<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 31, 1997
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------------
CYGNUS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
DELAWARE 94-2978092
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of Identification
incorporation or organization) Number)
</TABLE>
400 PENOBSCOT DRIVE
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94063-4719
(415) 369-4300
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,
of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)
GREGORY B. LAWLESS, PH.D.
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
CYGNUS, INC.
400 PENOBSCOT DRIVE
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94063-4719
(415) 369-4300
(Name and Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
------------------------------
COPIES TO:
THOMAS A. BEVILACQUA, ESQ.
CURTIS L. MO, ESQ.
BROBECK, PHLEGER & HARRISON LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO PLACE
2200 GENG ROAD
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94303
(650) 424-0160
------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
------------------------
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, as amended, 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. / /
------------------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT
TITLE OF SECURITIES AGGREGATE OF REGISTRATION
TO BE REGISTERED OFFERING PRICE(1)(2) FEE
<S> <C> <C>
Debt Securities and Common Stock, par value $0.001 per
share................................................... $75,000,000 $22,728
</TABLE>
(1) Or (i) if any Debt Securities are issued at an original issue discount, such
greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate initial offering
price equal to the amount to be registered or (ii) if any Debt Securities
are issued with a principal amount denominated in a foreign currency or
composite currency, such principal amount as shall result in an aggregate
initial offering price equivalent thereto in United States dollars at the
time of initial offering.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457(o) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
------------------------
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 THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT, 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>
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 31, 1997
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
$75,000,000
CYGNUS, INC.
DEBT SECURITIES AND COMMON STOCK
------------------------
Cygnus, Inc. ("Cygnus" or the "Company") may from time to time offer,
together or separately, its (i) debt securities (the "Debt Securities"), which
may be either senior debt securities (the "Senior Debt Securities") or
subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated Debt Securities") and (ii)
shares of its Common Stock, $.001 par value per share (the "Common Stock"). The
Debt Securities and the Common Stock are collectively referred to herein as the
"Securities".
The Securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus may be issued in one or
more series or issuances and will be limited to $75,000,000 aggregate public
offering price (or its equivalent (based on the applicable exchange rate at the
time of the sale) in one or more foreign currencies, currency units or composite
currencies as shall be designated by the Company). Certain specific terms of the
particular Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered are
set forth in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement (the "Prospectus
Supplement"), including, where applicable, (i) in the case of Debt Securities,
the specific title, aggregate principal amount, the denomination, whether such
Debt Securities are secured or unsecured obligations, whether such Debt
Securities are senior or subordinated, maturity, premium, if any, the interest
rate or rates (which may be fixed, floating or adjustable), the time and method
of calculating payment of interest, if any, the place or places where principal
of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be
payable, the currency in which principal of (and premium, if any) and interest,
if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable, any terms of redemption at the
option of the Company or the Holder, any sinking fund provisions, terms for any
conversion into other Securities, the initial public offering price and other
special terms and (ii) in the case of Common Stock, the number of shares offered
for sale by the Company and the initial public offering price or method of
determining the initial public offering price. If so specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in
part in the form of one or more temporary or permanent global securities. The
Company's Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"CYGN." Any Common Stock sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will be listed
for quotation on such market.
Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Senior Debt
Securities, when issued, will be unsecured and will rank equally with all other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Subordinated Debt
Securities, when issued, will be subordinated in right of payment to all Senior
Debt (as defined) of the Company, including any outstanding Senior Debt
Securities. See "Description of Debt Securities--Subordination of Subordinated
Debt Securities."
The Prospectus Supplement may contain information concerning U.S. federal
income tax considerations, if applicable to the Securities offered.
The Securities may be sold directly, through agents, underwriters or dealers
as designated from time to time, or through a combination of such methods. See
"Plan of Distribution." If agents of the Company or any dealers or underwriters
are involved in the sale of the Securities in respect of which the Prospectus is
being delivered, the names of such agents, dealers or underwriters and any
applicable commissions or discounts, if any, are set forth in or may be
calculated from the Prospectus Supplement with respect to such Securities.
This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Securities unless
accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement. Any statement contained in this
Prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded by any inconsistent
statement contained in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 5 OF THIS PROSPECTUS FOR A DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN
FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE
SECURITIES.
------------------------
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 , 1997.
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room
1024, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's
Regional Offices located at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York,
New York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a World Wide Web site that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. The address
of the World Wide Web site is http://www.sec.gov. The Common Stock is listed for
quotation on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "CYGN." Reports and
other information concerning the Company may be inspected at the offices of the
Nasdaq Stock Market at 1735 K Street, Washington, D.C. 20006.
The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), with respect to the Securities. This Prospectus which
constitutes part of the Registration Statement 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 with respect to the Company and the securities offered
hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract
or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference
is made to the copy of such contract or document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by
such reference.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents have been filed with the Commission and are
incorporated herein by reference:
(a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1996;
(b) The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
March 31 and June 30, 1997; and
(c) The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A for such securities, including
any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such
description.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus forms a part and prior to the termination of the offering of the
Securities offered hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into
this Prospectus and be a part hereof from the dates of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of the Registration Statement or this Prospectus to the extent that
a statement contained herein, in a Prospectus Supplement or in any other
document subsequently filed with the Commission which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded
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<PAGE>
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part
of the Registration Statement or this Prospectus.
The Company will furnish without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral
request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by
reference, other than exhibits to such documents. Requests should be directed to
Corporate Marketing, Cygnus, Inc., at the principal executive offices of the
Company. Cygnus, Inc., 400 Penobscot Drive, Redwood City, California 94063-4719,
telephone: (650) 369-4300.
4
<PAGE>
THE COMPANY
Cygnus, Inc. ("Cygnus" or the "Company") is engaged in the development of
diagnostic and drug delivery systems, designed to satisfy unmet medical needs
cost-effectively. The Company's current efforts are primarily focused on two
technological platforms: a painless, bloodless and automatic glucose monitoring
device and transdermal drug delivery systems. The Company's products in the most
advanced stages of development include two in the market
(Nicotrol-Registered Trademark- and FemPatch-Registered Trademark-) and several
in different stages of clinical trials.
Cygnus, the Cygnus logo and GlucoWatch are trademarks of the Company.
FemPatch is a registered trademark of Warner-Lambert and Nicotrol is a
registered trademark of Pharmacia & Upjohn. All other trademarks included in
this Prospectus are the property of their respective holders.
The Company was incorporated in the State of California in 1985, and
reincorporated in the State of Delaware in 1994. The Company's corporate
headquarters and principal executive offices are located at 400 Penobscot Drive,
Redwood City, California 94063-4719, telephone number 415/369-4300.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On June 30, 1994, Sanofi, S.A. ("Sanofi") filed a request for arbitration
against Cygnus with the International Court of Arbitration. In its request for
arbitration, Sanofi alleged that Cygnus breached its existing contract with
Sanofi by, among other things, entering into a product development agreement
with another company for the development of transdermal systems in the field of
hormone replacement therapy. The International Chambers of Commerce (the
"Tribunal") announced an interim award in the arbitration proceedings in October
1996. The Tribunal found that two transdermal products for hormone replacement
therapy licensed by Cygnus to another company fall within the scope of an
exclusive license previously granted to Sanofi. In September 1997, the Company
and Sanofi agreed to a settlement of the arbitration dispute. Under the terms of
the settlement, Cygnus will pay Sanofi $14 million in cash and royalties of
between 6.5% and 8.5% on net sales of two specific products (in an amount of at
least $17 million) and will issue a convertible promissory note in the principal
amount of $6 million payable in full at the end of four years. The note will be
convertible into the Company's Common Stock at Sanofi's option, exercisable at
any time during the four year term, at a conversion price of $21.725 per share.
In conjunction with this settlement, Cygnus' non-recurring expenses attributable
to the arbitration settlement recorded in the quarter ended September 30, 1997
totalled approximately $40 million.
RISK FACTORS
Prior to making an investment decision with respect to the Securities
offered hereby, prospective investors should carefully consider the specific
factors set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement pertaining thereto, together with all of the other information
appearing herein or therein or incorporated by reference herein, in light of
their particular investment objectives and financial circumstances.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of the Securities will be
used for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures and to meet
working capital needs. Pending such uses, the Company will invest the net
proceeds in interest-bearing securities.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The Company has a history of operating and net losses, and therefore no
earnings have been available to cover fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of
interest, whether expensed or capitalized, and totalled
5
<PAGE>
$142,160, $449,383, $291,964, $548,387, $844,311 and $549,486 for each of the
five years in the period ended December 31, 1996 and for the six months ended
June 30, 1997, respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The Senior Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture (the "Senior
Indenture"), between the Company, as Issuer, and State Street Bank and Trust
Company of California, N.A., as Trustee (the "Trustee"). The Subordinated Debt
Securities are to be issued under a separate Indenture (the "Subordinated
Indenture"), also between the Company, as issuer, and State Street Bank and
Trust Company of California, N.A., as Trustee. The Senior Indenture and the
Subordinated Indenture are sometimes referred to collectively as the
"Indentures." A copy of the form of each Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The Debt Securities
may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The particular terms of
each series, or of Debt Securities forming a part of a series, which are offered
by a Prospectus Supplement will be described in such Prospectus Supplement.
The following summaries of certain provisions of the Indentures do not
purport to be complete and are subject, and are qualified in their entirety by
reference, to all the provisions of the Indentures, including the definitions
therein of certain terms, and, with respect to any particular Debt Securities,
to the description of the terms thereof included in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto. Wherever particular Sections or defined terms of the
Indentures are referred to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, such Sections
or defined terms are incorporated by reference herein or therein, as the case
may be.
GENERAL
The Indentures will provide that Debt Securities in separate series may be
issued thereunder from time to time without limitation as to aggregate principal
amount. The Company may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the
Debt Securities of any series. (Section 301) The Debt Securities are to have
such terms and provisions which are not inconsistent with the Indentures,
including as to maturity, principal and interest, as the Company may determine.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Senior
Debt Securities when issued will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of
the Company and will rank on a parity with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Subordinated Debt Securities
when issued will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in
full of all Senior Debt of the Company, including any outstanding Senior Debt
Securities, as described under "Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities"
and in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will set forth whether the Debt
Securities offered shall be Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt
Securities, and the price or prices at which the Debt Securities to be offered
will be issued, and will describe the following terms of such Debt Securities:
(1) the title of such Debt Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal
amount of such Debt Securities or the series of which they are a part; (3) the
Person to whom any interest on a Debt Security shall be payable, if other than
the Person in whose name that Debt Security (or one or more predecessor Debt
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest; (4) the date or dates on which the principal of any of such
Debt Securities will be payable; (5) the rate or rates at which any of such Debt
Securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such
interest will accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest will
be payable and the Regular Record Date for any such interest payable on any
Interest Payment Date; (6) the place or places where the principal of and any
premium and interest on any of such Debt Securities will be payable; (7) the
period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and
conditions on which any of such Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in
part, at the option of the Company; (8) the obligation, if any, of the Company
to redeem or purchase any of such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund
or analogous provision or at the option of the Holder thereof, and the period or
periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions
on which any of such Debt Securities will be redeemed or purchased, in
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<PAGE>
whole or in part, pursuant to any such obligation; (9) the denominations in
which any of such Debt Securities will be issuable, if other than denominations
of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; (10) if the amount of principal of
or any premium or inteest on any of such Debt Securities may be determined with
reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts
will be determined; (11) if other than the currency of the United States of
America, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or
any premium or interest on any of such Debt Securities will be payable (and the
manner in which the equivalent of the principal amount thereof in the currency
of the United States of America is to be determined for any purpose, including
for the purpose of determining the principal amount deemed to be Outstanding at
any time); (12) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any of such
Debt Securities is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder
thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than those in which
such Debt Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or
currency units in which payment of any such amount as to which such election is
made will be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon
which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in
which such amount is to be determined); (13) if other than the entire principal
amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of such Debt
Securities which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the
Maturity thereof; (14) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of
any of such Debt Securities will not be determinable as of any one or more dates
prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such
principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal
amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the
Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any such date
(or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be
determined); (15) if applicable, that such Debt Securities, in whole or any
specified part, are defeasible pusuant to the provisions of the Indentures
described under "Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance--Defeasance and Discharge"
or "Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance--Defeasance of Certain Covenants," or
under both such captions; (16) if applicable, the terms of any right to convert
Debt Securities into shares of Common Stock of the Company or other securities
or property; (17) whether any of such Debt Securities will be issuable in whole
or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, if so, the
respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or
legends to be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of the
legends referred to under "Form, Exchange and Transfer" or "Global Securities"
and, if different from those described under such captions, any circumstances
under which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for
Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in
part may be registered, in the names of Persons other than the Depositary for
such Global Security or its nominee; (18) any addition to or change in the
Events of Default applicable to any of such Debt Securities and any change in
the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal amount of any
of such Debt Securities due and payable; (19) any addition to or change in the
covenants in the Indentures described under "Restrictive Covenants" applicable
to any of such Debt Securities; and (20) any other terms of such Debt Securities
not inconsistent with the provisions of the relevant Indenture. (Section 301)
Debt Securities, including Original Issue Discount Securities, may be sold
at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Certain special United
States federal income tax considerations (if any) applicable to Debt Securities
sold at an original issue discount will be described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement under "United States Taxation." In addition, certain
special United States federal income tax or other considerations (if any)
applicable to any Debt Securities which are denominated in a currency or
currency unit other than United States dollars will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
CONVERSION RIGHTS
The terms on which Debt Securities of any series are convertible into Common
Stock or other securities or property will be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto. Such terms shall include provisions as to whether
conversion is mandatory or at the option of the Holder and may include
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provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of Common Stock or other
securities or property to be received by the Holders of Debt Securities upon
conversion would be calculated according to the market price of Common Stock or
other securities or property as of a time stated in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. (Article Fourteen)
SUBORDINATION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the following
provisions will apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
The Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the
Subordinated Indenture, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Debt, including the Senior Debt Securities. In the event
of any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership,
liquidation, reorganization, debt restructuring or other similar case or
proceeding in connection therewith, relative to the Company or to its creditors,
as such, or to its assets, or any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up
of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving
insolvency or bankruptcy, or any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any
other marshaling of assets and liabilities of the Company, the holders of Senior
Debt will be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become
due on or in respect of all Senior Debt in cash or other payment satisfactory to
the holders of Senior Debt before the Holders of the Subordinated Debt
Securities are entitled to receive any payment on account of principal of or any
premium or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities or on account of the
purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Subordinated Debt Securities or
before the Company may make any sinking fund or defeasance payment to the
Trustee or any Paying Agent in accordance with the Subordinated Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amounts previously deposited by the Company
with the Trustee or Paying Agent in accordance with the subordination provisions
of Article Fifteen of the Subordinated Indenture at the time of such deposit may
be paid to the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities ("Defeased Payments").
(Section 1502)
By reason of such subordination, in the event of liquidation or insolvency,
creditors of the Company who are not holders of Senior Debt may recover less,
ratably, than holders of Senior Debt and may recover more, ratably, than the
Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
In the event that any Subordinated Debt Securities are declared due and
payable before their Stated Maturity as a result of an Event of Default, the
holders of the Senior Debt outstanding at the time such Subordinated Debt
Securities so become due and payable will be entitled to receive payment in full
of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all Senior Debt in cash
or other payment satisfactory to the holders of Senior Debt before the Holders
of the Subordinated Debt Securities are entitled to receive any payment by the
Company on account of the principal of any premium or interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities or on account of the purchase, redemption or other
acquisition of Subordinated Debt Securities or before the Company may make any
sinking fund or defeasance payment to the Trustee or any Payment Agent in
accordance with the Subordinated Indenture (other than Defeased Payments). If
the payment of Subordinated Debt Securities is accelerated because of an Event
of Default, the Company and the Trustee are required under the Subordinated
Indenture to promptly notify holders of Senior Debt of the acceleration.
(Section 1503)
The Company may not make any payment of principal (or premium, if any) or
interest, if any, in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities or on account
of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Subordinated Debt Securities
or any payment constituting a sinking fund or defeasance payment to the Trustee
or Paying Agent in accordance with the Subordinated Indenture (other than
Defeased Payments) if (i) a default in the payment of principal, premium, if
any, or interest (including a default under any repurchase or redemption
obligation) or other amounts with respect to any Senior Debt occurs and is
continuing beyond the applicable grace period or (ii) any other event of default
occurs and is continuing with respect to Designated Senior Debt (as defined)
that permits the holders thereof or their
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representatives to accelerate the maturity thereof, and the Trustee under the
Subordinated Indenture receives a notice of such default (a "Payment Blockage
Notice") from the Company, a holder of such Designated Senior Debt or other
person permitted to give such notice under the Subordinated Indenture. The
Company may and shall resume payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities and
may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire the Subordinated Debt Securities and
may make a sinking fund or defeasance payment to the Trustee or Paying Agent in
accordance with the Subordinated Indenture (a) in the case of a payment default,
upon the date on which such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist and
(b) in the case of a nonpayment default, the earlier of the date on which such
nonpayment default is cured or waived or ceases to exist or 179 days after the
date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received (unless the
subordination provisions of Article Fifteen of the Indenture prohibit the
payment, distribution purchase, redemption, acquisition, sinking fund payment or
defeasance payment at the time of such payment or distribution (including,
without limitation, in the case of a nonpayment referred to in clase (II) above,
as a result of a payment default with respect to applicable Senior Debt as a
consequence of the acceleration of the maturity thereof or otherwise)). No new
period of payment blockage may be commenced unless and until 365 days have
elapsed since the effectiveness of the immediately prior Payment Blockage
Notice. No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of
delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee under the Subordinated
Indenture shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage
Notice. (Section 1504) In the case of Subordinated Debt Securities that are
convertible at the option of the Holder, the payment, issuance and delivery of
cash, property or securities (other than stock and certain subordinated
securities of the Company) upon conversion of a Subordinated Debt Security will
be deemed to constitute payment on account of the principal of such Subordinated
Debt Security. (Section 1515)
"Senior Debt" is defined in the Indenture to mean: the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after
the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the
Company whether or not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such
proceeding), on, rent with respect to, and all fees and other amounts payable in
connection with, the following, whether absolute or contingent, secured or
unsecured, due or to become due, outstanding on the date of the Subordinated
Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed: (a) indebtedness of the
Company evidenced by a credit or loan agreement, note, bond, debenture or other
written obligation, (b) all obligations of the Company for money borrowed, (c)
all obligations of the Company evidenced by a note or similar instrument given
in connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of
any kind, (d) obligations of the Company (i) as lessee under leases required to
be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted
accounting principles, (ii) as lessee under other leases for facilities,
equipment or related assets, whether or not capitalized, entered into or leased
after the date of the Subordinated Indenture for financing purposes (as
determined by the Company) or (iii) under any lease or related document
(including a purchase agreement) that provides that the Company is contractually
obligated to purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased property and
the obligations of the Company under such lease or related document to purchase
or to cause a third party to purchase such leased property, (e) all obligations
of the Company under interest rate and currency swaps, caps, floors, collars,
hedge agreements, forward contracts, or similar agreements or arrangements, (f)
all obligations of the Company with respect to letters of credit, bankers'
acceptances or similar facilities (including reimbursement obligations with
respect to any of the foregoing), (g) all obligations of the Company issued or
assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (but excluding
trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business), (h) all
obligations of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above of another
Person and all dividends of another Person, the payment of which, in either
case, the Company has assumed or guaranteed (or in effect guaranteed through an
agreement to purchase or otherwise (including, without limitation, "take or pay"
and similar arrangements)), or for which the Company is responsible or liable,
directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, as obligor, guarantor, or
otherwise, or which is secured by a lien on property of the Company, and all
obligations of the Company
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with respect thereto, and (i) renewals, extensions, modifications, replacements,
restatements and refundings of, or any indebtedness or obligation issued in
exchange for, any such indebtedness or obligation described in clauses (a)
through (h) of this paragraph; provided, however, that Senior Debt shall not
include the Subordinated Debt Securities or any such indebtedness or obligation
if the terms of such indebtedness or obligation (or the terms of the instrument
under which, or pursuant to which it is issued) expressly provide that such
indebtedness or obligation is not superior in right of payment to the
Subordinated Debt Securities.
"Designated Senior Debt" means certain existing Senior Debt (including the
Company's obligations under its existing bank revolving credit agreement and
bank working capital loan agreement) and the Company's obligations under any
other particular Senior Debt in which the instrument creating or evidencing the
same or the assumption or guarantee thereof (or related agreements or documents
to which the Company is a party) expressly provides that such Senior Debt shall
be "Designated Senior Debt" for purposes of the Subordinated Indenture and any
Senior Debt so designated as Designated Senior Debt by the Company in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement (provided that such instrument, agreement or
other document may place limitations and conditions on the right of such Senior
Debt to exercise the rights of Designated Senior Debt).
The Subordinated Indenture does not limit or prohibit the incurrence of
additional Senior Debt, which may include indebtedness that is senior to the
Subordinated Debt Securities, but subordinate to
other obligations of the Company. The Senior Debt Securities, when issued, will
constitute Senior Debt.
The Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if any,
applicable to the subordination of the Subordinated Debt Securities of a
particular series.
FORM, EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER
The Debt Securities of each series will be issuable only in fully registered
form, without coupons, and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples
thereof. (Section 302)
At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the Indentures and the
limitations applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities of each series will
be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series of any authorized
denomination and of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount. (Section 305)
Subject to the terms of the Indentures and the limitations applicable to
Global Securities, Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided
above or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of
transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Security Registrar
or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for such
purposes. No service charge will be made for any registration or transfer or
exchange of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security
Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the
documents of title and identity of the person making the request.
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The Company has appointed the Trustee as Security Registrar. Any transfer agent
(in addition to the Security Registrar) initially designated by the Company for
any Debt Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
(Section 305) The Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents
or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the
office through which any transfer agent acts, except that the Company will be
required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt
Securities of each series. (Section 1002)
If the Debt Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor)
are to be redeemed in part, the Company will not be required to (i) issue,
register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security of that series (or of
that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning
at the opening of business 15 days before the day of making of a notice of
redemption of any such Debt Security that may be selected for redemption and
ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or (ii) register the
transfer of or exchange any Debt Security so selected for redemption, in whole
or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any such Debt Security being
redeemed in part. (Section 305)
GLOBAL SECURITIES
Some or all of the Debt Securities of any series may be represented, in
whole or in part, by one or more global securities which will have an aggregate
principal amount equal to that of the Debt Securities represented thereby (a
"Global Security"). Each Global Security will be registered in the name of a
depositary (the "Depositary") or a nominee thereof identified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, will be deposited with such Depositary or nominee or a
custodian therefor and will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on
exchanges and registration of transfer thereof referred to below and any such
other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the Indentures.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Indentures or any Debt Security
described herein, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for
Debt Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in
part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for
such Global Security or any nominee of such Depositary unless (i) the Depositary
has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
Depositary for such Global Security or has ceased to be qualified to act as such
as required by the Indentures, (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing
an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities represented by such
Global Security or (iii) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in
addition to or in lieu of those described above as may be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. All securities issued in exchange for a Global
Security or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the
Depositary may direct. (Sections 204 and 305)
As long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered Holder of a
Global Security, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner and Holder of such Global Security and the Debt
Securities represented thereby for all purposes under the Debt Securities and
the Indentures. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have such
Global Security or any Debt Securities represented thereby registered in their
names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
certificated Debt Securities in exchange therefor and will not be considered to
be the owners or Holders of such Global Security or any Debt Securities
represented thereby for any purpose under the Debt Securities or the Indentures.
All payments of principal of and any premium and interest on a Global Security
will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder
thereof. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Those
laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global
Security.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to
institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee
("participants") and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through
participants. In connection with the issuance of any Global Security, the
Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
respective principal amounts of Debt Securities
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represented by the Global Security to the accounts of its participants.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be shown only on,
and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through,
records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to participants' interests)
or any such participant (with respect to interests of persons held by such
participants on their behalf). Payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters
relating to beneficial interests in a Global Security may be subject to various
policies and procedures adopted by the Depositary from time to time. None of the
Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the Depositary's or any
participant's records relating to, or for payments made on account of,
beneficial interests in a Global Security, or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of interest on a Debt Security on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the
Person in whose name such Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Debt
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest. (Section 307)
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of a particular
series will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as
the Company may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that at the
option of the Company payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the Security
Register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee will be designated as the Company's
sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Debt Securities of each series.
Any other Paying Agents initially designated by the Company for the Debt
Securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. The Company may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or
rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office
through which any Paying Agent acts, except that the Company will be required to
maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of a
particular series. (Section 1002)
All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remain
unclaimed for a period ending the earlier of 10 business days prior to the date
such money would escheat to the State or at the end of two years after such
principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid in the
Company, and the Holder of such Debt Security thereafter may look only to the
Company for payment thereof. (Section 1003)
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
following provisions will apply to the Senior Debt Securities.
LIMITATIONS ON LIENS
The Senior Indenture will provide that the Company will not issue, incur,
create, assume or guarantee, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary (as
defined below) to issue, incur, create, assume or guarantee, any debt for
borrowed money secured by a mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge or
other encumbrance ("mortgages") upon any Principal Property (as defined below)
of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or upon any shares of stock or
indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (whether such Principal Property,
shares or indebtedness are now existing or owned or hereafter created or
acquired) without in any such case effectively providing concurrently with the
issuance, incurrence, creation, assumption or guarantee of any such secured
debt, or the grant of a mortgage with respect to any such indebtedness, that the
Senior Debt Securities (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any
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other indebtedness of or guarantee by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
ranking equally with the Senior Debt Securities) shall be secured equally and
ratably with (or, at the option of the Company, prior to) such secured debt. The
foregoing restriction, however, will not apply to: (a) mortgages on property
existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or any Subsidiary,
provided that such mortgages were in existence prior to the contemplation of
such acquisition, (b) mortgages on property, shares of stock or indebtedness or
other assets of any corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such mortgages are not incurred in
anticipation of such corporation becoming a Restricted Subsidiary; (c) mortgages
on property, shares of stock or indebtedness existing at the time of acquisition
thereof by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or mortgages thereon to secure
the payment of all or any part of the purchase price thereof, or mortgages on
property, shares of stock or indebtedness to secure any indebtedness for
borrowed money incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 270 days after, the
latest of the acquisition thereof, or, in the case of property, the completion
of construction, the completion of improvements, or the commencement of
substantial commercial operation of such property for the purpose of financing
all or any part of the purchase price thereof, such construction, or the making
of such improvements; (d) mortgages to secure indebtedness owing to the Company
or to a Restricted Subsidiary; (e) mortgages existing at the date of the Senior
Indenture; (f) mortgages on property of a corporation existing at the time such
corporation is merged into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease or other deposition of the properties
of a corporation as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such mortgage was not incurred in
anticipation of such merger or consolidation or sale, lease or other
disposition; (g) mortgages in favor of the United States or any State, territory
or possession thereof (or the District of Columbia), or any department, agency,
instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States or any State,
territory or possession thereof (or the District of Columbia), to secure
partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute
or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any
part of the purchase price or the cost of constructing or improving the property
subject to such mortgages; (h) mortgages created in connection with the
acquisition of assets or a project financed with, and created to secure, a
Nonrecourse Obligation (as defined below); and (i) extensions, renewals,
refinancings or replacements of any mortgage referred to in the foregoing
clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), provided, however, that any
mortgages permitted by any of the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e),
(f), (g), and (h) shall not extend to or cover any property of the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, other than the property, if any,
specified in such clauses and improvements thereto, and provided further that
any refinancing or replacement of any mortgages permitted by the foregoing
clauses (g) and (h) shall be of the type referred to in such clauses (g) or (h),
as the case may be.
Notwithstanding the restrictions described in the preceding paragraph, the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary will be permitted to issue, incur, create,
assume or guarantee debt secured by a mortgage which would otherwise be subject
to such restrictions, without equally and ratably securing the Senior Debt
Securities, provided that after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of
all debt so secured by mortgages (not including mortgages permitted under
clauses (a) through (i) above) does not exceed 15% of the Consolidated Net
Tangible Assets (as defined below) of the Company as most recently determined on
or prior to such date.
LIMITATIONS ON SALE AND LEASE BACK TRANSACTIONS
The Senior Indenture will provide that the Company will not, nor will it
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back
Transaction (as defined below) with respect to any Principal Property, other
than any such transaction involving a lease for a term of not more than three
years or any such transaction between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary or
between Restricted Subsidiaries, unless (a) the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary would be entitled to incur indebtedness secured by a mortgage on the
Principal Property involved in such transaction at least equal in amount to the
Attributable Debt (as defined below) with respect to such Sale and Lease-Back
Transaction, without
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equally and ratably securing the Senior Debt Securities, pursuant to the
limitation on liens in the Senior Indenture; or (b) the Company shall apply an
amount equal to the greater of the net proceeds of such sale or the Attributable
Debt with respect to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction within 180 days of
such sale to either (or a combination of) the retirement (other than any
mandatory retirement, mandatory prepayment or sinking fund payment or by payment
at maturity) of debt for borrowed money of the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary that matures more than 12 months after the creation of such
indebtedness or the purchase, construction or development of other comparable
property.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS APPLICABLE TO COVENANTS
The term "Attributable Debt" when used in connection with a Sale and
Lease-Back Transaction involving a Principal Property shall mean, at the time of
determination, the lesser of: (a) the fair value of such property (as determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company); or (b) the present
value of the total net amount of rent required to be paid under such lease
during the remaining term thereof (including any renewal term or period for
which such lease has been extended), discounted at the rate of interest set
forth or implicit in the terms of such lease or if not practicable to determine
such rate, the weighted average interest rate per annum (in the case of Original
Issue Discount Securities, the imputed interest rate) borne by the Senior Debt
Securities of each series outstanding pursuant to the Indenture compounded
semi-annually. For purposes of the foregoing definition, rent shall not include
amounts required to be paid by the lessee, whether or not designated as rent or
additional rent, on account of or contingent upon maintenance and repairs,
insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates and similar charges. In the case of
any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such
net amount shall be the lesser of the net amount determined assuming termination
upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the net amount
shall also include the amount of the penalty, but no rent shall be considered as
required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it
may be so terminated) and the net amount determined assuming no such
termination.
The term "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" shall mean, as of any particular
time, total assets (excluding applicable reserves and other properly deductible
items) less: (a) total current liabilities, except for (1) notes and loans
payable, (2) current maturities of long-term debt and (3) current maturities of
obligations under capital leases; and (b) goodwill, patents and trademarks, to
the extent included in total assets; all as set forth on the most recent
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and
computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The term "Nonrecourse Obligation" means indebtedness or other obligations
substantially related to (i) the acquisition of assets not previously owned by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) the financing of a project
involving the development or expansion of properties of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, as to which the obligee with respect to such indebtedness
or obligation has no recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any
assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets which
were acquired with the proceeds of such transaction or the project financed with
the proceeds of such transaction (and the proceeds thereof).
The term "Principal Property" shall mean the land, land improvements,
building and fixtures (to the extent they constitute real property interests,
including any leasehold interest therein) constituting the principal corporate
office, any manufacturing facility or any distribution center (whether now owned
or hereafter acquired) which: (a) is owned by the Company or any Subsidiary; (b)
is located within any of the present 50 states of the United States (or the
District of Columbia); (c) has not been determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company not to be materially important to the total business
conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and (d) has a
market value on the date as of which the determination is being made in excess
of 2.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company as most recently
determined on or prior to such date.
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The term "Restricted Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary that owns any
Principal Property; provided, however, that the term "Restricted Subsidiary"
shall not include (a) any Subsidiary which is principally engaged in financing
receivables, or which is principally engaged in financing the Company's
operations outside the United States of America or (b) any Subsidiary less than
80% of the voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more
other Subsidiaries if the common stock of such Subsidiary is traded on any
national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market or other
over-the-counter market.
The term "Sale and Lease-Back Transaction" shall mean any arrangement with
any person providing for the leasing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
of any Principal Property which property has been or is to be sold or
transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to such person.
The term "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which at least a
majority of the outstanding voting stock having the power to elect a majority of
the board of directors of such corporation is at the time owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the
Company and one or more other Subsidiaries, and the accounts of which are
consolidated with those of the Company in its most recent consolidated financial
statement in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. For the
purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock which ordinarily has
voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long
as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
The Indentures will provide that the Company may not consolidate with or
merge into any other Person (in a transaction in which the Company is not the
surviving corporation), or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to, any Person (a "Successor Person"), unless (i)
the Successor Person (if any) is a corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, trust or other entity organized and existing under the laws of any
domestic jurisdiction and assumes the Company's obligations on the Debt
Securities and under the Indentures, (ii) immediately after giving effect to the
transaction, and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the
Company or any Subsidiary as a result of the transaction as having been incurred
by it at the time of the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which,
after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall
have occurred and be continuing and (iii) certain other conditions are met.
(Section 801)
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the
Indentures with respect to Debt Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay
principal of or any premium on any Debt Security of that series when due,
whether or not such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the
Subordinated Indenture; (b) failure to pay any interest on any Debt Securities
of that series when due, continued for 30 days, whether or not such payment is
prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture; (c)
failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any Debt
Security of that series, whether or not such deposit is prohibited by the
subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture; (d) failure to perform
any other covenant of the Company in the Indentures (other than a covenant
included in the Indentures solely for the benefit of a series other than that
series), continued for 60 days after written notice has been given by the
Trustee, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series, as provided in the Indentures; (e)
certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the
Company; and (f) any other Event of Default specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. (Section 501)
The Indentures will provide that, if an Event of Default (other than an
Event of Default described in clause (e) above) with respect to the Debt
Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall occur and be continuing,
either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount
of the
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Outstanding Securities of that series (or, in the case of any Debt Security that
is an Original Issue Discount Security or the principal amount of which is not
then determinable, such portion of the principal amount of such Debt Security,
or such other amount in lieu of such principal amount, as may be specified in
the terms of such Debt Security) to be due and payable immediately. If an Event
of Default described in clause (e) above with respect to the Debt Securities of
any series at the time Outstanding shall occur, the principal amount of all the
Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any such Original Issue
Discount Security or other Debt Security, such specified amount) will
automatically, and without any action by the Trustee or any Holder, become
immediately due and payable. Any payment by the Company on the Subordinated Debt
Securities following any such acceleration will be subject to the subordination
provisions of Article Fifteen of the Subordinated Indenture. After any such
acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such
acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated
principal (or other specified amount), have been cured or waived as provided in
the Indentures. (Section 502) For information as to waiver of defaults, see
"Modification and Waiver."
Subject to the provisions of the Indentures relating to the duties of the
Trustee in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee
will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indentures at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 603)
Subject to such provisions of the indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders of
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any
series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting
any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust
or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that
series. (Section 512)
No holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute
any proceeding with respect to the Indentures, or for the appointment of a
receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless (i) such Holder
has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of
Default with respect to the Debt Securities of that series, (ii) the Holders of
at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that
series have made a written request, and such Holder or Holders have offered
reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee and
(iii) the Trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has not received
from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60
days after such notice, request and offer. (Section 507) However, such
limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Debt Security for
the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on
such Debt Security on or after the applicable due date specified in such Debt
Security. (Section 508)
The Indentures will include a covenant requiring the Company to furnish to
the Trustee annually a statement by certain of its officers as to whether or not
the Company, to their knowledge, is in default in the performance or observance
of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Indentures and, if so,
specifying all such known defaults. (Section 1004)
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
Modifications and amendments of the Indentures may be made by the Company
and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such
modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security
affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of principal of or interest on, any Debt Security, (b) reduce the
principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any Debt Security, (c)
reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any
other Debt Security payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof, (d)
change the place or currency of payment of
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principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Debt Security, (e) impair the
right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to
any Debt Security, (f) in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, modify the
subordination provisions in a manner materially adverse to the Holders of the
Subordinated Debt Securities, (g) reduce the percentage in principal amount of
Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required
for modification or amendment of the Indentures, (h) reduce the percentage in
principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series necessary for waiver of
compliance with certain provisions of the Indentures or for waiver of certain
defaults or (i) modify such provisions with respect to modification and waiver.
(Section 902)
The Indentures will provide that the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may waive, on
behalf of the Holders of all Debt Securities of such series, compliance by the
Company with certain restrictive provisions of the Indentures. (Sections 1010
and 1008 of the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture, respectively).
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
any series may waive any past default under the Indentures, except a default in
the payment of principal, premium or interest and certain covenants and
provisions of the Indentures which cannot be amended without the consent of the
Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected. (Section 513)
The Indentures will provide that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given or taken any
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the Indentures as of
any date, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that
will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the amount of the principal thereof
that would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity
thereof to such date, (ii) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at
the Stated Maturity of a Debt Security is not determinable (for example, because
it is based on an Index), the principal amount of such Debt Security deemed to
be Outstanding as of such date will be an amount determined in the manner
prescribed for such Debt Security and (iii) the principal amount of a Debt
Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units that
will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined
as of such date in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security, of the
principal amount of such Debt Security (or, in the case of a Debt Security
described in clause (i) or (ii) above, of the amount described in such clause).
Certain Debt Securities, including those for whose payment or redemption money
has been deposited or set aside in trust for the Holders and those that have
been fully defeased pursuant to Section 1302, will not be deemed to be
Outstanding. (Section 101)
Except in certain limited circumstances, the Company will be entitled to set
any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of
Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give or take any direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action under the Indentures, in the manner and
subject to the limitations provided in the Indentures. In certain limited
circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by
Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by Holders of a
particular series, such action may be taken only by persons who are Holders of
Outstanding Securities of that series on the record date. To be effective, such
action must be taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of such Debt
Securities within a specified period following the record date. For any
particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such other shorter
period as may be specified by the Company (or the Trustee, if it set the record
date), and may be shortened or lengthened (but not beyond 180 days) from time to
time. (Section 104)
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
If and to the extent indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and
subject to such other conditions and limitations as may be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company may elect, at its option at any
time, to have the provisions of Section 1302, relating to defeasance and
discharge of indebtedness, or Section 1303, relating to defeasance of certain
restrictive covenants in the Indenture, applied to the Debt Securities of any
series, or to any specified part of a series. (Section 1301)
17
<PAGE>
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE. The Indentures will provide that, upon the
Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1302 applied to any
Subordinated Debt Securities, the provisions of Article Fifteen of the
Subordinated Indenture relating to subordination will cease to be effective and,
with respect to any Debt Securities, the Company will be discharged from all its
obligations with respect thereto (except for certain obligations to exchange or
register the transfer of Debt Securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated
Debt Securities, to maintain paying agencies, to hold moneys for payment in
trust and, if applicable, to effect conversions of Debt Securities) upon the
deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities of money
or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal
and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide
money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and
interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in
accordance with the terms of the Indentures and such Debt Securities. Such
defeasance or discharge may occur only if, among other things, the Company has
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Company
has received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal
Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in tax law, in either case
to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and
discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the
same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit,
defeasance and discharge were not to occur. (Sections 1302 and 1304)
DEFEASANCE OF CERTAIN COVENANTS. The Indentures will provide that, upon the
Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1303 applied to any
Debt Securities, the Company may omit to comply with certain restrictive
covenants, including those described under "Restrictive Covenants" and any that
may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and the occurrence of
certain Events of Default, which are described above in clause (d) (with respect
to such restrictive covenants) under "Events of Default" and any that may be
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be deemed not to be or
result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Debt
Securities, and, in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, the provisions of
Article Fifteen relating to subordination will cease to be effective with
respect to any Subordinated Debt Securities. The Company, in order to exercise
such option, will be required to deposit, in trust for the benefits of the
Holders of such Debt Securities, money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both,
which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in
accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay
the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the
respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the terms of the Indentures and
such Debt Securities. The Company will also be required, among other things, to
deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of such
Debt Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes
as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance were not
to occur. In the event the Company exercised this option with respect to any
Debt Securities and such Debt Securities were declared due and payable because
of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amoun of money and U.S.
Government Obligations so deposited in trust would be sufficient to pay amounts
due on such Debt Securities at the time of their respective Stated Maturities
but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities upon any
acceleration resulting from such Event of Default, in such case, the Company
would remain liable for such payments. (Sections 1303 and 1304)
The Company may, at its option, satisfy and discharge each of the Indentures
(except for certain obligations of the Company and the Trustee, (including,
among others, the obligations to apply money held in trust) when (i) either (a)
all Debt Securities under such Indenture previously authenticated and delivered
(other than (1) Debt Securities that were destroyed, lost or stolen and that
have been replaced or paid and (2) Debt Securities for the payment of which
money has been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company
and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust) have been
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or discharge from such trust) have
been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (b) all such Debt Securities
under such Indenture not theretofore delivered to
18
<PAGE>
the Trustee for cancellation (1) have become due and payable, (2) will become
due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or (3) are to be
called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the
Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name and at
the expense of the Company, and the Company has deposited or caused to be
deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount
sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Debt Securities
under such Indenture not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,
for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the
case of Debt Securities under such Indenture which have become due and payable)
or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date as the case may be, (ii) the
Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable under such
Indenture by the Company, and (iii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an
Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each to the effect that all
conditions precedent relating to the satisfaction and discharge of such
Indenture have been satisfied.
NOTICES
Notices to Holders of Debt Securities will be given by mail to the addresses
of such Holders as they may appear in the Security Register. (Sections 101 and
106)
TITLE
The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may
treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute
owner thereof (whether or not such Debt Security may be overdue) for the purpose
of making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 308)
GOVERNING LAW
The Indentures and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the law of the State of New York. (Section 112)
REGARDING THE TRUSTEE
The Indentures contain certain limitations on the right of the Trustee,
should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in
certain cases or to realize for its own account on certain property received in
respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. (Section 613) The Trustee is
permitted to engage in certain other transactions; however, if it acquires any
conflicting interest and there is a default under the Securities of any series
for which the Trustee serves as trustee, the Trustee must eliminate such
conflict or resign. (Section 608)
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation authorizes capital stock
consisting of 30,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of
which 18,934,609 shares were outstanding as of September 30, 1997, and 5,000,000
shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, none of which is
outstanding. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.
COMMON STOCK
The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of
directors, and are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be
declared from time to time by the Board of Directors out of funds legally
available therefor. The Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting with respect to the
election of directors. As a result, the holders of a majority of the shares
voting in the election of directors can elect all of the directors then standing
for election. In the event of liquidation
19
<PAGE>
or dissolution of the Company, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to
receive all assets available for distribution to the stockholders, subject to
any preferential rights of any preferred stock then outstanding. The holders of
Common Stock have no preemptive or other subscription rights, and there are no
conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to the
Common Stock. All outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and
nonassessable.
PREFERRED STOCK
The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of "blank check"
preferred stock that may be issued from time to time in one or more series upon
authorization by the Company's Board of Directors. The Board of Directors,
without further approval of the stockholders, is authorized to fix the dividend
rights and terms, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights and terms,
liquidation preferences, and any other rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions applicable to each series of preferred stock. The issuance of
preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible
acquisitions and other corporate purposes could, among other things, adversely
affect the voting power of the holders of Common Stock and, under certain
circumstances, make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of the
Company, discourage bids for the Company's Common Stock at a premium or
otherwise adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. The Company has
no current plans to issue any preferred stock.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS
The Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation limits the
liability of directors to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware
law provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally liable for
monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for
liability (i) for any breach of their duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful
payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided
in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
The Company's Bylaws provide that the Company shall indemnify its directors
and may indemnify its officers and employees and other agents to the fullest
extent permitted by law. The Company believes that indemnification under its
Bylaws covers at least negligence and gross negligence on the part of
indemnified parties. The Company's Bylaws also permit it to secure insurance on
behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability
arising out of his actions in such capacity, regardless of whether the Bylaws
would permit indemnification.
The Company has entered into agreements to indemnify its directors and
executive officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in the Company's
Bylaws and Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. These agreements,
among other things, indemnify the Company's directors and executive officers for
certain expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and settlement
amounts incurred by any such person in any action or proceeding, including any
action by or in the right of the Company, arising out of such person's services
as a director or executive officer of the Company, any subsidiary of the Company
or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at the
request of the Company. The Company believes that these provisions and
agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors
and executive officers.
At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any
director, officer, employee or agent of the Company where indemnification will
be required or permitted. The Company is not aware of any threatened litigation
or proceeding that might result in a claim for such indemnification.
20
<PAGE>
DELAWARE ANTI-TAKEOVER LAW AND CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS
The Company is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held
Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" transaction with
any "interested stockholder" for a period of three years after the date of the
transaction in which the person became an "interested stockholder," unless the
business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. For purposes of Section
203, a "business combination" includes a merger, asset sale or other transaction
resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder, and an
"interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and
associates, owns (or within three years, did own) 15% or more of a corporation's
voting stock. By virtue of the Company's decision not to elect out of the
statute's provisions, the statute applies to the Company. The statute could
prohibit or delay the accomplishment of mergers or other takeover or change in
control attempts with respect to the Company and, accordingly, may discourage
attempts to acquire the Company.
Stockholders who are officers and directors or their affiliates may be able
to significantly influence the election of the Company's directors and the
determination of the outcome of corporate actions requiring stockholder
approval, such as mergers and acquisitions. This may have a significant effect
in delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and may
adversely affect the voting and other rights of other holders of Common Stock.
Certain provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and
equity compensation plans and Delaware law may also discourage certain
transactions involving a change in control of the Company. This may, when
combined with the Company's classified Board of Directors and the ability of the
Board of Directors to issue blank check Preferred Stock without further
stockholder approval, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
change in control of the Company and may adversely affect the voting and other
rights of other holders of Common Stock.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, L.L.C. Its telephone number is (415) 743-1424.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company may sell the Securities separately or together, (i) to one or
more underwriters or dealers for public offering and sale by them and (ii) to
investors directly or through agents. The distribution of the Securities may be
effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or
prices (which may be changed from time to time), at market prices prevailing at
the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices. Each Prospectus Supplement will describe the method of
distribution of the Securities offered thereby.
In connection with the sale of the Securities, underwriters, dealers or
agents may receive compensation from the Company or from purchasers of the
Securities for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions. The underwriters, dealers or agents which
participate in the distribution of the Securities may be deemed to be
underwriters under the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions received
by them and any profit on the resale of the Securities received by them may be
deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions thereunder. Any such
underwriter, dealer or agent will be identified and any such compensation
received from the Company will be described in the Prospectus Supplement. Any
initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
Under agreements that may be entered into with the Company, underwriters,
dealers and agents may be entitled to indemnification by the Company against
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to
contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents
may be required to make in respect thereof.
21
<PAGE>
The Company may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of
Securities an option to purchase additional Securities to cover over-allotments,
if any.
All Debt Securities will be new issues of securities with no established
trading market. Any underwriters to whom Debt Securities are sold by the Company
for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such
underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market
making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity
of the trading market for any Debt Securities.
Certain of the underwriters or agents and their associates may be customers
of, engage in transactions with or perform services for the Company in the
ordinary course of business.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the Securities is being passed upon for the Company by
Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP, Palo Alto, California.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Cygnus Inc. incorporated by
reference in the Cygnus, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors,
as set forth in their report thereon incorporated by reference therein and
incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report, given on the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
22
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
All expenses incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of
the securities being registered will be paid by the Registrant. The following is
an itemized statement of these expenses. All amounts are estimates except the
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee and the Nasdaq listing fee.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
SEC registration fee...................................................... $ 22,728
Nasdaq listing fee........................................................ *
Printing and engraving.................................................... *
Legal fees and expenses of the Registrant................................. *
Trustee's fees and expenses............................................... *
Accounting fees and expenses.............................................. *
Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses............................ *
Miscellaneous............................................................. *
---------
Total................................................................. $
---------
---------
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* To be provided by amendment
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("Section 145")
authorizes a court to award or a corporation's Board of Directors to grant
indemnification to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit
such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including
reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act. The
Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide for mandatory
indemnification by the Registrant of all persons the Registrant may indemnify
under Section 145 to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law. The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation further provides
that the liability of its directors is eliminated to the fullest extent
permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. These provisions in the
Certificate of Incorporation do not eliminate the directors' fiduciary duty, and
in appropriate circumstances equitable remedies such as injunctive or other
forms of non-monetary relief will remain available under Delaware law. In
addition, each director will continue to be subject to liability for breach of
the director's duty of loyalty to the Registrant for acts or omissions not in
good faith or involving intentional misconduct, for knowing violations of law,
for actions leading to improper personal benefit to the director, and for
payment of dividends or approval of stock repurchases or redemptions that are
unlawful under Delaware law. The provision also does not affect a director's
responsibilities under any other law, such as the federal securities laws or
state or federal environmental laws. The Registrant has entered into
indemnification agreements with all of its officers and directors.
II-1
<PAGE>
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<C> <S>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- ----------- ----------------------------------------
*1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Common
Stock)
*1.2 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt
Securities)
*4.1 Form of Senior Indenture
*4.2 Form of Subordinated Indenture
*4.3 Form of Senior Debt Security (included
in Exhibit 4.1)
*4.4 Form of Subordinated Debt Security
(included in Exhibit 4.2)
*5.1 Opinion of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison
LLP
12.1 Statement as to Computation of Ratio of
Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors
*23.2 Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison
LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1 Powers of Attorney (included in the
signature page of this Registration
Statement).
*25.1 Statement of Eligibility and
Qualification under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939 of Trustee (Form T-1).
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* To be filed by amendment
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will:
(1) File, during any period in which it offers or sells securities, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to:
(i) Include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(ii) Reflect in the prospectus any facts or events which,
individually or together, represent a fundamental change in the
information in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in
the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; and
(iii) Include any additional or changed material information on the
plan of distribution.
(2) For determining liability under the Securities Act, treat each
post-effective amendment as a new registration statement of the securities
offered, and the offering of such securities at that time to be the initial
BONA FIDE offering.
(3) File a post-effective amendment to remove from registration any of
the securities that remain unsold at the end of the offering.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Registrant, 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 Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
II-2
<PAGE>
securities being registered hereunder, 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 of 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.
The Registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For 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 the Commission declared it effective.
(2) For 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 for the securities offered in the
registration statement, and that offering of the securities at that time as
the initial bona fide offering of those securities.
The 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 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 the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial BONA FIDE offering thereof.
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
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and authorized this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in Redwood City, California, on this 31st day of October, 1997.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
CYGNUS, INC.
By: /s/ GREGORY B. LAWLESS
-----------------------------------------
Gregory B. Lawless, Ph.D.
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
</TABLE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, Gregory B. Lawless and
John C. Hodgman, and each one of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, each with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to sign any
registration statement for the same offering covered by this Registration
Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b)
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, and all post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done
in and about the foregoing, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that each of said
attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or their substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of
Attorney as of the date indicated opposite his/her name.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the persons whose signatures appear
below, which persons have signed such Registration Statement in the capacities
and on the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- -------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ------------------
<C> <S> <C>
/s/ GARY W. CLEARY
-------------------------------------- Chairman of the Board of Directors and October 31, 1997
Gary W. Cleary, Ph.D. Chief Technical Officer
/s/ GREGORY B. LAWLESS President, Chief Executive Officer
-------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) and October 31, 1997
Gregory B. Lawless, Ph.D. Director
/s/ JOHN C. HODGMAN Chief Financial Officer (and Principal
-------------------------------------- Accounting Officer); President, Cygnus October 31, 1997
John C. Hodgman Diagnostics
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- -------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ------------------
<C> <S> <C>
/s/ JAMES GRADY, JR.
-------------------------------------- Senior Vice President, Human Resources October 31, 1997
James Grady, Jr., Ph.D. (and Secretary)
/s/ FRANK T. CARY
-------------------------------------- Director October 31, 1997
Frank T. Cary
/s/ ANDRE F. MARION
-------------------------------------- Director October 31, 1997
Andre F. Marion
/s/ RICHARD G. ROGERS
-------------------------------------- Director October 31, 1997
Richard G. Rogers
/s/ WALTER B. WRISTON
-------------------------------------- Director October 31, 1997
Walter B. Wriston
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<C> <S> <C>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION PAGE PAGE
- ----------- ---------------------------------------- ----
*1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Common
Stock)
*1.2 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt
Securities)
*4.1 Form of Senior Indenture
*4.2 Form of Subordinated Indenture
*4.3 Form of Senior Debt Security (included
in Exhibit 4.1)
*4.4 Form of Subordinated Debt Security
(included in Exhibit 4.2)
*5.1 Opinion of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison
LLP
12.1 Statement as to Computation of Ratio of
Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors
*23.2 Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison
LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1 Powers of Attorney (included in the
signature page of this Registration
Statement).
*25.1 Statement of Eligibility and
Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Trustee (Form
T-1).
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* To be filed by amendment
II-6
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 12.1
CYGNUS, INC.
STATEMENT AS TO
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The Company has a history of operating and net losses, and therefore no
earnings have been available to cover fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of
interest, whether expensed or capitalized, and totalled $142,160, $449,383,
$291,964, $548,387, $844,311 and $549,486 for each of the five years in the
period ended December 31, 1996 and for the six moths ended June 30, 1997,
respectively.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Cygnus, Inc. for the
registration of up to $75,000,000 of Debt Securities and Common Stock and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated January 20, 1997 and
March 20, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Cygnus,
Inc. incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year
ended December 31, 1996 and the related financial statement schedule included
therein, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Palo Alto, California
October 30, 1997
