FORM S-3
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 23, 2003

Registration Statement No. 333-          

 


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


 

CURIS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

DELAWARE   04-3505116

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

61 MOULTON STREET

CAMBRIDGE, MA 02138

(617) 503-6500

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

 

MICHAEL P. GRAY

VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

CURIS, INC.

61 MOULTON STREET

CAMBRIDGE, MA 02138

(617) 503-6500

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

 


 

Copy to:

 

STEVEN D. SINGER, ESQ.

HALE AND DORR LLP

60 STATE STREET

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02109

Telephone: (617) 526-6000

Telecopy: (617) 526-5000

 


 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public:  From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

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

 

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

 

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨                   .

 

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨                   .

 

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box.  ¨


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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 


Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered (1)

  

Proposed Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price (2) (3)

  

Amount of

Registration Fee (4)


Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (5)

   (6)    (6)

Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share

   (6)    (6)

Warrants

   (6)    (6)

Total

   $40,000,000    $3,236

(1) There are being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock, and such indeterminate number of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, as shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $40,000,000. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The securities registered also include such indeterminate amounts and numbers of common stock as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for preferred stock that provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants or pursuant to the antidilution provisions of any such securities.
(2) In United States dollars or the equivalent thereof in any other currency, currency unit or units, or composite currency or currencies.
(3) The proposed maximum per unit and aggregate offering prices 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.
(4) Estimated solely for purposes of determining the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(5) The aggregate amount of Common Stock registered hereunder is limited to that which is permissible under Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act.
(6) Not required to be included in accordance with General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3.

 


 

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), SHALL DETERMINE.

 



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

 

Subject to Completion, Dated December 23, 2003

 

$40,000,000

 

CURIS, INC.

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

 


 

We may from time to time issue up to $40,000,000 aggregate principal amount of common stock, preferred stock and/or warrants. We will specify in the accompanying prospectus supplement the terms of the securities to be offered and sold. We may sell these securities to or through underwriters and also to other purchasers or through agents. We will set forth the names of any underwriters or agents in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ National Market and traded under the symbol “CRIS.” On December 22, 2003, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $4.85 per share.

 


 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “ Risk Factors” on page 2.

 


 

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

 

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 


 

Prospectus dated                     , 2003.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

   1

CURIS, INC.

   1

RISK FACTORS

   2

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

   2

USE OF PROCEEDS

   2

THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

   3

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK

   3

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

   7

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   9

VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

   10

EXPERTS

   10

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   11

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

   12


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $40,000,000. We have provided to you in this prospectus a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also add, update or change in the prospectus supplement any of the information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus, together with applicable prospectus supplements, includes all material information relating to this offering.

 

CURIS, INC.

 

Curis, Inc. (“we”, “our”, “us” or the “Company”) is a therapeutic drug development company. Our technology focus is on regulatory signaling pathways that control repair and regeneration of human tissue and organs. Our product development approach involves using proteins or small molecules to modulate these regulatory signaling pathways, for example, to increase the pathway signals when they are insufficient or to decrease them when they are excessive. We have successfully used this product development approach to produce several promising preclinical product candidates in the fields of kidney disease, neurological disorders, cancer and hair regrowth.

 

Our mission is to discover and develop novel therapeutic drugs to treat diseases and disorders for which there are no adequate therapies or for which a new drug would represent a significant advancement over the current therapy.

 

Our research programs are conducted both internally and through strategic alliances and partnerships. We currently are a party to collaborations and strategic relationships with Genentech, Inc. and Ortho Biotech Products, LP, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. We have licensed certain of our technologies to Amylin Pharmaceuticals and ES Cell International. In the future, we plan to continue to seek corporate partners for certain technologies, including our Hedgehog agonist neurology program. However, we may not be successful in our efforts to enter into new partnerships, and our existing partnerships may not be successful. Even though we are seeking partners to help develop some of our technologies, we expect to select at least one program that we will develop further on our own. Our selection of a program will be based on a number of factors including the time, expense and complexity of clinical trials that we estimate will be required for approval. For example, we are considering whether the Hedgehog Small Molecule Agonist Alopecia Program may be a good program to develop further without a partner.

 

We were organized in 2000 and are incorporated in Delaware. Our principal executive office is located at 61 Moulton Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138 and our telephone number is (617) 503-6500. We maintain a website with the address www.curis.com. We are not including the information contained in our website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this prospectus. Our web site address is included in this prospectus as an inactive textual reference only.

 

Curis is our trademark. This prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus also contain trademarks and trade names of others.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our securities involves risk. Please see the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and the other risk factors and other information that may be contained in, or incorporated by reference from, other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations.

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that we include in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, may be deemed forward-looking statements for purposes of these Acts. We use the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We cannot guarantee that we actually will achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and, accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make, including without limitation, the factors referred to above under the caption “Risk Factors.” These important factors also include the factors that we identify in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus. You should read these factors and the other cautionary statements made in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and in the documents we incorporate by reference as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and in the documents incorporated by reference. We caution you that we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including:

 

  to develop and commercialize our proposed products;

 

  to finance our growth;

 

  for acquisitions of businesses, products and technologies that complement or expand our business;

 

  for capital expenditures made in the ordinary course of business; and

 

  to reduce outstanding indebtedness.

 

We may set forth additional information on the use of net proceeds from the sale of the securities we offer under this prospectus in a prospectus supplement relating to the specific offering.

 

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THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

 

The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, summarize all the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any securities the particular terms of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement. If we indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the securities may differ from the terms we have summarized below. We will also include in the prospectus supplement information, where applicable, about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed.

 

We may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings:

 

  common stock;

 

  preferred stock; and/or

 

  warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock.

 

In this prospectus, we refer to the common stock, preferred stock and warrants collectively as “securities.” The total dollar amount of all securities that we may issue will not exceed $40,000,000.

 

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK

 

The following description of our common stock and preferred stock, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the common stock and preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus. For the complete terms of our common stock and preferred stock, please refer to our charter and bylaws that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement which includes this prospectus. The General Corporation Law of Delaware may also affect the terms of these securities. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future common stock or preferred stock that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of these securities in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we indicate in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any common stock or preferred stock we offer under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

 

Under our charter our authorized capital stock consists of 125,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. As of December 22, 2003, we had 40,460,991 shares of common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. All outstanding shares of common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Common Stock

 

Voting. For all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share registered in his or her name on our books. Our common stock does not have cumulative voting rights. As a result, persons who hold more than 50% of the outstanding common stock can elect all of the directors who are up for election in a particular year.

 

Dividends. If our board of directors declares a dividend, holders of common stock will receive payments from our funds that are legally available to pay dividends. However, this dividend right is subject to any preferential dividend rights we may grant to the persons who hold preferred stock, if any is outstanding.

 

 

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Liquidation and Dissolution. If we are liquidated or dissolve, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all the assets that remain after we pay our liabilities and any amounts we may owe to the persons who hold preferred stock, if any is outstanding.

 

Other Rights and Restrictions. Holders of our common stock do not have preemptive or subscription rights, and they have no right to convert their common stock into any other securities. Our common stock is not subject to redemption by us. The rights, preferences and privileges of common stockholders are subject to the rights of the stockholders of any series of preferred stock which we may designate in the future. Our charter and by-laws do not restrict the ability of a holder of common stock to transfer his or her shares of common stock. When we issue shares under this prospectus, the shares will be fully paid and non-assessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar right.

 

Listing. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol “CRIS.”

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Mellon Investor Services, L.L.C.

 

Preferred Stock

 

General. Our charter authorizes our board of directors to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to determine the voting rights, dividend rights, liquidation preferences, conversion rights, redemption rights, including sinking fund provisions and redemption prices, and other terms and rights of each series of preferred stock. We will fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will incorporate by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement which includes this prospectus the form of any certificate of designation which describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. This description will include:

 

  the title and stated value;

 

  the number of shares we are offering;

 

  the liquidation preference per share;

 

  the purchase price;

 

  the dividend rate, period and payment date, and method of calculation for dividends;

 

  whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;

 

  the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

 

  the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

 

  the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights;

 

  any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;

 

  whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion period;

 

  whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the exchange period;

 

  voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

 

  preemption rights, if any;

 

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

 

  whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares;

 

  a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

 

  the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs;

 

  any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs; and

 

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

 

If we issue shares of preferred stock under this prospectus, the shares will be fully paid and nonassessable and will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights.

 

Voting Rights. The General Corporation Law of Delaware provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving fundamental changes in the rights of holders of that preferred stock. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.

 

Other. The preferred stock could have other rights, including economic rights senior to our common stock, so that the issuance of the preferred stock could adversely affect the market value of our common stock. The issuance of the preferred stock may also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us without any action by the stockholders.

 

Certain Effects of Authorized But Unissued Stock

 

We have shares of common stock and preferred stock available for future issuance without stockholder approval. We may utilize these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, to facilitate corporate acquisitions or payment as a dividend on the capital stock.

 

The existence of unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock may enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management or to issue preferred stock with terms that could render more difficult or discourage a third party attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, thereby protecting the continuity of our management. In addition, the board of directors has the discretion to determine designations, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences of each series of preferred stock, all to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law and subject to any limitations set forth in our certificate of incorporation. The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock and to determine the rights and preferences applicable to such preferred stock is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.

 

Delaware Law and Charter and By-Law Provisions

 

Business Combinations. We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in

 

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which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes mergers, assets sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to specified exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock.

 

Staggered Board of Directors. Our by-laws provide for the division of our board of directors into three classes as nearly equal in size as possible with staggered three-year terms. Our by-laws also provide that directors may be removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of the shares of our capital stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote. The classification of our board of directors and the limitations on the removal of directors could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, control of our company. Our by-laws require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of our outstanding voting securities to amend or repeal the provision relating to the division of our board of directors into three classes.

 

Limitation of Liability; Indemnification. Our charter contains provisions permitted under the General Corporation Law of Delaware relating to the liability of directors. The provisions eliminate a director’s liability for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty, except to the extent that the elimination or limitation of such liability is not permitted by the General Corporate Law of Delaware. The limitation of liability described above does not alter the liability of our directors and officers under federal securities laws. Furthermore, our charter contains provisions to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware. These provisions do not limit or eliminate our right or the right of any shareholder of ours to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach by a director or an officer of his duty of care to us.

 

Stockholder Action; Special Meeting of Stockholders. Our by-laws provide that action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders may only be taken if it is properly brought before the meeting and may not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting. Our by-laws also provide that special meetings of stockholders may only be called by the chairman of our board of directors, the chief executive officer (or if there is no chief executive officer, our president), or by our board of directors. These provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next stockholders’ meeting stockholder actions which are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities.

 

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations. Our by-laws provide that nominations for election to our board of directors may be made either by our board of directors or by a stockholder who complies with specified notice provisions. Our by-laws contain similar advance notice provisions for stockholder proposals for action at stockholder meetings. These provisions prevent stockholders from making nominations for directors and stockholder proposals from the floor at any stockholder meeting and require any stockholder making a nomination or proposal to submit the name of the nominees for board seats or the stockholder proposal, together with specified information about the nominee or any stockholder proposal, prior to the meeting at which directors are to be elected or action is to be taken. These provisions ensure that stockholders have adequate time to consider nominations and proposals before action is required, and they may also have the effect of delaying stockholder action.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and the related warrant agreements and warrant certificates. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we indicate in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any warrants offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Specific warrant agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement which includes this prospectus.

 

General. We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock and/or preferred stock in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock and/or preferred stock, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities.

 

We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into the warrant agreement with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address and other information regarding the warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants.

 

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants, including:

 

  the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

  the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;

 

  if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

 

  if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

  the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

  the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreement and the warrants;

 

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

 

  any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

  the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

 

  the manner in which the warrant agreement and warrants may be modified;

 

  federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;

 

  the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and

 

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

 

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.

 

Exercise of Warrants. Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to 5:00 P.M. New York time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

 

Holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent.

 

Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.

 

Enforceability of Rights By Holders Of Warrants. Each warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

  through agents to the public or to investors;

 

  to underwriters for resale to the public or to investors; or

 

  directly to investors.

 

We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the terms of the offering of our securities, including:

 

  the name or names of any agents or underwriters;

 

  the purchase price of our securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

 

  any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

  any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 

  any initial public offering price;

 

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

 

  any securities exchanges on which such common stock may be listed.

 

Agents

 

We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment or to sell our securities on a continuing basis.

 

Underwriters

 

If we use underwriters for a sale of our securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase our securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or reallow or pay to dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement naming the underwriter the nature of any such relationship.

 

Direct Sales

 

We may also sell our securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.

 

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of our securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation. We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.

 

Trading Markets and Listing of Securities

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is listed on the NASDAQ National Market. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange, but we are not

 

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obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

 

In connection with an offering, an underwriter may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Shorts sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional securities from the Company in the offering, if any. If the underwriters have an over-allotment option to purchase additional securities from the Company, the underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing securities in the open market. In determining the source of securities to close out the covered short position, the underwriters may consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. “Naked” short sales are any sales in excess of such option or where the underwriters do not have an over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

Accordingly, to cover these short sales positions or to otherwise stabilize or maintain the price of the securities, the underwriters may bid for or purchase securities in the open market and may impose penalty bids. If penalty bids are imposed, selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers participating in the offering are reclaimed if securities previously distributed in the offering are repurchased, whether in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The impositions of a penalty bid may also effect the price of the securities to the extent that it discourages resale of the securities. The magnitude or effect of any stabilization or other transactions is uncertain. These transactions may be effected on the NASDAQ National Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

 

VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

 

The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Hale and Dorr LLP.

 

EXPERTS

 

Our audited financial statements as of December 31, 2000 and 2001 and for the years ended December 31, 2000 and December 31, 2001 incorporated by reference in this prospectus, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon Arthur Andersen LLP as experts on auditing and accounting in giving such reports. Arthur Andersen LLP has not consented to the inclusion of their report in this prospectus, and we have not obtained their consent to do so in reliance upon Rule 437a of the Securities Act of 1933. Because Arthur Andersen LLP has not consented to the inclusion of their report in this prospectus, you will not be able to recover against Arthur Andersen LLP under Section 11(a) of the Securities act for any untrue statements of a material fact contained in the financial statements audited by Arthur Andersen LLP or any omissions to state a material fact required to be stated therein.

 

The financial statements as of December 31, 2002 and for the year then ended incorporated by reference in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file reports, proxy statements and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at Judiciary Plaza Building, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms.

 

The SEC also maintains an Internet site, the address of which is http://www.sec.gov. That site also contains our annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains more information than this prospectus regarding us and the securities being offered by us, including exhibits and schedules. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at any address listed above or from the SEC’s Internet site. We also maintain an Internet site at http://www.curis.com, which provides additional information about our company and through which you can also access our SEC filings. The information set forth on our Internet site is not part of this prospectus.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

We are incorporating by reference certain documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information in the documents incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information in documents that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we may make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus.

 

(1) Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002;

 

(2) Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2003, June 30, 2003 and September 30, 2003;

 

(3) Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 3, 2003 and July 10, 2003;

 

(4) All our filings pursuant to the Exchange Act after the date of filing of the initial registration statement; and

 

(5) The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A dated April 14, 2000, and including any other amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating that description.

 

Information contained in this prospectus supplements, modifies or supersedes, as applicable, the information contained in earlier-dated documents incorporated by reference. Information contained in later-dated documents incorporated by reference supplements, modifies or supersedes, as applicable, the information contained in this prospectus or in earlier-dated documents incorporated by reference.

 

You may request, orally or in writing, a copy of these documents, which will be provided to you at no cost, by contacting:

 

Curis, Inc.

61 Moulton Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

Attention: Investor Relations

Telephone: (617) 503-6500

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, including information incorporated by reference as described above, or any prospectus supplement that we have specifically referred you to. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents or that any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than its filing date. You should not consider this prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation relating to the securities is not authorized. Furthermore, you should not consider this prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or if it is unlawful for you to receive such an offer or solicitation.

 

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PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The following table sets forth the various expenses to be incurred in connection with the registration of the securities being registered hereby, all of which will be borne by Curis, Inc. All amounts shown are estimates except the SEC registration fee.

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 3,236

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses

   $ 5,000

Printing and engraving expenses

   $ 75,000

Legal fees and expenses

   $ 50,000

Accounting fees and expenses

   $ 5,000

Miscellaneous

   $ 3,000
    

(Total expenses)

   $ 141,236

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Article Sixth of the registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that no director shall be personally liable to the registrant or any of its stockholders for any monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director of the registrant, except to the extent that the Delaware General Corporation Law prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breach of fiduciary duty.

 

Article Eighth of the registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation provides, in general, that registrant shall indemnify each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the registrant), by reason of the fact that such person is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer of the registrant, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve, at the request of the registrant, as a director, officer or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation (including any partially or wholly owned subsidiary of the registrant), partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan), against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware. The foregoing right of indemnification is in no way exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which any such director or officer may be entitled, under any by-law, agreement, vote of directors or stockholders or otherwise.

 

Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law allows a corporation to eliminate or limit the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase or redemption in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. Curis has included such a provision in its Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides, in general, that a corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation and certain other persons serving at the request of the corporation in related capacities against amounts paid and expenses incurred in connection with an action or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) to which he is or is threatened to be made a party by reason of such position, if such person shall have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal proceeding, if such person had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; provided that, in the

 

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case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the adjudicating court determines that such indemnification is proper under the circumstances.

 

The Company maintains a general liability insurance policy which covers certain liabilities of directors and officers of the Company arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.

 

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER


   

DESCRIPTION


1.1     The form of underwriting agreement will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Registrant on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
3.1 (*)   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended to date.
3.2 (**)   Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant.
4.1 (*)   Specimen common stock certificate for shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Registrant.
4.2     The form of any certificate of designation with respect to any preferred stock issued hereunder, or issuable upon exercise of warrants issued hereunder, and the related form of preferred stock certificate will be filed as exhibits to a Current Report of the Registrant on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
4.3     The form of any warrant certificate with respect to any warrant issued hereunder will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Registrant on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
5.1     Opinion of Hale and Dorr LLP.
23.1     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
23.2     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.3     Consent of Hale and Dorr LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1     Power of Attorney (see page II-5 of this Registration Statement).

(*) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus on Form S-4 filed June 19, 2000 (File No. 333-32446).
(**) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed November 29, 2000 (File No. 333-50906).

 

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;

 

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this 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 this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the

 

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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 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement; and

 

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

 

(2) That, for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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 the 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.

 

The Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement, shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the indemnification provisions described herein, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement is reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Cambridge, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on December 23, 2003.

 

CURIS, INC.

By:

 

/s/    DANIEL R. PASSERI        


   

Daniel R. Passeri

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

We, the undersigned officers and directors of Curis, Inc., hereby severally constitute and appoint Daniel R. Passeri, Michael P. Gray and Mary Elizabeth Potthoff, Esq., and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to any of them, and to each of them singly, to sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed herewith and any and all pre-effective and post-effective amendments to said Registration Statement and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and the other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and generally to do all such things in our name and behalf in our capacities as officers and directors to enable Curis, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/s/    DANIEL R. PASSERI        


Daniel R. Passeri

  

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

  December 23, 2003

/s/    MICHAEL P. GRAY        


Michael P. Gray

  

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  December 23, 2003

/s/    JAMES R. MCNAB, JR.        


James R. McNab, Jr.

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors

  December 23, 2003

/s/    SUSAN B. BAYH        


Susan B. Bayh

  

Director

  December 23, 2003

/s/    JOSEPH M. DAVIE        


Joseph M. Davie

  

Director

  December 23, 2003

/s/    MARTYN D. GREENACRE        


Martyn D. Greenacre

  

Director

  December 23, 2003

/s/    KENNETH I. KAITIN        


Kenneth I. Kaitin

  

Director

 

December 23, 2003

/s/    DOUGLAS A. MELTON        


Douglas A. Melton

  

Director

 

December 23, 2003

/s/    JAMES R. TOBIN        


James R. Tobin

  

Director

 

December 23, 2003

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER


   

DESCRIPTION


1.1     The form of underwriting agreement will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Registrant on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
3.1 (*)   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended to date.
3.2 (**)   Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant.
4.1 (*)   Specimen common stock certificate for shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Registrant.
4.2     The form of any certificate of designation with respect to any preferred stock issued hereunder, or issuable upon exercise of warrants issued issued hereunder, and the related form of preferred stock certificate will be filed as exhibits to a Current Report of the Registrant on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
4.3     The form of any warrant certificate with respect to any warrant issued hereunder will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Registrant on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
5.1     Opinion of Hale and Dorr LLP.
23.1     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
23.2     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.3     Consent of Hale and Dorr LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1     Power of Attorney (see page II-5 of this Registration Statement).

(*) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus on Form S-4 filed June 19, 2000 (File No. 333-32446).
(**) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed November 29, 2000 (File No. 333-50906).

 

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