TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

The following description of the particular terms of the notes offered hereby supplements, and to the extent it is inconsistent therewith replaces, the description of the general terms and provisions of debt securities in the “Description of Thermo Fisher Debt Securities” set forth in the accompanying prospectus, to which description reference is hereby made. Unless the context otherwise indicates, in this section “Description of the Notes,” the term “Thermo Fisher” refers to Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. only and not to any of its subsidiaries. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Description of the Notes shall have the meanings ascribed to them otherwise in this prospectus supplement.

Thermo Fisher will issue $                 aggregate principal amount of Floating Rate Senior Notes due                  (the “             floating rate notes”), $                 aggregate principal amount of Floating Rate Senior Notes due                 (the “            floating rate notes”), $                 aggregate principal amount of Floating Rate Senior Notes due                (the “             floating rate notes” and, together with the                  floating rate notes and the                  floating rate notes, the “floating rate notes”), $                 aggregate principal amount of     % Senior Notes due                  (the “              notes”), and $                 aggregate principal amount of     % Senior Notes due                  (the “              notes” and, together with the                  notes, the “fixed rate notes” and the fixed rate notes, together with the floating rate notes, the “notes”). Each series of the notes will be issued as a separate series of debt securities under an indenture (the “base indenture”) dated as of November 20, 2009, between Thermo Fisher and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “trustee”). That base indenture will be supplemented by a supplemental indenture to be entered into between Thermo Fisher and the trustee (the base indenture, as so supplemented, the “indenture”).

The indenture provides that Thermo Fisher’s debt securities may be issued in one or more series, with different terms, in each case, as authorized from time to time by Thermo Fisher.

The specific terms of each other series that Thermo Fisher may issue in the future may differ from those of the notes. The indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture, nor does it limit the number of other series or the aggregate amount of any particular series.

The following description is a summary, and does not describe every aspect of the notes and the indenture. The following description is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, all the provisions of the indenture, including definitions of certain terms used in the indenture. Anyone who receives this prospectus supplement may obtain a copy of the indenture without charge upon request. See “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference.” You should read the indenture and the notes because they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of the notes.

S-17

The notes will be general unsecured obligations of Thermo Fisher. The notes will rank equally in right of payment with the existing and any future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Thermo Fisher and will rank senior in right of payment to any existing and future indebtedness of Thermo Fisher that is subordinated to the notes. The notes will also be effectively subordinated in right of payment to all future secured indebtedness of Thermo Fisher to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness, and will be structurally subordinated to all existing and any future indebtedness and any other liabilities and commitments (including trade payables and lease obligations) of its subsidiaries.

As of July 3, 2021:

The notes will be issued in fully registered form only, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The notes will be issued in the form of one or more global securities, without coupons, which will be deposited initially with, or on behalf of, DTC.

The                 floating rate notes will mature on                ,    , the                 floating rate notes will mature on                 ,    , the                floating rate notes will mature on                ,    , the                 notes will mature on                 ,     and the                 notes will mature on                ,    .

Except as provided below, the notes shall not be subject to redemption, repurchase or repayment at the option of any holder thereof, upon the occurrence of any particular circumstances or otherwise. The notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

For purposes of the notes, “business day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which Federal or State banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Interest on the                  floating rate notes will accrue at a rate equivalent to Compounded SOFR (as defined below) plus     % per annum, interest on the              floating rate notes will accrue at a rate equivalent to Compounded SOFR plus     % per annum and interest on the              floating rate notes will accrue at a rate equivalent to Compounded SOFR plus     % per annum. Each series of the floating rate notes will bear interest from                 , 2021 or from the immediately preceding floating rate interest payment date (as defined below) to which interest has been paid. Interest on each series of the floating rate notes is payable on                 ,                 ,                 , and                  of each year , beginning on                 , 2022 (each such date being a “floating rate interest payment date”) and on the relevant maturity date. Interest will be payable on each series of floating rate notes to the persons in whose names such floating rate notes are registered at the close of business on the 15^th calendar day preceding each floating rate interest payment date, whether or not a business day, as the

S-18

case may be. However, interest that we pay on the maturity date will be payable to the person to whom the principal will be payable. Interest on the floating rate notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days in the Observation Period (as defined below).

If any floating rate interest payment date would otherwise be a day that is not a business day, we will make the interest payment on the next succeeding business day, unless such next succeeding business day is in the next succeeding calendar month, in which case (other than the maturity date) we will make the interest payment on the immediately preceding business day. If an interest payment is made on the next succeeding business day, no interest will accrue as a result of the delay in payment. If a maturity date or a redemption date for the floating rate notes falls on a day that is not a business day, the payment due on such date will be postponed to the next succeeding business day, and no further interest will accrue in respect of such postponement.

As further described herein, on each Interest Payment Determination Date relating to the applicable floating rate interest payment date, the calculation agent will calculate the amount of accrued interest payable on the applicable floating rate notes for each interest period by multiplying (i) the outstanding principal amount of the applicable floating rate notes by (ii) the product of (a) the interest rate for the relevant interest period multiplied by (b) the quotient of the actual number of calendar days in such Observation Period divided by 360. In no event will the interest on any series of the floating rate notes be less than zero.

The term “interest period,” with respect to any series of the floating rate notes, means (i) the period commencing on any floating rate interest payment date for such series (or with respect to the initial interest period only, commencing on                , 2021) to but excluding the next succeeding floating rate interest payment date for such series, (ii) in the case of the last such period, from and including the floating rate interest payment date for such series immediately preceding the maturity date for such series to but excluding such maturity date or (iii) in the event of any redemption of any such floating rate notes, from and including the floating rate interest payment date immediately preceding the applicable redemption date to but excluding such redemption date.

Secured Overnight Financing Rate and the SOFR Index

SOFR is published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is intended to be a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities.

The SOFR Index is published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and measures the cumulative impact of compounding SOFR on a unit of investment over time, with the initial value set to 1.00000000 on April 2, 2018, the first value date of SOFR. The SOFR Index value reflects the effect of compounding SOFR each business day and allows the calculation of compounded SOFR averages over custom time periods.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York notes on its publication page for the SOFR Index that use of the SOFR Index is subject to important limitations, indemnification obligations and disclaimers, including that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York may alter the methods of calculation, publication schedule, rate revision practices or availability of the SOFR Index at any time without notice. The interest rate for any interest period will not be adjusted for any modifications or amendments to the SOFR Index or SOFR data that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York may publish after the interest rate for that interest period has been determined.

Compounded SOFR

“Compounded SOFR” will be determined by the calculation agent in accordance with the following formula (and the resulting percentage will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point):

“SOFR IndexStart” equals, for periods other than the initial interest period, the SOFR Index value on the preceding Interest Payment Determination Date, and, for the initial interest period, the SOFR Index value on                     , 2021;

S-19

“SOFR IndexEnd” equals the SOFR Index value on the Interest Payment Determination Date relating to the applicable floating rate interest payment date (or in the final interest period, relating to the applicable maturity date); and

“dc” is the number of calendar days in the relevant Observation Period.

For purposes of determining Compounded SOFR,

“Interest Payment Determination Date” means the date two U.S. Government Securities Business Days before each floating rate interest payment date.

“Observation Period” means, in respect of each interest period, the period from, and including, the date two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the first date in such interest period to, but excluding, the date two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the floating rate interest payment date for such interest period (or in the final interest period, preceding the applicable maturity date).

“SOFR Index” means, with respect to any U.S. Government Securities Business Day:

“SOFR” means the daily secured overnight financing rate as provided by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website.

“SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of SOFR).

“SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.

“U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in U.S. government securities.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the documentation relating to any series of the floating rate notes, if we or our designee determines on or prior to the relevant Reference Time that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date (each as defined below) have occurred with respect to determining Compounded SOFR, then the benchmark replacement provisions set forth below under “Effect of Benchmark Transition Event” will thereafter apply to all determinations of the rate of interest payable on each series of the floating rate notes.

For the avoidance of doubt, in accordance with the benchmark replacement provisions, after a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred, the interest rate for each interest period on each series of the floating rate notes will be an annual rate equal to the sum of the Benchmark Replacement (as defined below) and the applicable margin.

S-20

SOFR Index Unavailable Provisions

If a SOFR IndexStart or SOFR IndexEnd is not published on the associated Interest Payment Determination Date and a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have not occurred with respect to SOFR, “Compounded SOFR” means, for the applicable interest period for which such index is not available, the rate of return on a daily compounded interest investment calculated in accordance with the formula for SOFR Averages, and definitions required for such formula, published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website at https://www.newyorkfed.org/markets/treasury-repo-reference-rates-information. For the purposes of this provision, references in the SOFR Averages compounding formula and related definitions to “calculation period” shall be replaced with “Observation Period” and the words “that is, 30-, 90-, or 180- calendar days” shall be removed. If SOFR does not so appear for any day, “i” in the Observation Period, SOFRi for such day “i” shall be SOFR published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which SOFR was published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website.

Effect of Benchmark Transition Event

Any determination, decision or election pursuant to the benchmark replacement provisions shall be made by us or our designee (which may be our affiliate but in no event shall be the initial calculation agent, the trustee or the initial paying agent) on the basis as described above. The calculation agent shall have no liability for not making any such determination, decision or election.

Certain Defined Terms

As used herein:

“Benchmark” means, initially, Compounded SOFR, as such term is defined above; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Compounded SOFR (or the published SOFR Index used in the calculation thereof) or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement.

S-21

“Benchmark Replacement” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by us or our designee as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:

“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by us or our designee as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:

“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definitions or interpretations of interest period, the timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, the rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters) that we or our designee decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption of such Benchmark Replacement in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if we or our designee decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if we or our designee determines that no market practice for use of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner as we or our designee determines is reasonably practicable).

“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark (including any daily published component used in the calculation thereof)

For the avoidance of doubt, if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination.

S-22

“Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark (including the daily published component used in the calculation thereof):

“ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time.

“ISDA Fallback Adjustment” means the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be determined upon the occurrence of an index cessation event with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor.

“ISDA Fallback Rate” means the rate that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon the occurrence of an index cessation date with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor excluding the applicable ISDA Fallback Adjustment.

“Reference Time” with respect to any determination of the Benchmark means (1) if the Benchmark is Compounded SOFR, the SOFR Index Determination Time, as such time is defined above, and (2) if the Benchmark is not Compounded SOFR, the time determined by us or our designee in accordance with the Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes.

“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any successor thereto.

“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

The interest rate and amount of interest to be paid on each series of the floating rate notes for each interest period will be determined by the calculation agent. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is currently serving as our calculation agent. All determinations made by the calculation agent shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and binding on us and the holders of each series of the floating rate notes. So long as Compounded SOFR is required to be determined with respect to any series of the floating rate notes, there will at all times be a calculation agent. In the event that any then acting calculation agent shall be unable or unwilling to act, or that such calculation agent shall fail duly to establish Compounded SOFR for any interest period, or we propose to remove such calculation agent, we shall appoint another calculation agent.

S-23

None of the trustee, the paying agent and the calculation agent shall be under any obligation (i) to monitor, determine or verify the unavailability or cessation of SOFR or the SOFR Index, or whether or when there has occurred, or to give notice to any other transaction party of the occurrence of, any Benchmark Transition Event or related Benchmark Replacement Date, (ii) to select, determine or designate any Benchmark Replacement, or other successor or replacement benchmark index, or whether any conditions to the designation of such a rate or index have been satisfied, (iii) to select, determine or designate any Benchmark Replacement Adjustment, or other modifier to any replacement or successor index, or (iv) to determine whether or what Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes are necessary or advisable, if any, in connection with any of the foregoing.

None of the trustee, the paying agent and the calculation agent shall be liable for any inability, failure or delay on its part to perform any of its duties set forth in this preliminary prospectus supplement as a result of the unavailability of SOFR, the SOFR Index or other applicable Benchmark Replacement, including as a result of any failure, inability, delay, error or inaccuracy on the part of any other transaction party in providing any direction, instruction, notice or information required or contemplated by the terms of this preliminary prospectus supplement and reasonably required for the performance of such duties.

Interest on the Fixed Rate Notes

Interest on the                  notes will accrue at the rate of     % per annum and interest on the                  notes will accrue at the rate of     % per annum. Interest on the fixed rate notes will accrue from                 , 2021, and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on                  and                  of each year, commencing on                  , 2022 (each such date being a “fixed rate interest payment date” and, together with each floating rate interest payment date, an “interest payment date”), to the persons in whose names the fixed rate notes are registered at the close of business on the 15^th calendar day preceding each such fixed rate interest payment date, whether or not a business day, as the case may be. Interest on the fixed rate notes will be computed by Thermo Fisher on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

If any fixed rate interest payment date, maturity date or earlier date of redemption falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment shall be made on the next business day as if it were made on the date the payment was due and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after that fixed rate interest payment date, that maturity date or that date of redemption, as the case may be.

Optional Redemption

Floating Rate Notes

At any time on or after their applicable Par Call Date (as defined below), we will have the option to redeem the floating rate notes of any series, in whole or in part from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the floating rate notes to be redeemed, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on the floating rate notes that are due and payable on a floating rate interest payment date falling on or prior to a redemption date will be payable on the floating rate interest payment date to the registered holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date in accordance with the floating rate notes and the indenture.

We will give at least 10 days but no more than 60 days prior written notice to the registered holders of the floating rate notes to be redeemed. Any notice may, at our discretion, be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of one or more conditions precedent. In that case, the notice shall state the nature of such conditions precedent.

If less than all of a series of floating rate notes are to be redeemed, the floating rate notes of such series to be redeemed shall be selected, in the case of global securities, in accordance with applicable depositary procedures and, in the case of definitive securities, in a manner the trustee deems fair and appropriate, unless otherwise

S-24

required by law or applicable stock exchange requirements. Floating rate notes may be redeemed in part in the minimum authorized denomination for floating rate notes or in any integral multiple of such amount. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the floating rate notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

Fixed Rate Notes

We will have the option to redeem the fixed rate notes of either series, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, on at least 10 days but no more than 60 days prior written notice transmitted to the registered holders of the fixed rate notes to be redeemed. Any notice may, at our discretion, be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of one or more conditions precedent. In that case, the notice shall state the nature of such conditions precedent.

Prior to their applicable Par Call Date, upon redemption of the fixed rate notes of any series, we will pay a redemption price equal to the greater of:

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

On and after their applicable Par Call Date, upon redemption of the fixed rate notes of any series, we will pay a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the fixed rate notes to be redeemed, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on the notes that are due and payable on an interest payment date falling on or prior to a redemption date will be payable on the interest payment date to the registered holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date in accordance with the notes and the indenture.

If less than all of a series of notes are to be redeemed, the notes of such series to be redeemed shall be selected, in the case of global securities, in accordance with applicable depositary procedures and, in the case of definitive securities, in a manner the trustee deems fair and appropriate, unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange requirements. Notes may be redeemed in part in the minimum authorized denomination for notes or in any integral multiple of such amount. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by the Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the fixed rate notes to be redeemed (assuming that such fixed rate notes to be redeemed matured on their applicable Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the fixed rate notes to be redeemed.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (a) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, (b) if we obtain fewer than four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the arithmetic average of those quotations or (c) if we obtain only one Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation, such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation.

S-25

“Independent Investment Banker” means any Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by us as Independent Investment Banker.

“Par Call Date” means, with respect to the                  floating rate notes,                 , 2022 and, with respect to each series of the SMR notes (as defined herein),                 , 2022.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of (i) Barclays Capital Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Mizuho Securities USA LLC and their respective affiliates or successors and (ii) one other nationally recognized investment banking firm (or its affiliate) that we select in connection with the particular redemption, and its successors, provided that if at any time any of the above is not a primary U.S. Government securities dealer, we will substitute that entity with another nationally recognized investment banking firm that we select that is a primary U.S. Government securities dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the arithmetic average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed, in each case, as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to each fixed rate note to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related redemption date but for such redemption (assuming that such fixed rate notes to be redeemed matured on their applicable Par Call Date); provided, however, that, if such redemption date is not an interest payment date with respect to such fixed rate note, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such redemption date.

“Treasury Rate” means, for any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated yield to maturity, computed as of the second business day immediately preceding that redemption date, of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that redemption date.

Special Mandatory Redemption

In the event that we do not consummate the PPD Acquisition on or prior to October 15, 2022, or the Merger Agreement is terminated any time prior thereto, we will be required to redeem all of the outstanding                  floating rate notes,                  floating rate notes,                  notes and                  notes (collectively, the “SMR notes”) on a special mandatory redemption date at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the SMR notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the special mandatory redemption date. The “special mandatory redemption date” means the earlier to occur of (1) November 14, 2022, if the PPD Acquisition has not been consummated on or prior to October 15, 2022, or (2) the 30th day (or if such day is not a business day, the first business day thereafter) following the termination of the Merger Agreement for any reason. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on the SMR notes that are due and payable on an interest payment date falling on or prior to the special mandatory redemption date will be payable on such interest payment date to the registered holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date in accordance with the notes and the indenture.

We will cause the notice of special mandatory redemption to be mailed, with a copy to the trustee, within five business days after the occurrence of the event triggering the special mandatory redemption to each holder of the SMR notes at its registered address. If funds sufficient to pay the special mandatory redemption price of the SMR notes to be redeemed on the special mandatory redemption date are deposited with the trustee or a paying agent on or before such special mandatory redemption date, and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such special mandatory redemption date, the SMR notes will cease to bear interest.

S-26

Repurchase Upon a Change of Control

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs with respect to any series of notes, unless Thermo Fisher has redeemed such series of notes in full, as described above, has defeased such series of notes or has satisfied and discharged such series of notes as described below, Thermo Fisher will make an offer to each holder of the applicable series of notes (the “Change of Control Offer”) to repurchase any and all of such holder’s notes of such series at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such notes (such principal amount to be equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, notice shall be delivered to holders of notes of such series describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase such notes on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 10 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), pursuant to the procedures required by the notes and described in such notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on any series of notes that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date will be payable on such interest payment dates to the registered holders as of the close of business on the relevant record dates in accordance with such series of notes and the indenture. Thermo Fisher must comply in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control repurchase provisions of the notes, Thermo Fisher will be required to comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control repurchase provisions of the notes by virtue of such conflicts.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, Thermo Fisher will be required, to the extent lawful, to:

“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means, with respect to a series of notes, such notes are downgraded below Investment Grade Rating by any two of the Rating Agencies on any date during the period (the “Trigger Period”) commencing 60 days prior to the first public announcement by Thermo Fisher of the occurrence of a Change of Control (or pending Change of Control) and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control (which Trigger Period shall be extended so long as the rating of such notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by at least two of such Rating Agencies on such 60th day, such extension to last with respect to each such Rating Agency until the date on which such Rating Agency considering such possible downgrade either (x) rates such notes below Investment Grade or (y) publicly announces that it is no longer considering such notes for possible downgrade, provided that no such extension will occur if on such 60th day such notes are rated Investment Grade by at least two of such Rating Agencies in question and are not subject to review for possible downgrade by such Rating Agencies).

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

S-27

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (a) Thermo Fisher becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company (which shall include a parent company) and (b)(i) the holders of the voting stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of Thermo Fisher’s voting stock immediately prior to that transaction or (ii) no “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than a holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting power of the voting stock of such holding company immediately following such transaction.

For purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means with respect to any specified person (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) capital stock of any class or kind the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such person, even if the right to vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.

The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of Thermo Fisher and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the applicability of the requirement that Thermo Fisher offer to repurchase the notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the assets of Thermo Fisher and its subsidiaries taken as a whole to another person or group may be uncertain.

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means, with respect to any series of notes, the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.

“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Limited, and any successor to its rating agency business.

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating by Moody’s equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent under a successor rating category of Moody’s) or a rating by S&P equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent under any successor rating category of S&P) or a rating by Fitch equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent under any successor rating category of Fitch).

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

“Rating Agencies” means (1) Moody’s, S&P and Fitch; and (2) if any of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch ceases to rate the applicable series of notes or fails to make a rating of such notes publicly available for any reason, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange

S-28

Act, selected by Thermo Fisher (as certified by a resolution of its board of directors) as a replacement agency for any of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, or all of them, as the case may be.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

Other Provisions of the Notes

The notes will be subject to certain other provisions set forth in the accompanying prospectus, including under “Description of Thermo Fisher Debt Securities—Certain Terms of the Senior Debt Securities—Certain Covenants” and “Description of Thermo Fisher Debt Securities—Certain Terms of the Senior Debt Securities—Modification and Waiver.”

Defeasance; Satisfaction and Discharge

The notes will be subject to defeasance and discharge and to defeasance of certain covenants as set forth in the indenture. See “Description of Thermo Fisher Debt Securities—Certain Terms of the Senior Debt Securities—Defeasance” and “Description of Thermo Fisher Debt Securities—Certain Terms of the Senior Debt Securities—Satisfaction and Discharge” in the accompanying prospectus.

Events of Default

The indenture defines an Event of Default with respect to each series of notes. Events of Default on notes of a series are any of the following:

An Event of Default under one series of debt securities issued pursuant to the indenture does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default under any other series of debt securities. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any series of debt securities issued thereunder, including any series of the notes, of any default if the trustee’s board of directors, executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or certain officers of the trustee in good faith determine it in the interest of such holders to do so.

S-29

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

The indenture provides that if an Event of Default has occurred with respect to a series of notes and has not been cured, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes of such series then outstanding may declare the entire principal amount of all of the notes of such series, and accrued interest, if any, to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. If an Event of Default occurs because of certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to Thermo Fisher, the principal amount of all of the notes will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the trustee or any holder. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes of such series may by written notice to Thermo Fisher and the trustee, on behalf of the holders of the notes of such series, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default with respect to such series and its consequences under the indenture, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the notes of such series.

Except as may otherwise be provided in the indenture in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee protection from expenses and liability (called an “indemnity”). If indemnity satisfactory to the trustee is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes of the applicable series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. Subject to certain exceptions contained in the indenture, these majority holders may also direct the trustee in performing any other action under the indenture.

Before you bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the applicable series of notes, the following must occur:

However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your notes on or after the due date of that payment.

We will furnish to the trustee every year a written statement of one of our officers certifying that, to such officer’s knowledge, we are in compliance with the indenture and the notes, or else specifying any default.

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

The notes will be issued in registered, global form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Notes will be issued at the closing of this offering only against payment in immediately available funds. The notes initially will be represented by notes in registered, global form without interest coupons (the “Global Notes”). The Global Notes will be deposited upon issuance with the trustee as custodian for DTC, in New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co., in each case, for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below. Global Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.

Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may be held through the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”) (as indirect participants in DTC). Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for notes in certificated form (“Certificated Notes”) except in the limited circumstances described below. See “—Exchange of global notes for certificated notes.” Transfers of beneficial

S-30

interests in the Global Notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to time.

Exchange of global notes for certificated notes

We will issue certificated notes to each person that DTC identifies as the beneficial owner of the notes represented by a Global Note upon surrender by DTC of the Global Note if:

In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in Global Notes will be in registered form, registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures).

Depositary procedures

The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. Thermo Fisher takes no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urges investors to contact the system or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

DTC has advised Thermo Fisher that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between the Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “Indirect Participants”). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.

DTC has also advised Thermo Fisher that, pursuant to procedures established by it:

Investors in the Global Notes who are Participants may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the Global Notes who are not Participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) that are Participants in such system. Euroclear and

S-31

Clearstream will hold interests in the Global Notes on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositories, which are Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, and Citibank, N.A., as operator of Clearstream. All interests in a Global Note, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC.

Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems.

The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of the Participants, which in turn act on behalf of the Indirect Participants, the ability of a person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.

Except as described above, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will not have notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or “Holders” thereof under the indenture for any purpose.

Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered holder of the notes under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, Thermo Fisher and the trustee will treat the persons in whose names the notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners of the notes for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, neither Thermo Fisher, the trustee nor any of Thermo Fisher’s or the trustee’s agents has or will have any responsibility or liability for:

DTC has advised Thermo Fisher that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the notes, is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the trustee or Thermo Fisher. Neither Thermo Fisher nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of the Participants or the Indirect Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes, and Thermo Fisher and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.

Transfers between the Participants will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures and will be settled in same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.

Cross-market transfers between the Participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of

S-32

Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream. DTC has advised Thermo Fisher that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for Certificated Notes, and to distribute such notes to the Participants.

Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any time. None of Thermo Fisher, the trustee or any of their respective agents will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Trustee and Calculation Agent

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is the trustee under the indenture governing the notes. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. will be the initial calculation agent for each series of the floating rate notes. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is a national banking association organized under and governed by the laws of the United States of America, and provides trust services and acts as indenture trustee for numerous corporate securities issuances, including for other series of debt securities of which Thermo Fisher is the issuer.

Governing Law

The indenture and the notes, for all purposes, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

S-33

DESCRIPTION OF THERMO FISHER DEBT SECURITIES

Thermo Fisher may offer debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated. In this “Description of Thermo Fisher Debt Securities,” we refer to the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities that Thermo Fisher issues collectively as debt securities. The following description summarizes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities. We will describe the specific terms of the debt securities and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions summarized below apply to any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the series and any applicable free writing prospectus that we authorize to be delivered. References to “Thermo Fisher” and the “Issuer” in this “Description of Thermo Fisher Debt Securities” mean Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. excluding, unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated, its subsidiaries.

Thermo Fisher may issue senior debt securities from time to time, in one or more series under a senior indenture, dated November 20, 2009, between it and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., which we refer to as the senior trustee. Thermo Fisher may issue subordinated debt securities from time to time, in one or more series under a subordinated indenture to be entered into between Thermo Fisher and a subordinated trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the subordinated trustee. The senior indenture and the form of the subordinated indenture are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are referred to as the indentures and, together, the senior trustee and the subordinated trustee are referred to as the trustees. This prospectus briefly outlines some of the provisions of the indentures. The following summary of the material provisions of the indentures is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the indentures, including definitions of certain terms used in the indentures. Wherever we refer to particular sections or defined terms of the indentures, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. You should review the indentures that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part for additional information.

The indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that Thermo Fisher may issue. The applicable indenture will provide that debt securities may be issued up to an aggregate principal amount authorized from time to time by the Issuer and may be payable in any currency or currency unit designated by it or in amounts determined by reference to an index.

General

The senior debt securities will constitute the Issuer’s unsecured and unsubordinated general obligations and will rank pari passu with its other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The subordinated debt securities will constitute the Issuer’s unsecured and subordinated general obligations and will be junior in right of payment to its senior indebtedness (including senior debt securities), as described under the heading “— Certain Terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities — Subordination.”

The debt securities will be the Issuer’s unsecured obligations. Any secured debt or other secured obligations will be effectively senior to the debt securities to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt or other obligations.

The applicable prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus will include any additional or different terms of the debt securities being offered, including the following terms:

6

The Issuer may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of any series of debt securities, create and issue further debt securities of any such series ranking equally with the debt securities of such series

7

and having the same terms as such series (or the same terms other than (1) the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such further debt securities or (2) the first payment of interest following the issue date of such further debt securities). Such further debt securities may be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of such series and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the debt securities of such series.

You may present debt securities for exchange and you may present debt securities for transfer in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the debt securities and the applicable prospectus supplement. The Issuer will provide you those services without charge, although you may have to pay any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any exchange or transfer, as set forth in the indentures.

Debt securities will bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate. Debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate (called original issue discount securities) may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to any such discounted debt securities or to certain debt securities issued at par which are treated as having been issued at a discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The Issuer may issue debt securities with the principal amount payable on any principal payment date, or the amount of interest payable on any interest payment date, to be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, securities or baskets of securities, commodity prices or indices. You may receive a payment of principal on any principal payment date, or a payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending on the value on such dates of the applicable currency, security or basket of securities, commodity or index. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest payable on any date, the currencies, securities or baskets of securities, commodities or indices to which the amount payable on such date is linked and certain related tax considerations will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Certain Terms of the Senior Debt Securities

Certain Covenants

Limitations on Liens. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause to become effective any Lien (other than permitted Liens) on any Principal Property or upon shares of stock of any Principal Subsidiary (whether such Principal Property or shares are now existing or owned or hereafter created or acquired), to secure any indebtedness of the Issuer, any of its subsidiaries or any indebtedness of any other Person, unless the Issuer or such subsidiary also secures all payments due under the senior debt securities and all senior debt securities of any series having the benefit of this covenant (together with, if the Issuer shall so determine, any other indebtedness of the Issuer or any subsidiary of the Issuer then existing or thereafter created ranking equally with the senior debt securities), on an equal and ratable basis with such other indebtedness so secured (or, in the case of indebtedness subordinated to the senior debt securities, prior or senior thereto, with the same relative priority as the senior debt securities issued pursuant to the senior indenture will have with respect to such subordinated indebtedness) for so long as such other indebtedness shall be so secured. The senior indenture contains the following exceptions to the foregoing prohibition:

(a) Liens existing on the date when the Issuer first issues the senior debt securities pursuant to the senior indenture;

(b) Liens on property owned or leased by a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Issuer or any subsidiary of the Issuer or the Issuer or one or more of its subsidiaries acquires directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the stock or assets of such Person; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger, consolidation or acquisition and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into, consolidated with or acquired by the Issuer or such subsidiary;

8

(c) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Issuer or any subsidiary of the Issuer, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition and do not extend to any property other than the property so acquired by the Issuer or such subsidiary;

(d) Liens to secure indebtedness incurred prior to, at the time of or within 18 months after the later of the acquisition of any property and the completion of the construction, alteration, repair or improvement of any property, as the case may be, for the purpose of financing all or a part of the purchase price thereof or cost of the construction, alteration, repair or improvement thereof and Liens to the extent they secure indebtedness in excess of such purchase price or cost and for the payment of which recourse may be had only against such property;

(e) Liens in favor of the United States or any state, territory or possession thereof (or the District of Columbia), or any department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States or any state, territory or possession thereof (or the District of Columbia), to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of constructing or improving the property subject to such Liens;

(f) any Lien securing indebtedness of a subsidiary owing to the Issuer or to one or more of its subsidiaries;

(g) Liens incurred or assumed in connection with the issuance of revenue bonds the interest on which is exempt from federal taxation pursuant to Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code;

(h) Liens created, incurred or assumed in connection with an industrial revenue bond, pollution control bond or similar financing between the Issuer or any subsidiary of the Issuer and any federal, state or municipal government or other government body or quasi-governmental agency;

(i) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any Lien referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above, inclusive, so long as (1) the principal amount of the indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the principal amount of indebtedness so secured at the time of the extension, renewal or replacement (except that, where an additional principal amount of indebtedness is incurred to provide funds for the completion of a specific project, the additional principal amount, and any related financing costs, may be secured by the Lien as well) and (2) the Lien is limited to the same property subject to the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced (and improvements on the property); and

(j) any Lien on a Principal Property or the shares of stock of a Principal Subsidiary that would not otherwise be permitted by clauses (a) through (i) above, inclusive, securing indebtedness which, together with:

In order to constitute a “Principal Property” under the senior indenture, a property must have a book value in excess of 3% of the most recently calculated Consolidated Net Assets. Based on Consolidated Net Assets as of December 31, 2018, a property would only constitute a Principal Property if it had a book value in excess of approximately $1.1 billion. As of the date of this prospectus, neither the Issuer nor any of its subsidiaries owns any Principal Property as defined. See “— Definition of Certain Terms.”

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction with respect to any Principal Property unless:

(a) the Issuer or such subsidiary could incur indebtedness, in a principal amount at least equal to the Value of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, secured by a Lien on the Principal Property to be leased (without equally

9

and ratably securing debt securities of any series having the benefit of this covenant) pursuant to clauses (a) through (i) under “— Limitations on Liens” above;

(b) the Issuer applies, during the six months following the effective date of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction, an amount equal to the Value of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction to either (or a combination of) the voluntary retirement of Funded Debt or to the acquisition of property; or

(c) the aggregate Value of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction plus the Value of all other Sale and Leaseback Transactions of Principal Properties entered into after the date of the issuance of the senior debt securities permitted solely by this clause (c) and still in existence, plus the aggregate amount of all indebtedness secured by Liens permitted solely by clause (j) of “Limitations on Liens” does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Assets.

Certain Other Covenants. The senior indenture contains certain other covenants regarding, among other matters, corporate existence and reports to holders of senior debt securities. Unless indicated otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will not contain any additional financial or restrictive covenants, including covenants relating to total indebtedness, interest coverage, stock repurchases, recapitalizations, dividends and distributions to shareholders or current ratios. The provisions of the senior indenture do not afford holders of senior debt securities issued thereunder protection in the event of a sudden or significant decline in the Issuer’s credit quality or in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged or similar transaction involving the Issuer or any of its affiliates that may adversely affect such holders.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets. Unless indicated otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the Issuer will not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its and its subsidiaries property and assets taken as a whole (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to any Person, or permit any Person to merge with or into the Issuer, unless:

The Surviving Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Issuer under the senior indenture and the senior debt securities and, except in the case of a lease, the Issuer shall be released of all obligations under the senior indenture and the senior debt securities.

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control. Unless the Issuer indicates otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the senior debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the senior debt securities protection in the event the Issuer has a change of control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change of control).

Definition of Certain Terms. The following are the meanings of terms that are important in understanding the covenants described above.

10

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with U.S. GAAP as in effect on the date of the senior indenture.

“Consolidated Net Assets” means the consolidated total assets of the Issuer and its subsidiaries as reflected in its most recent balance sheet prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP as in effect at the time of such determination, less (a) all current liabilities (excluding any notes and loans payable, current maturities of long-term debt, the current portion of deferred revenue and obligations under capital leases) and (b) acquisition-related intangible assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP in effect at the time of such determination. Consolidated Net Assets includes goodwill of the Issuer and its subsidiaries.

“Funded Debt” means, as of any date of determination, the Issuer’s indebtedness or the indebtedness of a subsidiary maturing by its terms more than one year after its creation and indebtedness classified as long-term debt under U.S. GAAP as in effect on the date of the senior indenture, and in each case ranking at least pari passu with the senior debt securities.

“indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:

1) in respect of borrowed money;

2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof); and

3) in respect of Capital Lease Obligations.

In addition, the term “indebtedness” includes (x) all indebtedness (as defined above) of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person), provided that the amount of such indebtedness will be the lesser of (A) the fair market value of such asset at such date of determination and (B) the amount of such indebtedness, and (y) to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee by the specified Person of any indebtedness (as defined above) of any other Person.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any debt security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of maturity thereof pursuant to the senior indenture.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, joint-stock company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision of a government or governmental agency.

“Principal Property” means any single parcel of real property or any permanent improvement thereon (i) owned by the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries located in the United States, including the Issuer’s principal corporate office, any manufacturing facility or plant or any portion thereof and (ii) having a book value, as of the date of determination, in excess of 3% of the most recently calculated Consolidated Net Assets. Principal Property does not include any property that the Issuer’s board of directors has determined not to be of material importance to the business conducted by the Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. As of the date of this prospectus, none of the Issuer’s current properties or those of its subsidiaries constitutes a Principal Property.

“Principal Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Issuer that owns a Principal Property.

11

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Issuer or any subsidiary of any Principal Property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Issuer or such subsidiary to such Person, excluding (1) temporary leases for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, of not more than three years, (2) leases between the Issuer and a subsidiary or between subsidiaries of the Issuer, (3) leases of a Principal Property executed by the time of, or within 12 months after the latest of, the acquisition, the completion of construction or improvement, or the commencement of commercial operation of the property, and (4) arrangements pursuant to any provision of law with an effect similar to the former Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.

“U.S. GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

“Value” means, with respect to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, an amount equal to the net present value of the lease payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of property taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, water rates and other items that do not constitute payments for property rights) with respect to the term of the lease remaining on the date as of which the amount is being determined, without regard to any renewal or extension options contained in the lease, discounted at the weighted average interest rate on the debt securities of all series (including the yield to maturity on any Original Issue Discount Securities) which are outstanding on the effective date of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

Events of Default

The senior indenture defines an Event of Default with respect to any series of senior debt securities issued pursuant to the senior indenture. Events of Default on the senior debt securities are any of the following:

An Event of Default under one series of senior debt securities issued pursuant to the senior indenture does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default under any other series of senior debt securities. The senior indenture provides that the senior trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any series of senior debt securities issued

12

thereunder of any default if the trustee’s board of directors, executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or certain officers of the trustee in good faith determine it in the interest of such holders to do so.

Remedies If an Event of Default Occurs. The senior indenture provides that if an Event of Default has occurred with respect to a series of senior debt securities and has not been cured, the senior trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the senior debt securities of that series may declare the entire principal amount of all the senior debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. If an Event of Default occurs because of certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Issuer, the principal amount of all the senior debt securities will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the senior trustee or any holder. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the senior debt securities of the affected series may by written notice to the Issuer and the senior trustee may, on behalf of the holders of the senior debt securities of the affected series, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the senior indenture, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, such senior debt securities.

Except as may otherwise be provided in the senior indenture in cases of default, where the senior trustee has some special duties, the senior trustee is not required to take any action under the senior indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the senior trustee protection from expenses and liability (called an “indemnity”). If indemnity satisfactory to the senior trustee is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of the affected series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the senior trustee. Subject to certain exceptions contained in the senior indenture, these majority holders may also direct the senior trustee in performing any other action under the senior indenture.

Before you bypass the senior trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the senior debt securities, the following must occur:

However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your senior debt securities on or after the due date of that payment.

The Issuer will furnish to the senior trustee every year a written statement of two of its officers certifying that to their knowledge the Issuer is in compliance with the senior indenture and the senior debt securities, or else specifying any default.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The senior indenture will cease to be of further effect and the senior trustee, upon the Issuer’s demand and at its expense, will execute appropriate instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of the senior indenture upon compliance with certain conditions, including:

13

Under current U.S. federal tax law, the deposit and the Issuer’s legal release from the senior debt securities would be treated as though it took back your senior debt securities and gave you your share of the cash and senior debt securities or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, you could recognize gain or loss on the senior debt securities you give back to the Issuer. Purchasers of the senior debt securities should consult their own advisers with respect to the tax consequences to them of such deposit and discharge, including the applicability and effect of tax laws other than the U.S. income tax law.

Defeasance

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following discussion of legal defeasance and discharge and covenant defeasance will apply to any series of debt securities issued under the indentures.

Full Defeasance. The Issuer can legally release itself from any payment or other obligations on the debt securities of any series (called “full defeasance”) if the following conditions are met:

If the Issuer ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to the Issuer for repayment in the event of any shortfall.

However, even if the Issuer makes the deposit in trust and opinion delivery arrangements discussed above, a number of its obligations relating to the debt securities will remain. These include the Issuer’s obligations:

14

Covenant Defeasance. Without any change of current U.S. federal tax law, the Issuer can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from some of the covenants on the debt securities of any series. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those covenants but would gain the protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the debt securities. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, the Issuer must do the following:

If the Issuer accomplishes covenant defeasance, you can still look to it for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit. In fact, if one of the Events of Default occurred (such as the Issuer’s bankruptcy) and the debt securities become immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

Modification and Waiver

There are three types of changes the Issuer can make to the senior indenture and the senior debt securities.

Changes Requiring Approval of the Holder. First, there are changes that cannot be made to the senior debt securities without specific approval of the holder. The following is a list of those types of changes:

Changes Not Requiring Approval. The second type of change does not require any vote by holders of the senior debt securities. The following is a list of those types of changes:

15

Nor does the Issuer need any approval to make changes that affect only senior debt securities to be issued under the senior indenture after the changes take effect. The Issuer may also make changes or obtain waivers that do not adversely affect the senior debt securities, even if they affect other senior debt securities issued under the senior indenture. In those cases, the Issuer needs only obtain any required approvals from the holders of the affected senior debt securities.

Changes Requiring a Majority Vote. Any other change to the senior indenture and the senior debt securities would require the following approval:

The same vote would be required for the Issuer to obtain a waiver of a past default. However, the Issuer cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or a waiver with respect to any other aspect of the senior indenture and the senior debt securities listed in the first category described previously under “Changes Requiring Approval of the Holder” unless the Issuer obtains your individual consent to the waiver.

Further Details Concerning Voting

The senior debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if the Issuer has deposited or set aside in trust for you money for their payment or redemption. The senior debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described above under “Full Defeasance.”

The Issuer will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding senior debt securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the senior indenture. In certain limited circumstances, the senior trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If the Issuer or the senior trustee sets a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of senior debt securities, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding senior debt securities on the record date and must be taken within 180 days following the record date or another period that the Issuer may specify (or as the senior trustee may specify, if it set the record date). The Issuer may shorten or lengthen (but not beyond 180 days) this period from time to time.

16

No Personal Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers, Directors

The senior indenture provides that no recourse shall be had under any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer in the senior indenture or in any of the senior debt securities or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, against any of its incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors, past, present or future, or of any predecessor or successor entity thereof under any law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise. Each holder, by accepting the senior debt securities, waives and releases all such liability.

Concerning the Senior Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as senior trustee under the senior indenture, has been appointed by the Issuer as paying agent, registrar and custodian with regard to the senior debt securities. The senior trustee or its affiliates may from time to time in the future provide banking and other services to the Issuer in the ordinary course of their business.

The senior indenture provides that, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the senior debt securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to that series, the senior trustee will not be liable except for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth in the senior indenture. If an event of default has occurred and has not been cured or waived, the senior trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the senior indenture and will use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

The senior indenture and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the senior trustee thereunder, should it become a creditor of the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by the senior trustee in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The senior trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions, provided that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

Unclaimed Funds

All funds deposited with the senior trustee or any paying agent for the payment of principal, interest, premium or additional amounts in respect of the senior debt securities that remain unclaimed for one year after the date upon which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such debt securities shall have become due and payable will be repaid to the Issuer. Thereafter, any right of any holder of senior debt securities to such funds shall be enforceable only against the Issuer, and the senior trustee and paying agents will have no liability therefor.

Governing Law

The senior indenture and the senior debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Certain Terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities

Other than the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt securities relating to subordination or otherwise as described in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of subordinated debt securities, the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt securities are identical in all material respects to the terms of the senior indenture and senior debt securities, except the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt securities will not include a limitation on liens or a limitation on sale and leaseback transactions.

Additional or different subordination terms may be specified in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series.

17

Subordination. The indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities is subordinate to the prior payment in full of all of the Issuer’s senior indebtedness, as defined in the subordinated indenture. During the continuance beyond any applicable grace period of any default in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any of the Issuer’s senior indebtedness, it may not make any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities, except under limited circumstances set forth in the subordinated indenture. In addition, upon any payment or distribution of the Issuer’s assets upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, and interest on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all its senior indebtedness. Because of this subordination, if the Issuer dissolves or otherwise liquidates, holders of its subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than holders of its senior indebtedness. The subordination provisions do not prevent the occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated indenture.

The term “senior indebtedness” of a person means with respect to such person the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following, whether outstanding on the date of the subordinated indenture or incurred by that person in the future:

unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding, the instrument creating or evidencing it or the assumption or guarantee relating to it expressly provides that such indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities. The Issuer’s senior debt securities constitute senior indebtedness for purposes of the subordinated indenture.

18

DESCRIPTION OF THERMO FISHER INTERNATIONAL DEBT SECURITIES

Thermo Fisher International may offer senior debt securities that are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Thermo Fisher. The following description summarizes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities. We will describe the specific terms of the debt securities and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions summarized below apply to any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the series and any applicable free writing prospectus that we authorize to be delivered. References to “Thermo Fisher International” and “Issuer” in this “Description of Thermo Fisher International Debt Securities” mean Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) B.V., excluding, unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated, its subsidiaries and affiliates and references to “Thermo Fisher” or the “Guarantor” mean Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., excluding, unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated, its subsidiaries.

Thermo Fisher International may issue senior debt securities from time to time, in one or more series under an indenture, dated August 9, 2016, among it as issuer, Thermo Fisher as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., which we refer to as the trustee. The indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. This prospectus briefly outlines some of the provisions of the indenture. The following summary of the material provisions of the indenture is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the indenture, including definitions of certain terms used in the indenture. Wherever we refer to particular sections or defined terms of the indenture, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. You should review the indenture that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part for additional information.

The indenture will not limit the amount of debt securities that Thermo Fisher International may issue. The indenture will provide that debt securities may be issued up to an aggregate principal amount authorized from time to time by the Issuer and may be payable in any currency or currency unit designated by the Issuer or in amounts determined by reference to an index.

General

The debt securities will constitute the Issuer’s unsecured and unsubordinated general obligations, will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Thermo Fisher and will rank pari passu with the Issuer’s other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The debt securities will be the Issuer’s unsecured obligations. Any secured debt or other secured obligations will be effectively senior to the debt securities to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt or other obligations. Thermo Fisher International is a finance subsidiary of Thermo Fisher and conducts no independent operations of its own other than financing activities. Thermo Fisher is a holding company that conducts substantially all of its operations through its subsidiaries, and, as a result, the guarantee of debt securities will be effectively subordinated to the creditors of Thermo Fisher’s other subsidiaries. This means that all claims of creditors (including trade creditors) of Thermo Fisher’s other subsidiaries will have priority with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries over Thermo Fisher’s claims (and therefore the claims of its creditors, including holders of debt securities guaranteed by Thermo Fisher).

The applicable prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus will include any additional or different terms of the debt securities being offered, including the following terms:

19

The Issuer may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of any series of debt securities, create and issue further debt securities of any such series ranking equally with the debt securities of such series and having the same terms as such series (or the same terms other than (1) the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such further debt securities or (2) the first payment of interest following the issue date of such further debt securities). Such further debt securities may be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of such series and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the debt securities of such series.

20

You may present debt securities for exchange and you may present debt securities for transfer in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the debt securities and the applicable prospectus supplement. The Issuer will provide you those services without charge, although you may have to pay any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any exchange or transfer, as set forth in the indenture.

Debt securities will bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate. Debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate (called original issue discount securities) may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to any such discounted debt securities or to certain debt securities issued at par which are treated as having been issued at a discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The Issuer may issue debt securities with the principal amount payable on any principal payment date, or the amount of interest payable on any interest payment date, to be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, securities or baskets of securities, commodity prices or indices. You may receive a payment of principal on any principal payment date, or a payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending on the value on such dates of the applicable currency, security or basket of securities, commodity or index. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest payable on any date, the currencies, securities or baskets of securities, commodities or indices to which the amount payable on such date is linked and certain related tax considerations will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Guarantee

Thermo Fisher will fully and unconditionally guarantee the full and punctual payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities on a senior unsecured basis, when and as the same become due and payable, whether on a maturity date, by declaration of acceleration, upon redemption, repurchase or otherwise, and all other obligations of Thermo Fisher International under the indenture.

Under certain circumstances, Thermo Fisher may assume all of the Issuer’s obligations under the indenture and the debt securities.

Redemption Upon Changes in Withholding Taxes

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, Thermo Fisher International may redeem all, but not less than all, of the debt securities of any series under the following conditions:

21

Upon the occurrence of each of the bullet points above, Thermo Fisher International may redeem the debt securities of such series at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.

Payment of Additional Amounts

Unless otherwise required by law, neither Thermo Fisher International nor Thermo Fisher will deduct or withhold from payments made by Thermo Fisher International or Thermo Fisher under or with respect to the debt securities and the guarantees on account of any present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of any Taxing Jurisdiction (“Taxes”). In the event that Thermo Fisher International or Thermo Fisher is required to withhold or deduct any amount for or on account of any Taxes from any payment made under or with respect to any debt securities or guarantee, as the case may be, Thermo Fisher International or Thermo Fisher, as the case may be, will pay such additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) so that the net amount received by each holder of debt securities (including Additional Amounts) after such withholding or deduction will equal the amount that such holder would have received if such Taxes had not been required to be withheld or deducted.

Additional Amounts will not be payable with respect to a payment made to a holder of debt securities or a holder of beneficial interests in global securities where such holder is subject to taxation on such payment by a relevant Taxing Jurisdiction for any reason other than such holder’s mere ownership of the debt securities or for or on account of:

22

Additional Amounts also will not be payable to any holder of debt securities or the holder of a beneficial interest in a global security that is a fiduciary, partnership, limited liability company or other fiscally transparent entity, or to such holder that is not the sole holder of such security or holder of such beneficial interests in such security, as the case may be. The exception, however, will apply only to the extent that a beneficiary or settlor with respect

23

to the fiduciary, or a beneficial owner or member of the partnership, limited liability company or other fiscally transparent entity, would not have been entitled to the payment of an Additional Amount had the beneficiary, settlor, beneficial owner or member received directly its beneficial or distributive share of the payment.

Each of Thermo Fisher International and Thermo Fisher, as applicable, also:

At least 30 days prior to each date on which any payment under or with respect to the debt securities of a series or guarantees is due and payable, if Thermo Fisher International or Thermo Fisher will be obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such payment, Thermo Fisher International or Thermo Fisher will deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating the fact that such Additional Amounts will be payable, the amounts so payable and such other information as is necessary to enable the trustee to pay such Additional Amounts to holders of such debt securities on the payment date.

In addition, Thermo Fisher International will pay any stamp, issue, registration, documentary or other similar taxes and duties, including interest, penalties and Additional Amounts with respect thereto, payable in The Netherlands or the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in the foregoing in respect of the creation, issue, offering, enforcement, redemption or retirement of the debt securities.

The foregoing provisions shall survive any termination or the discharge of each indenture and shall apply to any jurisdiction in which Thermo Fisher International or Thermo Fisher or any successor to Thermo Fisher International or Thermo Fisher, as the case may be, is organized or is engaged in business for tax purposes or any political subdivisions or taxing authority or agency thereof or therein.

Whenever in an indenture, any debt securities, any guarantee or in this “Description of Thermo Fisher International Debt Securities” there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of principal, premium, if any, redemption price, interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to any debt securities, such mention includes the payment of Additional Amounts to the extent payable in the particular context.

Certain Terms of the Debt Securities

Certain Covenants

Limitations on Liens. Thermo Fisher will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause to become effective any Lien (other than permitted Liens) on any Principal Property or upon shares of stock of any Principal Subsidiary (whether such Principal Property or shares are now existing or owned or hereafter created or acquired), to secure any indebtedness of Thermo Fisher, any of its subsidiaries or any indebtedness of any other Person, unless Thermo Fisher or such subsidiary also secures all payments due under the debt securities, the guarantees of the debt securities and guarantees of all debt securities of any series having the benefit of this covenant (together with, if Thermo Fisher shall so determine, any other indebtedness of Thermo Fisher or any subsidiary of Thermo Fisher then existing or thereafter created ranking equally with the debt securities, the guarantees of the debt securities or such subsidiary indebtedness), on an equal and ratable

24

basis with such other indebtedness so secured (or, in the case of indebtedness subordinated to the debt securities, the guarantees of the debt securities or such subsidiary indebtedness, prior or senior thereto, with the same relative priority as the debt securities, the guarantees of the debt securities or such subsidiary indebtedness will have with respect to such subordinated indebtedness) for so long as such other indebtedness shall be so secured. The indenture contains the following exceptions to the foregoing prohibition:

(a) Liens existing on the date when the Issuer first issues the debt securities pursuant to the indenture;

(b) Liens on property owned or leased by a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with Thermo Fisher or any of its subsidiaries or Thermo Fisher or one or more of its subsidiaries acquires directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the stock or assets of such Person; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger, consolidation or acquisition and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into, consolidated with or acquired by Thermo Fisher or such subsidiary;

(c) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by Thermo Fisher or any of its subsidiaries, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition and do not extend to any property other than the property so acquired by Thermo Fisher or such subsidiary;

(d) Liens to secure indebtedness incurred prior to, at the time of or within 18 months after the later of the acquisition of any property and the completion of the construction, alteration, repair or improvement of any property, as the case may be, for the purpose of financing all or a part of the purchase price thereof or cost of the construction, alteration, repair or improvement thereof and Liens to the extent they secure indebtedness in excess of such purchase price or cost and for the payment of which recourse may be had only against such property;

(e) Liens in favor of the United States or any state, territory or possession thereof (or the District of Columbia), or any department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States or any state, territory or possession thereof (or the District of Columbia), to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of constructing or improving the property subject to such Liens;

(f) any Lien securing indebtedness of a subsidiary of Thermo Fisher owing to Thermo Fisher or to one or more of Thermo Fisher’s subsidiaries;

(g) Liens incurred or assumed in connection with the issuance of revenue bonds the interest on which is exempt from federal taxation pursuant to Section 103 of the Code;

(h) Liens created, incurred or assumed in connection with an industrial revenue bond, pollution control bond or similar financing between Thermo Fisher or any subsidiary of Thermo Fisher and any federal, state or municipal government or other government body or quasi-governmental agency;

(i) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any Lien referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above, inclusive, so long as (1) the principal amount of the indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the principal amount of indebtedness so secured at the time of the extension, renewal or replacement (except that, where an additional principal amount of indebtedness is incurred to provide funds for the completion of a specific project, the additional principal amount, and any related financing costs, may be secured by the Lien as well) and (2) the Lien is limited to the same property subject to the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced (and improvements on the property); and

(j) any Lien on a Principal Property or the shares of stock of a Principal Subsidiary that would not otherwise be permitted by clauses (a) through (i) above, inclusive, securing indebtedness which, together with:

25

In order to constitute a “Principal Property” under the indenture, a property must have a book value in excess of 3% of Thermo Fisher’s most recently calculated Consolidated Net Assets. Based on Consolidated Net Assets as of December 31, 2018, a property would only constitute a Principal Property if it had a book value in excess of approximately $1.1 billion. As of the date of this prospectus, neither Thermo Fisher nor any of its subsidiaries owns any Principal Property as defined. See “— Definition of Certain Terms.”

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Thermo Fisher will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction with respect to any Principal Property unless:

(a) Thermo Fisher or such subsidiary could incur indebtedness, in a principal amount at least equal to the Value of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, secured by a Lien on the Principal Property to be leased (without equally and ratably securing debt securities of any series having the benefit of this covenant) pursuant to clauses (a) through (i) under “— Limitations on Liens” above;

(b) Thermo Fisher or any subsidiary of Thermo Fisher applies, during the six months following the effective date of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction, an amount equal to the Value of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction to either (or a combination of) the voluntary retirement of Funded Debt or to the acquisition of property; or

(c) the aggregate Value of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction plus the Value of all other Sale and Leaseback Transactions of Principal Properties, entered into after the date of the first issuance of the debt securities under the indenture, permitted solely by this clause (c) and still in existence, plus the aggregate amount of all indebtedness secured by Liens permitted solely by clause (j) of “Limitations on Liens” does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Assets.

Business Activities. Thermo Fisher International will not engage in any activities or take any action that would be inconsistent with the definition of “finance subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

Certain Other Covenants. The indenture contains certain other covenants regarding, among other matters, corporate existence and reports to holders of debt securities. Unless indicated otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any additional financial or restrictive covenants, including covenants relating to total indebtedness, interest coverage, stock repurchases, recapitalizations, dividends and distributions to shareholders or current ratios. The provisions of the indenture do not afford holders of debt securities issued thereunder protection in the event of a sudden or significant decline in the Issuer’s credit quality or the credit quality of Thermo Fisher or in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged or similar transaction involving the Issuer, Thermo Fisher or any of its affiliates that may adversely affect such holders.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets. Unless indicated otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the Issuer will not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its or its subsidiaries’ property and assets taken as a whole (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to any Person, or permit any Person to merge with or into it , unless:

26

The Surviving Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Issuer under the indenture and the debt securities and, except in the case of a lease, the Issuer shall be released of all obligations under the indenture and the debt securities.

In addition, unless indicated otherwise in a prospectus supplement, Thermo Fisher will not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its or its subsidiaries’ property and assets taken as a whole (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to any Person, or permit any Person to merge with or into it, unless:

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control. Unless indicated otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of debt securities, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event the Issuer has or Thermo Fisher has a change of control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change of control).

Definition of Certain Terms. The following are the meanings of certain terms that are important in understanding the covenants described above.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with U.S. GAAP as in effect on the date of the indenture.

“Consolidated Net Assets” means the consolidated total assets of Thermo Fisher and its subsidiaries as reflected in the most recent balance sheet of Thermo Fisher prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP as in effect at the time of such determination, less (a) all current liabilities (excluding any notes and loans payable, current maturities of long-term debt, the current portion of deferred revenue and obligations under capital leases) and (b) acquisition-related intangible assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP as in effect at the time of such determination. Consolidated Net Assets includes the goodwill of Thermo Fisher and its subsidiaries.

“Funded Debt” means, as of any date of determination, Thermo Fisher’s indebtedness or the indebtedness of a subsidiary of Thermo Fisher maturing by its terms more than one year after its creation and indebtedness classified as long-term debt under U.S. GAAP as in effect on the date of the indenture, and in each case ranking at least pari passu with the debt securities, the Thermo Fisher guarantee of the debt securities or the other senior indebtedness of such subsidiary of Thermo Fisher.

27

“indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:

1) in respect of borrowed money;

2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof); and

3) in respect of Capital Lease Obligations.

In addition, the term “indebtedness” includes (x) all indebtedness (as defined above) of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person), provided that the amount of such indebtedness will be the lesser of (A) the fair market value of such asset at such date of determination and (B) the amount of such indebtedness, and (y) to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee by the specified Person of any indebtedness (as defined above) of any other Person.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any debt security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of maturity thereof pursuant to the indenture.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision of a government or governmental agency.

“Principal Property” means any single parcel of real property or any permanent improvement thereon (i) owned by Thermo Fisher or any of its subsidiaries located in the United States, including Thermo Fisher’s principal corporate office, any manufacturing facility or plant or any portion thereof and (ii) having a book value, as of the date of determination, in excess of 3% of Thermo Fisher’s most recently calculated Consolidated Net Assets. Principal Property does not include any property that Thermo Fisher’s board of directors has determined not to be of material importance to the business conducted by Thermo Fisher and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. As of the date of this prospectus, none of Thermo Fisher’s current properties or those of its subsidiaries constitutes a Principal Property.

“Principal Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of Thermo Fisher that owns a Principal Property.

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by Thermo Fisher or any subsidiary of any Principal Property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by Thermo Fisher or such subsidiary to such Person, excluding (1) temporary leases for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, of not more than three years, (2) leases between Thermo Fisher and a subsidiary or between subsidiaries of Thermo Fisher, (3) leases of a Principal Property executed by the time of, or within 12 months after the latest of, the acquisition, the completion of construction or improvement, or the commencement of commercial operation of the property and (4) arrangements pursuant to any provision of law with an effect similar to the former Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.

“U.S. GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

28

“Value” means, with respect to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, an amount equal to the net present value of the lease payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of property taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, water rates and other items that do not constitute payments for property rights) with respect to the term of the lease remaining on the date as of which the amount is being determined, without regard to any renewal or extension options contained in the lease, discounted at the weighted average interest rate on the debt securities of all series (including the yield to maturity on any Original Issue Discount Securities) which are outstanding on the effective date of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

Events of Default

The indenture defines an Event of Default with respect to any series of debt securities issued pursuant to the indenture. Events of Default on the debt securities are any of the following:

An Event of Default under one series of debt securities issued pursuant to the indenture does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default under any other series of debt securities. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any series of debt securities issued thereunder of any default if the trustee’s board of directors, executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or certain officers of the trustee in good faith determine it in the interest of such holders to do so.

Remedies If an Event of Default Occurs. The indenture provides that if an Event of Default has occurred with respect to a series of debt securities and has not been cured, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of that series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. If an Event of Default occurs because of certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization

29

with respect to the Issuer or Thermo Fisher, the principal amount of all the debt securities will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the trustee or any holder. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may by written notice to the Issuer, Thermo Fisher and the trustee may, on behalf of the holders of the debt securities of the affected series, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the indenture, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, such debt securities.

Except as may otherwise be provided in the indenture in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee protection from expenses and liability (called an “indemnity”). If indemnity satisfactory to the trustee is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. Subject to certain exceptions contained in the indenture, these majority holders may also direct the trustee in performing any other action under the indenture.

Before you bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:

However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt securities on or after the due date of that payment.

The Issuer will furnish to the trustee every year a written statement of one of its officers certifying that to such officer’s knowledge the Issuer is in compliance with the indenture and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The indenture will cease to be of any further effect with respect to a series of debt securities and the related guarantee, and the trustee, upon the Issuer’s demand and at its expense, will execute appropriate instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture with respect to such debt securities and the related guarantee if:

30

if, in either case, the Issuer or Thermo Fisher also pay or cause to be paid all sums payable under the indenture with respect to such debt securities, and the Issuer or Thermo Fisher delivers to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that these conditions with respect to such debt securities have been satisfied.

Under current U.S. federal tax law, the deposit and the Issuer’s legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though it took back your debt securities and gave you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, you could recognize gain or loss on the debt securities you give back to the Issuer. Purchasers of the debt securities should consult their own advisers with respect to the tax consequences to them of such deposit and discharge, including the applicability and effect of tax laws other than the U.S. income tax law.

Defeasance

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following discussion of legal defeasance and discharge and covenant defeasance will apply to any series of debt securities and the related guarantee issued under the indenture.

Full Defeasance. The Issuer can legally release itself and Thermo Fisher from any payment or other obligations on the debt securities of any series and the related guarantee (called “full defeasance”) if the following conditions are met:

If the Issuer ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to the Issuer or Thermo Fisher for repayment in the event of any shortfall.

However, even if the Issuer makes or Thermo Fisher makes the deposit in trust and opinion delivery arrangements discussed above, a number of obligations relating to the debt securities will remain. These include the obligations:

31

Covenant Defeasance. Without any change of current U.S. federal tax law, the Issuer or Thermo Fisher can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from some of the covenants on the debt securities of any series and related guarantee. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those covenants but would gain the protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the debt securities. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, the Issuer or Thermo Fisher must do the following:

If the Issuer accomplishes covenant defeasance, you can still look to the Issuer or Thermo Fisher for repayment of the debt securities or the related guarantee if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit. In fact, if one of the Events of Default occurred (such as the Issuer’s or Thermo Fisher’s bankruptcy) and the debt securities become immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

Modification and Waiver

There are three types of changes the Issuer can make to the indenture and the debt securities.

Changes Requiring Approval of the Holder. First, there are changes that cannot be made to the debt securities without specific approval of each holder. The following is a list of those types of changes:

32

Changes Not Requiring Approval. The second type of change does not require any vote by holders of the debt securities. This following is a list of those types of changes:

Nor does the Issuer need any approval to make changes that affect only debt securities to be issued under the indenture after the changes take effect. The Issuer may also make changes or obtain waivers that do not adversely affect the debt securities, even if they affect other debt securities issued under the indenture. In those cases, the Issuer needs only obtain any required approvals from the holders of the affected debt securities.

Changes Requiring a Majority Vote. Any other change to the indenture and the debt securities would require the following approval:

The same vote would be required for the Issuer to obtain a waiver of a past default. However, the Issuer cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or a waiver with respect to any other aspect of the indenture and the debt securities listed in the first category described previously under “Changes Requiring Approval of the Holder” unless the Issuer obtains your individual consent to the waiver.

Further Details Concerning Voting

The debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if the Issuer has or Thermo Fisher has deposited or set aside in trust for you money for their payment or redemption. The debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described above under “Full Defeasance.”

33

The Issuer will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding debt securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. In certain limited circumstances, the trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If the Issuer or the trustee sets a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of debt securities, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding debt securities on the record date and must be taken within 180 days following the record date or another period that the Issuer may specify (or as the trustee may specify, if it sets the record date). The Issuer may shorten or lengthen (but not beyond 180 days) this period from time to time.

No Personal Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers or Directors

The indenture provides that no recourse shall be had under any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer or Thermo Fisher in the indenture or in any of the debt securities or guarantees or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, against any of the Issuer’s or Thermo Fisher’s respective incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors, past, present or future, or of any predecessor or successor entity thereof under any law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise. Each holder, by accepting the debt securities, waives and releases all such liability.

Concerning the Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee under the indenture, has been appointed by the Issuer as paying agent, registrar and custodian with regard to the debt securities. The trustee or its affiliates may from time to time in the future provide banking and other services to the Issuer in the ordinary course of their business. The trustee also serves as senior trustee under the senior indenture of Thermo Fisher.

The indenture provides that, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to that series, the trustee will not be liable except for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. If an event of default has occurred and has not been cured or waived, the trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and will use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

The indenture and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the trustee thereunder, should it become a creditor of the Issuer or Thermo Fisher or any of its subsidiaries, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions, provided that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

Unclaimed Funds

All funds deposited with the trustee or any paying agent for the payment of principal, interest, premium or additional amounts in respect of the debt securities that remain unclaimed for one year after the date upon which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such debt securities shall have become due and payable will be repaid to the Issuer or Thermo Fisher. Thereafter, any right of any holder of debt securities to such funds shall be enforceable only against the Issuer or Thermo Fisher, and the trustee and paying agents will have no liability therefor.

Governing Law

The indenture, the guarantees and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

34

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock is intended as a summary only. This description is based upon, and is qualified by reference to, our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended by the amendment to our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation (as amended, the “certificate of incorporation”), our bylaws and applicable provisions of Delaware corporate law. This summary is not complete. You should read our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, for the provisions that are important to you. When we refer to “we,” “our,” and “us” in this “Description of Capital Stock,” we mean Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. excluding, unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated, our subsidiaries.

Our authorized capital stock consists of 1.2 billion shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, and 50,000 shares of preferred stock, $100 par value per share. As of February 2, 2019, 399,003,681 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

Common Stock

General

Annual Meeting. Annual meetings of our stockholders are held on the date designated in accordance with our bylaws. Written notice must be mailed to each stockholder entitled to vote not less than ten nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of our issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at such meeting constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at meetings of the stockholders, unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by our certificate of incorporation or the Delaware General Corporation Law, which we refer to as the DGCL. Special meetings of the stockholders may only be called by the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors or the chief executive officer. Except as may be otherwise provided by applicable law, our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws, all matters shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote thereon at a duly held meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present. Except as may be otherwise provided by our certificate of incorporation, a nominee shall be elected to the board of directors if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against, provided that if, on the tenth business day before we mail our notice of meeting to the stockholders, the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the election shall be decided by a plurality.

Voting Rights. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted upon by stockholders.

Dividends. The holders of common stock, after any preferences of holders of any preferred stock, are entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by the board of directors out of legally available funds.

Liquidation and Dissolution. If we are liquidated or dissolved, the holders of the common stock will be entitled to share in our assets available for distribution to stockholders in proportion to the amount of common stock they own. The amount available for common stockholders is calculated after payment of liabilities. Holders of any preferred stock will receive a preferential share of our assets before the holders of the common stock receive any assets.

Other Rights. Holders of the common stock have no right to:

The common stock does not have cumulative voting rights. Holders of shares of the common stock are not required to make additional capital contributions.

35

Directors’ Liability

Our certificate of incorporation provides that a member of the board of directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of their legal duties to us or our stockholders as a director, except to the extent that the DGCL prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty.

Our certificate of incorporation also allows us to indemnify directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware law.

The shares held by the interested stockholder are not counted as outstanding when calculating the two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock needed for approval.

The prohibition against these transactions does not apply if:

Preferred Stock

General

Under our charter, we have authority to issue 50,000 shares of preferred stock, $100 par value per share. The terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. The terms of any series of preferred stock may differ from the terms described below. Certain provisions of the preferred stock described below and in any applicable prospectus supplement are not complete.

We are authorized to issue “blank check” preferred stock, which may be issued in one or more series upon authorization of our board of directors. Our board of directors is authorized to fix the designation of the series, the number of authorized shares of the series, dividend rights and terms, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights and terms, liquidation preferences and any other rights, powers, preferences and limitations applicable to each series of preferred stock. The authorized shares of our preferred stock are available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities may be listed. If the approval of our stockholders is not required for the issuance of shares of our preferred stock, our board may determine not to seek stockholder approval.

A series of our preferred stock could, depending on the terms of such series, impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt. Our board of directors will make any determination to issue such shares based upon its judgment as to the best interests of our stockholders. Our directors, in so acting, could issue our preferred stock having terms that could discourage an acquisition attempt through which an acquirer may be able to change the composition of our board of directors, including a tender offer or other transaction that some, or a majority, of our stockholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which stockholders might receive a premium for their stock over the then-current market price of the stock.

The preferred stock has the terms described below unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock. You should read the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of preferred stock being offered for specific terms, including:

37

The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each series of preferred stock will rank equally as to dividends and liquidation rights in all respects with each other series of preferred stock. The rights of holders of shares of each series of preferred stock will be subordinate to those of our general creditors.

As described under “Description of Depositary Shares,” we may, at our option, with respect to any series of preferred stock, elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock and provide for the issuance of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest in a share of the series of preferred stock. The fractional interest will be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock.

Rank

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of its affairs, rank:

The term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities.

Dividends

Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates described in the prospectus supplement. Different series of preferred stock may be entitled to dividends at different rates or based on different methods of calculation. The dividend rate may be fixed or variable or both. Dividends will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on our stock books on record dates fixed by our board of directors, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Dividends on any series of preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our board of directors does not declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of noncumulative preferred stock, then the holders of that noncumulative preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend for that dividend payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for that period, whether or not dividends on that series are declared payable on any future dividend payment dates. Dividends on any series of cumulative preferred stock will accrue from the date we initially issue shares of such series or such other date specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

38

No dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of any dividends on any parity securities unless full dividends have been paid or set apart for payment on the preferred stock. If full dividends are not paid, the preferred stock will share dividends pro rata with the parity securities.

No dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of dividends on any junior securities unless we have paid in full, or set apart for payment, such accumulated but unpaid dividends on the preferred stock.

Liquidation Preference

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, then, before we make any distribution or payment to the holders of any common stock or any other class or series of our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of each series of preferred stock shall be entitled to receive, out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference per share set forth in the prospectus supplement, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon. Such dividends will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid noncumulative dividends for prior dividend periods. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, after payment of the full amount of their liquidating distributions, the holders of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. Upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, if our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding preferred stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all other classes or series of our capital stock ranking on parity with the preferred stock and all other such classes or series of shares of capital stock ranking on parity with the preferred stock in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the preferred stock and all other such classes or series of capital stock will share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be entitled.

Upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up and if we have made liquidating distributions in full to all holders of preferred stock, we will distribute our remaining assets among the holders of any other classes or series of capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock according to their respective rights and preferences and, in each case, according to their respective number of shares. For such purposes, our consolidation or merger with or into any other corporation, trust or entity, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or assets will not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.

Redemption

If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in such prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock that is subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of shares of preferred stock that shall be redeemed by us in each year commencing after a date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified, together with an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of redemption. Unless the shares have a cumulative dividend, such accrued dividends will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods. We may pay the redemption price in cash or other property, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the redemption price for preferred stock of any series is payable only from the net proceeds of the issuance of shares of our capital stock, the terms of such preferred stock may provide that, if no such shares of our capital stock shall have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, such preferred stock shall automatically and mandatorily be converted into the applicable shares of our capital stock pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will not redeem any preferred stock of a series unless:

39

In addition, we will not acquire any preferred stock of a series unless:

However, at any time we may purchase or acquire preferred stock of that series (1) pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding preferred stock of such series or (2) by conversion into or exchange for shares of our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of such series as to dividends and upon liquidation.

If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of preferred stock of any series are to be redeemed, we will determine the number of shares that may be redeemed pro rata from the holders of record of such shares in proportion to the number of such shares held or for which redemption is requested by such holder or by any other equitable manner that we determine. Such determination will reflect adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, we will mail notice of redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of record of preferred stock to be redeemed at the address shown on our stock transfer books. Each notice shall state:

If notice of redemption has been given and we have set aside the funds necessary for such redemption in trust for the benefit of the holders of any shares called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date, dividends will cease to accrue on such shares and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price.

40

Voting Rights

Holders of preferred stock will not have any voting rights, except as required by law or as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise provided for under the terms of any series of preferred stock, no consent or vote of the holders of shares of preferred stock or any series thereof shall be required for any amendment to our certificate of incorporation that would increase the number of authorized shares of preferred stock or the number of authorized shares of any series thereof or decrease the number of authorized shares of preferred stock or the number of authorized shares of any series thereof (but not below the number of authorized shares of preferred stock or such series, as the case may be, then outstanding).

Conversion Rights

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of preferred stock is convertible into our common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the number of shares of common stock into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price, rate or manner of calculation thereof, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at our option or at the option of the holders of the preferred stock, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

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

41