SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13E-3

RULE 13E-3 TRANSACTION STATEMENT

 

(Pursuant to Section 13(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)

 

AVERION INTERNATIONAL CORP.

(Name of the Issuer)

 

AVERION INTERNATIONAL CORP.

PHILIP T. LAVIN, PH.D.

MICHAEL FALK

JAMES H. MCGUIRE

(Name of Persons Filing Statement)

 

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

05359M107

(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

 

James H. McGuire Chairman of the Board

Averion International Corp.

225 Turnpike Road

Southborough, Massachusetts 01772

(508) 597-6000

(Name, Address and Telephone Numbers of Person Authorized to Receive

Notices and Communications on Behalf of Persons Filing Statement)

 

With a copy to:

 

Adam C. Lenain, Esq.

Foley and Lardner LLP

402 W. Broadway, Suite 2100

San Diego, California 92101

(619) 234-6655

This Statement is filed in connection with (check the appropriate box):

 

 

 

 

Check the following box if the soliciting materials or information statement referred to in checking box (a) are preliminary copies:  þ

Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the transaction:  o

 

CALCULATION OF FILING FEE

 

 

 

 

 

Amount Previously Paid:

 

Form or Registration No.:

 

Filing Party:

 

Date Filed:

 

INTRODUCTION

 

This Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 (this “Schedule 13E-3”) is being jointly filed by Averion International Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Philip T. Lavin, Ph.D., a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, James H. McGuire, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and its Chairman and Michael Falk, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with a proposed going private transaction.

 

Concurrently with the filing of this Schedule 13E-3, the Company is filing an information statement on Schedule 14C (the “Information Statement”) pursuant to Regulation 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, describing a proposed amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to effectuate a twenty thousand five hundred (20,500) to one (1) reverse stock split of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Reverse Stock Split”), followed immediately thereafter by a one (1) to twenty thousand five hundred (20,500) forward stock split of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Forward Stock Split,” and together with the Reverse Stock Split, the “Reverse/Forward Stock Split”). The information in the Information Statement, including all annexes thereto, is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and responses to each item herein are qualified in their entirety by the information contained in the Information Statement and the annexes thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Information Statement.

 

All references to subsections in the Items below are to the subsection of the applicable Item in Regulation M-A.

 

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Summary of Terms of Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 2-4 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(a) Name and Address

 

The name of the subject company is Averion International Corp., a Delaware corporation, and the address of its principal executive office is 225 Turnpike Road, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772. The telephone number of its principal executive office is (508) 597-6000.

 

(b) Securities

 

As of August 27, 2009, there were 639,257,754 outstanding shares of the common stock, par value $0.001.

 

(c) Trading Market and Price

 

The Company’s common stock is traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol “AVRO.OB”. The information set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Questions and Answers About the Reverse/Forward Stock Split — At What Prices Has the Company’s Stock Traded Recently?” on pages 7-8 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(d) Dividends

 

No dividends have been paid by the Company on its common stock during the past two (2) years. The Company intends to retain its future earnings, if any, and does not anticipate paying cash dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future.

 

(e) Prior Public Offerings

 

None.

(f) Prior Stock Purchases

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” on pages 45-54 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(a) Name and Address

 

The filing persons are Averion International Corp., a Delaware corporation, the subject company, Philip T. Lavin, Ph.D., James H. McGuire and Michael Falk. The address of the Company’s principal executive office, and the business office address for Dr. Lavin, Mr. McGuire and Mr. Falk, is 225 Turnpike Road, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772. The telephone number of the Company’s principal executive office, and the business telephone number for Dr. Lavin, Mr. McGuire and Mr. Falk, is (508) 597-6000. The directors of the Company are: Dr. Lavin, Mr. Falk, James H. McGuire, Cecilio Rodriguez, Robert D. Tucker, Alastair McEwan and James Powers.

 

(b) Business and Background of Entities

 

Not applicable.

 

(c) Business and Background of Natural Persons

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement, including the biographies of Dr. Lavin, Mr. McGuire and Mr. Falk, is listed under the captions “Our Directors and Executive Officers” on pages 40-43 of the Information Statement and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” on pages 44-45 of the Information Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

To the Company’s knowledge, none of the Company’s directors or executive officers have been convicted in a criminal proceeding during the past five (5) years (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or have been a party to any other judicial or administrative proceeding during the past five (5) years (except for matters that were dismissed without sanction or settlement) that resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining the person from further violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation of federal or state securities laws. Dr. Lavin and Messrs. Falk, Rodriguez, Tucker, McEwan, McGuire and Powers are citizens of the United States.

 

 

(a) (1) Material Terms. Tender Offers

 

Not Applicable.

 

(a) (2) Material Terms. Mergers or Similar Transactions

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Summary of Terms of Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 2-4 of the Information Statement, “Questions and Answers About the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 5-8 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Structure of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 23-24 of the Information Statement and “Special Factors” on pages 8-40 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(c) Different Terms

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Summary of Terms of Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 2-4 of the Information Statement and “Special Factors” on pages 8-40 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

(d) Appraisal Rights

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Special Factors — Description of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 37-38 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(e) Provisions for Unaffiliated Stockholders

 

None.

 

(f) Eligibility for Listing or Trading

 

Not applicable.

 

 

(a) Transactions

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” on pages 45-54 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Background and Timing of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 11-14 of the Information Statement and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” on pages 44-45 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b) Significant Corporate Events

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” on pages 45-54 of the Information Statements, “Special Factors — Background and Timing of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 11-14 of the Information Statement and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” on pages 44-45 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(c) Negotiations or Contacts

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” on pages 45-54 of the Information Statement and “Special Factors — Background and Timing of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 11-14 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(e) Agreements Involving the Company’s Securities.

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” on pages 45-54 of the Information Statement and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” on pages 44-45 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(b) Use of Securities Acquired

 

Any registered stockholder who holds fewer than twenty thousand five hundred (20,500) shares of common stock in his, her or its account immediately prior to the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split will receive a cash payment of One Cent ($0.01) per pre-Reverse Stock Split share in lieu of issuing fractional shares that would otherwise result from the Reverse/Forward Stock Split. The fractional shares acquired in the Reverse/Forward Stock Split will be retired and returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of common stock. If a registered stockholder holds more than twenty thousand five hundred (20,500) shares of common stock in his, her or its account, any fractional share in such account immediately prior to the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split will not be cashed out after the Reverse Stock Split but will be subject to the

Forward Stock Split effected immediately thereafter such that the total number of shares held by such holder will not change as a result of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split.

 

(c)(1)-(8) Plans

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Summary of Terms of Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 2-4 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Reasons for and Purposes of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 8-10 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Effects of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 14-16 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Effect of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split on Option Holders” on page 17 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Effect of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split on Warrant Holders” on page 17 of this Information Statement, “Special Factors — Financial Effect and Accounting Consequences of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 17-19 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Structure of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 23-24 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Termination of Exchange Act Registration” on page 36 of the Information Statement and “Special Factors — Conduct of the Company’s Business After the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 39-40 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(a) Purposes

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Special Factors — Reasons for and Purposes of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 8-10 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b) Alternatives

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Special Factors — Strategic Alternatives Considered” on page 10 of the Information Statement and “Special Factors — Background and Timing of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 11-14 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(c) Reasons

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Special Factors — Reasons for and Purposes of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 8-10 of the Information Statement and “Special Factors — Background and Timing of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 11-14 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(d) Effects

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Special Factors — Effects of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 14-16 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Potential Disadvantages of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split to Stockholders; Accretion in Ownership and Control of Certain Stockholders” on page 16 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Effect of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split on Option Holders” on page 17 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Effect of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split on Warrant Holders” on page 17 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Financial Effect and Accounting Consequences of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 17-19 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Material Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 19-23 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Financing of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on page 39 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Structure of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 23-24 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Costs of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on page 39 of the Information Statement and “Special Factors — Conduct of the Company’s Business After the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 39-40 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(a) Fairness

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Summary of Terms of Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 2-4 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Reasons for and Purposes of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 8-10 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Strategic Alternatives Considered” on page 10 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Background and Timing of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 11-14 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Structure of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 23-24 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Fairness of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split to Stockholders” on pages 24-36 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Independent Valuation Report by Third Party Valuation Consultant” on pages 27-33 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Substantive Fairness” on pages 25-33 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Procedural Fairness” on pages 33-35 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Fairness Conclusions” on page 35 of the Information Statement and “Special Factors — Fairness Determination by Philip T. Lavin, Ph.D., James H. McGuire and Michael Falk” on pages 35-36 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference. No director dissented from voting on the Rule 13e-3 transaction. Each of Mr. Falk and Mr. Rodriguez is an affiliate of ComVest Investment Partners II, LLC, our controlling stockholder (“ComVest”) and the material facts as to each such director’s interest are known to or have been fully disclosed to each of the other members of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

(b) Factors Considered in Determining Fairness

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Summary of Terms of Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 2-4 of the Information Statement, “Questions and Answers About the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 5-8 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Reasons for and Purposes of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 8-10 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Strategic Alternatives Considered” on page 10 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Background and Timing of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 11-14 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Structure of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 23-24 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Fairness of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split to Stockholders” on pages 24-36 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Independent Valuation Report by Third Party Valuation Consultant” on pages 27-33 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Substantive Fairness” on pages 25-33 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Procedural Fairness” on pages 33-35 of the Information Statement and “Special Factors — Fairness Determination by Philip T. Lavin, Ph.D., James H. McGuire and Michael Falk” on pages 35-36 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(c) Approval of Security Holders

 

The transaction is not structured to require approval of at least a majority of unaffiliated security holders. The information set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Special Factors — Description of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 37-38 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(d) Unaffiliated Representative

 

No director who is not an employee of the Company has retained an unaffiliated representative to act solely on behalf of unaffiliated security holders for purposes of negotiating the terms of the Rule 13e-3 transaction and/or preparing a report concerning the fairness of the transaction.

 

(e) Approval of Directors

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Special Factors — Background and Timing of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 11-14 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Fairness of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split to Stockholders” on pages 24-36 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Substantive Fairness” on pages 25-33 of the Information Statement, “Special

Factors — Independent Valuation Report by Third Party Valuation Consultant” on pages 27-33 of the Information Statement, and “Special Factors — Procedural Fairness” on pages 33-35 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(f) Other Offers

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Special Factors — Strategic Alternatives Considered” on page 10 of the Information Statement and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” on pages 45-54 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(a) Report, Opinion or Appraisal

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Special Factors — Fairness of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split to Stockholders” on pages 24-36 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Substantive Fairness” on pages 25-33 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Independent Valuation Report by Third Party Valuation Consultant” on pages 27-33 of the Information Statement and “Special Factors — Procedural Fairness” on pages 33-35 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b) Preparer and Summary of the Report, Opinion or Appraisal

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Special Factors — Fairness of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split to Stockholders” on pages 24-36 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Substantive Fairness” on pages 25-33 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Independent Valuation Report by Third Party Valuation Consultant” on pages 27-33 of the Information Statement, and “Special Factors — Procedural Fairness” on pages 33-35 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(c) Availability of Documents

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Special Factors — Independent Valuation Report by Third Party Valuation Consultant” on pages 27-33 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(a) Source of Funds

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Special Factors — Financing of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on page 39 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b) Conditions

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Special Factors — Financing of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on page 39 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(c) Expenses

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Special Factors — Effects of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 14-16 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Financial Effect and Accounting Consequences of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 17-19 of the Information Statement and “Special Factors — Costs of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on page 39 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(d) Borrowed Funds

 

Not applicable.

 

(a) Security Ownership

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” on pages 44-45 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b) Securities Transactions

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” on pages 44-45 of the Information Statement and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” on pages 45-54 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(d) Intent to Tender or Vote in Going-Private Transaction

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Summary of Terms of Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 2-4 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Background and Timing of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 11-14 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Fairness of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split to Stockholders” on pages 24-36 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Fairness Determination by Philip T. Lavin, Ph.D., James H. McGuire and Michael Falk” on pages 35-36 of the Information Statement and “Special Factors — Description of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 37-38 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference. All of the Company’s officers and directors have consented to the Reverse/Forward Stock Split. The material facts as to each such director’s interest are known to or have been fully disclosed to each of the other members of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

(e) Recommendations of Others

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Summary of Terms of Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 2-4 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Background and Timing of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 11-14 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Fairness of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split to Stockholders” on pages 24-36 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Substantive Fairness” on pages 25-33 of the Information Statement, “Special Factors — Procedural Fairness” on pages 33-35 of the Information Statement and “Special Factors — Fairness Determination by Philip T. Lavin, Ph.D., James H. McGuire and Michael Falk” on pages 35-36 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(a) Financial Information

 

The financial information in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the financial information in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 are incorporated herein by reference. The information set forth in the Information Statement under the captions “Incorporation by Reference” on page 54 of the Information Statement and “Additional Information” on page 55 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference. The book value per share as of August 27, 2009 was $0.000197433.

 

(b) Pro Forma Information

 

The pro forma financial information set forth in the Information Statement under the caption “Special Factors — Financial Effect and Accounting Consequences of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split” on pages 17-19 of the Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(a) Solicitations or Recommendations

 

None.

 

(b) Employees and Corporate Assets

 

None.

 

 

(b) Other Material Information

 

The information set forth in the Information Statement, including all annexes thereto, and each exhibit hereto, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(a) The Company’s Information Statement on Schedule 14C filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission concurrently with this form is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b) Not Applicable.

 

(c) Not Applicable.

 

(d) Not Applicable.

 

(f) Not applicable.

 

(g) Not applicable.

SIGNATURE

 

After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Averion International Corp.

 

James H. McGuire

Chairman of the Board

 

Dated: September 4, 2009

 

Philip T. Lavin, Ph.D.

 

Dated: September 4, 2009

 

Michael Falk

 

Dated: September 4, 2009

 

James H. McGuire

 

Dated: September 4, 2009