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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 14, 2018

 

Registration No. 333-    

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM S-3

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


 

VIVUS, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware

 

94-3136179

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

900 E. HAMILTON AVENUE, SUITE 550
CAMPBELL, CA  95008
(650) 934-5200
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 


 

Mark K. Oki

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

VIVUS, Inc.

900 E. Hamilton Avenue, Suite 550

Campbell, CA 95008

(650) 934-5200

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

 


 

Copies to:

 

John L. Slebir
Senior Vice President, Business Development and General Counsel
VIVUS, Inc.
900 E. Hamilton Avenue, Suite 550
Campbell, CA 95008
(650) 934-5200

Jon Layman
Hogan Lovells US LLP
3 Embarcadero Center
Suite 1500
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 374-2300

 


 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  o

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer  x

Non-accelerated filer o

Smaller reporting company  o

Emerging growth company o

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.  o

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of each class of securities to be registered

 

Amount to be
Registered

 

Proposed maximum
offering
price per unit

 

Proposed maximum
aggregate
offering price

 

Amount of
registration fee

 

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 

 

(1)

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value

 

 

(1)

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

Debt Securities

 

 

(1)

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

Warrants

 

 

(1)

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

Units

 

 

(1)

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

$

200,000,000

 

$

24,900

 

(1)           An unspecified number of securities or aggregate principal amount, as applicable, is being registered as may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices and, in addition, an unspecified number of additional shares of common stock is being registered as may be issued from time to time upon conversion of any debt securities that are convertible into shares of common stock or pursuant to any anti-dilution adjustments with respect to any such convertible debt securities. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

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

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 



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

 

Subject to Completion, Dated September 14, 2018

 

Prospectus

 

VIVUS, Inc.

 

$200,000,000

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

 

We may offer and sell up to $200,000,000 in the aggregate of any combination of the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings. We may also offer securities as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including any applicable anti-dilution provisions.

 

This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide specific terms of the securities offered in a supplement to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference, before you invest in any of the securities being offered.

 

We will sell these securities directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section titled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions, discounts or over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “VVUS.” On September 13, 2018, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $6.21 per share.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any related free writing prospectuses that we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

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

 

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

 

The date of this prospectus is                                                                                                                                                                                    , 2018

 




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About This Prospectus

 

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, in one or more offerings, up to a total aggregate offering price of $200,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

 

To the extent we file any prospectus supplements, such prospectus supplements may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus to the extent permitted by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

 

You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, along with the information contained in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so.

 

The information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of our securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

This prospectus contains references to a number of our trademarks that are registered or are subject to pending applications or to which we have common law rights. These include, but are not limited to, the following: VIVUS, Qsymia, Qsiva, PANCREASE, PANCREAZE, STENDRA and SPEDRA. Each trademark, trade name or service mark of any other company appearing in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus belongs to its holder.

 

We urge you to read carefully this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” before deciding whether to invest in any of the securities being offered.

 

References in this prospectus to “VIVUS,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to VIVUS, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. Our principal executive offices are located at 900 E. Hamilton Avenue, Suite 550, Campbell, California, 95008 and our telephone number is (650) 934-5200. Our web site address is www.vivus.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our web site is not part of, and is not incorporated by reference in, this prospectus.

 

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Risk Factors

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and discussed under the section titled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities. Please also read carefully the section below titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Discussions containing these forward-looking statements may be found, among other places, in “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” incorporated by reference from our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

·                                           our ability to identify and acquire cash flow generating assets;

·                                           the success of our business strategy;

·                                           our ability to build our commercial infrastructure;

·                                           our ability to successfully commercialize our products;

·                                           our ability to scale-up our manufacturing capabilities and facilities;

·                                           the development of our product candidates;

·                                           the success and timing of our current or future preclinical studies and clinical trials;

·                                           the submission and timing of applications for regulatory approvals;

·                                           the establishment and development of collaborations;

·                                           our ability to identify new potential product candidates;

·                                           our ability to demonstrate through clinical testing the safety and effectiveness of our clinical investigational drug candidates;

·                                           the use of proceeds from any offering;

·                                           our ability to remain listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market;

·                                           our projected financial and operating results;

·                                           our projected capital expenditures; and

·                                           our liquidity.

 

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “likely,” “would,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,”  “intends,” “believes,” “opportunity,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “forecasts,” “potential,” “planned” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance time frames or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, time frames or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We discuss many of these risks, uncertainties and other factors in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement, in any related free writing prospectuses that we have authorized for use in

 

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connection with a specific offering, and in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC. Given these risks, uncertainties and other factors, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date such forward-looking statements are made. You should read carefully this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectuses that we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We hereby qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons that actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

 

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Use of Proceeds

 

Except as described in any prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, we anticipate using the net proceeds to us from the sale of our securities to acquire additional cash flow generating or development assets, investment in select pre-commercial and commercial activities for current or future assets, fund our research and development efforts, including formulation, manufacturing activities and clinical trials, and for general corporate purposes, including working capital. Although we currently have no commitments or agreements to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies, product candidates or other intellectual property, our management will have broad discretion as to the allocation of the net proceeds received in any offering and may use these proceeds for that purpose in the future. Pending use of the net proceeds, we intend to invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing, investment-grade securities.

 

Plan of Distribution

 

We may sell the offered securities from time to time:

 

·                                           through underwriters or dealers;

·                                           through agents;

·                                           directly to one or more purchasers; or

·                                           through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

 

Each time that we sell securities covered by this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement or supplements that will describe the method of distribution and set forth the terms and conditions of the offering of such securities, including the offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us, if applicable.

 

Offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus may be solicited directly. Agents may also be designated to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities will be identified in a prospectus supplement.

 

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, the securities will be sold to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

 

If an underwriter is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter at the time of sale and the name of any underwriter will be provided in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for which they may act as agent. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal, and may then resell the securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.

 

Any compensation paid to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

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We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof and to reimburse those persons for certain expenses.

 

All securities we offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

 

To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than were sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions 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 will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). 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.

 

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

 

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Description of Capital Stock

 

General

 

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes us to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value. On September 10, 2018, we effected a one-for-ten reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common stock. The common stock commenced trading on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on a split-adjusted basis upon the open of trading on September 11, 2018. As of September 11, 2018, there were 10,652,935 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and 0 shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. We may issue shares of our capital stock from time to time in one or more offerings. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of the terms of the offering of capital stock, including the offering price, the net proceeds to us, and other offering material relating to such offering.

 

Common Stock

 

Voting Rights

 

The holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.

 

Dividends

 

Common stock holders are entitled to receive dividends declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, subject to the rights, if any, of preferred stock holders. We have never paid a dividend and we do not anticipate paying a dividend in the foreseeable future.

 

Liquidation

 

Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our business, the holders of common stock are entitled to share equally in all assets available for distribution after payment of all liabilities and provision for liquidation preference of shares of preferred stock then outstanding.

 

Rights and Preferences

 

The holders of common stock have no preemptive rights and no rights to convert their common stock into any other securities. There are also no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting, or the designation of, such series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of common stock. The issuance of our preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon our liquidation. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company or other corporate action. No shares of preferred stock are outstanding, and we have no present plan to issue any shares of preferred stock.

 

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Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units and Warrants

 

As of September 11, 2018, there were (i) approximately 14,754 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options under our 2001 Stock Option Plan; (ii) approximately 1,868,972 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options and approximately 12,497 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units under our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan; and (iii) approximately 502,000 shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options under our 2018 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan. As of September 11, 2018, approximately 811,227 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan and no shares of common stock remained available for issuance under our 2001 Stock Option Plan, our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan and our 2018 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan. As of September 11, 2018, there were approximately 16,444 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Also, as of September 11, 2018, there were 837,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under outstanding warrants. The numbers of shares of common stock presented in the foregoing give effect to the reverse stock split.

 

Anti-takeover effects of Delaware law

 

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“Delaware Law”), which, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

·                                           prior to such time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder,

·                                           upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned:

·                                           by persons who are directors and also officers, and

·                                           by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer, or

·                                           at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and is authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3 % of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

Section 203 defines “business combination” to include:

 

·                                           any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

·                                           any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

·                                           subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

·                                           any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder, or

·                                           the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

 

In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as any entity or person who or which beneficially owns (or within three years did own) 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

 

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The existence of this provision would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.

 

Indemnification Agreements

 

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in our Amended and Restated Bylaws, and we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with any new directors and executive officers in the future.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has 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.

 

Transfer agent and registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 250 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021.

 

The Nasdaq Global Select Market listing

 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “VVUS.”

 

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Description of Debt Securities

 

We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.

 

We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered.

 

The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.

 

General

 

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize.

 

We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:

 

·                                           the title of the series of debt securities;

·                                           any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued;

·                                           the maturity date or dates;

·                                           the form of the debt securities of the series;

·                                           the applicability of any guarantees;

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

·                                           whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination;

·                                           if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such Securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such Securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;

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

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

 

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·                                           if applicable, the date or dates after which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices at which, the Company may at its option, redeem the series of Securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;

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

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

·                                           any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series and any security for our obligations with respect to such debt securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series;

·                                           whether the debt securities of the series 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 securities; and the depositary for such global security or securities;

·                                           if applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange;

·                                           if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;

·                                           additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant;

·                                           additions to or changes in the events of default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable;

·                                           additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;

·                                           additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;

·                                           additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture;

·                                           the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars;

·                                           whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;

·                                           the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes;

·                                           any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and

·                                           any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of the indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.

 

Conversion or Exchange Rights

 

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

 

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Covenants

 

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.

 

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

 

Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.

 

Events of Default under the Indenture

 

Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

 

·                                           if we fail to pay any installment of interest on any series of debt securities, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided , however , that a valid extension of an interest payment period by us in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;

·                                           if we fail to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any series of debt securities as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to such series; provided , however , that a valid extension of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;

·                                           if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such is a notice of default thereunder, from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and

·                                           if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

 

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

 

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

 

Subject to the terms of the indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of

 

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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, provided that :

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

·                                           the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request,

·                                           such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred by the trustee in compliance with the request;

·                                           the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and

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

 

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

 

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

 

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

 

We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:

 

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

·                                           to comply with the provisions described above under “Description of Debt Securities-Consolidation, Merger or Sale;”

·                                           to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

·                                           to add to our covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the indenture;

·                                           to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture;

·                                           to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect;

·                                           to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided above under “Description of Debt Securities-General” to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

·                                           reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest,

·                                           reducing any premium payable upon the redemption of any series of any debt securities; or

·                                           reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.

 

Discharge

 

Each indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:

 

·                                           provide for payment;

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

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

·                                           pay principal of and premium and interest on any debt securities of the series;

·                                           maintain paying agencies;

·                                           hold monies for payment in trust;

·                                           recover excess money held by the trustee;

·                                           compensate and indemnify the trustee; and

·                                           appoint any successor trustee.

 

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

 

Form, Exchange and Transfer

 

We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), or a nominee of DTC (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

 

Certificated Debt Securities

 

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

 

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You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of 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, DTC, and registered in the name of DTC or a nominee of DTC. Please see “Global Securities.”

 

Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

 

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, the trustee will be named as the security registrar that we initially designate for any debt securities.

 

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

 

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

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

 

Information Concerning the Trustee

 

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

 

Payment and Paying Agents

 

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

 

We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders.

 

Governing Law

 

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

 

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Description of Warrants

 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of shares of our common stock or preferred stock or of debt securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and the investors or a warrant agent. The following summary of material provisions of the warrants and warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to a particular series of warrants. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.

 

The particular terms of any issue of warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the issue. Those terms may include:

 

·                                           the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase such shares and the price at which such number of shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

·                                           the designation, stated value and terms (including, without limitation, liquidation, dividend, conversion and voting rights) of the series of preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of warrants to purchase preferred stock;

·                                           the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a debt warrant and the exercise price for the warrants, which may be payable in cash, securities or other property;

·                                           the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock or common stock will be separately transferable;

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

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

·                                           United States federal income tax consequences applicable to the warrants; and

·                                           any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange, exercise and settlement of the warrants.

 

Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled:

 

·                                           to vote, consent or receive dividends;

·                                           receive notice as stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of our directors or any other matter; or

·                                           exercise any rights as stockholders of VIVUS, Inc.

 

Each warrant will entitle its holder to purchase the principal amount of debt securities or the number of shares of preferred stock or common stock at the exercise price set forth in, or calculable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

 

A holder of warrant certificates may exchange them for new warrant certificates of different denominations, present them for registration of transfer and exercise them at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Until any warrants to purchase debt securities are exercised, the holder of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the debt securities that can be purchased upon exercise, including any rights to receive payments of principal, premium or interest on the underlying debt securities or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture. Until any warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock are exercised, the holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying common stock or preferred stock, including any rights to receive dividends or payments upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up on the common stock or preferred stock, if any.

 

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Description of Units

 

We may issue units consisting of any combination of the other types of securities offered under this prospectus in one or more series. We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent. Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

 

The following description, together with the additional information included in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. You should read any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of units being offered, as well as the complete unit agreements that contain the terms of the units. Specific unit agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and we will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from another report that we file with the SEC, the form of each unit agreement relating to units offered under this prospectus.

 

If we offer any units, certain terms of that series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following, as applicable:

 

·                                           the title of the series of units;

·                                           identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;

·                                           the price or prices at which the units will be issued;

·                                           the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;

·                                           a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

·                                           any other terms of the units and their constituent securities.

 

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Global Securities

 

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

 

·                                           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 issue to, deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all 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 legal 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 legal holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

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

 

Special Considerations for Global Securities

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. 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, a global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own names, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.

 

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 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 applicable prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and neither we nor any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.

 

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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges was as follows for the respective periods indicated:

 

 

 

For the Six
Months
Ended June 30,

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

1.68x

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges (in thousands)

 

23,211

 

30,509

 

 

93,104

 

83,276

 

174,849

 

 


(1)          “Fixed charges” are interest expenses which includes amortization of debt expense and discount or premium relating to any indebtedness. “Earnings” are calculated as the sum of (a) loss before income taxes and (b) fixed charges.

 

We have provided the coverage deficiency amounts for those periods in which the ratios of earnings to fixed charges indicate less than one-to-one coverage. You should read these figures in connection with our consolidated financial statements, including the notes to those statements, incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

We do not have any preferred stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus and did not have any preferred stock with required dividend payments during any of the periods presented above. Therefore, there are no preferred dividends included in our calculation of these ratios.

 

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Legal Matters

 

The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Hogan Lovells US LLP, San Francisco, California.

 

Experts

 

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as amended on April 26, 2018, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of OUM & CO. LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

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Where You Can Find More Information

 

We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed by us with the SEC under the Securities Act. As permitted by the SEC, this prospectus does not contain all the information in the registration statement filed with the SEC. For a more complete understanding of an offering of our securities, you should refer to the complete registration statement on Form S-3 that may be obtained from the location described below. You may read and copy the registration statement, as well as our reports, proxy statements and other information, 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 more information about the operation of the public reference room. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including VIVUS, Inc. The SEC’s Internet site can be found at http://www.sec.gov.

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information from other documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. We incorporate by reference the following information or documents that we have filed with the SEC:

 

·                                           our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on March 14, 2018, as amended in April 26, 2018;

·                                           our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018 filed with the SEC on May 8, 2018 and August 7, 2018, respectively;

·                                           our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 8, 2018, January 30, 2018, February 2, 2018, February 6, 2018, March 1, 2018, March 2, 2018, March 13, 2018, April 5, 2018, May 1, 2018, May 4, 2018, May 18, 2018, June 11, 2018, June 19, 2018, July 10, 2018, August 6, 2018, August 9, 2018, August 27, 2018, September 7, 2018 and September 10, 2018 (other than the portions of these reports furnished but not filed pursuant to SEC rules and the exhibits filed on such form that relate to such portions); and

·                                           the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on February 24, 1994, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

Any information in any of the foregoing documents will automatically be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that information in this prospectus or in a later filed document that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or replaces such information.

 

We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than Current Reports on Form 8-K furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 thereof and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), until we file a post-effective amendment that indicates the termination of the offering of the securities made by this prospectus. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.

 

We will provide to each person who so requests, including any beneficial owner to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any and all of the documents incorporated by reference (including exhibits to these documents). You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by telephoning (650) 934-5200 or writing us at:

 

Office of the Chief Financial Officer
VIVUS, Inc.
900 E. Hamilton Avenue, Suite 550
Campbell, CA 95008

 

21



Table of Contents

 

Part II
Information Not Required In the Prospectus

 

Item 14.    Other expenses of issuance and distribution

 

The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the registrant in connection with the offering of the securities being registered. All the amounts shown are estimates.

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

SEC registration fee

 

$

24,900

 

Accounting fees and expenses

 

*

 

Legal fees and expenses

 

*

 

Transfer agent fees and expenses

 

*

 

Printing and engraving expenses

 

*

 

Miscellaneous

 

*

 

Total

 

$

 *

 

 


* These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15.   Indemnification of directors and officers

 

Section 145 of Delaware Law authorizes a court to award or a corporation’s board of directors to grant indemnification to directors and officers in terms that are sufficiently broad to permit indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide for the mandatory indemnification of our directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws also provide (i) that we may modify the scope of indemnification by individual contracts with our directors and officers, and (ii) that we shall not be required to indemnify any director or officer unless the indemnification is required by law, the proceeding in which indemnification is sought was authorized in advance by our board of directors, the indemnification is provided by us, in our sole discretion pursuant to powers vested in us under Delaware Law or the indemnification is required by individual contract. In addition, our Amended and Restated Bylaws give us the power to indemnify our employees and agents to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware Law.

 

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for the indemnification of directors to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware Law.

 

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in our Amended and Restated Bylaws, and we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with any new directors and executive officers in the future.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 16.    Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description of Document

 

Form

 

File No. 

 

Filing Date

 

Exhibit

 

Filed
herewith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.1

*

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

Specimen Common Stock Certificate.

 

10-K/A

 

000-23490

 

April 16, 1997

 

4.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.2

*

 

Form of Preferred Stock Certificate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

Form of Indenture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

*

 

Form of Debt Securities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.5

*

 

Form of Warrant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.6

*

 

Form of Warrant Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.7

*

 

Form of Unit Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.1

 

 

Opinion of Hogan Lovells US LLP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.1

 

 

Statement Regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.1

 

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.2

 

 

Consent of Hogan Lovells US LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24.1

 

 

Power of Attorney of certain directors and officers of the Registrant (included in the signature page hereto).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25.1

**

 

Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Indenture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


*                                          To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K of the registrant and incorporated herein by reference, if applicable.

 

**                                   To be filed, if applicable, in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Rule 5b-3 thereunder.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 17.  Undertakings

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

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

 

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

 

(ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

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

 

provided, however , that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2)                                  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3)                                  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4)                                  That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

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

 

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

 

II- 3



Table of Contents

 

into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(5)                                  That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i)    Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii)   Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii)  The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv)  Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(6)                                  That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(7)                                  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Campbell, State of California, on this 14 th  day of September, 2018.

 

 

VIVUS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John L. Slebir

 

John L. Slebir

 

Senior Vice President, Business Development and General Counsel

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, John Amos and John L. Slebir, and each one of them individually, as his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-3 and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John Amos

 

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director

 

September 14, 2018

John Amos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Mark K. Oki

 

Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Accounting Officer

 

September 14, 2018

Mark K. Oki

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Thomas B. King

 

Director

 

September 14, 2018

Thomas B. King

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ David Y. Norton

 

Director

 

September 14, 2018

David Y. Norton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jorge Plutzky, M.D.

 

Director

 

September 14, 2018

Jorge Plutzky, M.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Eric W. Roberts

 

Director

 

September 14, 2018

Eric W. Roberts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Herman Rosenman

 

Director

 

September 14, 2018

Herman Rosenman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Allan L. Shaw

 

Director

 

September 14, 2018

Allan L. Shaw

 

 

 

 

 

II- 5


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