Amendment No. 2
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 2001
Registration No. 333-69400
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 2
To
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Michigan |
|
94-3096597 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction |
|
(IRS Employer |
of Incorporation or Organization) |
|
Identification Number) |
24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive
P.O. Box 376
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106
(734) 930-5555
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrants Principal Executive Offices)
R. DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG, PH.D.
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.
24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive
P.O. Box 376
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106
(734) 930-5555
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
DOUGLAS J. REIN, ESQ.
Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich Llp
4365 Executive Drive, Suite 1100
San
Diego, California 92121-2133
Telephone: (858) 677-1400
Facsimile: (858) 677-1477
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the
public: From time to time as described in the Prospectus.
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. ¨
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay
its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the
Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling holder may not sell these securities under this
prospectus until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer and sale would not be
permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 7,
2001
PROSPECTUS
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.
8,400,000 Shares of Common Stock
We may from time to time issue up to 8,400,000 shares of our common stock. We will
specify in the accompanying prospectus supplement or amendment the terms of any such offering. We may sell these common shares 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 or amendment.
You should read this document and any prospectus supplement or amendment carefully before you invest.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ASTM. On November 5, 2001, the last reported sale
price for our common stock was $1.03 per share.
Investing in the common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risk factors beginning on page 5 of this prospectus before making a decision to
purchase our stock.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The Date of this Prospectus is November , 2001.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
Page
|
Our Business |
|
|
3 |
|
Business Risks |
|
|
5 |
|
Where You Can Find More Information |
|
|
13 |
|
Plan of Distribution |
|
|
14 |
|
Use of Proceeds |
|
|
15 |
|
Legal Matters |
|
|
15 |
|
Experts |
|
|
15 |
|
2
OUR BUSINESS
Because this is a summary, it does not contain all the information about us that may be important to you. You should read the more detailed information and the financial statements
and related notes which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
AASTROM
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. is pioneering the development of human cell therapy
technologies intended for a broad range of medical applications based on its patented process and device capabilities for manufacturing proprietary cell mixtures. Our lead cell therapeutic products under development include Dendricell products (DC-I and DCV-I) for the clinical-scale production of dendritic cells intended for the emerging cancer vaccine market.
We are also developing our SC-I, CB-I and CB-II cell products for use in stem cell therapy and our OC-I cell product for the restoration of bone tissue.
Our business model builds on two complementary components: (i) proprietary procedures and devices to enable us to produce certain types of stem cells and
other types of human cells with excellent biological capabilities as compared with standard cell culture approaches, and (ii) the AastromReplicell System clinical platform that is designed to standardize and enable an effective commercialization pathway for bringing therapeutic cell production to medical practice. The AastromReplicell System consists of an instrumentation platform, to be sold to a hospital or other centralized facility, that can operate a
variety of single-use cell production kits that are specific to the desired medical application. Each cell product is produced using a specific type of kit. The kit and the cell product produced with the kit share a common identifying nomenclature
such as DC-I, OC-I, SC-I and CB-I. Through this product configuration, we intend to either directly commercialize cells for therapeutic use, or enable customers or potential collaborators with the capability to produce cells for therapeutic
applications through sale of the AastromReplicell System instruments and kits. This approach is intended to provide
a product pathway for each cell therapy that is similar to a pharmaceutical product including regulatory approval, reimbursement, marketing and pricing. We believe that the product design of the AastromReplicell System will allow us to develop additional cell therapy products to provide standardization for a number of emerging cell therapies being developed by
other researchers.
We are investigating dendritic cells, a
type of blood cell that have the ability to stimulate an immune response against specific targets as a potential new treatment for cancer and viral diseases. We intend to sell the DC-I cell product to clinical researchers and centers that are
developing dendritic cell-based vaccines designed to treat cancer and other disorders. During the year ended June 30, 2001, we initiated our external site testing of the AastromReplicell System and the DC-I cell product with leading research centers. We intend to apply for CE Mark approval necessary for European marketing. We also plan
to market the DC-I cell product to U.S. clinical and research groups that are developing dendritic cell-based cancer vaccines, and to develop our own proprietary vaccines pending additional funding or strategic partnerships. Our stem cell therapy
products have received CE Mark approval allowing us to begin commercialization activities in Europe, and are in Phase III-Type clinical studies in the U.S. Additionally, we have recently initiated a development program for the production of
bone-forming cells in the AastromReplicell System. Our OC-I cell product is being developed for the treatment of
patients with degenerative bone diseases such as osteoporosis and a Phase I/II-Pilot clinical study is in process in the U.S.
Although we may not market the AastromReplicell System in the United States for stem cell therapy unless and until approval is obtained from the FDA, we have completed production-level versions of the AastromReplicell System and we have begun European commercialization activities for the AastromReplicell System instrumentation and the SC-I, CB-I and DC-I kits. We may also market the AastromReplicell System and kits in the U.S. for research and investigational use and we are developing our marketing plan to establish relationships with leading
sites to build a customer foundation for the AastromReplicell System. The SC-I and CB-I kits are in phase III
clinical trials and the OC-I is in phase I/II clinical trials.
3
Since Aastroms inception, we
have been in the development stage and engaged in research and product development, conducted principally on our own behalf, but also in connection with various collaborative research and development agreements with others. We commenced our initial
pilot-scale product launch in Europe of the AastromReplicell Cell Production System in April 1999, but subsequently
suspended those activities in October 1999 pending the receipt of additional financing. While these activities are now in process, we do not expect to generate positive cash flows from operations for at least the next several years and then only if
more significant product sales commence. Until that time, we expect that our revenue sources will be limited to grant revenue, which in the last three years has accounted for between 85% and 96% of total revenues, research funding, milestone
payments and licensing fees from potential future corporate collaborators. To date, we have financed our operations through public and private sales of our equity securities. As a development-stage company, we have never been profitable and do not
anticipate having net income unless and until significant product sales commence, which is unlikely to occur until we obtain significant additional funding. Through June 30, 2001, we have accumulated losses of approximately $85 million.
Our principal executive offices are located at 24 Frank
Lloyd Wright Drive, P. O. Box 376, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Our telephone number is (734) 930-5555.
4
BUSINESS RISKS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors before purchasing our common stock. The risks and uncertainties described
below are not the only ones we face. There may be additional risks and uncertainties that are not known to us or that we do not consider to be material at this time. If the events described in these risks occur, our business, financial condition and
results of operations would likely suffer. This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. This
section discusses the business risk factors that might cause those differences.
Our past losses and expected future
losses cast doubt on our ability to operate profitably.
We
were incorporated in 1989 and have experienced substantial operating losses since inception. As of June 30, 2001, we have incurred net operating losses totaling approximately $85 million. These losses have resulted principally from costs incurred in
the research and development of our cell culture technologies and the AastromReplicell System, general and
administrative expenses, and the prosecution of patent applications. We expect to incur significant operating losses until product sales increase, primarily owing to our research and development programs, including pre-clinical studies and clinical
trials, and the establishment of marketing and distribution capabilities necessary to support commercialization efforts for our products. Our ability to achieve profitability will depend, among other things, on successfully completing the
development of our product candidates, obtaining regulatory approvals, establishing manufacturing, sales and marketing arrangements with third parties, and raising sufficient funds to finance our activities. We may not be able to achieve or sustain
profitability.
Our inability to complete our product development activities successfully would severely limit our ability
to operate or finance our operations.
Commercialization in the
United States of our lead product candidate, the AastromReplicell Cell Production System, will require additional
research and development as well as substantial clinical trials. While we have commenced initial marketing on a very limited basis of the AastromReplicell System in Europe, we believe that the United States will be the principal market for our products. We may not be able to successfully complete development of the
AastromReplicell System or our other product candidates, or successfully market our technologies or product
candidates. We, and any of our potential collaborators, may encounter problems and delays relating to research and development, regulatory approval and intellectual property rights of our technologies and product candidates. Our research and
development programs may not be successful, and our cell culture technologies and product candidates may not facilitate the production of cells outside the human body with the expected result. Our technologies and product candidates may not prove to
be safe and efficacious in clinical trials, and we may not obtain the intended regulatory approvals for our technologies or product candidates and the cells produced in such products. If any of these events occur, we may not have adequate resources
to continue operations for the period required to resolve the issue delaying commercialization and we may not be able to raise capital to finance our continued operation during the period required for resolution of that issue.
We may not be able to raise the required capital to conduct our operations and develop our products.
We will require substantial capital resources in order to conduct our operations and develop our
products. In October 1999, we were forced to reduce operations based on our declining level of capital resources and our limited financing alternatives available at that time. Although we have started to restore operating activities, the previous
reduction in our operating activities has negatively affected our ability to develop our products and has delayed our product development programs. Based on current funding and anticipated operating activities, we expect that our available cash and
expected interest income will be sufficient to finance currently planned activities through at least the end of fiscal year 2002. We are currently pursuing additional sources of financing. Our inability to obtain additional funding prior to that
time would force us to make substantial reductions in the scope and size of our operations and may force us to curtail activities that we currently plan to resume. In order to grow and expand our business, and to introduce our product candidates
into the marketplace, we will need to raise additional funds. We will also need additional funds or a collaborative partner, or both, to finance the research and development activities of our new product candidates for the production of additional
cell types.
5
Our future capital requirements
will depend upon many factors, including:
|
|
|
continued scientific progress in our research and development programs; |
|
|
|
costs and timing of conducting clinical trials and seeking regulatory approvals and patent prosecutions; |
|
|
|
competing technological and market developments; |
|
|
|
our ability to establish additional collaborative relationships; and |
|
|
|
effective commercialization activities and facility expansions if and as required. |
Because of our long-term funding requirements, we may attempt to access the public or private equity
markets if and whenever conditions are favorable, even if we do not have an immediate need for additional capital at that time. Further, we may enter into financing transactions at rates which are at a substantial discount to market. This additional
funding may not be available to us on reasonable terms, or at all. The unavailability of adequate funds may require us to further delay or terminate research and development programs, curtail capital expenditures, and reduce business development and
other operating activities.
We must successfully complete our clinical trials to be able to market our products.
To be able to market products for clinical use in the United
States, we must demonstrate, through extensive preclinical studies and clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of our processes and product candidates, together with the cells produced by such processes in such products, for application in the
treatment of humans. We are currently conducting clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and biological activity of patient-derived cells produced in the AastromReplicell System. Depending on the availability of resources, we intend to commence additional clinical trials for cells produced in the AastromReplicell System. If our clinical trials are not successful, our products may not be marketable.
Our ability to complete our clinical trials in a timely manner depends on many factors, including the
rate of patient enrollment. Patient enrollment can vary with the size of the patient population, the proximity of suitable patients to clinical sites, perceptions of the utility of stem cell therapy for the treatment of certain diseases and the
eligibility criteria for the study. We have experienced delays in patient accrual in our previous and current clinical trials. If we experience future delays in patient accrual, we could experience increased costs and delays associated with clinical
trials which would impair our product development programs and our ability to market our products. Furthermore, the FDA monitors the progress of clinical trials and it may suspend or terminate clinical trials at any time due to patient safety or
other considerations.
Failure to obtain and maintain required regulatory approvals would severely limit our ability to sell
our products.
We must obtain the approval of the FDA before
commercial sales of our product candidates may commence in the United States, which we believe will be the principal market for our products. We may also be required to obtain additional approvals from foreign regulatory authorities to continue or
increase our sales activities in those jurisdictions. If we cannot demonstrate the safety, reliability and efficacy of our product candidates, or of the cells produced in such products, we may not be able to obtain required regulatory approvals.
Many of the patients enrolled in the clinical trials will have previously undergone extensive treatment which will have substantially weakened the patients and may have irreparably damaged the ability of their blood and immune system to recover.
Some patients undergoing the transplant recovery process have died, from causes that were, according to the physicians involved, unrelated to the AastromReplicell System procedure, and it is possible that other patients may die or suffer severe complications during the course of either the current or future clinical trials. In addition, patients
receiving cells produced with our technologies and product candidates may not demonstrate long-term engraftment in a manner comparable to cells obtained from current stem cell therapy procedures. If we cannot demonstrate the safety or efficacy of
our technologies and product candidates, including long-term sustained engraftment, or if one or more patients die or suffer severe complications, the FDA or other regulatory authorities could delay or withhold regulatory approval of our product
candidates.
6
Finally, even if we obtain
regulatory approval of a product, that approval may limit our ability to market the product for a range of uses, as the approval may be for only specified uses of a product. Even after granting regulatory approval, the FDA, other regulatory
agencies, and governments in other countries continue to review and inspect marketed products, manufacturers and manufacturing facilities. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product, manufacturer or facility may result in
restrictions on the product or manufacturer, including a withdrawal of the product from the market. Further, governmental regulatory agencies may establish additional regulations which could prevent or delay regulatory approval of our products.
Even if we obtain regulatory approvals to sell our products, lack of commercial acceptance would impair our business.
Our product development efforts are directed toward obtaining
regulatory approval to market the AastromReplicell System as an alternative to, or as an improvement for, the
standard bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant procedures. These procedures have been widely practiced for a number of years, and the market place may not accept our technologies or product candidates as readily as these or other competing
processes and methodologies. Additionally, users of our products may not employ our technologies or product candidates in all potential applications being investigated, and any limited applications would limit the market acceptance of our
technologies and product candidates and our potential revenues. As a result, even if we obtain all required regulatory approvals, the market may not adopt our products and processes at a level that would allow us to operate profitably.
Failure of third parties to manufacture component parts or provide limited source supplies would impair our new product development and
our sales activities.
We rely solely on third parties to
manufacture our product candidates and their component parts. We also rely solely on third party suppliers such as Plexus, Moll, Biowhittaker and Immunex to provide necessary key mechanical components, as well as growth factors and other materials
used in the cell expansion process. We would not be able to obtain alternate sources of supply for many of these items on a short-term basis. In October 1999, we suspended manufacturing of our products. While we are in the process of reestablishing
our product manufacturing capabilities, we have not yet completed those activities and resumed production of certain components of our product line. If any of our key manufacturers or suppliers fail to perform their respective obligations or if our
supply of growth factors, components or other materials is limited or interrupted, we would not be able to conduct clinical trials or market our product candidates on a timely and cost-competitive basis, if at all.
Furthermore, some of the compounds used by us in our current bone marrow or cord
blood cell expansion processes involve the use of animal-derived products. Suppliers or regulatory authorities may limit or restrict the availability of such compounds for clinical and commercial use. Any restrictions on these compounds would impose
a potential competitive disadvantage for our products. Our inability to develop or obtain alternative compounds would harm our product development and commercialization efforts.
Finally, we may not be able to continue our present arrangements with our suppliers, supplement existing relationships, establish new
relationships or be able to identify and obtain the ancillary materials that are necessary to develop our product candidates in the future. Our dependence upon third parties for the supply and manufacture of these items could adversely affect our
ability to develop and deliver commercially feasible products on a timely and competitive basis.
Given our limited internal
sales and marketing capabilities, we need to develop collaborative relationships to sell, market and distribute our products.
While we have commenced initial marketing on a limited basis of the AastromReplicell System in Europe, we have only limited internal sales, marketing and distribution capabilities. We intend to market our products
7
through collaborative relationships with companies for sales, marketing and distribution capabilities. Our inability to develop and maintain those relationships would limit our ability to market,
sell and distribute our products. Our inability to enter into successful, long-term relationships could require us to develop alternate arrangements at a time when we need sales, marketing or distribution capabilities to meet existing demand. For
example, in November 1998 Aastrom and COBE BCT terminated a strategic alliance for the worldwide distribution of the AastromReplicell System for stem cell therapy and related uses. We are now seeking to enter into other arrangements relating to the development and marketing of our product candidates.
Any changes in the governmental regulatory classifications of our products could prevent, limit or delay our ability to market or develop our products.
The FDA establishes regulatory requirements based on the
classification of a product. Although the FDA has indicated it intends to regulate the AastromReplicell System for
stem cell therapy as a Class III medical device, the FDA may ultimately choose to regulate the AastromReplicell
System under another category. Because our product development programs are designed to satisfy the standards applicable to Class III medical devices, a change in the regulatory classification would affect our ability to obtain FDA approval of our
products. Also, the FDA is in the process of developing its requirements with respect to the use of cells as therapeutic products. Until the FDA issues definitive regulations covering our product candidates, the regulatory guidelines or requirements
for approval of such product candidates and/or the cells produced by them will continue to be uncertain.
If we do not keep
pace with our competitors and with technological and market changes, our products may become obsolete and our business may suffer.
The market for our products is very competitive, is subject to rapid technological changes and varies for different individual products. Aastrom competes in several key business
segments. Within each business segment, we can identify the following competitors:
|
|
|
Dendritic Cells Dendreon is a competitor; |
|
|
|
Stem Cell Therapy and Immunotherapy Nexel and Biotransplant are competitors; and |
|
|
|
Bone Regeneration IsosTis is a competitor. |
Many of our competitors have significantly greater resources, more product candidates and have developed product candidates and processes that directly
compete with our products. Our competitors may have developed, or could in the future develop, new technologies that compete with our products or even render our products obsolete. As an example, some recently published studies have suggested that
stem cell therapy may have limited clinical benefit in the treatment of breast cancer, which has been a significant portion of the current overall stem cell transplant market. This could result in a substantial decline in the current principal
market for the AastromReplicell System with our SC-I kit. Our products are designed to improve and automate the
processes for producing cells used in therapeutic procedures. Even if we are able to demonstrate improved or equivalent results, researchers and practitioners may not use our products and we will suffer a competitive disadvantage. As a result, we
may be unable to recover the net book value of our inventory. Finally, to the extent that others develop new technologies that address the targeted application for our products, our business will suffer.
If we cannot attract and retain key personnel, then our business will suffer.
Our success depends in large part upon our ability to attract and retain highly qualified scientific and management personnel. We face
competition for such personnel from other companies, research and academic institutions and other entities. For example, we recently announced the resignation of our Vice President Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer who left
the company to pursue other opportunities. Further, in an effort to conserve financial resources, we have implemented reductions in our work force on two separate occasions. As a result of these and other factors, we may not be successful in hiring
or retaining key personnel.
8
The Company only has a key man life insurance policy for R. Douglas Armstrong, the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Aastrom. Our inability to replace any other lost key employee
could harm our operations.
The warrants have the potential for substantial dilution.
We have warrants to purchase 2,614,386 shares of common stock at $1.58 per share and
options to purchase 2,047,862 shares at a weighted average price of $2.03 per share outstanding. Holders of common stock would therefore experience dilution of their investment upon exercise of these warrants and options.
Our stock price has been volatile and future sales of substantial numbers of our shares could have an adverse affect on the market price of
our shares.
The market price of shares of our common stock has
been volatile ranging in price between $0.75 and $4.31, between July 1, 2000 and June 30, 2001. The price of our common stock may continue to fluctuate in response to a number of events and factors, such as:
|
|
|
clinical trial results; |
|
|
|
the amount of our cash resources and our ability to obtain additional funding; |
|
|
|
announcements of research activities, business developments, technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors; |
|
|
|
changes in government regulation; |
|
|
|
disputes concerning patents or proprietary rights; |
|
|
|
changes in our revenues or expense levels; |
|
|
|
public concern regarding the safety, efficacy or other aspects of the products or methodologies we are developing; and |
|
|
|
changes in potential recommendations by securities analysts. |
Any of these events may cause the price of our shares to fall, which may adversely affect our business and financing opportunities. In
addition, the stock market in general and the market prices for biotechnology companies in particular have experienced significant volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance or financial conditions of such companies. These
broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our stock, regardless of our operating performance or prospects. For example, within the last year, our stock price has experienced a day where it traded at
approximately twice the previous days closing price and another day when it dropped by over 20% from the previous days closing price.
In addition, sales, or the possibility of sales, of substantial numbers of shares of common stock in the public market could adversely affect prevailing
market prices of shares of common stock. Our employees hold a significant number of options to purchase shares, many of which are presently exercisable. Employees may exercise their options and sell shares shortly after such options become
exercisable, particularly if they need to raise funds to pay for the exercise price of such options or to satisfy tax liabilities that they may incur in connection with exercising their options.
If our patents and proprietary rights do not provide substantial protection, then our business and competitive position will suffer.
Our success depends in large part on our ability to develop or license and protect
proprietary products and technologies. However, patents may not be granted on any of our pending or future patent applications. Also, the scope of any of our issued patents may not be sufficiently broad to offer meaningful protection. In addition,
our issued patents or patents licensed to us could be successfully challenged, invalidated or circumvented so that our
9
patent rights would not create an effective competitive barrier. Furthermore, we rely on three exclusive, world wide licenses relating to the production of human cells granted to us by the
University of Michigan for certain of our patent rights. If we materially breach such agreements or otherwise fail to materially comply with such agreements, or if such agreements expire or are otherwise terminated by us, we may lose our rights
under the patents held by the University of Michigan. At the latest, these licenses will terminate when the patent underlying the license expires. The first of these underlying patents will expire on March 21, 2012. We also rely on trade secrets and
unpatentable know-how that we seek to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, suppliers and licensees. These agreements may be breached, and we might not have adequate remedies for any breach. If this were to
occur, our business and competitive position would suffer.
Intellectual property litigation could harm our
business.
Our success will also depend in part on our
ability to develop commercially viable products without infringing the proprietary rights of others. Although we have not been subject to any filed infringement claims, other patents could exist or could be filed which would prohibit or limit our
ability to market our products or maintain our competitive position. An intellectual property dispute may force us to litigate the dispute to protect or defend our interests. Intellectual property litigation would divert managements attention
from developing our products and would force us to incur substantial costs regardless of whether we are successful. An adverse outcome could subject us to significant liabilities to third parties, and force us to curtail or cease the development and
sale of our products and processes.
The government maintains certain rights in technology that we develop using
government grant money and we may lose the revenues from such technology if we do not commercialize and utilize the technology pursuant to established government guidelines.
Certain of our, and our licensors, research has been or is being funded in part by government grants. As a result of such funding,
the U.S. Government has certain rights in the technology developed with the grant. These rights include a non-exclusive, paid-up, worldwide license to use the technology for any governmental purpose. In addition, the government has the right to
require us to grant an exclusive license to use the developed technology to a third party if the government determines that:
|
|
|
we have not taken adequate steps to commercialize such technology; |
|
|
|
such action is necessary to meet public health or safety needs; or |
|
|
|
such action is necessary to meet requirements for public use under federal regulations. |
In these instances, we would not receive revenues on the products we developed. Additionally, technology
that was partially funded by a federal research grant is subject to the following government rights:
|
|
|
products using the technology which are sold in the United States are to be manufactured substantially in the United States, unless a waiver is obtained;
|
|
|
|
if we do not pursue reasonable commercialization of a needed product using the technology, the government may force the granting of a license to a third party who will make and
sell the needed product; and |
|
|
|
the U.S. Government may use the technology for its own needs. If we fail to meet these guidelines, we would lose our exclusive rights to these products and we would lose
potential revenue derived from the sale of these products. |
The market for our products will be
heavily dependent on third party reimbursement policies.
Our
ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates will depend on the extent to which government healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, as well as private health insurers, health
10
maintenance organizations and other third party payors will pay for our products and related treatments. Reimbursement by third-party payors depends on a number of factors, including the
payors determination that use of the product is safe and effective, not experimental or investigational, medically necessary, appropriate for the specific patient and cost-effective. Reimbursement in the United States or foreign countries may
not be available or maintained for any of our product candidates. If we do not obtain approvals for adequate third-party reimbursements, we may not be able to establish or maintain price levels sufficient to realize an appropriate return on our
investment in product development. Any limits on reimbursement available from third-party payors may reduce the demand for, or negatively affect the price of, our products. For example, recently published studies have suggested that stem cell
transplantation in breast cancer, which constitutes a significant portion of the overall stem cell therapy market, may have limited clinical benefit. The lack of reimbursement for these procedures by insurance payors would negatively affect the
marketability of our products.
Potential product liability claims could affect our earnings and financial condition.
We face an inherent business risk of exposure to product
liability claims in the event that the use of the AastromReplicell System during research and development efforts,
including clinical trials, or after commercialization results in adverse affects. As a result, we may incur significant product liability exposure, which
11
could exceed existing insurance coverage. We may not be able to maintain adequate levels of insurance at reasonable cost and/or reasonable terms.
Excessive insurance costs or uninsured claims would increase our operating loss and affect our financial condition.
Our
corporate documents and Michigan law contain provisions that may make it more difficult for us to be acquired.
Our board of directors has the authority, without shareholder approval, to issue additional shares of preferred stock and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions of these shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders. This authority, together with certain provisions of our charter documents, may have the affect 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. This affect could occur even if our shareholders consider the change in control to be in their best interest.
Our stock may be delisted from Nasdaq that could affect its market price and liquidity.
We are required to meet certain financial tests (including, but not limited to, a minimum bid price of our common stock of $1.00 and
$4 million in tangible net worth) to maintain the listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq National Market. Within the last year, our common stock price has fallen below the minimum level for some periods and during other periods our tangible net
worth has been below the amount required. In the future, our stock price or tangible net worth may fall below the Nasdaq requirements, or we may not comply with other listing requirements, with the result being that our common stock might be
delisted. If that happened the market price and liquidity of our common stock would be impaired. Further, the National Association of Securities Dealers has recently adopted a change in the minimum listing requirements to include a new $10 million
minimum net equity requirement. This new standard will replace the minimum net worth requirement and becomes effective for us in November 2002. The result of such a change, or other changes, may be that it will become more difficult for us to
maintain compliance with the listing standards, the result of which would be that our stock may be delisted.
Forward-looking statements
This report contains
certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding:
|
|
|
uncertainties related to potential strategic collaborations with others; |
|
|
|
future capital needs and uncertainty of additional funding; |
|
|
|
uncertainties related to product development and marketability; |
|
|
|
uncertainties related to clinical trials; |
|
|
|
manufacturing and supply uncertainties and dependence on third parties; |
|
|
|
anticipation of future losses; |
|
|
|
limited sales and marketing capabilities; |
|
|
|
uncertainty of regulatory approval and extensive government regulation; |
|
|
|
competition and technological change; |
|
|
|
uncertainty regarding patents and proprietary rights; |
|
|
|
no assurance of third party reimbursement; and |
|
|
|
potential product liability and availability of insurance. |
These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those set forth in this Business Risks section, and actual results could differ materially
from those expressed or implied in these statements. All forward-looking statements included in this registration statement are made as of the date hereof.
12
You should rely only on the
information provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. This document may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. You should not
assume that any information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus.
13
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with
the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SECs public reference rooms located at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at The Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661. Please call the SEC at 1800SEC0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public on the SECs Internet web site at http://www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the
information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file with
the SEC later will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus or incorporated by reference. The following documents filed by us and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c) 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, until we sell all of the common stock offered hereby, are incorporated by reference in this prospectus:
|
1. |
|
Definitive Proxy Statement filed on October 9, 2001; |
|
2. |
|
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 16, 2001; |
|
3. |
|
Our Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended June 30, 2001; and |
|
4. |
|
Our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on April 11, 1997 (Commission File No.: 000-22025). |
YOU MAY REQUEST A COPY OF THESE FILINGS, AT NO COST, BY WRITING OR TELEPHONING US AT AASTROM
BIOSCIENCES, INC., 24 FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT DRIVE, P.O. BOX 376, ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48106, TELEPHONE NUMBER (734) 930-5555, ATTENTION: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.AASTROM.COM.
14
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may offer our common stock:
|
|
|
directly to purchasers; |
|
|
|
to or through underwriters; |
|
|
|
through dealers, agents or institutional investors; or |
|
|
|
through a combination of such methods. |
Regardless of the method used to sell the securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement or amendment that will disclose:
|
|
|
the identity of any underwriters, dealers, agents or investors who purchase the securities; |
|
|
|
the material terms of the distribution, including the amount sold and the consideration paid; |
|
|
|
the amount of any compensation, discounts or commissions to be received by the underwriters, dealers or agents; |
|
|
|
the terms of any indemnification provisions, including indemnification from liabilities under the federal securities laws; and |
|
|
|
the nature of any transaction by an underwriter, dealer or agent during the offering that is intended to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities.
|
We may sell our common stock at fixed prices, which may
change, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
In connection with the sale of our common stock, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of our common stock in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of our common stock may be deemed to be underwriters. Discounts or commissions they receive and any profit on their resale of our common stock may be considered
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933.
We may agree to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of our common stock against various liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933. We may also agree to contribute to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect of these liabilities. We may authorize dealers or other persons who act as our agents to solicit offers
by various institutions to purchase our common stock from us under contracts which provide for payment and delivery on a future date. We may enter into these contracts with commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment
companies, educational and charitable institutions and others. If we enter into these agreements concerning any series of our common stock, we will indicate that in the prospectus supplement or amendment.
In connection with an offering of our common stock, underwriters may engage in transactions that
stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our common stock. Specifically, underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a syndicate short position in our common stock for their own account. In addition,
underwriters may bid for, and purchase, our common stock in the open market to cover short positions or to stabilize the price of our common stock. Finally, underwriters may reclaim selling concessions allowed for distributing our common stock in
the offering if the underwriters repurchase previously distributed common stock in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of our common
stock above independent market levels. Underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities and may end any of these activities at any time. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our
affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
15
USE OF PROCEEDS
We cannot guarantee that we will receive any proceeds in connection with this offering because we may choose not to issue any shares of common stock.
Unless otherwise provided in a supplement or amendment to this prospectus, we intend
to use any net proceeds from this offering, together with other available funds, for operating costs, capital expenditures and working capital needs and for other general corporate purposes.
We have not specifically identified the precise amounts we will spend on each of these areas or the
timing of these expenditures. The amounts actually expended for each purpose may vary significantly depending upon numerous factors, including the amount and timing of the proceeds from this offering, progress with clinical product development and
other cell therapy application programs. In addition, expenditures may also depend on the establishment of new collaborative arrangements with other companies, the availability of other financing, and other factors.
We anticipate that we will be required to raise substantial additional capital to
continue to fund the clinical development of our cell therapy applications. Additional capital may be raised through additional public or private financing, as well as collaborative relationships, incurring debt and other available sources.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for Aastrom by Pepper Hamilton LLP, Detroit, Michigan acting as special counsel to
Aastrom. Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP, San Diego, California, has acted as counsel to Aastrom in connection with this offering.
EXPERTS
The financial
statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2001, 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.
16
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND
DISTRIBUTION.
Other expenses in connection with the
registration of the common stock hereunder will be substantially as follows (all expenses other than the SEC Registration Fee are estimates):
Item
|
|
Expense Company
|
SEC Registration Fee |
|
$ 2,430 |
Printing and engraving expenses |
|
$ 5,000 |
Legal fees and expenses |
|
$ 50,000 |
Accounting fees and expense |
|
$ 10,000 |
Nasdaq Filing Fees |
|
$ 17,500 |
Miscellaneous |
|
$ 15,070 |
|
|
|
Total |
|
$100,000 |
|
|
|
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Sections 1561 through 1571 of the Michigan Business
Corporation Act (the MBCA) authorize a corporation to grant or a court to award indemnity to directors, officers, employees and agents in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities
(including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933.
The Bylaws of the Registrant, provide that the Registrant shall, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the MBCA, or other applicable law, indemnify a director or officer
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding by or in the right of the Registrant to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Registrant, against expenses, including actual and reasonable attorneys fees, and amounts paid in settlement incurred in connection with the action or suit, if the indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed
to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Registrant or its shareholders. This section also authorizes the Registrant to advance expenses incurred by any agent of the Registrant in defending any proceeding prior to the final disposition
of such proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the agent to repay such amount unless it shall be determined ultimately that the agent is entitled to be indemnified.
The Bylaws also authorize the Registrant to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who
is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant against any liability asserted against or incurred by such person in such capacity or arising out of such persons status as such, regardless of whether the Registrant would
have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the MBCA.
The Registrant has entered into an indemnification agreement with certain of its directors, officers and other key personnel, which contains provisions that may in some respects be
broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained under applicable law. The indemnification agreement may require the Registrant, among other things, to indemnify such directors, officers and key personnel against certain liabilities
that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors, officers or employees of the Registrant, to advance the expenses incurred by such parties as a result of any threatened claims or proceedings brought against them as to which they
could be indemnified and, to the maximum extent that insurance coverage of such directors, officers and key employees under the Registrants directors and officers liability insurance policies is maintained.
Section 1209 of the MBCA permits a Michigan corporation to include in its Articles of
Incorporation a provision eliminating or limiting a directors liability to a corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages
II-1
for breaches of fiduciary duty. The enabling statute provides, however, that liability for breaches of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct
or knowing violation of the law, or the receipt of improper personal benefits cannot be eliminated or limited in this manner. The Registrants Restated Articles of Incorporation include a provision which eliminates, to the fullest extent
permitted by the MBCA, director liability for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty.
ITEM
16. EXHIBITS.
Exhibit Number
|
|
Description of Document
|
|
4.1 |
* |
|
Restated Articles of Incorporation |
|
4.2 |
* |
|
Bylaws, as amended |
|
5.1 |
** |
|
Consent and Opinion of Pepper Hamilton LLP |
|
23.1 |
|
|
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants |
|
23.2 |
** |
|
Consent of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP |
|
23.3 |
** |
|
Consent of Pepper Hamilton LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) |
|
24.1 |
** |
|
Power of Attorney (see Signature page) |
* |
|
Incorporated by reference from Aastroms Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-39698) |
** |
|
Filed with initial filing of this Registration Statement |
5. ITEM 17. UNDERTAKING.
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: |
|
(2) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the
Securities Act); |
|
(3) 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 a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of
Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement; |
|
(4) 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) and (a)(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 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.
|
|
(5) That, for the purpose 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 that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
|
|
(6) 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. |
II-2
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrants annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to
each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent
or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
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 foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act 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:
|
For the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from
the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be
part of the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. |
|
For the purposes 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.
|
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements of filing on Form
S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Ann Arbor, State of Michigan, on November 7, 2001.
|
AA |
STROM BIOSCIENCES, INC. |
|
By |
: /s/ R. DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG, Ph.D. |
|
R. Douglas Armstrong, Ph.D. |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
/s/ R. DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG,
PH.D
R. Douglas Armstrong, Ph.D
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board of
Directors and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer)
|
|
November 7, 2001 |
|
*
Fabrizio Bonanni |
|
Director
|
|
November 7, 2001 |
|
*
Mary L. Campbell |
|
Director
|
|
November 7, 2001 |
|
*
Arthr F. Staubitz |
|
Director
|
|
November 7, 2001 |
|
*
Joseph A. Taylor |
|
Director
|
|
November 7, 2001 |
|
*
Alan M. Wright |
|
Director
|
|
November 7, 2001 |
* |
|
by R. Douglas Armstrong, Ph.D as attorney in fact |
II-4
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT NUMBER
|
|
DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
|
|
|
4.1 |
* |
|
|
Restated Articles of Incorporation |
|
|
4.2 |
* |
|
|
Bylaws, as amended |
|
|
5.1 |
** |
|
|
Consent and Opinion of Pepper Hamilton LLP |
|
|
23.1 |
|
|
|
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants |
|
|
23.2 |
** |
|
|
Consent of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP |
|
|
23.3 |
** |
|
|
Consent of Pepper Hamilton LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) |
|
|
24.2 |
** |
|
|
Power of Attorney |
* |
|
Incorporated by reference from Aastroms Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-39698) |
** |
|
Filed with initial filing of this Registration Statement. |
Consent of Independent Accountants
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby
consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated August 10, 2001, except for Note 9 which is as of September 5, 2001, which appears in Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended June 30, 2001. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading Experts in such Registration Statement.
|
/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
|
|
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP |
1