S-3/A 1 ds3a.htm FORM S-3/A Form S-3/A
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 18, 2009

Registration No. 333-163108

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

OPEXA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Texas   76-0333165

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

2635 N. Crescent Ridge Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77381

(281) 272-9331

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Neil K. Warma

President and Chief Executive Officer

OPEXA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

2635 N. Crescent Ridge Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77381

(281) 272-933

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

Mike Hird, Esq.

Patty M. DeGaetano, Esq.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

12255 El Camino Real, Suite 300

San Diego, CA 9130

(619) 234-5000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective, as determined by market conditions and other factors.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, 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 this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   x

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 
Title of Each Class of Securities To Be Registered   Proposed Maximum
    Aggregate Offering Price(1)    
 

Amount of

    Registration Fee    

Debt Securities (2)

       

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (2)

       

Preferred Stock, no par value per share (2)

       

Depositary Shares (3)

       

Warrants

       

Total

  $35,000,000   $1,953.00(4)(5)
 
 
(1) Such indeterminate number or amount of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, and warrants to purchase any combination of the foregoing securities, as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices, with an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $35,000,000 or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies, foreign currency units or composite currencies. Securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities registered hereunder.
(2) Subject to footnote (1), there are also being registered hereunder an indeterminate principal amount or number of shares of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock that may be issued upon conversion of, or in exchange for, debt securities or preferred stock registered hereunder or upon exercise of warrants registered hereunder, as the case may be.
(3) Subject to footnote (1), there are being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of depositary shares to be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to a deposit agreement. If the Registrant elects to offer to the public fractional interests in shares of preferred stock registered hereunder, depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing such fractional interests, and the shares of preferred stock will be issued to the depositary under the deposit agreement.
(4) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee for a primary offering pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933. Pursuant to Rule 457(o) and General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3, which permits the registration fee to be calculated on the basis of the maximum offering price of all the securities listed for the primary offering, the table does not specify by each class information as to the amount to be registered or proposed maximum offering price per unit.
(5) Previously paid in connection with the initial filing of this registration statement on November 13, 2009.

 

 

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.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

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

 

Subject To Completion, Dated November 18, 2009

PROSPECTUS

$35,000,000

LOGO

OPEXA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

 

 

We may, from time to time, offer and sell debt securities, preferred stock, either separately or represented by depositary shares, common stock or warrants, either separately or in units, in one or more offerings. The debt securities, preferred stock and warrants may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or debt securities. We will specify in the accompanying prospectus supplement more specific information about any such offering. The aggregate initial offering price of all securities sold under this prospectus will not exceed $35,000,000.

We may offer these securities independently or together in any combination for sale directly to investors or through underwriters, dealers or agents. We will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and their compensation in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

This prospectus may not be used to sell any of these securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is traded on NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “OPXA.” On November 12, 2009, the last reported sales price for our common stock was $2.09 per share. The aggregate market value of our outstanding common equity held by non-affiliates on September 16, 2009 was $43,908,622. During the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date hereof, we have offered securities with an aggregate market value of $8,050,000 and sold securities with an aggregate market value of $96,400 pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus.

 

 

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

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2009.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

About this Prospectus

   2

Risk Factors

   2

Opexa Therapeutics, Inc.

   2

Forward-Looking Statements

   4

Use of Proceeds

   4

Description of Debt Securities

   4

Description of Preferred Stock

   13

Description of Depositary Shares

   13

Description of Common Stock

   15

Description of Warrants

   16

Plan of Distribution

   17

Legal Matters

   18

Experts

   18

Where You Can Find More Information

   18

 

 

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the registration statement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, or incorporated by reference, is accurate only as of the dates of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.


Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration, or continuous offering, process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, issue and sell any combination of debt securities, preferred stock, either separately or represented by depositary shares, common stock or warrants, either separately or in units, in one or more offerings with a maximum aggregate offering price of $35,000,000.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the offered securities. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement. The registration statement we filed with the SEC includes exhibits that provide more detail of the matters discussed in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the related exhibits filed with the SEC and any prospectus supplement, together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” before making your investment decision.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement to “Opexa,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Opexa Therapeutics, Inc.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering will contain a discussion of risks applicable to an investment in the securities offered. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement together with all of the other information contained in the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

OPEXA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Our Business

We are a biopharmaceutical company developing autologous cellular therapies with the potential to treat major illnesses, including multiple sclerosis (MS). This therapy is based on our proprietary T-cell technology. The information discussed related to our product candidates is preliminary and investigative. Our product candidates are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Our lead product, Tovaxin®, is an individualized T-cell therapeutic vaccine licensed from Baylor College of Medicine, which is in clinical development for the treatment for MS.

Opexa was incorporated in Texas in March 1991. Our principal executive offices are located at 2635 N. Crescent Ridge Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381, and our telephone number is (281) 272-933.

T-Cell Therapy

Multiple sclerosis is the result of a person’s own T-cells attacking the myelin sheath that coats the nerve cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Tovaxin consists of attenuated patient-specific myelin reactive T-cells (MRTCs) against peptides from one or more of the primary proteins on the surface of the myelin sheath (myelin basic protein (MBP), proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)). Patient-specific MRTCs are expanded in culture with specific peptides identified by our proprietary test of the patient’s peripheral blood. The cells are then attenuated by gamma irradiation, and returned to the patient as a subcutaneous injection. Although further testing is necessary, results from our initial human trials appear to indicate that these attenuated T-cells cause an immune response directed at the autoreactive T-cells in the patient’s body, resulting in a reduction in the level of harmful T-cells. In 2008, we completed an FDA cleared Phase IIb clinical trial of Tovaxin which

 

2


Table of Contents

enrolled 150-patients. The trial was entitled, A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Subcutaneous Tovaxin in Subjects with Clinically Isolated Syndrome or Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. (Tovaxin for Early Relapsing-remitting MS, “TERMS”).

The TERMS study was a Phase IIb multi-center, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial in 150 patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) or high risk Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS). The study involved 2:1 randomization with 100 patients receiving Tovaxin and 50 receiving placebo. According to the study protocol, patients received a total of five subcutaneous injections at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12 and 24. Top-line data from the TERMS trial is as follows:

 

   

Annualized relapse rate (ARR) for Tovaxin-treated patients was 0.214 as compared to 0.339 for placebo-treated patients, which represented a 37% decrease in ARR for Tovaxin as compared to placebo in the general population.

 

   

For patients who had more active disease as indicated by an ARR > 1 in the year prior to the study, Tovaxin demonstrated a 55% reduction in ARR as compared to placebo; and an 87% reduction in relapse rate was observed in Tovaxin patients in this population compared to placebo during the 24 week period following the administration of the full course of treatment (p=0.039).

 

   

Patients who had an ARR>1 at entry demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in disability score as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (p =0.045) for patients treated with Tovaxin as compared to those receiving placebo. The EDSS score is a measure of disability ranging from 0-10. In addition 28.1% of the Tovaxin patients showed an improvement in EDSS of at least one point as compared to 5.6% in the placebo group.

 

   

Patients who had an ARR>1 at entry and were treated with Tovaxin experienced an 88% reduction in brain atrophy and a 59% reduction in absolute T-2 lesion volume as compared to placebo.

 

   

Tovaxin was safe and well tolerated with no serious adverse events related to Tovaxin treatment. The most common adverse event was injection site irritation.

Further analysis of the TERMS clinical study of 150 patients with RRMS evaluated those patients with an annualized relapse rate of one or greater than or equal to one at study entry (ARR³1). More than 83% of the Tovaxin-treated group (n=85) remained relapse free at one year and the annualized relapse rate after treatment decreased to 0.20, a 42% reduction compared to placebo. The results of this expanded analysis confirm those found in the previously-reported per-protocol analysis of patients in the TERMS study with ARR>1. This post-hoc analysis which represents 86% of the total patient population in the TERMS study was conducted to evaluate Tovaxin treatment among study patients with the same baseline disease activity that is being targeted for inclusion in the forthcoming Phase IIb study. Along with a marked reduction in relapses, 73% of the Tovaxin-treated patients with ARR³1 showed stabilization or improvement in MS disability, including 16.5% with a sustained improvement in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of at least one full point. On MRI, the Tovaxin-treated group also demonstrated a reduction in brain atrophy and fewer inflammatory brain lesions that progressed to “black holes,” as compared to the placebo-treated group. Treatment with Tovaxin was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported in any Tovaxin-treated patient.

Tovaxin is a personalized T-cell vaccine based on a patient’s individual immunologic profile. Detailed immunology data analysis from the TERMS trial indicate that Tovaxin can successfully induce changes in T-cell reactivity to all three targeted myelin antigens implicated in the autoimmune attacks causing neurologic damage in MS. These changes appear epitope-specific, are sustained for 6 months or more, and match each patient’s Tovaxin formulation. Tovaxin is not broadly immunosuppressive, an important feature of its favorable safety profile.

 

3


Table of Contents

Other Opportunities

Our proprietary T-cell technology has enabled us to develop intellectual property and a comprehensive sample database that may enable discovery of novel biomarkers and other relevant peptides to be used to treat MS patients.

Stem Cell Therapy

In August 2009, we entered into an exclusive agreement with Novartis for the further development of our novel stem cell technology. This technology, which has generated preliminary data showing the potential to generate monocyte derived islet cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, was in early preclinical development at Opexa. Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis acquired the stem cell technology from us and Novartis will have full responsibility for funding and carrying out all research, development and commercialization activities. To date we have received $3.5 million from Novartis of which $3 million was attributable to an upfront cash payment and $0.5 million resulted from the completion of the first of two technology transfer milestones. We will receive an additional $0.5 million technology transfer fee upon the completion of the second technology transfer milestone which is anticipated to occur within the next six months. We are also eligible to receive certain clinical and commercial milestone payments as well as royalty payments from the sale of any products resulting from the use of the technology and we retain an option on certain manufacturing rights.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

When used in this prospectus, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “may,” “could,” “intends,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or otherwise implied by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We will discuss many of these risks and uncertainties in greater detail in any prospectus supplement under the heading “Risk Factors.” Additional cautionary statements or discussions of risks and uncertainties that could affect our results or the achievement of the expectations described in forward-looking statements may also be contained in the documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. You should, however, review additional disclosures we make in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we state otherwise in the accompanying prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include additions to working capital, financing of capital expenditures, repayment or redemption of existing indebtedness, and future acquisitions and strategic investment opportunities. Pending the application of net proceeds, we expect to invest the net proceeds in investment grade, interest-bearing securities.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following is a summary of the general terms of the debt securities. We will file a prospectus supplement that may contain additional terms when we issue debt securities. The terms presented here, together with the terms in a related prospectus supplement, will be a description of the material terms of the debt securities. You should also read the indenture under which the debt securities are to be issued. We have filed a form of indenture governing different types of debt securities with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. All capitalized terms have the meanings specified in the indenture.

 

4


Table of Contents

We may issue, from time to time, debt securities, in one or more series. The debt securities we offer will be issued under an indenture between us and the trustee named in the indenture. These debt securities that we may issue include senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, convertible debt securities and exchangeable debt securities. The following is a summary of the material provisions of the indenture filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. For each series of debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement for the series may change and supplement the summary below.

General Terms of the Indenture

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and they may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us. For each series of debt securities, any restrictive covenants for those debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement for those debt securities.

We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may, for United States federal income tax purposes, be treated as if they were issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, because of interest payment and other characteristics. Special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with original issue discount will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities for a description of the following terms of the debt securities offered by that prospectus supplement and by this prospectus:

 

   

the title and authorized denominations of those debt securities;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of that series of debt securities;

 

   

the date or dates on which principal and premium, if any, of the debt securities of that series is payable;

 

   

interest rates, and the dates from which interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series will accrue, and the dates when interest is payable and the maturity;

 

   

the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of the extensions;

 

   

if the amount of payments of principal or interest is to be determined by reference to an index or formula, or based on a coin or currency other than that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which these amounts are determined and the calculation agent, if any, with respect thereto;

 

   

the place or places where and the manner in which principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series will be payable and the place or places where those debt securities may be presented for transfer and, if applicable, conversion or exchange;

 

   

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which those debt securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option or the option of a holder of those securities, if we or a holder is to have that option;

 

   

our obligation or right, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase those debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder of those securities, and the terms and

 

5


Table of Contents
 

conditions upon which the debt securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to that obligation;

 

   

the terms, if any, on which the debt securities of that series will be subordinate in right and priority of payment to our other debt;

 

   

the denominations in which those debt securities will be issuable;

 

   

if other than the entire principal amount of the debt securities when issued, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of maturity as a result of a default on our obligations;

 

   

whether those debt securities will be issued in fully registered form without coupons or in a form registered as to principal only with coupons or in bearer form with coupons;

 

   

whether any securities of that series are to be issued in whole or in part the form of one or more global securities and the depositary for those global securities;

 

   

if other than United States dollars, the currency or currencies in which payment of principal of or any premium or interest on those debt securities will be payable;

 

   

if the principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities of that series is to be payable, or is to be payable at our election or the election of a holder of those securities, in securities or other property, the type and amount of those securities or other property, or the manner of determining that amount, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, any such election may be made;

 

   

the events of default and covenants relating to the debt securities that are in addition to, modify or delete those described in this prospectus;

 

   

conversion or exchange provisions, if any, including conversion or exchange prices or rates and adjustments thereto;

 

   

whether and upon what terms the debt securities may be defeased, if different from the provisions set forth in the indenture;

 

   

the nature and terms of any security for any secured debt securities;

 

   

the terms applicable to any debt securities issued at a discount from their stated principal amount; and

 

   

any other specific terms of any debt securities.

The applicable prospectus supplement will present material United States federal income tax considerations for holders of any debt securities and the securities exchange or quotation system on which any debt securities are to be listed or quoted.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our equity securities or other securities. The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among others, the following:

 

   

the conversion or exchange price;

 

   

the conversion or exchange period;

 

6


Table of Contents
   

provisions regarding our ability or the ability of any holder to convert or exchange the debt securities;

 

   

events requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price; and

 

   

provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

The terms of the indenture prevent us from (i) consolidating or merging with or into, or transferring or leasing all or substantially all of our assets to, any person, unless the successor corporation or person to which our assets are transferred or leased is organized under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and it expressly assumes our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture or (ii) completing such a transaction unless immediately after completing the transaction, no event of default under the indenture, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default under the indenture, has occurred and is continuing. When the person to whom our assets are transferred or leased has assumed our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture, we will be discharged from all our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture except in limited circumstances.

This covenant would not apply to any recapitalization transaction, a change of control affecting us or a highly leveraged transaction, unless the transaction or change of control were structured to include a merger or consolidation or transfer or lease of all or substantially all of our assets.

Events of Default

The indenture provides that the following will be “events of default” with respect to any series of debt securities:

 

   

failure to pay interest for 30 days after the date payment is due and payable;

 

   

failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt security when due, either at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise and, in the case of technical or administrative difficulties, only if such default persists for a period of more than three business days;

 

   

failure to make sinking fund payments when due and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;

 

   

failure to perform other covenants for 60 days after notice that performance was required;

 

   

events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us; or

 

   

any other event of default provided in the applicable officer’s certificate, resolution of our board of directors or the supplemental indenture under which we issue a series of debt securities.

An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture. For each series of debt securities, any modifications to the above events of default will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement for those debt securities.

The indenture provides that if an event of default specified in the first, second, third, fourth or sixth bullets above occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all those debt securities (or, in the case of discount securities or indexed securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the fifth bullet above occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all those debt securities (or, in the case of discount securities or indexed securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) will be due and

 

7


Table of Contents

payable immediately, without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder. In certain cases, holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of holders of all those debt securities, rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration.

The indenture imposes limitations on suits brought by holders of debt securities against us. Except for actions for payment of overdue principal or interest, no holder of debt securities of any series may institute any action against us under the indenture unless:

 

   

the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of default and continuance of such default;

 

   

the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series have requested that the trustee institute the action;

 

   

the requesting holders have offered the trustee indemnity for the reasonable expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by bringing the action;

 

   

the trustee has not instituted the action within 60 days of the request and offer of indemnity; and

 

   

the trustee has not received inconsistent direction by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series.

We will be required to file annually with the trustee a certificate, signed by one of our officers, stating whether or not the officer knows of any default by us in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any condition or covenant of the indenture.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

We can discharge or decrease our obligations under the indenture as stated below.

We may discharge obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that have either become due and payable or are by their terms to become due and payable, or are scheduled for redemption, within one year. We may effect a discharge by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or government obligations denominated in the currency of the debt securities, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be enough to pay when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities and any mandatory sinking fund payments.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may also discharge any and all of our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities at any time, which we refer to as defeasance. We may also be released from the obligations imposed by any covenants of any outstanding series of debt securities and provisions of the indenture, and we may omit to comply with those covenants without creating an event of default under the trust declaration, which we refer to as covenant defeasance. We may effect defeasance and covenant defeasance only if, among other things:

 

   

we irrevocably deposit with the trustee cash or government obligations denominated in the currency of the debt securities, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be enough to pay at maturity, or upon redemption, the principal (including any mandatory sinking fund payments) of, and any premium and interest on, all outstanding debt securities of the series; and

 

   

we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel from a nationally recognized law firm to the effect that the holders of the series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance or covenant defeasance and that defeasance or covenant defeasance will not otherwise alter the holders’ U.S. federal income tax treatment of principal, and any premium and interest payments on, the series of debt securities.

 

8


Table of Contents

In the case of a defeasance by us, the opinion we deliver must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service issued, or a change in U.S. federal income tax law occurring, after the date of the indenture, since such a result would not occur under the U.S. federal income tax laws in effect on that date.

Although we may discharge or decrease our obligations under the indenture as described in the two preceding paragraphs, we may not avoid, among other things, our duty to register the transfer or exchange of any series of debt securities, to replace any temporary, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen series of debt securities or to maintain an office or agency in respect of any series of debt securities.

Modification of the Indenture

The indenture provides that we and the trustee may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities to, among other things:

 

   

evidence the assumption by a successor entity of our obligations;

 

   

add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of debt securities, or to surrender any rights or power conferred upon us;

 

   

add any additional events of default;

 

   

cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency or defect in the indenture;

 

   

add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture in a manner that will become effective only when there is no outstanding debt security which is entitled to the benefit of the provision as to which the modification would apply;

 

   

secure any debt securities;

 

   

establish the forms or terms of debt securities of any series;

 

   

evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee and add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as is necessary for the administration of the trusts by more than one trustee;

 

   

modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or under any similar federal statute later enacted, and to add to the indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required by the Trust Indenture Act; and

 

   

make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture that will not be inconsistent with any provision of the indenture as long as the new provisions do not adversely affect the interests of the holders of any outstanding debt securities of any series created prior to the modification.

The indenture also provides that we and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of each series of debt securities affected by such supplemental indenture then outstanding, add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in any way the provisions of, the indenture or any supplemental indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities. We and the trustee may not, however, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

 

   

extend the final maturity of any debt security;

 

9


Table of Contents
   

reduce the principal amount or premium, if any;

 

   

reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest;

 

   

reduce the amount of the principal of any debt security issued with an original issue discount that is payable upon acceleration;

 

   

change the currency in which the principal, and any premium or interest, is payable;

 

   

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security when due;

 

   

if applicable, adversely affect the right of a holder to convert or exchange a debt security; or

 

   

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities of any series whose consent is required for any modification of the indenture or for waivers of compliance with or defaults under the indenture with respect to debt securities of that series.

The indenture provides that the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series, by notice to the relevant trustee, may on behalf of the holders of the debt securities of that series waive any default and its consequences under the indenture except:

 

   

a default in the payment of, any premium and any interest on, or principal of, any such debt security held by a nonconsenting holder; or

 

   

a default in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of each series affected.

Registered Global Securities and Book Entry System

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in book-entry form and will be represented by one or more fully registered global securities. We will deposit any registered global securities with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of such depositary or nominee. In such case, we will issue one or more registered global securities denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the debt securities of the series to be issued and represented by such registered global security or securities. This means that we will not issue certificates to each holder.

Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole:

 

   

by the depositary for the registered global security to its nominee;

 

   

by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary; or

 

   

by the depositary or its nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.

The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement involving any portion of the series represented by a registered global security. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements for debt securities:

 

   

ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary for such registered global security, these persons being referred to as “participants,” or persons that may hold interests through participants;

 

10


Table of Contents
   

upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary for the registered global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the registered global security beneficially owned by the participants;

 

   

any dealers, underwriters, or agents participating in the distribution of the debt securities will designate the accounts to be credited; and

 

   

ownership of beneficial interest in the registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of the ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the registered global security for interests of participants, and on the records of participants for interests of persons holding through participants.

The laws of some states may require that specified purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may limit the ability of those persons to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

So long as the depositary for a registered global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the registered global security, the depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as stated below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security:

 

   

will not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in their names;

 

   

will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in the definitive form; and

 

   

will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities under the relevant indenture.

Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for the registered global security and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of a participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take the action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the participants to give or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owners of the registered global security. Neither we nor the trustee, or any other agent of ours or the trustee will be responsible or liable for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of the registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that standing customer instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the registered global security held through the participants, as is now the case with the securities held for

 

11


Table of Contents

the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” We also expect that any of these payments will be the responsibility of the participants.

If the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or stops being a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, we will appoint an eligible successor depositary. If we fail to appoint an eligible successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue the debt securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion decide not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by one or more registered global securities. In that event, we will issue debt securities of the series in a definitive form in exchange for all of the registered global securities representing the debt securities. The trustee will register any debt securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security in the name or names as the depositary, based upon instructions from its participants, shall instruct the trustee.

We may also issue bearer debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global securities, referred to as “bearer global securities.” We will deposit these securities with a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to the series. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities represented by a bearer global security will describe the applicable terms and procedures. These will include the specific terms of the depositary arrangement and any specific procedures for the issuance of debt securities in definitive form in exchange for a bearer global security, in proportion to the series represented by a bearer global security.

Concerning the Trustee

The indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the indenture, each for one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee under that indenture. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only on the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the indenture. Any trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed from one or more series of debt securities. All payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, and all registration, transfer, exchange, authentication and delivery of, the debt securities of a series will be effected by the trustee for that series at an office designated by the trustee in New York, New York.

The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an event of default, the trustee will exercise those rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

If the trustee becomes a creditor of ours, the indenture places limitations on the right of the trustee to obtain payment of claims or to realize on property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee may engage in other transactions. If it acquires any conflicting interest relating to any duties concerning the debt securities, however, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as trustee.

No Individual Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers or Directors

The indenture provides that no past, present or future director, officer, stockholder or employee of ours, any of our affiliates, or any successor corporation, in their capacity as such, shall have any individual liability for any of our obligations, covenants or agreements under the debt securities or the indenture.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

12


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

We are authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share. As of November 13, 2009, no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding. We may issue preferred stock, in series, with such designations, powers, preferences and other rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions as our board of directors may authorize, without further action by our stockholders, including:

 

   

the distinctive designation of each series and the number of shares that will constitute the series;

 

   

the voting rights, if any, of shares of the series and the terms and conditions of the voting rights;

 

   

the dividend rate on the shares of the series, the dates on which dividends are payable, any restriction, limitation or condition upon the payment of dividends, whether dividends will be cumulative, and the dates from and after which dividends shall accumulate;

 

   

the prices at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares of the series may be redeemed, if the shares are redeemable;

 

   

the terms and conditions of a sinking or purchase fund for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series, if such a fund is provided;

 

   

any preferential amount payable upon shares of the series in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or upon the distribution of any of our assets; and

 

   

the prices or rates of conversion or exchange at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares of the series may be converted or exchanged into other securities, if the shares are convertible or exchangeable.

The particular terms of any series of preferred stock, and the transfer agent and registrar for that series, will be described in a prospectus supplement. All preferred stock offered, when issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable. Any material United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations with respect to any preferred stock offered under this prospectus will also be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following description of the depositary shares does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the relevant deposit agreement and the depositary receipts with respect to the depositary shares relating to any particular series of preferred stock. You should read these documents as they, and not this description, will define your rights as a holder of depositary shares. Forms of these documents will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of depositary shares.

General

If we elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, we will provide for the issuance by a depositary to the public of receipts for depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent fractional interests of preferred stock. We will deposit the shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The bank or trust company must have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million. The depositary receipts will evidence the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement.

The deposit agreement will contain terms applicable to the holders of depositary shares in addition to the terms stated in the depositary receipts. Each owner of depositary shares will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in proportion to the applicable fractional interest

 

13


Table of Contents

in the underlying shares of preferred stock. The depositary will issue the depositary receipts to individuals purchasing the fractional interests in shares of the related preferred stock according to the terms of the offering described in a prospectus supplement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received for the preferred stock to the entitled record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares that the holder owns on the relevant record date. The depositary will distribute only an amount that can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent. The depositary will add the undistributed balance to and treat it as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to holders of depositary shares.

If there is a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the entitled record holders of depositary shares, in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders, unless the depositary determines, after consultation with us, that it is not feasible to make such distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders. The deposit agreement also will contain provisions relating to how any subscription or similar rights that we may offer to holders of the preferred stock will be available to the holders of the depositary shares.

Conversion, Exchange, Redemption and Liquidation

If any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares may be converted or exchanged, each record holder of depositary receipts will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange the depositary shares represented by the depositary receipts.

The terms on which the depositary shares relating to the preferred stock of any series may be redeemed, and any amounts distributable upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement.

Voting

When the depositary receives notice of a meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the particulars of the meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date may instruct the depositary on how to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying the holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will try, if practical, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares according to the instructions. We will agree to take all reasonable action requested by the depositary to enable it to vote as instructed.

Amendments

We and the depositary may agree to amend the deposit agreement and the depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares. Any amendment that (a) imposes or increases certain fees, taxes or other charges payable by the holders of the depositary shares as described in the deposit agreement or that (b) otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of holders of depositary shares, will not take effect until 30 days after the depositary has mailed notice of the amendment to the record holders of depositary shares. Any holder of depositary shares that continues to hold its shares at the end of the 30-day period will be deemed to have agreed to the amendment.

 

14


Table of Contents

Termination

We may direct the depositary to terminate the deposit agreement by mailing a notice of termination to holders of depositary shares at least 30 days prior to termination. In addition, a deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

 

   

the depositary has redeemed all related outstanding depositary shares, or

 

   

we have liquidated, terminated or wound up our business and the depositary has distributed the preferred stock of the relevant series to the holders of the related depositary shares.

Payment of Fees and Expenses

We will pay all fees, charges and expenses of the depositary, including the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges as are stated in the deposit agreement for their accounts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

At any time, the depositary may resign by delivering notice to us, and we may remove the depositary. Resignations or removals will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million.

Reports

The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required by law, the rules of an applicable securities exchange or our restated certificate of incorporation to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if the depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The deposit agreement limits our obligations and the depositary’s obligations to performance in good faith of the duties stated in the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding connected with any depositary shares or preferred stock unless the holders of depositary shares requesting us to do so furnish us with satisfactory indemnity. In performing our obligations, we and the depositary may rely upon the written advice of our counsel or accountants, on any information that competent people provide to us and on documents that we believe are genuine.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

Common Stock

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share. This description is only a summary. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws have been filed as exhibits to our periodic reports filed with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should read our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws for additional information before you buy any of our common stock or other securities. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

General. We are authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock. As of November 11, 2009, there were 12,918,222 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

Voting Rights. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote per share for the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. There are no cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, the

 

15


Table of Contents

holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in the election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they so choose.

Dividends. Subject to the rights of holders of the any other securities subsequently issued, holders of the common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available. We have not paid any dividends since our inception and have no intention to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future dividends would be subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and would depend on, among other things, our future earnings, the operating and financial condition, our capital requirements, and general business conditions.

Other Rights. Common stockholders do not have preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for additional shares, and the common stock is not subject to conversion or redemption. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable, and the shares of common stock offered, when issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable. In the event of liquidation, the holders of common stock will share equally in any balance of corporate assets available for distribution to them.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 17 Battery Place, New York, New York 10004.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares, or any combination thereof. We may issue warrants independently or together with any other securities offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from the other offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into by us with a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreements will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any particular issue of warrants will describe the terms of the warrants, including, as applicable, the following:

 

   

the title of the warrants;

 

   

the aggregate number of the warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

   

the designation, terms and number of shares of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

   

the designation and terms of the offered securities, if any, with which the warrants are issued and the number of the warrants issued with each offered security;

 

   

the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock or common stock will be separately transferable;

 

   

the price at which each share of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and the date on which that right shall expire;

 

16


Table of Contents
   

the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

   

a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations; and

 

   

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3, we are permitted to utilize the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part to sell a maximum amount of securities equal to one-third of the aggregate market value of the outstanding voting and non-voting common equity held by our non-affiliates in any 12-month period. We may, from time to time, offer the securities registered hereby up to this maximum amount.

We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus to one or more underwriters or dealers for public offering and sale by them or to investors directly or through agents. The accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering and the method of distribution and will identify any firms acting as underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering, including:

 

   

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

   

the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us from the sale;

 

   

any underwriting discounts and other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

   

any public offering price;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchange or market on which the securities offered in the prospectus supplement may be listed.

Only those underwriters identified in such prospectus supplement are deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities offered in the prospectus supplement.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at prices determined as the applicable prospectus supplement specifies. The securities may be sold through a rights offering, forward contracts or similar arrangements. In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and also may receive commissions from securities purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Some of the underwriters, dealers or agents who participate in the securities distribution may engage in other transactions with, and perform other services for, us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

We will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement information regarding any underwriting discounts or other compensation that we pay to underwriters or agents in connection with the securities offering, and any

 

17


Table of Contents

discounts, concessions or commissions which underwriters allow to dealers. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the securities distribution may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions they receive and any profit they realize on the resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933. Underwriters and their controlling persons, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution toward specific civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. In connection with an offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase in an offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities while an offering is in progress. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the underwriters have repurchased securities sold by or for the account of that underwriter in stabilizing or short-covering transactions. These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities. As a result, the price of the securities may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of any securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

EXPERTS

The financial statements of Opexa as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and for the year ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Opexa’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as amended, have been audited by Malone & Bailey, PC, an independent registered public accounting firm, and are incorporated in reliance upon their report dated April 14, 2009, given upon such firm’s authority as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. This prospectus is part of the registration statement but the registration statement includes and incorporates by reference additional information and exhibits. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy the registration statement and any document we file with the SEC at the public reference room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies, such as ours, that file documents electronically with the SEC. The address of that site on the world wide web is http://www.sec.gov. The information on the SEC’s web site is not part of this prospectus, and any references to this web site or any other web site are inactive textual references only.

The SEC permits us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents rather than by including them in this prospectus. Information that is incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and you should read it with the same care that you read this prospectus. Later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information that is either contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, and will be considered to be a part of this prospectus from the date those documents are filed. We have filed with the SEC, and incorporate by reference in this prospectus:

 

18


Table of Contents
   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as amended by our Form 10-K/A filed on May 18, 2009;

 

   

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009, June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009;

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed January 20, 2009, February 23, 2009, March 5, 2009, March 17, 2009, April 16, 2009, April 24, 2009, May 15, 2009, June 9, 2009, August 7, 2009, August 10, 2009, August 13, 2009, September 10, 2009, November 4, 2009, November 5, 2009 and November 13, 2009; and

 

   

the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on August 30, 2006, as amended by our Form 8-12B/A filed on August 31, 2006.

We also incorporate by reference all additional documents that we file with the SEC under the terms of Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are made after the initial filing date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and the effectiveness of the registration statement, as well as between the date of this prospectus and the termination of any offering of securities offered by this prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating, in each case, any documents or information that we are deemed to furnish and not file in accordance with SEC rules.

You may request a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference but not delivered with this prospectus, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address and number: Investor Relations, Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., 2635 N. Crescent Ridge Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381, telephone (281) 272-9331. We will not, however, send exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in those documents. We also maintain a website at http://www.opexatherapeutics.com. However, the information on our website is not part of this prospectus.

 

19


Table of Contents

PART II

Information Not Required In Prospectus

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following is a statement of estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commission.

 

SEC Registration Fee

   $ 1,953

The NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Fees*

     *

Transfer Agent and Registrar, Trustee and Depositary Fees*

     *

Printing Expenses*

     *

Legal Fees and Expenses*

     *

Accounting Fees and Expenses*

     *

Miscellaneous*

     *
      
   $ 1,953

 

* Estimated expenses not presently known

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) has the authority under Articles 2.02a(16) and 2.02-1 of the Texas Business Corporation Act (“TBCA”) to indemnify its directors and officers to the extent provided for in such statute. The TBCA provides, in part, that a corporation may indemnify a director or officer or other person who was, is or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding because such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, if it is determined that such person: (1) conducted himself in good faith; (2) reasonably believed, in the case of conduct in his official capacity as a director or officer of the corporation, that his conduct was in the corporation’s best interest and, in all other cases, that his conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation’s best interests; and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

A corporation may indemnify a person under the TBCA against judgments, penalties, including excise and similar taxes, fines, settlement, unreasonable expenses actually incurred by the person in connection with the proceeding. If the person is found liable to the corporation or is found liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by the person, the indemnification is limited to reasonable expenses actually incurred by the person in connection with the proceeding, and shall not be made in respect of any proceeding in which the person shall have been found liable for willful or intentional misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation. The corporation may also pay or reimburse expenses incurred by a person in connection with his appearance as a witness or other participation in a proceeding at a time when he is not a named defendant or respondent in the proceeding.

The Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation provide that none of its directors shall be personally liable to the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for an act or omission in such director’s capacity as a director; provided, however, that the liability of such director is not limited to the extent that such director is found liable for (i) a breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders, (ii) an act or omission not in good faith that constitutes a breach of duty of the director to the Company or an act or omission that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (iii) a transaction from which the director received an improper benefit, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of the director’s office, or (iv) an act or omission for which the liability of the director is expressly provided by an applicable statute.

The Company believes that these provisions will assist it in attracting and retaining qualified individuals to serve as executive officers and directors. The inclusion of these provisions in the Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against the Company’s directors and may discourage or deter shareholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against

 

II-1


Table of Contents

directors for breach of their duty of care, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us or our shareholders.

The Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that the Company may indemnify its officers, directors, agents and any other persons to the fullest extent permitted by the TBCA.

Additionally, under their employment agreements with the Company, Mr. Warma and Ms. Rill are entitled to indemnification in their capacity as officers of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the TBCA.

 

Item 16. Exhibits.

The list of exhibits in the Exhibit Index to this prospectus is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) 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.

Provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b).

(2) That, for the purpose 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.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

II-2


Table of Contents

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(6) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (the “Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

(7) That, for the 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 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(8) With respect to any offering in which securities are to be offered to existing security holders pursuant to warrants or rights and any securities not taken by security holders are to be reoffered to the public, the Registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

 

II-3


Table of Contents

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 any charter provision, by law or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

II-4


Table of Contents

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 The Woodlands, State of Texas, on November 18, 2009.

 

OPEXA THERAPEUTICS, INC

By:

 

/S/     NEIL K. WARMA        

  Neil K. Warma
  President, Chief Executive Officer and
  Acting Chief Financial Officer

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.

 

Name

  

Title

 

Date

/S/    NEIL K. WARMA        

   President, Chief Executive Officer, Acting Chief   November 18, 2009
Neil K. Warma   

Financial Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer and Principal

Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

*

   Director   November 18, 2009
David Hung     

*

   Director   November 18, 2009
David E. Jorden     

*

   Director   November 18, 2009
Michael S. Richman     

*

   Director   November 18, 2009
Scott B. Seaman     

 

*By:  

/S/    NEIL K. WARMA        

  Neil K. Warma
  Attorney-in-fact

 

II-5


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
     4.1**    Form of Indenture relating to debt securities.
  4.2*    Form of supplemental indenture or other instrument establishing the issuance of one or more series of debt securities (including the form of such debt security).
  4.3*    Form of Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate.
  4.4*    Form of Deposit Agreement.
  4.5*    Form of Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 4.4).
  4.6*    Form of Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate.
    4.7**    Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
    5.1**    Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.
  23.1**    Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  23.2**    Consent of Malone & Bailey, PC.
  24.1**    Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereof).
  25.1+      Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of the trustee for the debt securities.

 

* To be filed by amendment or pursuant to a report to be filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if applicable, and incorporated herein by reference.
+ To be filed by amendment or pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 305(b)(2), if applicable.
** Previously filed.