As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 30, 1999
Registration No.333- _______
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
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FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 3674 86-0708398
(State or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Classification Code Number) Identification No.)
6820 Academy Parkway East, N.E., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109
(505) 342-1100
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's
principal executive offices)
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Donald Lawson
Chief Executive Officer
Lightpath Technologies, Inc.
6820 Academy Parkway East, N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109
(505) 342-1100
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
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Copy to:
Nina Lopez Gordian, Esq.
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
350 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Telephone: (212) 872-9800
Facsimile: (212) 872-9815
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after
the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. [X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462 (b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ] __________
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462 (c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ] __________
If the delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. [ ] __________
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF SECURITIES AMOUNT TO BE AGGREGATE PRICE OFFERING REGISTRATION
TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT * PRICE FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common stock 2,684,500(1) $2.19 $5,879,000 $1,734.30
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* Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee required
by Section 6(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Rules 457
(c) and 457 (h) under the Securities Act, on the basis of the average of the
high and low prices for shares of Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market on August 24, 1999.
In accordance with Rules 416 and 457 under the Securities Act of 1933, the
shares of common stock registered hereby shall also be deemed to cover an
indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock to be issued as a
result of the conversion of the debentures or as a result of the exercise of the
warrants referred to in footnote (1) below to prevent dilution resulting from
stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(1) Represents estimated number of shares issuable upon conversion of
outstanding convertible debentures, as payment of interest on the debentures, in
satisfaction of certain other obligations which might be due to the holders of
the debentures, and upon exercise of Class I and Class J Warrants.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. THE
SELLING SECURITYHOLDER MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS DECLARED
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS
NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR
SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 30, 1999
PROSPECTUS
LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
2,684,500 SHARES
OF COMMON STOCK
THE ISSUER
We manufacture, market and distribute optoelectronic, fiber telecommunication
and traditional optics products that incorporate our proprietary GRADIUM glass
and other fiber optic packaging technologies. Our current product line consists
of glass lenses, single mode fiber collimators and fiberoptic optomechanical
switches. To date, we have made sales primarily to laser manufacturers and third
parties for their evaluation of our products as components of their own product
offerings. We have not yet made substantial sales of telecommunication products
for broad commercial use.
We can be located at:
LightPath Technologies, Inc.
6820 Academy Parkway, N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109
Telephone: (503) 342-1100
THE OFFERING
All of the shares of common stock being offered in this prospectus will be
issued by LightPath Technologies to the shareholders who are offering them for
sale. The total shares covered by this prospectus will be issued to the selling
shareholders upon exercise of their outstanding convertible debentures and upon
exercise of their outstanding warrants. The selling shareholders can use this
prospectus to sell all or part of the shares they receive through the exercise
of their convertible debentures and warrants.
NASDAQ SMALLCAP MARKET TRADING SYMBOL
Trading Price
Symbol on August 24, 1999
------ ------------------
LPTHA $2.19
PROCEEDS FROM THIS OFFERING
The shareholders selling the common stock in this offering will receive all of
the proceeds from their sale, minus any commissions or expenses they incur but
we will receive up to $1,270,170 from the exercise, if any, of warrants by the
selling shareholders. We will bear all of the costs and expenses of registering
the shares under the federal and state securities laws. These total costs and
expenses are estimated to be $17,000.
THIS INVESTMENT INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. YOU SHOULD PURCHASE SHARES ONLY
IF YOU CAN AFFORD A COMPLETE LOSS. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING AT PAGE 5.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is August 30, 1999.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any document
that we have filed at the SEC's public reference facilities. Please call the SEC
at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about its public reference facilities.
Our SEC filings are also available to you free of charge at the SEC's web site
at http://www.sec.gov.
Copies of publicly available documents that we have filed with the SEC can
also be inspected and copied at the offices of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC that covers
the resale of the common stock offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a
part of the registration statement, but the prospectus does not include all of
the information included in the registration statement. You should refer to the
registration statement for additional information about us and the common stock
being offered in this prospectus. Statements that we make in this prospectus
relating to any documents filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or
any document incorporated by reference into the registration statement may not
be complete and you should review the referenced document itself for a complete
understanding of its terms.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The documents that have been incorporated by
reference are an important part of the prospectus, and you should be sure to
review that information in order to understand the nature of any investment by
you in the common stock. In addition to previously filed documents that are
incorporated by reference, documents that we file with the SEC after the date of
this prospectus will automatically update the registration statement. The
documents that we have previously filed and that are incorporated by reference
include the following:
* our annual report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999
All documents and reports filed by us pursuant to Sections 13 (a), 13 (c),
14 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this
prospectus and prior to the date that this offering is terminated will
automatically be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We will provide
you with copies of any of the documents incorporated by reference, at no charge
to you, however, we will not deliver copies of any exhibits to those documents
unless the exhibit itself is specifically incorporated by reference. If you
would like a copy of any document, please write or call us at:
LightPath Technologies, Inc.
6820 Academy Parkway, N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109
Attn: Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (505) 342-1100
You should only rely upon the information included in or incorporated by
reference into this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement that is delivered
to you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or
different information. You should not assume that the information included in or
incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is
accurate as of any date later than the date on the front of the prospectus or
prospectus supplement.
ii
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY SHOULD BE READ BY YOU TOGETHER WITH THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION INCLUDED AT OTHER SECTIONS OF THIS PROSPECTUS. IN ADDITION, YOU
SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FACTORS DESCRIBED UNDER "RISK FACTORS" AT PAGE 5
OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
LightPath Technologies, Inc. is a Delaware corporation that produces
GRADIUM(R) glass, utilizes otheR optical materials and specialized optical
packaging concepts to manipulate light and performs research and development for
optical solutions in the fiber telecommunications and traditional optics
markets. Our fiscal year ends on June 30 and references to fiscal years are for
the applicable years ended June 30.
WHAT IS GRADIUM GLASS? GRADIUM glass is an optical quality glass material
with varying refractive indices, capable of reducing optical aberrations
inherent in conventional lenses and performing with a single lens tasks
traditionally performed by multi-element conventional lens systems. We believe
that GRADIUM glass lenses provide advantages over conventional lenses for
certain applications. By reducing optical aberrations, we believe that GRADIUM
glass lenses can provide sharper images, higher resolution, less image
distortion, a wider usable field of view and a smaller focal spot size. By
reducing the number of lenses in an optical system, GRADIUM glass can provide
more efficient light transmission and greater brightness, lower production
costs, and a simpler, smaller product. Although other researchers have likely
sought to produce optical quality lens material with properties similar to that
of GRADIUM glass, we are not aware of any other person or firm that has
developed a repeatable manufacturing process for producing such material on a
prescribable basis. LightPath has been issued seventeen US patents for GRADIUM
glass products and currently has numerous filed patent applications pending
related to our GRADIUM glass materials composition, product design and
fabrication processes for production. Additional patent applications have been
filed or are in process for laser fusion techniques and fiberoptic
optomechanical switch technology. We are continually developing new GRADIUM
glass materials with various refractive index and dispersion profiles and for
the telecommunications field; fiberoptic optomechanical switches, multiplexers,
interconnects and cross-connects.
TO WHAT INDUSTRIES ARE LIGHTPATH'S GRADIUM GLASS PRODUCTS BEING MARKETED?
We believe that GRADIUM glass and other optical materials can potentially be
marketed for use in most optics and optoelectronics products. During 1998, we
restructured our internal organization and marketing focus with the intended
purpose of serving two separate markets: optoelectronics and fiber
telecommunications and traditional optics (e.g. lasers, medical equipment,
consumer optics, etc.).
Optoelectronics technologies consist of an overlap of photonics and
electronics and are key enablers of "Information Age" technologies, such as
fiber optic communications, optical data storage, laser printers, digital
imaging, and sensors for machine vision and environmental monitoring. Prior to
1998, we targeted various optoelectronic industry market niches as potential
purchasers of our GRADIUM glass products. During 1998, we began to develop
products for the emerging optoelectronics markets, specifically in the areas of
fiber telecommunications. With the resolution of fiber optic issues concerning
packaging and alignment and utilizing advances made by LightChip, an affiliate,
in the area of WDM equipment, we began to produce and demonstrate a passive
optoelectronic product, the single mode fiber collimator assembly. During 1999
we expanded this product line with the goal of demonstrating to the
telecommunication optical components industry our ability to provide low cost
products and provide solutions to their telecom needs.
For traditional optics, we initially emphasized laser products because our
management believed at that time that GRADIUM lenses could have a substantial
immediate commercial impact in laser products with a relatively small initial
financial investment. Generally, optical designers can substitute GRADIUM glass
components from our standard line of products in lieu of existing conventional
laser lens elements. Lasers are presently used extensively in a broad range of
consumer and commercial products, including fiber optics, robotics, wafer chip
inspection, bar code reading, document reproduction and audio and video compact
disc machines. Because GRADIUM glass can concentrate light transmission into a
much smaller focal spot than conventional lenses, we believe, and customers'
test results confirm, that GRADIUM glass has the ability to improve the current
standard of laser performance. One of our distributors, Permanova Lasersystems
AB of Sweden, qualified GRADIUM YAG lenses into systems produced by Rofin-Sinar
GmbH, a major OEM manufacturer of high-powered CO2 and YAG lasers headquartered
in Germany. Our growth strategy is to increase our emphasis on key laser market
niches and establish the necessary products and partnership alliances to sell
into Europe and Asia as well as the U.S. market. During fiscal 1999, LightPath
and Rodenstock Prazisionsoptik GmbH (Rodenstock) executed an agreement to
transfer to Rodenstock the exclusive, application-related utilization and
distribution of GRADIUM lenses throughout the whole of Europe. The agreement was
for an initial five-year period. Rodenstock's one hundred years of experience in
the field of advanced optical systems and employees over 6,000 people worldwide,
will be a strong asset to the expansion of LightPath's presence in Europe. We
have established relationships with eight foreign distributors. We believe these
distributors will enable us to establish and maintain a presence in foreign and
domestic markets without further investment in this product area. In addition to
laser applications, we, through our printed and Internet on-line catalog, offer
a standard line of GRADIUM glass lenses for commercial sales to optical
designers developing particular systems for original equipment manufacturers
("OEMs") or in-house products.
HOW HAS LIGHTPATH DEVELOPED GRADIUM GLASS PRODUCTS? From our inception in
1985 until June 1996, we were classified as a development stage enterprise that
engaged in basic research and development. We believe that most of our product
sales made during this stage were to persons evaluating the commercial
application of GRADIUM glass or using the products for research and development.
During fiscal year 1997, our operational focus begin to shift to commercial
product development and sales. We completed numerous prototypes for production
orders and received our first orders for catalog sales of standard lens
profiles. We also began to offer standard, computer-based profiles of GRADIUM
glass that engineers use for product design. During fiscal 1998, sales of lenses
2
to the traditional optics market continued with significant increases in sales
of lenses used in the YAG laser market, catalog and distributor sales and lenses
used in the wafer inspection markets. In fiscal year 1998, we also began to
explore the development of products for emerging markets such as
optoelectronics, photonics and solar due to the number of potential customers
inquiries into the ability of GRADIUM glass to solve optoelectronic problems,
specifically in the areas of fiber telecommunications. With the resolution of
packaging and alignment issues by us, and advances made by LightChip, an
affiliate, with WDM equipment, it led us in 1998 to develop a strategy for
entering the optoelectronic markets. Our first passive optoelectronic product, a
single mode fiber collimator assembly, or SMF assembly, was demonstrated in
February 1998. The SMF assembly is a key element in all fiber optic systems,
including WDM equipment. The SMF assembly straighten and make parallel,
diverging light as it exits a fiber. Beginning in fiscal 1999, we began
offering, and have delivered for testing to potential customers, three product
levels, the collimating lens, the SMF assembly and the large beam collimating
assembly. The telecommunications collimator marketplace is currently estimated
by industry experts to generate annual gross revenues of $125 million in 1999
with projected growth to $256 million in five years.
The current focus of our development group has been to expand application of
GRADIUM products to the areas of fiberoptic optomechanical switches,
multiplexers, interconnects and cross-connects for the telecommunications field,
further refinement of the crown glass product line to supplement its existing
flint products, and further development of acrylic axial gradient material to
extend the range of existing product applications.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND US. LightPath was incorporated in Delaware in 1992.
Our corporate headquarters are located at 6820 Academy Parkway East N.E.,
Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87109 and our telephone number is (505) 342-1100.
3
THE OFFERING
Securities Offered by the
Selling Shareholders.......... 2,684,500 shares of Class A Common Stock All
of the common shares are issuable upon
conversion of outstanding convertible
debentures and upon exercise of Class I and
Class J warrants. A description of the terms
of these debentures and warrants is included
in this prospectus under "Selling
Shareholders" at page 13.
Common Stock Outstanding as of
June 30, 1999:
Class A Common Stock 4,960,703 shares(1)(3)
Class E-1 Common Stock 1,492,480 shares(2)
Class E-2 Common Stock 1,492,480 shares(2)
Class E-3 Common Stock 994,979 shares(2)
Use of Proceeds................. We will not receive any of the proceeds of
sales OF Common stock by the selling
shareholders but we will receive up to
$1,270,170 from the exercise, if any, of
warrants by the selling shareholders.
Risk Factors.................... The shares of common stock offered hereby
involve a high degree of risk. See "Risk
Factors" on page 5.
Nasdaq SmallCap Market Symbol... Class A Common Stock - "LPTHA"
Units - "LPTHU"
Class A Warrants - "LPTHW"
Class B Warrants - "LPTHZ"
- ----------
(1) Does not include outstanding options at June 30, 1999 to purchase 1,244,851
shares of Class A Common Stock and 106,652 shares of Class E-1, 106,652
shares of Class E-2 and 71,102 shares of Class E-3 Common Stock which are
exercisable at option exercise prices ranging from $2.84 to $51.56 per
share and 970,077 shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance upon
future grants of options issuable under LightPath's stock option plans.
(2) Each share of outstanding Class E-1 Common Stock, Class E-2 Common Stock
and Class E-3 Common Stock, collectively referred to as the Class E shares,
will, on a class basis, automatically convert into Class A Common Stock if
and as the Company attains certain earnings levels with respect to each of
the three separate classes. The Class E shares will be redeemed by
LightPath for a nominal amount if such earnings levels are not achieved.
(3) Does not include an aggregate of 12,580,586 shares of Class A Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of (i) the Unit Purchase Option (160,000 Class A
common shares) granted to the IPO underwriter and the 160,000 Class A and
160,000 Class B Common Stock Purchase Warrants underlying the Unit Purchase
Option; (ii) the 160,000 additional Class B Warrants issuable upon exercise
of the Class A Warrants referred to in (i); (iii) 1,828,749 Class A
Warrants and 1,851,251 Class B Warrants forming part of the IPO Units; (iv)
the 1,828,749 additional Class B Warrants issuable upon exercise of the
Class A Warrants referred to in (iii); (v) the 839,000 Class A Warrants
issued at the IPO; (vi) the 839,000 additional Class B Warrants issuable
upon exercise of the Class A Warrants referred to in (iv) above, (vii) the
additional 2,069,336 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Series A, Series B, and Series C Preferred Stock and
exercise of the Class C, Class D, Class E, Class F, Class G and Class H
Warrants, and (vi) the additional 2,684,500 shares of Class A Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the convertible debenture and exercise of the
Class I and Class J Warrants.
4
RISK FACTORS
BEFORE YOU BUY ANY OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK BEING OFFERED BY THIS
PROSPECTUS, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ AND CONSIDER EACH OF THE RISK FACTORS WE
HAVE DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION. YOU SHOULD BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT ALL OF THESE
RISKS, INCLUDING THE RISK THAT YOU MAY LOSE YOUR ENTIRE INVESTMENT, BEFORE YOU
MAKE A DECISION TO BUY ANY OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSSES IN PRIOR YEARS
Our operations have never been profitable. We believe that our
introduction of products for the telecommunication market in 1999 may generate
sales in excess of amounts realized to date, although there can be no assurance
in this regard. We expect to continue operating at a deficit during the current
fiscal year and until such time, if ever, as our operations generate sufficient
revenues to cover our costs. The likelihood of our financial success must be
considered in light of the delays, uncertainties, difficulties and risks
inherent in a new business, many of which are beyond our ability to control.
These risks include, but are not limited to, unanticipated problems relating to
product development, testing, manufacturing, marketing and competition, and
additional costs and expenses that may exceed our current estimates. There can
be no assurance that our revenues will increase significantly in the future or
that, even if they do, our operations will ever be profitable.
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO CONTINUE OPERATING AS A GOING CONCERN.
We have received a report from our independent auditors that includes
an explanatory paragraph regarding uncertainty as to our ability to continue as
a going concern. The factors cited by the auditors as raising substantial doubt
as to our ability to continue as a going concern are our recurring losses from
operations and resulting continued dependence on external sources of capital. We
may incur losses for the foreseeable future due to the significant costs
associated with the development, manufacturing and marketing of our products and
due to the continued research and development activities that will be necessary
to further refine our technology and products and to develop products with
additional applications.
WE ANTICIPATE THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FUTURE FINANCING IN ORDER TO FUND OUR
OPERATIONS AND PLANS FOR GROWTH.
We anticipate that our projected product sales and the net proceeds
from our private placement of convertible debentures and related warrants,
completed in July 1999, will be used for working capital for fiscal 2000. In
addition, our ability to fund capital requirements after the near term will
depend on the extent that our products become commercially accepted, if at all,
and if our marketing program is successful in generating sales sufficient to
sustain our operations. At this time the Company does not believe product sales
will reach the level required to sustain its operations and growth plans beyond
the near term; therefore, the Company is actively pursuing additional financing.
We do not have any commitments from others to provide such additional financing
and there can be no assurance that any such additional financing will be
available if needed or, if available, will be on terms favorable to us. In the
event such needed financing is not obtained, our operations will be materially
adversely affected and we will have to cease or substantially reduce operations.
Any additional equity financing may be dilutive to stockholders, and debt
financings, if available, may involve restrictive covenants.
5
WE MAY HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN MANAGING GROWTH
We will need to grow our product sales and manufacturing output
significantly in order to be successful. If we are unable to manage growth
effectively, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations, financial condition or business. We cannot guarantee that we will
successfully expand or that any expansion will enhance our profitability. We
expect our planned growth will place a significant strain on our management and
operations. Our future growth will depend in part on the ability of our officers
and other key employees to implement and expand financial control systems and to
expand, train and manage our employee base and provide support to an expanded
customer base.
OUR PRODUCTS ARE AT AN EARLY STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT AND MAY NOT ACHIEVE MARKET
ACCEPTANCE.
Through June 1996, our primary activities were basic research and
development of glass material properties. Our current line of GRADIUM products
have not generated sufficient revenues to sustain operations and the
telecommunications products are still in the introduction phase. While we
believe our existing products are commercially viable, we anticipate the need to
educate the optical components market in order to generate market demand and
market feedback may require us to further refine these products. Development of
additional product lines will require significant further research, development,
testing and marketing prior to commercialization. There can be no assurance that
any proposed products will be successfully developed, demonstrate desirable
optical performance, be capable of being produced in commercial quantities at
reasonable costs or be successfully marketed.
OUR PRODUCTS HAVE NOT BEEN DEMONSTRATED TO BE COMMERCIALLY SUCCESSFUL.
Our telecommunication products have not yet achieved commercial
acceptance while the traditional optics are not widely known. Although we are
engaged in negotiations and discussions with potential customers, there can be
no assurance that any such discussions will lead to development of commercially
viable products or significant revenues, if any, or that any products currently
existing or to be developed in the future will attain sufficient market
acceptance to generate significant revenues. In order to persuade potential
customers to purchase GRADIUM products, we will need to overcome industry
resistance to, and suspicion of, gradient lens technology that has resulted from
previous failed attempts by various researchers and manufacturers unrelated to
us to develop a repeatable, consistent process for producing lenses with
variable refractive indices. We must also satisfy industry-standard Bellcore
Testing on telecommunication products to meet customer requirements, as well as
satisfy prospective customers that we will be able to meet their demand for
quantities of products, since we may be the sole supplier and licensor. We do
not have demonstrated experience as a manufacturer and do not have a substantial
net worth. We may be unable to accomplish any one or more of the foregoing to
the extent necessary to develop market acceptance of our products. Prospective
customers will need to make substantial expenditures to redesign products to
incorporate GRADIUM lenses. There can be no assurances that potential customers
will view product's benefits as sufficient to warrant such design expenditures.
6
WE DEPEND UPON KEY PERSONNEL
Our inability to retain or attract key employees could have a material
adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Our operations depend,
to a great extent, upon the efforts of our CEO and President, Donald Lawson, who
conceived our strategic plan and who is substantially responsible for planning
and guiding our direction, and upon Mark Fitch, our senior vice president. We
also depend upon our ability to attract additional members to our management and
operations teams to support our expansion strategy. The loss of any of these key
employees would adversely affect our business. We have obtained key employee
life insurance policies in the amount $1,000,000 on the life of Mr. Lawson. We
had twenty-five employees on August 1, 1999. Additional personnel will need to
be hired if we are able to successfully expand our operations. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to identify, attract and retain employees with
skills and experience necessary and relevant to the future operations of our
business.
COMPETITION MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL RESULTS
The optical lens and telecommunication components markets are intensely
competitive and numerous companies offer products and services competitive to
those offered by us. Substantially all of these competitors have greater
financial and other resources than we do. We compete with manufacturers of
conventional spherical lens products and aspherical lens products, producers of
optical quality glass and other developers of gradient lens technology and
telecom products. In the markets for conventional and aspheric lenses, we are
competing against, among others, established international industry giants. Many
of these companies also are primary customers for optical components, and
therefore have significant control over certain markets for our products. We are
also aware of other companies that are attempting to develop radial gradient
lens technology. There may also be others of which we are not aware that are
attempting to develop axial gradient lens technology similar to our technology.
There can be no assurance that existing or new competitors will not develop
technologies that are superior to or more commercially acceptable than our
existing and planned technology and products.
WE HAVE LIMITED MARKETING AND SALES CAPABILITIES, AND MUST MAKE SALES IN A
FRAGMENTED MARKET.
Our operating results will depend to a large extent on our ability to
educate the various industries utilizing optical glass about the advantages of
GRADIUM and other optical materials to market products to the participants
within those industries. We currently have very limited marketing capabilities
and experience and will need to hire additional sales and marketing personnel,
develop additional sales and marketing programs and establish sales distribution
channels in order to achieve and sustain commercial sales of its products.
Although we have developed a marketing plan, there can be no assurance that the
plan will be implemented or, if implemented, will succeed in creating sufficient
levels of customer demand for our products. The markets for optical lenses and
telecommunication components are highly fragmented. Consequently, we will need
to identify and successfully target particular market segments in which we
believe we will have the most success. These efforts will require a substantial,
but unknown, amount of effort and resources.
The fragmented nature of the optical products market may impede our
ability to achieve commercial acceptance for our products. In addition, our
success will depend in great part on our ability to develop and implement a
successful marketing and sales program. There can be no assurance that any
marketing and sales efforts undertaken by us will be successful or will result
in any significant product sales.
7
WE ARE HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON OUR PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY.
Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to obtain protection
for products and technologies under United States and foreign patent laws, to
preserve trade secrets, and to operate without infringing the proprietary rights
of others. There can be no assurance that patent applications relating to our
products or potential products will result in patents being issued, that any
issued patents will afford adequate protection or not be challenged,
invalidated, infringed or circumvented, or that any rights granted will afford
competitive advantages to us. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that others
have not independently developed, or will not independently develop, similar
products and/or technologies, duplicate any of our product or technologies, or,
if patents are issued to, or licensed by, us, design around such patents. There
can be no assurance that patents owned or licensed and issued in one
jurisdiction will also issue in any other jurisdiction. Furthermore, there can
be no assurance that we can adequately preserve proprietary technology and
processes that we maintain as trade secrets. If we are unable to develop and
adequately protect our proprietary technology and other assets, our business,
financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely
affected.
OUR BUSINESS DEPENDS UPON THE EFFORTS OF THIRD PARTIES.
Our strategy for the research, development and commercialization of
certain of its products entails entering into various arrangements with
corporate partners, OEMs, licensees and others in order to generate product
sales, license fees, royalties and other funds adequate for product development.
We may also rely on its collaborative partners to conduct research efforts,
product testing and to manufacture and market certain of our products. Although
we believe that parties to any such arrangements would have an economic
motivation to succeed in performing their contractual responsibilities, the
amount and timing of resources to be devoted to these activities may not be
within our control. There can also be no assurance that we will be successful in
establishing any such collaborative arrangements or that, if established, the
parties to such arrangements will assist us in commercializing products.
Presently we have entered into a development agreement with a mechanical switch
manufacturer and an endoscope manufacturer pursuant to which it has developed
prototypes. There can be no assurance that such agreements will progress to a
production phase or, if production commences, that we will receive significant
revenues from this relationship. We have a non-exclusive agreement with a
catalog company to distribute certain of its products. We have formalized
relationships with eight foreign distributors to create markets for GRADIUM in
their respective countries. There can be no assurance that these parties, or any
future partners, will perform their obligations as expected or that any revenue
will be derived from such arrangements.
WE HAVE ONLY LIMITED MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES.
We believe that our present manufacturing facilities, with the clean
room addition expected to be completed by the end of the calendar year 1999, are
sufficient for our planned operations over the next several years. However, we
do not have any experience manufacturing products in quantities sufficient to
meet commercial demand. If we are unable to manufacture products in sufficient
quantities and in a timely manner to meet customer demand, our business,
financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely
affected.
8
WE FACE PRODUCT LIABILITY RISKS.
The sale of our optical products will involve the inherent risk of
product liability claims by others. We do not currently maintain product
liability insurance coverage, although we do intend to procure such insurance in
the future. Product liability insurance is expensive, subject to various
coverage exclusions and may not be obtainable on terms acceptable to us.
Moreover, the amount and scope of any coverage may be inadequate to protect us
in the event that a product liability claim is successfully asserted.
WE WILL RECOGNIZE A SUBSTANTIAL CHARGE TO INCOME UPON CONVERSION OF OUR CLASS E
COMMON STOCK.
In the event any shares of the Class E Common Stock held by
stockholders who are officers, directors, employees or consultants of the
Company are converted into shares of Class A Common Stock, we will record
compensation expense for financial reporting purposes during the period in which
such conversion occurs. Such charge will equal the fair market value of such
shares on the date of release, which may be substantial. Although the amount of
compensation expense recognized will not affect the total stockholders' equity,
it may have a material negative effect on the market price of our securities,
particularly the shares of Class A Common Stock. Since Class E shares are not
treated as outstanding for purposes of earnings per share calculations, the
increase in the number of shares of Class A Common Stock upon conversion of any
series of Class E Common Stock may have a material adverse effect on our
earnings per share.
OUR OPERATIONS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE YEAR
2000 ISSUE.
Some computer applications were originally designed to recognize
calendar years by their last two digits. As a result, calculations performed
using these truncated fields will not work properly with dates from the year
2000 and beyond. This problem is commonly referred to as the "Year 2000 Issue".
We have determined that our internal computer systems, manufacturing equipment
and software products were produced to be Year 2000 compliant and no material
remediation costs have been incurred or are expected to be incurred by us.
During the third quarter of fiscal 1999, we confirmed in writing whether the
internal business operations of third parties with whom we have a material
relationship will be affected by the Year 2000 Issue. Our assessment of third
parties is complete and based on their responses, we believes our material third
party relationships will not be adversely impacted by the Year 2000 Issue
barring any unforeseen circumstances. Under a worst case scenario we may
experience delays in receiving products and services thereby impacting product
shipments. We plans on having adequate inventory levels to minimize such impact,
if any. We will continue to monitor third parties throughout the remainder of
calendar 1999 and develop contingency plans if a third party is subsequently
found to be non-compliant.
9
OUR STOCK PRICE IS VOLATILE
Broad market fluctuations or fluctuations in our operations may
adversely affect the market price of our common stock. The market for our common
stock is volatile. The trading price of our common stock has been and will
continue to be subject to:
* significant fluctuations in response to quarterly variations in
operating results;
* announcements regarding our business or the business of our
competitors;
* changes in prices of our or our competitors' products and services;
* changes in product mix; and
* changes in revenue and revenue growth rates for us as a whole or for
geographic areas, and other events or factors.
Statements or changes in opinions, rating or earnings estimates made by
brokerage firms or industry analysts relating to the markets in which we operate
or expect to operate could have an adverse effect on the market price of our
common stock. In addition, the stock market as a whole has from time to time
experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations which have particularly
affected the market price for the securities of many small cap companies and
which often have been unrelated to the operating performance of these companies.
POTENTIAL CONTROL BY THE EXISTING MANAGEMENT AND SHAREHOLDERS
If our management and shareholders act in concert, disposition of
matters submitted to shareholders or the election of the entire Board of
Directors may be hindered. The principal stockholders beneficially owned 12% of
the total combined voting power of all of the Common Stock outstanding at August
19, 1999. In addition, certain stockholders holding approximately 12% of the
total voting power have entered into a voting trust agreement. Additional
stockholders may subsequently join the voting trust. Pursuant to the voting
trust, Leslie A. Danziger, the Chairwoman, is granted the authority to vote all
of the shares subject to the voting trust on all matters that our stockholders
are entitled to vote. Accordingly, Ms. Danziger will likely be able to influence
the election of our directors and thereby direct the policies of the Company.
These arrangements could make it difficult for others to elect the entire Board
of Directors and to control the disposition of any matter submitted to a vote of
stockholders.
SOME PROVISIONS IN OUR CHARTER DOCUMENTS AND BYLAWS MAY HAVE ANTI-TAKEOVER
EFFECTS
Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws contain some provisions that
could have the effect of discouraging a prospective acquirer from making a
tender offer, or which may otherwise delay, defer or prevent a change in
control.
ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS
We do not anticipate paying dividends on the common stock in the
foreseeable future. It is anticipated that earnings, if any, will be reinvested
in the expansion of our business.
10
OUR WARRANTS AND OPTIONS MAY AFFECT OUR FUTURE FINANCING
The existence of our options or warrants may adversely affect the terms
on which we can obtain additional financing. As of June 30, 1999, there was
outstanding
* 2,667,749 Class A Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,667,749
shares of Class A Common Stock and 2,667,749 Class B Warrants;
* 1,851,251 Class B Warrants to purchase 1,851,251 shares of Class A
Common Stock;
* the Unit Purchase Option to purchase an aggregate of 160,000 Units,
each Unit consists of 160,000 Class A Common Stock, 160,000 Class A
Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 160,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock and 160,000 Class B Warrants; and 160,000 Class B Warrants;
* 564,821 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
Series A Preferred Stock and exercise of Class C and Class D Warrants;
* 373,914 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion Series
B Preferred Stock and exercise of Class E and Class F Warrants;
* 1,130,601shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion
Series C Preferred Stock and exercise of Class G and Class H Warrants;
* Outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 1,244,851 shares of
Class A Common Stock which includes 71,102 whereby the holder receives
71,102 shares of Class A, 106,652 Class E-1, 106,652 shares of Class
E-2 and 71,102 shares of Class E-3 Common Stock;
* 970,077 shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance under the
Omnibus Incentive Plan and Directors Stock Incentive Plan.
For the life of such options and warrants, the holders will have the
opportunity to profit from a rise in the price of common stock, with a resulting
dilution in the interest of other holders of common stock. Further, the option
and warrant holders can be expected to exercise their options and warrants at a
time when we would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain additional capital by
an offering of our unissued common stock on terms more favorable to us than
those provided by such options.
The eligibility of the foregoing shares to be sold to the public,
whether pursuant to Rule 144 or an effective registration statement, may have a
material adverse effect on the market value and trading price of the common
stock.
WE HAVE AGREED TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS UPON POTENTIAL LIABILITY OF OUR DIRECTORS.
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that directors will not be
personally liable for monetary damages to LightPath or its stockholders for a
breach of fiduciary duty as a director, subject to limited exceptions. Although
such limitation of liability does not affect the availability of equitable
remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission, the presence of these
provisions in the Certificate of Incorporation could prevent the recovery of
monetary damages against.
11
THE LIQUIDITY OF OUR STOCK COULD BE SEVERELY REDUCED IF IT BECOMES CLASSIFIED AS
PENNY STOCK.
If our securities were delisted from Nasdaq, they could become subject
to Rule 15g-9 under the Exchange Act, which imposes additional sales practice
requirements on broker-dealers that sell such securities to persons other than
established customers and "accredited investors".
The Commission has adopted regulations which generally define a "penny
stock" to be any non-Nasdaq equity security that has a market price (as therein
defined) of less than $5.00 per share or with an exercise price of less than
$5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. For any transaction involving a
penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require substantial additional disclosure
obligations. The foregoing required penny stock restrictions will not apply to
our securities so long as they continue to be listed on Nasdaq and have certain
price and volume information provided on a current and continuing basis or meet
certain minimum net tangible assets or average revenue criteria. There can be no
assurance that the our securities will qualify for exemption from these
restrictions. In any event, even if our securities were exempt from such
restrictions, they would remain subject to Section 15(b)(6) of the Exchange Act,
which gives the Commission the authority to prohibit any person that is engaged
in unlawful conduct while participating in a distribution of a penny stock from
associating with a broker-dealer or participating in a distribution of a penny
stock, if the Commission finds that such a restriction would be in the public
interest.
If our securities were subject to the existing rules on penny stocks,
the market liquidity for our securities could be severely adversely affected.
WE MUST MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN CRITERIA IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN LISTING
OF OUR SHARES ON THE NASDAQ MARKET.
The Units, Class A Common Stock and Class A and Class B Warrants are
currently traded on Nasdaq SmallCap Market. Failure to meet the applicable
quantitative and/or qualitative maintenance requirements of Nasdaq could result
in our securities being delisted from Nasdaq, with the result that such
securities would trade on the OTC Bulletin Board or in the "pink sheets"
maintained by the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated. As a consequence of
such delisting, an investor could find it more difficult to dispose of or to
obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our securities. Among other
consequences, delisting from Nasdaq may cause a decline in the stock price and
difficulty in obtaining future financing.
WE MAY NOT HAVE ENOUGH FUNDS AVAILABLE TO REDEEM OUTSTANDING SHARES OF PREFERRED
STOCK OR CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES.
In the events of conversion of the Convertible Debentures and the
Series A, Series B or Series C Preferred Stock or exercise of their accompanying
Class C, Class E and Class G warrants, respectively, in a manner that would
cause an undue dilution of its Common Stock, LightPath has the right to redeem
such debentures, preferred stock and warrants for cash. In addition, a
Liquidation Event, as defined in the applicable Certificates of Designation, may
require redemption of the Series A, Series B or Series C Preferred Stock for
cash. There can be no assurance that in either of the foregoing events that we
will have adequate cash to effect such cash redemptions.
12
RISK THAT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY NOT COME TRUE
This prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference,
contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. We use
words such as "believe", "expect," "anticipate," "plan" or similar words to
identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made based
upon our belief as of the date that such statements are made. These
forward-looking statements are based largely on our current expectations and are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our
control. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which apply only as of the date of this prospectus. Our actual
results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements for many reasons, including the risks faced by us described above and
elsewhere in this prospectus.
13
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
On July 28, 1999, we issued $1,000,000 Convertible Debentures and
427,350 attached Class I warrants to the selling shareholders in a private
placement. 150,000 Class J Warrants were also issued to Fahnestock & Co., Inc.
as partial compensation for their services as placement agent.
Each Class I and Class J Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one
share of Class A Common Stock at $2.20 per share at any time through July 2004.
For a description of the Class I Warrants see Exhibit 4.7 to the registration
statement. For a description of the Class J Warrants see Exhibit 4.8 to the
registration statement. Each convertible debenture can be converted by the
holder into a number of shares of our Class A Common Stock at the option of the
holder at any time until July 2002. The number of shares of Class A Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of each convertible debenture is determined by dividing
the outstanding principal amount plus 6% accrued interest, on the date of
conversion by a conversion price. The conversion price is defined as the lesser
of 80% of the average closing bid price of our Class A Common Stock for the five
days preceding (i) the closing, $1.76 or (ii) the conversion date, except that
the conversion price can not be lower than $.56 nor higher than $2.00.
We have the right to redeem all or part of the Convertible Debentures
at any time by advance notice to the holders. The redemption price is equal to
115% of the outstanding principal of the debenture plus accrued interest. If we
do not make the redemption payment within 10 days of that notice, however, we
will lose this redemption right.
Interest at the rate of 6% per annum is payable on the principal of
each Convertible Debenture on conversion or at maturity. At our option, interest
may be paid in cash or in Class A Common Stock at the conversion price then in
effect.
The terms of the convertible debenture and the Class I and Class J
Warrants specify that, with limited exceptions, a selling shareholder cannot
convert the debenture or exercise its warrant to the extent that such conversion
or exercise would result in the selling shareholder and its affiliates then
owning more than 9.99% of the then outstanding Class A Common Stock. The limited
exceptions include the automatic conversion of the debenture on maturity or the
existence of a tender offer for our Class A Common Stock.
We have also agreed with the debenture holders that under certain
conditions if, within two years after the closing of their transaction, we issue
Class A Common Stock of securities convertible into Class A Common Stock to a
third party, we will issue additional shares to those holders. This obligation
will apply if the transaction with the third party is determined to hive a
higher yield than the Convertible Debenture holder's transaction.
This Prospectus relates to the shares of Class A Common Stock that may
be acquired by the selling shareholders upon conversion of the Convertible
Debentures, the payment of interest on the debentures in shares of Class A
Common Stock, the additional shares that may be issued to the debenture holders
as a result of certain transactions we might enter into with third parties, and
the shares issuable upon exercise of the Class I and Class J Warrants.
The following table provides information as of August 1, 1999, with
respect to the Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by each selling
shareholder. For purposes of the information set forth in this table, it is
assumed that each outstanding Convertible Debenture was converted at $1.755 as
of August 1, 1999. None of these selling shareholders has a material
relationship with us, with the exception of Fahnestock & Co., Inc., which acted
as placement agent in connection with the sale of the Convertible Debentures and
warrants to the other selling shareholders. As part of that sale, we entered
into certain agreements with the selling shareholders. These agreements are
described under "Certain Relationships" below. We believe that the selling
shareholders named in the following table have sole voting and investment power
with respect to the respective shares of Class A Common Stock set forth opposite
their names. The shares of Class A Common Stock offered by this prospectus may
be offered from time to time by the selling shareholders named below or their
nominees.
14
Total Shares outstanding 5,088,431 Class A Common Stock
As of August 1, 1999
Shares
Beneficially
Owned After
Offering (1) Percent of Percent of
Shares Beneficially Number of ------------- Class A All
Owned Prior to the Shares Being Number of Common Classes of
Offering (1)(2) Offered (2) Shares Stock(11) Common Stock
--------------- ----------- ------ --------- ------------
The Aries Master Fund (9,10) 341,525 341,525(3) 0 6% 4%
Aries Domestic Fund II LP (9,10) 4,986 4,986(4) 0 * *
Aries Domestic Fund LP (9,10) 152,064 152,064(5) 0 2% 2%
Alfons Melohn (9,10) 99,715 99,715(6) 0 2% 1%
Donald G. Drapkin (9,10) 398,860 398,860(7) 0 7% 4%
Fahnestock & Co. Inc. 150,000 150,000(8) 0 3% 2%
* Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.
(1) Except as otherwise noted, and subject to community property laws, where
applicable, each person named in the table has sole voting power and
investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned.
(2) As noted below, the information set forth below includes shares of Class A
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of our Convertible
Debentures. Each Convertible Debenture is convertible into a number of
shares of Class A Common Stock determined by dividing its stated value on
the date of conversion by a conversion price. The conversion price is
defined as the lesser of 80% of the average closing bid price of our Class
A Common Stock for the five days preceding (i) the closing ($1.76) or (ii)
the conversion date. The conversion price, however, cannot be lower than
$.56 nor higher than $2.00 For purposes of the information set forth in
this table, it is assumed that each outstanding Convertible Debenture was
converted at $1.755 as of August 1, 1999.
As required by SEC regulations, the number of shares shown as beneficially
owned includes shares which could be acquired within 60 days after the date
of this Prospectus. However, the provisions of the Convertible Debentures
and the Class I and Class J Warrants limit each holder from converting its
debentures or exercising its warrants to the extent that such conversion or
exercise would result in the holder and its affiliates beneficially owning
more that 9.99% of the then outstanding commons stock. Thus, some of the
shares listed in the table might not be subject to purchase by a particular
selling shareholder during that 60 day period, nonetheless those shares are
included in this table. The actual number of shares of Class A Common Stock
issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Debentures is subject to
adjustment and could be significantly more than the number estimated in the
table. This variation is due to factors that cannot be predicted by us at
this time. The most significant of these factors is the future market price
of the Class A Common Stock.
(3) Includes 341,525 shares issuable upon (A) conversion of $342,500
Convertible Debentures and (B) the exercise of 146,368 Class I Warrants to
purchase Class A Common Stock.
15
(4) Includes 4,986 shares issuable upon (A) conversion of $5,000 Convertible
Debentures and (B) the exercise of 2,137 Class I Warrants to purchase Class
A Common Stock.
(5) Includes 152,064 shares issuable upon (A) conversion of $152,500
Convertible Debentures and (B) the exercise of 65,170 Class I Warrants to
purchase Class A Common Stock.
(6) Includes 99,715 shares issuable upon (A) conversion of $100,000 Convertible
Debentures and (B) the exercise of 42,735 Class I Warrants to purchase
Class A Common Stock.
(7) Includes 398,860 shares issuable upon (A) conversion of $400,000
Convertible Debentures and (B) the exercise of 170,940 Class I Warrants to
purchase Class A Common Stock.
(8) Includes 150,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class J Warrants.
(9) The actual number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the
conversion of the Convertible Debentures, in payment of interest and upon
exercise of the Class I Warrants is subject to adjustment and could be
materially less or more than the number estimated in the table. This
variation is due to factors that cannot be predicted by us at this time.
The most significant of these factors is the future market price of the
common stock. In addition, we may have to issue additional shares to the
Debenture holders based on transactions we enter into with other parties.
The terms of such transactions, if any, are not known at this time.
(10) The number of shares registered for resale by each selling shareholder
under this Prospectus is equal to 254.173% of the amount specified in the
table to take into account the floating conversion rate described in
footnote 2 above, the amount of interest that might be paid in Class A
Common Stock and the determination of the additional shares, if any, which
we may be obligated to issue to the Convertible Debenture holders if we
engage in certain transactions before July 31, 2001.
(11) The percentage interest of each selling shareholder is based on the
beneficial ownership of that selling shareholder divided by the sum of the
current outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock plus the additional
shares, if any, which would be issued to that selling shareholder (but not
any other selling shareholder) when converting Debentures or exercising
Warrants or other right in the future. For purposes of presentation in this
table, the 9.99% limit referred to in footnote 2 above has been
disregarded.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The selling shareholders will receive the net proceeds from the sale of
their shares of common stock. We will not receive any proceeds from these sales.
We will however receive proceeds from the exercise of the Warrants. Each warrant
entitles the holder to purchase shares of common stock at a price of $2.20 per
share. This purchase price is payable in cash or by surrendering shares of our
common stock with an equal value. If all of the warrants are exercised for cash,
we will receive up to $1,270,000.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
The selling shareholders each have a right to receive additional shares
of common stock if we issue equity or debt securities at any time prior to July
31, 2001, at a discounted price greater than 80% of the fair market value of the
Class A Common Stock at the time of such issuance. Fahnestock & Co., Inc. has
the right of first refusal to act as placement agent with respect to any future
private financings we may conduct during the one year period ending July 2000.
16
DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE
The selling shareholders may use this prospectus from time to time to
sell their common stock at a price determined by the shareholder selling the
common stock. The price at which the common stock is sold may be based on market
prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to such prevailing
market prices, or at negotiated prices.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The common stock may be sold from time to time by the selling
shareholders, or by pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in
interest. Such sales may be made on one or more exchanges or in the
over-the-counter market or otherwise, at prices and at terms then prevailing or
at prices related to the then current market price, or in negotiated
transactions. The common stock may be sold in one or more of the following types
of transactions:
(a) a block trade in which a selling shareholder will engage a
broker-dealer who will then attempt to sell the common stock, or
position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate
the transaction;
(b) purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by such
broker-dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus;
(c) an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of such
exchange; and
(d) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker
solicits purchasers. In effecting sales, broker-dealers engaged by the
selling shareholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to
participate in the resales.
In connection with distributions of the common stock or otherwise, the
selling shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers. In
connection with such transactions, broker-dealers may engage in short sales of
the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume with selling
shareholders. The selling shareholders may also sell common stock short and
redeliver the common stock to close out such short positions. The selling
shareholders may also enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers which require the delivery to the broker-dealer of the common
stock, which the broker-dealer may resell or otherwise transfer pursuant to this
prospectus. The selling shareholders may also loan or pledge common stock to a
broker-dealer and the broker-dealer may sell the common stock so loaned or, upon
a default, the broker-dealer may effect sales of the pledged common stock
pursuant to this prospectus.
Broker-dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of
commissions, discounts or concessions from the selling shareholders in amounts
to be negotiated in connection with the sale. Such broker-dealers and any other
participating broker-dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales and any such
commission, discount or concession may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or
commissions under the Securities Act. In addition, any securities covered by
this prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 may be sold in an
unregistered transaction under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
17
We are bearing all of the costs and expenses of registering the common
stock offered by this prospectus. Commissions and discounts, if any,
attributable to the sales of the common stock will be borne by the selling
shareholders.
We have agreed to indemnify the selling shareholders against certain
liabilities in connection with the offering of the common stock, including
liabilities arising under the Securities Act. Insofar as indemnification for
liabilities arising under the securities act may be permitted to directors,
officers or persons controlling us, we have been informed that in the opinion of
the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. The selling shareholders may
agree to indemnify any broker-dealer or agent that participates in transactions
involving sales of the common stock against various liabilities, including
liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
In order to comply with the securities laws of various states, if
applicable, sales of the common stock made in those states will only be through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, some states do not allow
the securities to be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale
in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification
requirement is available and is complied with by us and the selling
shareholders.
Under applicable rules and regulations of the Exchange Act, any person
engaged in the distribution of the common stock may not simultaneously engage in
market-making activities with respect to our common stock for a period of up to
five business days prior to the commencement of such distribution. In addition
to those restrictions, each selling shareholder will be subject to the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, including, Regulation
M and Rule 10b-7, which provisions may limit the timing of the purchases and
sales of our securities by the selling shareholders.
18
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
We have previously registered our Class A Common Stock under the
Exchange Act by filing a Form 8-A on January 13, 1996.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters have been passed upon for us by Squire, Sanders &
Dempsey L.L.P., Phoenix, Arizona.
EXPERTS
Our financial statements as of June 30, 1999 and 1998, and for the
years then ended, have been incorporated by reference in this Prospectus in
reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants,
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
The report of KPMG LLP covering the June 30, 1999, financial statements
contains an explanatory paragraph that states that the Company's recurring
losses from operations and resulting continued dependence on external sources of
capital raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a
going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that
might result from the outcome of that uncertainty.
INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
On October 13, 1997, James L. Adler, Jr. was appointed to serve as a
director of LightPath until the 2000 annual meeting of shareholders. Mr. Adler
is a partner of the law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P., which provides
legal services to us. Mr. Adler owns options under the Directors Stock Option
Plan to purchase 43,510 shares of Class A Common Stock at exercise prices
ranging from $2.84 to $9.81. As of August 20, 1999 these shares represented
approximately 1% of the outstanding shares of the Company's Class A Common
Stock.
19
NO DEALER, SALES PERSON OR OTHER PERSON
HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF
GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON
AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY
OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY BY ANYONE
IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER
OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN
WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO
OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL
TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN
SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE 2,684,500 SHARES
HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION COMMON STOCK
THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT
AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE
HEREOF OR THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY
SINCE SUCH DATE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page PROSPECTUS
----
Where You Can Find More Information (ii)
Prospectus Summary 1
The Offering 4
Risk Factors 5
Selling Shareholders 14
Use of Proceeds 16
Certain Relationships 16
Determination of Offering Price 17
Plan of Distribution 17
Description of Securities 19
Legal Matters 19 August 30, 1999
Experts 19
Interest of Named Experts and Counsel 19
PART II TO FORM S-3
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
It is estimated that the following expenses will be incurred in connection with
the proposed offering hereunder. All of such expenses will be borne by the
Company:
Amount(1)
---------
SEC Registration Fee..................................... $ 2,000.00
Legal fees and expenses.................................. 8,000.00
Accounting fees and expenses............................. 5,000.00
Printing expenses........................................ 2,000.00
----------
Total................................................. $17,000.00
==========
(1) Estimated
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Article TENTH of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, provides as follows:
TENTH: No director of the corporation shall be personally liable to the
corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director; provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply
to any liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director's duty of
loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not
in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law, (iii) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit, or (iv) under Section 174 of the DGCL. This Article shall not
eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring
prior to the time this Article became effective.
Article VII of the Company's Bylaws provides, in summary, that the
Company is required to indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law, any person made or threatened to be made a party or involved in a lawsuit,
action or proceeding by reason that such person is or was an officer, director,
employee or agent of the Company. Indemnification is against all liability and
loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred. Unless required by law, no such
indemnification is required by the Company of any person initiating such suit,
action or proceeding without board authorization. Expenses are payable in
advance if the indemnified party agrees to repay the amount if he is ultimately
found to not be entitled to indemnification. For a full text of Article VI of
the Bylaws, see Exhibit 3.3 to this Registration Statement.
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ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
Page Number or
Exhibit Method of
Number Description Filing
------ ----------- ------
3.2 Certificate of Designation filed February 6, 1998
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (3)
4.1 Form of Warrant Agreement (1)
4.2 Form of Unit Purchase Option (2)
Form of Voting Trust Agreement dated among certain
4.3 stockholders of the Registrant (1)
4.4 Specimen Certificate for the Class A Common Stock (2)
4.5 Form of 6% Convertible Debentures *
4.7 Form of Class I Warrants *
4.8 Form of Class J Warrants *
5.1 Opinion of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP *
23.1 Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Auditors *
23.2 Consent of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP Included in
Exhibit 5.1
24 Powers of Attorney See signature page
- ----------
* Filed herewith.
1. Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to registrant's registration statement on
Form SB-2 filed on December 7, 1995 (File No. 33-80119)(the "SB-2").
2. Previously filed as Exhibit to the SB-2.
3. This exhibit was filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (File No: 333-47905) dated March 13, 1998 and is
incorporated herein by reference thereto.
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ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933 (Securities Act), the information omitted from the form of prospectus
filed as part of a registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and
contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule
424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part
of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) It will file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to:
(i) Include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(ii) Reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof), which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
forth in the Registration Statement; and
(iii) Include any additional or changed material information on the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration
Statement.
(4) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 hereof, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person thereof in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 Registration Statement and duly
authorized this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, in the City of Albuquerque and State of New Mexico on August 30,
1999.
LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ DONALD LAWSON
---------------------------------
Donald Lawson
Chief Executive Officer
SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned,
constitutes and appoints each of Leslie A. Danziger and Donald E. Lawson, his
true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all pre and post-effective amendments (including all
amendments filed pursuant to Rule 462(b)) to this Form S-3 Registration
Statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting such
attorney-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agents may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. In accordance with the requirement of
the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement was signed below by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates stated.
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
/s/ Leslie A. Danziger Chairman of the Board August 30,1999
- --------------------------
Leslie A. Danziger
/s/ Donald E. Lawson CEO, President and Treasurer August 30,1999
- -------------------------- (Principal Executive, Financial
Donald E. Lawson and Accounting Officer)
/s/ James A. Adler, Jr.
- -------------------------- Director August 30,1999
James A. Adler, Jr.
/s/ Louis Leeburg
- -------------------------- Director August 30,1999
Louis Leeburg
/s/ Katherine Dietze
- -------------------------- Director August 30,1999
Katherine Dietze
/s/ Haydock H. Miller, Jr.
- -------------------------- Director August 30,1999
Haydock H. Miller, Jr.
/s/ James A. Wimbush
- -------------------------- Director August 30,1999
James A. Wimbush
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