As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 20, 2009

Registration No. 333-

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Delaware		33-0314804
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)

101 Enterprise, Suite 300, Aliso Viejo, California 92656 (949) 389-6700
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant’s principal executive offices)

Keith A. Katkin
Chief Executive Officer
101 Enterprise, Suite 300, Aliso Viejo, California 92656
(949) 389-6700
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copy to:
Ryan A. Murr
Goodwin Procter LLP
Three Embarcadero Center, 24th Floor
San Francisco, California 94111
Telephone: (415) 733-6000
Facsimile: (415) 677-9041

     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time or at one time after the effective date of the Registration Statement as the registrant shall determine.

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

     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. þ

     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 number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

     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. o

     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. o

     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. o

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

Large accelerated filer o		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer   o		Smaller reporting company þ

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

	Title of Securities			Proposed Maximum			Amount of
	to be Registered (1)			Aggregate Offering Price (1)			Registration Fee (2)
	Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share			$35,000,000			$1,953
	Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share
	Debt Securities
	Warrants

     Pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act, the shares being registered hereunder include:

     • Such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may be issuable by the registrant upon conversion or exchange of any preferred stock, debt securities or warrants issued under this registration statement.

     • Such indeterminate number of shares of preferred stock as may be issuable by the registrant upon conversion or exchange of any preferred stock, debt securities or warrants issued under this registration statement.

     • An indeterminable principal amount of debt securities of the registrant as may be sold from time to time by the registrant. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price shall be in such greater principal amount at maturity as shall result in aggregate gross proceeds to the registrant not to exceed $35,000,000, less the gross proceeds attributable to any securities previously issued pursuant to this registration statement. Pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act, the debt securities being registered hereunder include such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities as may be issuable by the registrant upon conversion or exchange of any warrants issued under this registration statement.

     • An indeterminate number of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities of one or more series. Pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act, the warrants being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of warrants as may be issuable by the registrant upon conversion or exchange of any preferred stock or debt securities issued by the registrant under this registration statement.

In no event will the aggregate offering price of all securities issued by the registrant from time to time pursuant to this registration statement exceed $35,000,000, excluding accrued interest, if any, on any debt securities issued under this registration statement. The securities registered by the registrant hereunder may be sold separately or with other securities registered hereunder.

(2) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     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 Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 20, 2009

PROSPECTUS

$35,000,000

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants

          We may offer and sell an indeterminate number of shares of our common stock and preferred stock, debt securities and warrants from time to time under this prospectus. We may offer these securities separately or as units, which may include combinations of the securities. We will describe in a prospectus supplement the securities we are offering and selling, as well as the specific terms of the securities.

          We may offer these securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. We may sell the securities directly to you, through agents we select, or through underwriters and dealers we select. If we use agents, underwriters or dealers to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

          Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “AVNR.” On April 17, 2009, the closing price for our common stock, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market, was $0.58 per share.

          Investing in our securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on Page 3 of this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement for certain risks you should consider. You should read the entire prospectus carefully before you make your investment decision.

          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.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
About This Prospectus		1
About Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.		3
Risk Factors		3
Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements		4
Description of Securities		4
Use of Proceeds		4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges		5
Plan of Distribution		5
Legal Matters		6
Experts		6
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference		6
Where You Can Find More Information		7
EX-5.1
EX-23.2

 i 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

          This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), utilizing a shelf registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and warrants to purchase any of such securities with a total value of up to $35,000,000 from time to time under this prospectus at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

	•		designation or classification;
	•		aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;
	•		maturity;
	•		original issue discount, if any;
	•		rates and times of payment of interest, dividends or other payments, if any;
	•		redemption, conversion, exchange, settlement or sinking fund terms, if any;
	•		conversion, exchange or settlement prices or rates, if any, and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion, exchange or settlement prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion, exchange or settlement;
	•		ranking;
	•		restrictive covenants, if any;
	•		voting or other rights, if any; and
	•		important federal income tax considerations.

          A prospectus supplement may include a discussion of risks or other special considerations applicable to us or the offered securities. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you must rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. Please carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

          The registration statement containing this prospectus, including exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the common stock offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be read at the SEC website or at the SEC’s public reading room mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

          We have not authorized any broker-dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the accompanying supplement to this prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement. This prospectus and the accompanying supplement to this prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor do this prospectus and the accompanying supplement to this prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. The information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement speaks only as of the date set forth on the cover page and may not reflect subsequent changes in our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects even though this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is delivered or securities are sold on a later date.

          We may sell the securities directly to or through underwriters, dealers or agents. We, and our underwriters or agents, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities through underwriters or agents, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:

	•		the names of those underwriters or agents;
	•		applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them;
	•		details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and
	•		the net proceeds to us.

          Common Stock. We may issue shares of our common stock from time to time. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share for the election of directors and on all other matters that require stockholder approval. Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding preferred stock, in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in the assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any outstanding preferred stock. Our common stock does not carry any redemption rights or any preemptive rights enabling a holder to subscribe for, or receive shares of, any class of our common stock or any other securities convertible into shares of any class of our common stock.

          Preferred Stock. We may issue shares of our preferred stock from time to time, in one or more series. Under our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by stockholders, to designate up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions granted to or imposed upon the preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, liquidation preference and sinking fund terms, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock.

          If we issue preferred stock, we will fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series that we sell under this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in the certificate of designations relating to that series. If we issue preferred stock, we will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of any certificate of designations that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. We urge you to read the prospectus supplement related to any series of preferred stock we may offer, as well as the complete certificate of designations that contains the terms of the applicable series of preferred stock.

          Debt Securities. We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. The senior debt securities will rank equally with any other unsubordinated debt that we may have and may be secured or unsecured. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner described in the instrument governing the debt, to all or some portion of our indebtedness. Any convertible debt securities that we issue will be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities of ours. Conversion may be mandatory or at your option and would be at prescribed conversion rates.

          If we issue debt securities, they will be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which are contracts between us and a trustee for the holders of the debt securities. We urge you to read the prospectus supplement related to the series of debt securities being offered, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities (which will include a supplemental indenture). If we issue debt securities, indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of debt securities being offered will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part from reports we would subsequently file with the SEC.

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

          If we issue warrants, they will be evidenced by warrant agreements or warrant certificates issued under one or more warrant agreements, which are contracts between us and an agent for the holders of the warrants. We urge you to read the prospectus supplement related to any series of warrants we may offer, as well as the complete warrant agreement and warrant certificate that contain the terms of the warrants. If we issue warrants, forms of warrant agreements and warrant certificates relating to warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and debt securities will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part from reports we would subsequently file with the SEC.

ABOUT AVANIR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

          Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation originally incorporated in California in August 1988 and reincorporated in Delaware in March 2009, is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing, acquiring and commercializing novel therapeutic products for the treatment of chronic diseases. Our product candidates address therapeutic markets that include the central nervous system and inflammatory diseases. Our lead product candidate, Zenvia^tm (dextromethorphan hydrobromide/quinidine sulfate), is currently in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (“PBA”) and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (“DPN pain”). Our first commercialized product, docosanol 10% cream, (sold as Abreva^® by our marketing partner GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare in North America) is the only over-the-counter treatment for cold sores that has been approved by the FDA. Our inflammatory disease program, which targets macrophage migration inhibitory factor (“MIF”), is currently partnered with Novartis. Our infectious disease program has historically been focused primarily on monoclonal antibodies. In 2008, we sold our rights to substantially all of these monoclonal antibodies to two biotechnology companies. As of June 30, 2008, we ceased all future research and development work related to our infectious disease program and remain eligible to receive additional milestone payments and royalties related to the program.

          For additional information about our company, please refer to other documents we have filed with the SEC and that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as listed under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

          Our offices are located at 101 Enterprise, Suite 300, Aliso Viejo, California 92656. Our telephone number is (949) 389-6700 and our e-mail address is info@avanir.com. Additional information about Avanir can be found on our website, at www.avanir.com, and in our periodic and current reports filed with the SEC. Copies of our current and periodic reports filed with the SEC are available at the SEC Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and online at www.sec.gov and our website at www.avanir.com. No portion of our website is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

          Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information appearing in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus and the incorporated documents also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks mentioned above.

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

          This prospectus contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking statements and readers are cautioned that our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the progress and timing of clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of our product candidates, the goals of our development activities, estimates of the potential markets for our product candidates, projected cash needs and our expected future revenues, operations and expenditures. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others:

	•		risks relating to the uncertainty around the conduct of clinical trials generally and, more specifically, around our ongoing and future clinical trials for Zenvia for both PBA and DPN pain;
	•		risks of delay in meeting our development plans, including delays in patient enrollment in our clinical trials;
	•		risks relating to our lack of profitability, our significant historical operating losses and our ability to obtain additional funding to continue to operate our business, which funding may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all;
	•		risks relating to our patent portfolio and the patent portfolios of competitors;
	•		risks relating to turnover in senior management and our reliance on key employees;
	•		risks around our reliance on third parties to conduct our clinical trials and manufacture our product candidates; and
	•		competitive risks in our industry.

          In evaluating our business, prospective investors should carefully consider these factors in addition to the other information set forth in this prospectus and incorporated herein by reference, including under the caption, “Risk Factors.” All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and all forward-looking statements in documents incorporated by reference are based on information available to us as of the date of such documents. We disclaim any intent to update any forward-looking statements.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

          We may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and warrants to purchase any such securities with a total value of up to $35,000,000 from time to time under this prospectus at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. Each time we offer a type or series of securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities.

USE OF PROCEEDS

          We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of our securities offered hereby. Except as described in any prospectus supplement, we currently anticipate using the net proceeds from the sale of our securities hereby primarily to fund the development and commercialization of Zenvia for PBA and DPN pain, for our ongoing and future clinical trials and for general and administrative expenses. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to pay off outstanding indebtedness and/or acquire or invest in complementary businesses, products and technologies. Although we have no specific agreements, commitments or understandings with respect to any acquisition, we evaluate acquisition opportunities and engage in related discussions with other companies from time to time.

          Pending the use of the net proceeds, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

          If we offer debt securities and/or preference equity securities under this prospectus, then we will, at that time, provide a ratio of earnings to fixed charges and/or ratio of combined fixed charges and preference dividends to earnings, respectively, in the applicable prospectus supplement for such offering.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

          We may sell the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more offerings. Registration of the securities covered by this prospectus does not mean, however, that those securities will necessarily be offered or sold.

          We may sell the securities separately or together:

	•		through one or more underwriters or dealers in a public offering and sale by them;
	•		directly to investors; or
	•		through agents.
	We may sell the securities from time to time:
	•		in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time;
	•		at market prices prevailing at the times of sale;
	•		at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or
	•		at negotiated prices.

          We will describe the method of distribution of the securities and the terms of the offering in the prospectus supplement.

          Any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

          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. 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 in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.

          We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

          We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, 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.

          Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments made by the underwriters, dealers or agents, under agreements between us and the underwriters, dealers and agents.

          We may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of securities an option to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments, if any, in connection with the distribution.

          Underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us or our purchasers, as their agents in connection with the sale of securities. These underwriters, dealers or agents may be considered to be underwriters under the Securities Act. As a result, discounts, commissions or profits on resale received by the underwriters, dealers or agents may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions. The prospectus supplement will identify any such underwriter, dealer or agent and describe any compensation received by them from us. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

          Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, all securities we offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed for trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market or other principal market for our common stock. We may apply to list any series of debt securities, preferred stock or warrants on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. Therefore, there may not be liquidity or a trading market for any series of securities.

          Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment transactions, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that such transactions may have on the price of the securities. For a description of these activities, see the information under the heading “Underwriting” or “Plan of Distribution” in the applicable prospectus supplement.

          Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents who may become involved in the sale of the common stock may engage in transactions with and perform other services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they receive compensation.

LEGAL MATTERS

          The legality of the issuance of the securities being offered hereby and the binding nature of any debt securities or warrants being offered hereby is being passed upon by Goodwin Procter LLP, San Francisco, California.

EXPERTS

          The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s predecessor California corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008 have been audited by KMJ Corbin & Company LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference, and has been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

          The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information contained in other documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded, for purposes of this prospectus, to the extent that a statement contained in or omitted from this prospectus, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below which have been filed by us or our predecessor California corporation (the “Predecessor Registrant”) and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the offering is completed:

	1.		Our Predecessor Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008, as amended;
	2.		Our Predecessor Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on January 9, 2009;
	3.		Our Predecessor Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2008;
	4.		Our Predecessor Registrant’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 12, 2008 and February 25, 2009 and our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 2009 and April 2, 2009; and
	5.		The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A/A (File No. 001-15803) filed with the SEC on March 25, 2009, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

          Upon written or oral request, we will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of the prospectus is delivered a copy of the documents incorporated by reference herein (other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference herein). You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address: Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 101 Enterprise, Suite 300, Aliso Viejo, California 92656, Attention: Investor Relations, telephone: (949) 389-6700. We have authorized no one to provide you with any information that differs from that contained in this prospectus. Accordingly, you should not rely on any information that is not contained in this prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the front cover of this prospectus.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

          We are subject to the informational requirements of the 1934 Act and in accordance therewith file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our filings are available to the public over the Internet at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, as well as at our website at www.avanir.com. You may also read and copy, at prescribed rates, any document we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Rooms.

*     *     *

PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

          The following table sets forth various expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered. All of the amounts shown are estimates except for the Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee.

Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee		$	1,953
Accounting Fees			10,000
Legal Fees and Disbursements			10,000
Miscellaneous			25,000
Total:		$	46,953

Item 15. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.

          The registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate”) provides that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the registrant’s directors shall not be personally liable to the registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as directors of the registrant. The Certificate eliminates the personal liability of directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Corporations Law and, together with the registrant’s Bylaws, provides that the registrant shall fully indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, inquiry, investigation, administration hearing or other proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the registrant, or is or was serving at the request of the registrant as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, foundation, association, organization or other legal entity, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, damages, liabilities, losses, penalties, excise taxes, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, inquiry, investigation, administration hearing or other proceeding. The registrant has also obtained liability insurance for its officers and directors and has assumed indemnification agreements that the predecessor California corporation had entered into with its directors and officers.

Item 16. Exhibits.

          The following documents are filed herewith (unless otherwise indicated) and made a part of this registration statement.

Exhibit
Number		Description of Exhibit
1.1		Form of Underwriting Agreement*
3.1		Certificate of Incorporation of Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1)
3.2		Bylaws of Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1)
4.1		Form of Common Stock Certificate (1)
4.2		Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock (2)
4.3		Form of Indenture*
4.4		Form of Debt Security*
4.5		Form of Preferred Stock Certificate*
4.6		Form of Certificate of Designations*
4.7		Form of Warrant Agreement*
4.8		Form of Warrant Certificate*
4.9		Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2009, by and between Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (2)
4.10		Form of Rights Certificate with respect to the Stockholder Rights Agreement (filed as part of Exhibit 4.9) (2)
5.1		Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP
12.1		Statement Regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges*
23.1		Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (filed as part of Exhibit 5.1)
23.2		Consent of KMJ Corbin & Company LLP
24.1		Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
25.1		Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended*

Item 17. Undertakings.

          The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

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

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

               (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the 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.

               (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) of this section 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 purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

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

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

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, as amended, 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 SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

     The undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes that:

          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance under Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4), or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

          (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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.

     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 (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

*       *       *

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 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 Aliso Viejo, State of California, on April 20, 2009.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     Each of the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of Keith A. Katkin and Christine G. Ocampo as his or her attorney-in-fact, with power of substitution, in his or her name and in the capacity indicated below, to sign any and all further amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement on Form S-3 and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Keith A. Katkin		President, Chief Executive Officer and Director		April 20, 2009
Keith A. Katkin		(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Christine G. Ocampo		Vice President, Finance		April 20, 2009
Christine G. Ocampo		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Stephen G. Austin		Director		April 20, 2009
Stephen G. Austin
/s/ Charles A. Mathews		Director		April 20, 2009
Charles A. Mathews
/s/ David J. Mazzo, Ph.D.		Director		April 20, 2009
David J. Mazzo, Ph.D.
/s/ Dennis G. Podlesak		Director		April 20, 2009
Dennis G. Podlesak
/s/ Nicholas J. Simon		Director		April 20, 2009
Nicholas J. Simon
/s/ Craig A. Wheeler		Director		April 20, 2009
Craig A. Wheeler
/s/ Scott M. Whitcup, M.D.		Director		April 20, 2009
Scott M. Whitcup, M.D.

AVANIR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number		Description of Exhibit
1.1		Form of Underwriting Agreement*
3.1		Certificate of Incorporation of Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1)
3.2		Bylaws of Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1)
4.1		Form of Common Stock Certificate (1)
4.2		Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock (2)
4.3		Form of Indenture*
4.4		Form of Debt Security*
4.5		Form of Preferred Stock Certificate*
4.6		Form of Certificate of Designations*
4.7		Form of Warrant Agreement*
4.8		Form of Warrant Certificate*
4.9		Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2009, by and between Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (2)
4.10		Form of Rights Certificate with respect to the Stockholder Rights Agreement (filed as part of Exhibit 4.9) (2)
5.1		Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP
12.1		Statement Regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges*
23.1		Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (filed as part of Exhibit 5.1)
23.2		Consent of KMJ Corbin & Company LLP
24.1		Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
25.1		Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended*