UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 14, 2005 (February 11, 2005)
Chiron Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | 0-12798 | | 94-2754624 |
(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation) | | (Commission
File Number) | | (IRS Employer
Identification No.) |
| | | | |
4560 Horton Street, Emeryville, CA | | 94608 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (510) 655-8730
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On February 11, 2005, Chiron Corporation announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued a formal order of investigation with respect to potential violations of federal securities laws. The previously announced informal inquiry began following the suspension by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (“MHRA”) of Chiron’s license to manufacture FLUVIRIN® influenza virus vaccine. Chiron is continuing to cooperate with the SEC’s ongoing investigation.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| CHIRON CORPORATION | |
| (Registrant) |
Date: February 14, 2005 | By: | /s/ Ursula B. Bartels | |
| | Ursula B. Bartels |
| | Vice President and General Counsel |
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| | Chiron Corporation |
| 4560 Horton Street |
| Emeryville, California 94608-2916 |
| | 510.655.8730 Fax 510.655.9910 |
| | |
| | News Release |
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Chiron Corporate Communications &
Investor Relations
Media: (510) 923-6500
Investors: (510) 923-2300
CHIRON ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN STATUS OF SEC INQUIRY
EMERYVILLE, Calif., February 11, 2005 — Chiron Corporation (NASDAQ: CHIR) announced today that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a formal order of investigation with respect to potential violations of federal securities laws. The previously announced informal inquiry began following the suspension by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of Chiron’s license to manufacture FLUVIRIN® influenza virus vaccine. Chiron is continuing to cooperate with the SEC’s ongoing investigation.
Chiron does not undertake an obligation to update the information in this release.
About Chiron
Chiron delivers innovative and valuable products to protect human health by advancing pioneering science across the landscape of biotechnology. The company works to deliver on the limitless promise of science and make a positive difference in people’s lives. For more information, please visit www.chiron.com.
About Chiron Vaccines
Chiron Vaccines, the world’s fifth-largest vaccines business, is headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, and has facilities located throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Chiron Vaccines is the world’s second-largest manufacturer of influenza vaccines and has important meningitis, pediatric and travel vaccine franchises. Chiron Vaccines is the leading vaccine manufacturer in the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. The company’s portfolio of products includes vaccines for influenza, meningitis C, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, yellow fever, haemophilus influenzae B (Hib), polio, mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) and diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough).
NOTE: FLUVIRIN is a trademark of Chiron Corporation.
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