modules), customer service,
infrastructure, embedded computer chips, networks and telecommunications
equipment and end products. The Company also relies on external systems of
business enterprises such as customers, suppliers, creditors, financial
organizations, and of governments both domestically and globally, directly for
accurate exchange of data and indirectly. During 1997, the Company started the
implementation of a new business system. One criteria for the selection of the
enterprise software was compliance with Year 2000 issues. Accordingly, the
Company's current estimate is that the costs associated with the Year 2000
issue, and the consequences of incomplete or untimely resolution of the Year
2000 issue, will not have a material adverse effect on the result of operations
or financial position of the Company in any given year. However, despite the
Company's efforts to address the Year 2000 impact on its internal systems, there
can be no assurance that the Company has fully identified such impact or that it
can resolve it without disruption of its business and without incurring
significant expense. In addition, even if the internal systems of the Company
are not materially affected by the Year 2000 issue, the Company could be
affected through disruption in the operation of the enterprises with which the
Company interacts. The Company has not contacted the entities with which it
interacts to determine whether such entities are addressing the Year 2000 issue.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
                            SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS
 
    The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership by the Selling Security Holders of shares of the Company's
Common Stock. The Selling Security Holders purchased from the Company in a
private transaction on February 12, 1998 an aggregate of 100,000 shares of
Series A Stock, of which 2,000 were converted into 107,009 shares of Common
Stock, 70,000 were redeemed by the Company and 28,000 were exchanged for 28,000
shares of Series B Stock, and Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 400,000
shares of Common Stock. Additionally, the Selling Security Holders may receive
dividends of 6% per annum on the Series B Stock payable in Common Stock under
certain circumstances. The Securities offered by this Prospectus consist of
Common Stock which was or will be acquired by the Selling Security Holders upon
conversion of the Series A Stock, upon conversion of the Series B Stock,
exercise of the Warrants and as dividends on the Series B Stock.
 
    The Company is required to register at least 1,676,877 shares of Common
Stock, which includes 49,868 shares of Common Stock as dividends on the Series B
Stock even though less than that amount would be required to be issued by the
Company as dividends on the Series B Stock as of the date of this Prospectus. As
of July 28, 1998, an aggregate of 1,627,009 shares would be required to be
issued upon conversion of the Series B Stock, exercise of the Warrants and as
dividends on the Series B Stock. The maximum number of shares that each Selling
Security Holder may sell (except for Southbrook International Investment, Ltd.
and CIBC Oppenheimer Corp.) includes (i) the number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the Series B Stock, (ii) the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, (iii) the number of shares
of Common Stock issuable as dividends on the Series B Stock assuming the Selling
Security Holder holds the Series B Stock until February 12, 2000, and (iv) an
indeterminate number of additional shares which may become issuable upon
conversion by reason of adjustments to the conversion price. If any Selling
Security Holder's ownership exceeds this amount, this Prospectus will be
supplemented. The Selling Security Holders named below may sell the shares of
Common Stock offered hereby from time to time and may choose to sell less than
all or none of such shares.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       MAXIMUM
                                                                      NUMBER OF
                                                                     SHARES THAT      SHARES         SHARES OWNED
NAME                                                                 MAY BE SOLD     OFFERED      AFTER OFFERING (3)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------  ----------  -----------------------
<S>                                                                <C>              <C>         <C>
SOUTHBROOK INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS, LTD.(1) ...................        800,162       800,162                 0
  c/o Trippoak Advisors, Inc.
  Robert L. Miller
  630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2000
  New York, NY 10111
 
WESTOVER INVESTMENTS L.P. .......................................        248,549       248,549                 0
  Will Rose
  300 Crescent Court, Suite 700
  Dallas, Texas 75201
 
MONTROSE INVESTMENTS, LTD. ......................................        372,823       372,823                 0
  Will Rose
  300 Crescent Court, Suite 700
  Dallas, Texas 75201
 
BROWN SIMPSON STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, L.P. .......................         31,069        31,069                 0
  Mitchell Kaye
  152 West 57th Street, 40th Floor
  New York, NY 10019
</TABLE>
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       MAXIMUM
                                                                      NUMBER OF
                                                                     SHARES THAT      SHARES         SHARES OWNED
NAME                                                                 MAY BE SOLD     OFFERED      AFTER OFFERING (3)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------  ----------  -----------------------
<S>                                                                <C>              <C>         <C>
BROWN SIMPSON STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, LTD. .......................        124,274       124,274                 0
  Mitchell Kaye
  152 West 57th Street, 40th Floor
  New York, NY
 
CIBC OPPENHEIMER CORP.(2) .......................................        100,000       100,000                 0
  Matthew J. Maryles
  200 Liberty Street, 7th Floor
  New York, NY 10281
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Southbrook International Investments, Ltd.'s ownership also includes 107,009
    shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of 2,000 shares of Series A
    Stock.
 
(2) CIBC Oppenheimer Corp.'s ownership includes only the number of shares of
    Common Stock issuable upon exercise of its Warrant.
 
(3) Assumes all shares offered by this Prospectus are sold and no beneficially
    owned shares are sold other than by this Prospectus.
 
    No Selling Security Holder has held any position or office or had any other
material relationship with the Company or any of its affiliates within the past
three years other than CIBC Oppenheimer Corp., which received a finder's fee in
connection with the sale of the Series A Stock and Warrants.
 
    Each Selling Security Holder has represented to the Company that it
purchased the Securities for investment, with no present intention of
distribution. However, in recognition of the fact that investors, even though
purchasing the Securities for investment, may wish to be legally permitted to
sell their securities when they deem appropriate, the Company has filed with the
Commission under the Securities Act the Registration Statement with respect to
the resale of the Shares, the Warrant Shares and the Dividend Shares from time
to time in the over-the-counter market through The Nasdaq Stock Market or in
privately negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the Shares,
the Warrant Shares or the Dividend Shares, or through a combination of the
foregoing. The Company has agreed to prepare and file such amendments and
supplements to the Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the
Registration Statement effective for two years from the date the Registration
Statement is declared effective or such earlier date when all Securities covered
by such Registration Statement have been sold.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
    The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 50,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, no par value per share, and 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,
no par value per share, of which 100,000 have been designated Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock and 28,000 have been designated Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock. As of July 29, 1998, approximately 17,361,162 shares of Common
Stock were outstanding, held of record by approximately 455 shareholders. As of
July 30, 1998, no shares of Series A were outstanding and 28,000 shares of
Series B Stock were outstanding, held of record by approximately 5 shareholders.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    The sale of the Securities by the Selling Security Holders may be effected
from time to time in transactions in the over-the-counter market through The
Nasdaq Stock Market, in privately negotiated transactions, through the writing
of options on the Securities, through other means as permitted by law, or
through a combination of such methods of sale, at fixed prices, that may be
changed, at market prices
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to such prevailing market
prices or at negotiated prices. The Selling Security Holders may effect such
transactions by selling the Securities to or through broker-dealers, and such
broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the Selling Security Holders and/or the purchasers of the
Securities for whom such broker-dealers may act as agents or to whom they may
sell as principals, or both (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer
may be in excess of customary compensation). Any broker-dealer may act as a
broker-dealer on behalf of one or more of the Selling Security Holders in
connection with the offering of certain of the Securities by the Selling
Security Holders.
 
    The Selling Security Holders and any broker-dealers who act in connection
with the sale of the Securities hereunder may be deemed to be "underwriters"
within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, and any commissions
received by them and profit on any resale of the Securities as principal might
be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Security Holders against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby has been passed upon for
Genus by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, Palo Alto,
California. As of the date of this Prospectus, members of Wilson Sonsini
Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, who have represented the Company in
connection with this offering, beneficially own approximately 11,500 shares of
the Company's Common Stock. Mario M. Rosati, a Director and Secretary of the
Company, is a member of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
Corporation.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, as of December 31,
1997 and 1996 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1997 and the Financial Statement Schedule of the Company for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1997, incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement, have been incorporated
herein in reliance on the reports, one of which includes an explanatory
paragraph regarding the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of
that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION
WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN
THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST
NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY
OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY, NOR DO THEY CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO
SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY
TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY OFFER OR SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY 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>
Available Information.....................................................    2
 
Information Incorporated by Reference.....................................    2
 
Risk Factors..............................................................    4
 
Selling Security Holders..................................................    9
 
Description of Equity Securities..........................................   10
 
Plan of Distribution......................................................   10
 
Legal Matters.............................................................   11
 
Experts...................................................................   11
</TABLE>
 
                                  GENUS, INC.
 
                              1,676,877 SHARES OF
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                          , 1998
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The following table sets forth the various expenses in connection with the
sale and distribution of the securities being registered, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the amounts shown are estimates
except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee and the Nasdaq
National Market listing fee.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                  <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee................  $   2,073
Nasdaq National Market listing fee.................................     17,500
Printing and engraving expenses....................................      2,000
Legal fees and expenses............................................     20,000
Accounting fees and expenses.......................................     20,000
Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses.....................     10,000
Miscellaneous......................................................      5,000
                                                                     ---------
    Total..........................................................  $  76,573
                                                                     ---------
                                                                     ---------
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
    Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law authorizes a court to
award, or a corporation's Board of Directors to grant, indemnity to directors
and officers who are parties or are threatened to be made parties to any
proceeding (with certain exceptions) by reason of the fact that the person is or
was an agent of the corporation, against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements
and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the
proceeding if that person acted in good faith and in a manner the person
reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation. This
limitation on liability has no effect on a directors' liability (i) for acts or
omissions that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing and culpable
violation of law, (ii) for acts or omissions that a director believes to be
contrary to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders or that
involve the absence of good faith on the part of the director, (iii) relating to
any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit, (iv)
for acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the director's duty to
the corporation or its shareholders in circumstances in which the director was
aware, or should have been aware, in the ordinary course of performing a
director's duties, of a risk of a serious injury to the corporation or its
shareholders, (v) for acts or omissions that constitute an unexcused pattern of
inattention that amounts to an abdication of the directors' duty to the
corporation or its shareholders, (vi) under Section 310 of the California
General Corporation Law (concerning contracts or transactions between the
corporation and a director) or (vii) under Section 316 of the California General
Corporation Law (directors' liability for improper dividends, loans and
guarantees). The provision does not extend to acts or omissions of a director in
his capacity as an officer. Further, the provision has no effect on claims
arising under federal or state securities laws and does not affect the
availability of injunctions and other equitable remedies available to the
Company's shareholders for any violation of a director's fiduciary duty to the
Company or its shareholders. Although the validity and scope of the legislation
underlying the provision have not yet been interpreted to any significant extent
by the California courts, the provision may relieve directors of monetary
liability to the Company for grossly negligent conduct, including conduct in
situations involving attempted takeovers of the Company.
 
    In accordance with Section 317, the Restated Articles of Incorporation, as
amended (the "Articles"), of the Company limits the liability of a director to
the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages to the fullest extent
permissible under California law, and authorizes the Company to provide
indemnification to it agents (including officers and directors), subject to the
limitations set forth above. The
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
Company's Bylaws further provide for indemnification of corporate agents to the
maximum extent permitted by the California General Corporation Law.
 
    Pursuant to the authority provided in the Articles, the Company has entered
into indemnification agreements with each of its officers and directors,
indemnifying them against certain potential liabilities that may arise as a
result of their service to the Company, and providing for certain other
protection.
 
    The Company also maintains insurance policies which insure its officers and
directors against certain liabilities.
 
    The foregoing summaries are necessarily subject to the complete text of the
statute, the Articles, the Bylaws and the agreements referred to above and are
qualified in their entirety by reference thereto.
 
    Reference is made to the Convertible Preferred Common Stock Purchase
Agreement incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
for provisions regarding indemnification of the Company's officers, directors
and controlling persons against liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<C>    <S>
  4.1* Common Shares Rights Agreement, dated as of April 27, 1990, between the
         Registrant and Bank of America, N.T. and S.A., as Rights Agent.
  4.2** Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated February 2, 1998,
         among the Registrant and the Investors.
  4.3** Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 2, 1998, among the
         Registrant and the Investors.
  4.4** Certificate of Determination of Rights, Preferences and Privileges of
         Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.
  4.5*** Redemption and Exchange Agreement, dated July 16, 1998, among the
         Registrant and the Investors.
  4.6*** Certificate of Determination of Rights, Preferences and Privileges of
         Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.
  5.1  Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation.
 23.1  Consent of Independent Accountants.
 23.2  Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
         (included in Exhibit 5.1 filed herewith).
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
 *  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's
    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1990.
 
**  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's Current
    Report on Form 8-K filed February 17, 1998.
 
*** Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's Current
    Report on Form 8-K filed August 5, 1998.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
    1.  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
        (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sale are being made, a
    post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
            (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
       Securities Act;
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
            (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
       the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
       post-effective amendment hereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
       represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
       Registration Statement;
 
           (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
       distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or
       any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;
 
    provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraph (i) and (ii)
    above shall not apply if the information required to be included in a
    post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
    reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
    Securities Exchange of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by
    reference in this Registration Statement.
 
        (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
    Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment 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.
 
        (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
    any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
    termination of the offering.
 
    2.  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in this 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.
 
    3.  Insofar as indemnification of liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, 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 Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registration 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
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
    4.  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
        (a) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
    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 liability under the Securities
    Act, 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-3
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
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 Sunnyvale, State of California, on August 4, 1998.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>  <C>
                                GENUS, INC.
 
                                By:              /s/ MARY F. BOBEL
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                   Mary F. Bobel
                                            EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND
                                              CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
</TABLE>
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated:
 
          SIGNATURE                       TITLE                    DATE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------
 
                                Chairman of the Board,
   /s/ WILLIAM W. R. ELDER*       President and Chief
- ------------------------------    Executive Officer           August 4, 1998
    (William W. R. Elder)         (Principal Executive
                                  Officer)
 
                                Executive Vice President,
                                  Chief Financial Officer,
                                  Corporate Controller,
      /s/ MARY F. BOBEL           Chief Accounting Officer
- ------------------------------    and Treasurer (Principal    August 4, 1998
       (Mary F. Bobel)            Financial Officer and
                                  Chief Accounting
                                  Officer)
 
      /s/ TODD S. MYHRE*
- ------------------------------  Director                      August 4, 1998
       (Todd S. Myhre)
 
     /s/ MARIO M. ROSATI*
- ------------------------------  Director and Secretary        August 4, 1998
      (Mario M. Rosati)
 
  /s/ G. FREDERICK FORSYTH*
- ------------------------------  Director                      August 4, 1998
    (G. Frederick Forsyth)
 
*By:      /s/ MARY F. BOBEL
      -------------------------
            Mary F. Bobel                                      August 4, 1998
          ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS
- ------
<C>    <S>
  4.1* Common Shares Rights Agreement, dated as of April 27, 1990, between the
         Registrant and Bank of America, N.T. and S.A., as Rights Agent
  4.2** Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated February 2, 1998,
         among the Registrant and the Investors
  4.3** Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 2, 1998, among the
         Registrant and the Investors
  4.4** Certificate of Determination of Rights, Preferences and Privileges of
         Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.
  4.5*** Redemption and Exchange Agreement, dated July 16, 1998, among the
         Registrant and the Investors.
  4.6*** Certificate of Determination of Rights, Preferences and Privileges of
         Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.
  5.1  Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
 23.1  Consent of Independent Accountants
 23.2  Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
         (included in Exhibit 5.1 filed herewith)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
 *  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's
    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1990.
 
**  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's Current
    Report on Form 8-K filed February 17, 1998.
 
*** Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant's Current
    Report on Form 8-K filed August 5, 1998.

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1
 
                                  [Letterhead]
 
                                          August 4, 1998
 
Genus, Inc.
1139 Karlstad Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94089
 
        Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
    We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Registration Statement"), in connection
with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a shelf
offering of 1,676,877 shares of your Common Stock (the "Shares") issued upon
conversion of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and to be issued upon the
conversion of issued and outstanding shares of the Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock (the "Series B Stock"), exercise of Warrants to Purchase Common
Stock (the "Warrants") and dividends on the Series B Stock in accordance with
the Articles of Incorporation as currently in effect. As your counsel, we have
examined the proceedings proposed to be taken in connection with the sale and
issuance of the above-referenced securities.
 
    In our opinion, the shares issued upon conversion of the Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock are legally and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, and the Shares to be issued upon conversion of the Series B
Stock, the exercise of the Warrants and as dividends on the Series B Stock will
be legally and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
    We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including the Prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendment thereto.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                          Professional Corporation
 
                                          /s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
    We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
on Form S-3 of Genus, Inc. (the "Company") of our report, which includes an
explanatory paragraph regarding the Company's ability to continue as a going
concern, dated January 26, 1998, except for Notes 1, 5 and 16, as to which the
date is March 2, 1998, and of our report dated January 26, 1998, on our audits
of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule,
respectively, of the Company. We also consent to the reference to our firm under
the caption "Experts."
 
                                          PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
San Jose, California
August 4, 1998


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