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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2011

Registration No. 333-161442

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Washington		2834		91-1533912
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

501 Elliott Avenue West, Suite 400

Seattle, Washington 98119

(206) 282-7100

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

James A. Bianco, M.D.

Chief Executive Officer

Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

501 Elliott Avenue West, Suite 400

Seattle, Washington 98119

(206) 282-7100

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

 

 

Copy to:

C. Brophy Christensen, Jr., Esq.

Todd A. Hamblet, Esq.

O’Melveny & Myers LLP

Two Embarcadero Center, 28^th Floor

San Francisco, California 94111-3823

(415) 984-8700

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

 

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

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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.  x

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

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 definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

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

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities To Be Registered		Amount to be Registered (1)(2)		Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price Per Unit		Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (3)(4)		Amount of Registration Fee (5)
Primary Offering
Common Stock, no par value per share
Preferred Stock, no par value per share
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Units
Total						$150,000,000		$17,415.00
Secondary Offering
Common Stock to be sold by selling shareholder		251,760		$0.34		$86,643.20		$10.06
Total for Primary and Secondary Offering						$150,086,643.20		$17,425.06(6)

 

(1)

With respect to the primary offering, there is being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock, such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities, such indeterminate number of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities of one or more series, such indeterminate number of rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities of one or more series, and such indeterminate number of units representing an interest in one or more shares of common stock or preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and/or rights in any combination as shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $150,000,000. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of such debt securities shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $150,000,000, less the aggregate dollar amount of all securities previously issued hereunder. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder.

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The proposed maximum initial offering price per unit will be determined by the registrant, from time to time, in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder. The securities registered also include such indeterminate amounts and numbers of shares of common stock and preferred stock and debt securities as may be issued upon conversion of, or exchange for, preferred stock or debt securities that provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants or rights or pursuant to the antidilution provisions of such securities. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

 

(2)

With respect to the secondary offering, there is being registered hereunder 251,760 shares of our common stock which may be sold by the selling shareholder from time to time. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the shares of common stock being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

 

(3)

With respect to the primary offering, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price per class of security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act.

 

(4)

With respect to the secondary offering, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price is estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act on the basis of the high and low sales prices for the common stock as reported on The NASDAQ Capital Market on February 14, 2011.

 

(5)	With respect to the primary offering, calculated in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

 

(6)

The registrant previously registered the resale of an aggregate of 4,060 shares of Series 6 Preferred Stock and 11,600,000 shares of common stock by the selling shareholder by filing a prospectus supplement under Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, filed by the registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2010, to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-161442), originally filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on August 19, 2009. In connection with the filing of the prospectus supplement, the registrant paid a filing fee of $289.48 in accordance with Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act. 251,760 shares of common stock registered for resale by the selling shareholder pursuant to the prospectus supplement remain unsold. Nevertheless, the registrant is paying an additional registration fee for the 251,760 shares of common stock registered for resale by the selling shareholder hereunder.

 

 

 

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 (for purposes of this Explanatory Note, this Post-Effective Amendment) to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-161442) (for purposes of this Explanatory Note, the Registration Statement) of Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (for purposes of this Explanatory Note, the Registrant) is being filed because the Registrant expects that it will no longer be a well-known seasoned issuer (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) upon the filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The reason the Registrant expects that it will no longer be a well-known seasoned issuer is because the worldwide market value of its outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates is expected to be less than $700 million at the time of such filing. Accordingly, the Registrant is filing this Post-Effective Amendment for the purpose of adding the disclosure in the Registration Statement required for a registrant other than a well-known seasoned issuer.

This Registration Statement contains a prospectus relating to a primary offering by us of shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights and units (for purposes of this Explanatory Note, the Company Prospectus), together with separate prospectus pages relating to the resale of shares of our common stock by the selling shareholder (for purposes of this Explanatory Note, the Resale Prospectus). The complete Company Prospectus follows immediately. Following the Company Prospectus are the following alternative and additional pages for the Resale Prospectus:

 

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front cover page, which will replace the front cover page of the Company Prospectus;

 

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pages for the “About This Prospectus” section, which will replace the “About This Prospectus” section of the Company Prospectus;

 

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pages for the “Summary—The Offering” section, which will replace the “Summary—The Securities We May Offer” section of the Company Prospectus;

 

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pages for the “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Holders of Our Common Stock” section, which will be added immediately after the “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company” section of the Company Prospectus;

 

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pages for the “Use of Proceeds” section, which will replace the “Use of Proceeds” section of the Company Prospectus;

 

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pages for the “Selling Shareholder” section, which will be added immediately after the “Dividend Policy” section of the Company Prospectus;

 

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pages for the “Plan of Distribution” section, which will replace the “Plan of Distribution” section of the Company Prospectus; and

 

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pages for the “Legal Matters” section, which will replace the “Legal Matters” section of the Company Prospectus.

In addition, the following disclosures contained within the Company Prospectus will be deleted in their entirety in the Resale Prospectus:

 

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the “Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and of Earnings to Combined Fixed Chares and Preferred Stock Dividends” section;

 

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the “Description of Debt Securities” section;

 

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the “Description of Warrants” section;

 

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the “Description of Rights” section;

 

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the “Description of Units” section; and

 

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the “Legal Ownership of Securities” section.

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PROSPECTUS

Making cancer more treatable

$150,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Rights

Units

 

 

From time to time, we may offer and sell in one or more offerings:

 

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shares of our common stock;

 

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shares of our preferred stock;

 

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debt securities;

 

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warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities;

 

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rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities; and

 

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units consisting of two or more of these classes or series of securities.

We may offer these securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of each offering thereof. Each time we offer securities using this prospectus, we will provide specific terms of the securities and the offering in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add to, update or change the information in this prospectus and will also describe the specific manner in which we will offer the securities. The securities may be offered and sold by us to or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers on a continuous or delayed basis. See “Plan of Distribution.”

This prospectus may not be used by us to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference, prior to investing in any of our securities.

Our common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Capital Market and on the MTA stock market in Italy under the symbol “CTIC.” On February 14, 2011, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market was $0.34. We do not expect our preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights or units to be listed on any securities exchange or over-the-counter market unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the “Risk Factors” section contained in this prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before investing in our securities.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is February 15, 2011

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		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			1
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE			2
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			3
SUMMARY			4
RISK FACTORS			13
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS			19
USE OF PROCEEDS			19
DIVIDEND POLICY			19
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK			20
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			23
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS			30
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS			34
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS			34
LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES			35
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			39
LEGAL MATTERS			43
EXPERTS			43

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights, units, or any combination of these securities, in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell any securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered. Any prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any documents that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement, and the additional information described below under “Where You Can Find More Information” before making an investment decision. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any documents we incorporate by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

In this prospectus, the terms “CTI,” “Company,” “registrant,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Cell Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation, and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. In accordance with the Exchange Act, we file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by us are available to the public free of charge at www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.celltherapeutics.com. You may also read and copy any document we file at the public reference facilities 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 facilities by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

Because our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market, you may also inspect such reports, proxy statements and other information concerning us at the offices of The NASDAQ Stock Market, 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. This prospectus omits some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and the securities we are offering. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

SEC rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” in this prospectus much of the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed) until the offering of the securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is terminated or completed:

 

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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009;

 

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our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010;

 

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our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2010;

 

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our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2010;

 

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our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 19, 2010 (excluding Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1), February 9, 2010 (Item 8.01 only), February 22, 2010, March 2, 2010 (Item 8.01 only), March 5, 2010, March 22, 2010 (Item 8.01 only), April 5, 2010 (excluding Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1), April 6, 2010, April 9, 2010 (Item 8.01 only), April 15, 2010 (Item 2.05 only), May 4, 2010 (Item 3.01 only), May 20, 2010 (Item 3.02 only), May 26, 2010, May 27, 2010 (excluding Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1), June 29, 2010 (Item 8.01 only), July 14 ,2010, July 26, 2010, July 27, 2010, August 24, 2010, September 17, 2010 (excluding Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1), October 6, 2010, as amended by the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on October 25, 2010, October 22, 2010 (excluding Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1), October 28, 2010, November 4, 2010 (Item 3.01 only) and January 18, 2011 (excluding Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1), as amended by the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on January 28, 2011; and

 

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the description of our capital stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC on June 27, 1996, including any amendment or reports filed for the purpose of updating that description.

Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus is continually updated and those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded.

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owners, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus, excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You may request a copy of these documents by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

501 Elliott Avenue West, Suite 400

Seattle, Washington 98119

(206) 282-7100

Attention: Investor Relations

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any documents we incorporate by reference herein or therein may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of these provisions, including, without limitation:

 

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any projections of cash resources, revenues, operating expenses or other financial terms;

 

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any statements of the plans and objectives of management for future operations or programs;

 

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and statements concerning proposed new products or services;

 

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any statements regarding future operations, plans, regulatory filings or approvals;

 

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any statements on plans regarding proposed or potential clinical trials or new drug filing strategies or timelines;

 

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any statements regarding compliance with the listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market, or NASDAQ;

 

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any statements regarding pending or future mergers or acquisitions; and

 

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any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should” or “will” or the negative thereof or other comparable terms. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such expectations or any of the forward-looking statements will prove to be correct, and actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the risk factors described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” and in the documents incorporated herein by reference. All forward-looking statements and reasons why results may differ included in this prospectus are made as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement or reason why actual results might differ, except to the extent required by law.

 

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2010, and beginning on page 30 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2010, filed with the SEC on October 28, 2010, which information is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and the additional risks described below and other information in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference before deciding to invest in our securities. If any of the identified risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results or prospects and the trading price of our securities. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects and the trading price of our securities.

Risks Related to Our Company

We need to raise additional funds and expect that we will need to continue to raise funds in the future, and additional funds may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all; failure to raise significant additional funds may cause us to cease development of our products and operations.

We have substantial operating expenses associated with the development of our product candidates, and as of September 30, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents of $17.3 million. As of September 30, 2010, our total current liabilities were $25.9 million. The aggregate principal balance related to our 7.5% and 5.75% convertible senior notes as of September 30, 2010 was $21.2 million. We repaid the outstanding principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest on our 4% convertible senior subordinated notes in July 2010. We do not expect that our existing cash and cash equivalents, as well as proceeds received from our offerings to date, will provide sufficient working capital to fund our presently anticipated operations through the second quarter of 2011.

Raising additional capital will likely require that we issue additional shares of our common stock. Because of the number of shares reserved for issuance under various convertible securities, derivative securities and otherwise, we have a limited number of authorized shares of common stock available for issuance and it is difficult for us to obtain an increase in our authorized shares. If we do not have enough shares authorized to effect an equity financing, our ability to raise capital through equity financings may be adversely affected. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities, or securities convertible into our equity securities, our shareholders may experience dilution of their proportionate ownership of us. We have held preliminary discussions with several investment funds regarding a potential investment in our company, but we have no current agreements or commitments with respect to any investment by these investment funds or any other investors. There can be no assurance that our discussions with these investment funds or any other investors will result in an investment in our company or that we will have sufficient earnings, access to liquidity or cash flow in the future to meet our operating expenses and other obligations, including our debt service obligations.

We may not be able to raise such capital or if we can, it may not be on favorable terms. We may seek to raise additional capital through public or private equity financings, partnerships, joint ventures, dispositions of assets, debt financings or restructurings, bank borrowings or other sources. To obtain additional funding, we may need to enter into arrangements that require us to relinquish rights to certain technologies, drug candidates, products and/or potential markets. In addition, some financing alternatives may require us to meet additional regulatory requirements in Italy and the United States and we may be subject to certain contractual limitations, which may increase our costs and adversely affect our ability to obtain additional funding. If adequate funds are not otherwise available, we will further curtail operations significantly, including the delay, modification or cancellation of operations and plans related to Pixuvri, OPAXIO, brostallicin and bisplatinates, and may be forced to cease operations, liquidate our assets and possibly seek bankruptcy protection. Bankruptcy may result in the termination of agreements pursuant to which we license certain intellectual property rights, including the rights to Pixuvri, OPAXIO and brostallicin.

 

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We are required to comply with the regulatory structure of Italy because our stock is traded on the MTA, which could result in administrative and other challenges and additional expenses.

Our common stock is traded on the MTA and we are required to also comply with the rules and regulations of CONSOB, which is the public authority responsible for regulating the Italian securities market, and the Borsa Italiana, which ensures the development of the managed market in Italy. Collectively, these entities regulate companies listed on Italy’s public markets. Conducting our operations in a manner that complies with all of the applicable laws and rules requires us to devote additional time and resources to regulatory compliance matters. For example, the process of seeking to understand and comply with the laws of each country, including tax, labor and regulatory laws, might require us to incur the expense of engaging additional outside counsel, accountants and other professional advisors and might result in delayed business initiatives as we seek to ensure that each new initiative will comply with all of the applicable regulatory regimes. In addition, the Borsa Italiana and CONSOB have made several requests for information asking us to provide additional clarifications about our business operations and financial condition, and we have complied with such requests and have met with CONSOB on several occasions to answer questions. Compliance with Italian regulatory requirements may delay additional issuances of our common stock; we are currently taking steps to attempt to conform to the requirements of the Italian stock exchange and CONSOB to allow such additional issuances.

In addition, under Italian law, we must publish a listing prospectus that has been approved by CONSOB prior to issuing common stock that exceeds, in any twelve-month period, 10% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding at the beginning of that period (except for certain applicable exceptions). If we are unable to maintain a listing prospectus to cover general financing efforts under Italian law, we may be required to raise money using alternative forms of securities. For example, we may need to use convertible preferred stock and convertible debt since the common stock resulting from the conversion of such securities, subject to the provisions of European Directive No. 71/2003 and according to the interpretations of the Committee of European Securities Regulators (CESR), is not subject to the 10% limitation imposed by EU and Italian law.

Moreover, on December 23, 2008, CONSOB sent a notice to us requesting that we issue (i) immediately, a press release providing, among other things, information about our debt restructuring plan, the current state of compliance with the relevant covenants regulating our debt and the equity line of credit agreement we entered into with Midsummer Investment Ltd. on July 29, 2008, and (ii) by the end of each month and starting from the month of December 2008, a press release providing certain information relating to our management and financial situation, updated to the previous month, or the Monthly CONSOB Press Release. On July 31, 2009, CONSOB sent us a notice asserting three violations of the provisions of Section 114, paragraph 5 of the Italian Legislative Decree no. 58/98, as follows: (a) the non-disclosure without delay of the press release described under point (i) above and the subsequent incomplete disclosure of the relevant information through press releases dated January 9, 2009 and January 13, 2009; (b) the non-disclosure of the Monthly CONSOB Press Release in December 2008; and (c) the incomplete disclosure of the Monthly CONSOB Press Release in January 2009. The sanctions established by Section 193, paragraph 1 of the Italian Legislative Decree no. 58/98 for such violations are pecuniary administrative sanctions amounting to between €5,000 and €500,000, or approximately $6,700 to $670,000 as of December 31, 2010, applicable to each one of the three asserted violations. According to the applicable Italian legal provisions, CONSOB may impose such administrative sanctions by means of a decree stating the grounds of its decision only after evaluating our possible defenses that were submitted to CONSOB on August 28, 2009 (within 30 days of July 31, 2009, the notification date of the relevant charges, according to the applicable Italian rules). On May 5, 2010, CONSOB (1) notified us that it had begun the preliminary investigation for its decision on these administrative proceedings and (2) provided us with a preliminary investigation report in response to our defenses submitted on August 28, 2009. On June 4, 2010 (within 30 days of May 5, 2010, the notification date of the beginning of the aforesaid preliminary investigation, according to the applicable Italian rules), we submitted further defenses that CONSOB will have to evaluate before imposing any possible administrative sanctions. On January 21, 2011, CONSOB notified us of a

 

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resolution confirming the occurrence of the three asserted violations and applying a fine for each of them in the following amounts: €20,000 for sanction (a) above; €50,000 for sanction (b) above; and €30,000 for sanction (c) above; for an aggregate fine of €100,000, or approximately $136,000 as of January 21, 2011, for these sanctions. We anticipate paying the fine according to the terms and conditions established by the applicable Italian rules and prior to the deadline of March 22, 2011 (i.e., the deadline after which default interest and/or increases in the amount of the fines will be charged).

Separately, on December 10, 2009, CONSOB sent us a notice claiming two violations of the provisions of Section 114, paragraph 1 of the Italian Legislative Decree no. 58/98 due to the asserted late disclosure of certain information then reported, at CONSOB’s request, in press releases disseminated on December 19, 2008 and March 23, 2009. Such information concerned, respectively: (i) the conversion by BAM Opportunity Fund LP of 9.66% notes into shares of common stock that occurred between October 24, 2008 and November 19, 2008; and (ii) the contents of the opinion expressed by Stonefield Josephson, Inc., an independent registered public accounting firm, with respect to our 2008 financial statements. The sanctions established by Section 193, paragraph 1 of the Italian Legislative Decree no. 58/98 for such violations are pecuniary administrative sanctions amounting to between €5,000 and €500,000, or approximately $6,700 to $670,000 as of December 31, 2010, applicable to each of the two asserted violations. According to the applicable Italian legal provisions, CONSOB may impose such administrative sanctions by means of a decree stating the grounds of its decision only after evaluating our possible defenses that were submitted to CONSOB on January 8, 2010 (within 30 days of December 10, 2009, the notification date of the relevant charges, according to the applicable Italian rules). On July 12, 2010, CONSOB (a) notified us that it had begun the preliminary investigation for its decision on these administrative proceedings and (b) provided us with a preliminary investigation report in response to our defenses submitted on January 8, 2010. On August 12, 2010 (within 30 days of July 12, 2010, the notification date of the beginning of the aforesaid preliminary investigation, according to the applicable Italian rules), we submitted further defenses that CONSOB will have to evaluate before imposing any possible administrative sanctions. Based on our assessment, the likelihood that these pecuniary administrative sanctions will be imposed on the Company is probable.

We may owe additional amounts for value added taxes related to our operations in Europe.

Our European operations are subject to a VAT which is usually applied to all goods and services purchased and sold throughout Europe. The VAT receivable is $5.3 million and $6.3 million as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. On April 14, 2009 and December 21, 2009, the Italian Tax Authority, or the ITA, issued notices of assessment to CTI (Europe) based on the ITA’s audit of CTI (Europe)’s VAT returns for the years 2003 and 2005, respectively. On June 25, 2010, the ITA issued notices of assessment to CTI (Europe) for the years 2006 and 2007 based on similar findings for the 2003 and 2005 assessments. The ITA audits concluded that CTI (Europe) did not collect and remit VAT on certain invoices issued to non-Italian clients for services performed by CTI (Europe). The assessments, including interest and penalties, for the years 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are €0.5 million, €5.5 million, €2.5 million and €0.8 million, or approximately $0.7 million, $7.4 million, $3.4 million and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2010, respectively. We believe that the services invoiced were non-VAT taxable consultancy services and that the VAT returns are correct as originally filed. We are vigorously defending ourselves against the assessments both on procedural grounds and on the merits of the case. If the decision of the Provincial Tax Court of Milan, or the Tax Court, is unfavorable, then we expect to appeal to the higher courts in order to further defend our interests. However, if we are unable to successfully defend ourselves against the assessments issued by the ITA, we may be requested to pay to the ITA an amount ranging from €4.9 million to €9.4 million, or approximately $6.6 million to $12.6 million as of December 31, 2010, plus collection fees, notification expenses and additional interest for the period lapsed between the date in which the assessments were issued and the date of effective payment. On February 2, 2011, we paid to the ITA the required deposit in respect of the 2005 VAT in the amount of €1.5 million, or approximately $2.0 million converted using the currency exchange rate as of December 31, 2010.

 

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2003 VAT. We have not received a notice from the ITA requesting a deposit payment for the VAT based on the 2003 assessment as of December 31, 2010. The Tax Court has scheduled the first hearing for the discussion of the merits of the case on March 18, 2011.

2005 VAT. On July 14, 2010, the ITA issued a notice requiring a deposit payment for the VAT to CTI (Europe) based on the 2005 assessment, including 50% of the assessed VAT, interest and collection fees for an amount of €1.5 million, or approximately $2.0 million converted using the currency exchange rate as of December 31, 2010. We successfully filed a petition with the Tax Court for suspension of the 2005 notice of deposit payment. On September 28, 2010, the merits of the case for the year 2005 were discussed in a public hearing before the Tax Court. On January 13, 2011, the Tax Court issued decision no. 4/2010 in which the Tax Court (i) partially accepted our appeal and declared that no penalties can be imposed against us, (ii) confirmed the right of the Italian Tax Authorities to reassess the VAT (plus interest) in relation to the transactions identified in the 2005 notice of assessment and (iii) repealed the suspension of the notice of deposit payment. As a result of this decision, our exposure for 2005 VAT assessment is currently reduced by the waiver of penalties of €2.6 million, or approximately $3.5 million converted using the currency exchange rate as of December 31, 2010. The ITA has the right to appeal the decision to request for confirmation of the penalties. On February 2, 2011, we paid to the ITA the required deposit in respect of the 2005 VAT in the amount of €1.5 million, or approximately $2.0 million converted using the currency exchange rate as of December 31, 2010, prior to the due date of February 6, 2011. We do not believe that the Tax Court has carefully reviewed all of our arguments, relevant documents and other supporting evidence that our counsel filed and presented during the hearing, including an appraisal from an independent expert, and, therefore, that there are grounds of appeal in order to ask the judges of the higher court to further consider all of our arguments in support of invalidating the entire notice of assessment. Accordingly, we will appeal to the Regional Tax Court and file a complaint with the European Commission.

While we contend that services invoiced were non-VAT taxable consulting services and that the VAT returns are correct as originally filed, we have recorded a reserve for VAT assessed, interest and collection fees totalling €2.6 million, or approximately $3.5 million as of December 31, 2010, of which $3.0 million is included in long-term obligations, less current portion and $0.5 million of the reserve is accounted for as an offset to VAT receivable included in other assets.

2006 VAT. On January 10, 2011, we received a notice from the ITA requiring a deposit payment for VAT to CTI (Europe) based on the 2006 assessment, including 50% of the assessed VAT, interest and collection fees for an amount of €0.4 million, or approximately $0.6 million converted using the currency exchange rate as of December 31, 2010, payable in the first quarter 2011. We filed a request for suspension of the collection of such amount.

2007 VAT. We have not received a notice from the ITA requesting a deposit payment for the VAT based on the 2007 assessment nor has the Tax Court scheduled a hearing as of December 31, 2010.

If there is an adverse outcome in the securities class action and shareholder derivative litigation that have been filed against us, our business may be harmed.

We and certain of our officers and directors are named as defendants in purported securities class actions and shareholder derivative lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. These securities class action lawsuits are brought on behalf of a putative class of purchasers of our securities from March 25, 2008 through March 22, 2010, and seek unspecified damages. All of the purported securities class actions have been consolidated into one securities class action, a lead plaintiff has been appointed, and a consolidated amended complaint has been filed. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint on October 27, 2010. Plaintiffs filed their opposition to the motion on December 3, 2010, and the defendants filed their reply on December 22, 2010. The motion was heard on January 28, 2011. On February 4, 2011, the court issued an order denying in large part the defendants’ motion. Defendants must file an answer to the remaining claims in the amended consolidated complaint by February 18, 2011. The currently filed shareholder derivative lawsuits have also been consolidated into one derivative action and co-lead plaintiffs have been appointed. The court ordered the derivative action stayed pending the outcome of the defendants’ motion to dismiss in the securities class action. On February 4, 2011, the court lifted the stay. As with any litigation proceeding, we cannot predict with certainty the eventual outcome of pending litigation. Furthermore, we may have to incur substantial expenses in connection with these lawsuits. In the event of an adverse outcome, our business could be materially harmed.

 

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Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market and the MTA and we may not be able to maintain those listings or trading on these exchanges may be halted or suspended, which may make it more difficult for investors to sell shares of our common stock.

Effective with the opening of trading on January 8, 2009, the U.S. listing of our common stock was transferred to The NASDAQ Capital Market, subject to meeting a minimum market value of listed securities of $35.0 million. NASDAQ’s Listing Qualifications Panel, or the Panel, approved this transfer after our market capitalization did not comply with the minimum market capitalization required for companies listed on The NASDAQ Global Market, and we presented a plan to the Panel for regaining compliance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. On January 23, 2009, we received an Additional Staff Determination Letter from NASDAQ that stated that NASDAQ staff had concluded that we had violated NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4350(i)(1)(C) (now NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5635), which requires shareholder approval in connection with an acquisition if the issuance or potential issuance is greater than 20% of the pre-acquisition shares outstanding, and that we had at times not complied with Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(17) regarding submission of a “Listing of Additional Shares” form. On February 18, 2009, we updated the Panel on our plan for regaining compliance and requested an extension of the deadline to regain compliance with the minimum market capitalization requirement for The NASDAQ Capital Market. On March 6, 2009, we were notified by NASDAQ that the Panel had determined to continue the listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market, subject to the condition that, on or before April 6, 2009, we demonstrated compliance with all applicable standards for continued listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market, including the $35.0 million minimum market capitalization requirement. In addition, the Panel issued a public reprimand for our prior failures to comply with the shareholder approval requirements and late filing of “Listing of Additional Shares” forms. On April 2, 2009, we were notified by NASDAQ that we had complied with the Panel’s decision dated March 6, 2009, and, accordingly, the Panel determined to continue the listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market.

NASDAQ reinstated the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement on August 3, 2009. On May 3, 2010, we received notice from NASDAQ indicating that for the last 30 consecutive business days the closing bid price of our common stock was below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2). This notification has no immediate effect on the listing of or the ability to trade our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market. In accordance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we were provided a grace period of 180 calendar days, or until November 1, 2010, to regain compliance. We would have achieved compliance if the bid price of our common stock closed at $1.00 per share or more for a minimum of ten consecutive trading days before November 1, 2010. Alternatively, we were eligible for an additional 180-day grace period if we met all of the initial listing standards of NASDAQ, with the exception of the closing bid price. On November 2, 2010, we received notice from NASDAQ that it granted us an additional 180 days, or until May 2, 2011, to regain compliance with the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2). We may achieve compliance during the additional 180-day period if the closing bid price of our common stock is at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive trading days before May 2, 2011.

There can be no assurance that our closing bid price will achieve $1.00 per share or more for the applicable period. If we are unable to attain compliance with the minimum bid price, whether by effecting a reverse stock split of our common stock or otherwise, we may be delisted. In addition, if we fail to maintain the minimum value of listed securities, we may be delisted. In the event that we receive a delisting determination from NASDAQ, we may request a hearing before the Panel. Following the hearing request, our common stock would continue to be listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market pending the conclusion of the hearing process and during any extension period which may be granted by the Panel. There can be no assurance that the Panel would delay an unfavorable delisting decision or grant any extension period.

 

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The level of trading activity of our common stock may decline if it is no longer listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market. Furthermore, our failure to maintain a listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market may constitute an event of default under certain of our indebtedness which would accelerate the maturity date of such debt. As such, if our common stock ceases to be listed for trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market for any reason, it may harm our stock price, increase the volatility of our stock price and make it more difficult for investors to sell shares of our common stock. In the event our common stock is delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market, we currently expect that our common stock would be eligible to be listed on the OTC Bulletin Board or Pink Sheets. We do not know what impact delisting from The NASDAQ Capital Market may have on our listing with the Borsa Italiana.

Although we continue to be listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market, trading in our common stock may be halted or suspended due to market conditions or if NASDAQ, CONSOB or the Borsa Italiana determine that trading in our common stock is inadvisable. Trading in our common stock was halted by the Borsa Italiana on February 10, 2009, and, as a consequence, trading in our common stock was also halted by NASDAQ. After we provided CONSOB with additional information and clarification on our business operations and financial condition, as requested, and published a press release containing such information in Italy, the Borsa Italiana, and NASDAQ lifted the trading halts on our common stock. In addition, on March 23, 2009, the Borsa Italiana halted trading of our common stock on the MTA and resumed trading prior to the opening of the MTA the next day after we filed a press release regarding the explanatory paragraph in our auditor’s reports on our December 31, 2008 and 2007 consolidated financial statements regarding their substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. As a consequence, NASDAQ also halted trading in our common stock on March 23, 2009, but re-initiated trading later that day. Although we file press releases with CONSOB at the end of each month regarding our business and financial condition, CONSOB may make additional inquiries about our business and financial condition at any time, and there can be no guarantee that the Borsa Italiana, CONSOB or NASDAQ will not halt trading in our shares again in the future.

If our common stock ceases to be listed for trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market or the MTA, or both, for any reason, or if trading in our stock is halted or suspended on The NASDAQ Capital Market or the MTA, or both, such events may harm the trading price of our securities, increase the volatility of the trading price of our securities and make it more difficult for investors to buy or sell shares of our common stock. Moreover, if our common stock ceases to be listed for trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market or if trading in our stock is halted or suspended on The NASDAQ Capital Market, we may become subject to certain obligations. In addition, if we are not listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market and/or if our public float falls below $75 million, we will be limited in our ability to file new shelf registration statements on SEC Form S-3 and/or to fully use one or more registration statements on SEC Form S-3. We have relied significantly on shelf registration statements on SEC Form S-3 for most of our financings in recent years, so any such limitations may harm our ability to raise the capital we need.

If we make any acquisitions, we will incur a variety of costs and may never realize the anticipated benefits.

If appropriate opportunities become available, we may attempt to acquire businesses and assets that we believe are a strategic fit with our business. We currently have no agreements to consummate any material acquisitions. If we pursue any such transaction, the process of negotiating the acquisition and integrating an acquired business and assets may result in operating difficulties and expenditures and may require significant management attention that would otherwise be available for ongoing development of our business, whether or not any such transaction is ever consummated. Moreover, we may never realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisition. Future acquisitions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities and/or amortization expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets, which could harm our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects and the trading price of our securities.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED

CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges and of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for each of the periods indicated:

 

		Nine months ended September 30,		Year ended December 31,
		2010		2009		2008		2007		2006		2005
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1)		—		—		—		—		—		—
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends (1)		—		—		—		—		—		—

 

(1)

Earnings were not sufficient to cover fixed charges or combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for each of the periods indicated. Earnings consist of income (loss) before provision for income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest charges and that portion of rental payments under operating leases we believe to be representative of interest. Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, were insufficient to cover fixed charges, and fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, by $113.4, $116.8, $202.9, $148.3, $135.8 and $102.5 (in millions), respectively. For this reason, no ratios are provided for these periods.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any of our securities for general corporate purposes, unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement. We may temporarily invest funds that we do not immediately use in short- and medium-term marketable securities.

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not currently anticipate declaring or paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance operations. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including future earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions, contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

Our outstanding shares of Series 8 Preferred Stock are entitled to annual dividends at a rate of 10% per annum from the date of issuance, payable in the form of additional shares of Series 8 Preferred Stock. See “Description of Capital Stock—General Description of Preferred Stock—Series 8 Preferred Stock.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, our amended and restated bylaws and all applicable provisions of Washington law.

General

We are authorized to issue 1,200,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value. As of February 14, 2011, there were 900,799,566 shares of common stock outstanding, warrants to purchase approximately 91,183,529 shares of common stock outstanding and 25,000 shares of our Series 8 Preferred Stock outstanding.

On April 15, 2007, we effected a 1-for-4 reverse stock split of our common stock and on August 31, 2008, we effected a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of our common stock.

Common Stock

Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted upon by the shareholders and there are no cumulative voting rights. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably the dividends, if any, that are declared from time to time by the board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share in our assets remaining after the payment of liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate in the future.

General Description of Preferred Stock

Our board of directors has the authority, without action by the shareholders, to designate and issue preferred stock in one or more series and to designate the rights, preferences and privileges of each series, which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effects of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of the common stock until our board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of this preferred stock. However, the effects might include, among other things:

 

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restricting dividends on the common stock;

 

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diluting the voting power of the common stock;

 

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impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock; or

 

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delaying or preventing a change in control of our company without further action by the shareholders.

Series 8 Preferred Stock

As of February 14, 2011, there were 25,000 shares of our Series 8 Preferred Stock outstanding. The Series 8 Preferred Stock is entitled to annual dividends at a rate of 10% per annum from the date of issuance,

 

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payable in the form of additional shares of Series 8 Preferred Stock. Each share of Series 8 Preferred Stock is entitled to a liquidation preference equal to the initial stated value of $1,000 per share of Series 8 Preferred Stock, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, before any distribution of assets may be made to holders of capital stock ranking junior to the Series 8 Preferred Stock. The Series 8 Preferred Stock is not convertible into common stock but is redeemable, at our option, at any time after issuance, either in cash or by offset against recourse notes fully secured with marketable securities. The Series 8 Preferred Stock has no voting rights except as otherwise expressly provided in the articles of amendment to our amended and restated articles of incorporation or as otherwise required by law. However, so long as at least 8,000 or more originally issued shares of Series 8 Preferred Stock are outstanding, we cannot amend our amended and restated articles of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws or other charter documents so as to materially, specifically and adversely affect the rights of the Series 8 Preferred Stock or authorize or create any class of senior preferred stock, in each case without the affirmative written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series 8 Preferred Stock.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Washington Law, Our Charter and Bylaws and Our Rights Plan

Washington law contains certain provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of the Company. Chapter 23B.19 of the Washington Business Corporation Act prohibits us, with certain exceptions, from engaging in certain significant business transactions with an “acquiring person” (defined as a person or group of persons who acquire 10% or more of our voting securities without the prior approval of our board of directors) for a period of five years following the acquiring person’s share acquisition date. The prohibited transactions include, among others, a merger or consolidation with, disposition of assets to, or issuance or redemption of stock to or from, the acquiring person, or otherwise allowing the acquiring person to receive a disproportionate benefit as a shareholder. Exceptions to this statutory prohibition include approval of the transaction at a shareholders meeting by holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares held by each voting group entitled to vote on the transaction, not counting shares as to which the acquiring person has beneficial ownership or voting control, transactions approved by our board of directors prior to the acquiring person first becoming an acquiring person or, with respect to a merger, share exchange, consolidation, liquidation or distribution entered into with the acquiring person, transactions where certain other requirements regarding the fairness of the consideration to be received by the shareholders have been met. We may not exempt ourselves from coverage of this statute. These statutory provisions may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of the Company.

Our board of directors is divided into three approximately equal classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. In addition, our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide that directors may be removed from office only at a meeting of the shareholders called expressly for that purpose and only for “cause.” Our amended and restated articles of incorporation limit “cause” to willful misfeasance having a material adverse effect on us or conviction of a felony, provided that any action by a director shall not constitute “cause” if, in good faith, the director believed the action to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests or if the director is entitled to be indemnified with respect to such action under applicable law, our amended and restated articles of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws or a contract with us. Further, our amended and restated bylaws require a shareholder to provide notice to us of such shareholder’s intention to nominate a person or persons for election as directors not later than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting or, in the case of an election to be held at a special meeting of the shareholders for the election of directors, the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to shareholders. A shareholder must also provide us with notice of such shareholder’s intent to make any proposal at an annual meeting of shareholders not later than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders. These may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying change in control of our management.

In connection with our rights plan, one preferred stock purchase right was distributed for each common share held as of the close of business on January 7, 2010. Initially, the rights are not exercisable and are attached to, and trade with, all of the shares of our common stock outstanding as of, and issued subsequent

 

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to, the record date. Each right, if and when it becomes exercisable, will entitle the holder to purchase one ten-thousandth of a share of a new series of junior participating cumulative preferred stock for $6.00, subject to standard adjustment in the rights plan. The rights will become exercisable for our preferred stock if a person or group acquires 20% or more of our common stock. Upon acquisition of 20% or more of our common stock, the board of directors could decide that each right (except those held by a 20% shareholder, which become null and void) would become exercisable, entitling the holder to receive upon exercise, in lieu of a number of units of preferred stock, that number of shares of our common stock having a market value of two times the exercise price of the right. In certain circumstances, including if there are insufficient shares of our common stock to permit the exercise in full of the rights, the holder may receive units of preferred stock, other securities, cash or property or any combination of the foregoing.

If we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction after any such event, each holder of a right, except those held by a 20% shareholder, which become null and void, would then have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock of the acquiring company having a market value equal to two times the exercise price of the right.

Our board of directors may redeem the rights for $0.0001 per right or terminate the rights plan at any time prior to an acquisition by a person or group holding 20% or more of our common stock. The rights plan will expire on January 7, 2013.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This summary, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future debt securities we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

The debt securities may be either secured or unsecured and will either be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. We will issue the senior notes under the senior indenture which we will enter into with one or more trustees. We will issue the subordinated notes under the subordinated indenture which we will enter into with one or more trustees. We have filed forms of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We use the term “indentures” to refer to both the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture.

The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We use the term “debenture trustee” to refer to either the senior trustee or the subordinated trustee, as applicable.

The following summaries of the material provisions of the senior notes, the subordinated notes and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the debt securities that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities. Except as we may otherwise indicate, the terms of the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are identical.

General

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to a series of debt securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

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the title;

 

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the principal amount being offered and, if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;

 

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any limit on the amount that may be issued;

 

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whether or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form and, if so, the terms and who the depositary will be;

 

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the maturity date;

 

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the principal amount due at maturity and whether the debt securities will be issued with any original issue discount;

 

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whether and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay such additional amounts;

 

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•

the annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate, the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;

 

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whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

 

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whether or not the debt securities will be senior or subordinated, and the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;

 

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the place where payments will be payable;

 

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restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;

 

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our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

 

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the date, if any, after which, the conditions upon which, and the price at which we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions, and any other applicable terms of those redemption provisions;

 

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provisions for a sinking fund, purchase or other analogous fund, if any;

 

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the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities;

 

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whether the indenture will restrict our ability and/or the ability of our subsidiaries to:

 

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incur additional indebtedness;

 

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issue additional securities;

 

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create liens;

 

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pay dividends and make distributions in respect of our capital stock and the capital stock of our subsidiaries;

 

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redeem capital stock;

 

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place restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets;

 

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make investments or other restricted payments;

 

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sell or otherwise dispose of assets;

 

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enter into sale-leaseback transactions;

 

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engage in transactions with shareholders and affiliates;

 

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issue or sell stock of our subsidiaries; or

 

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effect a consolidation or merger;

 

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•

whether the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios;

 

•

a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities;

 

•

information describing any book-entry features;

 

•

the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

 

•

the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

•

if other than dollars, the currency in which the series of debt securities will be denominated; and

 

•

any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, including any events of default that are in addition to those described in this prospectus or any covenants provided with respect to the debt securities that are in addition to those described above, and any terms which may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the debt securities.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplements the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other securities of ours or a third party, including the conversion or exchange rate, as applicable, or how it will be calculated, and the applicable conversion or exchange period. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of our securities or the securities of a third party that the holders of the series of debt securities receive upon conversion or exchange would, under the circumstances described in those provisions, be subject to adjustment, or pursuant to which those holders would, under those circumstances, receive other property upon conversion or exchange, for example in the event of our merger or consolidation with another entity.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

The indentures do not contain any covenant which restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor of ours or acquiror of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the indentures and the debt securities.

If the debt securities are convertible for our other securities, the person with whom we consolidate or merge or to whom we sell all of our property must make provisions for the conversion of the debt securities into securities which the holders of the debt securities would have received if they had converted the debt securities before the consolidation, merger or sale.

Events of Default Under the Indenture

The following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

 

•

if we fail to pay interest when due and payable and our failure continues for 90 days and the time for payment has not been validly extended;

 

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•

if we fail to pay the principal, or premium, if any, or to make payment required by any sinking fund or analogous fund when due and payable and the time for payment has not been validly extended;

 

•

if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt securities or the indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive notice from the debenture trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and

 

•

if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the debenture trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by notice to us in writing (and to the debenture trustee if notice is given by such holders), declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the debenture trustee or any holder.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture.

Subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the debenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the debenture trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

 

•

the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and

 

•

subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the debenture trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.

A holder of the debt securities of any series will only have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies if:

 

•

the holder has given written notice to the debenture trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

 

•

the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the debenture trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee; and

 

•

the debenture trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer.

 

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These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

We will periodically file statements with the debenture trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indentures.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

We and the debenture trustee may modify an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters, including, without limitation:

 

•

to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the debt securities of any series;

 

•

to comply with the provisions described above under “Consolidation, Merger or Sale”;

 

•

to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

•

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the indenture by a successor trustee;

 

•

to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose;

 

•

to add to, delete from, or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issuance, authentication and delivery of debt securities of any series;

 

•

to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series authorized pursuant to the indentures, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the indentures or any series or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;

 

•

to add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default, or to surrender any of our rights or powers under the indenture; or

 

•

to change anything that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect.

In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of debt securities of any series may be changed by us and the debenture trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, we and the debenture trustee may only make the following changes with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

 

•

extending the fixed maturity of the debt securities of any series;

 

•

reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities; or

 

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•

reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any supplemental indenture.

Discharge

The indentures provide that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for certain obligations, including obligations to:

 

•

register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;

 

•

replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities of the series;

 

•

maintain paying agencies;

 

•

compensate and indemnify the debenture trustee; and

 

•

appoint any successor trustee.

In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the debenture trustee money or government obligations, or a combination of both, sufficient to pay all of the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indentures provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, or another depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series.

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplements, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will not impose a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges applicable to or associated with such registration of transfer or exchange.

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplements the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

 

•

issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of any series being redeemed in part during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

 

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•

register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee

The debenture trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the debenture trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the debenture trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

We will pay principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that, unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may make certain payments by check which we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, we will designate an office or agency of the debenture trustee in the city of New York as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All money we pay to a paying agent or the debenture trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. The indentures do not limit the amount of indebtedness which we may incur, including senior indebtedness or subordinated indebtedness, and do not limit us from issuing any other debt, including secured debt or unsecured debt. Additional or different subordination provisions may be described in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

This summary, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which consist of warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or together with our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and/or rights offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future warrants we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any warrants we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

We will issue the warrants directly or under a warrant agreement which we will enter into with a warrant agent to be selected by us. We have filed forms of the warrant agreements and the related warrant certificates for each type of warrant we may offer pursuant to this prospectus as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We use the term “warrant agreement” to refer to any of these warrant agreements. We use the term “warrant agent” to refer to the warrant agent under any of these warrant agreements. The warrant agent will act solely as an agent of ours in connection with the warrants and will not act as an agent for the holders or beneficial owners of the warrants.

The following summary of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the warrant agreement applicable to a particular series of warrants. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the warrants that we sell pursuant to this prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreements that contain the terms of the warrants.

General

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplements the terms relating to a series of warrants.

If warrants for the purchase of debt securities are offered, the prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, to the extent applicable:

 

•

the offering price and the aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

•

the currencies in which the warrants are being offered;

 

•

the designation, aggregate principal amount, currencies, denominations and terms of the series of debt securities that can be purchased if a holder exercises a warrant;

 

•

the designation and terms of any series of debt securities with which the warrants are being offered and the number of warrants offered with each such debt security;

 

•

the date on and after which the holder of the warrants can transfer them separately from the related series of debt securities;

 

•

the principal amount of the series of debt securities that can be purchased if a holder exercises a warrant and the price at which and currencies in which such principal amount may be purchased upon exercise;

 

•

the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

 

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•

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants begins and the date on which such right expires;

 

•

U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;

 

•

whether the warrants are issued pursuant to a warrant agreement with a warrant agent or issued directly by us; and

 

•

any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the warrants.

Warrants for the purchase of debt securities will be in registered form only.

If warrants for the purchase of our common stock or preferred stock are offered, the prospectus supplements will describe the following terms, to the extent applicable:

 

•

the offering price and the aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

•

the total number of shares that can be purchased if a holder of the warrants exercises them and, in the case of warrants for preferred stock, the designation, total number and terms of the series of preferred stock that can be purchased upon exercise;

 

•

the designation and terms of any series of preferred stock with which the warrants are being offered and the number of warrants being offered with each share of common stock or preferred stock;

 

•

the date on and after which the holder of the warrants can transfer them separately from the related common stock or series of preferred stock;

 

•

the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock that can be purchased if a holder exercises the warrant and the price at which such common stock or preferred stock may be purchased upon exercise, including, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price and in the securities or other property receivable upon exercise;

 

•

the terms of any rights to redeem or call, or accelerate the expiration of, the warrants;

 

•

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants begins and the date on which that right expires;

 

•

federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;

 

•

whether the warrants are issued pursuant to a warrant agreement with a warrant agent or issued directly by us; and

 

•

any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the warrants.

Warrants for the purchase of common stock or preferred stock will be in registered form only.

A holder of warrant certificates may exchange them for new certificates of different denominations, present them for registration of transfer and exercise them at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Until any warrants to purchase debt securities are exercised, the holder of the warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities that can be purchased upon exercise, including any rights to receive payments of principal, premium

 

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or interest on the underlying debt securities or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture. Until any warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock are exercised, holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying common stock or preferred stock, including any rights to receive dividends or to exercise any voting rights, except to the extent set forth under “—Warrant Adjustments” below.

Exercise of Warrants

Each holder of a warrant is entitled to purchase the principal amount of debt securities or number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, at the exercise price described in the applicable prospectus supplements. After the close of business on the day when the right to exercise terminates (or a later date if we extend the time for exercise), unexercised warrants will become void.

A holder of warrants may exercise them by following the general procedure outlined below:

 

•

delivering to us or to the warrant agent the payment required by the applicable prospectus supplements to purchase the underlying security;

 

•

properly completing and signing the reverse side of the warrant certificate representing the warrants; and

 

•

delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to us or to the warrant agent within five business days of receipt of payment of the exercise price.

If the holder complies with the procedures described above, the warrants will be considered to have been exercised when we receive or the warrant agent receives, as applicable, payment of the exercise price, subject to the transfer books for the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrant not being closed on such date. After the holder has completed those procedures and subject to the foregoing, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver to such holder the debt securities, common stock or preferred stock that such holder purchased upon exercise. If the holder exercises fewer than all of the warrants represented by a warrant certificate, a new warrant certificate will be issued to such holder for the unexercised amount of warrants. Holders of warrants will be required to pay any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with transferring the underlying securities in connection with the exercise of the warrants.

Amendments and Supplements to the Warrant Agreements

We may amend or supplement a warrant agreement without the consent of the holders of the applicable warrants to cure ambiguities in the warrant agreement, to cure, correct or supplement a defective provision in the warrant agreement, or to provide for other matters under the warrant agreement that we and the warrant agent deem necessary or desirable, so long as, in each case, such amendments or supplements do not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

Warrant Adjustments

Unless the applicable prospectus supplements state otherwise, the exercise price of, and the number of securities covered by, a common stock warrant or preferred stock warrant will be adjusted proportionately if we subdivide or combine our common stock or preferred stock, as applicable.

In addition, unless the prospectus supplements state otherwise, if we, without payment therefor:

 

•

issue capital stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or preferred stock, or any rights to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing, as a dividend or distribution to holders of our common stock or preferred stock;

 

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•

pay any cash to holders of our common stock or preferred stock other than a cash dividend paid out of our current or retained earnings or other than in accordance with the terms of the preferred stock;

 

•

issue any evidence of our indebtedness or rights to subscribe for or purchase our indebtedness to holders of our common stock or preferred stock; or

 

•

issue common stock or preferred stock or additional stock or other securities or property to holders of our common stock or preferred stock by way of spinoff, split-up, reclassification, combination of shares or similar corporate rearrangement;

then the holders of common stock warrants and preferred stock warrants, as applicable, will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the warrants, in addition to the securities otherwise receivable upon exercise of the warrants and without paying any additional consideration, the amount of stock and other securities and property such holders would have been entitled to receive had they held the common stock or preferred stock, as applicable, issuable under the warrants on the dates on which holders of those securities received or became entitled to receive such additional stock and other securities and property.

Except as stated above, the exercise price and number of securities covered by a common stock warrant or preferred stock warrant, and the amounts of other securities or property to be received, if any, upon exercise of those warrants, will not be adjusted or provided for if we issue those securities or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for those securities, or securities carrying the right to purchase those securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for those securities.

Holders of common stock warrants and preferred stock warrants may have additional rights under the following circumstances:

 

•

certain reclassifications, capital reorganizations or changes of the common stock or preferred stock, as applicable;

 

•

certain share exchanges, mergers, or similar transactions involving us and which result in changes of the common stock or preferred stock, as applicable; or

 

•

certain sales or dispositions to another entity of all or substantially all of our property and assets.

If one of the above transactions occurs and holders of our common stock or preferred stock are entitled to receive stock, securities or other property with respect to or in exchange for their securities, the holders of the common stock warrants and preferred stock warrants then outstanding, as applicable, will be entitled to receive upon exercise of their warrants the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities or property that they would have received upon the applicable transaction if they had exercised their warrants immediately before the transaction.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

This summary, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the rights that we may offer under this prospectus, which consist of rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. Rights may be offered independently or together with our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and/or warrants offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future rights we may offer pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any rights that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplements. The terms of any rights we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

The applicable prospectus supplements relating to any rights that we offer will include specific terms of any offering of rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following, to the extent applicable:

 

•

the price, if any, per right;

 

•

the exercise price payable for each share of common stock, share of preferred stock or debt security upon the exercise of the rights;

 

•

the number of rights issued or to be issued to each holder;

 

•

the number and terms of the shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock or debt securities that may be purchased per each right;

 

•

the extent to which the rights are transferable;

 

•

any other terms of the rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights;

 

•

the respective dates on which the holder’s ability to exercise the rights will commence and will expire;

 

•

the extent to which the rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and

 

•

if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of such rights.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplements of any rights that we may offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable rights agreement and/or rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC in connection therewith.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights or any combination of such securities.

 

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LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee or depositary or warrant agent maintain for this purpose as the “holders” of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as “indirect holders” of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.

Book-Entry Holders

We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplements. This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Global securities will be registered in the name of the depositary. Consequently, for global securities, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.

As a result, investors in a global security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the securities.

Street Name Holders

We may terminate a global security or issue securities that are not issued in global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

For securities held in street name, we or any applicable trustee or depositary will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we or any such trustee or depositary will make all payments on those securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.

 

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Legal Holders

Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee or third party employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with its participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture, or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.

Special Considerations For Indirect Holders

If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form because the securities are represented by one or more global securities or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

 

•

how it handles securities payments and notices;

 

•

whether it imposes fees or charges;

 

•

how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;

 

•

whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future;

 

•

how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and

 

•

if the securities are global securities, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

Global Securities

A global security is a security which represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary. Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we issue to, deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all global securities issued pursuant to this prospectus.

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “—Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global

 

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security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

If the prospectus supplements for a particular security indicate that the security will be issued as a global security, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.

Special Considerations for Global Securities

As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize an indirect holder as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

If securities are issued only as a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

 

•

an investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below;

 

•

an investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above;

 

•

an investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;

 

•

an investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in the global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;

 

•

the depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in the global security; we and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in the global security; and we and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way;

 

•

the depositary may, and we understand that DTC will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in the global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and

 

•

financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in the global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities; there may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor; and we do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

 

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Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated

In a few special situations described below, a global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own name, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.

A global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:

 

•

if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days after we receive notice or become aware of such condition;

 

•

if we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or

 

•

if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived and we have received a request from the depositary for the discontinuance of securities in global form.

The applicable prospectus supplements may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplements. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and not we or any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplements:

 

•

to or through one or more underwriters or dealers;

 

•

to investors directly;

 

•

through agents; or

 

•

through any combination of these methods of sale.

Our securities may be offered and sold:

 

•

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

•

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

•

at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or

 

•

at negotiated prices.

Any of the prices at which we sell securities may be at a discount to market prices. Broker-dealers may also receive from us, as applicable, or the purchasers of the securities compensation that is not expected to exceed that customary in the types of transactions involved.

Each prospectus supplement, to the extent applicable, will describe the number and terms of the securities to which such prospectus supplement relates, including:

 

•

any over-allotment options under which underwriters, if any, may purchase additional securities;

 

•

the name or names of any underwriters or agents with whom we have entered into an arrangement with respect to the sale of such securities;

 

•

the public offering or purchase price of such securities;

 

•

any underwriting discounts or commissions or agency fees or other items constituting underwriter or agent compensation;

 

•

any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;

 

•

any securities exchanges or markets on which the securities may be listed; and

 

•

the net proceeds we will receive from such sale.

Underwritten Offerings

If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions described above. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such

 

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dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe any such underwriters in the applicable prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter and the nature of any such relationship.

Direct Sales and Sales through Agents

We may sell securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We also may, from time to time, authorize dealers or agents to offer and sell these securities, upon such terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, if applicable. In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities offered will be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states securities 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. This prospectus, one or more prospectus supplements, and the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part may be used in conjunction with one or more other registration statements to the extent permitted by the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Rights Offerings

We also may sell directly to investors through subscription rights distributed to our shareholders on a pro rata basis. In connection with any distribution of subscription rights to shareholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may sell the unsubscribed shares of our securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.

We may also sell securities in one or more of the following transactions:

 

•

block transactions (which may involve crosses) in which a broker-dealer may sell all or a portion of the shares as agent but may position and resell all or a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

•

purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its own account;

 

•

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

•

sales “at the market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, for securities; and

 

•

sales in other ways not involving a market maker or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers.

We may also enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

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Any dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and in such event, any discounts or commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on the resale of securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

Indemnification

Underwriters, dealers and agents and remarketing firms may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers, underwriters or remarketing firms may be required to make.

Stabilization

In connection with any offering of the securities hereby, certain underwriters and selling group members and their respective affiliates may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the applicable securities. These transactions may include stabilization transactions pursuant to which these persons may bid for or purchase securities for the purpose of stabilizing their market price.

The underwriters in an offering of securities may also create a “short position” for their account by selling more securities in connection with the offering than they are committed to purchase from us. In that case, the underwriters could cover all or a portion of the short position by either purchasing securities in the open market following completion of the offering of these securities or by exercising any over-allotment option granted to them by us. In addition, the managing underwriter may impose “penalty bids” under contractual arrangements with other underwriters, which means that it can reclaim from an underwriter (or any selling group member participating in the offering) for the account of the other underwriters, the selling concession for the securities that are distributed in the offering but subsequently purchased for the account of the underwriters in the open market. Any of the transactions described in this paragraph or comparable transactions that are described in any accompanying prospectus supplement may result in the maintenance of the price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. None of the transactions described in this paragraph or in an accompanying prospectus supplement are required to be taken by an underwriter and, if they are undertaken, may be discontinued at any time.

Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, under certain circumstances a person engaged in the distribution of the securities offered under this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to our securities for a specified period prior to the commencement of such distribution.

Passive Market-Making on NASDAQ

Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on The NASDAQ Capital Market may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market making bid, however, the passive market making bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded.

Remarketing Arrangements

Offered securities may also be offered and sold in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. We will identify any remarketing firm and describe the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Delayed Delivery Contracts

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize dealers acting as our agents to solicit offers by institutions to purchase securities covered by this prospectus from us at the public offering price set forth in the relevant prospectus supplement under delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the relevant prospectus supplement. Each delayed delivery contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate principal amount of securities sold pursuant to delayed delivery contracts shall be not less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom delayed delivery contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions, and other institutions, but will in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except (i) the purchase by an institution of the securities covered by its delayed delivery contracts may not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the institution is subject, and (ii) if the securities are being sold to underwriters, we will be required to have sold to such underwriters the total principal amount of the securities less the principal amount thereof covered by delayed delivery contracts. The underwriters and any other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts.

Other Relationships

Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business. Unless we specify otherwise in the related prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than shares of our common stock, which are listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in our securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for our securities.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by O’Melveny & Myers LLP, San Francisco, California.

EXPERTS

Stonefield Josephson, Inc., an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedule at December 31, 2009, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as set forth in its report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Such consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedule are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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[Alternative Pages for Resale Prospectus]

PROSPECTUS

Making cancer more treatable

251,760 Shares of Common Stock

This prospectus relates to the offer and sale from time to time of up to 251,760 shares of our common stock by the selling shareholder identified in this prospectus. For a more detailed description of our common stock offered hereby, see “Description of Capital Stock.”

We will not receive any proceeds from any sale by the selling shareholder of the shares of common stock covered by this prospectus.

The selling shareholder may offer the shares of common stock from time to time directly or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents and in one or more public or private transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at fixed prices, at negotiated prices, at various prices determined at the time of sale or at prices related to prevailing market prices. If the shares are sold through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, the selling shareholder or purchasers of the shares will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agents’ commissions. The timing and amount of any sale is within the selling shareholder’s sole discretion, subject to certain restrictions. See “Plan of Distribution.”

The shares of common stock covered by this prospectus were acquired by the selling shareholder in transactions that were completed prior to the date of this prospectus. See “Selling Shareholder.”

Our common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Capital Market and on the MTA stock market in Italy under the symbol “CTIC”. On February 14, 2011, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market was $0.34.

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See the “Risk Factors” section contained in this prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before investing in our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is February 15, 2011

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus describes the specific terms of this offering of shares of common stock by the selling shareholder and also adds to and updates information contained in the documents incorporated by reference. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any document incorporated by reference, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus.

In this prospectus, the terms “CTI,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Cell Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation, and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference is accurate only as of their respective dates, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, or of any sale of the shares of common stock offered hereby. You should read this prospectus before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents we have referred you to in the section of this prospectus entitled “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

 

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THE OFFERING

The following is a brief summary of some of the terms of this offering and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Maximum number of securities offered by the selling shareholder		251,760 shares of common stock.
Shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering		900,799,566 shares of common stock. (1)
Use of proceeds		All shares of common stock sold pursuant to this prospectus will be sold by the selling shareholder. We will not receive any of the proceeds from such sales.
Market for our common stock		Our common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Capital Market and on the MTA stock market in Italy under the symbol “CTIC”. On February 14, 2011, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market was $0.34. For information relating to a notice we received from NASDAQ, see “Summary—Recent Developments—Notice from NASDAQ.”
Risk factors		See the “Risk Factors” section contained in this prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before investing in our securities.

 

(1)

The number of shares of common stock shown to be outstanding is based on 900,799,566 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of February 14, 2011 and excludes (i) 42,023,112 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options granted or available under our equity compensation plans, (ii) 1,432,491 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan, (iii) outstanding restricted share rights to acquire 391 shares of common stock, (iv) 91,183,529 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding warrants and (v) 486,386 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon conversion of outstanding convertible notes.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Risks Related to Holders of our Common Stock

Shares of common stock are equity securities and are subordinate to our existing and future indebtedness.

Shares of our common stock are common equity interests. This means that our common stock ranks junior to our outstanding shares of Series 8 Non-Convertible Preferred Stock and any preferred stock that we may issue in the future, to our indebtedness and to all creditor claims and other non-equity claims against us and our assets available to satisfy claims on us, including claims in a bankruptcy or similar proceeding. Our existing and future indebtedness and our preferred stock may restrict payment of dividends on our common stock.

Additionally, unlike indebtedness, where principal and interest customarily are payable on specified due dates, in the case of our common stock, (i) dividends are payable only when and if declared by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors, and (ii) as a corporation, we are restricted to making dividend payments and redemption payments out of legally available assets. We have never paid a dividend on our common stock and have no current intention to pay dividends in the future. Furthermore, our common stock places no restrictions on our business or operations or on our ability to incur indebtedness or engage in any transactions, subject only to the voting rights available to shareholders generally.

The market price of our common stock may be adversely affected by market conditions affecting the stock markets in general, including price and trading fluctuations on The NASDAQ Capital Market.

The market price of our common stock may be adversely affected by market conditions affecting the stock markets in general, including price and trading fluctuations on The NASDAQ Capital Market. These conditions may result in (i) volatility in the level of, and fluctuations in, the market prices of stocks generally and, in turn, our shares of common stock, and (ii) sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the market, in each case that could be unrelated or disproportionate to changes in our operating performance.

There may be future sales or other dilution of our equity, which may adversely affect the market price of shares of our common stock.

We are not restricted from issuing additional shares of common stock or preferred stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, shares of common stock or preferred stock or any substantially similar securities. Furthermore, our existing and future preferred stock, warrants or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock may contain adjustment provisions that could increase the number of shares issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange, as the case may be, and decrease the exercise, conversion or exchange price. The market price of our shares of common stock or preferred stock could decline as a result of sales of a large number of shares of our common stock or preferred stock or similar securities in the market, the triggering of any such adjustment provisions, or the perception that such sales could occur in the future.

The market price of our common stock is extremely volatile, which may affect our ability to raise capital in the future and may subject the value of your investment in our securities to sudden decreases.

The market price for securities of biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including ours, historically has been highly volatile, and the market from time to time has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. For example, during the twelve-month period ended February 14, 2011, our stock price has ranged from a low of $0.12 to a high of $1.25. Fluctuations in the trading price or liquidity of our common stock may adversely affect the value of your investment in our common stock.

Factors that may have a significant impact on the market price and marketability of our securities include:

 

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announcements by us or others of results of preclinical testing and clinical trials and regulatory actions;

 

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•

announcements of technological innovations or new commercial therapeutic products by us, our collaborative partners or our present or potential competitors;

 

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our issuance of additional debt, equity or other securities, which we need to pursue in 2011 to generate additional funds to cover our current debt and operating expenses;

 

•

our quarterly operating results;

 

•

developments or disputes concerning patent or other proprietary rights;

 

•

developments in our relationships with collaborative partners;

 

•

acquisitions or divestitures;

 

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litigation and government proceedings;

 

•

adverse legislation, including changes in governmental regulation;

 

•

third-party reimbursement policies;

 

•

changes in securities analysts’ recommendations;

 

•

short selling;

 

•

changes in health care policies and practices;

 

•

halting or suspension of trading in our common stock by NASDAQ, CONSOB or the Borsa Italiana;

 

•

economic and other external factors; and

 

•

general market conditions.

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted. For example, in the case of our company, we and certain of our officers and directors are named as defendants in purported securities class action and shareholder derivative lawsuits brought on behalf of a putative class of purchasers of our securities from March 25, 2008 through March 22, 2010. These lawsuits seek unspecified damages and, as with any litigation proceeding, we cannot predict with certainty the eventual outcome of pending litigation. Furthermore, we may have to incur substantial expenses in connection with these lawsuits and our management’s attention and resources could be diverted from operating our business as we respond to the litigation. We maintain significant insurance to cover these risks for us and our directors and officers, but our insurance is subject to high deductibles to reduce premium expense, and there is no guarantee that the insurance will cover any specific claim that we currently face or may face in the future, or that it will be adequate to cover all potential liabilities and damages.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents, in our shareholder rights plan, or rights plan, and under Washington law could make removal of incumbent management or an acquisition of us, which may be beneficial to our shareholders, more difficult.

Provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may have the effect of deterring or delaying attempts by our shareholders to remove or replace management, to commence proxy contests, or to effect changes in control. These provisions include:

 

•

a classified board of directors so that only approximately one-third of our board of directors is elected each year;

 

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•

elimination of cumulative voting in the election of directors;

 

•

procedures for advance notification of shareholder nominations and proposals;

 

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the ability of our board of directors to amend our amended and restated bylaws without shareholder approval; and

 

•

the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock without shareholder approval upon the terms and conditions and with the rights, privileges and preferences as the board of directors may determine.

Pursuant to our rights plan, an acquisition of 20% or more of our common stock could result in the exercisability of the preferred stock purchase right accompanying each share of our common stock (except those held by a 20% shareholder, which become null and void), thereby entitling the holder to receive upon exercise, in lieu of a number of units of preferred stock, that number of shares of our common stock having a market value of two times the exercise price of the right. The existence of our rights plan could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us and may inhibit a change in control that some, or a majority, of our shareholders might believe to be in their best interest or that could give our shareholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market prices for their shares.

In addition, as a Washington corporation, we are subject to Washington law which imposes restrictions on some transactions between a corporation and certain significant shareholders. These provisions, alone or together, could have the effect of deterring or delaying changes in incumbent management, proxy contests or changes in control.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

All of the 251,760 shares of our common stock to be sold pursuant to this prospectus will be sold by the selling shareholder. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of these shares.

 

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SELLING SHAREHOLDER

When we refer to the “selling shareholder” in this prospectus, we mean the entity listed in the table below, as well as its transferees, pledgees or donees or their successors.

In July 2010, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with the selling shareholder pursuant to which we agreed to issue in a private offering an aggregate of 4,060 shares of our Series 6 Preferred Stock, initially convertible into 11.6 million shares of our common stock, and warrants to purchase up to 5.8 million shares of our common stock, for gross proceeds of $4.06 million. All 4,060 shares of the Series 6 Preferred Stock were converted into 11.6 million shares of our common stock upon closing of the transaction in July 2010. Prior to the closing of the transaction, we fulfilled our obligation in the securities purchase agreement to register the resale of the shares of Series 6 Preferred Stock and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series 6 Preferred Stock by filing a prospectus supplement with the SEC covering the resale of those shares. As of the date of this prospectus, an aggregate of 251,760 shares of common stock have not been sold pursuant to the previously filed prospectus supplement. Accordingly, the selling shareholder may offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus, at any time and from time to time, any or all of the 251,760 shares of common stock covered by this prospectus, all as more fully described in “Plan of Distribution” below.

The following table sets forth the name of the selling shareholder, the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the selling shareholder immediately prior to the date of this prospectus, and the total number of shares that may be offered by the selling shareholder pursuant to this prospectus. The table also provides information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by the selling shareholder as adjusted to reflect the assumed sale of all of the shares offered under this prospectus. Because the selling shareholder may sell all, part or none of its shares of common stock, we are unable to estimate the number of shares that will be held by the selling shareholder upon resale of the shares of common stock covered by this prospectus. We have, therefore, assumed for the purposes of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part that the selling shareholder will sell all of the shares of common stock pursuant to this prospectus.

The selling shareholder does not have, and has not had within the past three years, any material relationship with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates and we are advised that the selling shareholder is not a registered broker-dealer or an affiliate of a registered broker-dealer. The information is based on information provided by or on behalf of the selling shareholder to us in a selling shareholder questionnaire and is as of the date specified by the selling shareholder in such questionnaire.

 

		Beneficial Ownership Before Offering						Number of Shares  Being Offered				Beneficial Ownership After Offering
Selling Shareholder		Shares				Percent						Shares				Percent
Cranshire Capital, L.P. (1)			21,875,473	(2)		2.4%(3)			251,760	(4)			21,623,713			2.4%(3)

 

(1)

Downsview Capital, Inc., or Downsview, is the general partner of Cranshire Capital, L.P., or Cranshire, and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by Cranshire. Mitchell P. Kopin, President of Downsview, has voting control over Downsview. As a result of the foregoing, each of Mr. Kopin and Downsview may be deemed to have beneficial ownership (as determined under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of the shares of common stock beneficially owned by Cranshire.

(2)	Includes 21,583,565 shares of common stock underlying warrants that are immediately exercisable.

(3)	Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 900,799,566 shares of our common stock outstanding as of February 14, 2011.

(4)	Assumes the offer and sale of all shares of common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus, although the selling shareholder is not obliged to sell any securities.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The selling shareholder may offer, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock covered by this prospectus from time to time on any stock exchange on which the shares are listed, in the over-the-counter market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The selling shareholder may offer, sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of these shares of common stock at fixed prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at prices otherwise negotiated. The selling shareholder will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale, and we cannot assure you that the selling shareholder will sell all or any portion of the shares of common stock offered hereby. We will not receive any proceeds from the sales by the selling shareholder of the shares of common stock covered by this prospectus.

The selling shareholder may offer and sell the shares of common stock covered by this prospectus by one or more of the following methods at various times:

 

•

block trades in which a broker or dealer will be engaged to attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

•

purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by the broker or dealer for its own account pursuant to this prospectus;

 

•

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchases;

 

•

“at the market” transactions to or through market makers or into an existing market for our common stock;

 

•

privately negotiated transactions;

 

•

short sales;

 

•

options, swaps or other derivative transactions that may or may not be listed on an exchange;

 

•

distributions to its respective partners, members, managers, directors, employees, consultants or affiliates; or

 

•

any combination of the above methods or by any other legally available means.

The selling shareholder may engage brokers and dealers, and any brokers or dealers may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate in effecting sales of the shares. These brokers or dealers may act as principals, or as agents of the selling shareholder. Broker-dealers may agree with the selling shareholder to sell a specified number of shares of common stock at a stipulated price per share. If a broker-dealer is unable to sell shares acting as agent for the selling shareholder, it may purchase as principal any unsold shares at the stipulated price. Broker-dealers who acquire shares of common stock covered by this prospectus as principals may thereafter resell the shares from time to time in transactions on any stock exchange on which the shares are then listed, at prices and on terms then prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the then-current market price or in negotiated transactions. Broker-dealers may use block transactions and sales to and through broker-dealers, including transactions of the nature described above.

Any underwriters, dealers, brokers or agents participating in the distribution of the shares may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, commissions or fees from the selling shareholder and/or purchasers of the selling shareholder’s shares, for which they may act, which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions.

Any brokers, dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts, concessions, commissions or fees received by them and any profit on the resale of shares sold by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

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We will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling shareholder for purposes of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, if applicable.

The selling shareholder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers and the broker-dealers may engage in short sales of common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume with the selling shareholder, including, without limitation, in connection with distributions of shares by those broker-dealers. The selling shareholder may enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers that involve the delivery of shares of common stock offered hereby to the broker-dealers, who may then resell or otherwise transfer those securities.

The selling shareholder and other persons participating in the sale or distribution of shares of common stock will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M; and we have advised the selling shareholder that Regulation M may apply. This regulation may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any shares of common stock by the selling shareholder and any other person. The anti-manipulation rules under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activities of the selling shareholder and its affiliates. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of shares to engage in market-making activities with respect to the particular shares being distributed for a period of up to five business days before the distribution. These restrictions may affect the marketability of the shares and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the securities.

The selling shareholder may also sell shares of common stock in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act rather than pursuant to this prospectus, regardless of whether the shares are covered by this prospectus.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered hereby has been passed upon by K&L Gates LLP of Seattle, Washington.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth an estimate of the fees and expenses payable by the registrant in connection with the offering described in this registration statement.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee		$	17,425.06
NASDAQ Capital Market listing fee			*
Printing fees and expenses			*
Legal fees and expenses			*
Accounting fees and expenses			*
Trustee Fees and expenses			*
Blue Sky fees and expenses			*
Transfer Agent fees			*
Miscellaneous expenses			*
Total			$ *

 

*	These fees and expenses depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances and, accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Sections 23B.08.500 through 23B.08.600 of the Washington Business Corporation Act, or the WBCA, authorize a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnification to directors and officers on terms sufficiently broad to permit indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933. Article IX of the registrant’s amended and restated bylaws provides for indemnification of the registrant’s directors, officers, employees and agents to the maximum extent permitted by Washington law. The directors and officers of the registrant also may be indemnified against liability they may incur for serving in such capacity pursuant to a liability insurance policy we maintain for such purpose.

Section 23B.08.320 of the WBCA authorizes a corporation to limit a director’s liability to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for acts or omissions as a director, except in certain circumstances involving intentional misconduct, knowing violations of law or illegal corporate losses or distributions, or any transaction from which the director personally receives a benefit in money, property or services to which the director is not legally entitled. Article VII of the registrant’s amended and restated articles of incorporation contains provisions implementing, to the fullest extent permitted by Washington law, such limitations on a director’s liability to the registrant and its shareholders.

The registrant has entered into an indemnification agreement with each of its executive officers and directors in which the registrant agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the officer or director to the fullest extent permitted by Washington law. The registrant agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the officer or director against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred in connection with any actual, pending or threatened action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal, in which the officer or director is, was or becomes involved by reason of the fact that the officer or director is or was a director, officer, employee, trustee or agent of the registrant or any related company, partnership or enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action (or inaction) by the officer or director in an official capacity and any action, suit, claim or proceeding instructed by or at the direction of the officer or director unless such action, suit, claim or proceeding is or was authorized by the registrant’s board of directors. No indemnity pursuant to the indemnification agreements shall be provided by the registrant on account of any suit in which a final, unappealable judgment is rendered against the officer or director for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by the officer or director of securities of the registrant in violation of the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and amendments thereto, or for damages that have been paid directly to the officer or director by an insurance carrier under a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by the registrant.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number		Description
1.1*		Underwriting Agreement.
4.1		Registrant’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended. (1)
4.2		Registrant’s Amended and Restated Bylaws. (2)
4.3		Specimen Common Stock Certificate. (3)
4.4*		Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate and Form of Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock.
4.5		Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate.
4.6		Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate.
4.7		Form of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate.
4.8		Form of Senior Debt Indenture between the registrant and one or more trustees to be named.
4.9		Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture between the registrant and one or more trustees to be named.
4.10*		Form of Senior Note.
4.11*		Form of Subordinated Note.
4.12*		Form of Rights Agreement and Rights Certificate.
4.13*		Form of Unit Agreement.
5.1(a)		Opinion of O’Melveny & Myers LLP (Primary Offering).
5.1(b)**		Opinion of K&L Gates LLP (Secondary Offering). (4)
12.1		Statement Re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
23.1		Consent of Stonefield Josephson, Inc., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2		Consent of O’Melveny & Myers LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1(a)).
23.3		Consent of K&L Gates LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1(b)).
24.1**		Power of Attorney.
25.1*		Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for Senior Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
25.2*		Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for Subordinated Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

 

*	To be filed by the Registrant as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference, if applicable.

**	Previously filed.

(1)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-153358), Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 9, 2009, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 27, 2009, Exhibit 3.1 to the

 

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Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 13, 2009, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 21, 2009, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed on December 28, 2009, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 19, 2010, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 5, 2010, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 27, 2010, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 27, 2010, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 17, 2010, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 22, 2010 and Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 18, 2011.

(2)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 22, 2010.

(3)	Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on June 27, 1996, as amended.

(4)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 27, 2010.

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 offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% 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 (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above 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 Commission 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) that is part of the registration statement.

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 purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) 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

 

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(ii) 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.

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 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.

The undersigned 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.

 

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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 Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the 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 of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes 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 in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant named below 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 Seattle, State of Washington, on this 15^th day of February, 2011.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature		Title		Date
*		Chairman of the Board		February 15, 2011
Phillip M. Nudelman, Ph.D.
/s/ James A. Bianco James A. Bianco, M.D.		Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)		February 15, 2011
/s/ Louis A. Bianco Louis A. Bianco		Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)		February 15, 2011
*		Director		February 15, 2011
John H. Bauer
*		Director		February 15, 2011
Vartan Gregorian, Ph.D.
*		Director		February 15, 2011
Richard L. Love
*		Director		February 15, 2011
Mary O. Mundinger, Dr. PH
*		Director		February 15, 2011
Jack W. Singer, M.D.
*		Director		February 15, 2011
Frederick W. Telling, Ph.D.
*By:      /s/ James A. Bianco		Attorney-in-Fact		February 15, 2011
James A. Bianco, M.D.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number		Description
1.1*		Underwriting Agreement.
4.1		Registrant’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended. (1)
4.2		Registrant’s Amended and Restated Bylaws. (2)
4.3		Specimen Common Stock Certificate. (3)
4.4*		Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate and Form of Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock.
4.5		Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate.
4.6		Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate.
4.7		Form of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate.
4.8		Form of Senior Debt Indenture between the registrant and one or more trustees to be named.
4.9		Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture between the registrant and one or more trustees to be named.
4.10*		Form of Senior Note.
4.11*		Form of Subordinated Note.
4.12*		Form of Rights Agreement and Rights Certificate.
4.13*		Form of Unit Agreement.
5.1(a)		Opinion of O’Melveny & Myers LLP (Primary Offering).
5.1(b)**		Opinion of K&L Gates LLP (Secondary Offering). (4)
12.1		Statement Re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
23.1		Consent of Stonefield Josephson, Inc., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2		Consent of O’Melveny & Myers LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1(a)).
23.3		Consent of K&L Gates LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1(b)).
24.1**		Power of Attorney.
25.1*		Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for Senior Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
25.2*		Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for Subordinated Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

 

*	To be filed by the Registrant as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference, if applicable.

**	Previously filed.

(1)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-153358), Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 9, 2009, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 27, 2009, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 13, 2009, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 21, 2009, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed on December 28, 2009, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed

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on January 19, 2010, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 5, 2010, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 27, 2010, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 27, 2010, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 17, 2010, Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 22, 2010 and Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 18, 2011.

(2)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 22, 2010.

(3)	Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on June 27, 1996, as amended.

(4)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 27, 2010.