e424b3
Filed
Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration Statement No. 333-147850
PROSPECTUS
1,000,000 Shares
Akorn, Inc.
Common Stock
This prospectus relates to the resale of 1,000,000 shares of our common stock by the selling
security holder identified in this prospectus on page 10, which have been issued to the selling
security holder. The selling security holder may sell the shares of common stock described in this
prospectus in public or private transactions, at prevailing market prices, or at privately
negotiated prices. The selling security holder may sell shares directly to purchasers or through
brokers or dealers. Brokers or dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions from the selling security holder. We will not receive any of the
proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling security holder. The selling security holder
will receive all of the proceeds from the sale of the shares and will pay all underwriting
discounts and selling commissions, if any, applicable to the sale of the shares. We will pay the
expenses of registration of the sale of the shares. It is not possible at the present time to
determine the price to the public in any sale of the shares by the selling security holder, and the
selling security holder reserves the right to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any proposed
purchase of shares. Accordingly, the public offering price, the amount of any applicable
underwriting discounts and commissions and the net proceeds to the selling security holder will be
determined at the time of such sale by the selling security holder.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol AKRX. On November
29, 2007, the last reported sales price of our common stock was $7.59 per share.
Our principal executive offices are located at 2500 Millbrook Drive, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
60089 and our telephone number is (847) 279-6100.
Investing in our common stock involves risks.
See Risk Factors beginning on page 3.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The
date of this prospectus is December 17, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
13 |
|
(i)
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplements. We have not authorized anyone to provide you
with different information. The selling security holder is not offering to sell or seeking offers
to buy shares of our common stock in jurisdictions where offers and sales are prohibited. The
information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus,
regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our common stock.
References in this prospectus to Akorn, us, we, our, or the Company refer to Akorn,
Inc. and its subsidiary, Akorn (New Jersey), Inc., as the context requires. The phrase this
prospectus refers to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement and the documents
incorporated by reference in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND FACTORS AFFECTING FUTURE RESULTS
Certain statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. When used in this prospectus, the words
anticipate, believe, could, should, propose, continue, estimate, expect, intend,
may, plan, predict, project, will and similar expressions are generally intended to
identify forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements, including statements
regarding our intent, belief or expectations are not guarantees of future performance. These
statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to:
|
|
|
The factors described in this prospectus under the heading Risk Factors beginning
on page 3; |
|
|
|
|
Our ability to comply with all of the requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), including current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
regulations; |
|
|
|
|
Our ability to resolve our FDA compliance issues at our Decatur, Illinois facilities; |
|
|
|
|
Our ability to obtain regulatory approvals of, commence operations at, and obtain
business for our new lyophilization facility; |
|
|
|
|
Our ability to generate cash from operations sufficient to meet our working capital
requirements; |
|
|
|
|
The effects of federal, state and other governmental regulation on our business; |
|
|
|
|
Our success in developing, manufacturing, acquiring and marketing new products; |
|
|
|
|
The success of our strategic partnerships for the development and marketing of new
products; |
|
|
|
|
Our ability to bring new products to market and the effects of sales of such products
on our financial results; |
|
|
|
|
The effects of competition from generic pharmaceuticals and from other pharmaceutical
companies; |
|
|
|
|
Availability of raw materials needed to produce our products; and |
|
|
|
|
Other factors referred to in this prospectus and our other Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) filings. |
You should read this prospectus completely with the understanding that our actual results may
differ materially from what we expect. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to
update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
1
SUMMARY
This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before buying shares
in this offering. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including Risk Factors, any
prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus before making
an investment decision.
Company Overview
We manufacture and market diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceuticals in specialty areas such
as ophthalmology, rheumatology, anesthesia, vaccines and antidotes, among others. Our customers include
physicians, optometrists, hospitals, wholesalers, group purchasing organizations and other
pharmaceutical companies. We are a Louisiana corporation founded in 1971 in Abita Springs,
Louisiana. In 1997, we relocated our headquarters and certain operations to Illinois. We have a
wholly owned subsidiary named Akorn (New Jersey), Inc., which operates in Somerset, New Jersey and
is involved in manufacturing, product development, and administrative activities related to our
ophthalmic and injectable segments. We classify our operations into
three identifiable business
segments: ophthalmic, hospital drugs & injectables, and contract services.
Ophthalmic Segment. We manufacture, market and distribute a line of diagnostic and
therapeutic ophthalmic pharmaceutical products. Diagnostic products, primarily used in the office
setting, include mydriatics and cycloplegics, anesthetics, topical stains, gonioscopic solutions,
angiography dyes and others. Therapeutic products, sold primarily to wholesalers and other
national account customers, include antibiotics, anti-infectives, steroids, steroid combinations,
glaucoma medications, decongestants/antihistamines and anti-edema medications. Non-pharmaceutical
products include various artificial tear solutions, preservative-free lubricating ointments, eyelid
cleansers, vitamin supplements and contact lens accessories.
Hospital Drugs & Injectable Segment. We manufacture, market and distribute a line of
specialty drugs and injectable pharmaceutical products, including
antidotes, vaccines, anesthesia and
products used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and pain management. These products are
marketed to hospitals through wholesalers and other national account customers as well as directly
to medical specialists through our internal sales staff. This segment was previously classified as
the injectable segment; however, we changed the classification to reflect that an increasing amount
of pharmaceuticals that we deliver to hospitals are drugs other than injectable pharmaceuticals.
The new classification reflects that this segment includes both hospital drugs and injectable
pharmaceuticals.
Contract Services Segment. We manufacture products for third party pharmaceutical and
biotechnology customers based on their specifications.
|
|
|
Offering Overview |
Issuer
|
|
Akorn, Inc. |
|
|
|
Address and Phone Number
|
|
2500 Millbrook Drive, Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089 (847) 279-6100 |
|
|
|
Nasdaq Global Market Trading Symbol
|
|
AKRX |
|
|
|
Website
|
|
www.akorn.com (information found on our website is not part of this prospectus) |
|
|
|
Securities Offered
|
|
Up to 1,000,000 (1) shares of our common stock, no par value by the
selling security holder. |
|
|
|
Use of Proceeds
|
|
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock
covered by this prospectus. |
|
|
|
Risk Factors
|
|
In analyzing an investment in our common stock offered by this prospectus, you
should carefully consider the information set forth under Risk Factors. |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The number of shares of common stock is subject to adjustment to prevent dilution resulting
from stock splits, stock dividends or similar events. Therefore, pursuant to Rule 416, we are also
registering such indeterminate number of shares as may be issuable in connection with stock splits,
stock dividends or similar events. The holder of the securities registered hereunder has direct
registration rights for this offering. |
We have reserved for issuance the shares of our common stock identified in this prospectus. Each
of the above listed securities which are being sold by the selling security holder were restricted
securities under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act, prior to this registration.
The selling security holder will determine if and when it will sell its shares and if it will sell
their shares at the current market price or at negotiated prices at the time of the sale. Although
we have agreed to pay the expenses related to the registration of the shares being offered, we will
not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling security holder.
2
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all other information contained in
this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus before investing.
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. The risks and uncertainties
described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently
known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may impair our business. If any of
the events described in the following risks occur, our business, results of operations and
financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, the trading price of our
common stock could decline due to any of the events described in these risks, and you may lose all
or part of your investment.
We have experienced recent operating losses, working capital deficiencies and negative cash
flows from operations, and these losses and deficiencies may continue in the future.
Our recent operating losses may continue in the future and there can be no assurance that our
financial outlook will improve. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, our operating
losses were $4,905,000, $7,479,000 and $368,000, respectively. We generated a positive cash flow
from operations in 2006 of $2,509,000, however we generated negative
cash flows of $148,000 and
$3,461,000 in 2005 and 2004, respectively. There can be no assurance that our results of operations
will reflect improvement in the future. If our results of operations do not improve in the future,
an investment in our common stock could be negatively affected.
We have invested significant resources in the development of lyophilization manufacturing
capability, and we may not realize the benefit of these efforts and expenditures.
We are in the process of completing an expansion of our Decatur, Illinois manufacturing
facility to add capacity to provide lyophilization (freeze-dry) manufacturing services, a
manufacturing capability we currently do not have. As of December 31, 2006, we had spent
approximately $22,433,000 on the lyophilization facility expansion and anticipate the need to spend
approximately $200,000 of additional funds (excluding capitalized interest), which will primarily
be used for testing and validation as the major capital equipment items are currently in place. In
December 2006, we placed the sterile solutions portion of this operation in service which augments
our existing production capacities. The remaining $5,196,000 of construction in progress, which is
specific to lyophilization operations, is awaiting final review and a Pre-Approval Inspection from
the FDA for us to place this equipment into commercial production.
We are developing an internal Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) lyophilized product
pipeline. However, we cannot commercialize any lyophilized products until we complete a successful
Pre-Approval Inspection from the FDA. Further, there is no guarantee that we will be successful in
completing development of lyophilization capability or that other intervening events will not occur
that will reduce or eliminate the anticipated benefits from such capability. For instance, the
market for lyophilized products could significantly diminish or be eliminated, or new technological
advances could render the lyophilization process obsolete, prior to our entry into the market.
There can be no assurance that we will realize the anticipated benefits from our significant
investment into lyophilization capability at our Decatur manufacturing facility, and our failure to
do so could significantly limit our ability to grow our business in the future.
We depend on a small number of distributors, the loss of any of which could have a material
adverse effect.
A small number of large wholesale drug distributors account for a large portion of our gross
sales, revenues and accounts receivable. The following three distributors, AmerisourceBergen
Corporation, Cardinal Health, Inc. and McKesson Drug Company, accounted for approximately 50% of
total gross sales in 2006, 33% of total revenues in 2006 and 53% of gross trade receivables as of
December 31, 2006. In addition to acting as distributors of our products, these three companies
also distribute a broad range of health care products for many other companies. The loss of one or
more of these distributors, together with a delay or inability to secure an alternative
distribution source for end users, could have a material negative impact on our revenue and results
of operations and could lead to a violation of financial covenants. A change in purchasing
patterns, inventory levels, increases in returns of our products, delays in purchasing products and
delays in payment for products by one or more distributors also could have a material negative
impact on our revenue and results of operations.
3
Certain of our directors are subject to conflicts of interest.
Dr. John N. Kapoor, Ph.D., the chairman of our board of directors, our chief executive officer
from March 2001 to December 2002, and a principal shareholder, is affiliated with EJ Financial
Enterprises, Inc. (EJ Financial), a health care consulting investment company. EJ Financial is
involved in the management of health care companies in various fields, and Dr. Kapoor is involved
in various capacities with the management and operation of these companies. The John N. Kapoor
Trust dated 9/20/89 (the Kapoor Trust), the beneficiary and sole trustee of which is Dr. Kapoor,
is a principal shareholder of each of these companies. As a result, Dr. Kapoor does not devote his
full time to our business. Although such companies do not currently compete directly with us,
certain companies with which EJ Financial is involved are in the pharmaceutical business and could
eventually compete with us in the future. Discoveries made by one or more of these companies could
render our products less competitive or obsolete. Potential conflicts of interest could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may require additional capital to grow our business and such funds may not be available to
us.
We may require additional funds to grow our business. However, adequate funds through the
financial markets or from other sources may not be available when needed or on terms favorable to
us due to our recent financial history. Further, the terms of such additional financing, if
obtained, likely will require the granting of rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of
our common stock and result in substantial dilution of the existing ownership interests of our
common stockholders and could include covenants and restrictions that limit our ability to operate
or expand our business in a manner that we deem to be in our best interest.
Our growth depends on our ability to timely develop additional pharmaceutical products and
manufacturing capabilities.
Our strategy for growth is dependent upon our ability to develop products that can be promoted
through current marketing and distribution channels and, when appropriate, the enhancement of such
marketing and distribution channels. We may not meet our anticipated time schedule for the filing
of ANDAs and New Drug Applications (NDAs) or may decide not to pursue ANDAs or NDAs that we have
submitted or anticipate submitting. Our internal development of new pharmaceutical products is
dependent upon the research and development capabilities of our personnel and our strategic
business alliance infrastructure. There can be no assurance that we or our strategic business
alliances will successfully develop new pharmaceutical products or, if developed, successfully
integrate new products into our existing product lines. In addition, there can be no assurance that
we will receive all necessary FDA approvals or that such approvals will not involve delays, which
adversely affect the marketing and sale of our products. Our failure to develop new products, to
maintain substantial compliance with FDA compliance guidelines or to receive FDA approval of ANDAs
or NDAs, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
We have entered into several strategic business alliances which may not result in marketable
products.
We have entered into several strategic business alliances that have been formed to supply us
with low cost finished dosage form products. Since 2004, we have entered into various purchase and
supply agreements, license agreements, and a joint venture that are all designed to provide
finished dosage form products that can be marketed through our distribution pipeline. However,
there can be no assurance that any of these agreements will result in FDA-approved ANDAs or NDAs,
or that we will be able to market any such finished dosage form products at a profit. In addition,
any clinical trial expenses that we incur may result in adverse financial consequences to our
business.
Our success depends on the development of generic and off-patent pharmaceutical products which
are particularly susceptible to competition, substitution policies and reimbursement policies.
Our success depends, in part, on our ability to anticipate which branded pharmaceuticals are
about to come off patent, thus permitting us to develop, manufacture and market equivalent generic
pharmaceutical products. Generic pharmaceuticals must meet the same quality standards as branded
pharmaceuticals, even though these equivalent pharmaceuticals are sold at prices that are
significantly lower than that of branded pharmaceuticals. Generic substitution is regulated by the
federal and state governments, as is reimbursement for generic drug dispensing. There can be no
assurance that substitution will be permitted for newly approved generic drugs or that such
products will be subject to government reimbursement. In addition, generic products that third
parties develop may render our generic products noncompetitive or obsolete. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to consistently bring generic pharmaceutical products to market
quickly and efficiently in the future. An increase in competition in the sale of generic
4
pharmaceutical products or our failure to bring such products to market before our competitors
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Further, there is no proprietary protection for most of the branded pharmaceutical products
that either we or other pharmaceutical companies sell. In addition, governmental and
cost-containment pressures regarding the dispensing of generic equivalents will likely result in
generic substitution and competition generally for our branded pharmaceutical products. We attempt
to mitigate the effect of this substitution through, among other things, creation of strong
brand-name recognition and product-line extensions for our branded pharmaceutical products, but
there can be no assurance that we will be successful in these efforts.
We can be subject to legal proceedings against us, which may prove costly and time-consuming
even if meritless.
In the ordinary course of our business, we can be involved in legal actions with both private
parties and certain government agencies. To the extent that our personnel may have to spend time
and resources to pursue or contest any matters that may be asserted from time to time in the
future, this represents time and money that is not available for other actions that we might
otherwise pursue which could be beneficial to our future. In addition, to the extent that we are
unsuccessful in any legal proceedings, the consequences could have a negative impact on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our revenues depend on the sale of products manufactured by third parties, which we cannot
control.
We derive a significant portion of our revenues from the sale of products manufactured by
third parties. There can be no assurance that our dependence on third parties for the manufacture
of such products will not adversely affect our profit margins or our ability to develop and deliver
our products on a timely and competitive basis. If for any reason we are unable to obtain or
retain third-party manufacturers on commercially acceptable terms, we may not be able to distribute
certain of our products as planned. No assurance can be made that the manufacturers we use will be
able to provide us with sufficient quantities of our products or that the products supplied to us
will meet our specifications. Any delays or difficulties with third-party manufacturers could
adversely affect the marketing and distribution of certain of our products, which could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Dependence on key executive officers.
Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to attract and retain key executive officers.
We are particularly dependent upon Dr. John N. Kapoor, Ph.D., chairman of our board of directors,
and Mr. Arthur S. Przybyl, our chief executive officer. The inability to attract and retain key
executive officers, or the loss of one or more of our key executive officers, could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We must continue to attract and retain key personnel to be able to compete successfully.
Our performance depends, to a large extent, on the continued service of our key research and
development personnel, other technical employees, managers and sales personnel, and our ability to
continue to attract and retain such personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense,
particularly for highly motivated and experienced research and development and other technical
personnel. We are facing increasing competition from companies with greater financial resources
for such personnel. There can be no assurance that we will be able to attract and retain
sufficient numbers of highly skilled personnel in the future, and the inability to do so could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to extensive government regulations that increase our costs and could subject
us to fines, prevent us from selling our products or prevent us from operating our facilities.
Federal and state government agencies regulate virtually all aspects of our business. The
development, testing, manufacturing, processing, quality, safety, efficacy, packaging, labeling,
record keeping, distribution, storage and advertising of our products, and disposal of waste
products arising from such activities, are subject to regulation by the FDA, the Drug Enforcement
Agency (DEA), the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. Similar
state and local agencies also have jurisdiction over these activities. Noncompliance with
applicable United States and/or state or local regulatory requirements can result in fines,
injunctions, penalties, mandatory recalls or seizures, suspensions of production, recommendations
by the FDA against governmental contracts and criminal prosecution. Any of these could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. New,
5
modified and additional regulations, statutes or legal interpretation, if any, could, among
other things, require changes to manufacturing methods, expanded or different labeling, the recall,
replacement or discontinuation of certain products, additional record keeping and expanded
documentation of the properties of certain products and scientific substantiation. Such changes or
new legislation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
FDA regulations. All pharmaceutical manufacturers, including us, are subject to regulation by
the FDA under the authority of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDC Act). Under the FDC Act, the
federal government has extensive administrative and judicial enforcement authority over the
activities of finished drug product manufacturers to ensure compliance with FDA regulations. This
authority includes, but is not limited to, the authority to initiate court action to seize
unapproved or non-complying products, to enjoin non-complying activities, to halt manufacturing
operations that are not in compliance with cGMP, to recall products, to seek civil and monetary
penalties and to criminally prosecute violators. Other enforcement activities include refusal to
approve product applications or the withdrawal of previously approved applications. Any such
enforcement activities, including the restriction or prohibition on sales of products we market or
the halting of our manufacturing operations, could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations. In addition, product recalls may be issued at our
discretion or at the request of the FDA or other government agencies having regulatory authority
for pharmaceutical products. Recalls may occur due to disputed labeling claims, manufacturing
issues, quality defects or other reasons. No assurance can be given that restriction or prohibition
on sales, halting of manufacturing operations or recalls of our pharmaceutical products will not
occur in the future. Any such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations. Further, such actions, in certain circumstances,
could constitute an event of default under the terms of our various financing relationships.
We must obtain approval from the FDA for each pharmaceutical product that we market which
requires a regulatory submission. The FDA approval process is typically lengthy and expensive, and
approval is never certain. Our new products could take a significantly longer time than we expect
to gain regulatory approval and may never gain approval. Even if the FDA or another regulatory
agency approves a product, the approval may limit the indicated uses for a product, may otherwise
limit our ability to promote, sell and distribute a product or may require post-marketing studies
or impose other post-marketing obligations.
We and our third-party manufacturers are subject to periodic inspection by the FDA to assure
regulatory compliance regarding the manufacturing, distribution and promotion of pharmaceutical
products. The FDA imposes stringent mandatory requirements on the manufacture and distribution of
pharmaceutical products to ensure their safety and efficacy. The FDA also regulates drug labeling
and the advertising of prescription drugs. A finding by a governmental agency or court that we are
not in compliance with FDA requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
We were previously subject to an FDA Warning Letter which the FDA issued to us in October 2000
and subsequently removed in 2005. On March 29, 2007, we received an FDA Warning Letter (the
Warning Letter) following a routine inspection of our Decatur, Illinois manufacturing facility.
The Warning Letter cited deviations from cGMP Regulations. Failure to promptly correct the
violations cited in the Warning Letter may result in legal action without further notice,
including, without limitation, seizure and injunction. The FDA may withhold approval of pending new
drug applications that list the Decatur manufacturing facility as a manufacturer until the
violations are corrected. The FDA may also withhold approval of our lyophilization facility. As a
result of the Warning Letter we may be forced to find alternative manufacturing facilities for
certain of our products on terms that may not be favorable to us.
If the FDA changes its regulatory position, it could force us to delay or suspend our
manufacturing, distribution or sales of certain products. We believe that all of our current
products are in substantial compliance with FDA regulations and have received the requisite agency
approvals for their manufacture and sale. Modifications or enhancements of approved products are in
many circumstances subject to additional FDA approvals which may or may not be granted and which
may be subject to a lengthy application process. Any change in the FDAs enforcement policy, any
decision by the FDA to require an approved NDA or ANDA for one of our products not currently
subject to the approved NDA or ANDA requirements or any delay in the FDA approving an NDA or ANDA
for one of our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
A number of products we market are "grandfathered" drugs that are permitted to be manufactured and marketed without FDA-issued ANDAs or NDAs on the basis of their having been marketed prior to enactment of relevant sections of the FDC Act and amendments thereto. The regulatory status of these products is subject to change and/or challenge by the FDA,
which could establish new standards and limitations for manufacturing and
marketing such products or could challenge the evidence of prior manufacturing and
marketing upon which grandfathering status is based. Any such change
in the status of a "grandfathered" product could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
6
We are subject to extensive DEA regulation, which could result in our being fined or otherwise
penalized. We also manufacture and sell drugs which are controlled substances as defined in the
federal Controlled Substances Act and similar state laws, which impose, among other things, certain
licensing, security and record keeping requirements administered by the DEA and similar state
agencies, as well as quotas for the manufacture, purchase and sale of controlled substances. The
DEA could limit or reduce the amount of controlled substances which we are permitted to manufacture
and market.
We may implement product recalls and could be exposed to significant product liability claims;
we may have to pay significant amounts to those harmed and may suffer from adverse publicity as a
result.
The manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals involves an inherent risk that our products
may prove to be defective and cause a health risk. In that event, we may voluntarily implement a
recall or market withdrawal or may be required to do so by a regulatory authority. We have recalled
products in the past and, based on this experience, believe that the occurrence of a recall could
result in significant costs to us, potential disruptions in the supply of our products to our
customers and adverse publicity, all of which could harm our ability to market our products. There
were no product recalls in 2006, 2005 or 2004, nor have there been any product recalls as of
November 30 in 2007.
Although we are not currently subject to any material product liability proceedings, we may
incur material liabilities relating to product liability claims in the future. Even meritless
claims could subject us to adverse publicity, hinder us from securing insurance coverage in the
future, require us to incur significant legal fees and divert the attention of the key employees
from running our business. Successful product liability claims brought against us could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We currently have product liability insurance in the amount of $5,000,000 for aggregate annual
claims with a $50,000 deductible per incident and a $250,000 aggregate annual deductible. However,
there can be no assurance that such insurance coverage will be sufficient to fully cover potential
claims. Additionally, there can be no assurance that adequate insurance coverage will be available
in the future at acceptable costs, if at all, or that a product liability claim would not have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The FDA may authorize sales of some prescription pharmaceuticals on a non-prescription basis,
which would reduce the profitability of our prescription products.
From time to time, the FDA elects to permit sales of some pharmaceuticals currently sold on a
prescription basis, without a prescription. FDA approval of the sale of our products without a
prescription would reduce demand for our competing prescription products and, accordingly, reduce
our profits.
Our industry is very competitive. Additionally, changes in technology could render our
products obsolete.
We face significant competition from other pharmaceutical companies, including major
pharmaceutical companies with financial resources substantially greater than ours, in developing,
acquiring, manufacturing and marketing pharmaceutical products. The selling prices of
pharmaceutical products typically decline as competition increases. Further, other products now in
use, under development or acquired by other pharmaceutical companies may be more effective or
offered at lower prices than our current or future products. The industry is characterized by
rapid technological change that may render our products obsolete, and competitors may develop their
products more rapidly than we can. Competitors may also be able to complete the regulatory process
sooner and, therefore, may begin to market their products in advance of our products. We believe
that competition in sales of our products is based primarily on price, service and technical
capabilities. There can be no assurance that: (i) we will be able to develop or acquire
commercially attractive pharmaceutical products; (ii) additional competitors will not enter the
market; or (iii) competition from other pharmaceutical companies will not have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Many of the raw materials and components used in our products come from a single source.
We require a supply of quality raw materials and components to manufacture and package
pharmaceutical products for ourselves and for third parties with which we have contracted. Many of
the raw materials and components used in our products come from a single source, and interruptions
in the supply of these raw materials and components could disrupt our manufacturing of specific
products and cause our sales and profitability to decline. Further, in the case of many of our
ANDAs and NDAs, only one supplier of raw materials has been identified. Because FDA approval of
drugs requires manufacturers to specify their proposed
7
suppliers of active ingredients and certain packaging materials in their applications, FDA
approval of any new supplier would be required if active ingredients or such packaging materials
were no longer available from the specified supplier. The qualification of a new supplier could
delay our development and marketing efforts. If for any reason we are unable to obtain sufficient
quantities of any of the raw materials or components required to produce and package our products,
we may not be able to manufacture our products as planned, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our patents and proprietary rights may not adequately protect our products and processes.
The patent and proprietary rights position of competitors in the pharmaceutical industry
generally is highly uncertain, involves complex legal and factual questions, and is the subject of
much litigation. There can be no assurance that any patent applications or other proprietary
rights, including licensed rights, relating to our potential products or processes will result in
patents being issued or other proprietary rights secured, or that the resulting patents or
proprietary rights, if any, will provide protection against competitors who: (i) successfully
challenge our patents or proprietary rights; (ii) obtain patents or proprietary rights that may
have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct business; or (iii) are able to circumvent our
patent or proprietary rights position. It is possible that other parties have conducted or are
conducting research and could make discoveries of pharmaceutical formulations or processes that
would precede any discoveries made by us, which could prevent us from obtaining patents or other
protection for these discoveries or marketing products developed therefrom. Consequently, there
can be no assurance that others will not duplicate any of our products or independently develop
pharmaceutical products similar to or obsoleting those that we are planning to develop. Our
inability to obtain patents for, or other proprietary rights in, our products and processes or the
ability of competitors to circumvent or obsolete our patents or proprietary rights could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Concentrated ownership of our common stock and our registration of shares for public sale
creates a risk of sudden changes in our share price.
The sale by any of our large shareholders of a significant portion of that shareholders
holdings could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. We have
registered 71,785,437 shares held by certain of our investors for sale under registration
statements on a Form S-1 and Form S-3 filed with the SEC. Sales of these shares on the open market
could cause the price of our stock to decline.
Exercise of warrants and options may have a substantial dilutive effect on our common stock.
If the price per share of our common stock at the time of exercise or conversion of any
warrants or stock options is in excess of the various exercise or conversion prices of such
convertible securities, exercise or conversion of such convertible securities would have a dilutive
effect on our common stock. Holders of our outstanding warrants and options would receive 6,872,568
shares of our common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $4.68 per share. Any additional
financing that we secure likely will require the granting of rights, preferences or privileges
senior to those of our common stock, which may result in substantial dilution of the existing
ownership interests of our common shareholders.
The terms of our preferred stock may reduce the value of our common stock.
We are authorized to issue up to a total of 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more
series. Our board of directors may determine whether to issue additional shares of preferred stock
and the terms of such preferred stock without further action by holders of our common stock. If we
issue additional shares of preferred stock, it could affect the rights or reduce the value of our
common stock. In particular, specific rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could be
used to restrict our ability to merge with or sell our assets to a third party. These terms may
include voting rights, preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion and redemption
rights, and sinking fund provisions. We continue to seek capital for the growth of our business,
and this additional capital may be raised through the issuance of additional preferred stock.
We experience significant quarterly fluctuation of our results of operations, which may
increase the volatility of our stock price.
Our results of operations may vary from quarter to quarter due to a variety of factors
including, but not limited to, the timing of the development and marketing of new pharmaceutical
products, the failure to develop such products, delays in obtaining government approvals, including
FDA approval of NDAs or ANDAs for our products, expenditures to comply with governmental
8
requirements for manufacturing facilities, expenditures incurred to acquire and promote
pharmaceutical products, changes in our customer base, a customers termination of a substantial
account, the availability and cost of raw materials, interruptions in supply by third-party
manufacturers, the introduction of new products or technological innovations by our competitors,
loss of key personnel, changes in the mix of products sold by us, changes in sales and marketing
expenditures, competitive pricing pressures, expenditures incurred to pursue or contest pending or
threatened legal action and our ability to meet our financial covenants. There can be no assurance
that we will be successful in avoiding losses in any future period. Such fluctuations may result in
volatility in the price of our common stock.
Penny Stock rules may make buying or selling our common stock difficult.
As of November 29, 2007, the market price of our common stock exceeded $5.00 per share.
However, there can be no guarantee that it will continue to do so. If our market price falls below
$5.00 per share, trading in our common stock may be subject to the penny stock rules. The SEC has
adopted regulations that generally define a penny stock to be any equity security that has a market
price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. These rules would require that
any broker-dealer that would have to recommend our common stock to persons other than prior
customers and accredited investors must, prior to the sale, make a special written suitability
determination for the purchaser and receive the purchasers written agreement to execute the
transaction. Unless an exception is available, the regulations would require the delivery, prior to
any transaction involving a penny stock, of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market
and the risks associated with trading in the penny stock market. In addition, broker-dealers must
disclose commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative and
current quotations for the securities they offer. The additional burdens imposed upon
broker-dealers by such requirements may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in
our common stock, which could severely limit the market price and liquidity of our common stock.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and distract management.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Sarbanes-Oxley Act).
These requirements are extensive. The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and
current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act
requires that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls for
financial reporting. In order to maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls
and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, significant resources and management
oversight are required. This may divert managements attention from other business concerns, which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
9
SELLING SECURITY HOLDER
We are registering 1,000,000 shares of our common stock for resale by the selling security
holder named below. The term selling security holder includes such security holders
transferees, pledgees, donees or other successors. All of the shares we are registering were
issued to a single investor in a private placement offering pursuant to a securities purchase
agreement between us and such investor dated November 14, 2007. We are registering the 1,000,000
shares of common stock pursuant to registration rights in the securities purchase agreement to
permit the investor and its respective transferees, pledgees, donees or other successors to resell
the shares when they deem appropriate.
The following table sets forth (1) the name of the selling security holder; (2) the number of
shares of our common stock held by the selling security holder that may be offered for resale
pursuant to this prospectus as of November 30, 2007; (3) the number and percentage of shares of our
common stock that the selling security holder beneficially owns prior to the offering for resale of
any of the shares of our common stock being registered hereby as of November 30, 2007; and (4) the
number and percentage of shares of common stock to be beneficially owned by the selling security
holder after the offering of the shares of our common stock being registered hereby, assuming all
of the shares registered hereby are sold by the selling security holder. We will not receive any
proceeds from the resale of our common stock by the selling security holder.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially Owned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially Owned |
|
After the |
|
|
No. of Shares |
|
Prior to the Offering (2) |
|
Offering (3) |
Name |
|
Offered (1) |
|
Number |
|
Percentage |
|
Number |
|
Percentage |
Serum Institute of India Limited (4) |
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
|
2.25 |
% |
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
1.13 |
% |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The number of shares included in this prospectus is subject to adjustment to prevent dilution
resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, or similar events. Therefore, pursuant to Rule
416 under the Securities Act, we are also registering such indeterminate number of shares as
may be issuable in connection with stock splits, stock dividends or similar events. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes all shares beneficially owned, whether directly or indirectly, individually or
together with associates, jointly or as community property with a spouse and shares to which
each individual has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days of November 30,
2007. |
|
(3) |
|
Percentage of shares of common stock beneficially owned after the offering is based upon
88,796,763 shares of our common stock outstanding as of November 30, 2007, plus shares of
common stock as to which the holder has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60
days of November 30, 2007. |
|
(4) |
|
Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla is the chairman and Managing Director of Serum Institute of India
Limited. In such capacity, Dr. Poonawalla may be deemed to have the power to vote or to
direct the vote and to dispose or to direct the disposition of the shares beneficially owned
by Serum Institute of India Limited. |
In October 2004, we entered into an exclusive drug development and distribution agreement for
oncology drug products for the United States and Canada with Serum Institute of India Limited
(Serum). We will own the ANDAs and will buy products from Serum under a negotiated transfer
price arrangement. Once the products are approved, we will market and sell them in the United
States and Canada under our label. In September of 2006, we entered into a securities purchase
agreement with Serum for the private placement of 1,000,000 shares of our common stock. In
November 2006, we entered into a development and exclusive distribution agreement for certain
antibody drugs with Serum. In exchange for exclusive marketing and distribution rights, we will
help fund development of such antibody drugs through milestone payments and a development funding
agreement, which was also entered into in November of 2006. In addition, the Executive Director of
Serum, Subhash Kapre, is a member of our board of directors.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling security holder, and any of its transferees, pledgees, donees, assignees or other
successors-in-interest (including successors by gift, partnership distribution or other
non-sale-related transfer effected after the date of this prospectus), may, from time to time, sell
any or all of their shares of common stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on
which the shares are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed prices, at
market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at
negotiated prices. The selling security holder may use any one or more of the following methods
when selling shares:
|
|
ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits
purchasers; |
10
|
|
block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may
position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
|
|
|
purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; |
|
|
|
an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; |
|
|
|
privately negotiated transactions; |
|
|
|
short sales; |
|
|
|
broker-dealers may agree with the selling security holder to sell a specified number of
such shares at a stipulated price per share; |
|
|
|
a combination of any such methods of sale; and |
|
|
|
any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
The selling security holder may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if
available, rather than under this prospectus. The selling security holder is not obligated to, and
there is no assurance that the selling security holder will, sell all or any of the shares we are
registering. The selling security holder may transfer, devise or gift such shares by other means
not described in this prospectus.
The selling security holder may also engage in short sales against the box, puts and calls and
other transactions in our securities or derivatives of our securities and may sell or deliver
shares in connection with these trades.
Broker-dealers engaged by the selling security holder may arrange for other brokers-dealers to
participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the selling
security holder (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of shares, from the
purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated. The selling security holder does not expect these
commissions and discounts to exceed what is customary in the types of transactions involved. Any
profits on the resale of shares of common stock by a broker-dealer acting as principal might be
deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. Discounts,
concessions, commissions and similar selling expenses, if any, attributable to the sale of shares
will be borne by the selling security holder. The selling security holder may agree to indemnify
any agent, dealer or broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving sales of the shares
if liabilities are imposed on that person under the Securities Act.
The selling security holder may from time to time pledge or grant a security interest in some
or all of the shares of common stock owned by it and, if it defaults in the performance of any of
its secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common
stock from time to time under this prospectus as it may be supplemented from time to time, or under
an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the
Securities Act amending the list of selling security holders to include the pledgee, transferee or
other successors in interest as selling security holders under this prospectus.
The selling security holder also may transfer the shares of common stock in other
circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the
selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
The selling security holder has advised us that it has not entered into any agreements,
understandings or arrangements with any underwriters or broker-dealers regarding the sale of its
shares of common stock, nor is there an underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection
with a proposed sale of shares of common stock by it. If we are notified by the selling security
holder that any material arrangement has been entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of
shares of common stock, if required, we will file a supplement to this prospectus. If the selling
security holder uses this prospectus for any sale of the shares of common stock, it will be subject
to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, unless an exemption therefrom is
available.
The anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of our
common stock and activities of the selling security holder.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling security holder of any of
the shares of common stock offered for resale through this prospectus. All proceeds from the
resale of the shares of our common stock offered for resale through this prospectus will be for the
account of the selling security holder.
11
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock being offered hereby will be passed upon for us by
Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P., New Orleans, Louisiana.
EXPERTS
The
financial statements and managements report on the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus have been audited by BDO
Seidman, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to the extent and for the periods
set forth in their reports incorporated herein by reference, and are incorporated herein in reliance
upon such reports given upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act, relating to the
shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus, and reference is made to such registration
statement. This prospectus constitutes the prospectus of Akorn, Inc., filed as part of the
registration statement, and it does not contain all information in the registration statement, as
certain portions have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC.
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, which requires us to
file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may inspect any document we
file with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549.
Copies of such material can be obtained from the facility at prescribed rates. Please call the SEC
toll free at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information about its public reference room. Because we file
documents electronically with the SEC, you may also obtain this information by visiting the SECs
website at http://www.sec.gov or our website at http://www.akorn.com. You can also inspect reports
and other information we file at the offices of the Nasdaq Global Market, One Liberty Plaza, 165
Broadway, New York, NY 10006. Information contained in our web site is not part of this
prospectus.
We will also provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is
delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this
prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. Such information will be provided upon written
or oral request and at no cost to the requester. Any such request may be made by writing or
calling us at the following address or telephone number:
Akorn, Inc.
2500 Millbrook Drive
Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
(847) 279-6100
Exhibits to a document will not be provided unless they are specifically incorporated by
reference in that document.
Our statements in this prospectus about the contents of any contract or other document are not
necessarily complete. You should refer to the copy of our contract or other document we have filed
for complete information.
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. The
selling security holder is not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is
not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any
date other than the date on the front of the document. We furnish our stockholders with annual
reports containing audited financial statements.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference some of the documents we file with it, which
means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. This
prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about us which is not included
in or delivered with this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is an important
part of, and is considered to be a part of, this prospectus, and information that we file later
with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.
12
We incorporate by reference the following documents:
|
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as filed on
March 16, 2007; |
|
|
our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the quarters ended March 31, 2007, June
30, 2007 and September 30, 2007, as filed on May 9, 2007, August 8, 2007 and November 8, 2007,
respectively; |
|
|
our Current Reports on Form 8-K, including amendments thereto, filed with the SEC
since December 31, 2006, other than any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01; |
|
|
the description of our common stock contained in the section entitled Description of
Capital Stock and Convertible Securities, included in our Post Effective Amendment No. 2 to
Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-119168 filed with the SEC on June 14, 2005, and any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; |
|
|
all documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering
of shares hereunder; and |
|
|
all documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act, other than any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of
Form 8-K, after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of
the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference in this prospectus and to be part of this prospectus from the date they are filed. |
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR
SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Section 83A(1) of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law (LBCL) permits a corporation to
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit,
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, including any action by
or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer,
employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee, or agent of another business, foreign or nonprofit corporation,
partnership, joint venture, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys fees,
judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with such action, suit, or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful.
Section 83A(2) of the LBCL provides that, in case of actions by or in the right of a
corporation, the indemnity shall be limited to expenses, including attorneys fees and amounts paid
in settlement not exceeding, in the judgment of the board of directors, the estimated expense of
litigating the action to conclusion, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the
defense or settlement of such action, and that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged by a court of competent
jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable for willful or intentional
misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation, unless, and only to the extent that
the court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view
of all the circumstances of the case, he is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses which the court shall deem proper.
Section 83(B) of the LBCL provides that to the extent that a director, officer, employee or
agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any such
action, suit or proceeding, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.
Any indemnification under Section 83A of the LBCL, unless ordered by the court, shall be made
by a corporation only as authorized in a specific case upon a determination that the applicable
standard of conduct has been met, and such determination shall be made:
|
|
By the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were
not parties to such action, suit, or proceeding, or |
|
|
If such a quorum is not obtainable and the board of directors so directs, by independent
legal counsel, or |
13
The indemnification provided for by Section 83 of the LBCL shall not be deemed exclusive of
any other rights to which the person indemnified is entitled under any by-law, agreement,
authorization of shareholders or directors, regardless of whether directors authorizing such
indemnification are beneficiaries thereof, or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity
and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person
who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his
heirs and legal representatives; however, no such other indemnification measure shall permit
indemnification of any person for the results of such persons willful or intentional misconduct.
Section 24 of the LBCL provides that the articles of incorporation of a corporation may
contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director or officer to the
corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or
officer, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director or
officer:
|
|
For any breach of the directors or officers duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
shareholders; |
|
|
For acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law; |
|
|
Who knowingly or without the exercise of reasonable care and inquiry votes in favor of a
dividend paid in violation of Louisiana law, any other unlawful distribution, payment or
return of assets to be made to the shareholders or stock purchases or redemptions in violation
of Louisiana law; or |
|
|
For any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal
benefit. |
Article XII of the Companys articles of incorporation contains the provisions permitted by
Section 24 of the LBCL.
Article V of the Companys by-laws makes mandatory the indemnification of any of the Companys
officers, directors, employees or agents against any expenses, including attorneys fees,
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him by reason
of his position as the Companys director, officer, employee or agent or serving in such position
at the Companys request of any business, foreign or non-profit corporation, partnership, joint
venture or other enterprise, if he acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed
to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the Company, and, in the case of a criminal
action or proceeding, with no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. However,
in case of actions by or in the right of the Company, the indemnity shall be limited to expenses
(including attorneys fees and amounts paid in settlement not exceeding, in the judgment of the
Companys board of directors, the estimated expense of litigating the action to conclusion)
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action.
No indemnification is permitted under Article V of the Companys by-laws in respect of any
matter as to which a director or officer shall have been finally adjudged by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be liable for willful or intentional misconduct or to have obtained an improper
personal benefit, unless, and only to the extent that the court shall determine upon application
that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, he is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.
Article V of the Companys by-laws also provides that to the extent that a director, officer,
employee or agent of the Company has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any
such action, suit or proceeding, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.
Any indemnification under Article V of the Companys by-laws, unless ordered by the court,
shall be made by the Company only as authorized in a specific case upon a determination that the
applicable standard of conduct has been met, and such determination shall be made:
|
|
|
By the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who
were not parties to such action, suit, or proceeding, or |
|
|
|
If such a quorum is not obtainable and the board of directors so directs, by independent
legal counsel, or |
14
Article V of the Companys by-laws also provides that the expenses incurred in defending such
action shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such
amount, unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the
Company as authorized under Article V. However, the Companys board of directors may determine, by
special resolution, not to have the Company pay in advance the expenses incurred by any person in
the defense of any such action.
Article V further provides that indemnification granted thereunder shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which a director, officer, employee or agent is or may become
entitled, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer,
employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his heirs and legal representatives.
Article V also permits the Company to procure insurance on behalf of any person who is or was
the Companys director, officer, employee or agent, or is or was serving in such position at the
Companys request of any business, foreign or non-profit corporation, partnership, joint venture or
other enterprise, against any liability asserted against or incurred by him in any such capacity,
or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify
him against such liability under the LBCL. The Company maintains a directors and officers
liability insurance policy.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act my be permitted to
directors, officers or person controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the
Company has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
15
Until the completion of the resale of
the common stock included in this prospectus,
all dealers that effect transactions in these
securities, whether or not participating in
this offering, may be required to deliver a
prospectus. This is in addition to the
dealers obligation to deliver a prospectus
when acting as underwriters and with respect to
their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
Table of Contents
|
|
|
|
|
About this Prospectus
|
|
|
1 |
|
Forward-Looking Statements and Factors
Affecting Future Results
|
|
|
1 |
|
Summary
|
|
|
2 |
|
Risk Factors
|
|
|
3 |
|
Selling security holder
|
|
|
10 |
|
Plan of Distribution
|
|
|
10 |
|
Use of Proceeds
|
|
|
11 |
|
Legal Matters
|
|
|
12 |
|
Experts
|
|
|
12 |
|
Where You Can Find More Information
|
|
|
12 |
|
Information Incorporated by Reference
|
|
|
12 |
|
Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities |
|
|
13 |
|
The Resale of
1,000,000 Shares
of
Common Stock
Offered by
Selling Security Holder
AKORN, INC.
PROSPECTUS
December 17, 2007
We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give you written information
other than this prospectus or to make representations as to matters not stated in this prospectus.
You must not rely on unauthorized information. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these
securities or our solicitation of your offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction where that
would not be permitted or legal. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any of the sales made
hereunder after the date of this prospectus shall create an implication that the information
contained herein or our affairs have not changed since the date hereof.