PROSPECTUS
5,000,000 Shares
FONAR CORPORATION
Common Stock
This prospectus will allow us to offer and sell to the public up to
5,000,000 shares of our common stock from time to time in one or more issuances.
We may sell the shares in open market transactions from time to time at
market prices through dealers, brokers, or agents, to underwriters or dealers,
or directly to investors. See "PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION" at page 11 of this
prospectus for a more detailed discussion of the manner in which the shares may
be sold.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market under the symbol
"FONR." On April 2, 2003, the last reported sales price for our common stock was
$0.90 per share.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the shares that
we may offer. Each time we sell shares, we will provide a prospectus supplement
that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The
prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in
this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus
supplement together with additional information described under the heading
"Where You Can Find More Information" before you make your investment decision.
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should
consider carefully the risk factors described in this prospectus before making a
decision to purchase our stock. See "RISK FACTORS" at page 4 of this prospectus.
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 April 4, 2003.
You may rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and in
any prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference.
We have not authorized anyone to provide information or to make representations
not contained in this prospectus. This prospectus is neither an offer to sell
nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than those registered
by this prospectus, nor is it an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to
buy securities where an offer or solicitation would be unlawful. Neither the
delivery of this prospectus, nor any sale made under this prospectus, means that
the information contained in this prospectus is correct as of any time after the
date of this prospectus.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS........................................................2
ABOUT FONAR...................................................................2
RISK FACTORS..................................................................4
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS...................................................10
USE OF PROCEEDS..............................................................10
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION ........................................................11
LEGAL MATTERS................................................................13
EXPERTS .....................................................................14
INDEMNIFICATION .............................................................14
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION..........................................14
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC............................14
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission using a "shelf" registration process. Under
this shelf process we may issue and sell from time to time in one or more
offerings up to 5,000,000 shares of our common stock in the aggregate.
Each time we sell shares of our common stock, we will provide a prospectus
supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that
offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information
contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any
prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below
under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
The registration statement that contains this prospectus, including the
exhibits to the registration statement and the information incorporated by
reference, contains additional information about the common stock offered under
this prospectus. The registration statement can be read at the Securities and
Exchange Commission's web site or at the Securities and Exchange Commission
offices mentioned below under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
ABOUT FONAR CORPORATION
At Fonar we design, manufacture and market magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
scanners. MRI scanners use magnetic fields to generate images of organs, bones
and tissue inside the human body. The MRI scanner uses a magnetic field which
causes the hydrogen atoms in tissue to align. When the magnetic force is
withdrawn, the atoms fall out of alignment emitting radio signals as they do.
The speed at which the atoms fall out of alignment, or "relaxation time" and
radio signals vary depending on the type of tissue and whether any pathology is
present. The radio signals provide the data from which the scanner's computers
generate an image of the body part being scanned.
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Fonar offers the following MRI scanners: the Stand-Up(TM), also called
Indomitable(TM) , QUAD(TM), Fonar-360(TM) and Echo(TM). The QUAD-S(TM) MRI, a
work-in-progress, also has received FDA clearance to market.
The Stand-Up allows patients to be scanned while standing, sitting or
reclining. This means that an abnormality or injury, such as a slipped disc,
will be able to be scanned under full weight-bearing conditions, or, more often
than not, in the position in which the patient experiences pain. An elevator
built into the floor brings the patient to the desired height in the scanner. An
adjustable bed allows the patients to stand, sit or lie on their backs, sides or
stomachs, at any angle. In the future, the Stand-Up may also be useful for MRI
directed surgical procedures.
The Fonar 360 is an enlarged room sized magnet in which the floor, ceiling
and walls of the room are part of the magnet frame. Consequently, this scanner
allows 360 degree access to the patient. The Fonar 360 is presently marketed as
a diagnostic scanner and is sometimes referred to as the Open Sky MRI.
In the future, we may also further develop the Fonar 360 to function as an
operating room. We sometimes refer to this contemplated version of the Fonar 360
as the OR-360.
The QUAD scanner is supported by four posts and is open on four sides,
thereby allowing access to the scanning area from four sides.
The QUAD-S is a superconductive version of our open iron frame magnet.
Fonar also offers a low cost, low field open MRI scanner, the Echo.
In addition to manufacturing MRI scanning systems, we formed a subsidiary
in 1997, Health Management Corporation of America, which we sometimes call HMCA,
to engage in the business of managing MRI imaging facilities and medical
practices. HMCA provides and supervises the non-medical personnel for the
clients at their sites. At HMCA we also provide our clients centralized billing,
collection, marketing, advertising, accounting and financial services. We also
provide office equipment and furnishing, consumable supplies and in some cases
the office space used by our clients. Almost all of HMCA's client professional
corporations are owned by Fonar's founder, President and Chairman of the Board,
Dr. Raymond V. Damadian.
HMCA currently manages 11 MRI facilities, six physical therapy and
rehabilitation practices and four primary care medical practices. For the 2002
fiscal year, the revenues HMCA recognized from the MRI facilities were
$15,514,294, the revenues recognized from the physical therapy and
rehabilitation practices were $11,493,680 and the revenues recognized from the
primary care medical practices were $1,517,465. For the first six months of
fiscal 2003, the revenues recognized from the MRI facilities were $7,062,653,
the revenues recognized from the physical therapy and rehabilitation practices
were $4,860,000 and the revenues recognized from the primary care medical
practices were $774,805.
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Approximately 64% of our consolidated revenues for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2002 and 75% for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001 were from HMCA's
management services. Approximately 43% of our consolidated revenues for the six
months ended December 31, 2002 were from HMCA's management services.
Approximately 99% of HMCA's revenues and 68% of our consolidated revenues
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002 and 98% of HMCA's revenues and 76% of
our consolidated revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001 were derived
from professional corporations owned by Dr. Raymond V. Damadian. Approximately
99.9% of HMCA's revenues and 53% of our consolidated revenues for the six months
ended December 31, 2002 were derived from professional corporations owned by Dr.
Raymond V. Damadian. The consolidated revenues include revenues from sales by
Fonar to such professional corporations: $3.1 million for the first six months
of fiscal 2003, $2.5 million for fiscal 2002 and $1.1 million for fiscal 2001.
Our address is 110 Marcus Drive, Melville, New York 11747, our
telephone number there is (631) 694-2929 and our Internet address is
http://www.fonar.com.
HMCA's address is at 6 Corporate Center Drive, Melville, New York
11747, its telephone number there is (631) 694-2816 and its internet address is
www.hmca.com.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in Fonar is highly speculative and subject to a high degree
of risk. Therefore, you should carefully consider the risks discussed below and
other information contained in this prospectus before deciding to invest in
shares of our common stock.
1. We have and continue to experience significant losses.
For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2002 and June 30, 2001, we experienced
net losses of $22.9 million and $15.2 million respectively and net operating
losses of $19.7 million and $16.2 million, respectively. For the first six
months of fiscal 2003, ended December 31, 2002, we experienced a net loss of
$5.6 million and a net operating loss of $5.4 million, as compared to a net loss
of $8.6 million and a net operating loss of $7.4 million for the six months
ended December 31, 2001. We have been able to fund our losses to date from the
$7,125,000 in funding received from The Tail Wind Fund Ltd. between May, 2001
and August, 2002 and the $128.7 million judgment, net $77.2 million after
attorney's fees, received from General Electric Company in 1997 for patent
infringement and the settlement proceeds from other patent litigation
settlements with other competitors. The terms of these settlement agreements are
required to be kept confidential. As of June 30, 2002, however, our balance
sheet reflected approximately $7.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and $5.6
million in marketable securities out of total current assets of $41.5 million as
compared to approximately $14.0 million in cash or cash equivalents and $6.1
million in marketable securities out of total current assets of $40.9 million as
at June 30, 2001. As of December 31, 2002, our balance sheet reflected $4.9
million in cash and cash equivalents and $5.7 million in marketable securities
out of total current assets of $38.1 million. We believe that we will be able to
reverse our operating losses with the introduction into the marketplace of our
new MRI scanners, particularly our Stand-Up(TM) MRI scanners. HMCA operating
income has declined however from $2.5 million in fiscal 2000, to $1.0 million
for fiscal 2001 and to an operating loss of $4.3 million for fiscal 2002.
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For the first six months of fiscal 2003, ended December 31, 2002, HMCA
experienced an operating loss of $719,000 as compared to operating income of
$559,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2001. Of the HMCA and
consolidated operating losses for fiscal 2002, $4.7 million was an impairment
loss taken with respect to management agreements for the primary care medical
practices as a result of losses recognized by that division of HMCA's business.
Contributing to the net loss for fiscal 2002 was an additional non-cash expense
of $2.4 million in financing costs incurred in connection with the discounts
received on the stock issued to The Tail Wind Fund. There can be no assurance,
however, that we can reverse our operating losses.
2. Fonar is dependant on the success of its new products to become profitable.
Our ability to generate future operating profits will depend on our ability
to market and sell our new lines of MRI products. The Stand-Up MRI, Fonar 360
and Echo scanners have all been recently introduced into the market. Although we
are optimistic that these scanners' features will make them competitive, there
can be no assurance as to the degree or timing of market acceptance of these
products. Nevertheless, we received orders for 19 Stand-Up MRI scanners in
fiscal 2002 and orders for 8 Stand-Up MRI Scanners for the first six months of
fiscal 2003. Revenues from the sales of QUAD scanners, introduced in 1995, had
not been sufficient to date to generate operating profits. The product we now
are currently promoting most vigorously is the Stand-Up MRI. We believe the
Stand-Up MRI is the most promising because it enables scans to be performed on
patients in weight bearing positions, such as sitting, standing or lying at an
angle. The market for the Stand-Up MRI shows strong initial promise. The
following chart shows the revenues attributable to each model during fiscal year
2001, fiscal year 2002 and the first six months of fiscal year 2003. Please note
that we recognize the revenue on scanner sales on a percentage of completion
basis. This means we book revenue not as cash is received or sales are made, but
as the scanner is built. Consequently, the revenues for a fiscal period do not
necessarily relate to the orders placed in that period.
Revenues Recognized
-------------------
First
Model six months
Fiscal Year Fiscal Year of Fiscal
2001 2002 2003
----------- ----------- -----------
Stand-Up $ 1,625,615 $11,089,675 $14,152,372
Fonar 360 0 0 0
QUAD $ 3,043,308 0 0
Echo $ 1,052,182 0 0
Beta (used) 0 $ 361,000 $ 100,000
3. We must compete in a highly competitive market against competitors with
greater financial resources than we have.
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The medical equipment industry is highly competitive and characterized by
rapidly changing technology and extensive research and development. The market
demand for a continuing supply of new and improved products requires that we be
engaged continuously in research and development. New products also require
continuous retooling or at least modifications to our manufacturing facilities,
and our sales and marketing force must continuously adjust to new products and
product features. This is highly expensive and companies with substantially
greater financial resources than we have engage in the marketing of magnetic
resonance imaging scanners which compete with the Company's scanners.
Competitors include large, multinational companies or their affiliates such as
General Electric Company, Siemens A.G., Marconi International, Philips N.V.,
Toshiba Corporation and Hitachi Corporation. There can be no assurance that
Fonar's products will be able to successfully compete with products of its
competitors.
4. The success of some of the businesses purchased by HMCA depends on the
continued employment of the former owners of those businesses.
The businesses acquired by HMCA are essentially service organizations whose
continued success depends on retaining and developing existing business
relationships. These relationships are often heavily dependent on the personal
efforts of key persons in the acquired company or medical practices managed by
the acquired company. HMCA has retained certain of these key people through
employment agreements which include both noncompetition covenants and financial
incentives. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that these key people will
remain as employees or produce results sufficient to make the acquired companies
profitable.
5. The decline in profitability of the primary care medical practices managed
by HMCA resulted in an impairment loss of $4.7 million in fiscal 2002.
HMCA manages 11 MRI facilities, six physical therapy and rehabilitation
practices and four primary care medical practices. During 2002 fiscal year, the
primary care medical practices, which are managed by the Company's subsidiary
A&A Services, Inc. experienced a significant overall decline in patient volume
and related operating cash flows which led to the inability of the medical
practices to fully and timely pay management fees. The business of managing
these practices had been acquired by HMCA in fiscal 1998. As a result of the
continued negative trend, HMCA incurred an impairment loss of $4.7 million in
fiscal 2002 related to those management agreements which reduced the carrying
value of such agreements to approximately $3.5 million at June 30, 2002. The
revenues and operating losses for the four primary care medical practices
deteriorated from $3.1 million and ($362,000) respectively, in fiscal 2001 to
$1.5 million and ($5.3) million, respectively, in fiscal 2002. Revenues and
operating losses for the four primary care practices in the six months of fiscal
2003 were $775,000 and ($222,000) respectively, as compared to $1.0 million and
($53,000) respectively for the first six months of fiscal 2002.
6. HMCA'S profitability depends on its ability to successfully perform billing
and collection services for its clients.
HMCA performs billing and collection services for the medical practices and
MRI facilities it manages. The viability of HMCA's clients and their ability to
remit management fees to HMCA depends on HMCA's ability to collect the clients'
receivables. Collectibility of these receivables can be adversely affected by
the longer payment cycles and rigorous informational requirements of some
insurance companies or other third party payors. Proper authorizations,
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referrals and confirmation of coverage for patients, as well as issues of
medical necessity, need to be addressed prior to the rendering of service to
assure prompt payment of claims. HMCA believes it is properly addressing billing
and collection requirements and issues for its clients and that its collection
rates are good. Nevertheless, the regulations and requirements applicable to
medical billing and collections could change in the future and result in reduced
or delayed collections. Approximately 99% of the receivables billed and
collected by HMCA are from professional corporations owned by Raymond V.
Damadian.
7. Capitated insurance programs could adversely affect HMCA's clients by
shifting a part of the financial responsibility for patient care to the
medical providers.
Certain HMO's and insurers have instituted managed care programs where the
physician or physician group is paid on a capitated basis. Under these plans,
the physician is not paid according to the services provided, but is paid a
fixed monthly fee per patient, which in HMCA's experience is based on age and
gender. In fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2001, respectively, 1.9% and 2.0% of HMCA's
clients' revenues were from capitated programs. All of these were attributable
to primary medical care practices managed by A&A Services, Inc., representing
33% and 30% of their revenues in fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2001, respectively. For
the first six months of fiscal 2003, 1.4% of HMCA's clients' revenues and 14.9%
of the revenues of the primary medical care practices managed by A&A Services,
Inc. were from capitated programs. Under capitated insurance programs, the
physician or physician practice in effect bears some of the risk in the event a
patient requires extensive treatment. In the event that HMCA's client primary
care practices experience a shortfall between the capitated payments and the
cost of providing services, the ability of those practices to pay for HMCA's
services may be impaired.
8. The profitability of HMCA could be adversely affected if medical insurance
reimbursement rates change.
HMCA receives substantially all of its revenue from medical practices and
providers of MRI services. Consequently, HMCA would be indirectly affected by
changes in medical insurance reimbursement policies, HMO policies, referral
patterns, no-fault and workers compensation reimbursement levels and other
factors affecting the profitability of a medical practice or MRI facility. The
types of medical providers served by HMCA are (a) MRI facilities, (b) primary
care practices and (c) physical therapy and rehabilitation practices. There are
11 MRI facilities served by HMCA located in New York, Florida and Georgia. The
primary care practices served by HMCA consist of four offices in New York and
the physical therapy and rehabilitation practices consist of six offices located
in New York. Approximately 52% of HMCA's clients' revenues in fiscal 2002 as
compared to approximately 56% of HMCA's clients' revenues in fiscal 2001 were
generated from the no-fault and personal injury protection claims. For the first
six months of fiscal 2003, approximately 58% of HMCA's clients revenues were
generated from the no-fault and personal injury protection claims. Although we
do not know of any pending adverse development affecting these types of
facilities, future changes in the reimbursement levels for MRI, primary care,
workers compensation or no fault reimbursement, or changes in utilization
policies for MRI or physical rehabilitation therapy could adversely affect the
ability of HMCA's clients to pay HMCA's fees. In addition, HMCA depends on the
ability of the medical practices and providers to attract and retain physicians
and other professional staff.
Page 7
9. The amortization of the management agreements on our balance sheet will
reduce future profits.
HMCA acquired businesses which were essentially service businesses for
purchase prices based on earnings multiples rather than net tangible assets. As
the fair value of the tangible assets was small relative to the purchase price,
the consolidated balance sheet of Fonar and its subsidiaries reflects an
allocation of the purchase price in excess of the fair value of the tangible
assets exclusively to management agreements, an intangible asset with a net
carrying value of approximately $20.4 million at June 30, 2001, $14.5 million as
at June 30, 2002 and $14.0 million as at December 31, 2002. The initial amount
allocated to management agreements attributable to the acquisitions, was
approximately $24.4 million. Prior to the write down of the value of the
management agreements for the primary care medical practices of $4.7 million in
fiscal 2002, amortization of management agreements, which is over a period of
twenty (20) years, reduced net profits by approximately $1.2 million annually.
This is a non-cash expense. It is expected that the amortization of management
agreements after the write-down for the impairment loss will be $983,700
annually.
10. Professional liability claims against HMCA or its clients may exceed
insurance coverage levels.
Although HMCA does not provide medical services, it is possible that a
patient suing one of HMCA's client medical practices or MRI facilities would
also sue HMCA. With the exception of one MRI facility, neither HMCA nor its
clients carry professional liability insurance. Physicians working for HMCA's
clients or for HMCA's subsidiaries, however, are required to maintain
professional liability insurance in the minimum amount of $1,000,000/$3,000,000.
Such insurance would not cover HMCA or a client professional corporation,
however, in the event a claim were made which was not covered by the physician's
insurance. Claims in excess of insurance coverage might also have to be
satisfied by HMCA or its clients if they were named as defendants.
11. We do not carry product liability insurance and would have to pay any
claims from our revenues and capital resources.
Fonar does not carry product liability insurance but is self-insured.
Consequently, Fonar would have to pay from its own resources any valid products
liability claim. To date, Fonar has not had to pay any such claims.
12. We are dependent upon the services of Dr. Damadian.
Our success is greatly dependent upon the continued participation of Dr.
Raymond V. Damadian, Fonar's founder, Chairman of the Board and President. Dr.
Damadian has acted as our CEO since 1978 and will continue to do so for the
foreseeable future. In addition to providing general supervision and direction,
he provides active direction, supervision and management of our sales, marketing
and research and development efforts. In connection with the physician and
diagnostic management services business conducted by HMCA, Dr. Damadian owns
most of the professional corporations which are HMCA clients. With the exception
of four professional corporations which provided management fees to HMCA of
Page 8
approximately $422,500 in the aggregate for fiscal 2002 and approximately
$108,000 in the aggregate for the first six months of fiscal 2003, all of the
professional corporations are owned by Dr. Damadian. Loss of the services of Dr.
Damadian would have a material adverse effect on our business. We do not have an
employment or noncompetition agreement with Dr. Damadian. We do not currently
carry "key man" life insurance on Dr. Damadian.
13. Dr. Raymond V. Damadian has voting control of Fonar; the management cannot
be changed or the company sold without his agreement.
Dr. Raymond V. Damadian, the President, Chairman of the Board and principal
stockholder of Fonar is and will continue to be in control of Fonar and in a
position to elect all of the directors of Fonar. As of February 10, 2003, there
were outstanding 76,680,706 shares of common stock, having one vote per share,
4,153 shares of Class B common stock, having ten votes per share and 9,562,824
shares of Class C common stock, having 25 votes per share. Of these totals Dr.
Damadian owns 2,488,274 shares of common stock and 9,561,174 shares of Class C
common stock, giving him over 75% of the voting power of Fonar's voting stock.
This means that the holders of the common stock will not be able to control
decisions concerning any merger or sale of Fonar, the election of directors or
the determination of business and management policy.
14. The provisions of our warrants provide for reductions in the exercise price
if we issue common stock at prices below market or below the warrant
exercise prices.
In connection with the issuance of 4% convertible debentures issued to The
Tail Wind Fund Ltd, we issued warrants. Presently, there are outstanding:
- purchase warrants to purchase an aggregate of 959,501 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $1.801 per share, subject to
adjustment; and
- callable warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of our
common stock at a fluctuating exercise price which will vary depending
on the market price for our common stock.
Of the purchase warrants, 659,501 were issued to The Tail Wind Fund, Ltd.
and 300,000 were issued to designees of the placement agent, Roan/Meyers
Associates, L.P. None of the purchase warrants have been exercised and all of
the purchase warrants are still outstanding. The exercise period for the
purchase warrants extends to May 24, 2006.
The callable warrants cover 2,000,000 shares of common stock and have a
variable exercise price. Subject to a maximum price of $6.00 per share and a
minimum price of $2.00 per share, which is subject to adjustment pursuant to the
terms of the warrants, the exercise price is to be calculated to be equal to the
average closing bid price of Fonar's common stock for the full calendar month
preceding the date of exercise. The callable warrants will be exercisable until
August 30, 2005. These callable warrants were issued to replace the original
callable warrants, which were exercised in full.
Page 9
We do have the option, however, of redeeming up to 200,000 callable
warrants per month at a price of $0.01 per underlying warrant share, if the
average closing bid price of Fonar's common stock is greater than 115% of the
warrant price in effect for five consecutive trading days in any calendar month.
We also have the option of reducing the exercise price under the callable
warrants to any lower exercise price that was previously in effect. .........
Both the purchase warrants and callable warrants provide for proportionate
adjustments in the event of stock splits, stock dividends and reverse stock
splits. In addition, the exercise prices will be reduced, with certain specified
exceptions, if we issue shares at lower prices than the warrant exercise prices
or the then current market price for our common stock.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We make statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by
reference that are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 contains the safe harbor provisions
that cover these forward-looking statements. We are including this statement for
purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. We base these
forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about
future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions including,
among other things:
continued losses and cash flow deficits;
the continued availability of financing in the amounts, at the times and on
the terms required to support our future business;
uncertain market acceptance of our products; and
reliance on key personnel.
Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe,"
"estimate" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to
identify such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. Because of these risks, uncertainties
and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed or incorporated by
reference in this document may not occur.
USE OF PROCEEEDS
We cannot guarantee that we will receive any proceeds in connection with
this offering. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering, if any, for
general corporate purposes, including working capital to fund operating
expenses, accounts payable and capital expenditures. Accordingly, our management
will have broad discretion in the application of any net proceeds received.
Pending such uses, we intend to invest the net proceeds, if any, from this
offering in short-term, interest-bearing, investment grade securities.
Page 10
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the shares being offered by us in this prospectus:
- through dealers, brokers or agents;
- through underwriters;
- directly to purchasers; or through a combination of any of these
methods of sale.
- We and our agents and underwriters may sell the shares being offered
by us in this prospectus from time to time in one or more
transactions:
- at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
- at prices related to such prevailing market prices;
- at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; or
- at negotiated prices.
In addition to any underwriters we may use, any brokers, dealers or agents
who participate in the distribution of the shares may be deemed to be
underwriters, and any profits on the sale of shares by them and any discounts,
commissions or concessions received by any broker, dealer or agent might be
deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. In
any such case, any such underwriters may be subject to statutory liabilities,
including, but not limited to, Sections 11, 12 and 17 of the Securities Act and
Rule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act. These provisions of the securities
laws provide, in general terms, for liability for fraud, untrue statements
contained in a prospectus or otherwise made in connection with the sale of
securities, and the failure to disclose significant information which is
necessary to prevent information disclosed from being misleading.
We may solicit directly offers to purchase shares. We may also designate
agents from time to time to solicit offers to purchase shares. Any agent that we
designate, may then resell such shares to the public at varying prices to be
determined by such agent at the time of resale.
We may engage in at the market offerings of our common stock. An "at the
market" offering is an offering of our common stock at other than a fixed price
to or through a market maker. Under Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, the
total value of at the market offerings made under this prospectus may not exceed
10% of the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates.
If we use underwriters to sell shares, we will enter into an underwriting
agreement with the underwriters at the time of the sale to them. The names of
the underwriters will be set forth in the prospectus supplement which will be
used by them together with this prospectus to make sales of the shares to the
public. Details of our arrangement with the underwriter, including commissions,
underwriting discounts or fees paid by us and whether the underwriter is acting
as principal or agent, would be described in the prospectus supplement.
Underwriters may also receive commissions from purchasers of the shares.
Page 11
Underwriters may use dealers to sell shares. If this happens, the dealers
may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions
from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may
act as agents.
Any underwriters to whom we sell shares for public offering and sale may
make a market in the shares that they purchase, but the underwriters will not be
obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without
notice. Underwriters and agents also may engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
Regardless of the method used to sell the common stock, we will provide a
prospectus supplement that will disclose:
- the identity of any underwriters, dealers or agents who purchase the
common stock;
- the material terms of the distribution, including the number of shares
sold and the consideration paid;
- the amount of any compensation, discounts or commissions to be
received by the underwriters, dealers or agents;
- the terms of any indemnification provisions, including indemnification
from liabilities under the federal securities laws; and
- the nature of any transaction by an underwriter, dealer or agent
during the offering that is intended to stabilize or maintain the
market price of the common stock.
In order to comply with certain state securities laws, if applicable, the
shares may be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed
brokers or dealers. In certain states, the shares may not be sold unless the
shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption
from regulation or qualification is available and is complied with. Sales of
shares must also be made by us in compliance with all other applicable state
securities laws and regulations.
MANNER OF SALES. The shares may be sold according to one or more of the
following methods.
- A block trade in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to
sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the
block as principal to facilitate the transaction.
- Purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by the broker
or dealer for its account.
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- Ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker
solicits purchasers.
- Pledges of shares to a broker-dealer or other person, who may, in the
event of default, purchase or sell the pledged shares.
- An exchange distribution under the rules of the exchange.
- In private transactions without a broker-dealer.
- By writing options.
- Any combination of the foregoing, or any other available means
allowable under law.
EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REGISTRATION. We will pay the expenses of
registering the shares under the Securities Act, including registration and
filing fees, printing expenses, administrative expenses, legal fees and
accounting fees. If the shares are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers,
we will be responsible for underwriting discounts, underwriting commissions and
agent commissions.
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION. Underwriters, dealers, agents and other
persons may be entitled, under agreements that may be entered into with us, to
indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribution with respect to payments
which they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.
SUSPENSION OF THIS OFFERING. We may suspend the use of this prospectus if
we learn of any event that causes this prospectus to include an untrue statement
of material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated in the
prospectus or necessary to make the statements in the prospectus not misleading
in light of the circumstances then existing. If this type of event occurs, a
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment, if required, will be
distributed.
Computershare Trust Company, Inc., formerly called American Securities
Transfer & Trust, Inc., located at 350 Indiana Street, Suite 800, Golden,
Colorado, 80401 is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the shares being
offered by the prospectus will be passed upon by Henry T. Meyer, Esq., 110
Marcus Drive, Melville, New York 11747. Mr. Meyer is Fonar's General Counsel.
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Experts
The consolidated financial statements and supplemental financial schedules
contained in Fonar's latest annual report on Form 10-K, incorporated by
reference into this prospectus, have been audited by Marcum & Kliegman, LLP, to
the extent set forth in their report. Such consolidated financial statements and
schedules were included therein in reliance upon their reports, given on their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
INDEMNIFICATION
The Delaware General Corporation Law and Fonar's by-laws provide for the
indemnification of an officer or director under certain circumstances against
reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the defense of any action
brought against him by reason of his being a director or officer. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers or other persons under Fonar's by-laws or the
Delaware General Corporation Law, Fonar has been informed 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.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Our Securities and Exchange Commission filings are also
available over the Internet at the Securities and Exchange Commission's web site
at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the
Securities and Exchange Commission's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C.
and New York, New York. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at
1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the public reference rooms. Our
Commission File No. is 0-10248.
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC
The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to "incorporate by
reference" the information we file with them, which means:
- incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus;
- we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those
documents; and
- information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
will automatically update and supersede this prospectus.
We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below which were
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934:
- Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2002, which was
filed on October 7, 2002;
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- Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002,
which was filed on February 14, 2003;
We also incorporate by reference each of the following documents that we
will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission after the date of this
prospectus but before the end of the offering:
- Reports filed under Sections 13(a) and (c) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934;
- Definitive proxy or information statements filed under Section 14 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with any subsequent
stockholders' meeting; and
- Any reports filed under Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by contacting us at
the following address or phone number:
Fonar Corporation
110 Marcus Drive
Melville, New York 11747
Attention: Investor Relations
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