424B5: Prospectus [Rule 424(b)(5)]
Published on July 23, 2010
PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT
(To
Prospectus dated November 24, 2009)
Filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
No.
333-162671
2,069,992 Shares of Common Stock
Warrants
to Purchase up to 1,034,996 Shares of Common Stock
Lightbridge
Corporation
This
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to the offering of
2,069,992 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and warrants
to purchase up to 1,034,996 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $9.00
per share. The securities will be sold in multiples of a fixed
combination consisting of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase
0.5 shares of common stock, at an initial exercise price of
$9.00. Each fixed combination will be sold at a price of $6.60 per
fixed combination. The warrants will be exercisable on or after the
date that is six months and one day after the date the warrants are issued and
will expire on the seventh anniversary of the date the warrants are
issued. In this prospectus supplement, we refer to the shares and
warrants collectively as the “securities.” The shares of common stock and
warrants will be issued separately.
Our
common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “LTBR.” On
July 22, 2010, the last reported per share sale price of our common stock was
$7.65. We do not intend to apply for listing of the warrants on any
national securities exchange or for inclusion of the warrants in any automated
quotation system.
We have
retained William Blair & Company to act as our exclusive placement agent in
connection with this offering. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-14
of this prospectus supplement for more information regarding these
arrangements. You should carefully consider the risk factors
beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and set forth in the
documents incorporated by reference herein before making any decision to invest
in our common stock.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or
any prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the
contrary is a criminal offense.
|
Per
Fixed Combination
|
Total
|
|
|
Public
offering price
|
$6.60
|
$13,661,947.20
|
|
Placement
agent fee
|
$0.396
|
$819,716.83
|
|
Proceeds,
before expenses, to us
|
$6.204
|
$12,842,230.37
|
______________________________________
William
Blair & Company, L.L.C. is acting as the exclusive placement agent in
connection with this offering. The placement agent is not purchasing
or selling any of the securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement or the
accompanying prospectus. We estimate the total expenses of this offering,
excluding the placement agent fee, will be approximately $125,000. Because there
is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to closing in this
offering, the actual public offering amount, placement agent fee and net
proceeds to us, if any, in this offering are not presently determinable and may
be substantially less than the total maximum offering amounts set forth
above. We are not required to sell any specific number or dollar
amount of the securities offered in this offering, but the placement agent will
use its best efforts to sell the securities offered. It is
anticipated that the shares of common stock and the warrants will be delivered
against payment thereon on or before July 28, 2010.
______________________________________
William
Blair & Company
The date
of this prospectus supplement is July 22, 2010
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Prospectus
Supplement
|
Page
|
|
|
About
This Prospectus Supplement
|
S-1
|
|
Forward-Looking
Statements
|
S-1
|
|
Prospectus
Summary
|
S-3
|
|
The
Offering
|
S-8
|
|
Risk
Factors
|
S-9
|
|
Use
Of Proceeds
|
S-10
|
|
Price
Range Of Common Stock
|
S-11
|
|
Dividend
Policy
|
S-11
|
|
Capitalization
|
S-11
|
|
Description
Of Securities We Are Offering
|
S-12
|
|
Plan
Of Distribution
|
S-13
|
|
Legal
Matters
|
S-16
|
|
Experts
|
S-16
|
|
Incorporation
Of Certain Information By Reference
|
S-16
|
|
Prospectus
|
|
|
About
This Prospectus
|
1
|
|
Use
Of Terms
|
1
|
|
Lightbridge
Corporation
|
1
|
|
Risk
Factors
|
3
|
|
Forward-Looking
Statements
|
3
|
|
Use
Of Proceeds
|
4
|
|
Ratios
Of Earnings To Fixed Charges
|
4
|
|
Description
Of Capital Stock
|
5
|
|
Description
Of Warrants
|
7
|
|
Description
Of Debt Securities
|
9
|
|
Description
Of Units
|
18
|
|
Plan
Of Distribution
|
19
|
|
Legal
Matters
|
20
|
|
Experts
|
21
|
|
Where
You Can Find Additional Information
|
21
|
|
Incorporation
Of Certain Information By Reference
|
21
|
This
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, dated November 24, 2009,
are part of a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-162671) that
we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission using a “shelf”
registration process. Under this “shelf” registration process, we may from time
to time sell any combination of securities described in the accompanying
prospectus in one or more offerings. In this prospectus supplement,
we provide you with specific information about the terms of this
offering.
As permitted under the rules of the
SEC, this prospectus incorporates by reference important information about us
that is contained in documents that we file with the SEC, but that are not
attached to or delivered with this prospectus. You may obtain copies of these
documents, without charge, from the website maintained by the SEC at
www.sec.gov, as well as other sources. See “Incorporation of Certain Information
by Reference” for further information.
S-1
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This
document comprises two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement,
which describes the specific terms of this offering of common stock and warrants
and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying
prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into the prospectus. The
second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information, some
of which may not apply to this offering. If the description of the offering or
the specific terms of the securities offered varies between this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information
contained in this prospectus supplement. However, if any statement in one of
these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a
later date — for example, a document incorporated by reference in the
accompanying prospectus — the statement in the document having the later
date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.
You
should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference
into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to which it
relates and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to
you. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any
information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must
not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. The information
contained in this prospectus supplement and contained, or incorporated by
reference, in the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the respective
dates thereof, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus or of any sale of securities hereunder. This
prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares and warrants offered hereby, but
only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do
so.
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This
prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any applicable free writing
prospectus, and the documents that we have filed with the SEC that are included
or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of such term
in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the
Exchange Act. In addition, other written or oral statements that
constitute forward-looking statements are based on current expectations,
estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate and
statements may be made by or on our behalf. Words such as “should,” “could,”
“may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,”
variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are
difficult to predict. There are a number of important factors that could cause
our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such
forward-looking statements.
We
describe material risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our
business, including our financial condition and results of operations, under
“Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and
may update our descriptions of such risks, uncertainties and assumptions in any
prospectus supplement or in any report incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We base our
forward-looking statements on our management’s beliefs and assumptions based on
information available to our management at the time the statements are made. We
caution you that actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is
expressed, implied or forecast by our forward-looking statements. Accordingly,
you should be careful about relying on any forward-looking statements. Reference
is made in particular to forward-looking statements regarding growth strategies,
financial results, product and service development, competitive strengths,
intellectual property rights, future market acceptance of our products,
financing activities, ongoing contractual obligations and business development
and marketing and sales efforts. Except as required under the federal securities
laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any intention or
obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements after the
distribution of this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future
events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.
Additional
disclosures regarding factors that could cause our results and performance to
differ from historical or anticipated results or performance are discussed in
this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any applicable free
writing prospectus, or in the reports incorporated by reference into this
prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. You are urged to carefully
review and consider the various disclosures made by us in those documents before
making any investment decision. The forward-looking statements speak only as of
the date made and we disclaim any obligation to provide updates, revisions or
amendments to any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in our
expectations or future events.
S-2
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
This
summary highlights information about us and the offering contained elsewhere in,
or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all the
information that may be important to you. You should carefully read the entire
prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any applicable free writing
prospectus, as well as the information incorporated by reference, before making
an investment decision, especially the information presented under the heading
“Risk Factors” beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement,
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010, and our consolidated
financial statements which are incorporated by reference.
Overview
We are a
developer of next generation nuclear fuel technology that will significantly
up-rate the power output of reactors, reducing the per-megawatt-hour cost of
generating nuclear energy and reduce nuclear waste and
proliferation. We are also a provider of nuclear energy consulting
services to commercial and governmental entities worldwide.
Technology
Business Segment
For most
of the past decade we have been engaged in the development of proprietary
nuclear fuel designs which we ultimately intend to introduce for use in nuclear
power plants around the world in partnership with one or more major nuclear fuel
vendors. Our proprietary nuclear fuel designs are primarily
geared toward two target markets: (1) nuclear fuel designs for use in commercial
nuclear power plants and (2) nuclear fuel designs for reactor-grade plutonium
disposition. In addition, we have a conceptual nuclear fuel design
for weapons-grade plutonium disposition. We have been conducting research and
development related to two variants of these nuclear fuel designs: (1) A fuel
variant for use in Russian-designed VVER-1000 reactors, and (2) A fuel variant
for use in Western-type pressurized water reactors (PWRs).
As an
outgrowth of this research and development, we have recently designed a new
commercial fuel technology based on a proprietary all-metal fuel assembly
configuration that has the potential to increase power output per reactor
compared to reactors operating on conventional uranium oxide
fuel. The new fuel design could reduce both initial capital costs per
megawatt and annual operating costs per kilowatt-hour of nuclear power, making
it more competitive with other forms of electricity generation while
contributing to a significant reduction of CO2 emissions.
It is
expected that our all-metal fuel technology could be applied to currently
operating or new light water reactors as well as small modular reactors while
providing the same benefits as in larger commercial nuclear power
plants. It is also highly synergistic with fast reactor designs under
development around the world.
In June
2010, Idaho National Laboratory has approved a Texas A&M University-led
joint proposal with us for irradiation testing of this kind of metallic fuel in
the Advanced Test Reactor. The fuel demonstration in a test reactor
environment is a key milestone to demonstration and deployment of this fuel in
commercial Western-type light water reactors. Testing is expected to
begin in 2011.
Our
future customers may include nuclear fuel fabricators, nuclear power plants
and/or the U.S. or international governments.
Our
operations within our technology business segment have been devoted primarily to
the development and demonstration of our nuclear fuel designs, developing
strategic relationships within and outside of the nuclear power industry,
securing political and financial support from the U.S. and Russian governments,
and the filing of patent applications (including related administrative
functions).
S-3
Currently,
we have generated only minimal direct revenues from our technology business
segment, and we do not expect that we will generate licensing revenues from this
business for several years, until our fuel designs can be fully tested and
demonstrated and we obtain the proper approvals to use our nuclear fuel designs
in nuclear reactors. We believe we can leverage our general nuclear technology,
business and regulatory expertise as well as industry relationships, to optimize
our technology development plans and create integrated advisory services with
the highest levels of expertise and experience in the nuclear power
industry.
Consulting
and Strategic Advisory Services Business Segment
We are
primarily engaged in the business of assisting commercial and governmental
entities with developing and expanding their nuclear industry capabilities and
infrastructure. We provide integrated strategic advice across a range of
expertise areas including, for example, nuclear reactor procurement and
deployment, reactor and fuel technology, international relations and regulatory
affairs.
Due to
the relatively limited growth in the nuclear energy industry during the 1980’s
and 1990’s, and corresponding limited recruitment into the industry, the cadre
of engineers, managers and other nuclear energy industry experts is aging. In
any nuclear renaissance, we believe that the industry will be challenged in
acquiring and retaining sufficient qualified expertise. Moreover, in countries
studying new nuclear energy programs, the number of qualified nuclear energy
personnel is very limited, and we believe that those countries will need to rely
on significant support from non-domestic service providers and experts to ensure
success in those programs.
Our
emergence in the field of nuclear energy consulting is in direct response to the
need for independent assessments and highly qualified technical consulting
services from countries looking to establish nuclear energy programs, by
providing a blueprint for safe, clean, efficient and cost-effective
non-proliferative nuclear power. We offer full-scope strategic planning and
advisory services for new and growing existing markets. Furthermore, we only
engage with commercial entities and governments that are dedicated to
non-proliferative and transparent nuclear programs.
Our
consulting services are expert and relationship based, with particular emphasis
on top-of-mind issues of key decision makers in senior positions within
governments or companies, as well as focus on overall management of nuclear
energy programs. To date, substantially all of our revenues are
derived from our business segment which provides nuclear consulting services to
entities within the United Arab Emirates, our first significant consulting and
strategic advisory client. In April 2010 we began to provide
consulting services in an additional country.
The
address of our principal executive office is 1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550,
McLean, Virginia 22102 and our telephone number is (571) 730-1200. We
maintain a website at www.Ltbridge.com that
contains information about our Company, though no information contained on our
website is part of this prospectus.
Corporate
Structure
The
following chart reflects our current corporate organizational
structure:
S-4
S-5
Summary
Consolidated Financial Information
The
following tables set forth our summary consolidated financial data as of and for
the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, as well as summary consolidated
financial data as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. The
summary consolidated financial data set forth below has been derived from our
audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto where
applicable for the respective fiscal years, which are incorporated by reference
in this prospectus supplement and the related prospectus. The summary
consolidated financial data as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and
2009, were derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements and related notes thereto. The summary consolidated financial data
should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” as well as our consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the six months ended June 30, 2010 which are incorporated by reference
herein. These historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results
to be expected in any subsequent fiscal quarters or for the year ended December
31, 2010.
|
For
the Six Months
|
For
the Years Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Ended
June 30,
|
December
31,
|
|||||||||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||
|
(unaudited)
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Statements
of Income Data
|
||||||||||||||||
|
(in
thousands, except per share data):
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Consulting
revenue
|
$ | 4,361 | $ | 6,374 | $ | 10,516 | $ | 22,220 | ||||||||
|
Cost
of consulting services provided
|
2,768 | 3,637 | 6,228 | 11,089 | ||||||||||||
|
Gross
margin
|
1,593 | 2,737 | 4,288 | 11,131 | ||||||||||||
|
Operating
expenses
|
||||||||||||||||
|
General
and administrative expenses
|
4,916 | 4,605 | 9,896 | 12,608 | ||||||||||||
|
Research
and development expenses
|
363 | 1,013 | 1,632 | 1,565 | ||||||||||||
|
Total
operating expenses
|
5,279 | 5,618 | 11,528 | 14,173 | ||||||||||||
|
Operating
loss
|
(3,686 | ) | (2,881 | ) | (7,240 | ) | (3,042 | ) | ||||||||
|
Other
income and (expenses)
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Interest
income
|
1 | 17 | 22 | 163 | ||||||||||||
|
Other
|
(2 | ) | (5 | ) | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
|
Realized
loss on marketable securities
|
0 | 0 | (15 | ) | 30 | |||||||||||
|
Total
other income and expenses
|
(1 | ) | 12 | 7 | 193 | |||||||||||
|
Net
loss before income taxes
|
(3,687 | ) | (2,869 | ) | (7,233 | ) | (2,849 | ) | ||||||||
|
Income
taxes
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
|
Net
loss
|
(3,687 | ) | (2,869 | ) | (7,233 | ) | (2,859 | ) | ||||||||
|
Net
loss per common share, basic and diluted
|
(0.36 | ) | (0.29 | ) | (0.72 | ) | (0.29 | ) | ||||||||
|
Weighted
average number of shares outstanding for the period used to compute per
share data - (prior reporting periods restated to reflect 1 for 30 reverse
stock split)
|
$ | 10,232,553 | $ | 10,055,580 | $ | 10,021,429 | $ | 10,002,364 | ||||||||
|
Statements
of Cash Flow Data (in thousands):
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Net
cash used in operating activities
|
$ | (317 | ) | $ | (639 | ) | $ | (2,561 | ) | $ | (3,615 | ) | ||||
|
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(23 | ) | (30 | ) | (39 | ) | (102 | ) | ||||||||
|
Net
cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
389 | 0 | 48 | (610 | ) | |||||||||||
S-6
|
As
of
June
30,
|
As
of
December
31,
2010
|
|||||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
2008
|
||||||||||
|
Balance
Sheet Data (in thousands):
|
||||||||||||
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 3,077 | $ | 3,029 | $ | 5,580 | ||||||
|
Restricted
cash
|
264 | 652 | 650 | |||||||||
|
Accounts
receivable - project revenue and reimbursable project
costs
|
1,133 | 2,421 | 5,358 | |||||||||
|
Prepaid
expenses & other current assets
|
389 | 574 | 394 | |||||||||
|
Total
current assets
|
4,863 | 6,676 | 11,982 | |||||||||
|
Property
plant and equipment – net
|
84 | 98 | 108 | |||||||||
|
Total
other assets
|
385 | 362 | 357 | |||||||||
|
Total
assets
|
5,332 | 7,136 | 12,447 | |||||||||
|
Total
liabilities
|
1,760 | 2,162 | 5,139 | |||||||||
|
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
3,572 | 4,974 | 7,308 | |||||||||
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders’ equity
|
$ | 5,332 | $ | 7,136 | $ | 12,447 | ||||||
S-7
THE
OFFERING
|
Common
stock offered by us
|
2,069,992
shares
|
|
Warrants
offered by us
|
Warrants
to purchase up to 1,034,996 shares of common stock, exercisable at $9.00
per share following the sixth (6th)
month anniversary of this offering. The warrants will expire seven
(7) years after the date of issuance of the
warrants.
|
|
Common
stock to be outstanding after
this offering
|
12,419,967
shares (not including warrant shares) (1)
|
|
Use
of proceeds
|
We
will use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the shares of common
stock and warrants offered hereby for research and development of our
nuclear fuel designs and general working capital purposes. See
“Use of Proceeds.”
|
|
Lock-Up
Agreements
|
We
and each of our directors and executive officers have agreed, subject to
certain exceptions, not to sell, transfer or dispose of any shares of our
common stock for a period of 60 days from the date of this prospectus
supplement. See “Plan of Distribution.”
|
|
NASDAQ
Capital Market Symbol
|
LTBR
|
|
(1)
|
Based
on 10,349,975 shares of common stock outstanding prior to the closing
of this offering as of July 22, 2010 and excludes any (1) unexercised
options and warrants, (2) convertible securities that have not yet been
converted, and (3) other securities of the Company that are exercisable or
exchangeable for, or convertible into, common stock of the Company that
have not yet been so exercised, exchanged or
converted.
|
S-8
RISK
FACTORS
Before
you invest in our common stock, you should carefully consider the risk factors
specified below, those risk factors set forth in the accompanying prospectus,
our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and our
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and June
30, 2010, together with all of the other information and documents included or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying
prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, in
evaluating an investment in our common stock. If any of the risks discussed
below, in the accompanying prospectus, our annual report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2009 and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, or in any document incorporated
by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus,
were actually to occur, our business, financial condition, results of
operations, or cash flow could be materially adversely affected. In that case,
the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or
part of your investment
Management
will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering, and
we may not use the proceeds effectively.
We have
not designated the amount of net proceeds from this offering to be used for any
particular purpose. Accordingly, our management will have broad discretion as to
the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could use them for
purposes other than those contemplated at the time of this offering. Our
shareholders may not agree with the manner in which our management chooses to
allocate and spend the net proceeds. Moreover, our management may use the net
proceeds for corporate purposes that may not increase our profitability or
market value.
You
will experience immediate dilution in the book value per share of the common
stock you purchase.
Because
the price per share of our common stock being offered is substantially higher
than the book value per share of our common stock, you will suffer substantial
dilution in the net tangible book value of the common stock you purchase in this
offering. Based on the public offering price of $6.60 per share and the net
tangible book value of the common stock of $0.32 per share as of June 30, 2010,
if you purchase shares of common stock in this offering, you will suffer
dilution of $5.32 per share in the net tangible book value of the common
stock. Purchasers in this offering will suffer additional dilution in
the event they exercise the warrants offered hereby.
A
large number of shares may be sold in the market following this offering, which
may depress the market price of our common stock.
All of
the shares of our common stock sold in the offering, including shares issuable
upon exercise of the warrants, will be freely tradable without restriction or
further registration under the Securities Act. As a result, a substantial number
of shares of our common stock may be sold in the public market following this
offering, which may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. If
there are more shares of common stock offered for sale than buyers are willing
to purchase, then the market price of our common stock may decline to a market
price at which buyers are willing to purchase the offered shares of common stock
and sellers remain willing to sell the shares.
There
is no public market for the warrants to purchase common stock in this
offering.
There is
no established public trading market for the warrants being offered in this
offering, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not
intend to apply to list the warrants on any securities exchange. Without an
active market, the liquidity of the warrants will be limited.
S-9
USE
OF PROCEEDS
We
estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the securities we are offering
will be approximately $12.7 million, assuming that we sell all of the securities
we are offering, after deducting the placement agent’s fees and estimated
offering expenses payable by us. This amount does not include the
proceeds that we may receive in connection with any exercise of the warrants
issued in this offering.
We
will use the majority of the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the shares
of common stock and warrants offered by this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus for research and development of our nuclear fuel designs
and general working capital purposes.
Although
we have identified some potential uses of the net proceeds to be received upon
completion of this offering, we cannot specify these uses with
certainty. Our management will have broad discretion in the
application of the net proceeds from this offering and could use them for
purposes other than those contemplated at the time of this
offering. Our stockholders may not agree with the manner in which our
management chooses to allocated and spend the net proceeds. Moreover,
our management may use the net proceeds for corporate purposes that may not
result in our being profitable or increase our market value.
Until we
use the net proceeds of this offering, we intend to invest the funds in
short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities.
DILUTION
Purchasers
of shares of our common stock in this offering will suffer an immediate and
substantial dilution in net tangible book value per share. Net
tangible book value per share is total tangible assets, reduced by total
liabilities, divided by the total number of outstanding shares of common
stock. Our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2010 was
approximately $3.3 million, or approximately $0.32 per outstanding share of
common stock.
After
giving effect to the sale of the securities and the application of the net
proceeds therefrom at a public offering price of $6.60 per fixed combination of
securities (and excluding shares of common stock issued and any proceeds
received upon exercise of the warrants), our adjusted net tangible book value as
of June 30, 2010 would have been approximately $15.8 million, or approximately
$1.28 per share. This represents an immediate increase in net
tangible book value of $0.96 per share to our existing stockholders and an
immediate dilution of $5.32 per share to new investors. The following
table illustrates this calculation on a per share basis, assuming that we sell
all of the securities we are offering:
|
Public
offering price per fixed combination
|
$
|
6.60
|
||
|
Net
tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2010
|
$
|
0.32
|
||
|
Increase
in net tangible book value per share attributable to new
investors
|
$
|
0.96
|
||
|
Adjusted
net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2010 after giving effect
to this offering
|
$
|
1.28
|
||
|
Dilution
per share to new investors
|
$
|
5.32
|
Investors that acquire additional
shares of common stock through the exercise of the warrants offered hereby may
experience additional dilution depending on our net tangible book value at the
time of exercise.
The amounts above are based
on 10,307,513 shares of common stock
outstanding as of June 30, 2010, and assume no exercise of
outstanding options or warrants since that date. The number of shares
of common stock anticipated to be outstanding after this offering
excludes:
|
|
·
|
1,899,691 shares of our common
stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options under our
2006 Stock Plan, having a
weighted average exercise price of $13.03 per share;
and
|
|
|
·
|
1,034,996 shares
of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants to be issued in
this offering.
|
S-10
To the
extent that any of our outstanding options or warrants are exercised, we grant
additional options under our stock option plans or issue additional warrants, or
we issue additional shares of common stock in the future, there may be further
dilution to new investors.
PRICE
RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
Our
common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol
“LTBR.”
The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low reported
sales prices of our common stock.
|
Sales Prices(1)
|
||||||||
|
High
|
Low
|
|||||||
|
Year
ended December 31, 2010
|
||||||||
|
Third
Quarter (through July 22,
2010)
|
$ |
8.68
|
$ | 6.78 | ||||
|
Second
Quarter
|
11.15 | 5.26 | ||||||
|
First
Quarter
|
9.00 | 5.99 | ||||||
|
Year
ended December 31, 2009
|
||||||||
|
Fourth
Quarter
|
$ | 13.00 | $ | 5.01 | ||||
|
Third
Quarter
|
11.40 | 5.40 | ||||||
|
Second
Quarter
|
7.50 | 5.10 | ||||||
|
First
Quarter
|
9.60 | 3.90 | ||||||
|
Year
ended December 31, 2008
|
||||||||
|
Fourth
Quarter
|
$ | 7.50 | $ | 3.90 | ||||
|
Third
Quarter
|
8.67 | 4.20 | ||||||
|
Second
Quarter
|
10.05 | 6.30 | ||||||
|
First
Quarter
|
11.55 | 6.33 | ||||||
________________________
|
(1)
|
The
last reported sales price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market
on July 22, 2010 was $7.65. As of July 22, 2010, there were
approximately 209
stockholders of record of our common stock. Certain of our shares are held
in “nominee” or “street” name; accordingly, we believe the number of
beneficial owners is greater than the foregoing
number.
|
DIVIDEND
POLICY
We have
never declared or paid cash dividends. Any future decisions regarding dividends
will be made by our Board of Directors. We currently intend to retain and use
any future earnings for the development and expansion of our business and do not
anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Our Board
of Directors has complete discretion on whether to pay dividends, subject to the
approval of our shareholders. Even if our Board of Directors decides to pay
dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations
and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition,
contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem
relevant.
CAPITALIZATION
The
following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as
of June 30, 2010, both on an actual basis and as adjusted to give effect to the
sale of 2,069,992 shares of common stock by us in this offering at a public
offering price of $6.60 per share, after deducting estimated placement agent
fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us assuming no exercise of the
warrants.
S-11
This
table should be read in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds” and our unaudited
consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, included or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.
|
As of June
30, 2010
|
||||||||
|
Actual
|
As Adjusted
|
|||||||
|
(dollars
in thousands, except
per
share data)
|
||||||||
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 3,077 | 15,612 | |||||
|
Current
Liabilities
|
||||||||
|
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
1,760 | 1,760 | ||||||
|
Total
Current Liabilities
|
1,760 | 1,760 | ||||||
|
Stockholder’s
Equity
|
3,572 | 16,084 | ||||||
|
Preferred
stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 authorized shares, no shares issued
and outstanding
|
0 | 0 | ||||||
|
Common
stock, $0.001 par value; 500,000,000 authorized, shares issued and
outstanding at June 30 2010: 10,307,513 shares,
actual, 12,377,505, as adjusted for this offering
|
10 | 12 | ||||||
|
Additional
paid-in capital - stock and stock equivalents
|
56,539 | 69,049 | ||||||
|
Accumulated
Deficit
|
(52,411 | ) | (52,411 | ) | ||||
|
Common
stock reserved for issuance, 4,204 shares at June 30,
2010
|
35 | 35 | ||||||
|
Deferred
stock compensation
|
(601 | ) | (601 | ) | ||||
|
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
|
3,572 | 16,084 | ||||||
|
Total
Capitalization
|
3,572 | 16,084 | ||||||
In
this offering, we are offering a maximum of up to 2,069,992 shares of our common
stock and warrants to purchase up to an additional 1,034,996 shares of our
common stock. The securities will be sold in multiples of a fixed combination
consisting of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase 0.5
shares of common stock, at an initial exercise price of $9.00. We are
offering the fixed combination at a negotiated price of $6.60 per fixed
combination.
Common
Stock
The
following description of our common stock is a summary. It is not
complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by our Articles of
Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, a copy
of each of which has been incorporated as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part.
As of the
date of this prospectus supplement, our articles of incorporation authorizes us
to issue 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share,
and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per
share. As of July 22, 2010, 10,349,975 shares of common stock
were outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.
The
material terms and provisions of our common stock are described under the
caption “Description of Capital Stock” starting on page 5 of the
accompanying prospectus.
S-12
Warrants
The
material terms and provisions of the warrants being offered pursuant to this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are summarized
below. The summary is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by,
the form of warrant which will be provided to each purchaser in this offering
and will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC in
connection with this offering.
Each
purchaser will receive, for each fixed combination purchased, one share of our
common stock and a warrant representing the right to purchase 0.5 shares of
common stock at an initial exercise price of $9.00 per share of common
stock. The warrants will be exercisable on or after the date that is
six months and one day after the date the warrants are issued and will terminate
on the seventh (7th) anniversary
of the date the warrants are issued. The exercise price and the
number of shares for which each warrant may be exercised is subject to
appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits,
reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock and the exercise
price of warrants held by a purchaser (or such purchaser’s direct or indirect
transferee) is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of cash dividends
or other distributions to holders of shares of our common stock.
There is
no established public trading market for the warrants, and we do not expect a
market to develop. We do not intend to apply to list the warrants on
any securities exchange. Without an active market, the liquidity of
the warrants will be limited. In addition, in the event our common
stock price does not exceed the per share exercise price of the warrants during
the period when the warrants are exercisable, the warrants will not have any
value.
Holders
of the warrants may exercise their warrants to purchase shares of our common
stock by delivering an exercise notice, appropriately completed and duly
signed. Payment of the exercise price for the number of shares for
which the warrant is being exercised is required to be delivered within one
trading day after exercise of the warrant. In the event that the
registration statement relating to the warrant shares is not effective, a holder
of warrants will have the right to exercise its warrants for a net number of
warrant shares pursuant to the cashless exercise procedures specified in the
warrants. Warrants may be exercised in whole or in part, and any
portion of a warrant not exercised prior to the termination date shall be and
become void and of no value. The absence of an effective registration statement
or applicable exemption from registration does not alleviate our obligation to
deliver common stock issuable upon exercise of a warrant. Upon the
holder’s exercise of a warrant, we will issue the shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of the warrant within three trading days of our receipt
of notice of exercise.
The
shares of common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants will be, when issued
in accordance with the warrants, duly and validly authorized, issued and fully
paid and non-assessable. We will authorize and reserve at least that number of
shares of common stock equal to the number of shares of common stock issuable
upon exercise of all outstanding warrants.
If, at
any time warrants are outstanding, we consummate any fundamental transaction, as
described in the warrants and generally including any consolidation or merger
into another corporation, the consummation of a transaction whereby another
entity acquires more than 50% of our outstanding voting stock, or the sale of
all or substantially all of our assets, the holder of any warrants will
thereafter receive upon exercise of the warrants, the securities or other
consideration to which a holder of the number of shares of common stock then
deliverable upon the exercise of such warrants would have been entitled upon
such consolidation or merger or other transaction. Furthermore, we
cannot enter into a fundamental transaction unless the successor entity assumes
in writing all of our obligations to the warrant
holders. Additionally, in the event of a fundamental transaction,
each warrant holder will have the right to require us, or our successor, to
repurchase its warrant for an amount of cash equal to the Black-Scholes value of
the remaining unexercised portion of the warrant on the date of the consummation
of such fundamental transaction.
The
exercisability of the warrants may be limited in certain circumstances if, upon
exercise, certain holders or any of their affiliates would beneficially own more
than 4.99% of our common stock. This limit may be increased to up to 9.99%
upon no fewer than 60 days’ notice.
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
Placement
Agency Agreement and Subscription Agreements
William
Blair & Company, L.L.C., which we refer to as the placement agent, has
agreed to act as the exclusive placement agent in connection with this offering
subject to the terms and conditions of a placement agency agreement dated as of
July 22, 2010. The placement agent is not purchasing or selling any shares of
common stock or warrants offered by this prospectus supplement, nor is it
required to arrange the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount
of the shares and warrants, but the placement agent has agreed to use its
reasonable efforts to arrange for the sale of all of the shares and warrants
offered hereby. Therefore, we will enter into subscription agreements
directly with investors in connection with this offering and we may not sell the
entire amount of shares and warrants offered pursuant to this prospectus
supplement.
S-13
The
placement agency agreement provides that the obligations of the placement agent
is subject to certain conditions precedent, including, among other things, the
absence of any material adverse change in our change in our business and the
receipt of customary opinions, letters and closing certificates.
The
placement agent proposes to arrange for the sale to one or more purchasers of
the shares and warrants offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement through
the subscription agreements between the purchasers and us. We
negotiated the price for the shares offered in this offering with the
purchasers. The factors considered in determining the price included the recent
market price of our common stock, the general condition of the securities market
at the time of this offering, the history of, and the prospects, for the
industry in which we compete, our past and present operations, and our prospects
for future revenues.
We
have agreed to indemnify the placement agent against liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and against breaches of our representations
and warranties and covenants in the placement agency agreement. We have also
agreed to contribute to payments the placement agent may be required to make in
respect of such liabilities.
We
have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, for a period of 60 days after the
date of this prospectus supplement, not to, without the prior written consent of
the placement agent, directly or indirectly,
|
|
·
|
offer
to sell, hypothecate, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell,
contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any
option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase
or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish
or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call
equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act,
with respect to, any shares of common stock, or any securities convertible
into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common
stock,
|
|
|
·
|
file
or cause to become effective a registration statement under the Securities
Act relating to the offer and sale of any shares of common stock or
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of
common stock, or
|
|
|
·
|
enter
into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any
of the economic consequences of ownership of the common
stock,
|
other
than the issuance of stock options or shares of restricted stock to employees,
directors and consultants pursuant to our stock benefit plans, issuances of
shares of common stock upon the exercise of options disclosed in the
accompanying prospectus or upon the conversion or exchange of convertible or
exchangeable securities disclosed as outstanding in the accompanying prospectus
or the issuance of any shares of common stock as consideration for mergers,
acquisitions, other business combinations, or strategic alliances, occurring
after the date of this prospectus supplement (provided that each recipient of
such shares agrees that all such shares remain subject to these transfer
restrictions), or the purchase or sale of our securities pursuant to a
plan, contract or instruction that satisfies all of the requirements of Rule
10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) that was in effect prior to the date of this prospectus
supplement.
In
addition, our officers and directors have agreed, subject to limited exceptions,
for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, not to,
without the prior written consent of the placement agent:
|
|
·
|
sell,
offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any
option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of,
directly or indirectly, to file (or participate in the filing of) a
registration statement with the SEC in respect of, or establish or
increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call
equivalent position with respect to, any common stock or any other
securities substantially similar to the common stock or securities
convertible or exchangeable into, or exercisable for, common stock;
or
|
|
|
·
|
enter
into any swap or other arrangement that transfers all or a portion of the
economic consequences associated with the ownership of any common
stock.
|
S-14
The
60-day lock-up periods will be extended if (1) we release earnings results or
material news or a material event relating to our company occurs during the last
17 days of the lock-up period, or (2) prior to the expiration of the lock-up
period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day
period beginning on the last day of the lock-up period. In either case, the
lock-up period will be extended for 18 days after the date of the release of the
earnings results or the occurrence of the material news or material event unless
the placement agents waive such extension.
Fees
The
placement agent will be entitled to a cash fee of 6% of the gross proceeds paid
to us for the shares of common stock which we sell in this offering. We will
also reimburse the placement agents for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the placement agents in this offering so long as such expenses are
not greater than 8% of the gross proceeds received by the Company in
the offering less the placement agent fees.
The
following table shows the per common stock share and total placement agency fees
we will pay to the placement agents in connection with the sale of the shares
offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement assuming the purchase of all of
the shares of common stock offered hereby:
|
Placement
agent fees per share of common stock
|
$ | 0.396 | ||
|
Total
|
$ | 819,716.83 |
Because
there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to closing in this
offering, the actual total placement agency fees, if any, are not presently
determinable and may be substantially less than the maximum amount set forth
above. The maximum fees to be received by any member of the Financial Industry
Regulatory Association, or FINRA, or independent broker-dealer may not be
greater than eight percent (8%) of the initial gross proceeds from the sale of
any shares of common stock being offered hereby.
Our
obligation to issue and sell common stock to the purchasers is subject to the
conditions set forth in the subscription agreements entered into with the
purchasers, which may be waived by us at our discretion. A purchaser’s
obligation to purchase shares is subject to the conditions set forth in the
applicable subscription agreement as well, which may be waived by the
purchaser.
We
currently anticipate that the sale of up to 2,069,992 shares of common
stock and warrants to purchase 1,034,996 shares of common stock will be
completed on or about July 28, 2010. We estimate the total offering expenses of
this offering that will be payable by us, excluding the placement agency fees,
will be approximately $125,000, which include legal and printing costs, various
other fees and reimbursement of the placement agents’ expenses.
The
placement agent may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section
2(a)(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and
any fees or commissions received by them and any profit realized on the resale
of securities sold by them while acting as principal might be deemed to be
underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. As an
underwriter, the placement agent would be required to comply with the
requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without
limitation, Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 and
Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the
timing of purchases and sales of shares of common stock by the placement agents.
Under these rules and regulations, the placement agent:
|
|
·
|
may
not engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our
securities; and
|
|
|
·
|
may
not bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any
person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under
the Exchange Act, until it has completed its participation in the
distribution
|
S-15
From time
to time in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the placement
agent or its affiliates have in the past or may in the future engage in
investment banking and/or other services with us and our affiliates for which
they have or may in the future receive customary fees and expenses.
The
foregoing does not purport to be a complete statement of the terms and
conditions of the placement agency agreement and subscription agreements. Copies
of the placement agency agreement and the subscription agreements will be
included as exhibits to our current report on Form 8-K that will be filed with
the SEC and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement of which
this prospectus supplement forms a part. See “Where You Can Find Additional
Information” on page 21 of the prospectus.
The
transfer agent for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company.
Our
common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol
“LTBR.”
LEGAL
MATTERS
Gary R.
Henrie, 8275 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV 89123, will issue a legal
opinion as to the validity of the issuance of the securities offered under this
prospectus. Certain legal matters with respect to the warrants offered under
this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw
Pittman LLP, 2300 N Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-1122. Lowenstein Sandler PC, 65
Livingston Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068, has served as counsel for the placement
agent.
EXPERTS
The
consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2009 and
2008 and for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 incorporated in this
prospectus supplement by reference have been audited by the accounting firm of
Child, Van Wagoner & Bradshaw, PLLC, an independent registered public
accounting firm, as indicated in their report thereon dated March 5, 2010, which
is incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such firm’s authority as
experts in auditing and accounting.
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC
allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement certain
information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose
important information to you by referring you to those documents. Any
information that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus
supplement will automatically update this prospectus supplement. We incorporate
by reference into this prospectus supplement the documents listed below, which
are considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement:
|
|
·
|
Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009,
filed March 16, 2010;
|
|
|
·
|
Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2010,
filed on July 22,
2010;
|
|
|
·
|
Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010,
filed on May 13, 2010;
|
|
|
·
|
Our
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 6,
2010;
|
S-16
|
|
·
|
Our
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 23, 2010;
and
|
|
|
·
|
The
description of our common stock, $0.001 par value per share, contained in
our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed on October 8, 2009 pursuant
to Section 12(b) of the Exchange
Act.
|
All
documents that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement
pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the
termination of this offering, are incorporated by reference into this prospectus
supplement and will automatically update information in this prospectus
supplement; provided, however, that notwithstanding the forgoing, unless
specifically stated to the contrary, none of the information that we disclose
under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K that we may from time
to time furnish to the SEC will be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise
included in, this prospectus supplement. The information contained in any such
filing will be deemed to be a part of this prospectus supplement, commencing on
the date on which the document is filed.
You may
request a copy of these reports, which we will provide to you at no cost, by
writing or calling us at our mailing address and telephone number: Lightbridge
Corporation, 1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550, McLean, Virginia 22102, Attn:
Investor Relations, telephone: (571) 730-1213.
S-17
PROSPECTUS
$50,000,000
LIGHTBRIDGE
CORPORATION
Common
Stock
Preferred
Stock
Debt
Securities
Warrants
Units
We may
offer, issue and sell from time to time our common stock, preferred stock, debt
securities, warrants or units up to $50,000,000 or its equivalent in any other
currency, currency units, or composite currency or currencies in one or more
issuances. We may offer and sell the securities separately, together or as
units, in separate classes or series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be
determined at the time of sale. This prospectus provides a general description
of offerings of these securities that we may undertake.
Each time
we sell our securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide the specific
terms of such offering in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus
supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this
prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus
supplement, together with additional information described under the heading
“Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated by
Reference,” before you make your investment decision.
This
prospectus may not be used to offer or sell our securities unless accompanied by
a prospectus supplement. The information contained or incorporated in this
prospectus or in any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date of
this prospectus, or such prospectus supplement, as applicable, regardless of the
time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of our securities.
Our
common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “LTBR”. On
November 18, 2009, the last reported per share sale price of our common stock
was $5.03.
We may
offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or
more underwriters, through agents, or directly to purchasers. The
prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe the plan of
distribution for that offering. For general information about the
distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” in this
prospectus.
See
the “Risk Factors” section of our filings with the SEC and the applicable
prospectus supplement for certain risks that you should consider before
investing in our securities.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or
any prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the
contrary is a criminal offense.
The date
of this prospectus is November 19, 2009
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Prospectus
|
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
|
1
|
|
USE OF TERMS
|
1
|
|
LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION
|
1
|
|
RISK FACTORS
|
3
|
|
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
|
3
|
|
USE OF PROCEEDS
|
4
|
|
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED
CHARGES
|
4
|
|
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL
STOCK
|
5
|
|
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
|
7
|
|
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT
SECURITIES
|
9
|
|
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
|
18
|
|
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
|
19
|
|
LEGAL MATTERS
|
20
|
|
EXPERTS
|
21
|
|
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
|
21
|
|
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY
REFERENCE
|
21
|
i
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under
this shelf registration process, we may sell our securities described in this
prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $50,000,000.
Each time we offer our securities, we will provide you with a supplement to this
prospectus that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the
securities we offer. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change
information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus, together with
applicable prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference in
this prospectus and any prospectus supplements, includes all material
information relating to this offering. Please read carefully both this
prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information
described below under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information
Incorporated by Reference.”
You
should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized
anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone
provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on
it. 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 any
sale of securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You
should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any
prospectus supplement, as well as information we have previously filed with the
SEC and incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the date on the front of
those documents only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations
and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus may not be used to
consummate a sale of our securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus
supplement.
USE
OF TERMS
Except
as otherwise indicated by the context, all references in this prospectus to (i)
“Lightbridge,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “our Company,” or “the Company” are to
Lightbridge Corporation, a Nevada corporation, and its consolidated
subsidiaries; (ii) “Securities Act” are to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended; and (iii) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
LIGHTBRIDGE
CORPORATION
We are a
provider of nuclear energy consulting and strategic advisory services and a
developer of proprietary nuclear fuel designs, each of which will be described
in the following sections.
Consulting
and Strategic Advisory Services Business Segment
We are
primarily engaged in the business of assisting commercial and governmental
entities with developing and expanding their nuclear industry capabilities and
infrastructure. We provide integrated strategic advice across a range of
expertise areas including, for example, nuclear reactor procurement and
deployment, reactor and fuel technology, international relations and regulatory
affairs.
Due to
the relatively limited growth in the nuclear energy industry during the 1980’s
and 1990’s, and corresponding limited recruitment into the industry, the cadre
of engineers, managers and other nuclear energy industry experts is aging. In
the nuclear renaissance, we believe that the industry will be challenged in
acquiring and retaining sufficient qualified expertise. Moreover, in countries
studying new nuclear energy programs, the number of qualified nuclear energy
personnel is very limited, and we believe that those countries will need to rely
on significant support from non-domestic service providers and experts to ensure
success in those programs.
Our
emergence in the field of nuclear energy consulting is in direct response to the
need for independent assessments and highly qualified technical consulting
services from countries looking to establish nuclear energy programs, by
providing a blueprint for safe, clean, efficient and cost-effective
non-proliferative nuclear power. We offer full-scope strategic planning and
advisory services for new and growing existing markets. Furthermore, we only
engage with commercial entities and governments that are dedicated to
non-proliferative and transparent nuclear programs.
1
Our
consulting services are expert and relationship based, with particular emphasis
on top-of-mind issues of key decision makers in senior positions within
governments or companies, as well as focus on overall management of nuclear
energy programs. To date, substantially all of our revenues are
derived from our business segment which provides nuclear consulting services to
entities within the United Arab Emirates
Technology
Business Segment
For most
of the past decade we have been engaged in the development of proprietary
nuclear fuel designs which we ultimately intend to introduce for sale into two
markets: (1) nuclear fuel designs for use in commercial nuclear power plants and
(2) nuclear fuel designs for reactor-grade plutonium disposition. In addition,
we have a conceptual nuclear fuel design for weapons-grade plutonium
disposition. These three types of fuel design are primarily for use in existing
or future VVER-1000 light water reactors. We have also been conducting research
and development related to a variant of these nuclear fuel designs for use in
existing pressurized water reactors.
Our
future customers may include nuclear fuel fabricators, nuclear power plants
and/or the U.S. or international governments.
To date,
our operations have been devoted primarily to the development and demonstration
of our nuclear fuel designs, developing strategic relationships within and
outside of the nuclear power industry, securing political and financial support
from the U.S. and Russian governments, and the filing of patent applications
(including related administrative functions).
On August
3, 2009, we entered into an Agreement for Consulting Services with
Areva, pursuant to which we will conduct the first phase of an
investigation of specific topics of thorium fuel cycles in Areva’s light water
reactors, or LWRs. This first phase will focus on providing initial general
results relating to evolutionary approaches to the use of thorium in Areva’s
LWRs, specifically within Areva’s Evolutionary Power Reactor. We will receive
total fees of $550,000 for services provided pursuant to the Consulting
Agreement. The anticipated second phase and further phases of the collaboration,
including a detailed study of evolutionary and longer-term thorium fuel
concepts, will be conducted in accordance with additional collaborative
agreements based upon the results of the first phase.
The first
and second phases of the collaboration between us and Areva are being conducted
with the intention of future cooperation agreements between the two parties in
order to develop and set up new products and technologies related to thorium
fuel concepts. Areva’s use of Thorium Power’s intellectual property for
commercial purposes or any purpose other than as specified in the Agreement
would be separately negotiated on a royalty basis. The initial term of the
Agreement for Consulting Services is 12 months, with an additional 14 month term
if the parties decide to perform a preliminary review of thermal hydraulic
characteristics and fuel behavior for the selected concepts for an EPR 18-month
equilibrium cycle.
The
Agreement for Consulting Services replaces and supersedes the Initial
Collaborative Agreement we entered into with Areva on July 23, 2009, which we
reported on SEC Form 8-K filed on July 23, 2009.
On August
3, 2009, we entered into a Collaborative Framework Agreement with Areva, as the
next step contemplated by the Initial Collaborative Agreement and the Agreement
for Consulting Services, pursuant to which we will establish a joint
steering committee with Areva, consisting of two employees from each
party. The steering committee will be responsible for reviewing
project proposals, will be empowered to make scientific and/or technical
decisions and to allocate the resources required to implement future
collaborative projects. All research and development activities
carried out under a collaboration project will be governed by the general terms
of the Collaboration Framework Agreement and the specific terms of project plan
approved by the steering committee. The term of the Collaborative
Framework Agreement is for a period of 5 years and may be extended
upon written agreement of the parties.
2
To date,
we have only had minimal direct revenues from our research and development
activities regarding our proprietary nuclear fuel technology, and we do not
expect that we will generate licensing revenues from this business for several
years, until our fuel designs can be fully tested and demonstrated and we obtain
the proper approvals to use our nuclear fuel designs in nuclear reactors. We
believe we can leverage our general nuclear technology, business and regulatory
expertise as well as industry relationships, to optimize our technology
development plans and create integrated advisory services with the highest
levels of expertise and experience in the nuclear power industry. Additionally,
our knowledge of and credibility in addressing proliferation related issues that
we have developed over many years, benefit our new consulting business. Our
advisory services include a focus on non-proliferation, safety and operational
transparency of nuclear power programs.
The
address of our principal executive office is 1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550,
McLean, Virginia 22102 and our telephone number is 571.730.1200. We
maintain a website at www.Ltbridge.com that
contains information about our Company, though no information contained on our
website is part of this prospectus.
RISK
FACTORS
An
investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a
decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the
specific risk factors discussed in the sections entitled “Risk Factors”
contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 26, 2009
and in any applicable prospectus supplement and our other filings with the SEC
and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with all of the other
information contained in this prospectus, or any applicable prospectus
supplement. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to
us, or that we currently view as immaterial, may also impair our business. If
any of the risks or uncertainties described in our SEC filings or any prospectus
supplement or any additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our
business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and
adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our securities could
decline and you might lose all or part of your investment.
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This
prospectus contains or incorporates forward-looking statements within the
meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act and section 21E of the Exchange
Act. These forward-looking statements are management’s beliefs and assumptions.
In addition, other written or oral statements that constitute forward-looking
statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about
the industry and markets in which we operate and statements may be made by or on
our behalf. Words such as “should,” “could,” “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,”
“intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” variations of such words and
similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain
risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. There are a
number of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ
materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements.
We
describe material risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our
business, including our financial condition and results of operations, under
“Risk Factors” and may update our descriptions of such risks, uncertainties and
assumptions in any prospectus supplement. We base our forward-looking statements
on our management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available to
our management at the time the statements are made. We caution you that actual
outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or
forecast by our forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should be careful
about relying on any forward-looking statements. Reference is made in particular
to forward-looking statements regarding growth strategies, financial results,
product and service development, competitive strengths, intellectual property
rights, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, market acceptance or continued
acceptance of our products and services, accounting estimates, financing
activities, ongoing contractual obligations and sales efforts. Except as
required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the
SEC, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any
forward-looking statements after the distribution of this prospectus, whether as
a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or
otherwise.
3
USE
OF PROCEEDS
Unless
specified otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use
the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this
prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement for general corporate
purposes, which may include, among other things:
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acquisitions;
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working
capital;
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capital
expenditures;
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repayment
of debt;
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research
and development expenditures; and
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investments.
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The
precise amount and timing of the application of such proceeds will depend upon
our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other
capital. Pending any specific application, we may initially invest
funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of
short-term indebtedness. Additional information on the use of net proceeds from
the sale of securities covered by this prospectus may be set forth in the
prospectus supplement relating to the specific offering.
RATIOS
OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The
following table sets forth our ratios of consolidated earnings to fixed charges
for the periods indicated:
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Nine Months Ended
September 30,
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Year Ended December 31,
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2009
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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2004
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Ratio
of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock
dividends:
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(a)
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(a)
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(b)
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(a)
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(c)
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(d)
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The ratio
of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing (i) income (loss) before
income taxes, discontinued operations and the cumulative effect of accounting
changes less equity in the income (loss) of investments plus fixed charges less
the preference securities dividend requirement of consolidated subsidiaries by
(ii) fixed charges. Fixed charges include, as applicable, interest expense,
amortization of debt issuance costs, the estimated interest component of rent
expense (calculated as one-third of net rent expense) and the preference
securities dividend requirement of consolidated subsidiaries.
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(a)
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We
did not have any fixed charges for the nine months ended September 30,
2009 or for the years ended December 31, 2008 or
2006.
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(b)
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Earnings
for the year ended December 31, 2007 were inadequate to cover fixed
charges. The coverage deficiency to cover fixed charges was
$876.
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(c)
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Earnings
for the year ended December 31, 2005 were inadequate to cover fixed
charges. The coverage deficiency to cover fixed charges was
$411,693.
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(d)
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Earnings
for the year ended December 31, 2004 were inadequate to cover fixed
charges. The coverage deficiency to cover fixed charges was
$60,492.
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4
DESCRIPTION
OF CAPITAL STOCK
Our
Articles of Incorporation authorizes us to issue 500,000,000 shares of common
stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
$0.001 par value per share. As of November 11, 2009, there were 10,965,566
shares of common stock, and no shares of preferred stock,
outstanding.
The
following description of our capital stock, and any description of our capital
stock in a prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to Nevada
law and the actual terms and provisions contained in our articles of
incorporation and bylaws, each as amended from time to time.
Common
Stock. All outstanding common stock is, and any stock issued
under this prospectus will be, fully paid and non-assessable. Subject to the
rights of the holders of our outstanding preferred stock, holders of common
stock:
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are
entitled to any dividends or other distributions when and if declared by
our board of directors out of funds legally available for such
purpose;
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will
share ratably in our net assets in the event of a dissolution, winding-up
or liquidation of our company; and
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are
entitled to one vote per share of record on all matters to be voted upon
by shareholders and to vote together as a single class for the election of
directors and in respect of other corporate
matters.
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The
common stock has no conversion or redemption rights or features. Holders of
common stock have no preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any stock or
other securities of ours, or call rights related to those shares.
Preferred
Stock. Our board of directors is authorized, without action by
the shareholders, to issue preferred stock from time to time with dividend,
liquidation, conversion, voting, and other rights and restrictions as it may
determine. Shares of preferred stock may be issued in one or more
classes or series within a class as may be determined by our board of directors,
who may also establish the number of shares to be included in each class or
series. Any preferred stock so issued by the board of directors may rank senior
to the common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or amounts upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, or both.
Unless
provided in a supplement to this prospectus, the shares of our preferred stock
to be issued will have no preemptive rights. If preferred stock is offered by
us, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the preferred stock,
including the following if applicable to the particular offering:
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number
of shares of preferred stock to be issued and the offering price of the
preferred stock;
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the
title and stated value of the preferred
stock;
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dividend
rights, including dividend rates, periods, or payment dates, or methods of
calculation of dividends applicable to the preferred
stock;
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the
date from which distributions on the preferred stock shall accumulate, if
applicable;
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right
to convert the preferred stock into a different type of
security;
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voting
rights attributable to the preferred
stock;
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rights
and preferences upon our liquidation or winding up of our
affairs;
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terms
of redemption;
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the
procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for the preferred
stock;
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the
provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for the preferred
stock;
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any
listing of the preferred stock on any securities
exchange;
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the
terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock will
be convertible into our common stock, including the conversion price (or
manner of calculation thereof);
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a
discussion of federal income tax considerations applicable to the
preferred stock;
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the
relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to distribution
rights (including whether any liquidation preference as to the preferred
stock will be treated as a liability for purposes of determining the
availability of assets for distributions to holders of stock ranking
junior to the shares of preferred stock as to distribution
rights);
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any
limitations on issuance of any series of preferred stock ranking senior to
or on a parity with the series of preferred stock being offered as to
distribution rights and rights upon the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up or our affairs; and
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any
other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of
the preferred stock.
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If our
board of directors decides to issue any preferred stock, it may discourage or
make more difficult a merger, tender offer, business combination or proxy
contest, assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our securities or
the removal of incumbent management, even if these events were favorable to the
interests of shareholders. Our board of directors, without shareholder approval,
may issue preferred stock with voting and conversion rights and dividend and
liquidation preferences which may adversely affect the holders of common
stock.
Limitation of
Director Liability and Indemnification. Our articles of
incorporation and bylaws, each as amended, and Nevada law limit the liability of
our directors and officers. Chapter 78 of the Nevada General
Corporation Law (“NGCL”) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (other than an 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 corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust 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 is not liable pursuant to NGCL Section 78.138 or 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. NGCL
Chapter 78 further provides that a corporation similarly may indemnify any such
person serving in any such capacity who was or is a party or is threatened to be
made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the
right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor 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 corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action
or suit if he is not liable pursuant to NGCL Section 78.138 or 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 except that no indemnification shall be
made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have
been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that
the court or other court of competent jurisdiction in which such action or suit
was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of
liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court or
other court of competent jurisdiction shall deem proper.
6
Additionally,
under the terms of their respective independent director agreements, subject to
certain limitations, Victor Alessi, Jack Ladd and Daniel Magraw are entitled to
indemnification in their capacity as directors of our company to the fullest
extent permitted by the NGCL.
Anti-takeover
Effects of Our Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
Our
articles of incorporation and by-laws contain certain provisions that may have
the effect of entrenching our existing board members, delaying, deferring or
preventing a future takeover or change in control of the company unless such
takeover or change in control is approved by the board of
directors.
These
provisions include:
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Limitation of Director
Liability — Our articles of
incorporation limit the liability of our directors to us or our
stockholders. Specifically, our directors will not be personally liable
for breach of a director’s fiduciary duty as a director, except for (a)
acts of omissions not in good faith, (b) acts or omissions which involve
intentional misconduct, fraud or violation of law, (c) acts or omissions
in breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the company or its
shareholders, (d) acts or omissions from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit or (e) payment of dividends in violation of
law.
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Removal of Directors and
Filling of Vacancies — The number of votes
required to remove a director from the board of directors and giving
remaining directors the sole right to fill a vacancy on the board of
directors may make it more difficult for, or prevent or deter a third
party from acquiring control of our Company or changing our board of
directors and management, as well as, inhibit fluctuations in the market
price of our common stock that could result from actual or rumored
takeover attempts.
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Amendment of By-laws —
Our by-laws may be amended by our board of directors
alone.
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Authorized but Unissued Shares
— Our board of directors may cause us to issue our authorized but
unissued shares of common stock in the future without stockholders’
approval. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of
corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional
capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence
of authorized but unissued shares of common stock could render more
difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of a majority of our
common stock by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or
otherwise.
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Transfer
Agent
The
transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust
Company, located in Golden, Colorado. Their mailing address is 350 Indiana
Street, Golden Colorado 80401. Their phone number is 303.262.0600.
DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
We may
issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt
securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or
together with common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities, and the
warrants may be attached to or traded separate and apart from these securities.
Each series of warrants will be issued under a warrant agreement all as set
forth in the prospectus supplement. A copy of the form of warrant agreement,
including any form of warrant certificates representing the warrants, reflecting
the provisions to be included in the warrant agreements and/or warrant
certificates that will be entered into with respect to particular offerings of
warrants, will be filed as an exhibit to a Form 8-K to be incorporated into the
registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part prior to the
issuance of any warrants.
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The
applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet will describe the terms of the
warrants offered thereby, any warrant agreement relating to such warrants and
the warrant certificates, including but not limited to the
following:
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the
offering price or prices;
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the
aggregate amount of securities that may be purchased upon exercise of such
warrants and minimum number of warrants that are
exercisable;
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the
currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the
exercise price are payable;
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the
number of securities, if any, with which such warrants are being offered
and the number of such warrants being offered with each
security;
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the
date on and after which such warrants and the related securities, if any,
will be transferable separately;
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the
amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of each warrant and the
price at which the securities may be purchased upon such exercise, and
events or conditions under which the amount of securities may be subject
to adjustment;
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the
date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the
date on which such right shall
expire;
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the
circumstances, if any, which will cause the warrants to be deemed to be
automatically exercised;
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any
material risk factors, if any, relating to such
warrants;
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the
identity of any warrant agent; and
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any
other terms of such warrants (which shall not be inconsistent with the
provisions of the warrant
agreement).
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Each
warrant will entitle the holder to purchase a principal amount of common stock,
preferred stock and/or debt securities at an exercise price as shall in each
case be set forth in, or calculable from, the prospectus supplement relating to
those warrants. Warrants may be exercised at the times set forth in
the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants. After the close of business
on the expiration date (or any later date to which the expiration date may be
extended by us), unexercised warrants will become void. Subject to any
restrictions and additional requirements that may be set forth in the prospectus
supplement relating thereto, warrants may be exercised by delivery to the
Company or its warrant agent of the certificate evidencing the warrants properly
completed and duly executed and of payment as provided in the prospectus
supplement of the amount required to purchase the debt securities or shares of
common stock, shares of preferred stock, or depositary shares purchasable upon
such exercise. The exercise price will be the price applicable on the date of
payment in full, as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the
warrants. Upon receipt of the payment and the certificate representing the
warrants to be exercised properly completed, duly executed and properly
delivered as indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as
practicable, issue and deliver the debt securities or shares of common stock,
shares of preferred stock, or depositary shares purchasable upon such exercise.
If fewer than all of the warrants represented by that certificate are exercised,
a new certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of
warrants.
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Prior to
the exercise of any warrants, holders of such warrants will not have any rights
of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right
to receive payments of dividends, if any, on the securities purchasable upon
such exercise, statutory appraisal rights or the right to vote such underlying
securities.
Prospective
purchasers of warrants should be aware that material U.S. federal income tax,
accounting and other considerations may be applicable to instruments such as
warrants.
DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
The
following is a summary of the general terms of the debt securities that we may
issue. We will file a prospectus supplement that may contain additional
terms when we issue debt securities. The terms presented here, together with the
terms in a related prospectus supplement, will be a description of the material
terms of the debt securities. You should also read the indenture under which the
debt securities are to be issued. We have filed a form of indenture governing
different types of debt securities with the SEC as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. All capitalized terms
have the meanings specified in the indenture.
We may
issue, from time to time, debt securities, in one or more series, that will
consist of senior debt, senior subordinated debt or subordinated debt. We refer
to the subordinated debt securities and the senior subordinated debt securities
together as the subordinated securities. The debt securities that we may offer
will be issued under an indenture between us and an entity, identified in the
applicable prospectus supplement, as trustee. Debt securities, whether senior,
senior subordinated or subordinated, may be issued as convertible debt
securities or exchangeable debt securities. The following is a summary of the
material provisions of the indenture filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part.
As
you read this section, please remember that for each series of debt securities,
the specific terms of your debt security as described in the applicable
prospectus supplement will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace
the general terms described in the summary below. The statement we
make in this section may not apply to your debt security.
General
Terms of the Indenture
The
indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It
provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we
may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate.
We may, without the consent of the holders of any series, increase the principal
amount of securities in that series in the future, on the same terms and
conditions and with the same CUSIP numbers as that series. Except for the
limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our
assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any
covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities
protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or
transactions involving us.
We may
issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,”
which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount.
These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a
discount, may be issued with “original issue discount”, or OID, for U.S. federal
income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics.
Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt
securities issued with original issue discount will be described in more detail
in any applicable prospectus supplement.
The
applicable prospectus supplement for a series of debt securities that we issue
will describe, among other things, the following terms of the offered debt
securities:
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the
title and authorized denominations of the series of debt
securities;
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any
limit on the aggregate principal amount of the series of debt
securities;
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whether
such debt securities will be issued in fully registered form without
coupons or in a form registered as to principal only with coupons or in
bearer form with coupons;
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whether
issued in the form of one or more global securities and whether all or a
portion of the principal amount of the debt securities is represented
thereby;
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the
price or prices at which the debt securities will be
issued;
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the
date or dates on which principal is
payable;
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the
place or places where and the manner in which principal, premium or
interest, if any, will be payable and the place or places where the debt
securities may be presented for transfer and, if applicable, conversion or
exchange;
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interest
rates, and the dates from which interest, if any, will accrue, and the
dates when interest is payable and the
maturity;
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the
right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of
the extensions;
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our
rights or obligations to redeem or purchase the debt
securities;
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any
sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or
otherwise redeem some or all of the debt
securities;
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conversion
or exchange provisions, if any, including conversion or exchange prices or
rates and adjustments
thereto;
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the
currency or currencies of payment of principal or
interest;
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the
terms applicable to any debt securities issued at a discount from their
stated principal amount;
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the
terms, if any, under which any debt securities will rank junior to any of
our other debt;
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whether
and upon what terms the debt securities may be defeased, if different from
the provisions set forth in the
indenture;
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if
the amount of payments of principal or interest is to be determined by
reference to an index or formula, or based on a coin or currency other
than that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, the
manner in which these amounts are determined and the calculation agent, if
any, with respect thereto;
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the
provisions, if any, relating to any collateral provided for the debt
securities;
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if
other than the entire principal amount of the debt securities when issued,
the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of maturity
as a result of a default on our
obligations;
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the
events of default and covenants relating to the debt securities that are
in addition to, modify or delete those described in this
prospectus;
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the
nature and terms of any security for any secured debt securities;
and
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any
other specific terms of any debt
securities.
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10
The
applicable prospectus supplement will present material U.S. federal income tax
considerations for holders of any debt securities and the securities exchange or
quotation system on which any debt securities are to be listed or
quoted.
Senior
Debt Securities
Payment
of the principal of, premium and interest, if any, on senior debt securities
will rank on a parity with all of our other secured/unsecured and unsubordinated
debt.
Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities
Payment
of the principal of, premium and interest, if any, on senior subordinated debt
securities will be junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of
all of our unsubordinated debt, including senior debt securities and any credit
facility. We will state in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any
senior subordinated debt securities the subordination terms of the securities as
well as the aggregate amount of outstanding debt, as of the most recent
practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the senior subordinated
debt securities. We will also state in such prospectus supplement limitations,
if any, on issuance of additional senior debt.
Subordinated
Debt Securities
Payment
of the principal of, premium and interest, if any, on subordinated debt
securities will be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all of our senior debt, including our senior debt securities
and senior subordinated debt securities. We will state in the applicable
prospectus supplement relating to any subordinated debt securities the
subordination terms of the securities as well as the aggregate amount of
outstanding indebtedness, as of the most recent practicable date, that by its
terms would be senior to the subordinated debt securities. We will also state in
such prospectus supplement limitations, if any, on issuance of additional senior
indebtedness.
Conversion
or Exchange Rights
Debt
securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities,
including, for example, shares of our equity securities. The terms and
conditions of conversion or exchange will be stated in the applicable prospectus
supplement. The terms will include, among others, the following:
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the
conversion or exchange price;
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the
conversion or exchange period;
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provisions
regarding the ability of us or the holder to convert or exchange the debt
securities;
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events
requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price;
and
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provisions
affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the
debt securities.
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Consolidation,
Merger or Sale
We cannot
consolidate or merge with or into, or transfer or lease all or substantially all
of our assets to, any person, and we cannot permit any other person to
consolidate with or merge into us, unless (1) we will be the continuing
corporation or (2) the successor corporation or person to which our assets
are transferred or leased is a corporation organized under the laws of the
United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and it
expressly assumes our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture.
In addition, we cannot complete such a transaction unless immediately after
completing the transaction, no event of default under the indenture, and no
event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of
default under the indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing. When the
person to whom our assets are transferred or leased has assumed our obligations
under the debt securities and the indenture, we shall be discharged from all our
obligations under the debt securities and the indenture except in limited
circumstances.
11
This
covenant would not apply to any recapitalization transaction, a change of
control of us or a highly leveraged transaction, unless the transaction or
change of control were structured to include a merger or consolidation or
transfer or lease of all or substantially all of our assets.
Events
of Default
The term
“Event of Default,” when used in the indenture, unless otherwise indicated,
means any of the following:
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failure
to pay interest for 30 days after the date payment is due and
payable;
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failure
to pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt security when due, either
at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or
otherwise;
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failure
to make sinking fund payments when
due;
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failure
to perform other covenants for 60 days after notice that performance
was required;
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events
in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us;
or
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any
other Event of Default provided in the applicable officer’s certificate,
resolution of our board of directors or the supplemental indenture under
which we issue a series of debt
securities.
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An Event
of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily
constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued
under the indenture.
If an
Event of Default with respect to any series of senior debt securities occurs and
is continuing, then either the trustee for such series or the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of
such series, by notice in writing, may declare the principal amount of and
interest on all of the debt securities of such series to be due and payable
immediately; provided, however, unless otherwise provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement, if such an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with
respect to more than one series of senior debt securities under the indenture,
the trustee for such series or the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of all such series of senior debt
securities of equal ranking (or, if any of such senior debt securities are
discount securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in
the terms of that series), voting as one class, may make such declaration of
acceleration as to all series of such equal ranking and not the holders of the
debt securities of any one of such series of senior debt
securities.
If an
Event of Default with respect to any series of subordinated securities occurs
and is continuing, then either the trustee for such series or the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of
such series, by notice in writing, may declare the principal amount of and
interest on all of the debt securities of such series to be due and payable
immediately; provided, however, unless otherwise provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement, if such an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with
respect to more than one series of subordinated securities under the indenture,
the trustee for such series or the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of all such series of subordinated
securities of equal ranking (or, if any of such subordinated securities are
discount securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in
the terms of that series), voting as one class, may make such declaration of
acceleration as to all series of equal ranking and not the holders of the debt
securities of any one of such series of subordinated securities.
12
The
holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt
securities of all affected series of equal ranking may, after satisfying certain
conditions, rescind and annul any of the above-described declarations and
consequences involving such series.
If an
Event of Default relating to events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
of us occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all of the debt
securities outstanding, and any accrued interest, will automatically become due
and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act by the trustee or
any holder.
The
indenture imposes limitations on suits brought by holders of debt securities
against us. Except for actions for payment of overdue principal or interest, no
holder of debt securities of any series may institute any action against us
under the indenture unless:
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the
holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of default and
continuance of such default;
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the
holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
debt securities of the affected series of equal ranking have requested
that the trustee institute the
action;
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the
requesting holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity for
expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by bringing the
action;
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the
trustee has not instituted the action within 60 days of the request;
and
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the
trustee has not received inconsistent direction by the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the
affected series of equal ranking.
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We will
be required to file annually with the trustee a certificate, signed by one of
our officers, stating whether or not the officer knows of any default by us in
the performance, observance or fulfillment of any condition or covenant of the
indenture.
Registered
Global Securities and Book Entry System
The debt
securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in book-entry form and
may be represented by one or more fully registered global securities or in
unregistered form with or without coupons. We will deposit any registered global
securities with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary identified in
the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of such
depositary or nominee. In such case, we will issue one or more registered
global securities denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal
amount of all of the debt securities of the series to be issued and represented
by such registered global security or securities. This means that we will not
issue certificates to each holder.
Unless
and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive
registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a
whole:
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by
the depositary for such registered global security to its
nominee;
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by
a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the
depositary; or
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by
the depositary or its nominee to a successor of the depositary or a
nominee of the successor.
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The
prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will describe the
specific terms of the depositary arrangement involving any portion of the series
represented by a registered global security. We anticipate that the following
provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements for registered debt
securities:
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ownership
of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to
persons that have accounts with the depositary for such registered global
security, these persons being referred to as “participants,” or persons
that may hold interests through
participants;
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upon
the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary for the
registered global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and
transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal
amounts of the debt securities represented by the registered global
security beneficially owned by the
participants;
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any
dealers, underwriters, or agents participating in the distribution of the
debt securities represented by a registered global security will designate
the accounts to be credited; and
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ownership
of beneficial interest in such registered global security will be shown
on, and the transfer of such ownership interest will be effected only
through, records maintained by the depositary for such registered global
security for interests of participants, and on the records of participants
for interests of persons holding through
participants.
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The laws
of some states may require that specified purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may limit the ability
of those persons to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered
global securities.
So long
as the depositary for a registered global security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of such registered global security, the depositary or such
nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the
debt securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes
under the indenture. Except as stated below, owners of beneficial interests in a
registered global security:
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will
not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by a registered
global security registered in their
names;
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will
not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt
securities in the definitive form;
and
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will
not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities under the
relevant indenture.
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Accordingly,
each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must
rely on the procedures of the depositary for the registered global security and,
if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of a participant through
which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the
indenture.
We
understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of
holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security
desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take
under the indenture, the depositary for the registered global security would
authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or
take the action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning
through the participants to give or take the action or would otherwise act upon
the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
We will
make payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt
securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of
a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may
be, as the registered owners of the registered global security. None of us, the
trustee or any other agent of ours or the trustee will be responsible or liable
for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of,
beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial
ownership interests.
14
We expect
that the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global
security, upon receipt of any payments of principal and premium, if any, and
interest, if any, in respect of the registered global security, will immediately
credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the registered global security as shown on
the records of the depositary. We also expect that standing customer
instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to
owners of beneficial interests in the registered global security held through
the participants, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts
of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” We also expect that
any of these payments will be the responsibility of the
participants.
If the
depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security
is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or stops being a
clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, we will appoint an eligible
successor depositary. If we fail to appoint an eligible successor depositary
within 90 days, we will issue the debt securities in definitive form in
exchange for the registered global security. In addition, we may at any time and
in our sole discretion decide not to have any of the debt securities of a series
represented by one or more registered global securities. In that event, we will
issue debt securities of the series in a definitive form in exchange for all of
the registered global securities representing the debt securities. The trustee
will register any debt securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a
registered global security in the name or names as the depositary, based upon
instructions from its participants, shall instruct the trustee.
We may
also issue bearer debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global
securities, referred to as “bearer global securities.” The prospectus supplement
relating to a series of debt securities represented by a bearer global security
will describe the applicable terms and procedures. These will include the
specific terms of the depositary arrangement and any specific procedures for the
issuance of debt securities in definitive form in exchange for a bearer global
security, in proportion to the series represented by a bearer global
security.
Discharge,
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
We can
discharge or decrease our obligations under the indenture as stated
below.
We may
discharge obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have not
already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that have either
become due and payable or are by their terms to become due and payable, or are
scheduled for redemption, within sixty (60) days. We may effect a discharge
by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or U.S. government obligations,
as trust funds, in an amount certified to be enough to pay when due, whether at
maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, the principal of, premium and interest,
if any, on the debt securities and any mandatory sinking fund
payments.
Unless
otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may also
discharge any and all of our obligations to holders of any series of debt
securities at any time, which we refer to as defeasance. We may also be released
from the obligations imposed by any covenants of any outstanding series of debt
securities and provisions of the indenture, and we may omit to comply with those
covenants without creating an event of default under the trust declaration,
which we refer to as covenant defeasance. We may effect defeasance and covenant
defeasance only if, among other things:
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we
irrevocably deposit with the trustee cash or U.S. government obligations,
as trust funds, in an amount certified to be enough to pay at maturity, or
upon redemption, the principal, premium and interest, if any, on all
outstanding debt securities of the
series;
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we
deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel from a nationally recognized
law firm to the effect that the holders of the series of debt securities
will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax
purposes as a result of the defeasance or covenant defeasance and that
defeasance or covenant defeasance will not otherwise alter the holders’
U.S. federal income tax treatment of principal, premium and interest, if
any, payments on the series of debt securities;
and
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in
the case of subordinated debt securities, no event or condition shall
exist that, based on the subordination provisions applicable to the
series, would prevent us from making payments of principal of, premium and
interest, if any, on any of the applicable subordinated debt securities at
the date of the irrevocable deposit referred to above or at any time
during the period ending on the 91st day after the deposit
date.
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In the
case of a defeasance by us, the opinion we deliver must be based on a ruling of
the Internal Revenue Service issued, or a change in U.S. federal income tax law
occurring, after the date of the indenture, since such a result would not occur
under the U.S. federal income tax laws in effect on such date.
Although
we may discharge or decrease our obligations under the indenture as described in
the two preceding paragraphs, we may not avoid, among other things, our duty to
register the transfer or exchange of any series of debt securities, to replace
any temporary, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen series of debt securities or
to maintain an office or agency in respect of any series of debt
securities.
Modification
of the Indenture
The
indenture provides that we and the trustee may enter into supplemental
indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities
to:
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secure
any debt securities and provide the terms and conditions for the release
or substitution of the security;
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evidence
the assumption by a successor corporation of our
obligations;
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add
covenants for the protection of the holders of debt
securities;
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add
any additional events of default;
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cure
any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency or defect in the
indenture;
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add
to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture in a manner
that will become effective only when there is no outstanding debt security
which is entitled to the benefit of the provision as to which the
modification would apply;
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establish
the forms or terms of debt securities of any
series;
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eliminate
any conflict between the terms of the indenture and the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939;
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evidence
and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee and
add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as is necessary
for the administration of the trusts by more than one trustee;
and
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make
any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under
the indenture that will not be inconsistent with any provision of the
indenture as long as the new provisions do not adversely affect the
interests of the holders of any outstanding debt securities of any series
created prior to the modification.
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The
indenture also provides that we and the trustee may, with the consent of the
holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt
securities of all series of senior debt securities or of Subordinated Securities
of equal ranking, as the case may be, then outstanding and affected, voting as
one class, add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify
in any way the provisions of, the indenture or modify in any manner the rights
of the holders of the debt securities. We and the trustee may not, however,
without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected
thereby:
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extend
the final maturity of any debt
security;
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reduce
the principal amount or premium, if
any;
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reduce
the rate or extend the time of payment of
interest;
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reduce
any amount payable on redemption or impair or affect any right of
redemption at the option of the holder of the debt
security;
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change
the currency in which the principal, premium or interest, if any, is
payable;
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reduce
the amount of the principal of any debt security issued with an original
issue discount that is payable upon acceleration or provable in
bankruptcy;
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alter
provisions of the relevant indenture relating to the debt securities not
denominated in U.S. dollars;
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impair
the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt
security when due;
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if
applicable, adversely affect the right of a holder to convert or exchange
a debt security; or
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reduce
the percentage of holders of debt securities of any series whose consent
is required for any modification of the
indenture.
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The
indenture provides that the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any and all affected
series of equal ranking, by notice to the relevant trustee, may on behalf of the
holders of the debt securities of any and all such series of equal ranking waive
any default and its consequences under the indenture except:
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a
continuing default in the payment of interest on, premium, if any, or
principal of, any such debt security held by a non-consenting holder;
or
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a
default in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot
be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each
outstanding debt security of each series
affected.
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Concerning
the Trustee
The
indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the indenture,
each for one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees
for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a
trust under the indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any
other trustee under that indenture.
Except as
otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action
permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only on the one
or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the
indenture. Any trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed from one or
more series of debt securities. All payments of principal of, premium and
interest, if any, on, and all registration, transfer, exchange, authentication
and delivery of, the debt securities of a series will be effected by the trustee
for that series at an office designated by the trustee.
If the
trustee becomes a creditor of ours, the indenture places limitations on the
right of the trustee to obtain payment of claims or to realize on property
received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee may
engage in other transactions. If it acquires any conflicting interest relating
to any duties concerning the debt securities, however, it must eliminate the
conflict or resign as trustee.
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The
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any and all affected
series of debt securities of equal ranking then outstanding will have the right
to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising
any remedy available to the trustee concerning the applicable series of debt
securities, provided that the direction:
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would
not conflict with any rule of law or with the relevant
indenture;
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would
not be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another holder of the debt
securities;
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and
would not involve any trustee in personal
liability.
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The
indenture provides that in case an Event of Default shall occur, not be cured
and be known to any trustee, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a
prudent person would use in the conduct of his or her own affairs in the
exercise of the trustee’s power. The trustee will be under no obligation to
exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any
of the holders of the debt securities, unless they shall have offered to the
trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the trustee.
No
Individual Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers or
Directors
The
indenture provides that no incorporator and no past, present or future
stockholder, officer or director of ours or any successor corporation in their
capacity as such shall have any individual liability for any of our obligations,
covenants or agreements under the debt securities or the indenture.
Governing
Law
The
indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
DESCRIPTION
OF UNITS
We may
issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this
prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of
the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the
holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each
included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide
that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred
separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
The
applicable prospectus supplement may describe:
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·
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the
designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the
units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may
be held or transferred separately;
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any
provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of
the units or of the securities comprising the units;
and
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any
additional terms of the governing unit
agreement.
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The
applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any units. The
preceding description and any description of units in the applicable prospectus
supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral
arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units.
18
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
We may
sell the securities offered by this prospectus in any one or more of the
following ways from time to time:
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directly
to investors, including through a specific bidding, auction or other
process;
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to
investors through agents;
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directly
to agents;
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to
or through brokers or dealers;
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to
the public through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing
underwriters;
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to
one or more underwriters acting alone for resale to investors or to the
public; and
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through
a combination of any such methods of
sale.
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We may
also sell and distribute the securities offered by this prospectus from time to
time in one or more transactions, including in “at the market offerings” within
the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market
maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or
otherwise. We may sell our securities through a rights offering,
forward contracts or similar arrangements.
The
accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering and
the method of distribution and will identify any firms acting as underwriters,
dealers or agents in connection with the offering, including:
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the
name or names of any underwriters, dealers or
agents;
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the
purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us from the
sale;
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any
over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional
securities from us;
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any
underwriting discounts and other items constituting compensation to
underwriters, dealers or agents;
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any
public offering price;
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any
discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;
and
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any
securities exchange or market on which the securities offered in the
prospectus supplement may be
listed.
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Only
those underwriters identified in such prospectus supplement are deemed to be
underwriters in connection with the securities offered in the prospectus
supplement. Any underwritten offering may be on a best efforts or a firm
commitment basis.
The
distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more
transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at varying prices
determined at the time of sale, or at prices determined as the applicable
prospectus supplement specifies. The securities may be sold through a rights
offering, forward contracts or similar arrangements. In any distribution of
subscription rights to stockholders, if all of the underlying securities are not
subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third
parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or
agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to
third parties.
19
In
connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may
be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting
discounts or commissions and also may receive commissions from securities
purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell the securities
to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from
the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
We will
provide in the applicable prospectus supplement information regarding any
underwriting discounts or other compensation that we pay to underwriters or
agents in connection with the securities offering, and any discounts,
concessions or commissions which underwriters allow to dealers. Underwriters,
dealers and agents participating in the securities distribution may be deemed to
be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions they receive and any profit
they realize on the resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Underwriters and their
controlling persons, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements
entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution toward
specific civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act.
Unless
otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, each series of
securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than
shares of common stock, which are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Any
common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed on the
Nasdaq Capital Market, subject to official notice of issuance. We may elect to
list any series of debt securities or preferred stock, on an exchange, but we
are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may
make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to
do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No
assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, any
offered securities.
In
connection with an offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell securities
in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing
transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short
sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities
than they are required to purchase in an offering. Stabilizing transactions
consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a
decline in the market price of the securities while an offering is in progress.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular
underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount
received by it because the underwriters have repurchased securities sold by or
for the account of that underwriter in stabilizing or short-covering
transactions. These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or
otherwise affect the market price of the securities. As a result, the price of
the securities may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the
open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the
underwriters at any time. Underwriters may engage in overallotment. If any
underwriters create a short position in the securities in an offering in which
they sell more securities than are set forth on the cover page of the applicable
prospectus supplement, the underwriters may reduce that short position by
purchasing the securities in the open market.
Underwriters,
dealers or agents that participate in the offer of securities, or their
affiliates or associates, may have engaged or engage in transactions with and
perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business
for which they may have received or receive customary fees and reimbursement of
expenses.
LEGAL
MATTERS
The
validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us
by Holland & Hart LLP, except for the enforceability of the Company’s
obligations pursuant to the Debt Securities, which will be passed upon for us by
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.
20
EXPERTS
The
consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2008 and
2007 and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 incorporated in this
prospectus by reference have been audited by the accounting firm of Child, Van
Wagoner & Bradshaw, PLLC, an independent registered public accounting firm,
and are incorporated in reliance upon their report dated March 19, 2009, given
upon such firm’s authority as experts in auditing and accounting.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have
filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the
Securities Act with respect to the securities offered in this offering.
This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the
securities offered in this offering, we refer you to the registration statement
and to the attached exhibits. With respect to each such document filed as
an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the exhibit for a more
complete description of the matters involved.
You may
inspect our registration statement and the attached exhibits and schedules
without charge at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F
Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain copies of all or any
part of our registration statement from the SEC upon payment of prescribed fees.
You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by
calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
Our SEC
filings, including the registration statement and the exhibits filed with the
registration statement, are also available from the SEC’s website at
www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other
information regarding issuers that file electronically with the
SEC.
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC
allows us to “incorporate by reference” in this prospectus certain of the
information we file with the SEC. This means we can disclose important
information to you by referring you to another document that has been filed
separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered
to be part of this prospectus, and will modify and supersede the information
included in this prospectus to the extent that the information included as
incorporated by reference modifies or supersedes the existing information. Any
statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference
the documents listed below and all additional documents that we file with the
SEC under the terms of Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act,
that are made after the initial filing date of the registration statement of
which this prospectus is a part, prior to effectiveness of the registration
statement and before the termination of any offering of securities offered
by this prospectus.
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Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008,
filed March 26, 2009, as amended on November 19,
2009;
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Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2009,
filed on May 12, 2009, as amended on November 19,
2009;
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Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2009,
filed on August 10, 2009, as amended on November 19, 2009;
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Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 31,
2009, as amended on November 19,
2009;
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Our
definitive proxy statement related to our 2009 annual meeting of
stockholders held on June 29, 2009, filed April 30,
2009;
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21
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·
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The
description of our common stock, $0.001 par value per share, contained in
our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed on July 18, 2006 pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, as amended;
and
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Our
Current Reports on Form 8-K, as
follows:
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Form
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Filed
On
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8-K
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July
20, 2009
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8-K/A
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July
22, 2009
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8-K
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July
23, 2009
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8-K
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August
4, 2009
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8-K
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August
6, 2009
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8-K
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August
25, 2009
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8-K
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September
25, 2009
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8-K
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September
29, 2009
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Any
statement made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract,
agreement or other document is only a summary of the actual document. You may
obtain a copy of any document summarized in this prospectus and any or all of
the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus at no
cost by writing or calling us at our mailing address and telephone number: Seth
Grae, Lightbridge Corporation, 1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550, McLean,
Virginia 22102, telephone: 571.730.1200. Each statement regarding a contract,
agreement or other document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
actual document.
You may
read and copy all materials that we have filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public
Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain
information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330. Additionally, all reports and documents that we have filed with
the SEC can be obtained from the SEC’s Internet Site at http://www.sec.gov, or
by visiting our website at www.Ltbridge.com.
22
2,069,992 Shares of Common
Stock
Warrants to Purchase up to 1,034,996
Shares of Common
Stock
LIGHTBRIDGE
CORPORATION
_______________________________________________________
Prospectus
Supplement
July 22,
2010
______________________________________________________
William
Blair & Company