COR THERAPEUTICS INC / DE
S-3/A, 2000-08-18
PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS
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<PAGE>


As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 18, 2000
                                                      Registration No. 333-37742

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549
                            _______________________
                                AMENDMENT NO. 2
                                      TO
                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                          __________________________
                            COR THERAPEUTICS, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            Delaware                                 94-3060271
(State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
incorporation or organization)

                          __________________________
                             256 East Grand Avenue
                     South San Francisco, California 94080
                                (650) 244-6800

  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)
                          __________________________
                             Patrick A. Broderick
                   Senior Vice President and General Counsel
                             256 East Grand Avenue
                     South San Francisco, California 94080
                                (650) 244-6800

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                          __________________________
                                  COPIES TO:

                             Robert L. Jones, Esq.
                              Andrea Vachss, Esq.
                              Cooley Godward LLP
                             Five Palo Alto Square
                              3000 El Camino Real
                           Palo Alto, CA 94306-2155
                                (650) 843-5300

                          __________________________
               Approximate Date of Proposed Sale to the Public:
  As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

                          __________________________

    If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.  [ ]

    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [ ]

    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>
TITLE OF SECURITIES TO           AMOUNT TO BE           PROPOSED MAXIMUM            PROPOSED MAXIMUM                AMOUNT OF
    BE REGISTERED                 REGISTERED           OFFERING PRICE PER          AGGREGATE OFFERING           REGISTRATION FEE(1)
                                                           SHARE(1)                    PRICE(1)
<S>                             <C>                   <C>                          <C>                           <C>
5% Convertible Subordinated      $300,000,000               100% (1)                $300,000,000 (1)                 $79,200 (2)
  Notes due March 1, 2007

Common Stock, $.0001 par         8,881,680 (4)               -- (5)                      -- (5)                       -- (5)
       value (3)
</TABLE>

(1) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in
accordance with Rule 457(i) of the Securities Act of 1933.

(2) Previously paid.

(3) Each share of the registrant's common stock being registered hereunder, if
issued prior to the termination by the registrant of its preferred share rights
agreement, includes Series A junior participating preferred stock purchase
rights. Prior to the occurrence of certain events, the Series A junior
participating preferred stock purchase rights will not be exercisable or
evidenced separately for the registrant's common stock and have no value except
as reflected in the market price of the shares to which they are attached.

(4) This number represents the number of shares of common stock that are
initially issuable upon conversion of the 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due
March 1, 2007 registered hereby. For purposes of estimating the number of shares
of common stock to be included, we calculated the number of shares issuable upon
conversion of the notes based on a conversion rate of 29.6056 shares per $1,000
principal amount of the notes which reflects an adjustment in the conversion
rate as a result of a stock dividend effective August 16, 2000. In addition, the
amount of shares set forth in this table to be registered includes an
indeterminate number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the
notes, as this amount may be further adjusted as a result of stock splits, stock
dividends and antidilution provisions.

(5) No additional consideration will be received for the common stock, and
therefore, no registration fee is required pursuant to Rule 457(i).


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 of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.

<PAGE>

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed.  The
Selling Stockholders may not sell these securities until the Registration
Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective.  This
prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an
offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++




                 Subject to Completion, dated August 18, 2000

PROSPECTUS
                                 $300,000,000

                            COR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

             5.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes due March 1, 2007
        and Shares of Common Stock Issuable upon Conversion of the Notes

                               ________________

    This prospectus covers resales by selling security holders of our 5.00%
convertible subordinated notes due March 1, 2007 and shares of our common stock
into which the notes are convertible.

    Our 5.00% convertible subordinated notes have the following provisions:

     Interest Payments:      March 1 and September 1 of each year

     Conversion Rate:        29.6056 shares per $1,000 principal amount

     Redemption Options:     .   by us after March 1, 2003

                             .   by noteholders upon a change in control

    The notes are general, unsecured obligations that are subordinated in right
of payment to all of our existing and future senior debt. See "Description of
the Notes--Subordination."

    Prior to this offering, the notes have been eligible for trading on the
PORTAL Market of the Nasdaq Stock Market. Notes sold by means of this prospectus
are not expected to remain eligible for trading on the PORTAL Market. We do not
intend to list the notes for trading on any national securities exchange or on
the Nasdaq National Market.

    Our common stock currently trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol "CORR." The last reported sale price on August 17, 2000 was $44.9375 per
share.

    See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 5 of this prospectus to read about
factors you should consider before purchasing the notes or our common stock.

    Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the
adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus.  Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.


          , 2000
<PAGE>


                               ________________

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                        Page
                                                                       ------
              Summary..............................................       3
              Risk Factors.........................................       5
              Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges...................      10
              Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
               Statements..........................................      10
              Where You Can Find More Information about COR and
               this Offering.......................................      10
              Use of Proceeds......................................      13
              Description of the Notes.............................      14
              Certain United States Federal Income Tax
               Consequences........................................      26
              Selling Security Holders.............................      32
              Plan of Distribution.................................      34
              Legal Matters........................................      36
              Experts..............................................      36



<PAGE>

                                    SUMMARY

    This summary highlights information contained elsewhere or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus.  This summary does not contain all the information
you should consider before investing in our securities.  You should read the
entire prospectus, including incorporated documents, carefully.

                                 Our Business

    COR develops and commercializes pharmaceutical products to treat and prevent
severe cardiovascular diseases.  We have funded our operations primarily through
public and private debt and equity financings and proceeds from research and
development and commercialization collaboration agreements.

    Integrilin(R) (eptifibatide) Injection is our first product taken from
discovery to commercialization.  In May 1998 the United States Food and Drug
Administration approved Integrilin to treat patients who undergo a procedure
known as angioplasty to open blood vessels.  The FDA has also approved
Integrilin to treat patients with intermittent chest pains known as unstable
angina and patients suffering from a kind of heart attack known as non-Q-wave
myocardial infarction, whether the doctor intends to treat these patients with
medicines alone or with a subsequent angioplasty.  Integrilin is the only drug
in its class that the FDA has approved for use in all these indications.

    We launched Integrilin in the United States with Schering-Plough Ltd. and
Schering Corporation, which we refer to together as "Schering."  COR and
Schering co-promote the drug in the United States and share any profits or
losses.  We have exclusively licensed Schering to market Integrilin in Europe,
and Schering pays us royalties based on sales of Integrilin in Europe.
Integrilin has also received regulatory approval in a number of countries
outside the European Union and the United States.

    COR and Schering are conducting or have conducted clinical trials of
Integrilin with different drugs that dissolve blood clots in patients suffering
heart attacks.  COR and Schering also sponsor additional clinical trials of
Integrilin in a variety of clinical settings.

    In addition to our commercial activities, we continue to pursue a wide array
of research and development programs.  We are developing an oral drug, called
cromafiban, to prevent blood clotting.  We have shown in clinical trials that
cromafiban remains active in the body long enough to allow patients to take the
drug only once a day.  We also observed in these trials that the level of
activity of the drug in the body does not vary greatly throughout a twenty-four
hour period, and that the drug can be taken with or without food.  The most
common complication we observed during these trials was minor bleeding.  We also
are conducting preclinical research and development in several other
cardiovascular programs.

    We were incorporated under the laws of Delaware in 1988. Our headquarters
are located at 256 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, and
our telephone number is (650) 244-6800.

                                   The Notes

Interest................  We will pay interest on the notes on March 1 and
                          September 1 of each year, commencing September 1,
                          2000.

Conversion..............  You may convert the notes into shares of our common
                          stock at any time before the notes mature unless we
                          have redeemed or repurchased the notes. The conversion
                          rate is 29.6056 shares of common stock per $1,000
                          principal amount of notes. This is equivalent to a
                          conversion price of $33.78 per share. We will adjust
                          the conversion rate each time we take various
                          corporate actions specified in the indenture governing
                          the notes. See "Description of the Notes - Conversion
                          Rights."


                                       3
<PAGE>


Subordination...........  The notes are subordinated to our present and future
                          senior debt. As of June 30, 2000, the aggregate amount
                          of our outstanding senior debt was approximately $3.7
                          million. We may incur additional senior debt. See
                          "Description of the Notes --Subordination".

Global Note; Book Entry
System.................   We issued the notes in fully registered form without
                          interest coupons and in minimum denominations of
                          $1,000. We have deposited global notes with the
                          trustee for the notes, as custodian for The Depository
                          Trust Company. DTC and its participants maintain
                          records that show beneficial interests in the notes,
                          and those interests can be transferred only through
                          those records. See "Description of the Notes --What
                          You Should Know About How the Notes are Held."

Optional Redemption.....  We may redeem all or a portion on the notes, at our
                          option, on or after March 1, 2003. See "Description of
                          the Notes -- Optional Redemption".

Repurchase at Option of
Holders Upon a Change
in Control.............   Upon a change in control of COR, you will have the
                          right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of
                          your notes at 100% of their principal amount, plus
                          accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date. We
                          may pay the repurchase price either in cash or, if we
                          satisfy the conditions set forth in the indenture, in
                          shares of common stock. There may be circumstances
                          under which the subordination provisions of the
                          indenture would prevent us from repurchasing the notes
                          until some senior debt is paid in full. See
                          "Description of the Notes -- Repurchase at Option of
                          Holders Upon a Change in Control".

Events of Default.......  The following are events of default under the
                          indenture for the notes:
                          .  we fail to pay the principal of or any premium on
                             any note when due;
                          .  we fail to pay any interest on any note when due
                             and that non-payment continues for 30 days;
                          .  we fail to provide the notice that we are required
                             to give upon a change in control;
                          .  we fail to perform any other covenant in the
                             indenture and that failure continues for a period
                             of 60 days after written notice to us;
                          .  we fail to pay some types of indebtedness that
                             become due for money borrowed by us or any
                             subsidiary that is in excess of $10 million; and
                          .  events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
                             specified in the indenture.
                          See "Description of the Notes -- Events of Default".


Governing Law...........  The laws of the State of New York govern the indenture
                          and the notes.


                                       4
<PAGE>

                                 RISK FACTORS

    Our business faces significant risks. You should carefully consider the
following risk factors, in addition to the other information included or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus, before purchasing our securities.
These risks may not be the only risks we face. Additional risks that we do not
yet know of or that we currently think are immaterial also may impair our
business. You could lose all or part of your investment if any of the following
risks actually occurs.

Risks related to an investment in the notes and our common stock


Our indebtedness and debt service obligations may adversely affect our cash
flow.

    At June 30, 2000 we had $303.7 million of outstanding debt, including
primarily the notes. During each of the last five years and the six months ended
June 30, 2000, our earnings were insufficient to cover our fixed charges and are
likely to continue to be insufficient to cover fixed charges for at least 12
months. See "Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges." During each of the next three
years, our debt service obligations on the notes will be approximately $15
million. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash to meet these obligations
and have to use other cash reserves, we may have to delay or curtail research
and development programs.


     We intend to fulfill our debt service obligations both from cash generated
by our operations and from our general fund. We may add additional lease lines
to finance capital expenditures and may obtain additional long-term debt and
lines of credit.

    Our indebtedness could have significant additional negative consequences,
including:

    .  increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry
       conditions;

    .  limiting our ability to obtain additional financing;

    .  requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of our expected cash
       flow from operations to service our indebtedness, thereby reducing the
       amount of our expected cash flow available for other purposes, including
       capital expenditures;

    .  limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our
       business and the industry in which we compete; and

    .  placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage to less leveraged
       competitors and competitors that have better access to capital resources.



Because the notes rank below our existing and future senior debt, our assets may
not be available to you until we have repaid our senior debt in full.

    The notes are unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to all of our
existing and future senior debt. As a result, if we were to declare
bankruptcy, or liquidate or reorganize or if the notes accelerate due to an
event of default and in specific other events, our assets will be available to
pay obligations on the notes only after we have satisfied all of our senior
debt obligations. As a result, we may not have sufficient assets remaining to
pay amounts due on any or all of the notes.

    The indenture under which we issued the notes does not prohibit or limit us
from incurring senior debt or other indebtedness and other liabilities. If we
incur additional indebtedness and other liabilities, it could adversely affect
our ability to pay our obligations on the notes. As of June 30, 2000, we had
approximately $3.7 million of indebtedness that would constitute senior debt. We
anticipate that from time to time we will incur additional indebtedness,
including senior debt. See "Description of the Notes -- Subordination".

Because the notes will not be listed on an exchange or on Nasdaq, it is unlikely
a market will develop for them so you should be prepared to hold them to
maturity.

    There is no public market for the notes which may significantly limit:

    .  the liquidity of any market that may develop;

    .  your ability to sell your notes; and

    .  the price you will be able to sell your notes.

    If a market were to develop, the notes could trade at prices that may be
higher or lower than the principal amount or purchase price, depending on many
factors, including prevailing interest rates, the market for similar notes, and
our financial performance.  We do not intend to list the notes for trading on
any national securities exchange or on the Nasdaq National Market, so you should
be prepared to hold the notes to maturity unless you convert them.

    Goldman Sachs & Co., Chase H&Q, a division of Chase Securities Inc., CIBC
World Markets Corp., FleetBoston Robertson Stephens Inc. and Warburg Dillon Read
LLC have advised us that they presently make a market in the notes.  They are
not obligated, however, to make a market for the notes, and may discontinue
market-making activities at any time at their sole discretion.


Our common stock price is volatile, and an investment in our securities could
suffer a decline in value.

    Our stock price has been highly volatile and may continue to be highly
volatile in the future. Our stock price depends on a number of factors, some of
which are beyond our control, which could cause the market price of our common
stock to fluctuate substantially. These factors include:

    .  fluctuations in our financial and operating results;

    .  whether our financial results are consistent with securities analysts'
       expectations;

    .  the results of preclinical and clinical trials;

    .  announcements of technological innovations or new commercial products by
       us or our competitors;

    .  developments concerning proprietary rights; and

    .  publicity regarding actual or potential performance of products under
       development by us or our competitors.

    In the past, stockholders have filed securities class action lawsuits
against companies after the market price of the company's stock has fallen
precipitously. Such a lawsuit could cause us to incur significant defense costs
and divert management's attention and other resources. Any adverse determination
could subject us to significant liabilities.

    In addition, the stock market in general has from time to time experienced
extreme price and volume fluctuations.  These broad market fluctuations may
lower the market price of our common stock.  Moreover, during periods of stock
market price volatility, share prices of many biotechnology companies have often
fluctuated in a manner not necessarily related to the companies' operating
performance.  Accordingly, our common stock may be subject to greater price
volatility than the stock market as a whole and you could lose all or part of
your investment.

    Because the notes are convertible into shares of our common stock, their
value may be affected by these factors as well.

If a change in control were to occur, we may not have sufficient funds to pay
the redemption price for all the notes tendered.

    If there is a change in control of our company, you may require us to redeem
some or all of your notes. Although the indenture allows us in certain
circumstances to pay the redemption price in shares of our common stock, if a
change in control were to occur, we may not have sufficient funds to pay the
redemption price for all the notes tendered by you and other holders. There is
no sinking fund for the notes. The requirement that we offer to repurchase the
notes upon a change in control does not apply to all possible transactions in
which control of COR could change. See "Description of the Notes -- Repurchase
at Option of Holders Upon a Change in Control" .

    Any future credit agreements or other agreements relating to other
indebtedness, including other senior debt, to which we become a party may
contain restrictions or prohibitions on our redeeming the notes while that
indebtedness is outstanding. If a change in control occurs at a time when we are
prohibited from purchasing or redeeming the notes, we could seek the consent of
lenders to the purchase of the notes or could attempt to refinance the
borrowings that contain this prohibition. If we do not obtain a consent or repay
these borrowings, we would remain prohibited from purchasing or redeeming the
notes. Our failure to redeem the notes would constitute an event of default
under the indenture under which we issued the notes, which might constitute a
default under the terms of other indebtedness that we may enter into from time
to time. In these circumstances, the subordination provisions in the indenture
would likely restrict payments to you.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law may
make it more difficult to acquire us, even though an acquisition may be
beneficial to our stockholders.

    Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make it
more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit
our stockholders. These provisions:

    .  establish that members of the board of directors may be removed only for
       cause upon the affirmative vote of stockholders owning at least two-
       thirds of our capital stock;

    .  authorize the issuance of "blank check" preferred stock that could be
       issued by our board of directors to increase the number of outstanding
       shares and thwart a takeover attempt;

    .  limit who may call a special meeting of stockholders;

    .  prohibit stockholder action by written consent, thereby requiring all
       stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of our stockholders; and

    .  establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the
       board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon at
       stockholder meetings.

    In January 1995, our board of directors adopted a preferred share purchase
rights plan, commonly known as a "poison pill."  The provisions described above,
our poison pill and provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law relating
to business combinations with interested stockholders may discourage, delay or
prevent a third party from acquiring us, even if our stockholders might receive
a premium for their shares in the acquisition over then current market prices.


Risks related to our finances

We have a history of operating losses and are uncertain of future profitability.


    Historically, our expenses have exceeded our revenues. As of June 30, 2000,
we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $231.7 million. The extent of
future losses and timing of future profitability are uncertain, even taking into
account our share of revenues from sales of Integrilin. We continue to incur
significant expenses for research and development and to develop, train,
maintain and manage our sales force, and these expenses continue to exceed our
share of Integrilin product revenues. We may never achieve profitability.

If we fail to obtain needed funds, we will be unable to successfully develop and
commercialize products.

    We will require significant funds to market Integrilin and conduct the
costly and time-consuming research, preclinical testing and clinical trials
necessary to develop and optimize our technology and potential products, to
establish manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities for product candidates
and to bring any such products to market. We may raise these funds through
public or private equity offerings, debt financings or additional corporate
collaborations and licensing arrangements. We may find that additional
funding may not be available to us when we need it, on acceptable terms or at
all.

    If we raise capital by issuing equity securities, our stockholders may
experience dilution. To the extent we raise additional funds through
collaborative arrangements, we may be required to relinquish some rights to our
technologies or product candidates or grant licenses on terms that are not
favorable to us. If we are unable to obtain adequate funding when needed,
commercialization of Integrilin may be impaired and we may be required to
curtail one or more development programs.

Risks related to our drug development and commercialization activities


If Integrilin does not achieve commercial success, we will not be able to
generate the revenues necessary to support our business.

    Our business depends on the commercial success of Integrilin, which has been
on the market in the United States only two years and currently is our only
marketed product. Marketing outside the United States commenced only within the
last year and Integrilin has not yet achieved acceptance in foreign markets.
Although sales of Integrilin have increased since its launch, if they fail to
continue to increase over current levels, our business will not become
profitable, and we will be forced to scale back our operations and research and
development programs.

We may not be able to compete effectively in the cardiovascular disease market.

    Due to the incidence and severity of cardiovascular diseases, the market
for therapeutic products that address these diseases is large, and competition
is intense and expected to increase.  Our most significant competitors are major
pharmaceutical companies and more established biotechnology companies.  The two
products that compete with Integrilin are ReoPro(R), which is produced by
Johnson & Johnson and sold by Johnson & Johnson and Eli Lilly & Co., and
Aggrastat(R), which is produced and sold by Merck & Co., Inc. In addition, F.
Hoffman-La Roche, Ltd. is currently developing a product, lamifiban, to treat
patients with symptoms of unstable angina.  If the FDA approves lamifiban, it
may also directly compete with Integrilin.  Our competitors operate large, well-
funded cardiovascular research and development programs and have significant
expertise in manufacturing, testing, regulatory matters and marketing.  We also
must compete with academic institutions, governmental agencies, and other public
and private research organizations that conduct research in the cardiovascular
field, seek patent protection for their discoveries and establish collaborative
arrangements for product and clinical development and marketing.

We may not be able to obtain the regulatory approvals necessary to market new
products and market Integrilin for additional therapeutic uses.

    We must satisfy stringent governmental regulations in order to develop,
commercialize and market our products. Integrilin is the only product we have
submitted to the FDA for approval for commercial sale, and it has been approved
for a specific set of therapeutic uses. To grow our business, we will need to
obtain regulatory approval to be able to promote Integrilin for additional
therapeutic uses and to commercialize new product candidates. A company cannot
market a pharmaceutical product in the United States until it has completed
rigorous pre-clinical testing and clinical trials of the product and an
extensive regulatory clearance process that the FDA implements. It typically
takes many years to satisfy regulatory requirements, depending upon the type,
complexity and novelty of the product. The process is very expensive. Of
particular significance are the requirements covering research and development,
testing, manufacturing, quality control, labeling and promotion of drugs for
human use.

                                       5
<PAGE>



    Before we can receive FDA clearance to market a product, we must demonstrate
that the product is safe and effective for the patient population that will be
treated. Pre-clinical and clinical data are susceptible to varying
interpretations that could delay, limit or prevent regulatory clearances. In
addition, we may encounter delays or rejections from additional government
regulation, from future legislation or administrative action or changes in FDA
policy during the period of product development, clinical trials and FDA
regulatory review. Failure to comply with applicable FDA or other applicable
regulatory requirements may result in criminal prosecution, civil penalties,
recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production or
injunction, as well as other regulatory action against our potential products or
us. If a product receives regulatory clearance, its marketing will be limited to
those disease states and conditions for which clinical trials demonstrate that
the product is safe and effective. Any compound we develop may not prove to be
safe and effective in clinical trials and may fail to meet all of the regulatory
requirements needed to receive marketing clearance.

    Outside the United States, our ability to market a product depends on our
receiving a marketing authorization from the appropriate regulatory authorities.
This foreign regulatory approval process includes all of the risks associated
with FDA clearance described above.

If our clinical trials are unsuccessful, or if they experience significant
delays, our ability to commercialize products will be impaired.


    We must provide the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities with preclinical
and clinical data that demonstrate that our products are safe and effective
before they can be approved for commercial sale. Clinical development, including
preclinical testing, is a long, expensive and uncertain process. It may take us
several years to complete our testing, and failure can occur at any stage of
testing. Interim results of preclinical or clinical studies do not necessarily
predict their final results, and acceptable results in early studies might not
be seen in later studies. Any preclinical or clinical test may fail to produce
results satisfactory to the FDA. Preclinical and clinical data can be
interpreted in different ways, which could delay, limit or prevent regulatory
approval. Negative or inconclusive results from a preclinical study or clinical
trial or adverse medical events during a clinical trial could cause a
preclinical study or clinical trial to be repeated or a program to be
terminated, even if other studies or trials relating to the program are
successful.

    We may not complete our planned preclinical or clinical trials on schedule
or at all. In addition, due to the substantial demand for clinical trial sites
in the cardiovascular area, we may have difficulty obtaining a sufficient number
of appropriate patients or clinician support to conduct our clinical trials as
planned. If so, we may have to expend substantial additional funds to obtain
access to resources or delay or modify our plans significantly. Our product
development costs will increase if we have delays in testing or approvals.
Significant clinical trial delays could allow our competitors to bring products
to market before we do and impair our ability to commercialize our product or
potential products. Even if regulators approve a product for marketing, it may
not be commercially successful.

We depend on our collaborative relationship with Schering to market and sell
Integrilin, and our business will suffer if Schering fails to perform under the
collaboration.

    Our strategy is to work with collaborative partners to develop product
candidates and commercialize products.  Generally, collaborations with
established pharmaceutical companies provide funding for product development and
the benefit of an established sales and marketing organization.  In particular,
our ability to successfully commercialize Integrilin depends on our
collaboration with Schering.  Under this collaboration, Schering has agreed to:

    .  co-market Integrilin with us in the United States and market the product
       as our exclusive licensee in certain other markets, including Europe;

    .  share the profits and pay royalties to us on sales of Integrilin;

    .  design and conduct advanced clinical trials;

    .  fund promotional activities with us; and

    .  pay us fees upon achievement of certain milestones.

    Schering's performance under the collaboration is outside our control. If
Schering fails to perform its obligations diligently and in a timely manner,
commercialization of Integrilin will be impaired and our business will not
become profitable.

                                       6
<PAGE>



If we do not establish additional collaborative relationships, our ability to
develop and commercialize new products will be impaired.

   In addition to Integrilin, we have three product candidates in preclinical
and clinical trials and other product candidates in various stages of research
and development. We are a party to numerous research agreements related to these
product candidates, most of which do not contemplate taking a product candidate
through development and commercialization. We will need to enter into additional
collaborations to develop and commercialize these and additional product
candidates. We face significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborative
partners. Negotiating these arrangements is complex and time consuming. If we
are successful in establishing a collaboration, the collaboration may not be
successful. If we fail to establish collaborative partnerships for our product
candidates, we may have to terminate, delay or cut back development programs.



If our third party manufacturers fail to deliver sufficient quantities of
Integrilin or product candidates on schedule, we may be unable to meet demand
for Integrilin and may experience delays in product development.

    We have no manufacturing facilities and, accordingly, rely on third parties
for clinical and commercial production of Integrilin and for clinical production
of product candidates. We have only two manufacturers producing bulk product,
and two manufacturers performing packaging, of Integrilin. We have four
manufacturers producing product candidates for clinical trials. If the third-
party manufacturers or suppliers were to cease production or otherwise fail to
supply us, or if we were unable to renew our manufacturing contracts or contract
for additional manufacturing services on acceptable terms, our ability to
produce Integrilin and to conduct preclinical testing and clinical trials of
product candidates would be impaired. If we do not have adequate supplies of
Integrilin to meet market demand, we may lose potential revenues, and the health
care community may turn to competing products. If we cannot obtain adequate
supplies of product candidates for preclinical and clinical trials, regulatory
approval and development of product candidates may be delayed.


                                       7
<PAGE>


Our ability to generate revenues will be diminished if we fail to obtain
acceptable prices or an adequate level of reimbursement from third party payors.


    Health care insurers, including the United States Health Care Financing
Administration, managed care providers, private health insurers and other
organizations set aggregate dollar amounts that they will reimburse to hospitals
for the medicines and care the hospitals administer to treat particular
conditions. These insurers adjust the amounts periodically, and could lower the
amount that they will reimburse hospitals to treat the conditions for which the
FDA has approved Integrilin. If they do, pricing levels or sales volumes of
Integrilin may decrease and cause a reduction in sales and a loss of
potential revenues. In foreign markets, a number of different governmental and
private entities determine the level at which hospitals will be reimbursed for
administering Integrilin to insured patients. If these levels are set, or reset,
too low, it may not be possible to sell Integrilin at a profit in these markets.
Each of our product candidates, if approved for marketing, will face the same
risk.

If we are unable to protect our patents and proprietary rights, we may not be
able to compete successfully.

    We rely on patent and trade secret protection for significant new
technologies, products and processes because of the long development time,
uncertainty and high cost associated with bringing a new product to the
marketplace. Our success will depend in part on our ability to obtain and
enforce patent protection for our technology both in the United States and other
countries. While we are seeking and/or maintaining patents for Integrilin and
our product candidates, patents may not issue and issued patents may afford
limited or no protection.

    We may be required to obtain licenses to patents or other proprietary rights
from third parties. Licenses required under any patents or proprietary rights
may not be made available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we do not
obtain required licenses, we may encounter delays in product development while
attempting to redesign products or methods or we could find the development,
manufacture or sale of such products requiring licenses to be foreclosed.
Further, we could incur substantial costs in defending any patent litigation
brought against us or in asserting our patent rights, including those rights
licensed to us by others.

    In October 1997, a patent opposition was filed in Europe by another company
against the claims of a patent granted to us in Europe covering broad, generic
claims for Integrilin, as well as numerous related compounds that are not part
of our core technology. The opposition asserts that all claims of the patent are
unpatentable. In July 2000, the Opposition Division of the European Patent
Office confirmed the validity of our patent claims without requiring us to limit
or otherwise amend our claims. The opposition has not yet exhausted its ability
to appeal this decision. If the opposition appeals the decision and the appeal
is successful, it could adversely affect the marketing of Integrilin in Europe.


If product liability lawsuits are successfully brought against us, we may incur
substantial liabilities.

    The testing, marketing and sale of human pharmaceutical products expose us
to significant and unpredictable risks of product liability claims in the event
that the use of our technology or products is alleged to have resulted in
adverse effects. Our products are administered to patients with serious
cardiovascular disease who have a high incidence of mortality. A successful
product liability suit against us could impair our financial condition and force
us to limit commercialization of products.

If we do not attract and retain key employees and consultants, our business
could be impaired.

    We are highly dependent on the principal members of our scientific and
management staff. In addition, we rely on consultants to assist us in
formulating our research and development strategy. Attracting and retaining
qualified personnel is critical to our success. Competition for scientific and
managerial personnel is particularly intense in the San Francisco Bay Area where
we, together with numerous other life sciences companies, universities


                                       8
<PAGE>


and research institutions, maintain our operations. Failure to continue to
attract these individuals, or the loss of key personnel, could impair the
progress of our programs.

                                       9
<PAGE>



                      RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

    The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for
each of the last five years and for the six months ended June 30, 2000:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Years ended December 31,                               Six months
                                                                                                                ended June 30,
                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------     ---------------------
                                               1995         1996         1997         1998         1999                      2000
                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------     ---------------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>               <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges (1)...........................            -            -            -            -            -                         -
</TABLE>

(1) Earnings for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999
    and the six months ended June 30, 2000 were insufficient to cover fixed
    charges by an amount equal to the net loss for the period.

             CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    Some of the statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by
reference are forward-looking statements.  These statements are based on our
current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our business
and our industry, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause our or our industry's results, levels of activity,
performance or achievement to be materially different from any future results,
levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied in or
contemplated by the forward-looking statements.  Words such as "believe,"
"anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "will," "may," "should," "estimate,"
"predict," "potential," "continue," or the negative of such terms or other
similar expressions, identify forward-looking statements.  In addition, any
statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of
future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements.  Our actual
results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking
statements as a result of several factors more fully described under the caption
"Risk Factors" and in the documents incorporated by reference.  The forward-
looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events as of the date
on which the statements are made.

        WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COR AND THIS OFFERING

    We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration
statement on Form S-3 to register the common stock offered by this prospectus.
However, this prospectus does not contain all of the information contained in
the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration
statement.  We strongly encourage you to carefully read the registration
statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement.

    We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC.  You may read and copy any document we file at the
SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, DC, New York, New York and Chicago,
Illinois.  You can request copies of these documents by contacting the SEC and
paying a fee for the copying cost.  Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for

                                       10
<PAGE>


further information on the public reference rooms.  Our SEC filings are also
available to the public from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

    The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information contained in
documents that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important
information to you by referring you to those documents. The information
incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus.
Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference
that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus, while
information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and
supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed
below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

    1.  Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
        1999;

    2.  Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March
        31, and June 30, 2000;

    3.  Our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 16, 2000;


                                       11
<PAGE>

    5.  Our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 3, 2000; and

    6.  The description of our common stock contained in our Registration
        Statement on Form 8-A filed on May 17, 1991.

    You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost to you, by writing or
telephoning us at: COR Therapeutics, Inc., 256 East Grand Avenue, South San
Francisco, California, 94080, Telephone (650) 244-6800.

    Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"CORR". You may inspect reports and other information concerning us at the
offices of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735 K Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

                          ___________________________

WE HAVE AUTHORIZED NO ONE TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS
THAT ARE NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS.  YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE
INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN.
YOU MUST NOT RELY ON ANY UNAUTHORIZED INFORMATION.

THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT OFFER TO SELL OR BUY ANY NOTES OR SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL.  YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE
INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THE DATE ON
THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT.



                                       12
<PAGE>

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

    We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the notes or the shares of
common stock offered hereby.  See "Selling Security Holders".



                                       13
<PAGE>

                           DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

    We issued the notes under a document called the "indenture." The indenture
is a contract between us and Firstar Bank, N.A., who is serving as trustee. New
York law governs both the indenture and the notes.

    The following description of the terms of the indenture is a summary.  It
summarizes only those portions of the indenture we believe are most important to
your decision to invest in the notes.  This section does not describe every
aspect of the notes.  The indenture, and not this summary, defines your rights
as a holder of the notes.  There may be other provisions in the indenture that
are also important to you.  You should read the indenture for a full description
of the terms of the notes.  We will provide a copy, at no charge, if you contact
us.  The indenture is also an exhibit to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 31, 2000, which is incorporated by reference in this
prospectus.  In this section, references to "COR" or "we" or "us" refer solely
to COR Therapeutics, Inc. and not any future subsidiaries.

General

    The notes:

    .  are general unsecured obligations of COR;

    .  bear an interest rate of 5.00% per year, payable on March 1 and September
       1 of each year, to record holders of the notes as of the preceding
       February 15 or August 15;

    .  mature on March 1, 2007;

    .  are limited to $300 million aggregate principal amount.

    We issued the notes on February 24, 2000.  The first interest payment is due
September 1, 2000.  Interest payable per $1,000 principal amount of the notes
for the period from February 24, 2000 to September 1, 2000 will be $25.97.

    You may convert the notes into shares of common stock initially at the
conversion rate of 29.6056 shares per $1,000 principal amount at any time before
the close of business on March 1, 2007, unless we have previously redeemed or
repurchased the notes. We may adjust the conversion rate as described below.


    We may redeem all or a portion of the notes at our option at any time on or
after March 1, 2003 at the redemption prices set forth below under "-- Optional
Redemption," plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.  If there
is a change in control of COR, you may have the right to require us to
repurchase your notes as described below under "-- Repurchase at Option of
Holders Upon a Change in Control."

What You Should Know About How the Notes are Held

    We issued the notes:

    .  in fully registered form;

    .  without interest coupons; and

    .  in denominations of $1,000 and greater multiples.

    The notes are evidenced by global notes that we deposited with the trustee
as custodian for DTC. DTC is the depository for the global notes which are
registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. The global notes and
any notes issued in exchange for the global notes are subject to restrictions on
transfer and bear legends regarding those restrictions.



                                       14
<PAGE>


    The global notes will not be registered in the name of any person, or
exchanged for notes that are registered in the name of any person, other than
DTC or its nominee.  DTC or its nominee will be considered the sole owner and
holder of the global notes for all purposes, and as a result:

    .  you cannot receive notes registered in your name if they are represented
       by the global notes;

    .  you cannot receive certificated, or physical, notes in exchange for your
       beneficial interest in the global notes;

    .  you will not be considered to be the owner or holder of the global notes
       or any note they represent for any purpose; and

    .  all payments on the global notes will be made to DTC or its nominee.


    Some potential purchasers, such as certain insurance companies, can only own
securities in definitive, or certificated form, and you may not be able to
transfer your beneficial interests in the global notes to these types of
purchasers.

    Only institutions that have accounts with DTC or its nominee, called
"participants," and persons that may hold beneficial interests through
participants, can own a beneficial interest in the global notes. The only place
where the ownership of beneficial interests in the global notes appears, and the
only way the transfer of those interests can be made, is on the records kept by
DTC and the records kept by those participants.

    Secondary trading in bonds and notes of corporate issuers is generally
settled in clearing-house, or next-day funds. In contrast, beneficial interests
in a global note usually trade in DTC's same-day funds settlement system, and
settle in immediately available funds. We do not know what effect settlement in
immediately available funds will have on trading activity in those beneficial
interests.

    We are obligated to make cash payments of interest on, and principal of, and
the redemption or repurchase price of, the global notes, as well as any payment
of liquidated damages, to Cede, the nominee for DTC, as the registered owner of
the global notes.  We are obligated to make these payments by wire transfer of
immediately available funds on each payment date.

    DTC has informed us that, with respect to any cash payment of interest on,
principal of, or the redemption or repurchase price of, the global notes, as
well as any payment of liquidated damages, DTC's practice is to credit
participants' accounts on the payment date with payments in amounts
proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the notes represented
by the global note as shown on DTC's records, unless DTC has reason to believe
that it will not receive payment on that payment date. Payments by participants
to owners of beneficial interests in notes represented by the global note held
through participants will be the responsibility of those participants, as is now
the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in
"street name."

    We will send any redemption notices to Cede. We understand that if less than
all the notes are being redeemed, DTC's practice is to determine by lot the
amount of the holdings of each participant to be redeemed.

    We also understand that neither DTC nor Cede will consent or vote with
respect to the notes. We have been advised that under its usual procedures, DTC
will mail an "omnibus proxy" to us as soon as possible after the record date.
The omnibus proxy assigns Cede's consenting or voting rights to those
participants to whose accounts the notes are credited on the record date
identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

    Because DTC can only act on behalf of participants, who in turn act on
behalf of indirect participants, the ability of a person having a beneficial
interest in the principal amount represented by the global note to pledge the
interest to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC book-entry
system, or otherwise take actions with respect to that interest, may be affected
by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing its interest.

                                       15
<PAGE>


    DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by
you, including the presentation of notes for exchange, only at the direction of
one or more participants to whose account with DTC interests in the global note
are credited and only with respect to such portion of the principal amount of
the notes represented by the global notes as to which such participant has, or
participants have, given such direction.

    DTC's policies and procedures, which may change periodically, will apply to
payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial
interests in the global notes.  We and the trustee have no responsibility or
liability for any aspect of DTC's or any participants' records relating to
beneficial interests in the global notes, including for payments made on the
global notes, and we and the trustee are not responsible for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any of those records.

Conversion Rights

    You may, at your option, convert any portion of the principal amount of a
note, in $1,000 increments, into shares of common stock at any time prior to the
close of business on March 1, 2007, unless we have previously redeemed or
repurchased the note, at a conversion rate equal to 29.6056 shares per $1,000
principal amount of notes. This conversion rate is equivalent to a conversion
price of $33.78 per share. The conversion rate may adjust. Your right to convert
a note called for redemption or delivered for repurchase will terminate at the
close of business on the business day immediately preceding the redemption date
or repurchase date for that note, unless we default in making the payment due
upon redemption or repurchase.

    You can convert a note into our common stock by delivering it at the
corporate trust office of the trustee with a duly signed and completed notice of
conversion, a copy of which may be obtained from the trustee. DTC will effect
the conversion upon notice from the holder of a beneficial interest in a global
note in accordance with DTC's rules and procedures. The conversion date will be
the date on which the note and the duly signed and completed notice of
conversion are delivered to the corporate trust office of the trustee. As
promptly as practicable on or after the conversion date, we will issue and
deliver to the trustee a certificate or certificates for the number of full
shares of common stock issuable upon conversion, together with payment in lieu
of any fraction of a share. The trustee will send the certificates to the
conversion agent for delivery to the holder of the note being converted. The
shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes will be fully paid
and nonassessable and will also rank equally with other outstanding shares of
our common stock.

    If you convert on a date that is not an interest payment date, you will not
be entitled to receive any interest for the period from the preceding interest
payment date to the date of conversion, except as described below. However, if
you are a holder of a note on a regular record date, including a note
surrendered for conversion after the regular record date, you will receive the
interest payable on the note on the next succeeding interest payment date.
Accordingly, any note surrendered for conversion during the period from the
close of business on a regular record date to the opening of business on the
next succeeding interest payment date must be accompanied by payment of an
amount equal to the interest payable on the interest payment date on the
principal amount of notes being surrendered for conversion. However, you will
not be required to make that payment if you are converting a note, or a portion
of a note, that we have called for redemption, or that you are entitled to
require us to repurchase from you, if your conversion right would terminate
because of the redemption or repurchase between the regular record date and the
close of business on the next succeeding interest payment date.

    You will not receive other payment or adjustment for interest, or for any
dividends on our common stock, upon conversion.  If you receive common stock
upon conversion of a note, you will not be entitled to receive any dividends
payable to holders of common stock as of any record date that precedes the close
of business on the conversion date.  We will not issue fractional shares upon
conversion of notes.  Instead, we will pay an amount in cash based on the market
price of the common stock at the close of business on the conversion date.

    If you deliver a note for conversion, you will not be required to pay any
taxes or duties on the issue or delivery of common stock on conversion. However,
we are not required to pay any tax or duty that may be payable on any transfer
involved in the issue or delivery of the common stock in a name other than that
of the holder of the note. We will not issue or deliver certificates
representing shares of common stock unless the person requesting the issuance or


                                       16
<PAGE>


delivery has paid to us the amount of any such tax or duty or has established to
our satisfaction that no such tax or duty is payable.

    We will adjust the conversion rate if we:

         (1) pay a dividend or other distribution payable in common stock on
    shares of our capital stock;

         (2) issue to all holders of common stock rights, options or warrants
    entitling them to subscribe for or purchase common stock at less than the
    then current market price of our common stock. However, if those rights,
    options or warrants are only exercisable upon the occurrence of triggering
    events, then the conversion rate will not adjust until those triggering
    events occur;

         (3) subdivide, reclassify or combine our common stock;

         (4) distribute to all holders of our common stock evidences of our
    indebtedness, shares of capital stock, cash or assets, including securities,
    but excluding:

         .  those dividends, rights, options, warrants and distributions
            referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) above,

         .  dividends and distributions paid exclusively in cash, and

         .  distributions upon mergers or consolidations;

         (5) make a distribution consisting exclusively of cash to all holders
    of our common stock if the aggregate amount of the distribution combined
    together with:

         .  other such all-cash distributions made within the preceding 12
            months, and

         .  any cash and the fair market value of other consideration payable in
            any tender offer by us or any subsidiary for our common stock
            concluded within the preceding 12 months exceeds 10% of our market
            capitalization; or

         (6) successfully complete a tender offer for our common stock that
    involves consideration that, together with:

         .  any cash and other consideration payable in a tender offer by us or
            any subsidiary for our common stock expiring within the 12 months
            preceding the expiration of such tender offer, and

         .  the amount of any such all-cash distributions referred to in
            paragraph (5) above to all holders of common stock within the 12
            months preceding the expiration of such tender offer exceeds 10% of
            our market capitalization on the expiration of such tender offer.


    We may make increases in the conversion rate in addition to those required
by the provisions described above that we may consider to be advisable so that
any event treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a dividend of
stock or stock rights will not be taxable to the recipients. We are not required
to adjust the conversion rate until the cumulative adjustments amount to 1.0% or
more of the conversion rate. We will compute any adjustments to the conversion
rate and give notice to you of any adjustments.

    If we merge or consolidate with another person or sell or transfer all or
substantially all of our assets, each note then outstanding will, without the
consent of the holder, become convertible only into the kind and amount of
securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger,
sale or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of common stock into which
the note was convertible immediately prior to the merger, consolidation or sale.
This calculation will be made based on the assumption that the holder of common
stock failed to exercise any rights of election that the holder may have to
select a particular type of consideration. The


                                       17
<PAGE>


adjustment will not be made for a merger that does not result in any
reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of our common stock.


  We may, from time to time, increase the conversion rate by any amount for any
period of at least 20 days if our board of directors has determined that such
increase would be in our best interests. If our board of directors determines to
increase the conversion rate we will give you at least 15 days' notice of such
an increase.

  If at any time we make a distribution of property to our stockholders that
would be taxable to such stockholders as a dividend for United States federal
income tax purposes, for example, distributions of evidences of indebtedness or
assets of COR, but generally not stock dividends on common stock or rights to
subscribe for common stock, and, pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the
indenture, the number of shares into which notes are convertible is increased,
that increase may be deemed for United States federal income tax purposes to be
the payment of a taxable dividend. See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences -- U.S. Holders".
Subordination

  The notes are subordinated and, as a result, the payment of the principal, any
premium and interest on the notes, including amounts payable on any redemption
or repurchase, are subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of our
senior debt.  "Senior debt" means all other amounts payable in connection with
the following, whether outstanding on the date of the indenture or subsequently
created, incurred or assumed:

  .  all our indebtedness evidenced by a credit or loan agreement, note, bond,
     debenture or other similar instrument;

  .  all our obligations for money borrowed;

  .  all our obligations as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on
     the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting
     principles;

  .  all our obligations under interest rate and currency swaps, caps, floors,
     collars, hedge agreements, forward contracts or similar agreements or
     arrangements;

  .  all our obligations with respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances
     and similar facilities, including related reimbursement obligations;

  .  all our obligations issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of
     property or services, but excluding trade accounts payable and accrued
     liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business;

  .  all our obligations of the type referred to above of another person and all
     dividends of another person, the payment of which, in either case, we have
     assumed or guaranteed, or for which we are responsible or liable, directly
     or indirectly, jointly or severally, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, or
     which is secured by a lien on our property; and

  .  renewals, extensions, modifications, replacements, restatements and
     refundings of, or any indebtedness or obligation issued in exchange for any
     indebtedness or obligation described in the bullets above.

  Senior debt will not include any indebtedness or obligation if the terms of
the indebtedness or obligation, or the terms of the instrument under which the
indebtedness or obligation is issued, expressly provide that the indebtedness or
obligation is not superior in right of payment to the notes.  In addition,
senior debt will not include any particular indebtedness or obligation that we
may owe to any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries.

  We are prohibited from making any payment of principal, premium or interest on
the notes, or redemption or repurchase of the notes, if either of the following
occurs:

                                       18
<PAGE>

  .  we default in our obligations to pay principal, premium, interest or other
     amounts on our senior debt, including a default under any redemption or
     repurchase obligation, and the default continues beyond any grace period
     that we may have to make those payments; or

  .  an event of default occurs and is continuing on any designated senior debt,
     and (1) the event of default permits the holders of the designated senior
     debt to accelerate its maturity and (2) the trustee has received a notice,
     referred to as a "Payment Blockage Notice," of the default from a holder of
     the designated senior debt. Designated senior debt refers to obligations of
     senior debt in which the instrument creating or evidencing the debt or any
     related agreements or documents to which we are a party, expressly provides
     that the indebtedness will be "designated senior debt" under the indenture.
     See section entitled "Events of Default."

  If payments of the notes have been blocked by a payment default on senior
debt, payments on the notes may resume when the payment default has been cured
or waived.  If payments on the notes have been blocked by a nonpayment default,
payments on the notes may resume on the earlier of (1) the date the nonpayment
default is cured or waived or (2) 179 days after the Payment Blockage Notice is
received.

  A nonpayment default that existed on the day a Payment Blockage Notice was
delivered to the trustee cannot be used as the basis for any subsequent Payment
Blockage Notice.  In addition, once a holder of designated senior debt has
blocked payment on the notes by giving a Payment Blockage Notice, no new period
of payment blockage can be commenced until both of the following are satisfied:


  .  365 days have elapsed since the effectiveness of the immediately prior
     Payment Blockage Notice; and

  .  all scheduled payments of principal, any premium and interest on the notes
     that have come due have been paid in full in cash.

  In addition, upon any acceleration of the principal due on the notes as a
result of an event of default or payment or distribution of our assets to
creditors upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization,
whether voluntary or involuntary, marshaling of assets, assignment for the
benefit of creditors, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other
similar proceedings, all principal, premium, interest and other amounts due on
all senior debt must be paid in full before you will be entitled to receive any
payment on account of the notes.  Because of this subordination, upon
insolvency, our creditors who are holders of senior debt may recover more,
ratably, than you would, and this subordination may reduce or eliminate payments
to you.  As of June 30, 2000, we had approximately $3.7 million of senior debt
outstanding.

  COR does not currently have any subsidiaries.  However, the notes are
"structurally subordinated" to all indebtedness and other liabilities, including
trade payables and lease obligations, of any future subsidiaries.  This occurs
because any right we have to receive any assets of our subsidiaries upon their
liquidation or reorganization, and the consequent right of the holders of the
notes to participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to the
claims of that subsidiary's creditors, including trade creditors, except to the
extent that we are recognized as a creditor of the subsidiary, in which case our
claims would still be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of the
subsidiary and any indebtedness of the subsidiary senior to that held by us.

  The indenture does not limit our ability or the ability of any subsidiary to
incur additional indebtedness, including senior debt.

                                       19
<PAGE>

Optional Redemption

  On and after March 1, 2003, we may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at
our option, at the redemption prices specified below.  The redemption price,
expressed as a percentage of principal amount, is as follows for the 12-month
periods beginning on March 1 of the following years:

                                           Redemption
                        Year                 Price
                        ----               ----------
                        2003............    102.857%
                        2004............    102.143%
                        2005............    101.429%
                        2006............    100.714%

and 100% of the principal amount on and after March 1, 2007.  In each case we
will also pay accrued interest to the redemption date.  The indenture requires
us to give notice of redemption not more than 60 and not less than 30 days
before the redemption date.

  No "sinking fund" is provided for the notes, which means that the indenture
does not require us to redeem or retire the notes periodically.

Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Change in Control

  If a change in control occurs, you will have the right, at your option, to
require us to repurchase all of your notes not called for redemption, or any
portion of the principal amount of your notes that is equal to $5,000 or any
greater integral multiple of $1,000.  The price we are required to pay is 100%
of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, together with interest
accrued to the repurchase date.

  At our option, instead of paying the repurchase price in cash, we may pay the
repurchase price in common stock valued at 95% of the average of the closing
sales prices of the common stock for the five trading days immediately preceding
and including the third day prior to the repurchase date.  We may only pay the
repurchase price in common stock if we satisfy conditions provided in the
indenture.

  Within 30 days after a change in control, we are obligated to give you notice
of the change in control and the repurchase right arising as a result of the
change in control.  We must also deliver a copy of this notice to the trustee.
To exercise the repurchase right, you must deliver, on or before the 30th day
after the date of our notice, irrevocable written notice to the trustee of your
exercise of your repurchase right, together with the notes with respect to which
that right is being exercised.  We are required to make the repurchase on the
date that is 45 days after the date of our notice.

  A change in control will occur at the time that any of the following occurs:


    (1) any person acquires, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of 50%
  or more of the total voting power of all shares of our capital stock entitled
  to vote generally in elections of directors. However, any acquisition by COR,
  any subsidiary of COR or any employee benefit plan of COR will not trigger
  this provision;

    (2) we consolidate with or merge with or into any other person or another
  person merges into us, except if the transaction satisfies any of the
  following:

    . the holders of 50% or more of the total voting power of all shares of our
      capital stock entitled to vote generally in elections of directors
      immediately prior to the transaction have, directly or indirectly, 50% or
      more of the total voting power of all shares of capital stock of the
      continuing or surviving

                                      20
<PAGE>

       corporation entitled to vote generally in elections of directors of the
       continuing or surviving corporation immediately after the transaction;

    .  the transaction is a merger which does not result in any
       reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding
       shares of our capital stock; and

    .  the transaction is a merger effected only to change our jurisdiction of
       incorporation and it results in a reclassification, conversion or
       exchange of outstanding shares of our common stock only into shares of
       our common stock or another corporation; or

    (3) we convey, transfer, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or
  substantially all of our assets to another person.

  However, a change in control will not be deemed to have occurred if the
closing sales price per share of our common stock for any five trading days
within the period of 10 consecutive trading days ending immediately after the
later of the change in control or the public announcement of the change in
control, in the case of a change in control relating to an acquisition of
capital stock, or the period of 10 consecutive trading days ending immediately
before the change in control, in the case of change in control relating to a
merger, consolidation or asset sale, equals or exceeds 105% of the conversion
price of the notes in effect on each of those trading days.

  For purposes of these provisions:

  .  the conversion price is equal to $1,000 divided by the conversion rate;

  .  whether a person is a "beneficial owner" will be determined in accordance
     with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; and

  .  "Person" includes any syndicate or group that would be deemed to be a
     "person" under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

  We may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, at any time purchase notes
in the open market or by tender at any price or by private agreement.  Any note
that we so purchase may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be reissued
or resold or may, at our option, be surrendered to the trustee for cancellation.
Any notes surrendered may not be reissued or resold and will be canceled
promptly.

  The definition of change in control includes a phrase relating to the
conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or disposition of "all or substantially all"
of our assets.  There is no precise, established definition of the phrase
"substantially all" under applicable law.  Accordingly, your ability to require
us to repurchase your notes as a result of conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or
other disposition of less than all of our assets may be uncertain.

  The foregoing provisions would not necessarily provide you with protection if
we are involved in a highly leveraged or other transaction that may adversely
affect you.

  Our ability to repurchase notes upon a change in control is subject to
important limitations. Some of the events constituting a change in control could
cause an event of default under, or be prohibited or limited by, the terms of
other senior debt. As a result, unless we were to obtain a waiver, a repurchase
of the notes could be prohibited under the subordination provisions of the
indenture until the senior debt is paid in full. Further, we may not have the
financial resources or be able to arrange financing, to pay the repurchase price
for all the notes that might be delivered by holders of notes seeking to
exercise the repurchase right. If we were to fail to repurchase the notes when
required following a change in control, an event of default under the
indenture
                                       21
<PAGE>


would occur, whether or not such repurchase is permitted by the subordination
provisions of the indenture. Any such default may, in turn, cause a default
under our senior debt. See the section entitled "Subordination."

Mergers and Sales of Assets by COR

  We may not consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey,
transfer, sell or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety
to any person, and we may not permit any person to consolidate with or merge
into us or convey, transfer, sell or lease such person's properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to us, unless each of the following requirements is
met:

  .  the person formed by the consolidation or into or with which we merge or
     the person to which our properties and assets are conveyed, transferred,
     sold or leased, is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or
     trust organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State
     or the District of Columbia and, if other than us, shall expressly assume
     the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium, and interest
     on the notes and the performance of our other covenants under the
     indenture;

  .  immediately after giving effect to that 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

  .  an officer's certificate and legal opinion relating to these conditions is
     delivered to the trustee.

Events of Default

  Any of the following will constitute events of default under the indenture:

  .  we fail to pay principal of or any premium on any note when due, whether or
     not the payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the
     indenture;

  .  we fail to pay any interest on any note when due and that default continues
     for 30 days, whether or not the payment is prohibited by the subordination
     provisions of the indenture;

  .  we fail to give the notice that we are required to give upon a change in
     control, whether or not the notice is prohibited by the subordination
     provisions of the indenture;

  .  we fail to perform any other covenant in the indenture and that failure
     continues for 60 days after written notice to us by the trustee or the
     holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes;

  .  failure to pay when due the principal of, or acceleration of, any
     indebtedness for money borrowed by us or any of our subsidiaries in excess
     of $10 million (excluding equipment and facilities leases) if the
     indebtedness is not discharged, or the acceleration is not annulled, within
     30 days after written notice to us by the trustee or the holders of at
     least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes; and

  .  events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization specified in the
     indenture.

  Subject to the provisions of the indenture 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
indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless such holders
shall have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity.  Subject to the
provisions for the indemnification of the trustee, the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes 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.

  If an event of default, other than an event of default arising from events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, occurs and is continuing, either the
trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the

                                      22
<PAGE>


outstanding notes may accelerate the maturity of all notes. After acceleration,
but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes may, under circumstances set
forth in the indenture, rescind the acceleration if all events of default, other
than the nonpayment of principal of the notes which have become due solely
because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the
indenture. If an event of default arising from events of bankruptcy, insolvency
or reorganization occurs and is continuing, then the principal of, and accrued
interest on, all of the notes will automatically become immediately due and
payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the holders of the
notes or the trustee.

  Before you may take any action to institute any proceeding relating to the
indenture, or to appoint a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy, each
of the following must occur:

  .  you must have given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of
     default;

  .  the holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of all
     outstanding notes must make a written request of the trustee to take action
     because of the default and must have offered reasonable indemnification to
     the trustee against the cost, liabilities and expenses of taking such
     action; and

  .  the trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of such
     notice and offer of indemnification.

  These limitations do not apply to a suit for the enforcement of payment of the
principal of or any premium or interest on a note, or the repurchase price
payable for a note, on or after the due dates for such payments or of the right
to convert the note in accordance with the indenture.

  We will furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to our performance of
our obligations under the indenture and as to any default in performance.

Modification and Waiver

  The consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding notes affected is required to make a modification or amendment to
the indenture.  However, a modification or amendment requires the consent of the
holder of each outstanding note affected if it would:

  .  change the stated maturity of the principal or interest of a note;

  .  reduce the principal amount, any premium or interest on any note;

  .  reduce the amount payable upon a redemption or mandatory repurchase;

  .  modify the provisions with respect to your repurchase rights in a manner
     adverse to you;

  .  change the place or currency of payment on a note;

  .  impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on
     any note;

  .  modify the subordination provisions in a manner that is adverse to you;


  .  adversely affect the right to convert the notes;

  .  modify our obligation to deliver information required under Rule 144A to
     permit resales of the notes and common stock issued upon conversion of the
     notes if we cease to be subject to the reporting requirements under the
     Exchange Act;

                                      23
<PAGE>

  .  reduce the percentage of holders whose consent is needed to modify or amend
     the indenture;

  .  reduce the percentage of holders whose consent is needed to waive
     compliance with respect to some provisions of the indenture or to waive
     some provisions of default; or

  .  modify the provisions dealing with modification and waiver of the
     indenture.

  The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes must
consent to waive compliance by us with respect to restrictive provisions of the
indenture.  The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
notes may waive any past default, except a default in the payment of principal,
any premium, interest or the repurchase price.

  Notes will not be considered outstanding if money for their payment or
redemption has been deposited or set aside in trust for the holders.

  We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose
of determining the holders of outstanding notes that are entitled to take any
action under the indenture.  In limited circumstances, the trustee will be
entitled to set a record date for action by holders.  If COR or the trustee set
a record date for any action to be taken by holders, such action may be taken
only by persons who are holders of outstanding notes on the record date and must
be taken within 180 days following the record date or such other period as we
may specify, or as the trustee may specify, if it set the record date.  This
period may be shortened or lengthened as long as it is less than 180 days.

Registration Rights

  When we issued the notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement.
Under the registration rights agreement we have agreed that we will, at our
expense, use our reasonable efforts to keep effective the shelf registration
statement until two years after the date it is declared effective or, if
earlier, until there are no outstanding registrable securities.

  We are permitted to suspend the use of the prospectus that is part of the
shelf registration statement in connection with sales of registrable securities
during prescribed periods of time for reasons relating to pending corporate
developments, public filings with the Commission and other events.  If the
periods during which we suspend the use of the prospectus exceeds a total of 45
days in any 90-day period or a total of 90 days in any 365-day period the
interest rate on the notes will increase.  We will provide to each holder of
registrable securities copies of the prospectus that is a part of the shelf
registration statement and take other actions required to permit public resales
of the registrable securities.

  A holder who elects to sell any registrable securities pursuant to the shelf
registration statement will be required to be named as a selling security holder
in the related prospectus, will be required to deliver a prospectus to
purchasers, may be subject to specific civil liability provisions under the
Securities Act in connection with those sales and will be bound by the
provisions of the registration rights agreement that apply to a holder making
such an election, including any indemnification provisions.

  We will, upon the request of any holder of registrable securities who has not
previously returned a completed and signed notice and questionnaire, as promptly
as reasonably practicable, send a notice and questionnaire to such holder.  We
will not be required to take any action to name such holder as a selling
securityholder in the shelf registration statement until such holder has
returned a completed and signed notice and questionnaire to us.  After we
receive the notice and questionnaire, we will as promptly as practicable include
the registrable securities covered by the notice and questionnaire in the shelf
registration statement, subject to restrictions on the timing and number of
supplements to the shelf registration statement provided in the registration
rights agreement.

Notices

                                      24
<PAGE>


  We will give notice to holders of the notes by mail to the addresses of the
holders as they appear in the security register.  Notices will be deemed to have
been given on the date of mailing.

Replacement of Notes

  We will replace, at your expense, notes that become mutilated, destroyed,
stolen or lost upon delivery to the trustee of the mutilated notes or evidence
of the loss, theft or destruction thereof satisfactory to us and the trustee. In
the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed note, indemnity satisfactory to the
trustee and us may be required at your expense before a replacement note will be
issued.

The Trustee

  The trustee for the holders of notes issued under the indenture is Firstar
Bank, N.A.  If an event of default shall occur, and shall not be cured, the
trustee will be required to use the degree of care of a prudent person in the
conduct of his own affairs in the exercise of its powers.  Subject to these
provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its
rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holders of notes,
unless they shall have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity.


                                      25
<PAGE>

             CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

  The following generally discusses certain United States federal income tax
consequences to holders of the notes or underlying common stock.  This
discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, existing
and proposed United States Treasury regulations, Internal Revenue Service
rulings and pronouncements, and judicial decisions now in effect, all of which
are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) or different
interpretation.

  This discussion is for general information only and does not address all
aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be relevant to you as
a holder of the notes or the common stock into which you may convert the notes.
This discussion does not describe the tax consequences arising under the laws of
any foreign, state or local jurisdiction, nor does it describe all of the tax
consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your personal
circumstances, or to some holders who may be subject to special rules, such as:


      .  persons who do not hold the notes or the common stock into which they
         may convert the notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section
         1221 of the Internal Revenue Code;

      .  holders subject to the alternative minimum tax;

      .  financial institutions;

      .  insurance companies;

      .  tax-exempt entities;

      .  dealers in securities or foreign currencies;

      .  persons who hold the notes or common stock in connection with a
         conversion, or a straddle, hedging or other risk reduction
         transaction for United States federal income tax purposes; or

      .  persons whose primary form of currency is other than the United States
         dollar.

  COR has not sought any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made
and conclusions reached in this discussion and there can be no assurance that
the IRS will agree with our statements and conclusions.

  For purposes of this discussion, the term U.S. holder means a holder that:

      .  is a citizen or resident of the United States;

      .  is a corporation, partnership or other entity (other than a trust)
         created or organized in or under the laws of the United States;

      .  is an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal
         income taxation regardless of its source;

      .  is a trust if (a) a United States court is able to exercise primary
         supervision over the administration of the trust and (b) one or more
         United States persons, within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the
         Internal Revenue Code, referred to as U.S. persons, have authority to
         control all substantial decisions of the trust; or

      .  is in any other way subject to United States federal income taxation
         on a net income basis with regard to the notes or common stock.

                                      26
<PAGE>


  A non-U.S. holder means a holder that is not a U.S. holder.

  PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING
THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR PARTICIPATION IN
THIS OFFERING, AND THEIR OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES (INCLUDING
CONVERSION OF THE NOTES) OR COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE EFFECT THAT THEIR
PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES MAY HAVE ON ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES.

U.S. Holders

  Interest on Notes.  Interest we pay on a note will be taxable to a U.S. holder
as ordinary interest income, at the time that the interest is accrued or
actually or constructively received, in accordance with a U.S. holder's method
of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes.

  Conversion of Notes.  A U.S. holder of a note generally should not recognize
income, gain or loss on the conversion of the note into common stock, including
an optional conversion by COR in the case of a repurchase upon a change in
control, except upon receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of common
stock or attributable to accrued but unpaid interest that would be taxable as
interest income.  A U.S. holder's aggregate tax basis in the common stock
received upon conversion of the note should equal the U.S. holder's adjusted tax
basis in the note at the time of conversion (less any portion of that basis that
may be allocated to cash received in lieu of a fractional share). The holding
period of the common stock received upon conversion of a note generally should
include the period during which the U.S. holder held the note prior to the
conversion.

  You should treat cash received in lieu of a fractional share of common stock
as a payment in exchange for such fractional share. Any gain or loss you
recognize on the receipt of cash paid in lieu of such fractional share generally
will be capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash
you receive and the amount of your adjusted tax basis that may be allocated to
the fractional share.

  Adjustment of Conversion Price.  The conversion price of the notes may adjust.
See "Description of the Notes -- Conversion Rights". Under Section 305(c) of the
Internal Revenue Code, and the treasury regulations issued thereunder,
adjustments that effectively increase or decrease the proportionate interest of
U.S. holders of the notes in our assets or earnings (for example, an adjustment
following a distribution of property by us to our stockholders) may give rise to
deemed distributions to U.S. holders. Similarly, a failure to adjust the
conversion price of the notes to reflect a stock dividend or other event
increasing the proportionate interest of stockholders of outstanding common
stock can give rise to deemed distributions to our stockholders. A deemed
distribution will be taxable as a dividend, return of capital or capital gain in
accordance with the earnings and profits rules discussed under "--Distributions
on Common Stock" below whether or not the U.S. holders ever convert such notes.
Generally, a U.S. holder's tax basis in a note will increase to the extent any
constructive distribution is treated as a dividend.

  Distributions on Common Stock.  If we make distributions on common stock those
distributions will constitute a dividend for United States federal income tax
purposes to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as
determined under United States federal income tax principles. If we declare
dividends that are paid to U.S. holders that are United States corporations
those dividends may qualify for the dividends-received deduction. Noncorporate
taxpayers and certain corporations are not entitled to the dividends-received
deduction.

  To the extent that a U.S. holder receives a distribution on common stock that
exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, that distribution will
be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital reducing the U.S. holder's
tax basis in the common stock. Any distributions in excess of the U.S. holder's
tax basis in the common stock will be treated as capital gain.

  Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Notes or Common Stock.  In general, subject to
the discussion in the section entitled "Market Discount" below, a U.S. holder of
a note will recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale,

                                      27
<PAGE>


redemption, retirement or other disposition of the note measured by the
difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property
received (except to the extent attributable to the payment of accrued interest
income, which is taxable as ordinary income) and the U.S. holder's adjusted tax
basis in the note. A U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in the note generally will
equal the cost of the note to that holder, increased by the amount of any market
discount previously taken into income by the holder or decreased by any premium
amortized by the holder with respect to the note. For the basis and holding
period of shares of common stock received upon conversion of the note, see "--
Conversion of Notes", above.

  In general, subject to the discussion under "Market Discount" below, a U.S.
holder of common stock received upon conversion of a note will recognize capital
gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of the
common stock under rules similar to the computation of gain or loss on the
disposition of the notes.  However, special rules may apply to a redemption of
common stock which may result in the proceeds of the redemption being treated as
a dividend.  In general, the maximum tax rate for noncorporate taxpayers on
long-term capital gain is 20% with respect to capital assets (including the
notes and common stock), but only if they have been held for more than one year
at the time of disposition.  Capital gain on assets having a holding period of
one year or less at the time of disposition of the assets is taxed as short-
term gain at a maximum rate of 39.6% in the hands of noncorporate taxpayers.
For individual taxpayers, the ability to deduct capital losses is subject to
limitations.  For corporate taxpayers, capital gains or ordinary income are
subject to a maximum regular tax rate of 35%.

  Market Discount.  Your ability to resell the notes may be affected by the
impact of the market discount provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.  For this
purpose, the market discount on a note generally will equal the amount by which
the stated redemption price at maturity of the note immediately after its
acquisition (other than at original issue) exceeds the U.S. holder's adjusted
tax basis in the note.  Subject to an exception for amounts below a minimum
threshold, these provisions generally require a U.S. holder who acquires a note
at a market discount to treat as ordinary income any gain recognized on the
disposition of such note to the extent of the accrued market discount on such
note at the time of disposition, unless the U.S. holder elects to include
accrued market discount in income currently.

  This election to include market discount in income currently, once made,
applies to all market discount obligations acquired on or after the first
taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the
consent of the IRS.  In general, market discount will be treated as accruing on
a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the note at the time of
acquisition, or, at the election of the U.S. holder, under a constant yield
method.  A U.S. holder who acquires a note at a market discount and who does not
elect to include accrued market discount in income currently may be required to
defer the deduction of a portion of the interest on any indebtedness incurred or
maintained to purchase or carry the note until the note is disposed of in a
taxable transaction.  If a U.S. holder acquires a note with market discount and
receives common stock upon conversion of the note, the amount of accrued market
discount not previously included in income with respect to the converted note
through the date of conversion will be treated as ordinary income upon the
disposition of the common stock.

  Under the President's fiscal 2001 budget proposal, accrual basis taxpayers
could be required to accrue market discount currently, subject to limitations.


  Amortizable Premium.  A U.S. holder who purchases a note at a premium over its
stated principal amount, plus accrued interest, generally may elect to amortize
such premium, referred to as a Section 171 premium, from the purchase date to
the note's maturity date under a constant-yield method that reflects semiannual
compounding based on the note's payment period. Amortizable premium, however,
will not include any premium attributable to a note's conversion feature. The
premium attributable to the conversion feature is the excess, if any, of the
note's purchase price over what the note's fair market value would be if there
were no conversion feature. Amortized Section 171 premium is treated as an
offset to interest income on a note and not as a separate deduction. The
election to amortize premium on a constant yield method, once made, applies to
all debt obligations held or subsequently acquired by the electing U.S. holder
on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election
applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.

                                       28
<PAGE>

Non-U.S. Holders

  Payments of Interest.  Generally, interest we pay on the notes to, or on
behalf of, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to United States federal
withholding tax where the interest is not effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business within the United States by a non-U.S. holder
if:

      .  the non-U.S. holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or
         more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock
         within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 871(h)(3),

     .   the non-U.S. holder is not (a) a controlled foreign corporation for
         United States federal income tax purposes that is related to us through
         stock ownership or (b) a bank that received the note on an extension of
         credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary
         course of its trade or business as described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of
         the Internal Revenue Code, and

      .  the non-U.S. holder provides a statement signed under penalties of
         perjury that includes its name and address and certifies that it is not
         a U.S. person in compliance with applicable requirements of the
         regulations or an exemption is in any other way established.

  If a non-U.S. holder satisfies specific requirements, the certification
described above may be provided by a securities clearing organization, a bank,
or other financial institution that holds customer's securities in the ordinary
course of its trade or business.  For this purpose the non-U.S. holder of notes
would be deemed to own constructively the common stock into which it could be
converted.  If a non-U.S. holder cannot satisfy these requirements it will be
subject to United States federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or lower
treaty rate, if applicable) on interest payments on the notes unless:

      .  the interest is effectively connected with the conduct of a United
         States trade or business, in which case the interest will be subject to
         United States federal income tax on net income that applies to U.S.
         persons generally, or

      .  an applicable income tax treaty provides for a lower rate of, or
         exemption from, withholding tax.

  Conversion of Notes.  A non-U.S. holder generally should not be subject to
United States federal withholding tax on the conversion of a note into common
stock. To the extent a non-U.S. holder receives cash in lieu of a fractional
share of common stock on the conversion, it may give rise to a gain that would
be subject to the rules described below with respect to the sale or exchange of
a note or common stock. See "-- Sales or Exchange of Notes or Common Stock"
below.

  Adjustment of Conversion Price.  The conversion price of the notes may be
adjusted in certain circumstances. See "Description of the Notes -- Conversion
Rights". Any adjustment could give rise to a deemed distribution to non-U.S.
holders of the notes. See "-- U.S. Holders --Adjustment of Conversion Price"
above. In that case, the deemed distribution would be subject to the rules below
regarding withholding of United States federal tax on dividends in respect of
common stock. See "-- Distributions on Common Stock" below.

  Distributions on Common Stock.  If we make distributions on common stock those
distributions will constitute a dividend for United States federal income tax
purposes to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as
determined under United States federal income tax principles.  If we declare
dividends that are paid on common stock held by a non-U.S. holder those
dividends will be subject to United States federal withholding tax at a rate of
30% (or lower treaty rate, if applicable), unless the dividend is effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by
the non-U.S. holder and, if required by a tax treaty, is attributable to a
permanent establishment maintained in the United States, in which case the
dividend will be subject to United States federal income tax on net income that
applies to U.S. persons generally (and, with respect to corporate holders under
certain circumstances, the branch profits tax). A

                                      29
<PAGE>


non-U.S. holder may be required to satisfy certain certification requirements in
order to claim a reduction of or exemption from withholding under the foregoing
rules.

  Sales or Exchange of Notes or Common Stock.  A non-U.S. holder generally will
not be subject to United States federal withholding tax on gain recognized upon
the sale or other disposition (including a redemption) of a note or common stock
received upon conversion thereof unless the gain is effectively connected with
the conduct of a trade or business within the United States  by the non-U.S.
holder and, if required by a tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent
establishment maintained in the United States or unless the non-U.S. holder:


      .  is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States
         for 183 or more days in the taxable year in which the gain is realized
         and certain other conditions are satisfied, or

      .  is subject to tax pursuant to the provisions of United States tax law
         applicable to certain United States expatriates.

   However, if we were to become a United States real property holding
corporation, a non-U.S. holder may be subject to federal income tax
withholding with respect to gain realized on the disposition of notes or
shares of common stock. In that case, any withholding tax withheld pursuant to
the rules applicable to dispositions of a United States real property interest
will be creditable against such non-U.S. holder's United States federal income
tax liability and may entitle the non-U.S. holder to a refund upon furnishing
required information to the IRS. We do not believe that we are a United States
real property holding corporation or will become one in the future.

  United States Estate Tax. Notes owned or treated as owned by an individual
who is not a citizen or resident (as specially defined for United States
federal estate tax purposes) of the United States at the time of death,
referred to a nonresident decedent, will not be includible in the nonresident
decedent's gross estate for United States federal estate tax purposes as a
result of the nonresident decedent's death, provided that, at the time of
death, the nonresident decedent does not own, actually or constructively, 10%
or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock and
payments with respect to such notes would not have been effectively connected
with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by the
nonresident decedent. Common stock owned or treated as owned by a nonresident
decedent will be includible in the nonresident decedent's gross estate for
United States federal estate tax purposes as a result of the nonresident
decedent's death. Subject to applicable treaty limitations, if any, a
nonresident decedent's estate may be subject to United States federal estate
tax on property includible in the estate for United States federal estate tax
purposes.

IRS Reporting and Backup Withholding

  Certain noncorporate U.S. holders may be subject to IRS reporting and backup
withholding at a rate of 31% on payments of interest on the notes, dividends on
common stock and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the notes or
common stock.  Backup withholding will only be imposed where the noncorporate
U.S. holder:

      .  fails to furnish its taxpayer identification number, or TIN, which
         would ordinarily be his or her social security number, on a properly
         completed Form W-9;

      .  furnishes an incorrect TIN,

      .  is notified by the IRS that he or she has failed to properly report
         payments of interests or dividends, or

      .  under certain circumstances, fails to certify, under penalties of
         perjury, that he or she has furnished a correct TIN and has not been
         notified by the IRS that he or she is subject to backup withholding.


  A U.S. holder who fails to provide us with a correct TIN may also be subject
to penalties imposed by the IRS.

  We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder any interest
and dividends paid with respect to a note or common stock, respectively, and
that is subject to United States federal withholding tax or that is exempt


                                      30
<PAGE>


from such tax under applicable treaty or the Internal Revenue Code. We also
report to the IRS and to each non-U.S. person any income paid that is exempt
from federal withholding tax because it is effectively connected with a non-
U.S. person's United States trade or business. However, a non-U.S. holder will
not be subject to IRS reporting or backup withholding if we have received
appropriate certification statements from or on behalf of the non-U.S. holder
and provided that we do not have actual knowledge that the non-U.S. holder is
a United States person.

  The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of the notes or common
stock to or through the United States office of any United States or foreign
broker will be subject to IRS reporting and possibly backup withholding unless
the owner certifies as to its non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or
otherwise establishes an exemption, provided that the broker does not have
actual knowledge that the holder is a U.S. person or that the conditions of
any other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied. The payment of the proceeds
from the disposition of a note or common stock to or through a non-U.S. office
of a non-U.S. broker that is not a United States related person will not be
subject to IRS reporting or backup withholding. For this purpose, a U.S.
related person is:

       .  a controlled foreign corporation for United States federal income
          tax purposes, or

       .  a non-U.S. person 50% or more of whose gross income from all sources
          for the three-year period ending with the close of its taxable year
          preceding the payment (or for such part of the period that the broker
          has been in existence) is derived from the activities that are
          effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or
          business.

  In the case of the payment of proceeds from the disposition of notes or common
stock to or through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is a U.S. related person,
the regulations require IRS reporting on the payment unless the broker has
documentary evidence in its files that the owner is a non-U.S. holder and the
broker has no knowledge to the contrary. Backup withholding will not apply to
payments made through foreign offices of a broker that is a U.S. person or a
U.S. related person (absent actual knowledge that the payee is a U.S. person).


  Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rates from a payment to a
holder will be allowed as a credit against the holder's United States federal
income tax liability, if any, or will otherwise be refundable, provided that the
requisite procedures are followed.  Holders of the notes or common stock should
consult their own tax advisors regarding their qualification for exemption from
backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if
applicable.

Prospective Final Regulations

  The IRS has issued new withholding regulations effective generally for
payments made after December 31, 2000.  The proposed regulations provide that
information reporting but not backup withholding, may apply to a payment made
outside the United States of the proceeds of a sale of a note through an office
outside the United States of a broker that is a foreign partnership if one or
more of its partners are U.S. persons, as defined in United States Treasury
regulations, who in the aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital
interest in the partnership or such foreign partnership is engaged in a United
States trade or business unless the broker has documentary evidence in its
records that the holder is a non-U.S. person and does not have actual knowledge
that the holder is a U.S. person, or the holder otherwise establishes an
exemption.  Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect
to the future impact of these new withholding regulations.

                                      31
<PAGE>

                            SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

We originally issued the notes to the initial purchasers in a transaction exempt
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and the notes were
immediately resold by the initial purchasers to persons reasonably believed by
the initial purchasers to be qualified institutional buyers. Selling holders,
including their transferees, pledgees or donees or their successors, may from
time to time offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus any or all of the notes
and common stock into which the notes are convertible.

The following table sets forth information, as of August 18, 2000, with respect
to the selling holders and the principal amounts of notes beneficially owned by
each selling holder that may be offered under this prospectus. The information
is based on information provided by or on behalf of the selling holders. The
selling holders may offer all, some or none of the notes or common stock into
which the notes are convertible. Because the selling holders may offer all or
some portion of the notes or the common stock, we cannot estimate the amount of
the notes or the common stock that will be held by the selling holders upon
termination of any sales. In addition, the selling holders identified below may
have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of all or a portion of their notes
since the date on which they provided the information regarding their notes in
transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>




                                                                           SHARES OF
                                                PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF       COMMON STOCK                          COMMON STOCK OWNED
                                                NOTES BENEFICIALLY        BENEFICIALLY         COMMON STOCK    AFTER COMPLETION OF
NAME                                             OWNED AND OFFERED          OWNED(1)             OFFERED             OFFERING
---------------------------------------------    -----------------          --------             -------             --------
<S>                                             <C>                       <C>                  <C>             <C>
AAM/Zazove Institutional Income Fund, L.P.                   625,000                18,502              18,502             0
AIG/National Union Fire Insurance                          1,330,000                39,376              39,376             0
AIG SoundShore Holdings Ltd.                               3,500,000               103,620             103,620             0
AIG SoundShore Opportunity Holdings Fund Ltd               3,500,000               103,620             103,620             0
AIG SoundShore Strategic Holdings Fund Ltd                 1,000,000                29,606              29,606             0
Allstate Insurance Company                                 1,470,000             59,920(2)              43,520           16,400
Aloha Airlines Pilots Retirement Trust                        75,000                 2,220               2,220             0
Aloha Airlines Non-Pilots Pension Trust                      130,000                 3,848               3,848             0
Argent  Classic  Convertible  Arbitrage  Fund              6,250,000               185,034             185,034             0
L.P.
Argent  Classic  Convertible  Arbitrage  Fund              9,500,000               281,253             281,253             0
(Bermuda) L.P.
Argent Convertible Arbitrage Fund Ltd                      2,000,000                59,210              59,210             0
Boulder II Limited                                         7,750,000               229,442             229,442             0
BP. Amoco Plc. Master Trust                                4,069,000               120,464             120,464             0
Castle Convertible Fund, Inc.                                500,000                14,802              14,802             0
C&H Sugar Company, Inc.                                      205,000                 6,068               6,068             0
Chrysler Corporation Master Retirement Trust               1,060,000                31,380              31,380             0
DaimlerChrysler  Corporation  Emp. #1 Pension              1,946,000                57,612              57,612             0
Plan dtd 4/1/89
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.                             67,400,000             1,995,418           1,995,418             0
Employee Benefit Convertible Securities Fund                 160,000                 4,737               4,737             0
Estate of James Campbell                                   1,161,000                34,372              34,372             0
Franklin & Marshall College                                  134,000                 3,966               3,966             0
GE Pension Trust                                             964,000                28,538              28,538             0
Georges et/ou Maya Andraos                                   100,000                 2,960               2,960             0
Goldman Sachs & Co.(3)                                     2,741,000                81,149              81,149             0
Grace Brothers, LTD                                        1,500,000                44,408              44,408             0
Hawaiian  Airlines  Employees  Pension Plan -                110,000                 3,256               3,256             0
IAM
Hawaiian  Airlines  Pension Plan for Salaried                 30,000                   888                 888             0
Employees
Hawaiian Airlines Pilots Retirement Trust                    180,000                 5,328               5,328             0
Highbridge International LLC                              27,900,000               825,996             825,996             0
HT Insight Convertible Securities Fund                       300,000                 8,880               8,880             0
Island Holdings                                               75,000                 2,220               2,220             0
ITG. Inc.                                                    220,000                 6,512               6,512             0
Jefferies & Company                                          500,000                14,802              14,802             0
JMG Capital Partners, LP                                  10,000,000               296,056             296,056             0

</TABLE>

                                      32
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           SHARES OF
                                                PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF       COMMON STOCK                          COMMON STOCK OWNED
                                                NOTES BENEFICIALLY        BENEFICIALLY         COMMON STOCK    AFTER COMPLETION OF
NAME                                             OWNED AND OFFERED          OWNED(1)             OFFERED             OFFERING
---------------------------------------------    -----------------          --------             -------             --------
<S>                                             <C>                       <C>                  <C>             <C>
JMG Triton Offshore Fund, Ltd.                            14,000,000               414,478             414,478             0
LDG Limited                                                  125,000                 3,700               3,700             0
Lexington Vantage Fund                                        50,000                 1,480               1,480             0
Lipper Convertibles, L.P.                                  5,400,000               159,870             159,870             0
Lipper Offshore Convertibles, L.P.                           500,000                14,802              14,802             0
Lyxor Master Fund                                          2,300,000                68,092              68,092             0
McMahan Securities Company L.P.                              134,000                 3,967               3,967             0
Motion Picture  Industry Health Plan - Active                215,000                 6,364               6,364             0
Member Fund
Motion   Picture   Industry   Health  Plan  -                105,000                 3,108               3,108             0
Retiree Member Fund
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston                                   20,000                   592                 592             0
Nalco Chemical Company                                       525,000                15,542              15,542             0
Nations Convertible Securities Fund                        2,840,000                84,080              84,080             0
New York Life Insurance Company                           13,550,000               401,154             401,154             0
Onex Industrial Partners Limited                           3,750,000               111,020             111,020             0
Parker-Hannifin Corporation                                   35,000                 1,036               1,036             0
Pebble Capital, Inc.                                       3,500,000               103,618             103,618             0
Penn Treaty Network America Insurance Company                156,000                 4,618               4,618             0
ProMutual                                                     74,000                 2,190               2,190             0
Putnam   Asset   Allocation    Funds-Balanced                139,000                 4,114               4,114             0
Portfolio
Putnam  Asset  Allocation  Funds-Conservative                 89,000                 2,634               2,634             0
Portfolio
Putnam Balanced Retirement Fund                               39,000                 1,154               1,154             0
Putnam Convertible Income-Growth Trust                     2,024,000                59,920              59,920             0
Putnam  Convertible  Opportunities and Income                 59,000                 1,746               1,746             0
Trust
Queen's Health Plan                                           45,000                 1,332               1,332             0
R2 Investments, LDC                                       31,050,000               919,254             919,254             0
Robertson Stephens(4)                                     10,000,000               296,056             296,056             0
Salomon Brothers Asset Management , Inc.                   7,000,000               207,238             207,238             0
San   Diego   County   Employees   Retirement              2,595,000                76,827              76,827             0
Association
Silvercreek Limited Partnership                            4,000,000               118,422             118,422             0
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance - FRIC                   650,000                19,242              19,242             0
Starvest Combined Portfolio                                1,690,000                50,033              50,033             0
State  of  Connecticut   Combined  Investment              2,225,000                65,872              65,872             0
Funds
State of Oregon/SAIF Corporation                           6,425,000               190,216             190,216             0
Tribeca Investment L.L.C                                   5,000,000               148,028             148,028             0
TQA Master Fund, Ltd.                                      1,850,000                49,220              49,220             0
TQA Master Plus Fund, Ltd.                                   400,000                11,821              11,842             0
University of Rochester                                       19,000                   562                 562             0
Vanguard Convertible Securities Fund, Inc.                 2,545,000                75,346              75,346             0
Van Kampen Harbor Fund                                     4,250,000               125,824             125,824             0
Zurich HFR Master Hedge Fund Index Ltd                       150,000                 4,440               4,440             0
Zurich HFR Master Hedge Fund Index Ltd Global                100,000                 2,961               2,961             0
Zurich HFR Mstr Hdg Fund                                      75,000                 2,220               2,220             0
</TABLE>

(1)  Unless otherwise noted, represents shares of common stock issuable upon
     conversion of notes.

(2)  Includes 8,200 shares held by Allstate Insurance Company, 1,000 shares held
     by Allstate Life Insurance Company, 1,800 shares held by Agents Pension
     Plan and 5,400 shares held by Allstate Retirement Plan.

(3)  Goldman, Sachs & Co. was an initial purchaser of the notes from us. Goldman
     Sachs purchased the notes listed on this table in the after-market for its
     own account and not for purposes of distribution.

(4)  Robertson Stephens was an initial purchaser of the notes from us. Robertson
     Stephens purchased the notes listed on this table for its own account and
     not for purposes of distribution.

                                      33
<PAGE>

                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

  The selling holders and their successors, including their transferees,
pledgees or donees or their successors, may sell the notes and the common stock
into which the notes are convertible directly to purchasers or through
underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in the form
of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling holders or the
purchasers.  These discounts, concessions or commissions as to any particular
underwriter, broker-dealer or agent may be in excess of those customary in the
types of transactions involved.

  The holders of the notes and the common stock into which the notes are
convertible may sell the securities in one or more transactions at fixed prices,
at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the
prevailing market prices, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or
at negotiated prices.  These sales may be effected in transactions, which may
involve crosses or block transactions:

  .  on any national securities exchange or United States inter-dealer system of
     a registered national securities association on which the notes or the
     common stock may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;

  .  in the over-the-counter market;

  .  in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the
     over-the-counter market;

  .  through the writing of options, whether the options are listed on an
     options exchange or otherwise; or

  .  through the settlement of short sales.

  In connection with the sale of the notes and the common stock into which the
notes are convertible or otherwise, the selling holders may enter into hedging
transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in
turn engage in short sales of the notes or the common stock into which the notes
are convertible in the course of hedging the positions they assume.  The selling
holders may also sell the notes or the common stock into which the notes are
convertible short and deliver these securities to close out their short
positions, or loan or pledge the notes or the common stock into which the notes
are convertible to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities.

  The aggregate proceeds to the selling holders from the sale of the notes or
common stock into which the notes are convertible offered by them will be the
purchase price of the notes or common stock less discounts and commissions, if
any.  Each of the selling holders reserves the right to accept and, together
with their agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any
proposed purchase of notes or common stock to be made directly or through
agents.  We will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering.

  In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the
holders of the notes and common stock into which the notes are convertible, may
sell in some states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.  In
addition, in some states the holders of the notes and common stock into which
the notes are convertible may not sell the securities unless they register or
qualify them for sale or comply with an exemption from the registration or
qualification requirements that is available to them.

  The selling holders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that
participate in the sale of the notes and common stock into which the notes are
convertible may be "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the
Securities Act.  Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on
any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the
Securities Act.  Selling holders who are "underwriters" within the meaning of
Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act.  The selling holders have acknowledged that
they understand their obligations to comply with the provisions of the Exchange
Act and the rules thereunder relating to stock manipulation, particularly
Regulation M.

                                      34
<PAGE>


  In addition, holders of any securities covered by this prospectus that qualify
for sale pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A of the Securities Act may sell those
securities under Rule 144 or Rule 144A rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
A selling holder may not sell any notes or common stock described in this
prospectus and may not transfer, devise or gift these securities by other means
not described in this prospectus.

  To the extent required, the specific notes or common stock to be sold, the
names of the selling holders, the respective purchase prices and public offering
prices, the names of any agent, dealer or underwriter, and any applicable
commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in
an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective
amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

  We entered into a registration rights agreement for the benefit of holders of
the notes to register their notes and common stock under applicable federal and
state securities laws under specific circumstances and at specific times.  The
registration rights agreement provides for cross-indemnification of the selling
holders and us and their and our respective directors, officers and controlling
persons against specific liabilities in connection with the offer and sale of
the notes and the common stock, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
We will pay substantially all of the expenses incurred by the selling holders
incident to the offering and sale of the notes and the common stock.

                                      35
<PAGE>


                                 LEGAL MATTERS

  The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by
Cooley Godward LLP, Palo Alto, California.

                                    EXPERTS

  Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our financial statements
included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999,
as set forth in their report, which is  incorporated by reference in this
prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement.  Our financial
statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's
report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                      36
<PAGE>


                                 PART II

                 INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 16.  Exhibits

  (a) Exhibits.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      Number              Exhibit
                ------------------        -----------------------------------------------------------
             <S>                      <C>
                        4.1(1)            Indenture between the Registrant, as Issuer, and Firstar
                                          Bank, N.A., as Trustee, dated February 24, 2000.
                        5.1 *             Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP.
                       10.1(1)            Purchase Agreement among the Registrant and Goldman,
                                          Sachs & Co., Chase H&Q, a division of Chase Securities
                                          Inc., CIBC World Markets Corp., FleetBoston Robertson
                                          Stephens Inc. and Warburg Dillon Read LLC, dated February
                                          17, 2000.
                       10.2(1)            Registration Rights Agreement among the Registrant and
                                          Goldman, Sachs & Co., Chase H&Q, a division of Chase
                                          Securities Inc., CIBC World Markets Corp., FleetBoston
                                          Robertson Stephens Inc. and Warburg Dillon Read LLC,
                                          dated February 24, 2000.
                       12.1 *             Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                       23.1 *             Consent of Cooley Godward LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
                       23.2               Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP, Independent Auditors
                       24.1 *             Power of Attorney
                       25.1 *             Form T-1
</TABLE>

          *    Previously filed

          (1)  Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form
               10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2000 and incorporated by
               reference herein.

                                     II-1
<PAGE>


                                  SIGNATURES

  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe it meets all of
the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No.2
to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of South San Francisco, County of San
Mateo, State of California, on the 18th day of August, 2000.

                                 COR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

                              By /s/ Vaughn M. Kailian
                                 -----------------------
                                 Vaughn M. Kailian
                                 President and
                                 Chief Executive Officer


  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                            <C>                                                 <C>
Signature                                                           Title                                 Date
---------------------------------------------   -------------------------------------------------   ------------------
/s/ Vaughn M. Kailian                           President, Chief Executive Officer and                 August 18, 2000
---------------------------------------------   Director (Principal Executive Officer)
Vaughn M.  Kailian

             *                                  Executive Vice President, Research and                 August 18, 2000
---------------------------------------------   Development and Director
Charles J.  Homcy

             *                                  Senior Vice President, Finance and                     August 18, 2000
---------------------------------------------   Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Peter S.  Roddy                                 Financial Officer)

/s/ John M. Schembri                            Director, Finance and Controller                       August 18, 2000
---------------------------------------------   (Principal Accounting Officer)
John M. Schembri

             *                                  Director                                               August 18, 2000
---------------------------------------------
Shaun R.  Coughlin, M.D., Ph.D.

             *                                  Director                                               August 18, 2000
---------------------------------------------
James T.  Doluisio, Ph.D.

             *                                  Director                                               August 18, 2000
---------------------------------------------
Jerry T.  Jackson

             *                                  Director                                               August 18, 2000
---------------------------------------------
Ernest Mario, Ph.D.
</TABLE>

* By: /s/ Vaughn M. Kailian
      ----------------------
      Vaughn M. Kailian
      Attorney-in-Fact


                                     II-2
<PAGE>

                               Index to Exhibits

       Number          Exhibit
--------------------   -------------------------------------------------------
        23.2           Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP, Independent Auditors






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