AVANIR PHARMACEUTICALS
POS AM, 2000-01-28
PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS
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<PAGE>   1

    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 28, 2000

                                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 33-49082
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------

                            POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT
                               NO. 9 ON FORM S-3
                                       TO

                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------

                             AVANIR PHARMACEUTICALS
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

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<S>                                                 <C>
                    CALIFORNIA                                          33-0314804
 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR          (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
                   ORGANIZATION)
</TABLE>

                       9393 TOWNE CENTRE DRIVE, SUITE 200
                          SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121
                                 (858) 410-2600
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------

                            GERALD J. YAKATAN, PH.D.
                     PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                             AVANIR PHARMACEUTICALS
                       9393 TOWNE CENTRE DRIVE, SUITE 200
                          SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121
                                 (858) 410-2600
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------

                                   COPIES TO:

                            CARLOS D. HEREDIA, ESQ.
                                BAKER & MCKENZIE
                         101 WEST BROADWAY, SUITE 1200
                              SAN DIEGO, CA 92101
                            ------------------------

          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, 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 of 1933, 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 of 1933, 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 WILL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT WILL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT WILL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SEC, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY
DETERMINE.
                            ------------------------

     We are filing this Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 on Form S-3 to Form S-1
Registration Statement to convert the Form S-1 Registration Statement (No.
33-49082) into a Form S-3 Registration Statement. The Form S-1 Registration
Statement is related to the registration of 1,446,526 shares of our Class A
common stock for the account of our Class D Warrant holders.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2

PROSPECTUS

                                1,446,526 shares

                             AVANIR PHARMACEUTICALS

                       Class A Common Stock, no par value

                           -------------------------

     We are registering for resale 1,446,526 shares of our Class A common stock,
no par value per share, on behalf of the selling shareholders listed on page 10.
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of these shares.

     Our Class A common stock trades on the OTC Bulletin Board under the trading
symbol "AVNR" (formerly "LDAKA"). On January 24, 2000, the closing bid price of
our Class A common stock was $2.22 and the closing asked price of our Class A
common stock was $2.25. See "Price Range of Securities" for additional
information.

                           -------------------------

                   This prospectus is dated January 28, 2000.

                           -------------------------

         INVESTING IN OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK INVOLVES SEVERAL RISKS.
                    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 4.

                           -------------------------

NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED
  OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS DOCUMENT IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE.
           ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>   3

                             AVANIR PHARMACEUTICALS

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

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<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
Summary.....................................................     3
The Company.................................................     3
Forward Looking Statements..................................     4
Risk Factors................................................     4
Description of Securities...................................    10
Use of Proceeds.............................................    11
Selling Shareholders........................................    11
Plan of Distribution........................................    12
Legal Matters...............................................    14
Experts.....................................................    14
Available Information.......................................    14
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference...........    15
</TABLE>

                           -------------------------

     You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in the prospectus and in any prospectus supplement. No one has been
authorized to provide you with different information.

     The shares of our Class A common stock are not being offered in any
jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.

     You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any
prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date provided on
the front page of the documents.

                                        2
<PAGE>   4

                                    SUMMARY

     On behalf of the selling shareholders identified later in this prospectus,
we are registering for resale up to 1,446,526 shares of our Class A common stock
that consist of shares of our Class A common stock that were issued to the
selling shareholders upon their exercise of Class D Warrants. The selling
shareholders' rights to exercise these warrants expired on December 31, 1999.

     You should read the following information about our company, together with
the more detailed information about the securities underlying this offering,
contained elsewhere in this prospectus. In particular, you should read the
section entitled "Risk Factors," which explains that your investment in shares
of our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. Our financial
statements and related notes are not included in this prospectus, but are
incorporated by reference in the exhibits located at the end of this prospectus.

                                  THE COMPANY

     We are a development stage company organized to discover, develop and
market novel therapeutic products to treat human diseases. Since our inception
in 1988, we have operated in one business segment -- pharmaceutical product
development.

     Docosanol 10% Cream: Docosanol 10% cream, a topical treatment for
oral-facial herpes or more commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters, is
our lead therapeutic product that we have been developing for over eight years.
In November 1999, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration informed us that our
clinical data for docosanol 10% cream would be sufficient for approval as an
over-the-counter product, provided that the FDA finds no serious discrepancies
from a site audit conducted at one of our clinical study sites in The
Netherlands. We currently are waiting for the FDA's assessment of this site
audit. We also have submitted proposed OTC product labeling for docosanol 10%
cream as requested by the FDA. If our new drug application is approved by the
FDA, then docosanol 10% cream will be the first OTC product for cold sore
treatment that will have an FDA-approved new drug application to support claims
made about the product's performance.

     On December 20, 1999, we signed a letter of intent with SmithKline Beecham
(NYSE: SBH) for rights to market docosanol 10% cream in the North American OTC
market as a treatment for recurrent oral-facial herpes. At this time, we can
provide no assurance that we will:

     - Establish a license agreement with SmithKline Beecham or any major
       pharmaceutical company on favorable terms;

     - Obtain a successful site audit, as required by the FDA; or

     - Agree with the FDA in a timely manner on labeling of the product.

     Furthermore, we can give no assurance that the proceeds from a marketing
partnership will be sufficient to continue our other drug discovery and
development programs currently underway.

     Other Proposed Products: We also are engaged in much earlier stages of
research and/or development of several other potential therapeutic products,
including potential new drugs for the treatment of allergies, asthma and
inflammatory diseases. These additional products will not be available for sale
to the market for several years, if at all.

     Our address is 9393 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, California
92121 and our telephone number is (858) 410-2600. Our e-mail address is
[email protected], and our home page address is http://www.avanir.com.
                                        3
<PAGE>   5

                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

     This prospectus contains forward-looking statements concerning future
events or performance of our company. You should not rely excessively on these
forward-looking statements, because they are only predictions based on our
current expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements often contain
words like "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "expect." Many known and
unknown risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ
materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. You should
review carefully the risks and uncertainties identified in this prospectus,
including those explained below and in our other SEC filings such as our Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999. We have no obligation to
update or announce revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect actual
events or developments.

                                  RISK FACTORS

We are a development stage company with a history of continuing losses and a
small amount of capital reserves, which creates "going concern" uncertainties.

     Our auditors indicated that we will need to raise additional capital to
continue as a going concern in their Independent Auditors' Report on our
financial statements for fiscal year 1999. If we are unable to increase revenues
or obtain additional financing in a timely manner, then we may not be able to
continue as a going concern.

     From our inception through September 30, 1999, we have generated only
limited revenues and have incurred net losses totaling approximately $62.1
million. Further, we expect to continue to incur operating losses related to
research and development and marketing activities, unless we obtain approval
from the FDA of our new drug application for docosanol 10% cream and we enter
into a license agreement with SmithKline Beecham. Docosanol 10% cream still
requires regulatory approval before it can be sold in the marketplace.

     During fiscal year 1999, the majority of our financing plans were either
deferred or canceled because of the low market price of our Class A common stock
and our delisting from the Nasdaq National Market. With no working capital at
September 30, 1999, we need to successfully seek and complete new licensing and
financing arrangements to support future operations. Even if the FDA approves
our new drug application and we enter into a licensing agreement with SmithKline
Beecham for docosanol 10% cream, we cannot assure you that these events or
financing will occur in a timely manner to eliminate the going concern issue.

Our ability to market and sell docosanol 10% cream is uncertain because we have
not reached a final agreement with SmithKline Beecham or any other
pharmaceutical company to market and sell the product in the OTC market.

     We do not have and do not expect to have in the foreseeable future the
resources to manufacture or market directly on a large commercial scale
docosanol 10% cream or any other proposed products that we may develop. We have
entered into collaborative arrangements with manufacturing and distribution
companies in our efforts to commercialize docosanol 10% cream. These
collaborative arrangements likely will cause higher costs or the sharing of
profits with third parties. A potential marketing partner may choose not to use
any of our negotiated agreements. Due to the uncertain nature of the market's
acceptance of docosanol 10% cream as a topical treatment for oral-facial herpes,
we cannot assure you that any license fees and royalties from licensing
docosanol 10% cream will attain a level of revenue sufficient to sustain our
operations.

     The timing of the product launch for docosanol 10% cream could be delayed
if our discussions and negotiations with SmithKline Beecham are delayed or
extended. For example, decisions involving

                                        4
<PAGE>   6

the licensing of a pharmaceutical product likely will involve a substantial
amount of due diligence on the part of both us and SmithKline Beecham. In
addition, our ability to negotiate terms of the amount of advertising and
promotion expense by SmithKline Beecham may be limited. We cannot provide any
assurance that, if a license agreement is negotiated, we and SmithKline Beecham
will develop effective advertising or that consumers will select our product.

     We have entered into several licensing agreements to cover the clinical
development, manufacturing and marketing of docosanol 10% cream in foreign
markets. We might not finalize any licensing or distributorship arrangements for
territories not covered by existing agreements on favorable terms, if at all. We
ultimately may establish our own manufacturing and/or marketing capabilities, at
least for specific proposed products, which likely would require substantial
additional funds and personnel.

Our amended new drug application for docosanol 10% cream may not receive FDA
approval.

     We can neither assure you that the FDA will approve docosanol 10% cream as
an OTC product, nor that the FDA will approve our proposed OTC labeling. Failure
to receive FDA marketing approval could affect materially and adversely our
business operations and financial condition.

     On October 29, 1999, we were informed by the Center for Drug Evaluation and
Research, that the clinical data on the effectiveness of docosanol 10% cream in
treating recurrent oral-facial herpes would be sufficient for approval as an OTC
product, pending an acceptable audit of the data in one of the clinical studies
presented in our new drug application. The Center also stated that we should
prepare and submit OTC labeling for review by the FDA as a prerequisite to full
marketing approval. A subsequent letter from the FDA reiterated the FDA's
decision. We are currently awaiting FDA assessment of the site audit and
evaluation of our proposed product labeling.

Neither we nor our licensees may be able to successfully sell docosanol 10%
cream as an OTC product.

     If we and/or our licensees pursue commercialization of docosanol 10% cream
as an OTC product for cold sores/fever blisters, then we will face the following
risks in our efforts to market this product:

     - potential delays in achieving timely compliance with FDA regulations for
       marketing an OTC product;

     - development in a timely manner of a professional marketing staff and
       sales communications program to launch the product;

     - difficulty in building product awareness of a new OTC product among
       customers or retail store decision makers;

     - lack of consumer perception that docosanol 10% cream is superior to
       existing and potentially new OTC products for oral herpes; and

     - lack of widespread acceptance of docosanol 10% cream in the OTC consumer
       market.

Docosanol 10% cream, if ultimately marketed, will face intense competition from
a number of existing and well-established products.

     If we or a marketing partner successfully launch docosanol 10% cream, then
it will compete with several prescription products for oral-facial herpes
currently on the market in the U.S., as well as other products or potential
products that are or may be under development or undergoing the FDA regulatory
approval process. Most of our competitors, including Glaxo-Wellcome Inc., have
greater financial resources, research and development facilities and
manufacturing and marketing experience

                                        5
<PAGE>   7

than we do. Docosanol 10% cream may not achieve commercial success in this
intense competitive environment, which would severely impact our revenues. For
more details about competition that we may encounter, see "Business
Competition."

As a small emerging bio-pharmaceutical company, we have limited resources to
effectively mitigate potential risks relating to the foreign sales of docosanol
10% cream and other potential products.

     We are exposed to various foreign trade risks relating to the continued
development of docosanol 10% cream by foreign licensees. We also may arrange for
contracts in the future for the manufacture, marketing and distribution of
docosanol 10% cream overseas by foreign licensees, which will be substantially
out of our control. Specific risks that could impact significantly our ability
to deliver products abroad include:

     - changes in the regulatory and competitive environments in foreign
       countries;

     - changes in a specific country's or region's political or economic
       conditions;

     - difficulty in finding foreign partners with sufficient capital to
       effectively launch the product;

     - shipping delays;

     - difficulties in managing operations across disparate geographic areas;

     - fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

     - difficulties associated with enforcing agreements through foreign legal
       systems; and

     - trade protection measures such as customs duties and export quotas.

Failure to comply with government regulations regarding the development,
production, testing, manufacturing and marketing of docosanol 10% cream and our
other products may affect adversely our operations.

     Governmental authorities in the U.S., including the FDA, and other
countries regulate significantly the development, production, testing,
manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products. The clinical testing and
regulatory approval process can take a number of years and require the
expenditure of substantial resources. Although we have completed the development
of docosanol 10% cream and are awaiting the FDA's decision on approval, we may
not obtain regulatory approval for it or any of our other proposed products.

     Failure to obtain, or delays in obtaining, these approvals will affect
adversely our business operations, including our ability to commence marketing
of any proposed products. We expect to use a significant portion of our
financial resources for research and development and the clinical trials
necessary to obtain these approvals for our proposed products. We will continue
to incur costs of development without any assurance that we will ever obtain
regulatory approvals. In addition, we cannot predict the extent to which adverse
governmental regulation might arise from future U.S. or foreign legislative or
administrative action. Moreover, we cannot predict with accuracy the effect of
unspecified, but possible, future changes in the regulatory approval process and
in the domestic health care system for which we develop our products. Future
changes could affect adversely the time frame required for regulatory review,
our financial resources, and the sale prices of our proposed products, if
approved for sale.

                                        6
<PAGE>   8

Unsuccessful research and development programs for proposed new products could
affect negatively our business.

     We face substantial risks of failing to complete the development of our
early-stage research and development programs in allergy and asthma and other
areas. The effectiveness of our preclinical allergy and asthma research
performed in vitro or in animal models may not be relevant to the development
of, or indicate the efficacy of, a proposed product for human use. Unsuccessful
clinical trial results for our proposed products could affect materially and
adversely our business operations and financial condition. The development
process for medical products is lengthy and capital intensive. Our drug
development programs are exposed to all of the risks inherent in product
development based on innovative technologies, including unanticipated
development problems and the possible lack of funding that could result in the
abandonment or substantial change in the development of a specific product.

Difficulties in acquiring in-licensed technologies that we believe are necessary
to fill our product development pipeline may negatively affect our stock price
and restrict our growth.

     We will face intense competition for these in-licensed products and
technologies. In addition, we might not locate suitable products and
technologies to fit our strengths or obtain them on acceptable terms, or have
the financial resources to develop products from the in-licensed technology. Our
inability to add these technologies and products to our product development
pipeline will hinder our growth and may affect negatively our business.

     Our business strategy is to in-license products and/or technologies at
various stages in the drug development pipeline. To achieve this objective, we
must have the financial resources to acquire and/or in-license new products and
technologies and develop and market the products, once approved. For example, we
signed a letter of intent with IriSys Research and Development, LLC in February
1999 to license world-wide rights to a product intended for use in a condition
associated with neurodegenerative diseases and pain. However, due to limited
financial resources in fiscal 1999, we deferred negotiations of a final
agreement with IriSys to in-license the product. We can provide no assurance
that we will in-license this or any other product or technology.

Our success depends on retaining key management and scientific personnel.

     Our success depends on the performance of a small core staff of key
management and scientific employees. Given our early stage of development, we
depend substantially on our ability to hire, train, retain and motivate high
quality personnel, especially our scientists and management team. If we were to
lose one or more of our key scientists, then we would lose the history and
knowledge that they have which could substantially delay one or more of our
development programs until adequate replacement personnel could be hired and
trained.

     Our future success also depends on our continuing ability to identify,
hire, train and retain highly qualified, technical, sales, marketing and
customer service personnel. The employment and employee retention agreements
with several of our key employees are limited in scope and provide no real
assurance that any of these people will continue their employment with our
company. We do not have "key person" life insurance policies. The industry in
which we compete has a high level of employee mobility and aggressive recruiting
of skilled personnel, which creates intense competition for qualified personnel,
particularly in product research, development, sales and marketing.

Our patents may be challenged and our pending patents may be denied, which would
seriously jeopardize our ability to compete in the intended markets for our
proposed products.

     We rely substantially on the protection of our intellectual property, with
19 worldwide docosanol patents and 24 additional docosanol-related patent
applications pending. We also have ten patents

                                        7
<PAGE>   9

issued or pending on other products and technologies. Because of the competitive
nature of the bio-pharmaceutical industry, we cannot assure you that:

     - the claims in the pending patent applications will be allowed or that we
       will even be issued patents;

     - present and future competitors will not develop similar or superior
       technologies independently, duplicate our technologies or design around
       the patented aspects of our technologies;

     - our proposed technologies will not infringe other patents or rights owned
       by others, including licenses which may not be available to us;

     - any issued patents will provide us with significant competitive
       advantages; or

     - challenges will not be instituted against the validity or enforceability
       of any patent that we own or, if instituted, that these challenges will
       not be successful.

Our inability to obtain or maintain patent protections for our products in
foreign markets may affect negatively our financial condition.

     The process for the approval of patent applications in foreign countries
may differ significantly from the process in the U.S., which may delay our plans
to market and sell docosanol 10% cream in the international market place.
Approval in one country does not necessarily indicate that approval can be
obtained in other countries. The patent authorities in each country administer
that country's laws and regulations relating to patents independently of the
laws and regulations of any other country and we must seek and obtain the
patents separately. Our inability to obtain or maintain patent protections for
docosanol 10% cream in foreign markets would hamper severely our ability to
generate international sales from our first proposed product.

If we are unable to protect our technical innovations, then our business may be
negatively affected.

     We also rely substantially on confidentiality agreements to protect our
innovations. We cannot assure you that secrecy obligations will be honored, or
that others will not develop independently similar or superior technology. In
addition, if our consultants, key employees or other third parties apply
technological information independently developed by them or by others to our
projects, then disputes may arise as to the proprietary rights to this
information in which we do not receive a favorable resolution.

Developing new pharmaceutical products for human use involves product liability
risks, for which we currently have limited insurance coverage.

     The testing, marketing and sale of pharmaceutical products involve the risk
of product liability claims by consumers and other third parties. We have
maintained product liability insurance coverage for our clinical trials in the
amount of $2 million per incident and in the aggregate. However, product
liability claims can be high in the pharmaceutical industry and our insurance
may not sufficiently cover all possible liabilities. If a suit against our
business or proposed products is successful, then the lack or insufficiency of
insurance coverage could affect materially and adversely our business and
financial condition. Furthermore, various distributors of pharmaceutical
products require minimum product liability insurance coverage before their
purchase or acceptance of products for distribution. Failure to satisfy these
insurance requirements could impede our ability to achieve broad distribution of
our proposed products.

                                        8
<PAGE>   10

Our Class A common stock was delisted from the Nasdaq National Market System and
now trades on the OTC Bulletin Board.

     Because our Class A common stock currently is traded on the OTC Bulletin
Board, shareholders are exposed to various risks, including:

     - the liquidity of our Class A common stock is significantly lower as an
       OTC Bulletin Board listed security than a Nasdaq National Market listed
       security;

     - the OTC Bulletin Board does not provide the same level of service or
       information to our shareholders; and

     - various brokers may be restricted in being able to make recommendations
       to their clients about our common stock.

     We can provide no assurance as to how quickly we can regain compliance with
the Nasdaq listing requirements, if ever.

We may issue additional shares of our Class A common stock that may dilute the
value of our common stock to current shareholders and may adversely affect the
market price of our common stock.

     If we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities at a price or a
value per share less than the then current price per share of Class A common
stock, then the value of the shares of Class A common stock then outstanding
will be diluted or reduced. For example, we potentially may issue and register
up to 8,137,388 shares of our Class A common stock under a two-year, $13 million
equity line agreement with Promethean Investment Group, L.L.C. that could result
in dilution in your ownership position in the company. Depending on the price
per share of our Class A common stock during the next two years, we may need to
register additional shares for resale to access the full amount of financing
available.

     In addition, there will be a dilutive effect on the shares of our Class A
common stock from the conversion or exercise of other outstanding securities. As
of January 24, 2000, the following securities exercisable or convertible into
shares of Class A common stock were outstanding:

     - stock options to purchase an aggregate of 7,387,553 shares of Class A
       common stock (at exercise prices ranging from $0.30 to $6.44 per share)
       and 28,000 shares of Class B common stock (at an exercise price of $0.50
       per share);

     - Class G Stock Purchase Warrants exercisable into 3,635,783 shares of
       Class A common stock (at an exercise price of $1.375 per share);

     - Class H Stock Purchase Warrants exercisable into 100,000 shares of Class
       A common stock (at an exercise price of $2.40 per share);

     - Class I Stock Purchase Warrant exercisable into 368,000 shares of Class A
       common stock (at an exercise price of $0.78125 per share);

     - Class J Stock Purchase Warrants exercisable into 50,000 shares of Class A
       common stock (at exercise price of $0.9144 per share);

     - Class K Stock Purchase Warrant exercisable into 375,000 shares of Class A
       common stock (at an exercise price of $1.125 per share);

     - Class L Stock Purchase Warrant exercisable into 55,000 shares of Class A
       common stock at an exercise price of $1.1875 per share;

                                        9
<PAGE>   11

     - Class M Stock Purchase Warrants exercisable into 700,934 shares of Class
       A common stock at an exercise price of $1.284 per share;

     - 11% Convertible Debenture convertible into 750,000 shares of Class A
       common stock at an assumed conversion price of $2.00 per share; and

     - 440,000 shares of Class B common stock (each convertible into one share
       of Class A common stock).

     Sales in the public market of shares of Class A common stock that underlie
stock options and warrants may affect adversely the prevailing market prices for
shares of Class A common stock. Negative price movements in the shares of Class
A common stock likely would have adverse effects on our ability to obtain
additional equity capital on favorable terms, if at all.

                           DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     We are registering for resale shares of our Class A common stock that were
issued to the selling shareholders listed on page 10 upon exercise of their
Class D warrants. The selling shareholders' rights to exercise these warrants
expired on December 31, 1999. Under the Class D Warrants, we agreed to register
the underlying shares of Class A common stock for resale by the selling
shareholders from time to time in the market or in privately-negotiated
transactions. We will prepare and file such amendments and supplements to this
registration statement as may be necessary in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Securities Act of 1933, to keep it effective until the
earlier of the date on which the selling shareholders have sold all of the
shares covered by this registration statement or the date that the selling
shareholders receive a legal opinion indicating that the shares of our Class A
common stock issued upon exercise of the Class D Warrants may be sold under Rule
144(k) of the Securities Act of 1933. We have agreed to pay certain expenses
(other than broker discounts and commissions) in connection with this
registration statement.

                                       10
<PAGE>   12

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

     The selling shareholders listed on page 10 will receive directly the
proceeds from the resale of the shares registered by this prospectus. We will
not receive any proceeds from the resale of any of the shares registered under
this prospectus. We will pay all of the costs of the registration of the shares
of Class A common stock registered under this prospectus. See "Selling
Shareholders" for additional information.

                              SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

     The table below lists the selling shareholders and other information
regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our Class A common stock. Except
as otherwise disclosed in this prospectus, the selling shareholders neither have
nor within the past three years had any position, office or other material
relationship with our company or any of its predecessors or affiliates. Because
the selling shareholders may offer all or a portion of the shares of our Class A
common stock registered by this prospectus, we cannot estimate the number of
shares that will be held by the selling shareholders after any sales.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              MAXIMUM NUMBER OF
                                                              SHARES OF CLASS A
                                                                COMMON STOCK
                NAME OF SELLING SHAREHOLDER                   BEING OFFERED(1)
                ---------------------------                   -----------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Jeffrey S. Aaron............................................         40,000
Joseph Arsenault............................................         53,333
Virginia Bahler.............................................         13,333
Don Baker...................................................         13,333
Oscar Boonshoft.............................................         13,333
Harold R. Cunningham........................................         66,667
Christian Fiechter..........................................         13,333
Gregory Gomes...............................................         80,001
Robert B. Grindley..........................................         26,667
Robert P. Hauptfuhrer.......................................         26,667
Peter W. Janssen............................................         28,334
Irwin D. Kaplan.............................................          5,000
David H. Katz(2)............................................        386,190
James R. Kelleher...........................................         13,333
Allan R. Koretz.............................................         26,667
Irwin H. Martowitz, Trustee Irwin H. Markowitz DDS
  Retirement Fund...........................................         26,667
John W. Marriott III........................................         26,667
Richard U. Mascera..........................................         13,333
Ernest E. Miller............................................         80,001
Alfred B. Muirhead, Jr. ....................................         13,333
James T. O'Hara.............................................         26,667
Prudential Securities.......................................         13,333
Wallace O. Raubenheimer.....................................        106,668
William Richmond............................................         40,000
Thomas C. Rowan, Trustee for the benefit of Thomas C. Rowan
  and Gail D. Rowan.........................................        133,335
Michael I. Ruxin............................................         13,333
Victor Shamieh..............................................          6,999
</TABLE>

                                       11
<PAGE>   13

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              MAXIMUM NUMBER OF
                                                              SHARES OF CLASS A
                                                                COMMON STOCK
                NAME OF SELLING SHAREHOLDER                   BEING OFFERED(1)
                ---------------------------                   -----------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Samir Shamieh...............................................          6,666
Donna K. Vito...............................................         13,333
J. Edward Willard...........................................         80,001
Porter J. Womeldorff........................................         13,333
Robert A. Woods.............................................         13,333
Richard F. & Barbara A. Zaccagni............................         13,333
                                                                  ---------
  Total.....................................................      1,446,526
                                                                  =========
</TABLE>

- -------------------------
(1) This column assumes the sale of all of the shares offered by each of the
    selling shareholders.

(2) Dr. Katz is a former director and former president and chief executive
    officer of our company. The amount listed does not include his beneficial
    ownership of 2,980,003 shares of Class A Common Stock, consisting of
    1,121,003 shares held by Dr. Katz, 2,000 shares held by his wife, options to
    purchase 1,827,000 shares by Dr. Katz and options to purchase 30,000 shares
    by his wife. The amount listed also excludes 375,000 shares of Class B
    Common Stock that he owns. Additionally, Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13D
    dated September 3, 1998 filed by Dr. Katz with the SEC reports that Dr. Katz
    owns 234,000 shares of Class A Common Stock that he obtained as part of a
    settlement agreement between himself and several third parties. Dr. Katz has
    taken the position that these shares should be reinstated to their prior
    status as shares of our Class B Common Stock. We disagree with Dr. Katz'
    claim that these shares should be reclassified as shares of our Class B
    Common Stock based on our interpretation of our articles of incorporation.
    Dr. Katz is seeking a judicial determination that these shares should be
    reinstated as shares of Class B Common Stock.

     To our knowledge, except for David H. Katz, none of the foregoing persons
own more than 1% of the aggregate of our shares of our Class A common stock and
Class B common stock at January 28, 2000.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     The selling shareholders have advised us that they may offer the shares of
Class A common stock registered under this prospectus to purchasers from time to
time:

     - in transactions on the Nasdaq National Market System or the Nasdaq
       Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board, in negotiated transactions, or by a
       combination of these methods;

     - at fixed prices that may be changed; at market prices prevailing at the
       time of the resale;

     - at prices related to such market prices; or

     - at negotiated prices.

     At the date of this prospectus, the selling shareholders have not entered
into any underwriting arrangements. The selling shareholders may sell the shares
registered under this prospectus to or through:

     - ordinary brokers' transactions;

     - transactions involving cross or block trades or otherwise on the Nasdaq
       National Market or the Nasdaq Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board;

                                       12
<PAGE>   14

     - purchases by brokers, dealers or underwriters who may receive
       compensation in the form of discounts or commissions from the selling
       shareholders or the purchasers of these shares, for whom the
       broker-dealers may act as agent or principal, or both;

     - "at the market" to or through market makers or into an existing market
       for our Class A common stock;

     - in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets,
       including direct sales to purchasers or sales effected by agents;

     - through transactions in options, swaps or other derivatives (whether
       exchange-listed or otherwise);

     - in privately negotiated transactions;

     - to cover short sales; or

     - any combination of the foregoing.

     From time to time, one or more of the selling shareholders may pledge,
hypothecate or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of Class A
common stock registered under this prospectus owned by them, and the pledgees,
secured parties or persons to whom such shares have been hypothecated shall,
upon foreclosure in the event of default, be deemed to be selling shareholders
under this prospectus. The number of shares of Class A common stock registered
under this prospectus and beneficially owned by those selling shareholders who
so transfer, pledge, donate or assign those shares will decrease as and when
they take such actions. The plan of distribution for shares sold under this
prospectus will otherwise remain unchanged, except that the transferees,
pledgees, donees or other successors will be selling shareholders under this
prospectus. In addition, a selling shareholder may, from time to time, sell
short shares of Class A common stock. In such instances, this prospectus may be
delivered in connection with such short sales and the shares of Class A common
stock offered hereby may be used to cover such short sales.

     A selling shareholder may enter into hedging transactions with
broker-dealers and the broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the Class A
common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume with that
selling shareholder, including, without limitation, in connection with
distributions of the Class A common stock by the broker-dealers. A selling
shareholder also may enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers
that involve the delivery of the shares of Class A common stock registered under
this prospectus to the broker-dealers, who then may resell or otherwise transfer
these shares. A selling shareholder also may loan or pledge the shares of Class
A common stock registered under this prospectus to a broker-dealer and the
broker-dealer may sell the shares so loaned or upon a default may sell or
otherwise transfer the pledged shares.

     Broker, dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution
of the shares of Class A common stock registered under this prospectus as agents
may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions
from the selling shareholders and/or purchasers of the Class A common stock for
whom the broker-dealers may act as agent, or to whom they may sell as principal,
or both (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer may be less than or
in excess of customary commissions). The selling shareholders and any
broker-dealers who act in connection with the sale of the shares of Class A
common stock under this prospectus may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, and any commissions they receive and
proceeds of any sale of the shares of Class A common stock may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933. Neither
we nor any of the selling shareholders can presently estimate the amount of this
compensation. We know of no existing arrangements between any of the selling
shareholders, any other shareholder, broker, dealer,

                                       13
<PAGE>   15

underwriter or agent relating to the sale or distribution of the shares of Class
A common stock registered under this prospectus.

     We will pay substantially all of the expenses relating to the registration,
offer and sale of the shares of Class A common stock registered under this
prospectus to the public other than commissions or discounts of underwriters,
broker-dealers or agents. We also have agreed to indemnify the selling
shareholders and certain related persons against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 or otherwise that arise out of, or
are based upon, any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission instating a material fact under this registration
statement or prospectus.

     To the extent that indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to our directors, officers and
controlling persons, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, this
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and is therefore, unenforceable.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

     The validity of the securities offered hereby have been passed upon for our
company by Baker & McKenzie, San Diego, California.

                                    EXPERTS

     The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1999 have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
report, which is incorporated herein by reference (which report expresses an
unqualified opinion and includes explanatory paragraphs relating to the status
of our company as a development stage enterprise, our ability to continue as a
going concern, and our company as a defendant in certain lawsuits), and have
been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     We are required to follow the reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. To comply with these requirements, we file a number of
reports, including annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements, information
statements and other information with the SEC. You may inspect and copy any of
this information that we have filed with the SEC at the public reference
facilities maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the SEC's regional offices located at 7 World
Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and Citicorp Center, 500 W.
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60661-2511. You may obtain information
on the operation of the public reference room by calling the Commission at
1-800-SEC-0330. You also may obtain copies of such material at prescribed rates
from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You also may inspect such reports, proxy
statements, information statements and other information concerning us. In the
event that our Class A common stock becomes listed: on one of the national
market exchanges then at the offices of such national market exchange; or if on
the Nasdaq National Market System or the Nasdaq OTC Bulletin Board, then The
Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. at 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006; or if
on the American Stock Exchange, then The American Stock Exchange, 86 Trinity
Place, New York, NY 10004. You also may access the materials that we file
electronically with the SEC at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov), which
contains the reports,

                                       14
<PAGE>   16

proxy statements, information statements and other information that we file
electronically with the SEC.

     We initially filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form
S-1(Registration Statement No. 33-49082) under the Securities Act of 1933, with
respect to the shares covered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not
contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, because
certain parts are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
SEC. Statements made in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract,
agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and, with
respect to each such contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit
to the registration statement, we refer you to such exhibit for a more complete
description of the matter involved. Each such statement is deemed qualified in
its entirety by such reference.

               INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

     We incorporate by reference in this prospectus and encourage you to read
the following documents that we have filed with the SEC pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

          1. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September
     30, 1999 filed with the SEC on January 13, 2000;

          2. Our Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on January 26,
     2000;

          3. Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 4,
     1999 and December 3, 1999; and

          4. The description of our Class A common stock contained in our
     Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on July 31, 1990,
     including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating the
     description.

     We also incorporate by reference as part of this prospectus and encourage
you to read all reports and other documents that we have filed (or will file)
with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that are after the date
of this prospectus and before the termination of the offering of the shares
registered under this prospectus. You should understand that, if any statement
contained in a report or document that is incorporated by reference in this
prospectus is modified or superseded, then the later filed report or document
will modify or supersede the statements contained in this prospectus.

     We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial
owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral
request of that person, a copy of any and all documents incorporated by
reference in this prospectus (not including, however, the exhibits to those
documents unless those exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in
such documents). Requests should be sent to the attention of the Secretary of
our company, at 9393 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92121
or you may call and ask for the Secretary of our company at (858) 410-2600.

                                       15
<PAGE>   17

                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

     The estimated cumulative expenses of this registration of shares of our
Class A common stock for resale by the selling shareholders, all of which are to
be paid by the registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of
the shares being registered, are estimated as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
SEC Registration Fee........................................  $  3,920
Accounting Fees and Expenses................................    48,000(1)
Legal Fees and Expenses.....................................   137,000(2)
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses..................................     8,500
Transfer Agent's Fees and Expenses..........................     8,000(3)
Miscellaneous Expenses......................................    35,580(4)
                                                              --------
  Total.....................................................  $241,000
                                                              ========
</TABLE>

- -------------------------
(1) Includes $5,000 incurred from this post-effective amendment.

(2) Includes $10,000 from this post-effective amendment.

(3) Includes $4,000 incurred from this post-effective amendment.

(4) Includes $5,000 incurred from this post-effective amendment.

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     We hereby incorporate by reference Sections 204(a)(10) and (11), 204.5 and
317 of the California General Corporation Law which covers the indemnification
of directors, officers, employees and agents of a corporation. We refer you to
Article 6 of our Restated Articles of Incorporation, and Section 3.15 of our
Amended and Restated Bylaws, which provide for indemnification by our company in
the manner and to the full extent permitted by California law.

     Beginning August 10, 1992, we have maintained directors' and officers'
liability insurance with policy limits of $7,500,000. The policy covers 100
percent of losses arising from, among other things, claims of breach of duty,
neglect, error, alleged misstatement, misleading statement or omission by the
directors and officers in their capacity as such. Payment for loss would be made
to or on our behalf where we are required or permitted to indemnify directors or
officers for covered losses pursuant to statutory or common law, our Restated
Articles of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws or by agreement. The
policy provides for retention of $5,000 per director or officer, subject to a
maximum of $10,000 for each loss, except in the case of payment for loss to or
on our behalf, in which case the retention is $100,000.

                                      II-1
<PAGE>   18

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

     (a) Exhibits

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION
- -------                           -----------
<C>       <S>
 1.1      Underwriting Agreement(1)
 4.1      Class D Warrant Agreement (including form of Class D Warrant
          Certificate)(2)
 4.2      Warrant Agreement (including form of Class E Warrant
          Certificate)(2)
 4.3      Form of Unit Purchase Option issued to D.H. Blair & Co.,
          Inc. and its designees regarding Series B Preferred Stock
          and Class D Warrants(2)
 4.4      Registration Rights Agreement(2)
 4.5      Certificate of Determination with respect to Series D
          Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant(3)
 4.6      Certificate of Determination with respect to Series C Junior
          Participating Preferred Stock of the Registrant(3)
 4.7      Rights Agreement, dated as of March 5, 1999, with American
          Stock Transfer & Trust Company(3)
 4.8      Form of Rights Certificate with respect to the Rights
          Agreement, dated as of March 5, 1999(3)
 4.9      Form of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock Certificate(3)
 4.10     Amended and Restated Class I Stock Purchase Warrant, dated
          as of March 4, 1999(3)
 4.11     Form of Class J Stock Purchase Warrant(3)
 4.12     Class K Stock Purchase Warrant, dated as of April 1, 1999(3)
 4.13     Registration Rights Agreement with Promethean Investment
          Group, LLC(3)
 4.14     Class A Common Stock Investment Agreement with Promethean
          Investment Group, LLC(3)
 4.15     Amendment to the Class A Common Stock Investment Agreement
          with Promethean Investment Group, LLC(3)
 4.16     Securities Purchase Agreement for Series D Convertible
          Preferred Stock(3)
 4.17     Registration Rights Agreement for Series D Convertible
          Preferred Stock(3)
 4.18     Forms of Class A and Class B Common Stock Certificates(4)
 4.19     Convertible Note issued to GFL Advantage Fund Limited(5)
 4.20     Registration Rights Agreement with GFL Advantage Fund
          Limited(5)
 4.21     Convertible Note issued to Capital Ventures International(6)
 4.22     Registration Rights Agreement with Capital Ventures
          International(6)
 4.23     Convertible Note, dated February 26, 1997, issued to RGC
          International Investors LLC(7)
 4.24     Form of Class G Stock Purchase Warrant(7)
 4.25     Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 26, 1997, with
          RGC International Investors, LLC(7)
 4.26     Class L Stock Purchase Warrant, dated as of June 8, 1999(8)
 4.27     Loan Agreement, dated as of November 23, 1999, with AMRO
          International, S.A. and The Endeavour Capital Fund, S.A.(9)
 4.28     Form of 11% Convertible Debenture(9)
 4.29     Form of Stock Purchase Warrant(9)
 4.30     Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 23,
          1999, with AMRO International, S.A and The Endeavour Capital
          Fund, S.A.(9)
 4.31     Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement, dated November 30,
          1999, with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company(9)
23.1      Independent Auditors' Consent
</TABLE>

                                      II-2
<PAGE>   19

- -------------------------
(1) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibits filed in
    connection with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File
    No. 33-37166, declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission
    on November 9, 1990.

(2) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-49082,
    declared effective by the Commission on October 26, 1992.

(3) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
    31, 1999, filed May 17, 1999.

(4) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-32742,
    declared effective by the Commission on May 8, 1990.

(5) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
    September 30, 1995, filed December 15, 1995.

(6) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
    31, 1996, filed May 15, 1996.

(7) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Form 8-K, filed March 10, 1997.

(8) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
    30, 1999, filed August 16, 1999.

(9) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Form 8-K, filed December 3, 1999.

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.

     We hereby undertake:

          1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales 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 of 1933;

             ii. To reflect in this prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in this registration statement; and

             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.

          2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment will be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities registered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time will be deemed to
     be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

          3. 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.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>   20

     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 provisions of its Restated Articles of Incorporation
and Amended and Restated By-Laws of the registrant, the California General
Corporation Law or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act of 1933, and is therefore unenforceable. If a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the issuer
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, then 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 of 1933, and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                      II-4
<PAGE>   21

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe 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, there unto duly
authorized, in the City of San Diego, California, on January 28, 2000.

                                          AVANIR PHARMACEUTICALS

                                          By: /s/ GERALD J. YAKATAN, PH.D.
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                  Gerald J. Yakatan, Ph.D.
                                               President and Chief Executive
                                                           Officer

     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Gerald J. Yakatan, Ph.D. and
Gregory P. Hanson, and each of them acting individually, as his
attorney-in-fact, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for
him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this
registration statement, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may
be signed by our said attorneys-in-fact to any and all amendments to this
registration statement.

     In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on January 28, 2000.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                       TITLE
                      ---------                                       -----
<S>                                                    <C>
            /s/ GERALD J. YAKATAN, PH.D.                  President and Chief Executive
- -----------------------------------------------------      Officer (Principal Executive
              Gerald J. Yakatan, Ph.D.                               Officer)

                /s/ GREGORY P. HANSON                   Vice President, Finance and Chief
- -----------------------------------------------------      Financial Officer (Principal
                  Gregory P. Hanson                     Financial and Accounting Officer)

                /s/ GEORGE P. RUTLAND                   Chairman of the Board of Directors
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  George P. Rutland

              /s/ DENNIS J CARLO, PH.D.                              Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
               Dennis J. Carlo, Ph.D.

                /s/ MICHAEL W. GEORGE                                Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Michael W. George
</TABLE>

                                      II-5
<PAGE>   22

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                       TITLE
                      ---------                                       -----
<S>                                                    <C>
                                                                     Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   James B. Glavin

             /s/ EDWARD L. HENNESSY, JR.                             Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
               Edward L. Hennessy, Jr.

                /s/ KENNETH E. OLSON                                 Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Kenneth E. Olson

                 /s/ JOSEPH E. SMITH                                 Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Joseph E. Smith
</TABLE>

                                      II-6
<PAGE>   23

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION
- -------                           -----------
<C>       <S>
 1.1      Underwriting Agreement(1)
 4.1      Class D Warrant Agreement (including form of Class D Warrant
          Certificate)(2)
 4.2      Warrant Agreement (including form of Class E Warrant
          Certificate)(2)
 4.3      Form of Unit Purchase Option issued to D.H. Blair & Co.,
          Inc. and its designees regarding Series B Preferred Stock
          and Class D Warrants(2)
 4.4      Registration Rights Agreement(2)
 4.5      Certificate of Determination with respect to Series D
          Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant(3)
 4.6      Certificate of Determination with respect to Series C Junior
          Participating Preferred Stock of the Registrant(3)
 4.7      Rights Agreement, dated as of March 5, 1999, with American
          Stock Transfer & Trust Company(3)
 4.8      Form of Rights Certificate with respect to the Rights
          Agreement, dated as of March 5, 1999(3)
 4.9      Form of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock Certificate(3)
 4.10     Amended and Restated Class I Stock Purchase Warrant, dated
          as of March 4, 1999(3)
 4.11     Form of Class J Stock Purchase Warrant(3)
 4.12     Class K Stock Purchase Warrant, dated as of April 1, 1999(3)
 4.13     Registration Rights Agreement with Promethean Investment
          Group, LLC(3)
 4.14     Class A Common Stock Investment Agreement with Promethean
          Investment Group, LLC(3)
 4.15     Amendment to the Class A Common Stock Investment Agreement
          with Promethean Investment Group, LLC(3)
 4.16     Securities Purchase Agreement for Series D Convertible
          Preferred Stock(3)
 4.17     Registration Rights Agreement for Series D Convertible
          Preferred Stock(3)
 4.18     Forms of Class A and Class B Common Stock Certificates(4)
 4.19     Convertible Note issued to GFL Advantage Fund Limited(5)
 4.20     Registration Rights Agreement with GFL Advantage Fund
          Limited(5)
 4.21     Convertible Note issued to Capital Ventures International(6)
 4.22     Registration Rights Agreement with Capital Ventures
          International(6)
 4.23     Convertible Note, dated February 26, 1997, issued to RGC
          International Investors LLC(7)
 4.24     Form of Class G Stock Purchase Warrant(7)
 4.25     Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 26, 1997, with
          RGC International Investors, LLC(7)
 4.26     Class L Stock Purchase Warrant, dated as of June 8, 1999(8)
 4.27     Loan Agreement, dated as of November 23, 1999, with AMRO
          International, S.A. and The Endeavour Capital Fund, S.A.(9)
 4.28     Form of 11% Convertible Debenture(9)
 4.29     Form of Stock Purchase Warrant(9)
 4.30     Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 23,
          1999, with AMRO International, S.A and The Endeavour Capital
          Fund, S.A.(9)
 4.31     Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement, dated November 30,
          1999, with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company(9)
23.1      Independent Auditors' Consent
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   24

- -------------------------
(1) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibits filed in
    connection with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File
    No. 33-37166, declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission
    on November 9, 1990.

(2) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-49082,
    declared effective by the Commission on October 26, 1992.

(3) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
    31, 1999, filed May 17, 1999.

(4) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-32742,
    declared effective by the Commission on May 8, 1990.

(5) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
    September 30, 1995, filed December 15, 1995.

(6) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
    31, 1996, filed May 15, 1996.

(7) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Form 8-K, filed March 10, 1997.

(8) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
    30, 1999, filed August 16, 1999.

(9) Incorporated by reference to the similarly described exhibit included with
    the Registrant's Form 8-K, filed December 3, 1999.

<PAGE>   1
                                  EXHIBIT 23.1


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


AVANIR Pharmaceuticals:


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment
No. 9 to Form S-1 Registration Statement (No. 33-49082) of AVANIR
Pharmaceuticals, formerly LIDAK Pharmaceuticals (a development stage
enterprise), on Form S-3, to convert the Form S-1 Registration Statement into a
Form S-3 Registration Statement, of our report dated December 21, 1999 (which
expresses an unqualified opinion and includes explanatory paragraphs relating to
the status of the Company as a development stage enterprise, the Company's
ability to continue as a going concern, and the Company as a defendant in
certain lawsuits), appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AVANIR
Pharmaceuticals for the year ended September 30, 1999, and to the reference to
us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of such
Registration Statement.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP


San Diego, California


January 28, 2000


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