IMGN ImmunoGen Inc

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

        We are authorized to issue 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share. On February 28, 2017, we had 87,354,589 shares of common stock outstanding and approximately 512 shareholders of record.

        The following summary of certain provisions of our common stock does not purport to be complete. You should refer to our restated articles of organization and our amended and restated by-laws, both of which are included as exhibits to the registration statement we have filed with the SEC in connection with this offering. The summary below is also qualified by provisions of applicable law.

General

        Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders, and do not have cumulative voting rights. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividend payments. All shares of common stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus and, upon issuance and sale, all shares of common stock that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus, will be fully paid and nonassessable. The holders of common stock have no preferences or rights of conversion, exchange, pre-emption or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in our assets that are remaining after payment or provision for payment of all of our debts and obligations and after liquidation payments to holders of outstanding shares of preferred stock, if any.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

        We are authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share. As of February 28, 2017, no shares of our preferred stock were issued and outstanding. The following summary of certain provisions of our preferred stock does not purport to be complete. You should refer to our restated articles of organization and our amended and restated by-laws, both of which are included as exhibits to the registration statement we have filed with the SEC in connection with this offering. The summary below is also qualified by provisions of applicable law.

General

        Our board of directors may, without further action by our shareholders, from time to time, direct the issuance of shares of preferred stock in series and may, at the time of issuance, determine the rights, preferences and limitations of each series, including voting rights, dividend rights and redemption and liquidation preferences. Satisfaction of any dividend preferences of outstanding shares of preferred stock would reduce the amount of funds available for the payment of dividends on shares of our common stock. Holders of shares of preferred stock may be entitled to receive a preference payment in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our company before any payment is made to the holders of shares of our common stock. In some circumstances, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may render more difficult or tend to discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our securities or the removal of incumbent management. Upon the affirmative vote of our board of directors, without shareholder approval, we may issue shares of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights which could adversely affect the holders of shares of our common stock.

        If a specific series of preferred stock is offered under this prospectus, we will describe the terms of the preferred stock in the prospectus supplement for such offering and will file a copy of the certificate establishing the terms of the preferred stock with the SEC. To the extent required, this description will include:

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the title and stated value;



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the number of shares offered, the liquidation preference per share and the purchase price;



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the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s), or method(s) of calculation for such dividends;



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whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;



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the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;



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the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;



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the provisions for redemption, if applicable;



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any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;



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whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price (or how it will be calculated) and conversion period;



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whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price (or how it will be calculated) and exchange period;



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voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;



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a discussion of any material and/or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

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the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of ImmunoGen; and



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any material limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ImmunoGen.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that may be offered under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future debt securities that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that may be offered in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we so indicate in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any debt securities offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, and to the extent the terms set forth in a prospectus supplement differ from the terms described below, the terms set forth in the prospectus supplement shall control.

        Under this prospectus, debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated, may be sold from time to time, in one or more offerings. We will issue any such senior debt securities under a senior indenture that we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the senior indenture. We will issue any such subordinated debt securities under a subordinated indenture, which we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the subordinated indenture. We have filed forms of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement, which includes this prospectus. We use the term "indentures" to refer to both the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture. The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date of the indenture, or the Trust Indenture Act. We use the term "debenture trustee" to refer to either the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustee under the subordinated indenture, as applicable.

        The following summaries of material provisions of the senior debt securities, the subordinated debt securities and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities.

General

        Each indenture provides that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in United States dollars or foreign currencies or units based on or relating to United States dollars or foreign currencies, including euros. Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder, and each indenture provides that the specific terms of any series of debt securities shall be set forth in, or determined pursuant to, an authorizing resolution and/or a supplemental indenture, if any, relating to such series.

        We will describe in each prospectus supplement the following terms relating to a series of debt securities:

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the title;



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the aggregate principal amount and any limit on the amount that may be issued;



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the currency or units based on or relating to currencies in which debt securities of such series are denominated and the currency or units in which principal or interest or both will or may be payable;



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whether we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, the terms of any global securities and who the depositary will be;



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the maturity date and the date or dates on which principal will be payable;



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the interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the date or dates interest will be payable and the record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;

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whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;



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the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;



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the place or places where payments will be payable;



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our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;



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the date, if any, after which, and the price at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional redemption provisions;



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the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder's option to purchase, the series of debt securities;



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whether the indenture will restrict our ability to pay dividends, or will require us to maintain any asset ratios or reserves;



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whether we will be restricted from incurring any additional indebtedness;



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a discussion on any material or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to a series of debt securities;



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the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; and



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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities.

        We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

        We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale; No Protection in Event of a Change of Control or Highly Leveraged Transaction

        The indentures may not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets will be required to assume all of our obligations under the indentures or the debt securities, as appropriate.

        Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change of control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change of control), which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

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Events of Default Under the Indenture

        The following will be events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

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if we fail to pay interest when due and our failure continues for 90 days and the time for payment has not been extended or deferred;



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if we fail to pay the principal, or premium, if any, when due and the time for payment has not been extended or delayed;



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if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant relating to such series contained in the debt securities of such series or the applicable indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to and for the benefit of holders of another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice from the debenture trustee or holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and



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if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur as to us.

        No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of default under any bank credit agreements we may have in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence of certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

        If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the debenture trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. Before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained with respect to debt securities of any series, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable indenture (including payments or deposits in respect of principal, premium or interest that had become due other than as a result of such acceleration). We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.

        Subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the debenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the debenture trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the

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debenture trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

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the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and



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subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the debenture trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.



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A holder of the debt securities of any series will only have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies if:



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the holder previously has given written notice to the debenture trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;



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the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the debenture trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee; and



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the debenture trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series (or at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) other conflicting directions within 60 days after the notice, request and offer.

        These limitations will not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

        We will periodically file statements with the applicable debenture trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the applicable indenture.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

        The debenture trustee and we may change the applicable indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters, including:

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to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture; and



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to change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series issued pursuant to such indenture.

        In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the debenture trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) that is affected. However, the debenture trustee and we may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

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extending the fixed maturity of the series of debt securities;



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reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or a premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities;



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reducing the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;



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making the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security; or

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reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment or waiver.

        Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series or in respect of a covenant or provision, which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

Discharge

        Each indenture will provide that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for obligations to:

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register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;



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replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;



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maintain paying agencies;



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hold monies for payment in trust;



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compensate and indemnify the trustee; and



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appoint any successor trustee.

        In order to exercise our rights to be discharged with respect to a series, we will have to deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

Form, Exchange, and Transfer

        We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indentures provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company or another depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series.

        At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

        Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in

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the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange or in the applicable indenture, we will make no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

        We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

        If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

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issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or



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register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee

        The debenture trustee other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the applicable indenture, will undertake to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the debenture trustee under such indenture must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the debenture trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Payment and Paying Agents

        Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, on any interest payment date, we will pay the interest on any debt securities to the person in whose name such debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

        We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, will we make interest payments by check which we will mail to the holder. Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the debenture trustee in the City of New York as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

        All money we pay to a paying agent or the debenture trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

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Governing Law

        The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

        Our obligations pursuant to any subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of senior indebtedness we may incur. It also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        Warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series together with other securities or separately may be offered, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Below is a description of certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that may be offered. Particular terms of the warrants will be described in the warrant agreements and the prospectus supplement to the warrants.

        The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to the warrants:

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the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the price at which the warrants will be issued;



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the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;



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the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;



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if applicable, the exercise price for shares of our common stock and the number of shares of common stock to be received upon exercise of the warrants;



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if applicable, the exercise price for shares of our preferred stock, the number of shares of preferred stock to be received upon exercise, and a description of that series of our preferred stock;



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if applicable, the exercise price for our debt securities, the amount of debt securities to be received upon exercise, and a description of that series of debt securities;



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the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants;



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whether the warrants will be issued in fully registered form or bearer form, in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit;



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any applicable material United States federal income tax consequences;



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if applicable, the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents;



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the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange;



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if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities will be separately transferable;



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if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;



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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;



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the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;



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any redemption or call provisions;



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whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units; and



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any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

        Units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and/or warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series may be offered. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the units. We urge you, however, to read the prospectus supplements related to the series of units being offered, as well as the unit agreements that contain the terms of the units. We will file as exhibits to an amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, as applicable, the form of unit agreement and any supplemental agreements that describe the terms of the series of units being offered before the issuance of the related series of units.

        We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that would issue under a separate agreement that we may enter into with a unit agent. Each unit agent, if one is appointed, will be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent, if one is appointed, in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MASSACHUSETTS LAW AND OF THE COMPANY'S ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION AND BY-LAWS

Anti-Takeover Provisions under Massachusetts law and our Massachusetts Articles of Organization and By-laws

        Provisions of Massachusetts law and our restated articles of organization and amended and restated by-laws contain other provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the board of directors and which may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a future takeover or change in control of our company unless such takeover or change in control is approved by our board of directors.

        These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

        Massachusetts statutory business combinations provisions.     We are subject to Chapter 110F of the Massachusetts General Laws, an anti-takeover law. In general, this statute prohibits a publicly-held Massachusetts corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person becomes an interested stockholder, unless (i) the interested stockholder obtains the approval of the board of directors prior to becoming an interested stockholder, (ii) the interested stockholder acquires 90% of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation (excluding shares held by certain affiliates of the corporation) at the time it becomes an interested stockholder, or (iii) the business combination is approved by both the board of directors and the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation (excluding shares held by the interested stockholder). Generally, an 'interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or at any time within the prior three years did own) 5% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation. A "business combination" includes a merger, a stock or asset sale, and certain other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested shareholders.

        Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 110D, entitled "Regulation of Control Share Acquisitions," in general provides that any shareholder of a company subject to this statute who acquires 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a company may not vote such stock unless the shareholders of the company so authorize. Although our amended and restated by-laws currently exclude us from this statute, the board of directors may amend our by-laws to subject us to this statute prospectively.

        Chapter 110C of the Massachusetts General Laws requires the person commencing a takeover bid to file certain information with the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the target company and provides that a bidder who fails to disclose its intent to gain control over a target corporation prior to acquiring 5% of the target company's stock is precluded from making any takeover bid for a period of one year after crossing the 5% threshold.

        Blank check preferred stock.     Our restated article of organization allows our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock without the approval of our shareholders, which is referred to as "blank check" preferred stock. The effects of such issuance, among other things, could include the dilution in the voting power of our common stock if the preferred stock has voting rights and the reduction or restriction in the rights of holders of our common stock to receive a payment in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our company. In some circumstances, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may render more difficult or expensive or tend to discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our securities or the removal of incumbent management. In addition, the board of directors could also utilize the shares of preferred stock in order to adopt a shareholder rights plan, or "poison pill," which could have the effect of discouraging or delaying a takeover of the company.

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        Advance notice provisions for shareholder proposals and shareholder nominations of directors.     Our amended and restated by-laws provide that, for nominations to the board of directors or for other business to be properly brought by a shareholder before a meeting of shareholders, the shareholder must first have given timely notice of the proposal in writing to our Secretary. For an annual meeting, a shareholder's notice generally must be delivered not less than 45 days nor more than 75 days prior to the anniversary of the mailing date of the proxy statement for the previous year's annual meeting. For special meetings called to elect directors, a shareholder's notice must generally be delivered not less than 60 days (or ten days after public disclosure of the meeting date if later) nor more than 90 days prior to the meeting. Detailed requirements as to the form of the notice and information required in the notice are specified in the amended and amended and restated by-laws. If it is determined that business was not properly brought before a meeting in accordance with our amended and restated by-laws, such business will not be conducted at the meeting. Although our by-laws do not give our board of directors the power to approve or disapprove shareholder nominations of candidates or proposals regarding other business to be conducted at a special or annual meeting, our by-laws may have the effect of precluding the conduct of some business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed or may discourage or defer a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.

        Classified board of directors.     Section 8.06(b) of the Massachusetts Business Corporation Act provides that unless a company decides otherwise, the terms of directors of a public Massachusetts company shall be staggered by dividing the directors into three groups, as nearly equal in number as possible, with only one group of directors being elected each year. Sections 8.06(d) and (e) of the Massachusetts Business Corporation Act provide that when directors are so classified, (i) shareholders may remove directors only for cause, (ii) the number of directors shall be fixed only by the vote of the board of directors, (iii) vacancies and newly created directorships shall be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, and (iv) a decrease in the number of directors will not shorten the term of any incumbent director. Our board of directors opted out of this staggered board of directors requirement, and all of our directors currently serve for one-year terms and are elected annually. Under Section 8.06(c)(2) of the Massachusetts Business Corporation Act, our board of directors may opt into the staggered board of directors requirements of Section 8.06(b) and application of Sections 8.06(d) and (e). If the board of directors opts into this structure, these provisions are likely to increase the time required for shareholders to change the composition of the board of directors. For example, in general, at least two annual meetings would be necessary for shareholders to effect a change in a majority of the members of the board of directors. The provision for a classified board could prevent a party who acquires control of a large portion of our outstanding common stock from obtaining control of our board of directors until our second annual shareholders meeting following the date the acquirer obtains the stock interest. The classified board provision could have the effect of discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us and could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions.

        Shareholder can only act by unanimous written consent and restrictions on who can call a special meeting of shareholders.     Although our restated articles of organization and amended and restated by-laws allow our shareholders to act by written consent, such written consent must be signed by all shareholders entitled to vote on the matter approved. This significantly restricts the ability of our shareholders to act by written consent and essentially provides that our shareholders may only act at a duly called shareholders meeting. In addition, special meetings of the shareholders may be called only by our President, our board of directors and one or more shareholders holding at least 40% of our voting stock.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

        Our restated articles of organization and amended and restated by-laws limit the liability of our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Massachusetts Business Corporation Act and provides that we will indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by such law.

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