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AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

REGISTRATION NO. 333-      

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
22-0790350
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. employer
identification number)

345 PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 10154
(212) 546-4000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Sandra Leung, Esq.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
(212) 546-4000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies of all communications, including communications sent to agent for service, should be sent to:

Eric W. Blanchard, Esq.
Covington & Burling LLP
The New York Times Building
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
Telephone: (212) 841-1000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement, as determined by the registrant in light of market conditions.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: o

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: o

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer
 
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered
Amount to be Registered / Proposed Maximum Offering Price per Unit/
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price/Amount of Registration Fee(1)(2)(3)
Debt Securities
 
 
 
Preferred Stock
 
 
 
Depositary Shares
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Warrants
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 

(1)An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices, including securities that may be issued upon exercise, conversion or exchange of, or pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments with respect to any securities that provide for that issuance or adjustment. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities.
(2)Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder.
(3)In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee in connection with this registration statement.

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PROSPECTUS


DEBT SECURITIES
PREFERRED STOCK
DEPOSITARY SHARES
COMMON STOCK
WARRANTS

Bristol-Myers Squibb may from time to time offer its securities in one or more offerings. The specific terms of the securities to be offered will be described in a supplement to this prospectus.

YOU SHOULD READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY SUPPLEMENT TO THIS PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU INVEST.

The common stock of Bristol-Myers Squibb is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BMY.” Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed, subject to notice of issuance, on the New York Stock Exchange.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) 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.

Investing in our securities involves risk. See “Risk Factors” on page 2 of this prospectus. In addition, please review any additional risk factors in the accompanying prospectus supplement or any documents we incorporate by reference.

The date of this prospectus is September 17, 2015.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer from time to time any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered. 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 herein under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information; Documents Incorporated by Reference.” You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference) contain certain “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). You can identify these forward-looking statements by the fact they use words such as “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “project,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. One can also identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from current expectations. These statements are likely to relate to, among other things, our goals, plans and projections regarding our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, market position, product development, product approvals, sales efforts, expenses, performance or results of current and anticipated products and the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings and financial results, which are based on current expectations that involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years. Such events and factors include, but are not limited to, those listed under “Risk Factors” in the documents incorporated by reference herein, enumerated in the section “Where You Can Find More Information; Documents Incorporated by Reference” of this prospectus, including, but not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, that we believe could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement.

Although we believe we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions, no assurance can be given that any goal or plan set forth in these forward-looking statements can be achieved and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (which may be referred to as Bristol-Myers Squibb, BMS, the Company, we, our or us) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in August 1933 under the name Bristol-Myers Company, as successor to a New York business started in 1887. In 1989, Bristol-Myers Company changed its name to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company as a result of a merger. We are engaged in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of biopharmaceutical products on a global basis.

We operate in one segment—BioPharmaceuticals. For additional information about business segments, see “Item 8. Financial Statements—Note 2. Business Segment Information.” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

We compete with other worldwide research-based drug companies, smaller research companies and generic drug manufacturers. Our products are sold worldwide, primarily to wholesalers, retail pharmacies, hospitals, government entities and the medical profession. We manufacture products in the United States, Puerto Rico and in six foreign countries.

Our principal executive offices are located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154, and our telephone number is (212) 546-4000. We maintain a website at www.bms.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, including, in particular, the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Documents Incorporated by Reference.”

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated:

 
Six Months
Ended June 30,
2015
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
 
12.91
 
 
10.39
 
 
12.13
 
 
7.79
 
 
25.53
 
 
20.85
 

We compute the ratio of earnings to fixed charges by dividing earnings by fixed charges.

“Fixed Charges” consists of interest expense, capitalized interest and one-third of rental expense (which we believe to be a reasonable estimate of an interest factor in our leases).

“Earnings” consists of income from continuing operations before income taxes, less noncontrolling interests in pre-tax income of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges, equity in net income of affiliates and capitalized interest, plus Fixed Charges and distributed income of equity investments.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include, among other things, the repayment of debt, investments in or extensions of credit to our subsidiaries, shares repurchases or the financing of possible acquisitions or business expansion. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth general terms that may apply to the debt securities. The particular terms of any debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities.

The debt securities will be either our senior debt securities or our subordinated debt securities. The senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of June 1, 1993, as subsequently supplemented, between us and a predecessor to The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. This indenture is referred to as the “senior indenture.” The subordinated debt securities will be issued under indentures to be entered into between us and the trustees named in prospectus supplements. These indentures are referred to as the “subordinated indentures.” The senior indenture and the subordinated indentures are together called the “indentures.”

The following is a summary of the most important provisions that are in the senior indenture and will be in the subordinated indentures. Copies of the indentures are or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We encourage you to read our indentures.

General

None of the indentures limits the amount of debt securities that we may issue. Each indenture provides that debt securities may be issued up to the principal amount authorized by our board of directors from time to time. The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will have the same rank as all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinated and junior to all senior indebtedness.

The debt securities may be issued in one or more separate series of senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered will describe the particular amounts, prices and terms of those debt securities. These terms will include:

the title and type of the debt securities;
the total principal amount of the debt securities;
the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued and any payments due if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated;
the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable or the method of determining such dates;
whether the debt securities will be denominated in, and whether the principal of and any premium and any interest on the debt securities will be payable in, any foreign currency or foreign currency units;
the interest rate or rates, if any, which the debt securities will bear, the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, the interest payment dates for the debt securities and the regular record date for any interest payable on any interest payment date;
any optional or mandatory redemption provisions;
any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities;
whether the debt securities are to be issued in individual certificates to each holder or in the form of global securities held by a depositary on behalf of holders;
any changes to or additional events of default or covenants;
any special tax implications of the debt securities, including provisions for original issue discount securities, if offered;
any conversion or exchange provisions; and
any other specific terms of the debt securities.

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Unless we otherwise specify in the prospectus supplement:

the debt securities will be registered debt securities; and
registered debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.

Debt securities may bear legends required by applicable laws and regulations or the rules of any securities exchange.

If any of the debt securities are sold for any foreign currency or currency unit, or if any payments on the debt securities are payable in any foreign currency or currency unit, the prospectus supplement will describe any restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information relating to the debt securities and the foreign currency or currency unit.

Some of the debt securities may be issued as original issue discount debt securities. Original issue discount securities bear no interest or bear interest at below-market rates. These are sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. If we issue these securities, the prospectus supplement will describe any special tax, accounting or other considerations relevant to these securities.

Exchange, Registration and Transfer

Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the corporate trust office of the security registrar or at any other office or agency which is maintained for these purposes. No service charge will be payable upon the transfer or exchange, except for any applicable tax or governmental charge.

The designated security registrar in the United States for the senior debt securities is The Bank of New York Mellon, located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 8 West, New York, New York 10286. The security registrar for any subordinated debt securities will be designated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

In the event of any redemption in part of any series of debt securities, we will not be required to issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series between the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of securities of such series selected for redemption and the close of business on the date of such mailing.

Payment and Paying Agent

We will pay principal, interest and any premium on fully registered securities in the designated currency or currency unit at the office of the paying agent. Payment of interest on fully registered securities may be made by check mailed to the registered addresses of the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered on days specified in the indentures or any prospectus supplement.

If any amount payable on any debt security or coupon remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount became due and payable, the paying agent will release, upon our written request, any unclaimed amounts to us.

Our paying agent in the United States for the senior debt securities is The Bank of New York Mellon, located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 8 West, New York, New York 10286. We will designate the paying agent for any subordinated debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Global Securities

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates. Those certificates will be deposited with a depositary that we will identify in a prospectus supplement. We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement relating to a series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement.

Unless we otherwise specify in a prospectus supplement, we anticipate that the following provisions will apply to our depositary arrangements:

Book-Entry Securities.

Debt securities of a series represented by a definitive global registered security and deposited with or on behalf of a depositary in the United States will be registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. These securities are referred to as “book-entry securities.”

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When a global security is issued and deposited with the depositary, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts represented by that global security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with the depositary. Institutions that have accounts with the depositary are referred to as “participants.”

The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the underwriters or agents for the sale of such book-entry securities or by us, if we offer and sell those securities directly.

Ownership of book-entry securities is limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. In addition, ownership of these securities will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or its nominee or by participants or persons that hold through other participants.

So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, that depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Payments of principal, interest and premium on those securities will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner or the holder of the global security.

Owners of book-entry securities:

will not be entitled to have the debt securities registered in their names;
will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive form; and
will not be considered the owners or holders of those debt securities under the applicable indenture.

The laws of some jurisdictions require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to purchase or transfer book-entry securities.

We expect that the depositary for book-entry securities of a series will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments received by the depositary or nominee in amounts proportionate to the participants’ beneficial interests as shown on the records of such depositary.

We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through the participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” The payments by participants to the owners of beneficial interests will be the responsibility of those participants.

Special Situation When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.

In a few special situations described below, the global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own bank or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own name, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors below.

The global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:

If the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days; or
If we notify the trustee that we wish to terminate that global security.

The prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary—and not we or the trustee—is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The indentures will cease to be of further effect with respect to a series of debt securities that have matured or will mature or be called for redemption within one year if we deposit with the trustee enough cash to pay all principal, interest and any premium due to the stated maturity date or redemption date of the debt securities.

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Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under the indenture. If we deposit with the trustee sufficient cash or government securities to pay the principal, interest and any other sums due to the stated maturity date of the debt securities, then at our option:

1.we will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the debt securities; and/or
2.we will no longer be under any obligation to comply with certain restrictive covenants under the indenture, and certain events of default will no longer apply to us.

To make either of the above elections, we must deposit in trust with the trustee enough money to pay in full the principal, interest and premium on the debt securities. This amount may be made in cash and/or U.S. government obligations, if the debt securities are denominated in U.S. dollars. This amount may be made in cash and/or foreign government securities if the debt securities are denominated in a foreign currency. As a condition to either of the above elections, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the action, and in the case of debt securities being legally defeased as described in (1) above, a ruling to that effect from the Internal Revenue Service.

If either of the above events occurs, the holders of the debt securities of the series will not be entitled to the benefits of the indentures, except for the right to payment from the trust mentioned above of the principal and any premium of and any interest on such debt securities and rights relating to the registration of, transfer and exchange of debt securities and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

If a specified event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series (or, if the debt securities are original issue discount securities, such portion of the principal as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement) to be due and payable immediately.

The declaration may be annulled and past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority of the principal amount of the debt securities of that series if we satisfy certain conditions. However, payment defaults that are not cured may only be waived by all holders of the debt securities.

Each indenture defines an event of default in connection with any series of debt securities as one or more of the following events:

we fail to pay the principal of or any premium on such debt security when due;
we fail to deposit any sinking fund payment on such series when due;
we fail to pay interest when due on such series for 30 days after it is due;
we fail to perform any other covenant in the indenture related to the debt securities of the series and this failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice of it (this provision is only applicable to senior debt securities) from the trustee or by holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of such series;
we or a court take certain actions relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company; and
any other event of default provided in a supplemental indenture or board resolution under which a series of securities is issued or in the form of that security.

For the events of default applicable to a particular series of debt securities, see the prospectus supplement relating to such series. A default under our other indebtedness will not be a default under the indentures, and a default under one series of debt securities will not necessarily be a default under another series.

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Each indenture requires the trustee to give the holders of a series of debt securities notice of a default for that series within 90 days unless the default is cured or waived. However, the trustee may withhold this notice if it determines in good faith that it is in the interest of those holders. The trustee may not, however, withhold this notice in the case of a payment default.

Other than its duties in case of a default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under an indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities, unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnification.

If such indemnification is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series may, subject to certain limitations, direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or other power conferred on the trustee.

Each indenture includes a covenant that we will deliver within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year to the trustee a certificate of no default, or specifying the nature and status of any default that exists.

Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks and brokers for information on their requirements for giving notice or taking other actions upon a default.

Modification of the Indentures

Together with the trustee, we may, when authorized by our board of directors, modify the indentures without the consent of the holders for limited purposes, including, but not limited to, adding to our covenants or events of default, establishing forms or terms of debt securities, and curing ambiguities.

Together with the trustee, we may, when authorized by our board of directors, also make modifications and amendments to each indenture with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all affected series. However, without the consent of each affected holder, no modification may:

change the stated maturity of any debt security;
reduce the principal, premium (if any), rate of interest or change the method of computing the amount of principal or interest on any debt security;
change any place of payment or the currency in which any debt security or any premium or interest thereon is payable;
impair the right to enforce any payment after the stated maturity or redemption date;
reduce the percentage of holders of outstanding debt securities of any series required to consent to any modification, amendment or waiver under the indentures;
modify the provisions in the indentures relating to the waiver of past defaults and the waiver of certain covenants; or
modify the provisions in the indentures relating to adding provisions or changing or eliminating provisions of the indenture or modifying rights of holders of debt securities under the indenture.

Notices to Holders

Notice shall be given to holders of debt securities by mail to the addresses of the holders as they appear in the Security Register.

Title

We, the trustee, and any agent of ours or the trustee may treat the registered owner of any registered debt security as the absolute owner of that debt security for all purposes.

Replacement of Securities

We will replace debt securities that have been mutilated, but you will have to pay for the replacement and will have to surrender the mutilated debt security to the trustee first. Debt securities that become destroyed,

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stolen, or lost will only be replaced by us upon your providing evidence of destruction, loss, or theft that the trustee and we find satisfactory. In the case of a destroyed, lost, or stolen debt security, we may also require you, as the holder of the debt security, to indemnify the trustee and us before we will issue any replacement debt security.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of New York.

Our Relationship with the Trustees

We may from time to time maintain lines of credit, and have other customary banking relationships, with the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustees under the subordinated indentures.

Merger Covenant

The following covenant is applicable to both our senior debt securities and our subordinated debt securities. We may not, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, merge into or consolidate with any other corporation, or convey or transfer our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to another person unless:

the successor is a U.S. corporation or person;
the successor assumes, by a supplemental indenture, on the same terms and conditions all the obligations under the debt securities and the indentures;
immediately after giving effect to the transaction, there is no event of default under the applicable indenture (without regard for any applicable cure or grace period); and
we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with the conditions set forth in the senior indenture or subordinated indentures, as applicable.

The remaining or acquiring corporation will take over all of our rights and obligations under the indentures.

Senior Debt Securities

The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and non-subordinated debt.

Covenants

The restrictive covenants summarized below will apply (unless waived or amended) so long as any of the senior debt securities are outstanding, unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise. We have provided at the end of these covenants definitions of the capitalized words used in discussing the covenants.

Limitation on Liens. We have agreed not to create, assume or suffer to exist, any mortgages or other liens upon any Restricted Property to secure any of our Debt or Debt of any Subsidiary or any other person, or permit any Subsidiary to do so, without securing the senior debt securities equally and ratably with all other indebtedness secured by such lien. This covenant has certain exceptions, which generally permit:

mortgages and liens existing on property owned by or leased by persons at the time they become Subsidiaries;
mortgages and liens existing on property at the time the property was acquired by us or a Subsidiary;
mortgages and liens incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 12 months after the time of acquisition of, or completion of construction, alteration, repair or improvement on, any Restricted Property to finance such acquisition, construction, alteration, repair or improvement, and any mortgage or lien to the extent that it secures Debt which is in excess of such cost or purchase price and for the payment of which recourse may be had only against such Restricted Property;

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any mortgages and liens securing Debt of a Subsidiary that the Subsidiary owes to us or another Subsidiary;
any mortgages and liens securing industrial development, pollution control, or similar revenue bonds;
with respect to any series of debt securities, any lien existing on the date of issuance of such debt securities;
any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any lien referred to above, so long as the principal amount of Debt secured thereby does not exceed the principal amount of Debt so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement (except that, where an additional principal amount of Debt is incurred to provide funds for the completion of a specific project, the additional principal amount, and any related financing costs, may be secured by the lien as well) and the lien is limited to the same property subject to the lien so extended, renewed or replaced (and any improvements on such property); and
mortgages and liens otherwise prohibited by this covenant, securing Debt which, together with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all other Debt of us and our Subsidiaries owning Restricted Property which would otherwise be subject to such covenant and the aggregate Value of certain existing Sale and Leaseback Transactions which would be subject to the covenant on “Sale and Leaseback Transactions” but for this provision, does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Neither we nor any Subsidiary owning Restricted Property may enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless we or such Subsidiary could incur Debt, in a principal amount at least equal to the Value of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, which is secured by liens on the property to be leased without equally and ratably securing the outstanding senior debt securities without violating the “Limitation on Liens” covenant discussed above. We, or any such Subsidiary, may also enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if, during the six months following the effective date of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, we apply an amount equal to the Value of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction to the acquisition of Restricted Property or to the voluntary retirement of debt securities or Funded Debt. We will receive a credit toward the amount required to be applied to such retirement of indebtedness for the principal amount of any debt securities or Funded Debt delivered to the trustee for retirement or cancellation during the six months immediately following the effective date of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

General. The covenants described above only restrict our ability to place liens on, or enter into Sale and Leaseback Transactions in respect of, those manufacturing facilities in the United States which individually constitute 2% or more of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and which our board of directors believes are of material importance to our business (any such property, a “Restricted Property,” as defined below). Other than the restrictions on liens and Sale and Leaseback Transactions described above, the indenture and the debt securities do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to protect holders of the debt securities in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving the Company.

Definitions

We have summarized below definitions of some of the terms used in the senior indenture. In the definitions, all references to “us,” “we” or “our” mean Bristol-Myers Squibb Company only.

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total amount of our assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting:

all current liabilities (excluding liabilities that are extendable or renewable at the option of the obligor to a date more than 12 months after the date as of which the amount is being determined); and
all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangible assets,
all as set forth on our most recent consolidated balance sheet and determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Debt” means:

all obligations represented by notes, bonds, debentures or similar evidences of indebtedness;

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all indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services other than, in the case of any such deferred purchase price, on normal trade terms; and
all rental obligations as lessee under leases which shall have been or should be, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, recorded as capital leases.

Funded Debt” means:

our Debt or Debt of a Subsidiary owning Restricted Property, maturing by its terms more than one year after its creation; and
Debt classified as long-term debt under generally accepted accounting principles.

The definition of Funded Debt only includes Debt incurred by us meeting one of the above requirements if it ranks at least equally with the senior debt securities.

Restricted Property” means:

any manufacturing facility, or portion thereof, owned or leased by us or any of our Subsidiaries and located within the continental United States which, in our board of directors’ opinion, is of material importance to our business and the business of our Subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided that no manufacturing facility, or portion thereof, shall be deemed of material importance if its gross book value before deducting accumulated depreciation is less than 2% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; and
any shares of common stock or indebtedness of any Subsidiary owning any such manufacturing facility.

In this definition, “manufacturing facility” means property, plant and equipment used for actual manufacturing and for activities directly related to manufacturing. The definition excludes sales offices, research facilities and facilities used only for warehousing, distribution or general administration.

Sale And Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement pursuant to which we or any Subsidiary leases from another person any Restricted Property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or the Subsidiary to such person, other than:

temporary leases for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, of three years or less;
leases between us and a Subsidiary or between Subsidiaries;
leases executed within 12 months after the latest of the acquisition, the completion of construction or improvement, or the commencement of commercial operation, of such Restricted Property; and
arrangements pursuant to any provision of law with an effect similar to that under former Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

Subsidiary” means a corporation of which we or one or more corporations meeting this definition owns, directly or indirectly, the majority of the outstanding voting stock.

Value” means, with respect to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, an amount equal to the present value of the lease payments remaining on the date as of which the amount is being determined, without regard to any renewal or extension options contained in the lease. To determine such present value, we use a discount rate equal to the weighted average interest rate on the debt securities of all series which are outstanding on the effective date of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction and which have the benefit of the covenant limiting Sale and Leaseback Transactions discussed above.

Subordinated Debt Securities

The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate in right of payment to all senior indebtedness.

In addition, claims of our subsidiaries’ creditors and preferred stockholders generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of the subsidiaries over the claims of our creditors, including holders of the subordinated debt securities, even though those obligations may not constitute senior indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to creditors, including trade creditors, and preferred stockholders of our subsidiaries.

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The subordinated indentures will define “senior indebtedness” to mean the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on:

all indebtedness for money borrowed or guaranteed by us other than the subordinated debt securities, unless the indebtedness expressly states that it has the same rank as, or ranks junior to, the subordinated debt securities; and
any deferrals, renewals or extensions of any senior indebtedness.

However, the term “senior indebtedness” will not include:

any of our obligations to our Subsidiaries;
any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by us;
any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors, arising in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees of, or instruments evidencing, those liabilities;
any indebtedness, guarantee or obligation of ours which is expressly subordinate or junior in right of payment in any respect to any other indebtedness, guarantee or obligation of ours, including any senior subordinated indebtedness and any subordinated obligations;
any obligations with respect to any capital stock; or
any indebtedness incurred in violation of the subordinated indenture.

There is no limitation on our ability to issue additional senior indebtedness. The senior debt securities constitute senior indebtedness under the subordinated indentures. The subordinated debt securities will rank equally with our other subordinated indebtedness.

Under the subordinated indentures, no payment may be made on the subordinated debt securities and no purchase, redemption or retirement of any subordinated debt securities may be made in the event:

any senior indebtedness is not paid when due; or
the maturity of any senior indebtedness is accelerated as a result of a default, unless the default has been cured or waived and the acceleration has been rescinded or that senior indebtedness has been paid in full.

We may, however, pay the subordinated debt securities without regard to the above restriction if the representatives of the holders of the applicable senior indebtedness approve the payment in writing to us and the trustee.

The representatives of the holders of senior indebtedness may notify us and the trustee in writing of a default, which can result in the acceleration of that senior indebtedness’ maturity without further notice or the expiration of any grace periods. In this event, we may not pay the subordinated debt securities for 179 days after receipt of that notice of such default unless the person who gave such notice gives written notice to the trustee and to us terminating the period of non-payment, the senior indebtedness is paid in full or the default that caused such notice is no longer continuing. If the holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives have not accelerated the maturity of the senior indebtedness at the end of the 179 day period, we may resume payments on the subordinated debt securities. Not more than one such notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to senior indebtedness during that period.

In the event we pay or distribute our assets to creditors upon a total or partial liquidation or dissolution of us, or in bankruptcy or reorganization relating to us or our property, the holders of senior indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full of the senior indebtedness before the holders of subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment of either principal or interest. Until the senior indebtedness is paid in full, any payment or distribution to which holders of subordinated debt securities would be entitled but for the subordination provisions of the subordinated indentures will be made to holders of the senior indebtedness.

If a distribution is made to holders of subordinated debt securities that, due to the subordination provisions, should not have been made to them, those holders of subordinated debt securities are required to hold it in trust for the holders of senior indebtedness, and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

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If payment of the subordinated debt securities is accelerated because of an event of default, either we or the trustee will promptly notify the holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives of the acceleration. We may not pay the subordinated debt securities until five business days after the holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives receive notice of the acceleration. Thereafter, we may pay the subordinated debt securities only if the subordination provisions of the subordinated indentures otherwise permit payment at that time.

As a result of the subordination provisions contained in the subordinated indentures, in the event of insolvency, our creditors who are holders of senior indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the holders of subordinated debt securities. In addition, our creditors who are not holders of senior indebtedness may recover less, ratably, than holders of senior indebtedness and may recover more, ratably, than the holders of subordinated indebtedness. It is important to keep this in mind if you decide to hold our subordinated debt securities.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED STOCK

The following is a description of general terms and provisions of our preferred stock. The particular terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

All the terms of the preferred stock are, or will be, contained in our Certificate of Incorporation and the certificate of designations relating to each series of the preferred stock, which will be filed with the SEC at or before the time we issue a series of the preferred stock.

We are authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of June 30, 2015, 4,178 shares of $2 convertible preferred stock, liquidation preference $50 per share, were outstanding. Our $2 convertible preferred stock votes as a single class with our common stock, with each share entitled to a single vote. Subject to limitations prescribed by law, the board of directors is authorized at any time to:

issue one or more series of preferred stock;
determine the designation for any series by number, letter or title that shall distinguish the series from any other series of preferred stock; and
determine the number of shares in any series.

The board of directors is authorized to determine, for each series of preferred stock, and the prospectus supplement will set forthwith respect to the series the following information:

whether dividends on that series of preferred stock will be cumulative and, if so, from which date;
the dividend rate;
the dividend payment date or dates;
the liquidation preference per share of that series of preferred stock, if any;
any conversion provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock;
any redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock;
the voting rights of that series of preferred stock, if any; and
the terms of any other preferences or special rights applicable to that series of preferred stock.

The preferred stock, when issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable.

Dividends

Holders of preferred stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, cash dividends at the rates and on the dates as set forth in the applicable certificate of designations. Generally, no dividends will be declared or paid on any series of preferred stock unless full dividends for all series of preferred stock, including any cumulative dividends still owing, have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid. When those dividends are not paid in full, dividends will be declared pro-rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on each series of preferred stock will bear to each other series the same ratio that accrued dividends per share for each respective series of preferred stock bear to aggregate accrued dividends for all outstanding shares of preferred stock. In addition, generally, unless all dividends on the preferred stock have been paid, no dividends will be declared or paid on the common stock and we may not redeem or purchase any common stock.

Payment of dividends on any series of preferred stock may be restricted by loan agreements, indentures and other agreements governing certain transactions we may enter into.

Convertibility

No series of preferred stock will be convertible into, or exchangeable for, other securities or property except as set forth in the applicable certificate of designations.

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Redemption and Sinking Fund

No series of preferred stock will be redeemable or receive the benefit of a sinking fund except as set forth in the applicable certificate of designations.

Shares of preferred stock that we redeem or otherwise reacquire will resume the status of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock undesignated as to series, and will be available for subsequent issuance. There are no restrictions on repurchase or redemption of the preferred stock while there is any arrearage on sinking fund installments except as may be set forth in the applicable certificate of designations.

Liquidation

In the event we voluntarily or involuntarily liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs, the holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive the liquidation preference per share specified in the prospectus supplement, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends. Holders of preferred stock will be entitled to receive these amounts before any distribution is made to the holders of common stock.

If the amounts payable to preferred stockholders are not paid in full, the holders of preferred stock will share ratably in any distribution of assets based upon the aggregate liquidation preference for all outstanding shares for each series. After the holders of shares of preferred stock are paid in full, they will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.

Neither the par value nor the liquidation preference is indicative of the price at which the preferred stock will actually trade on or after the date of issuance.

Voting

The holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to vote with the holders of common stock in the election of directors, except as provided in the certificate of designations with respect to a particular series. However, if and whenever accrued dividends on the preferred stock have not been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside, in an amount equivalent to six quarterly dividends on all shares of all series of preferred stock at the time outstanding, then the holders of the preferred stock, voting separately as a class, will be entitled to elect two directors at the next annual or special meeting of the stockholders. During the time the holders of preferred stock are entitled to elect two additional directors, they are not entitled to vote with the holders of common stock in the election of any other directors. If all accumulated dividends on preferred stock have been paid in full, the holders of shares of preferred stock will no longer have the right to vote on directors except as provided for in the applicable certificate of designations, the term of office of each director so elected will terminate, and the number of our directors will, without further action, be reduced accordingly.

The vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of preferred stock voting only as a class is required to authorize any amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws which would materially alter any existing provisions of the preferred stock or which would authorize a class of preferred stock ranking prior to the outstanding preferred stock as to dividends or assets. In addition, the vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock voting together as a class is required to authorize any amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation authorizing the issuance of or any increase in the authorized amount of any class of preferred stock ranking on a parity with or increasing the number of authorized shares of preferred stock.

No Other Rights

The shares of a series of preferred stock will not have any preemptive rights, preferences, voting powers or relative, participating, optional or other special rights except as set forth above or in the prospectus supplement, the Certificate of Incorporation or certificate of designations or as otherwise required by law.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

We will designate the transfer agent for each series of preferred stock in the prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, and each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in shares of preferred stock underlying that depositary share, to all rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share. Those rights include dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights.

The shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a depositary under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares. The depositary will be a bank or trust company selected by us. The depositary will also act as the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares.

Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges.

The following is a summary of the most important terms of the depositary shares. The deposit agreement, our Certificate of Incorporation and the certificate of designations for the applicable series of preferred stock that are, or will be, filed with the SEC will set forth all of the terms relating to the depositary shares.

Dividends

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received relating to the series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock.

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts that are entitled to receive the distribution. However, if the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution, the depositary may, with our approval, adopt another method for the distribution. The method may include selling the property and distributing the net proceeds to the holders.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of each depositary share will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Redemption

If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of preferred stock held by the depositary. Whenever we redeem any preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock so redeemed. The depositary will mail the notice of redemption to the record holders of the depositary receipts promptly upon receiving the notice from us and not less than 35 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption of the preferred stock and the depositary shares. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price payable per share for the applicable series of preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares will be selected by lot or ratably as the depositary will decide.

Voting

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts representing the preferred stock. Each record holder of those depositary receipts on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock underlying that holder’s depositary shares. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same date

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as the record date for the preferred stock. The depositary will try, as far as practicable, to vote the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in a manner consistent with the instructions of the holders of the depositary receipts. We will agree to take all action which may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote the preferred stock to the extent that it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

Owners of depositary shares are entitled, upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and payment of any unpaid amount due the depositary, to receive the number of whole shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. These holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to deposit the shares under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares for the preferred stock.

Amendment and Termination of Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended at any time and from time to time by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares, other than any change in fees, will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement automatically terminates if:

all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or
there has been a final distribution relating to the preferred stock in connection with our dissolution, and that distribution has been made to all the holders of depositary shares.

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and the initial issuance of the depositary shares, any redemption of the preferred stock and all withdrawals of preferred stock by owners of depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and certain other charges as provided in the deposit agreement. In certain circumstances, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, withhold dividends and distributions, and sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt, if the charges are not paid.

Reports to Holders

The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications we deliver to the depositary that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary—and at other places as it thinks is advisable—any reports and communications we deliver to the depositary as the holder of preferred stock.

Liability and Legal Proceedings

Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our duties under the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information and on documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper persons.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering a notice to us of its election to do so. We may also remove the depositary at any time. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a

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successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice for resignation or removal. In addition, the successor depositary must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States of America and must have a combined capital and surplus of at least $150,000,000.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

Owners of the depositary shares will be treated for Federal income tax purposes as if they were owners of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. Accordingly, the owners will be entitled to take into account for Federal income tax purposes income and deductions to which they would be entitled if they were holders of the preferred stock. In addition:

no gain or loss will be recognized for Federal income tax purposes upon the withdrawal of preferred stock in exchange for depositary shares;
the tax basis of each share of preferred stock to an exchanging owner of depositary shares will, upon the exchange, be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the depositary shares exchanged; and
the holding period for preferred stock in the hands of an exchanging owner of depositary shares will include the period during which the person owned the depositary shares.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON STOCK

As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 4.5 billion shares of common stock, $0.10 par value per share. As of June 30, 2015, approximately 1.7 billion shares of common stock were outstanding. The common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BMY.”

Dividends

Holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of any assets legally available for payment of dividends as may from time to time be declared by our board of directors, subject to the rights of the holders of the preferred stock.

Voting

Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters requiring a vote of the stockholders, including, without limitation, the election of directors. The holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights.

Rights upon Liquidation

In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share equally in our assets available for distribution after payment in full of all debts and after the holders of preferred stock have received their liquidation preferences in full.

Board of Directors

Our bylaws provide that our board of directors shall be a single class, elected annually at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present (a quorum being a majority of the stockholders), pursuant to a majority of the votes cast in uncontested elections. A majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director. In contested elections where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the vote standard is a plurality of votes cast. Our bylaws also provide that if a director nominee who currently serves as a director is not elected by a majority vote in an uncontested election, the director shall offer to tender his or her resignation to the board of directors.

Miscellaneous

Shares of common stock are not redeemable and have no subscription, conversion or preemptive rights.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with our debt securities, preferred stock or common stock and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. A copy of the warrant agreement will be filed with the SEC in connection with any offering of warrants.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to issue debt securities, preferred stock or common stock will describe the terms of those warrants, including the following:

the title of the warrants;
the offering price for the warrants, if any;
the aggregate number of the warrants;
the designation and terms of the debt securities, preferred stock or common stock that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;
if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities that the warrants are issued with and the number of warrants issued with each security;
if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any securities issued with them will be separately transferable;
the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the debt securities may be purchased upon exercise;
the number of shares of preferred stock or common stock that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the shares may be purchased upon exercise;
the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;
if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
whether the warrants represented by the warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form;
information relating to book-entry procedures, if any;
the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;
if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;
anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;
redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants;
any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; and
any other information we think is important about the warrants.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

General

We may offer and sell securities in one or more transactions from time to time to or through underwriters, who may act as principals or agents, directly to other purchasers or through agents to other purchasers or through any combination of these methods.

A prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of securities may include the following information:

the terms of the offering;
the names of any underwriters or agents;
the purchase price of the securities;
the net proceeds to us from the sale of the securities;
any delayed delivery arrangements;
any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;
any initial public offering price; and
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices in block trades, or in underwritten offerings or in other types of trades.

Underwriting Compensation

We may offer these securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by a managing underwriter or managing underwriters or through an underwriter or underwriters without an underwriting syndicate. If underwriters are used for the sale of securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including in negotiated transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. In connection with any such underwritten sale of securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from purchasers for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and 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.

If we use an underwriter or underwriters in the sale of particular securities, we will execute an underwriting agreement with those underwriters at the time of sale of those securities. The names of the underwriters will be set forth in the prospectus supplement used by the underwriters to sell those securities. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of securities, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to customary conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered if any of the securities are purchased.

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Any discounts or commissions that they receive from us and any profit that they receive on the resale of securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. If any entity is deemed an underwriter or any amounts deemed underwriting discounts and commissions, the prospectus supplement will identify the underwriter or agent and describe the compensation received from us.

Indemnification

We may enter agreements under which underwriters and agents who participate in the distribution of securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against various liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make.

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Related Transactions

Various of the underwriters who participate in the distribution of securities, and their affiliates, may perform various commercial banking and investment banking services for us from time to time in the ordinary course of business.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

We may authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. These institutions may include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases we must approve these institutions. The obligations of any purchaser under any of these contracts will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of these contracts.

Price Stabilization and Short Positions

If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, until the distribution of the securities is completed, rules of the SEC may limit the ability of any underwriters to bid for and purchase the securities. As an exception to these rules, representatives of any underwriters are permitted to engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the securities. These transactions may consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities. If the underwriters create a short position in the securities in connection with the offering (that is, if they sell more securities than are set forth on the cover page of the prospectus supplement), the representatives of the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing securities in the open market.

We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the securities. In addition, we make no representation that the representatives of any underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Covington & Burling LLP, New York, New York. Any underwriters will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by their own legal counsel.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings also are available over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until our offering is completed:

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, including the information in our proxy statement that is part of our Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on March 24, 2015 that is incorporated by reference in that Annual Report on Form 10-K;
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015;
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015; and
Current Reports on Form 8-K or Form 8-K/A, filed on January 23, 2015, February 27, 2015, March 6, 2015, April 10, 2015, April 16, 2015, April 20, 2015, May 5, 2015 and May 8, 2015.

Furthermore, all filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial filing of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering (other than portions of these documents deemed to be “furnished” or not deemed to be “filed,” including the portions of these documents that are either (1) described in paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3) or (e)(5) of Item 407 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC or (2) furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of a Current Report on Form 8-K, including any exhibits included with such Items) shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

We encourage you to read our periodic and current reports, as we think these reports provide additional information about our company which prudent investors find important. We make available free of charge most of our SEC filings through our Internet website (www.bms.com) as soon as reasonably practical after they are filed with the SEC. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus. You may access these SEC filings on our website. You also may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at:

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
Attention: Office of the Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (212) 546-4000

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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.   OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

The following statement sets forth the estimated amounts of expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be borne by us in connection with the offerings described in this registration statement:

   
   
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee
$
       (1
)
Trustee’s Fees
 
   (2
)
Printing and Engraving Expenses
 
   (2
)
Rating Agency Fees
 
   (2
)
Accounting Fees and Expenses
 
   (2
)
Legal Fees and Expenses
 
   (2
)
Miscellaneous Expenses
 
   (2
)
   
 
   
 
Total Expenses
$
   (2
)
(1)Applicable Securities and Exchange Commission registration fees have been deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act and are not estimable at this time.
(2)An estimate of the aggregate amount of these expenses will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement.

ITEM 15.   INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation—a “derivative action”), if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal actions or proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, and the DGCL requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The DGCL provides that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation’s by-laws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement or otherwise.

Under the terms of our Bylaws and subject to the applicable provisions of Delaware law, we have agreed to indemnify each of our directors and officers and, subject to the discretion of the board of directors, any other person, against expenses incurred or paid in connection with any claim made against such director or officer or any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding in which such director or officer may be involved by reason of being or having been a director or officer of us, or of serving or having served at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action taken or not taken by such director or officer in such capacity, and against the amount or amounts paid by such director or officer in settlement of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding or any judgment or order entered therein.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a provision in the certificate of incorporation of each corporation organized thereunder, such as the Company, eliminating or limiting, with certain exceptions, the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation eliminates the liability of directors to the extent permitted by the DGCL.

The Company carries directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that covers certain liabilities and expenses of its directors and officers.

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ITEM 16.   EXHIBITS.

Exhibit
No.
 
1a.
Form of Underwriting Agreement for debt securities.(1)
   
 
1b.
Form of Underwriting Agreement for equity securities.(1)
   
 
4a.
Indenture dated as of June 1, 1993, between Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and a predecessor to The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee.(2)
   
 
4b.
Form of Subordinated Indenture.(3)
   
 
4c.
Form of Senior Debt Security.(4)
   
 
4d.
Form of Subordinated Debt Security.(4)
   
 
4e.
Form of Certificate of Designations.(1)
   
 
4f.
Form of Preferred Stock Certificate.(1)
   
 
4g.
Form of Deposit Agreement.(1)
   
 
4h.
Form of Depositary Receipt (to be included as an Exhibit to the Form of Deposit Agreement).(1)
   
 
4i.
Form of Warrant Agreement.(1)
   
 
4j.
Form of Warrant Certificate.(1)
   
 
5.
Opinion of Covington & Burling LLP.(5)
   
 
12.
Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges.(6)
   
 
23a.
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.(5)
   
 
23b.
Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5).
   
 
25.
Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York Mellon to act as Trustee under the Senior Indenture dated June 1, 1993.(5)
(1)To be filed by amendment or as an Exhibit to a report filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(2)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(a) to our Registration Statement on Form S-3, SEC File No. 333-150471, filed on April 28, 2008.
(3)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(b) to our Registration Statement on Form S-3, SEC File No. 333-65444, filed on July 19, 2001.
(4)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(c) to our Registration Statement on Form S-3, SEC File No. 333-65444, filed on August 9, 2001.
(5)Filed herewith.
(6)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015.

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ITEM 17.   UNDERTAKINGS.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement (other than as provided in the proviso and instructions to Item 512(a) of Regulation S-K) (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement, provided, however, that any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i)Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii)Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

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(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii)Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii)The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv)Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such officer, director or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether or not such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 17th day of September, 2015.

 
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Giovanni Caforio
 
 
Giovanni Caforio, M.D.
 
 
Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Sandra Leung as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the name of each of the undersigned in his or her capacity to any and all amendments (including any post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or advisable to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms that the said attorney-in-fact or agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement on Form S-3 has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Giovanni Caforio
Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
September 17, 2015
Giovanni Caforio, M.D.
 
 
 
 
/s/ Charles Bancroft
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
September 17, 2015
Charles Bancroft
 
 
 
 
/s/ Joseph C. Caldarella
Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
September 17, 2015
Joseph C. Caldarella
 
 
 
 
/s/ Lamberto Andreotti
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
September 17, 2015
Lamberto Andreotti
 
 
 
 
/s/ Lewis B. Campbell
Director
September 17, 2015
Lewis B. Campbell
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Laurie H. Glimcher
Director
September 17, 2015
Laurie H. Glimcher, M.D.
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Michael Grobstein
Director
September 17, 2015
Michael Grobstein
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Alan J. Lacy
Director
September 17, 2015
Alan J. Lacy
 
 

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Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Thomas J. Lynch, Jr.
Director
September 17, 2015
Thomas J. Lynch, Jr., M.D.
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Dinesh C. Paliwal
Director
September 17, 2015
Dinesh C. Paliwal
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Vicki L. Sato
Director
September 17, 2015
Vicki L. Sato, Ph.D.
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Gerald L. Storch
Director
September 17, 2015
Gerald L. Storch
 
 
   
 
/s/ Togo D. West, Jr.
Director
September 17, 2015
Togo D. West, Jr.
 
 

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