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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Florida
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
59-2554729
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2800 Discovery Drive, Orlando, Florida 32826, (407) 384-1600
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant's principal executive offices)
Randy W. Frey, 2800 Discovery Drive, Orlando, Florida 32826, (407) 384-1600
(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
code, of agent for service)
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Copy to:
William A. Grimm, Esq., Gray, Harris & Robinson, P.A.,
201 East Pine Street, Suite 1200, Orlando, Florida 32801, (407) 843-8880
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: __________,
1998.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant
to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [_]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list
the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [_]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Title of each class of Amount to be Proposed maximum Proposed maximum Amount of
securities to be registered offering price per aggregate offering registration fee
registered unit (1) price (1)
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock, 2,411,710 $6.5625 $15,826,847 $4,669
$0.01 par value shares
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</TABLE>
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee pursuant
to Rule 457(c) based on the average of the high and low prices of the
Registrant's Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on April 27,
1998.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file
a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission acting pursuant to said Section 8(a)
may determine.
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Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes
effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.
Subject to Completion, dated April 28, 1998
PROSPECTUS
2,411,710 Shares
Autonomous Technologies Corporation
This Prospectus relates to the public offering, which is not being
underwritten, of 2,411,710 shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock, par value
$0.01 per share (the "Common Stock") of Autonomous Technologies Corporation (the
"Company"). All of the Shares may be offered by a certain stockholder of the
Company or by pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in interest that
receive such shares as a gift, partnership distribution or other non-sale
related transfer (the "Selling Stockholder"). The Company completed the sale of
500 shares of it's Series I Convertible Preferred Stock, with an option to
purchase an additional 400 shares of Series I Convertible Preferred Stock along
with a stock purchase warrant for 300,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Warrant")
(collectively, the "Option") on April 16, 1998 to the Selling Stockholder in a
private placement, with the closing subject only to the registration statement,
of which this prospectus is a part, becoming effective. See "Recent
Developments." The Series I Convertible Preferred Stock and the Option have
been issued pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), provided by Section
4(2) thereof. The Selling Stockholder may receive up to a maximum of 2,111,710
Shares upon the conversion of the Series I Convertible Preferred Stock
(including the conversion of the shares of Series I Convertible Preferred Stock
underlying the Option, but not including the Shares underlying the stock
purchase warrant) and will receive 300,000 Shares if the Warrant is exercised.
The Shares are being registered by the Company as requested by the Convertible
Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement between the
Company and the Selling Stockholder.
The Shares may be offered by the Selling Stockholder from time to time in
transactions on the Nasdaq National Market, in privately negotiated
transactions, or by a combination of such methods of sale, at such fixed prices
as may be negotiated from time to time, at market prices prevailing at the time
of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated
prices. The Selling Stockholder may effect such transactions by selling the
Shares to or through broker-dealers and such broker-dealers may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
Selling Stockholder or the purchasers of the Shares from whom such broker-
dealers may act as agent or to whom they sell as principal or both (which
compensation to a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary
commissions). See "Plan of Distribution."
The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the
Shares by the Selling Stockholder. The Company has agreed to bear certain
expenses in connection with the registration and sale of the Shares being
offered by the Selling Stockholder. The Company has agreed to indemnify the
Selling Stockholder against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
The Common Stock of the Company is traded on the Nasdaq National Market
tier of the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "ATCI." On April 27, 1998, the
last sale price for the Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq was $6.375 per share.
The Selling Stockholder and any broker-dealers or agents that participate
with the Selling Stockholder in the distribution of the Shares may be deemed to
be "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, and
any commissions received by them and any profit on the resale of the Shares
purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts
under the Securities Act. See "Plan of Distribution" herein for a description of
agreements by the Company to indemnify the Selling Stockholder against certain
liabilities.
THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 3.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON
THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS APRIL 28, 1998.
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
This Prospectus, which constitutes a part of a Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") filed by the Company with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the" Securities Act"), omits certain of the information set forth in
the Registration Statement. Reference is hereby made to the Registration
Statement and to the exhibits thereto for further information with respect to
the Company and the securities offered hereby. Copies of the Registration
Statement and the exhibits thereto are on file at the offices of the Commission
and may be obtained upon payment of the prescribed fee or may be examined
without charge at the public reference facilities of the Commission described
below.
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be
inspected and copied at the public reference facility maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at
the Commission's regional office located at 1401 Brickell Avenue, Suite 200,
Miami, FL, 33131. The Commission maintains a website that contains reports,
proxy statements and information statements and other information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the Commission. The address of such
web site is http://www.sec.gov. Copies of such material can be obtained from
the Public Reference Section of the Commission, located at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Company's Common Stock
is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market. Reports, proxy statements and other
information concerning the Company may be inspected at the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. at 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents or portions of documents filed by the Company (File
No. 0-28278) with the Commission are incorporated herein by reference: (a)
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 1997; (b)
Definitive Proxy Statement dated April 24, 1998, filed in connection with the
Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; (c) Form 8-K filed on April 27,
1998; and (d) the description of the Company's Common Stock which is contained
in its Form S-1 filed under the Securities Act on March 8, 1996 (File No. 333-
2068).
All reports and other documents filed after April 29, 1998 by the Company
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered
hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining unsold,
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof
from the date of the filing of such reports and documents. Any statement
contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained or incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes
such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered a copy of any or all of such documents which are
incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to such documents unless
such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents that
this Prospectus incorporates). Written or oral requests for copies should be
directed to Secretary, Autonomous Technologies Corporation, 2800 Discovery
Drive, Orlando, Florida 32826, (407) 384-1600.
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LADARVision and T-PRK are registered trademarks of the Company. T-LASIK
and CustomCornea are trademarks of the Company. Ciba Vision is a registered
trademark of Ciba Vision Corporation. Other trademarks used herein are the
property of their respective owners.
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In evaluating the Company's business, prospective investors should
carefully consider the following risk factors before purchasing the securities
offered hereby. This Prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements.
Statements of plans, intentions and objectives by the Company and statements of
future economic performance contained in this Prospectus should be deemed to be
forward-looking statements. Cautionary statements are made in certain sections
of this Prospectus. These cautionary statements should be read as being
applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in
this Prospectus, the materials referred to in this Prospectus or the materials
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and financial data appearing elsewhere and incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus. In evaluating the Company's business, prospective investors
should carefully consider the information set forth under the heading "Risk
Factors." This Prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements of plans, intentions and objectives
by the Company and statements of future economic performance contained in this
Prospectus should be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Statements
containing terms such as "believes," "does not believe," "no reason to believe,"
"expects," "plans," "intends," "estimates," "anticipated," "or "anticipates" are
considered to contain uncertainty and are forward-looking statements.
Cautionary statements are made in certain sections of this Prospectus. These
cautionary statements should be read as being applicable to all related forward-
looking statements wherever they appear in this Prospectus, the materials
referred to in this Prospectus or the materials incorporated by reference into
this Prospectus.
THE COMPANY
Autonomous Technologies Corporation ("Autonomous" or the "Company"), a
Florida corporation formed in 1985, has been engaged since 1993 in the design
and development of the next generation of excimer laser instruments for laser
vision correction ("LVC") to reduce or eliminate a person's dependence on
eyeglasses or contact lenses. The Company's technology combines eye tracking
with a narrow beam excimer laser to treat common refractive vision disorders
such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism
(blurred vision). The Company's objective has been to improve refractive
surgical outcomes for these conditions over those achieved by earlier LVC
systems. Clinical results obtained on the LADARVision(R) System (formerly
called the T-PRK(R) System) during 1997 for myopia and myopic astigmatism
demonstrate clinical superiority over any label data from such earlier LVC
systems.
Vision correction is one of the largest medical markets, with approximately
136 million people in the United States using eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Within this group, approximately 60 million people are myopic. Industry sources
estimate that Americans spend approximately $13 billion, at retail prices, on
eyeglasses, contact lenses and other vision correction products and services
each year.
The Company's marketing strategy is designed to broaden the penetration of
the LADARVision System in the refractive surgery market by offering better
clinical outcomes to surgeons and patients than is currently available and by
significantly reducing the up-front cost to the ophthalmologist of current LVC
systems. This marketing strategy would allow physicians to utilize the
LADARVision System by paying an advance procedure fee for the equipment and
paying a per procedure service fee thereafter. In 1997, the Company and CIBA
conducted a market research project that buttresses those performed in 1995 and
1996 demonstrating that there is significant interest in both the clinical
outcomes achieved in Phase III clinicals by the LADARVision System and the
pricing strategy of lower up-front costs and competitive procedure fees. The
Company may, however, elect to change this marketing strategy on a country-by-
country and account-by-account basis depending on applicable law and regulation,
tax considerations, and competitive conditions.
The Company's LADARVision System technology combines high speed, laser
radar eye tracking with narrow beam shaping to form its new and proprietary
technology platform. The LADARVision System is designed to address a need for
sophisticated eye tracking to compensate for saccadic eye movement during
surgery. Saccadic eye movements are very rapid, involuntary and random in
amplitude and direction and are not suppressed or reduced by medication used
during LVC. These eye movements degrade LVC predictability and visual quality.
The Company believes that the LADARVision System provides higher accuracy
ablation by virtually eliminating decentration and shaping error caused by eye
movement. Additionally, the narrow beam excimer provides a smooth ablation, and
the Company's algorithms and shaping apparatus offer high speed to minimize
surgical duration while retaining a high degree of pointing accuracy to achieve
predictable shaping.
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The Company believes the LADARVision System will yield more stable,
predictable results with less post-operative regression, potentially improving
visual quality and clinical outcomes for low to moderate myopia compared to
first generation excimer laser PRK systems manufactured and sold by its
competitors. The Company submitted its PMA application for its initial
indications of myopia and astigmatism. On February 13, 1998, the FDA's
Ophthalmic Devices Panel reviewed the application and unanimously recommended
that the FDA grant the PMA approval for myopia up to -8 diopters and astigmatism
up to -4 diopters. Normally, the FDA takes several months after a
recommendation from a panel to complete its work on the file, conduct audits of
the Company and grant a PMA.
In 1994, the Company entered into a strategic alliance with CIBA Vision
Group Management, Inc. ("CIBA"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Novartis, Ltd.
The strategic alliance with CIBA is for the worldwide co-promotion of the
LADARVision System. Through March 31, 1998, CIBA has invested an aggregate of
approximately $5 million in cash and $1.3 million in services in the Company.
As a result of this investment, CIBA owns approximately 16% of the Company's
Common Stock, not including shares that may be issuable to CIBA in 1999. See
"Risk Factors - Commission Obligation to CIBA; Future Dilution" and "Item 13. -
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 ("Form 10-K"). With
experience in physician and retail marketing and the second largest worldwide
market share for contact lenses, CIBA provides the Company with credibility and
awareness in both the ophthalmic and consumer markets. Under the strategic
alliance, the Company plans co-promotion strategies, such as product tie-ins,
joint advertising and shared exhibit space, on a project-by-project basis. The
Company retains the worldwide marketing rights for its LADARVision System.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
PRIVATE PLACEMENT. On April 16, 1998 the Company completed a private
placement with the Selling Stockholder of 500 shares of the Company's Series I
Convertible Preferred Stock, with an option to purchase 400 shares of Series I
Convertible Preferred Stock and a stock purchase warrant for 300,000 shares of
Common Stock (the "Warrant") (collectively, the "Option"). The shares of Series
I Convertible Preferred Stock (either 500 shares of, if the Option is exercised,
900 shares) convertible into a maximum of 2,111,710 shares of the Company's
Common Stock (the "Maximum Shares"). The Series I Convertible Preferred Stock
and Option were sold to the Selling Stockholder pursuant to an exemption from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(2)
thereof. The Company agreed to file a Registration Statement on Form S-3 on
behalf of the Selling Shareholder covering the resale of the shares of Common
Stock into which the Series I Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible and the
shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrant (the "Shares"). This Prospectus
forms a part of such Form S-3, pursuant to which all of the Shares may be
offered from time to time by the Selling Stockholder.
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION PANEL APPROVAL. On February 13, 1998, the
FDA's Ophthalmic Devices Panel reviewed the Company's PMA application for its
initial indications of myopia and astigmatism and unanimously recommended that
the FDA grant the PMA approval for myopia up to -8 diopters and astigmatism up
to -4 diopters for the Company's LADARVision System. Delays could occur in
receiving FDA approval of the LADARVision System resulting from possible delays
in obtaining FDA approval of the Company's quality management system in order to
manufacture the Systems.
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN
IN THE SECTION CAPTIONED "RISK FACTORS" WHICH IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS THIS SECTION
ON PAGE 3.
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The Company's executive offices are located at 2800 Discovery Drive, Orlando,
Florida 32826,
where it also maintains its primary research and manufacturing facilities.
Its telephone number at that location is (407) 384-1600.
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RISK FACTORS
In evaluating the Company's business, prospective investors should carefully
consider the following risk factors. This Prospectus contains certain forward-
looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements of
plans, intentions and objectives by the Company and statements of future
economic performance contained in this Prospectus should be deemed to be
forward-looking statements. Statements containing terms such as "believes,"
"does not believe," "no reason to believe," "expects," "plans," "intends,"
"estimates," "anticipated," "or "anticipates" are considered to contain
uncertainty and are forward-looking statements. Cautionary statements are made
in certain sections of this Prospectus. These cautionary statements should be
read as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they
appear in this Prospectus, the materials referred to in this Prospectus or the
materials incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
ABSENCE OF OPERATING HISTORY AND PROFITABILITY; EXPECTED FUTURE LOSSES. The
Company was founded in 1985 to develop laser tracking technology for the
Department of Defense under the Strategic Defense Initiative and did not pursue
development of the LADARVision System product until 1993. The Company has
generated limited revenues to date, of which very little so far relate to its
LADARVision System, and has incurred net losses since 1991. The Company's
LADARVision System may require additional product development, will require
additional clinical studies for indications beyond low and moderate myopia and
astigmatism and will require marketing investment as well as its PMA from the
FDA as a Class III device prior to United States commercialization. There can be
no assurance that any of the Company's product, clinical or market development
efforts will be successfully completed, that regulatory approvals will be
obtained, or that the Company's products will be capable of being produced in
commercial quantities at reasonable cost and quality. Further, it is expected
that the Company will continue to incur substantial losses for some time after
it enters the United States market for laser vision correction, and there can be
no assurance that the Company will attain profitability at any time in the
future.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION; FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION; POSSIBLE FAILURE TO OBTAIN
REGULATORY APPROVAL FOR PRODUCTS. Medical devices are subject, prior to
clearance for marketing, to rigorous pre-clinical and clinical testing mandated
by the FDA and comparable agencies in other countries and, to a lesser extent,
by state regulatory authorities. The Company has filed a PMA application with
the FDA for approval of its LADARVision System as a Class III device for
treating low myopia and must file an amendment thereto or additional PMA
applications for other vision disorders.
The process of obtaining approval of a PMA application is lengthy, expensive and
uncertain. It requires the submission of extensive clinical data and supporting
information to the FDA. The PMA process also typically has required a public
hearing before an advisory panel comprised of experts in the field. However,
the FDA is not bound by the advisory panel's recommendations when it seeks them.
In late 1996, the FDA issued a definitive statement entitled "FDA Guidance for
Photorefractive Keratectomy Laser Systems: IDE Studies and PMA Applications"
(the "Guidance Document"). The Guidance Document offers companies pursuing FDA
approval of LVC systems substantially more defined filing paths, study design
and execution requirements, and safety and efficacy data levels that will have
to be achieved in order to be a candidate for issuance of a PMA. The Company
believes that the Guidance Document will make the process of obtaining PMA
approvals for LVC systems less uncertain and more predictable but will not
eliminate the risk that the Company will not be granted a PMA. The Company
believes that its engineering, clinical trials and data gathering and analysis,
including that which was accomplished before the existence of the Guidance
Document, are in substantial compliance with the Guidance Document.
Products manufactured and distributed by the Company pursuant to a PMA will be
subject to extensive, ongoing regulation by the FDA. The FDA enabling
legislation, the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the "FDC Act") also requires the
Company to manufacture its products in accordance with its current Quality
System Regulations ("QSR"). The Company's facilities will be subject to
periodic, surprise QSR inspections by the FDA. These regulations impose certain
procedural and documentation requirements upon the Company with respect to
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manufacturing and quality assurance activities. QSR regulations are consistent,
to the extent possible, with the requirements for quality systems contained in
applicable international standards, primarily, the International Standards
Organization (ISO) 9001.
The Company's manufacturing facilities eventually must comply with current ISO
9001 qualifications and FDA QSR guidelines before the Company's PMA can be
granted. The Company's facilities are being readied to comply with such
requirements. However, delays could occur in receiving FDA approval of the
LADARVision System resulting from possible delays in obtaining FDA approval of
the Company's quality management system in order to manufacture the Systems. If
any noncompliance with the QSR guidelines is noted during facility inspections,
continued marketing of the Company's products may be adversely affected.
Additionally, product and procedure labeling and all forms of promotional
activities are subject to examination by the FDA, and current FDA enforcement
policy prohibits the marketing of approved medical devices for unapproved uses.
Noncompliance with these requirements may result in warning letters, fines,
injunctions, recall or seizure of products, suspension of manufacturing, denial
or withdrawal of PMAs, and criminal prosecution.
The FDA Quality System Regulation and ISO 9001 require the Company to maintain a
supplier-quality program with major sub-contractors in order for the Company's
product to carry the claim of having been manufactured in a quality environment.
As a result, at least two of the Company's current sub-contractors will be
required to establish documented quality systems. Currently one of those sub-
contractors meets those standards. There can be no assurance that the remaining
sub-contractor can meet the standards in a timely fashion. Furthermore, there
is always the risk that existing sub-contractors who meet the requirements
currently will not meet them at some time in the future. As a result, it is
possible that the Company's commercial capability could be hindered at some time
in the future because it is unable to pass QSR inspections by the FDA, its
subcontractor's documented quality systems fail to be sufficient, or the Company
is unable to obtain the "CE" mark to enable the Company to distribute products
in Europe in 1998 and beyond. (See "Risks Associated with International
Commercial Activities" for a discussion of the "CE" mark.)
Requirements for regulatory approval relating to the LADARVision System may vary
widely from country to country, ranging from simple product registrations to
detailed submissions such as those required by the FDA. No regulatory
clearances have been obtained in any such countries, and there is no assurance
that any will be issued.
Changes in existing regulatory requirements or adoption of new requirements
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that the Company
will not be required to incur significant costs to comply with laws and
regulations in the future or that laws and regulations will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of
operations.
NEED FOR ADDITIONAL CAPITAL TO FUND PLACEMENT OF THE LADARVISION SYSTEMS AND FOR
OPERATIONS. The Company's business strategy calls for the placement of the
LADARVision Systems with ophthalmologists primarily under procedure fee
agreements. As a result, the Company will be required to fund the cost of
manufacturing and installation of each system. Although the Company intends to
receive prepaid fees for the placement of each machine and to seek financing for
additional balances of capital investment, such prepaid fees and funding will
not cover the initial manufacturing and installation costs of each system. The
Company will be required to obtain financing prior to achieving high volume
commercial use of its LADARVision Systems. The Company has executed a letter of
intent whereby a financial institution will provide a $15 million master lease
agreement to support the U.S. commercial placement of the Company's LADARVision
Systems for at least one year; however, this letter of intent is subject to
final due diligence and documentation between the parties, which has not been
completed. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain
funds under a master lease or similar debt agreement or raise equity capital as
needed for the commercial placement of its LADARVision Systems or, if such
funding is obtained, that the terms of such funding will be favorable to the
Company. Until such time as the cash provided from the cumulative LADARVision
System placements is
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sufficient to cover the costs of the Company's clinical, research, development
and administrative endeavors, the Company will need additional capital for
funding of such operations. To the extent that such additional capital is
obtained via equity sales, the holdings of existing shareholders may be
materially diluted. Further, additional dilution will occur to existing
shareholders upon the exercise of outstanding warrants and stock options, the
potential issuance of shares to CIBA in 1999, the conversion of Series I
Convertible Preferred Stock and the exercise of the Warrant.
LIMITED MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE; QSR AND ISO 9001 REQUIREMENTS. The Company's
manufacturing operations consist primarily of the final assembly of out-sourced
parts and components, followed by testing to assure field performance and
quality control. The Company must expand its manufacturing capabilities for
commercial production of the LADARVision System to have the capacity to address
the market. The Company has recently experienced delays in the production of
LADARVision Systems. The Company delayed shipment of commercial systems in March
1998 for at least ninety days in order to finalize its QSR systems and complete
implementation of several engineering changes. There can be no assurance that
the Company will not continue to experience difficulties as it converts from a
research and development operation into a commercial manufacturing operation.
Any delay in commercial production beyond June 1998 could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's operations. In addition, the Company must meet
the FDA's QSR guidelines in order to ship systems for use in the United States
and must meet the requirements of ISO 9001 and receive a CE Mark in order to
market in the European Community. Preliminary reviews have identified
deficiencies that must be corrected by the Company in order to meet both the QSR
and ISO 9001 requirements. If the Company is delayed in meeting the
aforementioned requirements beyond June 1998, such delay could have a material
adverse effect on the operations of the Company. In addition, if any of the
Company's suppliers of significant components or sub-assemblies cannot meet the
quality requirements of the Company, the Company could be delayed in producing
commercial systems for the United States market.
RELIANCE ON THIRD PARTY AND SOLE SOURCE SUPPLIERS. The Company relies on third
party suppliers to provide the components necessary for the manufacture of the
LADARVision System. The Company-patented laser component of the LADARVision
System is currently supplied by a single source according to the Company's
specifications under an exclusive supply agreement. The Company has the right
at any time to seek other producers of the laser. In addition to the laser
device, the most significant system component is the tracking hardware. Other
components of the LADARVision System such as the stereo microscope, computer
hardware and system casing are available from several sources. The Company may
be unable to obtain sufficient quantities of these components from single-source
or other suppliers or it may be unable to effect a change from a single source
supplier to another or other suppliers. In these instances, reductions in
manufacturing capability could occur that could cause delays in clinical trials,
regulatory approvals and commercialization which would have a material adverse
effect on the business, financial condition, and results of operations of the
Company.
DEPENDENCE ON PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY. The Company's success will
depend in part on its ability to obtain patents for its products and processes,
to preserve its trade secrets and to operate without infringing upon the
proprietary rights of third parties. In particular, whether the Company can
protect its proprietary tracking and narrow-beam shaping technology is critical
to its ability to differentiate it from existing LVC systems. The Company has
filed fourteen U.S. and foreign patent applications related to several features
of its eye tracking technology as well as to its narrow beam delivery, corneal
sculpting methods and advanced topographical analysis. Three of these
applications have resulted in the issuance of United States patents and multiple
claims for two additional U.S. patents have been allowed. It is uncertain as to
whether any other patents will be issued, whether the scope of any patent
protection will exclude competitors or provide meaningful competitive advantages
to the Company, whether any of the Company's patents will be held valid if
subsequently challenged, or whether others will not claim rights in or ownership
of the patents and other proprietary rights held by the Company.
In both the United States and overseas, there are a number of patents covering
methods, procedures and apparatus for performing corneal surgery with
ultraviolet laser ablation. Furthermore, there are existing patents in eye
tracking and narrow beam excimer shaping. The patent positions of medical
technology are generally uncertain
5
<PAGE>
and involve complex legal and factual questions. Consequently, the Company does
not know whether any of its pending applications will result in the issuance of
any patents or whether issued patents will provide significant proprietary
protection or will be circumvented or invalidated. Since patent applications in
the United States are maintained in secret until patents are granted and since
publication of inventions in scientific or patent literature tend to lag behind
patent grants by several months, the Company cannot be certain that it was the
first creator of inventions covered by its pending patent applications or that
it was the first to file patent applications for such inventions.
PATENT LITIGATION. There has been significant patent litigation in the medical
device industry generally, and in LVC in particular. The defense and
prosecution of patent proceedings is costly and involves substantial commitments
of management time. Adverse determinations in litigation or other patent
proceedings to which the Company may become a party could subject the Company to
significant legal judgments or other liabilities to third parties and could
require the Company to seek licenses from third parties that may or may not be
obtainable and may or may not be economically viable. Patent and other
intellectual property disputes in the medical device industry often are settled
through licensing arrangements. The costs associated with such arrangements may
be substantial, and could include ongoing royalties. Furthermore, there can be
no assurances that a settlement through licensing can be reached, accordingly,
an adverse determination in a judicial or administrative proceeding, or the
Company's failure to obtain necessary licenses, could prevent the Company from
manufacturing and selling its products in one or more markets, which could have
a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Two of the Company's competitors, Summit Technologies, Inc. ("Summit") and VISX,
have formed a United States partnership, Pillar Point Partners ("Pillar Point"),
to pool certain of their respective patents related to corneal sculpting
technologies. In October 1996, the Company filed suit in the U.S. against
Pillar Point alleging non-infringement, unenforceability and invalidity of
certain of the patents of Pillar Point. There can be no assurance that the
Company will prevail in this lawsuit or that other such suits will not arise.
See "Item 3. - Legal Proceedings" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
TECHNOLOGY LICENSES FROM PILLAR POINT AND OTHERS. Pursuant to the Pillar Point
partnership, Summit and VISX, whose products use excimer lasers for PRK, have
agreed to pay royalties and per procedure fees to Pillar Point under licenses
granted by Pillar Point. Depending upon whether the Company's LADARVision
System incorporates patented technology owned by or licensed to Pillar Point and
as may be required by any license agreement that the Company may enter into with
Pillar Point, the Company or its LADARVision System users may be required to pay
royalties and per procedure fees to Pillar Point for all revenues generated in
the United States. The Company has not obtained a license from Pillar Point as
of this date, and the actual per procedure fee and other terms of any license,
if such license is granted, have yet to be determined.
In addition, there may be other United States and foreign patents for which the
Company will need to negotiate licenses in order to sell, lease or use the
LADARVision System in certain markets.
There can be no assurance that the Company or its customers will be successful
in securing licenses, including any necessary licenses from Pillar Point, or
that if the Company does obtain licenses, such licenses will be on terms
acceptable to the Company. The failure to either obtain required licenses or to
obtain licenses on terms favorable to the Company could have a material adverse
effect on the business of the Company.
LIMITED HUMAN CLINICAL TRIAL DATA IN HYPEROPIA AND LASIK; LACK OF LONG-TERM
FOLLOW-UP. Substantial additional human clinical trials must be completed under
rigorous protocols at multiple sites in order to submit the required outcome
data for hyperopia/astigmatism and LASIK with the Company's PMA application(s).
The results of the Company's early clinical trials in myopia/astigmatism appear
satisfactory, but may not be indicative of results to be expected in future
clinical trials for expanded indications. If the Company's clinical trials do
not show consistently good outcomes, the Company may not be able to secure a PMA
for its products. Moreover, the results of clinical trials are not within the
Company's control, and the Company could experience delays in
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<PAGE>
completing its clinical trials for a variety of reasons. Any failure to obtain a
PMA or delay in clinical trials would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
There have been concerns with respect to the safety and efficacy of LVC,
including the predictability and stability of results. Potential complications
and side effects in early LVC systems have included post-operative discomfort
due to re-epithelialization (eye membrane re-growth); corneal haze during
healing (an increase in the light scattering properties of the cornea);
glare/halos (undesirable visual sensations produced by bright lights); decreases
in contrast sensitivity; temporary increases in intraocular pressure in reaction
to topical medication administered during and after the procedure; fluctuations
in refractive capabilities during healing; occasional decreases or permanent
loss in best corrected vision post-operatively (i.e., with corrective eyewear);
unintended over-corrections or under-corrections; regression of operative
effect; disorders of corneal healing; corneal scars; corneal ulcers and
unintentionally induced astigmatism. It is entirely unpredictable as to whether
long-term follow-up data on either clinical or later commercial patients from
any LVC system will reveal additional complications that may have a material
adverse effect on acceptance of LVC and market size which in turn would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. Concern over the safety of LVC in general could, in
turn, result in adverse regulatory action which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
UNCERTAIN MARKET ACCEPTANCE OF LVC. The Company believes that its long-term
growth and ultimate profitability will depend upon acceptance of LVC in the
United States and certain international markets and the Company's ability to
penetrate the LVC market successfully. LVC has only been marketed in the United
States for approximately 32 months and initial market growth has been slower
than anticipated (published market estimates have shown approximately 100,000
and 200,000 U.S. procedures for the calendar years 1996 and 1997, respectively).
The degree of eventual acceptance of LVC by ophthalmologists and persons needing
refractive correction as an alternative to existing methods of treating or
correcting vision disorders is still undeterminable. The acceptance of LVC by
the general population may be affected adversely by its retail price, concerns
relating to its safety and efficacy, and the accepted effectiveness of
alternative methods of correcting refractive vision disorders. Additionally,
the current lack of long-term follow-up data, the possibility of unknown side
effects, and the expected lack of third-party reimbursement for the procedure
might also adversely affect demand. Any future reported adverse events or other
unfavorable publicity involving patient outcomes from the use of legal or
illegal LVC systems manufactured by any participant in the LVC market could also
adversely affect consumer acceptance. Ophthalmologist and optometrist acceptance
(the latter for referrals) could also be affected by the high costs and expenses
of excimer laser systems, which might preclude access to such systems by some
professionals. In addition, the Company's marketing strategy relies, in part,
on ophthalmologists who are currently using an existing excimer laser system to
replace their equipment with the Company's LADARVision System. Emerging new
refractive surgery technologies and procedures may also have the potential to
compete with or materially limit the acceptance of LVC. Current ophthalmic
product suppliers whose products, including eyeglasses and contact lenses, are
alternatives to LVC also may adversely affect the market acceptance of LVC by
their retail marketing strategies, including aggressive pricing. The failure of
LVC to achieve broad market acceptance would have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. There
can be no assurance that there will be demand for the Company's LADARVision
System.
RAPIDLY CHANGING TECHNOLOGY; HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MARKETS. The refractive surgery
market is characterized by rapidly evolving technology and intense competition.
The Company is aware of two companies, Summit and VISX, that have been granted
their PMA's and are actively marketing LVC systems in the United States for
myopia and astigmatism. Several companies, including Bausch & Lomb's Surgical
Division (formerly Chiron/Technolas), Coherent/Schwind, Nidek, Meditek,
Lasersight and Novatec, have introduced LVC systems outside the United States,
where LVC has been commercialized for treating refractive disorders. Three of
these companies have made announcements of PMA filings with the FDA subsequent
to the Company's filing, indicating substantial completion of their U.S. Phase
III protocols. Other companies either have begun or may soon begin clinical
trials in the United States, including Phase III trials, the last stage before
approval. LVC providers who purchase equipment from Summit or VISX may be
reluctant to change to the new LADARVision System because
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of the significant capital investment they have made or the familiarity with the
equipment and the inconvenience of changing to a new system. If other providers
of LVC systems are able to saturate the United States market with their
equipment before the Company obtains FDA approval to market the LADARVision
System in the United States, the Company could experience a significantly lower
share of the market than anticipated which would have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Several of the Company's competitors have allied with or developed their own
vision care centers in Europe and the United States and have entered into
strategic alliances with prominent corporations in the worldwide ophthalmic
industry to promote their LVC excimer lasers. Many of these companies have
substantially greater capabilities than the Company in the areas of capital
resources, research and development resources and regulatory, manufacturing and
marketing experience. There can be no assurance that the Company's competitors
will not succeed in developing or marketing technologies and products that are
more effective and less expensive than those developed or marketed by the
Company or that would render the Company's technology and products obsolete or
noncompetitive.
Non-laser corrective refractive procedures and technologies are under
development, and it is possible that these technologies and procedures will be
successfully developed as competition to the Company's technology.
RELIANCE ON A SINGLE POTENTIAL PRODUCT. Currently the Company's only
significant planned product is the LADARVision System for refractive correction.
The Company's existing plans assume that it will derive substantially all of its
revenues from the LADARVision System. If the Company is unable to make
significant commercial placements of the LADARVision System for vision
correction, the viability of the Company would be jeopardized. Furthermore, if
the Company is unable to successfully design, clinically test and gain FDA
approval on various indications, such as low and moderate myopia, astigmatism,
and hyperopia, the Company's future growth could be significantly limited.
DEPENDENCE ON AND NEED FOR KEY PERSONNEL; POTENTIAL FAILURE TO MANAGE GROWTH.
Prior to 1995, the Company relied on consultants and contractors to assist
senior management in certain financial, regulatory, marketing and manufacturing
functions. Since 1995, the Company has attracted senior personnel in marketing,
clinical trials management, finance, research, engineering and operations. As
the Company continues the clinical development of the LADARVision System and
prepares for regulatory approvals and other commercialization activities, it
will need to continue to implement and expand its operational, financial and
management resources and controls. Particularly important will be the need of
the Company to build a manufacturing and field service organization. The
failure of the Company to attract and retain experienced individuals for these
positions, as well as any inability of the Company to effectively manage growth
in its domestic and international operations as it transitions from a
development stage enterprise to a commercial entity, could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
NO SIGNIFICANT SALES AND MARKETING EXPERIENCE; RELIANCE TO DATE ON STRATEGIC
ALLIANCE PARTNER. The Company's efforts to date have focused on the development
and evaluation of the LADARVision System for treating refractive disorders. As
the Company continues clinical studies with the LADARVision System and prepares
for commercialization of the product internationally and in the United States,
it must build a sales and marketing infrastructure. The Company has limited
experience in the sales and marketing of capital equipment for laser vision
correction. In 1994 and 1995, the Company entered into agreements that form a
strategic alliance with CIBA for the worldwide co-promotion of the Company's
LADARVision System excimer laser. Although it has developed a strong reputation
in certain ophthalmic markets such as contact lenses, lens care and ophthalmic
pharmaceuticals, CIBA does not have considerable experience in the sale of
ophthalmic equipment or in the refractive surgery market. It is possible that
the Company will not be able to attract the personnel to develop the
infrastructure to effectively market the LADARVision System or that CIBA will
not be able to provide sufficient or effective co-marketing and business
support.
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RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES. International
commercial activities may be limited by or disrupted by the imposition of
government controls, unique license requirements, political instability, trade
restrictions, changes in tariffs or taxes, and difficulties in staffing and
managing such complexities.
In order to make commercial placements in Europe, the Company is required to
receive a "CE" mark certification, an international symbol of quality and
compliance with applicable European medical device directives, by June 1998. In
order to receive a CE mark certification, the Company must have obtained an ISO
9001 certification. Failure to receive a CE mark certification will prohibit the
Company from placing the LADARVision System in Europe and would have a material
adverse effect on the business, financial condition, and results of operations
of the Company.
COMMISSION OBLIGATION TO CIBA; FUTURE DILUTION. As part of the strategic
alliance with CIBA, the Company will pay a 6% commission on net revenue
worldwide from all equipment sales and patient procedure fees relating to
ophthalmic refractive surgery. The initial commission is limited to $10,000,000
in the aggregate. In the event the Company has not paid commissions to CIBA
totaling $10,000,000 or more by May 15, 1999, the Company must deliver to CIBA
171,713 shares Common Stock (the "Additional Shares"), and continue to pay
commissions until the $10,000,000 aggregate amount is reached. If the
Additional Shares are issued, the number of such shares must be adjusted so that
the Additional Shares have a market value of at least $675,000 on May 15, 1999.
The Company's current business plan contemplates that commissions to CIBA by May
15, 1999 will not total $10,000,000. Therefore, it should be assumed that the
Company will issue the Additional Shares on May 15, 1999. The 6% commission
will reduce the Company's income and margins from its business for the period it
is payable, and the potential future shares are prospectively dilutive to
stockholders in 1999.
POSSIBLE TERMINATION OF STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH CIBA. The strategic alliance
provides CIBA and the Company with certain termination rights. CIBA may, at its
sole discretion, terminate the strategic alliance upon 180 days notice to the
Company. In such event, the Company would be obligated to continue to pay to
CIBA for up to three years beyond termination the 6% commission on procedure fee
revenue derived from LADARVision Systems that were commercially placed at the
time of the termination. Additionally, CIBA has the right to terminate the
strategic alliance upon 30 days notice should there be a change of control of
the Company (defined as the transfer of greater than 50% of the voting stock or
substantially all of the assets of the Company in a single transaction or series
of related transactions, excluding a bona fide public offering). CIBA also has
the right to terminate the strategic alliance upon 30 days notice if it
determines, in its sole discretion, that the Company's core technology or the
commercial essence of the technology is not patentable, or that additional
licenses (other than that with Pillar Point) are necessary, are not obtained or
would have a material adverse impact upon the commercial value of the Company's
technology. CIBA also has the right to terminate such agreement (i) if the
Company materially breaches such agreement and does not cure such breach within
the cure period, (ii) if the Company becomes insolvent, or (iii) if the control
of the Company falls into the hands of a competitor to CIBA. In the event that
CIBA terminates the strategic alliance, such termination would have a material
adverse effect on the operations, financial condition and the results of
operations of the Company, in that the Company would be unable to utilize the
CIBA name in connection with marketing the LADARVision System, or to utilize
other planned services as agreed to in the strategic alliance.
POTENTIAL PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS AND UNINSURED RISKS. The Company's business
involves the risk of product liability claims. Any inability of the Company to
maintain adequate insurance coverage at any time could, in the event of product
liability or other claims in excess of the Company's insurance coverage, have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. The Company has in the past agreed, and is likely to in
the future agree, to indemnify certain medical institutions and personnel
thereof conducting and participating in the Company's clinical studies.
VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE. The Company's Common Stock has experienced
substantial price volatility, and such volatility may occur in the future.
Additionally, the stock market has from time to time experienced significant
price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of
particular companies. These
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broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the Company's
Common Stock. In addition, the market price of the shares of Common Stock is
likely to be highly volatile. Factors such as fluctuations in the Company's
operating results, announcements of technological innovations or new products by
the Company or its competitors, FDA and international regulatory actions,
developments with respect to patents or proprietary rights, including lawsuits,
the perceived ability of the Company to obtain any new financing necessary,
public concern as to the safety of products developed by the Company or its
competitors, changes in health care policy in the United States and
internationally, changes in analysts' recommendations regarding the Company,
other LVC or medical device companies or the medical device industry generally
and general market conditions may have a significant effect on the market price
of the Common Stock.
CONTROL BY CERTAIN EXISTING STOCKHOLDERS. The directors, executive officers and
certain entities affiliated with directors of the Company beneficially own
approximately 24.6% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock. Accordingly,
these stockholders, individually and as a group, may be able to influence the
outcome of stockholder votes, including votes concerning the election of
directors, the adoption or amendment of provisions in the Company's Third
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles") and Bylaws and
the approval of certain mergers or other similar transactions. Such control by
existing stockholders could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change in control of the Company.
NO FORESEEABLE DIVIDENDS. The Company has never paid cash dividends on its
capital stock and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. The Company intends to retain future earnings for reinvestment in its
business. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the
discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon the Company's
financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other
factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.
ANTI-TAKEOVER MEASURES; POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON COMMON STOCK PRICE. The
Company's Articles authorize the Company's Board of Directors to issue shares of
the Company's Preferred Stock and to determine the rights, preferences,
privileges and restrictions of such shares without any vote or action by the
stockholders. The issuance of Preferred Stock under such circumstances could
have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company.
The rights of the holders of the Common Stock will be subject to, and may be
adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any Preferred Stock that may
be created and issued in the future. In addition, the Company's Articles
provide that any action to be taken by written consent in lieu of an annual or
special meeting of the stockholders is prohibited unless the use of written
consents is approved in advance thereof by the Board of Directors and that an
affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding
voting shares is required to amend such prohibition of use of written consents
by the stockholders set forth above.
In addition, certain provisions of the Florida Business Corporation Act have
anti-takeover effects and may inhibit a non-negotiated merger or other business
combination. These statutory provisions are intended to encourage any person
interested in acquiring the Company to negotiate with and obtain the approval of
the Board of Directors in connection with such a transaction. One of the
effects of the provisions described above may be to discourage a future attempt
to acquire control of the Company that is not presented to and approved by the
Board of Directors, but which a substantial number, and perhaps even a majority
of the Company's stockholders, might believe to be in their best interests or in
which stockholders might receive a substantial premium for their shares over the
current market prices. As a result, stockholders who might desire to
participate in such a transaction may not have an opportunity to do so.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE. At April 16, 1998, the Company had 10,558,555
shares of Common Stock outstanding. Of the shares of Common Stock currently
outstanding, the Company estimates that there are currently 670,000 unregistered
shares of Common Stock outstanding which may be freely traded or may be traded
under certain volume and other restrictions set forth in Rule 144 (as recently
amended).
At April 16, 1998, the Company has reserved 1,520,335 shares of Common Stock for
issuance pursuant to the 1995 Stock Option Plan and the 1996 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (collectively, the "Stock Plans"). Of this
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amount, 1,217,232 shares were subject to outstanding options at April 16, 1998.
Since the Stock Plans have been registered on Form S-8 with the SEC, Common
Stock issued in conjunction with the Stock Plans are generally eligible for
resale in the open market.
At April 16, 1998, the Company has reserved 1,088,850 shares of Common Stock for
issuance upon the exercise of warrants outstanding. At the current time, should
such warrants be exercised, they would generally result in unrestricted Common
Stock being issued. Of these 1,088,850 warrants, all are exercisable at April
16, 1998, and 938,850 are "in the money."
Certain holders of the Company's Common Stock and stock purchase warrants
totaling 468,821 shares (together, the "Registrable Securities") have certain
rights to cause the Company to register the sale of such shares under the
Securities Act. If the Company proposes to register any of its securities under
the Securities Act for its own account, holders of the Registrable Securities
are entitled to notice of such registration and are entitled to include
Registrable Securities therein, provided, among other conditions, that the
underwriters, if any, of such offering have the right to limit the number of
shares included in such registration. Of the total number of Registrable
Securities, 438,821 shares of the 1,695,371 shares owned by CIBA are included in
the total of Registrable Securities. CIBA may require the Company to file
additional registration statements covering those shares of Common Stock it
owns, which are not otherwise registered, on Form S-3, subject to certain
conditions and limitations. Registration of such shares under the Securities
Act would result in such shares becoming freely transferrable under the
Securities Act (except for shares held by affiliates of the Company) immediately
upon the effectiveness of such registration. CIBA has waived its right to have
shares registered on this Form S-3.
No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that sales of shares of
Common Stock under Rule 144 or pursuant to the registration rights described
above, or the future availability of such shares for sale, will have on the
market price of the Common Stock. Sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock
in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could
adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Common Stock.
SELLING STOCKHOLDER
The Series I Convertible Preferred Stock was acquired from the Company
pursuant to a Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement for an aggregate
purchase price of $5,000,000, and the exercise price for the Option is
$4,000,000. The offer and sale by the Company of the Series I Convertible
Preferred Stock, the Option and the Warrant to the Selling Stockholder pursuant
to the Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement was made pursuant to an
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by
Section 4(2) thereof. The Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement
contains representations and warranties as to the Selling Stockholder's status
as an "accredited investor" as such term is defined in Rule 501 promulgated
under the Securities Act.
Pursuant to the Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, the Selling
Stockholder has represented that it acquired the Series I Convertible Preferred
Stock and the Option for investment and with no present intention of
distributing the Series I Convertible Preferred Stock, the Option, the Warrant
or the Shares into which the Series I Convertible Preferred Stock and the Option
are convertible or the Shares underlying the Warrant. The Company agreed, in
such Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, to prepare and file a
registration statement as soon as practicable and to bear all expenses other
than underwriting discounts and commissions and brokerage commissions and fees.
In addition, and in recognition of the fact that the Selling Stockholder, even
though purchasing the Series I Convertible Preferred Stock, the Option and the
Warrant without a view to distribution, may wish to be legally permitted to sell
the Shares when each deems appropriate, the Company filed with the Commission a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, of which this Prospectus forms a part, with
respect to, among other things, the resale of the Shares as described below
under "Plan of Distribution."
The Selling Stockholder has not had a material relationship with the
Company within the past three years except as a result of the ownership of the
Series I Convertible Preferred Stock and the Option.
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The following table sets forth the name of the Selling Stockholder, the
number of Shares beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholder as of April 28,
1998 and the number of Shares which may be offered pursuant to this Prospectus.
This information is based upon information provided by the Selling Stockholder.
Under the Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, the Selling
Shareholder is entitled to convert 115 shares of Series I Convertible Preferred
Shares into Shares per month (which may cumulate). The Shares are being
registered to permit public secondary trading of the Shares, and the Selling
Stockholder may offer the Shares for resale from time to time.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Shares Owned
Prior to Offering (1) (2) Ownership After Offering (2)
----------------------------- ------------------------
Number of
Name of Number of Shares Being Number of
Selling Stockholder Shares Percent (6) Offered Shares Percent
- ------------------- ------------- ----------- ------------ -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OZ Master Fund, Ltd. (3) 2,111,710 (4) 19.999991% 2,111,710 0 0%
300,000 (5) 2.84% 300,000 0 0%
</TABLE>
(1) The number of Shares beneficially owned is determined under rules
promulgated by the Commission, and the information is not necessarily
indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose.
(2) It is unknown if, when or in what amounts the Selling Stockholder may offer
Shares for sale. Because the Selling Stockholder may offer all or some of
the Shares pursuant to this offering, and because there are currently no
agreements, arrangements or understandings with respect to the sale of any
of the Shares that will be held by the Selling Stockholder after completion
of the offering, no estimate can be given as to the amount of Shares that
will be held by the Selling Stockholder after completion of the offering.
However, for purposes of this table, the Company has assumed that, after
completion of the offering, none of the Shares covered hereby will be held
by the Selling Stockholder.
(3) OZ Management, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, shares
investment and voting control over the Shares owned by OZ Master Fund, Ltd.
Daniel S. Och, a U.S. citizen and resident, may be considered the
controlling person of OZ Management, L.L.C.
(4) Represents the maximum number of Shares into which the total shares the
Series I Convertible Preferred Stock may be convertible. The conversion
formula is based on 90% of the average of the lowest trade price for the
five trading days prior to conversion. As an example, if all 900 shares of
Series I Convertible Preferred Stock are issued and the conversion price,
based on the formula, is $5.00 per share, the 900 shares would be
convertible into 1,800,000 shares of Common Stock. The conversion price,
based on this formula would have to be at or below $4.26 per share before
the maximum number of shares will apply, assuming all 900 shares of Series
I Convertible Preferred Stock are outstanding, or $2.36 per share, if only
500 shares of Series I Convertible Preferred Stock are outstanding.
(5) Represents the number of Shares underlying the Warrant.
(6) Percent of total shares of Common Stock outstanding as of April 16, 1998.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company will receive no proceeds from this offering. The Shares
offered hereby may be sold by the Selling Stockholder from time to time in
transactions an the Nasdaq National Market, in the over-the-counter market, in
negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the Shares or a
combination of such methods of sale, at fixed prices which may be changed, at
market prices prevailing at the time of the sale, at prices related to
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The Selling Stockholder may
effect such transactions by selling the Shares to or through broker-dealers, and
such broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions from the Selling Stockholder and/or the purchasers of
the Shares for whom such broker-dealers may act as agents or to whom they sell
as principals, or both (which compensation to a particular broker-dealer might
be in excess of customary commissions).
The Shares may be sold by one or a combination of the following: (a) a
block trade in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the
Shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal
to facilitate the transaction; (b) purchases by a broker or dealer as principal
and resale by such broker or dealer for its account pursuant to this Prospectus;
(c) an over-the-counter distribution in accordance with the rules of the Nasdaq
National Market; (d) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which
the broker solicits purchasers; and (e) in privately negotiated transactions. In
connection with distributions of the Shares or otherwise, any Selling
Stockholder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers and the
broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the Shares in the course of hedging
the positions they assume with such Selling Stockholder. Any Selling Stockholder
also may sell Shares short and deliver Shares to close out such short positions.
Any Selling Stockholder also may enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers that involve the delivery of the Shares to the broker-dealers,
which may then resell or otherwise transfer such Shares. Any Selling Stockholder
also may loan or pledge the Shares to a broker-dealer or other financial
institution may sell the Shares so loaned or upon a default may sell or
otherwise transfer the pledged Shares.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if
applicable, the Shares will be sold in such jurisdictions only through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the
Shares may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in
the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification
requirement is available and is complied with.
The Selling Stockholder and any broker-dealers or agents that participate
with the Selling Stockholder in the distribution of the Shares may be deemed to
be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commissions
received by them and any profit on the resale of the Shares purchased by them
may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities
Act.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person
engaged in the distribution of the Shares may not simultaneously engage in
market making activities with respect to the Common Stock of the Company for a
period of two business days prior to the commencement of such distribution, in
addition and without limiting the foregoing, the Selling Stockholder will be
subject to the applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder, which provisions may limit the timing of purchases and
sales of shares of the Company's Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder.
Any or all of the sales or other transactions involving the Shares
described above, whether effected by the Selling Stockholder, any broker-dealer
or others, may be made pursuant to this Prospectus. In addition, any Shares
that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule l44 under the Securities Act may be sold
under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this Prospectus.
12
<PAGE>
The Shares will be issued to the Selling Stockholder upon the conversion of
the Series I Convertible Preferred Stock, upon the exercise of the Option and
the subsequent conversion of the Series I Convertible Preferred Stock and upon
the exercise of the Warrant, all of which were originally issued to the Selling
Stockholder pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act provided by Section 4(2) thereof. The Company agreed to register
the Shares under the Securities Act and to indemnify and hold the Selling
Stockholder harmless against certain liabilities under the Securities Act that
could arise in connection with the sale by the Selling Stockholder of the
Shares. The Company has agreed to pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident
to the filing of this Registration Statement.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby and certain other
legal matters will be passed upon for the Company by Gray, Harris & Robinson,
P.A., Orlando, Florida.
EXPERTS
The financial statements incorporated by reference to the Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on April 27, 1998, in this Prospectus and elsewhere in the
registration statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
certified public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto,
and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts
in auditing and accounting in giving said report.
13
<PAGE>
No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations other than those contained in this
Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations must not
be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company, the Selling Stockholder
or by any other person. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or
a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the shares of Common
Stock offered hereby, nor does it constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation
of an offer to buy any of the shares offered hereby to any person in any
jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful. Neither the
delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall under any
circumstances create any implication that the information contained herein is
correct as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY......................................................... 1
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS........................................................ 2
RISK FACTORS............................................................... 3
SELLING STOCKHOLDER........................................................ 11
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION....................................................... 12
LEGAL MATTERS.............................................................. 13
EXPERTS.................................................................... 13
14
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by the
Company in connection with the sale of Common Stock being registered. All of
the amounts shown are estimates except the registration fee.
SEC Registration Fee $ 4,669
Accounting fees and expenses 7,500
Legal fees and expenses 30,000
Printing and engraving expenses 2,500
Transfer Agent and registrar fees 500
Miscellaneous 285,000
-----------
Total $ 330,169
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 607.0850 of the Florida Business Corporation Act, provides that a
corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party (other than an action
by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against liability incurred in connection with such proceeding, including any
appeal thereof, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed
to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe
his conduct was unlawful. Section 0850 further provides that a corporation
similarly may indemnify any such person serving in any such capacity who was or
is a party in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor,
against the estimated expense of litigating the proceeding to conclusion
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of
such proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed
to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and except
that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter
as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable unless, and only
to the extent that the court in which such proceeding was brought, or any other
court of competent jurisdiction, shall determine upon application that, despite
the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case,
such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses
which such other court shall deem proper.
Section 607.0831 of the Florida Business Corporation Act provides that a
director is not personally liable for monetary damages to the corporation or any
other person for any statement, vote, decision, or failure to act, regarding
corporate management or policy, by a director, unless (i) the director breached
or failed to perform his duties as a director, (ii) the director's breach or
failure to perform constitutes a violation of criminal law unless the director
had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, the director
derived an improper personal benefit directly or indirectly, (iii) the directors
conduct triggers the liability provisions of Section 0834 (relating to unlawful
distributions), (iv) the director's conduct constitutes a conscious disregard
for the best interest of the corporation, or will misconduct in a proceeding by
or in the right of the corporation or a shareholder, or (v) the director's
conduct constitutes recklessness or an act or omission committed in bad faith or
with malicious purpose or in a manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of
human rights, safety, or property in a proceeding by or in the right of someone
other than the corporation or a shareholder.
15
<PAGE>
The Registrant's Articles provide that the Registrant is authorized to
indemnify any director or officer, or former director or officer, in the manner
provided in the Company's bylaws and to the fullest extent permitted by the laws
of the State of Florida. There are no further provisions in the Company's
bylaws for indemnification of directors and officers.
EXHIBITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exhibit Number Exhibit Description
- -------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.1 * Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.1 ** The Rights of Securities Holders as set forth in Article IV of the
Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.1 Opinion of Gray, Harris & Robinson, P.A.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.1 *** Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.2 *** Registration Rights Agreement
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.3 *** Warrant
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.4 *** Certificate of Designation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.5 *** Financial Statements
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.2 Consent of Gray, Harris & Robinson, P.A. (Included in the opinion
filed as Exhibit 5.1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24.1 Power of Attorney (see p. 18)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* To be filed by amendment.
** Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 in the Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1996 previously filed by the Registrant
(File no. 333-2068).
*** Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April
27, 1998.
UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file, during any period in
which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
registration statement, to include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or
any material change to such information in the registration statement. For
purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. The
undersigned registrant further undertakes to remove from registration, by means
of a post-effective amendment, any of the securities being registered which
remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
16
<PAGE>
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefor, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Orlando, State of Florida on this 28th day of April,
1998.
Autonomous Technologies Corporation
By: /s/ Randy W. Frey Date: April 28, 1998
-------------------------------- ---------------
Randy W. Frey
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/ Monty K. Allen Date: April 28, 1998
---------------------------------------- ---------------
Monty K. Allen
Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting
Officer
17
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE PAGE TO FORM S-3
AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS:
That the undersigned officers and directors of Autonomous Technologies
Corporation, a Florida corporation, do hereby constitute and appoint jointly and
severally, Randy W. Frey and Monty K. Allen, and each of them, the lawful
attorneys and agents, with power and authority to do any and all acts and things
and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents determine
may be necessary or advisable or required to enable said corporation to comply
with the Securities Act, and any rules or regulations or requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this Registration
Statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing power and
authority, the powers granted include the power and authority to sign the names
of the undersigned officers and directors in the capacities indicated below to
this Registration Statement, to any and all amendments, both pre-effective and
post-effective, and supplements to this Registration Statement, and to any and
all instruments or documents filed as part of or in conjunction with this
Registration Statement or amendments or supplements thereof, and each of the
undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys and agents or
any of them shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of
Attorney may be signed in several counterparts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of
Attorney as of the date indicated.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature Capacity Date
- --------- -------- ----
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Randy W. Frey Chief Executive Officer and April 28, 1998
- ------------------------------- Chairman of the Board
Randy W. Frey
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/s/ Richard C. Capozza Director, President and Chief April 27, 1998
- ------------------------------- Operating Officer
Richard C. Capozza, Ph.D.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/s/ G. Arthur Herbert Director April 28, 1998
- -------------------------------
G. Arthur Herbert
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/s/ Stanley Ruffett Director April 28, 1998
- -------------------------------
Stanley Ruffett
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/s/ Whitney A. McFarlin Director April 28, 1998
- -------------------------------
Whitney A. McFarlin
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
18
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number Exhibit Description
- -------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.1 * Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.1 ** The Rights of Securities Holders as set forth in Article IV of
the Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.1 Opinion of Gray, Harris & Robinson, P.A.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.1 *** Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.2 *** Registration Rights Agreement
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.3 *** Warrant
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.4 *** Certificate of Designation
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.5 *** Financial Statements
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.2 Consent of Gray, Harris & Robinson, P.A. (Included in the
opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24.1 Power of Attorney (see p. 18)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* To be filed by amendment.
** Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the period ended September 30, 1996 previously filed by the Registrant (File
no. 333-2068).
*** Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 27,
1998.
19
<PAGE>
Exhibit 5.1
[LETTERHEAD OF GRAY, HARRIS & ROBINSON, P.A. APPEARS HERE]
April 27, 1998
Autonomous Technologies Corporation
2800 Discovery Drive
Orlando, Florida 32826
RE: Registration Statement on Form S-3
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be filed by you
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about April 28, 1998 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 2,411,710 shares of Common Stock of
Autonomous Technologies Corporation (the "Shares"). As your counsel in
connection with this transaction, we have examined the proceedings taken and
proposed to be taken in connection with said sale and issuance of the Shares.
It is our opinion that, upon completion of the proceedings being taken or
contemplated by us, as your counsel, to be taken prior to the issuance of the
Shares, the Shares when issued in the manner referred to in the Registration
Statement will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
<PAGE>
[LETTERHEAD OF GRAY, HARRIS & ROBINSON, P.A. APPEARS HERE]
Autonomous Technologies Corporation
Page 2
April 27, 1998
We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including the prospectus constituting part thereof, and
any amendment thereto and any registration statement for the same offering
covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing
pursuant to Rule 462(b) and all post-effective amendments thereto.
Very truly yours,
Gray, Harris & Robinson
Professional Association
By: /s/ William A. Grimm
--------------------------
William A. Grimm
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent certified public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our report on the
financial statements of Autonomous Technologies Corporation dated January 31,
1998 (except with respect to the matters discussed in Note 11, as to which the
dates are March 30 and April 16, 1998) included in Autonomous Technologies
Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 1998, and to all
references to our firm included in or made a part of this Registration
Statement.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
April 27, 1998
Orlando, Florida
