Table of Contents

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-207837

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion. Dated January 5, 2016.

Prospectus Supplement

to Prospectus dated November 17, 2015

$125,000,000

 

TherapeuticsMD, Inc.

Common Stock

 

 

We are offering $125,000,000 of shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share.

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “TXMD.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE MKT on January 4, 2016 was $9.81 per share.

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement, page 1 of the accompanying prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement to read about factors you should consider before buying shares of our common stock.

 

 

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

 

 

 

		Per Share				Total
Public offering price		$				$
Underwriting discounts		$				$
Proceeds, before expenses, to us		$				$

The underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional              shares of common stock from us at the public offering price less the underwriting discount.

 

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares against payment in New York, New York on January     , 2016.

 

 

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.				Cowen and Company
Stifel   Guggenheim Securities

 

 

Prospectus Supplement dated January     , 2016.

---

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
Prospectus Supplement
About this Prospectus Supplement			S-ii
Prospectus Supplement Summary			S-1
Risk Factors			S-5
Cautionary Statement About Forward Looking Information			S-8
Use of Proceeds			S-10
Dilution			S-11
Underwriting			S-13
Legal Matters			S-18
Experts			S-18
Where You Can Find More Information			S-18
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference			S-18
Prospectus
About this Prospectus			ii
Risk Factors			1
Forward-Looking Statements			2
Our Company			3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges			4
Dilution			5
Use of Proceeds			6
Description of Common Stock			7
Description of Preferred Stock			9
Description of Debt Securities			13
Description of Depositary Shares			25
Description of Warrants			28
Description of Purchase Contracts			31
Description of Units			32
Certain Provisions of Nevada Law and our Charter and Bylaws			34
Legal Ownership of Securities			37
Plan of Distribution			41
Legal Matters			44
Experts			44
Where You Can Find More Information			44
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference			45

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectuses we have prepared. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is current only as of the respective dates of such documents.

 

S-i

---

Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus supplement to “TherapeuticsMD,” “TXMD,” “Company,” “our company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to TherapeuticsMD, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiaries, VitaMedMD, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or VitaMed, BocagreenMD, Inc., a Nevada corporation, or BocaGreenMD, and VitaCare Prescription Services, Inc., a Florida corporation, or VitaCare.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. This document contains two parts. The first part consists of this prospectus supplement, which provides you with specific information about this offering. The second part consists of the accompanying prospectus, which provides more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer only to the “prospectus,” we are referring to both parts combined. This prospectus supplement may add, update, or change information contained in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent that any statement we make in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in the accompanying prospectus or any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, the statements made in this prospectus supplement will be deemed to modify or supersede those made in the accompanying prospectus and such documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to the offering of shares of our common stock. Before buying any shares of our common stock offered hereby, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein and therein by reference as described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus authorized by us. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs or varies from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document filed prior to the date of this prospectus supplement and incorporated by reference, the information in this prospectus supplement will control. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, in their entirety before making an investment decision.

The industry and market data and other statistical information contained in the documents we incorporate by reference are based on management’s own estimates, independent publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources and, in each case, are believed by management to be reasonable estimates. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we have not independently verified the information.

TherapeuticsMD^®, vitaMedMD^®, and BocaGreenMD^® are registered trademarks of our company. This prospectus supplement also contains trademarks and trade names of other companies.

 

S-ii

---

Table of Contents

 

S-1

---

Table of Contents

 

S-2

---

Table of Contents

 

S-3

---

Table of Contents

 

S-4

---

Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our common stock, you should carefully consider the risks described below and the risks described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as well as the other risks and uncertainties described in the other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the information contained in our other filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in their entirety, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment.

Additional Risks Related to this Offering and our Common Stock

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the book value per share of the common stock you purchase and may experience further dilution in the future as a result of equity offerings and other issuances of our common stock or other securities.

The assumed offering price of our common stock being offered is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering. Therefore, if you purchase our common stock in this offering at the assumed public offering price of $9.81 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE MKT on January 4, 2016, you will incur an immediate substantial dilution of $8.80 in net tangible book value per share from the price you paid based on our net tangible book value and outstanding shares as of September 30, 2015. For a further description of the dilution that you will experience immediately after this offering, see the section titled “Dilution.”

To raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that may not be the same as the price per share in this offering. We cannot assure you that we will be able to sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is equal to or greater than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders.

As of December 31, 2015, there were outstanding options representing the right to purchase a total of 20,725,325 shares of our common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $3.28 per share, outstanding warrants representing the right to purchase a total of 12,722,431 shares of our common stock at a weighted-average exercise price of $1.93 per share and 10,657,852 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our non-qualified stock option plans. You will incur dilution upon exercise of any outstanding stock options or warrants or upon the issuance of shares of common stock under our stock incentive programs.

In addition, the sale of shares in this offering and any future sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the price of our common stock. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales of those shares of common stock or the availability of those shares of common stock for sale will have on the market price of our common stock.

We have broad discretion to determine how to use the proceeds raised in this offering, and we may not use the proceeds effectively.

Our management will have broad discretion over the use of proceeds from this offering, and we could spend the proceeds from this offering in ways with which you may not agree or that do not yield a favorable return. We intend to use a majority of the net proceeds from this offering to fund commercialization activities for TX-004HR, our applicator-free vaginal estradiol softgel drug candidate. We intend to use the remainder of the net proceeds from this offering for other research, clinical trials, clinical formulation and development, including

 

S-5

---

Table of Contents

potential commercialization of TX-001HR, our combination estradiol and progesterone drug candidate that is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause, and work on our proposed topical combination estradiol and progesterone product and topical progesterone-only product, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to 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. If we do not invest or apply the proceeds of this offering in ways that improve our operating results, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock, or the perception that such sales might occur, could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

As of December 31, 2015, we had 177,928,041 shares of our common stock outstanding. Also, we had, as of December 31, 2015, 33,447,756 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants. If this offering is completed, the number of shares of common stock that we have outstanding will increase. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock, or the perception that such sales might occur, could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Further, sales of shares underlying stock options and warrants, or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares intend to sell shares, could reduce the market price of our common stock.

We have recently completed our Phase 3 clinical trial of TX-004HR for the treatment of moderate to severe dyspareunia in postmenopausal women with VVA. Although we have discussed our clinical development plans with the FDA, the agency may ultimately determine that our Phase 3 clinical trial is not sufficient for regulatory approval. If we are required to conduct additional clinical trials or non-clinical studies, our development of TX-004HR will be more time-consuming and costly than we presently anticipate, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

On December 7, 2015 we announced positive top-line results from the Rejoice Trial, our Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of three doses—25 mcg, 10 mcg and 4 mcg (compared to placebo)—of TX-004HR for the treatment of moderate to severe dyspareunia in postmenopausal women with VVA. Both the 25 mcg dose and the 10 mcg dose of TX-004HR demonstrated highly statistically significant results at the p £ 0.0001 level compared to placebo across all four co-primary efficacy endpoints. The 4 mcg dose of TX-004HR also demonstrated highly statistically significant results at the p £ 0.0001 level compared to placebo for the endpoints of vaginal superficial cells, vaginal parabasal cells, and vaginal pH; the change from baseline compared to placebo in the severity of dyspareunia was statistically significant at the p = 0.0255 level.

Based on the results of this clinical trial, we currently intend to seek regulatory approval for the 25 mcg, 10 mcg and 4 mcg doses of TX-004HR in this indication in the U.S. We cannot assure you that the FDA will approve all or any doses of TX-004HR for commercialization. The FDA may not agree with one or more aspects of our clinical trial designs, including the duration of the trials, clinical endpoints, controls, dose ranges, collection of safety data, or adequacy of our non-clinical studies. In addition, to date we have only analyzed the top line data of the Rejoice Trial; further safety and efficacy analyses of the trial data are ongoing. If the further analyses suggest the data is not as positive as we currently believe it to be, we may need to conduct additional clinical or non-clinical trials or studies, which could result in delays in approval or could prevent approval of TX-004HR.

Further, in connection with the REJOICE trial of TX-004HR, the FDA has previously indicated to us that in order to approve the drug based on a single trial, the trial would need to show statistical significance at the 0.01 level or lower for each endpoint, and that a trial that is merely statistically significant at a higher level may not provide sufficient evidence to support an NDA filing or approval of a drug candidate where the NDA relies on a single clinical trial.

 

S-6

---

Table of Contents

If we submit an NDA and the FDA does not agree with our clinical and non-clinical designs or does not agree that our NDA is otherwise complete, the FDA may not accept our NDA for review and our development of TX-004HR may be delayed and we may incur additional costs and be required to devote additional resources to address the FDA’s concerns. In addition, we may be required to conduct additional clinical trials or studies, which could result in additional delays and costs. There is no assurance that we will complete the other clinical and non-clinical studies, if required, within the timeframes and the costs that we currently expect, or at all, or in a manner that is acceptable to the FDA. Any delays or unplanned costs resulting from our Phase 3 clinical trials of TX-004HR may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Even if we eventually submit an NDA and receive approval of TX-004HR, the FDA may grant approval contingent on the performance of costly additional post-approval clinical trials. The FDA may also approve TX-004HR for a more limited indication or a narrower patient population than we originally requested, and the FDA may not approve the labeling that we believe is necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of TX-004HR or our other product candidates. Any delay in obtaining, or inability to obtain, applicable regulatory approval for TX-004HR would delay or prevent commercialization of TX-004HR and could materially adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, prior to approval of an NDA for TX-004HR, the FDA may audit one or more of the sites where the Phase 3 clinical trial was conducted to ensure the integrity of the data and will inspect the facilities of our third party contract manufacturers where TX-004HR is manufactured. If one or more site audits reveals anomalies, or if the manufacturing facilities do not pass inspection, full consideration of the NDA by FDA could be delayed, or the FDA may require us to undertake further clinical or non-clinical trials or could require our contract manufacturers to improve or change their processes, any of which would delay or prevent commercialization of TX-004HR and could materially adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

S-7

---

Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents and information incorporated by reference herein and therein may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our objectives, plans and strategies as well as statements, other than historical facts, that address activities, events, or developments that we intend, expect, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future. These statements are often characterized by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and assessments made in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our view only as of the date of this prospectus supplement, and we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the future, except as required by applicable law.

A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and under similar headings in our subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as the other risks and uncertainties described herein and in the other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. Some of the key factors that could cause actual results to differ from our expectations include the following:

 

•

our operating losses incurred since inception and anticipated for the foreseeable future;

 

•

our ability to maintain or increase sales of our products;

 

•

the ability of our products to produce the intended effects;

 

•

our ability to develop and commercialize our hormone therapy drug candidates;

 

•

our ability to obtain additional financing necessary to complete the development and commercialization of our hormone therapy drug candidates;

 

•

our lack of experience in bringing a drug to regulatory approval;

 

•

the length, cost and uncertain results of our clinical trials;

 

•

delays, suspensions, or discontinuation of our clinical trials;

 

•

the potential of adverse side effects or other safety risks that could preclude the approval of our hormone therapy drug candidates;

 

•

our reliance on third parties to conduct our clinical trials and research and development;

 

•

the effects of laws, regulations and enforcement;

 

•

our dependence on third-party manufacturers;

 

•

our ability to gain and retain market acceptance for our hormone therapy drug candidates;

 

•

the competitive nature of the industries in which we conduct our business;

 

•

the availability of reimbursement from government authorities and health insurance companies for our products;

 

S-8

---

Table of Contents

•

the impact of product liability lawsuits;

 

•

the influence of extensive and costly government regulation;

 

•

the effect of governmental regulations on our business;

 

•

the volatility of the trading price of our common stock; and

 

•

the concentration of power in our stock ownership.

 

S-9

---

Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock that we are offering will be approximately $          million, or approximately $          million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, based on the public offering price of $          per share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use a majority of the net proceeds from this offering to fund commercialization activities for TX-004HR, our applicator-free vaginal estradiol softgel drug candidate. We intend to use the remainder of the net proceeds from this offering for other research, clinical trials, clinical formulation and development, including potential commercialization of TX-001HR, our combination estradiol and progesterone drug candidate that is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause, and work on our proposed topical combination estradiol and progesterone product and topical progesterone-only product, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to 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.

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses of the proceeds from this offering. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the progress in, and costs of, our Phase 3 clinical trials, commercialization activities, the timing of our revenue and the amount of cash used by our operations. Accordingly, we will retain broad discretion over the use of such proceeds.

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

 

S-10

---

Table of Contents

DILUTION

Our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2015 was approximately $75.7 million, or $0.43 per share. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our total tangible assets, less total liabilities, by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2015. Dilution in net tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of common stock in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.

After giving effect to the sale of $125.0 million of shares our common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $9.81 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE MKT on January 4, 2016, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses we must pay, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2015 would have been approximately $191.8 million, or $1.01 per share. This would represent an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.58 per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $8.80 per share to new investors purchasing our common stock in this offering. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis.

 

Assumed public offering price per share						$	9.81
Net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2015		$	0.43
Increase per share attributable to new investors		$	0.58
As adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering						$	1.01
Dilution per share to new investors in this offering						$	8.80

If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase          additional shares of common stock at the public offering price of $         per share, the as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering would be $         per share, representing an increase in net tangible book value of $         per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $         per share to new investors purchasing our common stock in this offering.

A $1.0 million increase in the amount of shares offered by us together with a concomitant $1.00 increase in the assumed public offering price of $9.81 per share would increase our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by $0.01 and would increase the dilution to new investors purchasing our common stock in this offering by $0.99 per share after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses we must pay. Conversely, a $1.0 million decrease in the amount of shares offered by us together with a concomitant $1.00 decrease in the assumed public offering price of $9.81 per share would decrease our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by $0.01 and would decrease the dilution to new investors purchasing our common stock in this offering by $0.99 per share after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses we must pay.

The above discussion and table are based on 177,787,927 shares outstanding on September 30, 2015 and exclude the following as of that date:

 

•

outstanding options representing the right to purchase a total of 17,414,242 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $2.21 per share;

 

•

outstanding warrants representing the right to purchase a total of 12,722,431 shares of common stock at a weighted-average exercise price of $1.93 per share; and

 

•

14,109,049 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our non-qualified stock option plans.

To the extent that outstanding options or warrants are exercised or we issue shares of common stock under our stock incentive plans, investors purchasing our common stock in this offering will experience further

 

S-11

---

Table of Contents

dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

 

S-12

---

Table of Contents

UNDERWRITING

The Company and the underwriters named below have entered into an underwriting agreement with respect to the shares being offered. Subject to certain conditions, each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the number of shares indicated in the following table. Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Cowen and Company, LLC are the representatives of the underwriters.

 

Underwriters		Number of Shares
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Cowen and Company, LLC
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
Guggenheim Securities, LLC
Total

The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares being offered, if any are taken, other than the shares covered by the option described below unless and until this option is exercised.

The underwriters have an option to buy up to an additional          shares from the Company to cover sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than the total number set forth in the table above. They may exercise that option for 30 days. If any shares are purchased pursuant to this option, the underwriters will severally purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as set forth in the table above.

The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters by the Company. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase          additional shares.

 

Paid by the Company		No Exercise				Full Exercise
Per Share		$				$
Total		$				$

Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. Any shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount of up to $          per share from the public offering price. After the initial offering of the shares, the representatives may change the offering price and the other selling terms. The offering of the shares by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

The Company has agreed that it will not, for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, and its directors and officers will not, for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus supplement:

 

•

offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or, in our case, file with the Commission a registration statement under the Act relating to, any securities of the Company that are substantially similar to the common stock, including but not limited to any options or warrants to purchase shares of common stock or any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock or any such substantially similar securities, or publicly disclose the intention to effect any of the foregoing; or

 

•

in our case, enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Company’s common stock or any such other securities,

whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise (other than the shares to be issued hereunder or pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on, or upon the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding as of, the date of this prospectus supplement), without the consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

 

S-13

---

Table of Contents

The restrictions in the immediately preceding paragraph shall not apply to:

 

•

with respect to our directors or officers, a transfer as any bona fide gift or gifts, provided that any donee agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions, that any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value and that no public disclosure or filing under the Exchange Act by any party to the transfer shall be required, or made voluntarily, with respect to such transfer prior to the expiration of the restricted period;

 

•

with respect to our directors or officers, a transfer to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned, or if the undersigned is a trust, to any beneficiary (including such beneficiary’s estate) of the undersigned, provided that the trustee of the trust or such beneficiary or estate agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions, that any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value and that no public disclosure or filing under the Exchange Act by any party to the transfer shall be required, or made voluntarily, with respect to such transfer prior to the expiration of the restricted period;

 

•

with respect to our directors or officers, a transfer by will or under the laws of descent, provided that the recipient agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions;

 

•

with respect to our directors or officers, a transfer pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction made to all holders of the Company’s capital stock involving a change of control of the Company that is recommended or approved by the board of directors of the Company, provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other such transaction is not completed, such shares shall remain subject to the restrictions;

 

•

with respect to the Company, amendments and supplements as may be necessary to permit resales for up to 3,923,489 shares of common stock (not prohibited by a lock-up or market standoff agreement) under the Company’s previously filed registration statement; or

 

•

with respect to the Company, transfers pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on, or upon the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding as of, the date of this prospectus supplement.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering, and a short position represents the amount of such sales that have not been covered by subsequent purchases. A “covered short position” is a short position that is not greater than the amount of additional shares for which the underwriters’ option described above may be exercised. The underwriters may cover any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to cover the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase additional shares pursuant to the option described above. “Naked” short sales are any short sales that create a short position greater than the amount of additional shares for which the option described above may be exercised. The underwriters must cover any such naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

 

S-14

---

Table of Contents

Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Company’s stock, and together with the imposition of the penalty bid, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the common stock. As a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time. These transactions may be effected on the NYSE MKT, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State), each underwriter has represented and agreed that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the Relevant Implementation Date) it has not made and will not make an offer of shares to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of shares to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

(a)

to legal entities which are authorised or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorised or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

(b)

to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;

 

(c)

to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

(d)

in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by the Company of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of shares to the public” in relation to any shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

United Kingdom

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

 

(a)

it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the shares in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA would not, if the Company was not an authorized person, apply to the Company; and

 

(b)

it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Hong Kong

The shares may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571,

 

S-15

---

Table of Contents

Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

Japan

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law) and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Canada

The shares may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation,

 

S-16

---

Table of Contents

provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

The Company estimates that its share of the total expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $257,000.

The Company has agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, a variety of these services to the Company and to persons and entities with relationships with the Company, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates, officers, directors and employees may purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to assets, securities and/or instruments of the Company (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise) and/or persons and entities with relationships with the Company. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long and/or short positions in such assets, securities and instruments.

 

S-17

---

Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Las Vegas, Nevada. Certain legal matters relating to this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Ropes & Gray LLP, Boston, Massachusetts.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of TherapeuticsMD, Inc. as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 incorporated into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by reference, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, have been audited by Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman & Company, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Through our website at www.therapeuticsmd.com, you may access, free of charge, our filings, as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file them with or furnish them to the SEC. The information contained in our website is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered a part of, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. You also may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The accompanying prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC to register the securities offered hereby under the Securities Act. The accompanying prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement, including certain exhibits and schedules. You may obtain the registration statement and exhibits to the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC’s website listed above.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information that we incorporate by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Information that we file with the SEC in the future and incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and accompany prospectus automatically updates and supersedes previously filed information as applicable.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus the following documents filed by us with the SEC, other than any portion of any such documents that is not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act in accordance with the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules:

 

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on March 12, 2015;

 

•

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for (i) the quarter ended March 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2015, (ii) the quarter ended June 30, 2015, filed with the SEC on August 7, 2015, and (iii) the quarter ended September 30, 2015, filed with the SEC on November 5, 2015;

 

S-18

---

Table of Contents

•

our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, as filed with the SEC on April 30, 2015;

 

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 17, 2015, March 18, 2015, March 31, 2015, June 15, 2015, July 15, 2015 and December 22, 2015; and

 

•

the description of our common stock included under the heading “Description of Common Stock” in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-186189), as filed with the SEC on January 25, 2013, which description has been incorporated by reference in Item 1 of our Form 8-A (File No. 001-00100), as filed with the SEC on April 22, 2013, including any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description.

In addition, all documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (not including any information furnished under Item 2.02, 7.01 or 9.01 of Form 8-K and any other information that is identified as “furnished” rather than filed, which information is not incorporated by reference herein) prior to the termination of the offering, will be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to be a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated herein by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in a subsequently filed document incorporated herein by reference, modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus supplement is delivered, upon written or oral request of that person, a copy of any and all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus supplement (excluding exhibits unless specifically incorporated by reference into those documents). Please direct requests to us at the following address:

TherapeuticsMD, Inc.

Attention: Corporate Secretary

6800 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Third Floor

Boca Raton, Florida 33487

(561) 961-1900

 

S-19

---

Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

 

$250,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

Units

 

 

We may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more series or issuances and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, up to an aggregate amount of $250,000,000.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer and sell. We will provide specific terms of any offering in a supplement to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement as well as the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus before you invest in any of our securities.

These securities may be offered and sold in the same offering or in separate offerings; to or through underwriters, dealers and agents; or directly to purchasers. The names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents involved in the sale of our securities and any applicable fees, commissions, or discounts will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Our net proceeds from the sale of securities will also be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of our securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 1 of this prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.

 

 

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

The date of this prospectus is November 17, 2015.

---

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			ii
RISK FACTORS			1
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			2
OUR COMPANY			3
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES			4
DILUTION			5
USE OF PROCEEDS			6
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK			7
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK			9
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			13
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES			25
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS			28
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS			31
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS			32
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF NEVADA LAW AND OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS			34
LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES			37
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			41
LEGAL MATTERS			44
EXPERTS			44
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			44
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE			45

 

 

 

i

---

Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings, up to a total dollar amount of $250,000,000. This prospectus provides you with general information regarding the securities we may offer. We will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about any offering by us.

The prospectus supplement also may add, update, or change information contained in the prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement related to any offering as well as additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or any “free writing prospectus.” We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the dates of their covers, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or of any sale of our securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement, provided that if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date — for example, a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement — the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Therapeutics,” “TXMD,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to TherapeuticsMD, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiaries, vitaMedMD, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or VitaMed, BocagreenMD, Inc., a Nevada corporation, or BocaGreen, and VitaCare Prescription Services, Inc., a Florida corporation, or VitaCare.

 

 

 

ii

---

Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the discussion of risks and uncertainties under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and under similar headings in our subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K, as well as the other risks and uncertainties described in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and in the other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See the sections entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus. The risks and uncertainties we discuss in this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and in the other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

1

---

Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the documents and information incorporated by reference herein and therein may contain “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our objectives, plans and strategies as well as statements, other than historical facts, that address activities, events, or developments that we intend, expect, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future. These statements are often characterized by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and assessments made in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our view only as of the date of this prospectus, and we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the future, except as required by applicable law.

A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and under similar headings in our subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K, as well as the other risks and uncertainties described in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and in the other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Some of the key factors that could cause actual results to differ from our expectations include the following:

 

•

our operating losses incurred since inception and anticipated for the foreseeable future;

•

our ability to maintain or increase sales of our products;

•

the ability of our products to produce the intended effects;

•

our ability to develop and commercialize our hormone therapy drug candidates;

•

our ability to obtain additional financing necessary to complete the development and commercialization of our hormone therapy drug candidates;

•

our lack of experience in bringing a drug to regulatory approval;

•

the length, cost and uncertain results of our clinical trials;

•

delays, suspensions, or discontinuation of our clinical trials;

•

the potential of adverse side effects or other safety risks that could preclude the approval of our hormone therapy drug candidates;

•

our reliance on third parties to conduct our clinical trials and research and development;

•

the effects of laws, regulations and enforcement;

•

our dependence on third-party manufacturers;

•

our ability to gain and retain market acceptance for our hormone therapy drug candidates;

•

the competitive nature of the industries in which we conduct our business;

•

the availability of reimbursement from government authorities and health insurance companies for our products;

•

the impact of product liability lawsuits;

•

the influence of extensive and costly government regulation;

•

the effect of governmental regulations on our business;

•

the volatility of the trading price of our common stock; and

•

the concentration of power in our stock ownership.

 

2

---

Table of Contents

OUR COMPANY

We are a women’s health care product company focused on creating and commercializing products targeted exclusively for women. Currently, we are focused on conducting the clinical trials necessary for regulatory approval and commercialization of advanced hormone therapy pharmaceutical products. The current drug candidates used in our clinical trials are designed to alleviate the symptoms of and reduce the health risks resulting from menopause-related hormone deficiencies, including hot flashes, osteoporosis and vaginal discomfort. We are developing these hormone therapy drug candidates, which contain estradiol and progesterone alone or in combination, with the aim of demonstrating equivalent clinical efficacy at lower doses, thereby enabling an enhanced side effect profile compared with competing products. Our drug candidates are created from a platform of hormone technology that enables the administration of hormones with high bioavailability alone or in combination. In addition, we manufacture and distribute branded and generic prescription prenatal vitamins, as well as over-the-counter, or OTC, vitamins and cosmetics.

We are a Nevada corporation. We maintain our principal executive offices at 6800 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Third Floor, Boca Raton, Florida 33487. Our telephone number is (561) 961-1900. We maintain websites at www.therapeuticsmd.com, www.vitamedmd.com, www.vitamedmdrx.com and www.bocagreenmd.com. The information contained on our websites or that can be accessed through our websites does not constitute part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

 

3

---

Table of Contents

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the five most recently completed fiscal years and any required interim periods will each be specified in a prospectus supplement or in a document that we file with the SEC and incorporate by reference pertaining to the issuance, if any, by us of debt securities in the future.

 

4

---

Table of Contents

DILUTION

We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the following information regarding any material dilution of the equity interests of investors purchasing securities in an offering under this prospectus:

 

•

the net tangible book value per share of our equity securities before and after the offering;

 

•

the amount of the increase in such net tangible book value per share attributable to the cash payments made by purchasers in the offering; and

 

•

the amount of the immediate dilution from the public offering price which will be absorbed by such purchasers.

 

5

---

Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as may be otherwise set forth in any prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we will use the net proceeds we receive from sales of securities offered hereby for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of indebtedness outstanding from time to time and for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and repurchases of our common stock or other securities. Pending these uses, the net proceeds may also be temporarily invested in cash equivalents or short-term securities. When specific securities are offered, the prospectus supplement relating thereto will set forth our intended use of the net proceeds that we receive from the sale of such securities.

 

6

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

This section describes the general terms of our common stock. A prospectus supplement may provide information that is different from this prospectus. If the information in the prospectus supplement with respect to our common stock being offered differs from this prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. A copy of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, has been incorporated by reference from our filings with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Our common stock and the rights of the holders of our common stock are subject to the applicable provisions of the Nevada Private Corporation Code, which we refer to as “Nevada law,” our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our bylaws, the rights of the holders of our preferred stock, if any, as well as some of the terms of our outstanding indebtedness.

Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, we have the authority to issue 350,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of November 2, 2015, there were 177,848,041 shares of our common stock outstanding.

The following description of our common stock, and any description of our common stock in a prospectus supplement, may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, Nevada law and the actual terms and provisions contained in our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our bylaws, each as amended from time to time.

Voting Rights

Each outstanding share of our common stock is entitled to one vote per share of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and to vote together as a single class for the election of directors and in respect of other corporate matters. At a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present, for all matters other than the election of directors, an affirmative vote of the majority of shares entitled to vote on a matter and that are represented either in person or by proxy at a meeting of stockholders decides all questions, unless the matter is one upon which a different vote is required by express provision of law or our amended and restated articles incorporation or our bylaws. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present at a meeting. Holders of shares of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of directors or any other matter.

Dividends

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends or other distributions when, as and if declared by our board of directors. The right of our board of directors to declare dividends, however, is subject to any rights of the holders of other classes of our capital stock, any indebtedness outstanding from time to time and the availability of sufficient funds, as determined under Nevada law, to pay dividends.

Preemptive Rights

The holders of our common stock do not have preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any of our capital stock or other securities.

Redemption

Shares of our common stock are not subject to redemption by operation of a sinking fund or otherwise.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of our company, subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of other classes of our capital stock, the holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive any of our assets available for distribution to our stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by them.

 

7

---

Table of Contents

Options and Other Stock-Based Rights

From time to time, we have issued and expect to continue to issue options and other stock-based rights to various lenders, investors, consultants, employees, officers and directors of our company. As of November 2, 2015, we had outstanding (i) stock options to purchase 17,479,325 shares of our common stock, of which 13,898,297 shares of common stock were issuable upon exercise of vested stock options as of that date, and (ii) warrants for the purchase of 12,722,431 shares of our common stock.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “TXMD.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 350 Indiana Street, Suite 800, Golden, Colorado 80401.

 

8

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

This section describes the general terms of our preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate. A prospectus supplement will describe the terms relating to any preferred stock to be offered by us in greater detail and may provide information that is different from terms described in this prospectus. If the information in the prospectus supplement with respect to the particular preferred stock being offered differs from this prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. A copy of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, has been incorporated by reference from our filings with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. A certificate of designation or amendment to the amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, will specify the terms of the preferred stock being offered, and will be filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement before the preferred stock is issued. The following description of our preferred stock, and any description of the preferred stock in a prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, Nevada law and the actual terms and provisions contained in our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws, each as amended from time to time.

Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, we have the authority to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, which are issuable in series on terms to be determined by our board of directors. Accordingly, our board of directors is authorized, without action by the stockholders, to issue preferred stock from time to time with such dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting, redemption, sinking fund and other rights and restrictions as it may determine. All shares of any one series of our preferred stock will be identical, except that shares of any one series issued at different times may differ as to the dates from which dividends may be cumulative. All series will rank equally and will provide for other terms as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. As of the date of this prospectus, there were no outstanding shares of our preferred stock.

Terms of Preferred Stock

Unless provided in a prospectus supplement, the shares of our preferred stock to be issued will have no preemptive rights. Any prospectus supplement offering our preferred stock will furnish the following information with respect to the preferred stock offered by that prospectus supplement:

 

•

the title and stated value of the preferred stock;

 

•

the number of shares of preferred stock to be issued and the offering price of the preferred stock;

 

•

any dividend rights;

 

•

any dividend rates, periods, or payment dates, or methods of calculating dividends applicable to the preferred stock;

 

•

the date from which distributions on the preferred stock will accumulate, if applicable;

 

•

the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof);

 

•

any right to convert the preferred stock into a different type of security;

 

•

any voting rights attributable to the preferred stock;

 

•

any rights and preferences upon our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of our affairs;

 

•

any terms of redemption;

 

•

any procedures for any auction and remarketing for the preferred stock;

 

•

any provisions for a sinking fund for the preferred stock;

 

•

any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange;

 

9

---

Table of Contents

•

a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

 

•

the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to distribution rights (including whether any liquidation preference as to the preferred stock will be treated as a liability for purposes of determining the availability of assets for distributions to holders of stock ranking junior to the shares of preferred stock as to distribution rights);

 

•

any limitations on issuance of any series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock being offered as to distribution rights and rights upon the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up or our affairs; and

 

•

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

Rank

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, shares of our preferred stock will rank, with respect to payment of distributions and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, and allocation of our earnings and losses as follows:

 

•

senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all of our equity securities ranking junior to the preferred stock;

 

•

on a parity with all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the preferred stock; and

 

•

junior to all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the preferred stock.

Distributions

Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding stock or series of stock, our preferred stockholders will be entitled to receive distributions, in accordance with the applicable terms of each series of preferred stock, when, as, and if declared by our board of directors, out of legally available funds, and to share pro rata based on the number of preferred shares, common stock, and other parity equity securities outstanding. The rates and dates of payment of dividends, if any, will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the applicable series of preferred stock. Dividends, if any, will be payable to holders of record of preferred stock as they appear on our books or, if applicable, the records of the depositary, if any, referred to below on the record dates fixed by our board of directors. Dividends on a series of preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative.

We may not declare, pay, or set apart for payment dividends on the preferred stock unless full dividends on other series of preferred stock that rank on an equal or senior basis have been paid or sufficient funds have been set apart for payment for:

 

•

all prior dividend periods of other series of preferred stock that pay dividends on a cumulative basis; or

 

•

the immediately preceding dividend period of other series of preferred stock that pay dividends on a noncumulative basis.

Partial dividends declared on shares of preferred stock and each other series of preferred stock ranking on an equal basis as to dividends will be declared pro rata. A pro rata declaration means that the ratio of dividends declared per share to accrued dividends per share will be the same for each series of preferred stock. Similarly, we may not declare, pay, or set apart for payment non-stock dividends or make other payments on the common stock or any other of our stock ranking junior to the preferred stock until full dividends on the preferred stock have been paid or set apart for payment for:

 

•

all prior dividend periods if the preferred stock pays dividends on a cumulative basis; or

 

•

the immediately preceding dividend period if the preferred stock pays dividends on a noncumulative basis.

 

10

---

Table of Contents

Voting Rights

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, or as required by Nevada law, holders of our preferred stock will not have any voting rights.

Liquidation Preference

Upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of our affairs, then, before any distribution or payment will be made to the holders of any common stock or any other class or series of stock ranking junior to the preferred stock in our distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, the holders of each series of our preferred stock will be entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of our debts and other liabilities, out of our assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference per share (set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement), plus an amount, if applicable, equal to all distributions accrued and unpaid thereon (which will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid distributions for prior distribution periods if the preferred stock is not entitled to a cumulative distribution). Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, after payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. In the event that, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, the legally available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all of our outstanding preferred stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all of our other classes or series of equity securities ranking on a parity with the preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, then the holders of our preferred stock and all other such classes or series of equity securities will share ratably in the distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

If the liquidating distributions are made in full to all holders of preferred stock, our remaining assets will be distributed among the holders of any other classes or series of equity securities ranking junior to the preferred stock upon our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, according to their respective rights and preferences and in each case according to their respective number of shares of stock.

Conversion Rights

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which shares of any series of preferred stock are to be convertible into other securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. These terms will include the amount and type of security into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the preferred stock or us, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price, and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of that preferred stock.

Redemption

If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, our preferred stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, in whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in such prospectus supplement. Unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue after the redemption date on shares of preferred stock called for redemption and all rights of holders of such shares will terminate, except for the right to receive the redemption price. No series of preferred stock will receive the benefit of a sinking fund except as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Registrar and Transfer Agent

The registrar and transfer agent for our preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

11

---

Table of Contents

If our board of directors decides to issue any shares of preferred stock, it may discourage or make more difficult a merger, tender offer, business combination or proxy contest, assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our securities, or the removal of incumbent management, even if these events were favorable to the interests of stockholders. Our board of directors, without stockholder approval, may issue preferred stock with voting and conversion rights and dividend and liquidation preferences that may adversely affect the holders of our other equity or debt securities.

 

12

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus and one or more prospectus supplements. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a prospectus supplement. The following description of debt securities will apply to the debt securities offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of debt securities may specify different or additional terms.

We may issue “senior,” “senior subordinated,” or “subordinated” debt securities. “Senior securities” will be direct obligations of ours and will rank equally and ratably in right of payment with other indebtedness of ours that is not subordinated. “Senior subordinated securities” will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of senior indebtedness, as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement, and may rank equally and ratably with any other senior subordinated indebtedness. “Subordinated securities” will be subordinated in right of payment to senior subordinated securities.

We need not issue all debt securities of one series at the same time. Unless we provide otherwise, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of such series, for issuances of additional securities of that series.

We will issue the senior debt securities and senior subordinated debt securities under a senior indenture, which we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the senior indenture, and we will issue the subordinated debt securities under a subordinated indenture, which we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the subordinated indenture. We use the term “indenture” or “indentures” to refer to both the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture. Each indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act, and we may supplement the indenture from time to time. Any trustee under any indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities, and we may appoint a successor trustee to act with respect to that series. We have filed a form of indenture as an exhibit to this registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part. The terms of the senior indenture and subordinated indenture will be substantially similar, except that the subordinated indenture will include provisions pertaining to the subordination of the subordinated debt securities and senior subordinated debt securities to the senior debt securities and any other of our senior securities. The following statements relating to the debt securities and the indenture are summaries only, are subject to change, and are qualified in their entirety to the detailed provisions of the indenture, any supplemental indenture, and the discussion contained in any prospectus supplements.

General

The debt securities will be our direct obligations. We may issue debt securities from time to time and in one or more series as our board of directors may establish by resolution or as we may establish in one or more supplemental indentures. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to the series. We may issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities that we previously issued.

We may issue debt securities from time to time and in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement, relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the initial offering price, and the following terms of the debt securities:

 

•

the title of the debt securities;

 

•

the series designation and whether they are senior securities, senior subordinated securities, or subordinated securities;

 

•

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

 

13

---

Table of Contents

•

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount) at which we will issue the debt securities and, if other than the principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities payable upon the maturity of the debt securities;

 

•

the date or dates on which we will pay the principal on the debt securities;

 

•

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index, or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable, and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

•

the place or places where principal, interest, and any additional amounts will be payable and where the debt securities can be surrendered for transfer, exchange, or conversion;

 

•

the terms, if any, by which holders of the debt securities may convert or exchange the debt securities for our common stock, preferred stock, or any other security or property;

 

•

if convertible, the initial conversion price, the conversion period, and any other terms governing such conversion;

 

•

any subordination provisions or limitations relating to the debt securities;

 

•

any sinking fund requirements;

 

•

any obligation we have to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the price or prices at which and the period and periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which debt securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased, or repaid pursuant to such obligation;

 

•

the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase the debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations;

 

•

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

 

•

the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

 

•

whether we will issue the debt securities in certificated or book-entry form;

 

•

the price or prices at which (if any), the period or periods within which (if any), and the terms and conditions upon which (if other than as provided herein) the debt securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option, or as an obligation, of the Company;

 

•

whether the debt securities shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual debt securities, and the depositary for such global security and securities;

 

•

whether the debt securities will be in registered or bearer form and, if in registered form, the denominations if other than in even multiples of $1,000 and, if in bearer form, the denominations and terms and conditions relating thereto;

 

•

the currency of denomination of the debt securities;

 

•

the designation of the currency, currencies, or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium, and interest on the debt securities will be made;

 

•

if payments of principal of, and interest and any additional amounts on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are

 

14

---

Table of Contents

denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;

 

•

the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, and interest and any additional amounts on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index, or financial index;

 

•

any applicability of the defeasance provisions described in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement;

 

•

the trustee for the debt securities;

 

•

whether and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities in respect of any tax, assessment, or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities instead of making this payment;

 

•

any addition to or change in the events of default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

•

any addition to or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

•

if the debt securities are to be issued upon the exercise of debt warrants, the time, manner, and place for them to be authenticated and delivered;

 

•

any securities exchange on which we will list the debt securities;

 

•

any restrictions on transfer, sale, or other assignment;

 

•

any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

 

•

any provisions relating to any guarantee of the debt securities;

 

•

any other terms of the debt securities, which may modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series; and

 

•

any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents, or other agents with respect to the debt securities.

We may issue debt securities that are exchangeable for or convertible into shares of our common stock or other securities or property. The terms, if any, on which the debt securities may be exchanged for or converted into shares of our common stock or other securities or property will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion, either mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, in which case the number of shares of common stock or other securities or property to be received by the holders of debt securities would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the prospectus supplement.

We may issue debt securities at less than the principal amount payable upon maturity. We refer to these securities as “original issue discount securities.” If material or applicable, we will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement special U.S. federal income tax, accounting, and other considerations applicable to original issue discount securities.

If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and interest and any additional amounts on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will describe the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms, and provide other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

15

---

Table of Contents

Except as may be set forth in any prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities, no indenture will contain any other provisions that would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or that would afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us or in the event of a change in control. You should review carefully the applicable prospectus supplement for information with respect to events of default and any covenants applicable to the debt securities being offered.

Payments and Paying Agents

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

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

Form, Transfer, and Exchange

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, as depositary, or a nominee of the depositary (as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (as a “certificated debt security”), as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as described under “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

Certificated Debt Securities

A holder of our debt securities may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at the trustee’s office or paying agencies in accordance with the terms of the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

A holder of our debt securities may transfer certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, and interest and any additional amounts on, certificated debt securities only by surrendering the old certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either we or the trustee will reissue the old certificate to the new holder, or we or the trustee will issue a new certificate to the new holder.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System

Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the depositary, and registered in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depositary. Ownership of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary for the related global debt security, whom we refer to as participants, or persons that may hold interests through participants.

Except as described in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement, beneficial owners of book-entry debt securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of a certificate in definitive form representing securities, and will not be considered the owners or holders of those securities under the indenture. Accordingly, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture, each person beneficially owning book-entry debt securities must rely on the procedures of the depositary for the related global debt security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its interest.

 

16

---

Table of Contents

We understand, however, that under existing industry practice, the depositary will authorize the persons on whose behalf it holds a global debt security to exercise certain rights of holders of debt securities, and the indenture provides that we, the trustee, and our respective agents will treat as the holder of a debt security the persons specified in a written statement of the depositary with respect to that global debt security for purposes of obtaining any consents or directions required to be given by holders of the debt securities pursuant to the indenture.

We will make payments of principal of, and interest and any additional amounts on, book-entry debt securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of the related global debt security. We, the trustee, and any other agent of ours or agent of the trustee will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising, or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Any certificated debt securities issued in exchange for a global debt security will be registered in such name or names as the depositary shall instruct the trustee. We expect that such instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of book-entry debt securities relating to such global debt security.

For additional discussion of book entry and certificated securities, see the section entitled “Legal Ownership of Securities” included in this prospectus. We have obtained the foregoing information in this section and the “Legal Ownership of Securities” section concerning the depositary and the depositary’s book-entry system from sources we believe to be reliable. We take no responsibility for the depositary’s performance of its obligations under the rules and regulations governing its operations.

No Protection in the Event of a Change in Control

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control).

Covenants

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any restrictive covenants, including covenants restricting us or any of our subsidiaries from incurring, issuing, assuming, or guaranteeing any indebtedness secured by a lien on any of our or our subsidiaries’ property or capital stock or restricting us or any of our subsidiaries from entering into any sale and leaseback transactions.

Merger, Consolidation, and Sale of Assets

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may not merge with or into or consolidate with, or convey, transfer, or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”), unless the following applies:

 

•

either (a) the company is the surviving entity or (b) the successor person is a corporation, partnership, trust, or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture;

 

•

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default, will have occurred and be continuing under the indenture; and

 

•

certain other conditions that may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement are met.

 

17

---

Table of Contents

This covenant would not apply to any recapitalization transaction, a change in control of us, or a transaction in which we incur a large amount of additional debt unless the transactions or change in control included a merger, consolidation, or transfer or lease of substantially all of our assets. Except as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, there are no covenants or other provisions in the indenture providing for a “put” right or increased interest or that would otherwise afford holders of debt securities additional protection in the event of a recapitalization transaction, a change in control of us, or a transaction in which we incur a large amount of additional debt.

Events of Default Under the Indenture

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, an “event of default” will mean, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

 

•

default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable and continuance of that default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent before the expiration of the 30-day period);

 

•

default in the payment of principal of, and any other amounts due on, any debt security of that series when due and payable either at maturity, redemption, or otherwise;

 

•

default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in respect of any debt security of that series;

 

•

default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series) or in the debt security, which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

 

•

we, pursuant to or within the meaning of any applicable bankruptcy law, commence a voluntary case, consent to the entry of an order for relief against us in an involuntary case, consent to the appointment of a custodian for all or substantially all of our property, make a general assignment for the benefit of our creditors, or admit in writing our inability generally to pay our debts as they become due; or, similarly, a court enters an order or decree under any applicable bankruptcy law that provides for relief against us in an involuntary case, appoints a custodian for all or substantially all of our properties, or orders our liquidation (and the order remains in effect for 60 days); and

 

•

any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is included in any supplemental indenture or is described in the applicable prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus.

No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization) necessarily will constitute an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. An event of default may also be an event of default under our bank credit agreements or other debt securities in existence from time to time and under certain guaranties by us of any subsidiary indebtedness. In addition, certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may also be an event of default under some of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, if an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than certain events of our bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization), then the trustee or the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by written notice to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are

 

18

---

Table of Contents

discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, of all debt securities of that series. In the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, of all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities.

At any time after an acceleration with respect to debt securities of a series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may cancel the acceleration and annul its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing events of default with respect to that series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal (or such lesser amount) or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration.

The indenture also provides that the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any past default with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default involving the following:

 

•

our failure to pay the principal of, and interest and any additional amounts on, any debt security; or

 

•

a covenant or provision contained in the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each outstanding debt security affected by the default.

The trustee is generally required to give notice to the holders of debt securities of each affected series within 90 days of a default actually known to a responsible officer of the trustee unless the default has been cured or waived. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any default or event of default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture will provide that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or discretion of any holder of any such outstanding debt securities unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability, or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. The trustee may, however, refuse to follow any discretion that conflicts with the indenture or any law or which may be unduly prejudicial to the holders of the debt securities of the applicable series not joining in the discretion.

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, no holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

•

that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

 

•

the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, and the trustee will not have received from the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in the subordination provisions, if any, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, and any interest or additional amounts on, that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

 

19

---

Table of Contents

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a certificate as to compliance with the indenture, or, in the event of noncompliance, specify the noncompliance and the nature and status of the noncompliance.

Modification of Indenture and Waiver

Except as specified below, modifications and amendments to the indenture require the approval of not less than a majority in principal amount of our outstanding debt securities.

Changes Requiring the Unanimous Approval

We and the trustee may not make any modification or amendment to the indenture without the consent of the holder of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will have any of the following results:

 

•

reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any debt security;

 

•

reduce the principal of or any additional amounts on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;

 

•

reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

 

•

waive a default in the payment of the principal, interest, or any additional amounts on any debt security, except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from that acceleration;

 

•

make the principal of, or interest or any additional amounts on, any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

 

•

change the place of payment on a debt security;

 

•

change the currency or currencies of payment of the principal of, and any premium, make-whole payment, interest, or additional amounts on, any debt security;

 

•

impair the right to initiate suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any debt security;

 

•

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend an indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions of an indenture, or to waive certain defaults;

 

•

reduce the percentage of the holders of outstanding debt securities of any series necessary to modify or amend the indenture, to waive compliance with provisions of the indenture or defaults and their consequences under the indenture, or to reduce the quorum or voting requirements contained in the indenture;

 

•

make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any debt security other than as permitted by the indenture or decrease the conversion or exchange rate or increase the conversion or exchange price of any such debt security;

 

•

waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security; or

 

•

make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, and interest and any additional amount on, those debt securities, the right of holders to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment or the right of holders to waive past defaults.

 

20

---

Table of Contents

Changes Not Requiring Approval of Debt Holders

We and the trustee may modify or amend an indenture, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, for any of the following purposes:

 

•

to evidence the succession of another person to us as obligor under the indenture;

 

•

to add to our existing covenants additional covenants for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities, or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the indenture;

 

•

to add events of default for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities;

 

•

to add or change any provisions of the indenture to facilitate the issuance of, or to liberalize the terms of, debt securities in bearer form, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form, provided that this action will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities of any series in any material respect;

 

•

to add, change, or eliminate any provisions of the indenture, provided that any addition, change, or elimination (a) shall neither (i) apply to any debt security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the holder of any debt security with respect to such provision, or (b) shall become effective only when there are no outstanding debt securities;

 

•

to establish additional series of debt securities;

 

•

to secure previously unsecured debt securities;

 

•

to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series, including the provisions and procedures, if applicable, for the conversion or exchange of the debt securities into our common stock, preferred stock, or other securities or property;

 

•

to evidence and provide for the acceptance or appointment of a successor trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the indenture by more than one trustee;

 

•

to make any provision with respect to the conversion or exchange of rights of holders pursuant to the requirements of the indenture;

 

•

to cure any ambiguity, defect, or inconsistency in the indenture, provided that the action does not adversely affect the interests of holders of debt securities of any series issued under the indenture;

 

•

to close the indenture with respect to the authentication and delivery of additional series of debt securities or to qualify, or maintain qualification of, the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or

 

•

to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities, provided that the action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities of any series in any material respect.

A vote by holders of debt securities will not be required for clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the debt securities.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance

Unless the terms of the applicable series of debt securities provide otherwise, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series; to replace stolen, lost, or mutilated debt securities of the series; and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, foreign

 

21

---

Table of Contents

government obligations (as described at the end of this section), that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal, interest, and any additional amounts on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that holders of the debt securities of such series will not recognize income, gain, or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance, and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance, and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants

Unless the terms of the applicable series of debt securities provide otherwise, upon compliance with certain conditions, we may omit to comply with the restrictive covenants contained in the indenture (except for certain obligations to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents), as well as any additional covenants contained in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The conditions include, among others, the following:

 

•

depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay principal, interest, and any additional amounts on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and

 

•

delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain, or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default

If we exercise our option, as described above, not to comply with certain covenants of the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities, and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount of money and/or U.S. government obligations or foreign government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. However, we will remain liable for those payments.

“Foreign government obligations” means, with respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars:

 

•

direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged, which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof; or

 

22

---

Table of Contents

•

obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of that government, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by that government, which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

Guarantees

Our payment obligations under any series of debt securities may be guaranteed by us or one or more of our subsidiaries. The terms of any such guarantee will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Subordination

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of senior subordinated securities or subordinated securities is subordinated to debt securities of another series or to other indebtedness of ours. The terms will include a description of the following:

 

•

the indebtedness ranking senior to the debt securities being offered;

 

•

any restrictions on payments to the holders of the debt securities being offered while a default with respect to the senior indebtedness is continuing;

 

•

any restrictions on payments to the holders of the debt securities being offered following an event of default; and

 

•

provisions requiring holders of the debt securities being offered to remit some payments to holders of senior indebtedness.

Conversion and Exchange Rights

The terms on which debt securities of any series may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, preferred stock, or other securities or property of our company will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. These terms will include the following:

 

•

the conversion or exchange price, or the manner of calculating the price;

 

•

the exchange or conversion period;

 

•

whether the conversion or exchange is mandatory, or voluntary at the option of the holder, or at our option;

 

•

any restrictions on conversion or exchange in the event of redemption of the debt securities and any restrictions on conversion or exchange; and

 

•

the means of calculating the number of shares of our common stock, preferred stock, or other securities or property of our company to be received by the holders of debt securities.

The conversion or exchange price of any debt securities of any series that are convertible into our common stock or preferred stock may be adjusted for any stock dividends, stock splits, reclassification, combinations, or similar transactions, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Redemption of Debt Securities

The debt securities may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption on terms and conditions described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Subject to such terms, we may opt at any time to redeem the debt securities in whole or in part.

If less than all the debt securities of any series are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the trustee will select the debt securities of that series to be redeemed or purchased as follows: (1) if the securities of such series are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the

 

23

---

Table of Contents

principal national securities exchange on which the debt securities of that series are listed, or, (2) if the debt securities of that series are not listed on a national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot, or by such other method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate.

Except as otherwise provided as to any particular series of debt securities, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, we or the trustee will mail a notice of redemption to each holder whose debt securities are to be redeemed. From and after notice has been given as provided in the applicable indenture, if funds for the redemption of any debt securities called for redemption shall have been made available on the redemption date, the debt securities will cease to bear interest on the date fixed for the redemption specified in the notice, and the only right of the holders of the debt securities will be to receive payment of the redemption price.

Governing Law

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

 

24

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

We may issue receipts for depositary shares representing fractional shares of preferred stock. The fractional share of the applicable series of preferred stock represented by each depositary share will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying any depositary shares that we may sell under this prospectus will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a depositary selected by us. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each holder of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of the preferred stock underlying the depositary share, to all of the rights, preferences, and privileges, and will be subject to the qualifications and restrictions, of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to the holders of the depositary shares that are sold in the applicable offering. We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part the form of any deposit agreement, including a form of depositary receipt, that describes the terms of any depositary shares we are offering before the issuance of the related depositary shares. The following summaries of material provisions of the deposit agreement, the depositary shares and the depositary receipts are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the deposit agreement applicable to a particular offering of depositary shares. We urge you to read the prospectus supplements relating to any depositary shares that are sold under this prospectus, as well as the complete deposit agreement and depositary receipt.

Form

Pending the preparation of definitive depositary receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to the definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form. These temporary depositary receipts will entitle their holders to all of the rights of definitive depositary receipts. Temporary depositary receipts will then be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received with respect to the underlying preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders.

If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to do so. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to those holders in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by them.

The amount distributed to holders of depositary shares will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by us or the preferred stock depositary on account of taxes or other governmental charges.

Liquidation Preference

If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares has a liquidation preference, in the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

25

---

Table of Contents

Withdrawal of Underlying Preferred Stock

Except as otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, holders may surrender depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and, upon payment of any unpaid amount due to the depositary, be entitled to receive the number of whole shares of underlying preferred stock and all money and other property represented by the related depositary shares. We will not issue any partial shares of preferred stock. If the holder delivers depositary receipts evidencing a number of depositary shares that represent more than a whole number of shares of preferred stock, the depositary will issue a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares to the holder.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If the preferred stock underlying any depositary shares we may sell under this prospectus is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from any such redemption, in whole or in part, of that underlying preferred stock. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the underlying preferred stock. Whenever we redeem shares of underlying preferred stock that are held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the shares of underlying preferred stock so redeemed. If fewer than all of the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or proportionately, as may be determined by the depositary.

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the monies payable and any other property to which the holders were entitled upon the redemption upon surrender to the preferred stock depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares. Any funds deposited by us with the preferred stock depositary for any depositary shares that the holders fail to redeem will be returned to us after a period of two years from the date the funds are deposited.

Voting

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which holders of the preferred stock underlying any depositary shares that we may sell under this prospectus are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the underlying preferred stock, will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of the underlying preferred stock represented by the holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will then try, as far as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying those depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable actions which may be deemed necessary by the depositary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote the underlying preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions with respect to the depositary shares representing such preferred stock.

Conversion of Preferred Stock

If the prospectus supplement relating to any depositary shares that we may sell under this prospectus states that the underlying preferred stock is convertible into our common stock or other securities, the following will apply. The depositary shares, as such, will not be convertible into any of our securities. Rather, any holder of the depositary shares may surrender the related depositary receipts to the depositary with written instructions that direct us to cause conversion of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares into or for whole shares of our common stock or other securities, as applicable. Upon receipt of those instructions and any amounts payable by the holder in connection with the conversion, we will cause the conversion using the same procedures as those provided for conversion of the underlying preferred stock. If only some of a holder’s depositary shares are converted, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued to the holder for any depositary shares not converted.

 

26

---

Table of Contents

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective until 90 days after notice of that amendment has been given to the holders. Each holder of depositary shares at the time any amendment becomes effective shall be deemed to consent and agree to that amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as so amended. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us or by the depositary only if all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or converted into any other securities into which the underlying preferred stock is convertible or there has been a final distribution, including to holders of depositary receipts, of the underlying preferred stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangement. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock, the initial issuance of the depositary shares, any redemption of the preferred stock, and all withdrawals of preferred stock by owners of depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income, and other taxes and governmental charges and other specified charges as provided in the deposit arrangement for their accounts. If these charges have not been paid, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, withhold dividends and distributions, and sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt.

Limitation on Liability

Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our respective obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance of our respective duties under the deposit agreement without, in our case, negligence or bad faith or, in the case of the depositary, negligence or willful misconduct. We and the depositary may rely upon advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting the underlying preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts, or other persons believed by us in good faith to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

Corporate Trust Office of Preferred Stock Depositary

The preferred stock depositary’s corporate trust office will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of depositary shares. The preferred stock depositary will act as transfer agent and registrar for depositary receipts, and, if shares of a series of preferred stock are redeemable, the preferred stock depositary will act as redemption agent for the corresponding depositary receipts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering notice to us of its election to resign. We may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Reports to Holders

We will deliver all required reports and communications to holders of the preferred stock to the preferred stock depositary, and it will forward those reports and communications to the holders of depositary shares. Upon request, the preferred stock depositary will provide for inspection to the holders of depositary shares the transfer books of the depositary and the list of holders of receipts; provided that any requesting holder certifies to the preferred stock depositary that such inspection is for a proper purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as an owner of depositary shares evidenced by the receipts.

 

27

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

General

We may issue warrants to purchase common stock, which we refer to as common stock warrants, preferred stock, which we refer to as preferred stock warrants, debt securities, which we refer to as debt security warrants, or depositary shares, which we refer to as depositary share warrants. Any of these warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities offered by this prospectus and may be attached to or separate from those securities.

While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future warrants we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any warrants we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

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

We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part the form of warrant agreement, including a form of warrant certificate, that describes the terms of the series of warrants we are offering before the issuance of the related series of warrants. The following summaries of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement applicable to a particular series of warrants. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the warrants that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreements that contain the terms of the warrants.

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, when applicable, the following:

 

•

the title of the warrants;

 

•

the aggregate number of the warrants;

 

•

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

 

•

the designation, number, and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

the price at which each underlying security purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

 

•

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

 

•

the minimum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

•

any information with respect to book-entry procedures;

 

28

---

Table of Contents

•

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

 

•

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange, and exercise of such warrants;

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

Unless specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, common stock warrants, preferred stock warrants, debt security warrants, or depositary shares warrants will be in registered form only.

A holder of warrant certificates may exchange them for new certificates of different denominations, present them for registration of transfer, and exercise them at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Until any common stock warrants, preferred stock warrants, debt security warrants, or depositary shares warrants are exercised, holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, or depositary shares, including any rights to receive dividends or to exercise any voting rights, except to the extent set forth under the heading “Warrant Adjustments” below.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash shares of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, or depositary shares at the applicable exercise price set forth in, or determined as described in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

Warrants may be exercised by delivering to the corporation trust office of the warrant agent or any other officer indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement (a) the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed and (b) payment of the amount due upon exercise. As soon as practicable following exercise, we will forward the shares of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, or depositary shares. If less than all of the warrants represented by a warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or a part of the exercise price for the warrants.

Amendments and Supplements to the Warrant Agreements

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

Warrant Adjustments

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, the exercise price of, and the number of securities covered by, a common stock warrant, preferred stock warrant, debt security warrant, or depositary

 

29

---

Table of Contents

share warrant will be adjusted proportionately if we subdivide or combine our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, or depositary shares, as applicable. In addition, unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, if we, without payment:

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

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

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

Holders of common stock warrants, preferred stock warrants, debt security warrants, and depositary share warrants may have additional rights under the following circumstances:

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

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

 

30

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and for us to sell to holders, a specific or varying number of debt securities, shares of common stock or preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, or any combination of the above, at a future date or dates. Alternatively, the purchase contracts may obligate us to purchase from holders, and obligate holders to sell to us, a specific or varying number of debt securities, shares of common stock or preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, or any combination of the above. The price of the securities subject to the purchase contracts may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula described in the purchase contracts. We may issue purchase contracts separately or as a part of units each consisting of a purchase contract and one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus or securities of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder’s obligations under the purchase contract. If we issue a purchase contract as part of a unit, the applicable prospectus supplement will state whether the purchase contract will be separable from the other securities in the unit before the purchase contract settlement date. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to holders or vice versa and the payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure the holder’s obligations in a manner specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, and in certain circumstances, we may deliver newly issued prepaid purchase contracts, often known as prepaid securities, upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder’s obligations under the original purchase contract.

We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part the form of purchase contract we are offering before the issuance of the purchase contract. The following summaries of material provisions of the purchase contract are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the purchase contract. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the purchase contracts that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete purchase contract.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, to the extent applicable, the following:

 

•

whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder or us to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or the method of determining those amounts;

 

•

whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not;

 

•

whether the purchase contracts will be issued as part of a unit and, if so, the other securities comprising the unit;

 

•

whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance, or level of the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract;

 

•

any acceleration, cancellation, termination, or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts; and

 

•

whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or global form.

Material U.S. federal income tax consideration applicable to the purchase contracts and the purchase units will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

31

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. Units may be offered independently or together with common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, and warrants offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part the form of unit agreement, including a form of unit certificate, if any, that describes the terms of the series of units we are offering before the issuance of the related series of units. The following summaries of material provisions of the units and the unit agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the unit agreement applicable to a particular series of units. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the units that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete unit agreements that contain the terms of the units.

General

We may issue units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, and warrants in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time, or at any time before a specified date.

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

 

•

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

•

any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below; and

 

•

any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units.

The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Common Stock,” “Description of Preferred Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Depositary Shares,” and “Description of Warrants,” will apply to each unit and to any common stock, preferred stock, debt security, depositary share, or warrant included in each unit, respectively.

Issuance in Series

We may issue units in such amounts and in such numerous distinct series as we determine.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units

Each unit agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any unit. A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of units. A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a unit, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, may enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.

 

32

---

Table of Contents

Title

We, the unit agent, and any of their agents may treat the registered holder of any unit certificate as an absolute owner of the units evidenced by that certificate for any purposes and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the units so requested, despite any notice to the contrary.

 

33

---

Table of Contents

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF NEVADA LAW AND

OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS

The following paragraphs summarize certain provisions of Nevada law and our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws. The summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to Nevada law and to our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws, copies of which are on file with the SEC as exhibits to reports previously filed by us. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

General

Certain provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws and Nevada law could make our acquisition by a third party, a change in our incumbent management, or a similar change in control more difficult, including:

 

•

an acquisition of us by means of a tender or exchange offer;

 

•

an acquisition of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or

 

•

the removal of a majority or all of our incumbent officers and directors.

These provisions, which are summarized below, are likely to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that these provisions help to protect our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us, and that this benefit outweighs the potential disadvantages of discouraging such a proposal because our ability to negotiate with the proponent could result in an improvement of the terms of the proposal. The existence of these provisions which are described below could limit the price that investors might otherwise pay in the future for our securities.

Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

Authorized But Unissued Capital Stock. We have shares of common stock and preferred stock available for future issuance without stockholder approval, subject to any limitations imposed by the listing standards of any securities exchange on which our stock may be listed. We may utilize these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including for future public offerings to raise additional capital or facilitate corporate acquisitions or for payment as a dividend on our capital stock. The existence of unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock may enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management or to issue preferred stock with terms that could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a controlling interest in our company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest, or otherwise. In addition, if we issue preferred stock, the issuance could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation.

Blank Check Preferred Stock. Our board of directors, without stockholder approval, has the authority under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, to issue preferred stock with rights superior to the rights of the holders of common stock. As a result, preferred stock could be issued quickly and easily, could impair the rights of holders of common stock, and could be issued with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control or make removal of management more difficult.

Election of Directors. Our bylaws provide that a majority of directors then in office may fill any vacancy occurring on our board of directors, even though less than a quorum may then be in office. These provisions may discourage a third party from voting to remove incumbent directors and simultaneously gaining control of our board of directors by filling the vacancies created by that removal with its own nominees.

 

34

---

Table of Contents

Removal of Directors. Except in certain cases for directors elected by the holders of any series of preferred stock, a director may be removed from office only with cause and only by the affirmative vote of two-thirds or more of the combined voting power of the then issued and outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Stockholder Meetings. Our bylaws do not permit stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders. Rather, only our board of directors or such person or persons authorized by our board of directors will be able to call special meetings of stockholders. This provision may discourage another person or entity from making a tender offer, even if it acquired a majority of our outstanding voting stock, because the person or entity could only take action at a duly called stockholders’ meeting.

Anti-takeover Effects of Nevada Law

Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders

The “business combination with interested stockholders” provisions of Sections 78.411 to 78.444, inclusive, of the Nevada Revised Statutes, or NRS, generally prohibit a Nevada corporation with at least 200 stockholders of record from engaging in various “combination” transactions with any interested stockholder for a period of two years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the combination is approved by our board of directors prior to the date the interested stockholder obtained such status or the combination is approved by our board of directors and at such time or thereafter is approved at a meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of stockholders representing at least 60% of the outstanding voting power held by disinterested stockholders, and extends beyond the expiration of the two-year period, unless:

 

•

the combination was approved by our board of directors prior to the person becoming an interested stockholder or the transaction by which the person first became an interested stockholder was approved by our board of directors before the person became an interested stockholder or the combination is later approved by a majority of the voting power held by disinterested stockholders; or

 

•

if the consideration to be paid by the interested stockholder is at least equal to the highest of: (a) the highest price per share paid by the interested stockholder within the two years immediately preceding the date of the announcement of the combination or in the transaction in which it became an interested stockholder, whichever is higher; (b) the market value per share of common stock on the date of announcement of the combination and the date the interested stockholder acquired the shares, whichever is higher; or (c) for holders of preferred stock, the highest liquidation value of the preferred stock, if it is higher.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, NRS 78.411 to 78.444, inclusive, do not apply to any combination of a resident domestic corporation with an interested stockholder after the expiration of four years after the person first became an interested stockholder.

A “combination” is generally defined to include mergers or consolidations or any sale, lease exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other disposition, in one transaction or a series of transactions, with an “interested stockholder” having: (a) an aggregate market value equal to more than 5% of the aggregate market value of the assets of the corporation, (b) an aggregate market value equal to more than 5% of the aggregate market value of all outstanding voting shares of the corporation, (c) more than 10% of the earning power or net income of the corporation, and (d) certain other transactions with an interested stockholder or an affiliate or associate of an interested stockholder.

In general, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within two years, did own) 10% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire our company even though such a transaction may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price.

 

35

---

Table of Contents

Control Share Acquisitions

The “control share” provisions of Sections 78.378 to 78.3793, inclusive, of the NRS apply to “issuing corporations” that are Nevada corporations with at least 200 stockholders of record, including at least 100 stockholders of record who are Nevada residents, and that conduct business directly or indirectly in Nevada. The control share statute prohibits an acquirer, under certain circumstances, from voting its shares of a target corporation’s stock after crossing certain ownership threshold percentages, unless the acquirer obtains approval of the target corporation’s disinterested stockholders. The statute specifies three thresholds: one-fifth or more but less than one-third, one-third but less than a majority, and a majority or more, of the outstanding voting power. Generally, once an acquirer crosses one of the above thresholds, those shares in an offer or acquisition and acquired within 90 days thereof become “control shares” and such control shares are deprived of the right to vote until disinterested stockholders restore the right. These provisions also provide that if control shares are accorded full voting rights and the acquiring person has acquired a majority or more of all voting power, all other stockholders who do not vote in favor of authorizing voting rights to the control shares are entitled to demand payment for the fair value of their shares in accordance with statutory procedures established for dissenters’ rights.

A corporation may elect to not be governed by, or “opt out” of, the control share provisions by making an election in its articles of incorporation or bylaws, provided that the opt-out election must be in place on the 10th day following the date an acquiring person has acquired a controlling interest, that is, crossing any of the three thresholds described above. We have not opted out of the control share statutes, and will be subject to these statutes if we are an “issuing corporation” as defined in such statutes.

The effect of the Nevada control share statutes is that the acquiring person, and those acting in association with the acquiring person, will obtain only such voting rights in the control shares as are conferred by a resolution of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting. The Nevada control share law, if applicable, could have the effect of discouraging takeovers of our company.

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, limit the liability of directors to the fullest extent permitted by Nevada law and provides that no director or officer of ours will be personally liable to us or any of our stockholders for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer involving any act or omission of any act by such director or officer, other than (i) for acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud, or a known violation of the law, or (ii) the payment of dividends in violation of Section 78.300 of the NRS. In addition, our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, may be permitted for directors, officers, or controlling persons pursuant to the provisions described in the preceding paragraph, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

36

---

Table of Contents

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

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

See also the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities — Form, Transfer, and Exchange” above for additional discussion of book entry and certificated form of ownership as such forms of ownership impact the rights and obligations of purchasers of debt securities to be issued under this prospectus.

Book-Entry Holders

We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers. Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the book-entry securities represented by the global security beneficially owned by such participants. The accounts to be credited will be designated by any dealers, underwriters, or agents participating in the distribution of the book-entry securities. Ownership of book-entry securities will be shown on, and the transfer of the ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the related global security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons holding through participants). The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to own, transfer, or pledge beneficial interests in book-entry securities.

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

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

Street Name Holders

We may terminate a global security or issue securities in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker, or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he, she, or it maintains at that institution.

 

37

---

Table of Contents

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

Legal Holders

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

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.

Special Considerations For Indirect Holders

If you hold securities through a bank, broker, or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to determine the following:

 

•

how it handles securities payments and notices;

 

•

whether it imposes fees or charges;

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

Global Securities

A global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary. Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms. Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee, or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank, or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

 

38

---

Table of Contents

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

We may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have any of the book-entry securities of any series represented by one or more global securities and, in that event, we will issue certificated securities in exchange for the global securities of that series.

Special Considerations For Global Securities

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

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

the depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges, and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security;

 

•

we and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security, nor do we or any applicable trustee supervise the depositary in any way;

 

•

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

 

•

financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices, and other matters relating to the securities.

There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated

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

 

39

---

Table of Contents

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:

 

•

if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable, or no longer qualified under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days;

 

•

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

 

•

if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived.

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

 

40

---

Table of Contents

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities described in this prospectus from time to time in one or more of the following ways:

 

•

to or through underwriters or dealers;

 

•

directly to one or more purchasers;

 

•

through agents; or

 

•

through a combination of any of those methods of sale.

The prospectus supplement with respect to the offered securities will describe the terms of the offering, including the following:

 

•

the name or names of any underwriters or agents;

 

•

any public offering price;

 

•

the proceeds from such sale;

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.

We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more of the following ways:

 

•

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

 

•

at prices relating to prevailing market prices at the time of sale;

 

•

at varying prices determined at the time of sale; or

 

•

at negotiated prices.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, if we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price, or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of the series offered if they purchase any of the securities of that series. We may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or reallow or pay to dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement naming the underwriter the nature of any such relationship. We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment or to sell securities on a continuing basis. We may also sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.

Underwriters, dealers, or agents may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions from us or from purchasers of the securities as their agents in connection with the sale of the 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 underwriters, dealers, or agents may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions. Each prospectus supplement will identify any 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 reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

41

---

Table of Contents

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is listed on the NYSE MKT. We may elect to apply for listing of our common stock on another securities exchange or to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

In connection with any offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions, and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.

 

•

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

•

Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriters of shares of our common stock in excess of the number of shares the underwriters are obligated to purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares of our common stock over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of shares that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of shares of our common stock involved is greater than the number of shares in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing shares of our common stock in the open market.

 

•

Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of our common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares of our common stock available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option so that if there is a naked short position, the position can only be closed out by buying shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the shares of our common stock in the open market after the pricing of any offering that could adversely affect investors who purchase in that offering.

 

•

Penalty bids permit the representatives of the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the common stock originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

These stabilizing transactions, over-allotments, syndicate covering transactions, and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the NYSE MKT or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

We may engage in at the market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, 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 so 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, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

 

42

---

Table of Contents

The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Underwriters, dealers, and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with us to indemnification against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments they may be required to make in respect of these liabilities thereof. Underwriters, dealers, and agents and their affiliates may be customers of, may engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

 

43

---

Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon by Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Las Vegas, Nevada.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of TherapeuticsMD, Inc. as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 incorporated into this prospectus by reference, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, have been audited by Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman & Company, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Through our website at www.therapeuticsmd.com, you may access, free of charge, our filings, as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file them with or furnish them to the SEC. The information contained in our website is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered a part of, this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. You also may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC to register the securities to be offered hereby. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement, including certain exhibits and schedules. You may obtain the registration statement and exhibits to the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC’s website listed above.

 

44

---

Table of Contents

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information that we incorporate by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information that we file with the SEC in the future and incorporate by reference in this prospectus automatically updates and supersedes previously filed information as applicable.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents filed by us with the SEC, other than any portion of any such documents that is not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act in accordance with the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules:

 

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on March 12, 2015;

 

•

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2015, August 7, 2015 and November 5, 2015, respectively;

 

•

our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, as filed with the SEC on April 30, 2015;

 

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 17, 2015, March 18, 2015, March 31, 2015, June 15, 2015 and July 15, 2015; and

 

•

the description of our common stock included under the heading “Description of Common Stock” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-186189), as filed with the SEC on January 25, 2013, which description has been incorporated by reference in Item 1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-A (File No. 001-00100), as filed with the SEC on April 22, 2013, including any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description.

In addition, all documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (not including any information furnished under Item 2.02, 7.01 or 9.01 of Form 8-K and any other information that is identified as “furnished” rather than filed, which information is not incorporated by reference herein), including those filings made after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, prior to the termination of the offering, will be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to be a part of this prospectus from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated herein by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in a subsequently filed document incorporated herein by reference, modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of that person, a copy of any and all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus (excluding exhibits unless specifically incorporated by reference into those documents). Please direct requests to us at the following address:

TherapeuticsMD, Inc.

Attention: Corporate Secretary

6800 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Third Floor

Boca Raton, Florida 33487

(561) 961-1900

 

45

---

Table of Contents

 

 

$125,000,000

 

TherapeuticsMD, Inc.

Common Stock

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Cowen and Company

Stifel

Guggenheim Securities