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TABLE OF CONTENTS

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2005.

Registration No.             



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

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Utah
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

87-0447695
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

1600 West Merit Parkway, South Jordan, Utah 84095, (801) 253-1600
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

Kent W. Stanger
Chief Financial Officer
1600 West Merit Parkway, South Jordan, Utah 84095
(801) 253-1600

Copies to:

Brian G. Lloyd
Stoel Rives LLP
201 South Main Street, Suite 1100, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
(801) 328-3131

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

        Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

        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, check the following box: ý

        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 delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


Title of Each
Class of
Securities to be
Registered

  Amount to be
Registered(1)

  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit

  Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price

  Amount of
Registration Fee


Common Stock   100,000   $13.91   $1,391,000   $164


(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement covers a presently indeterminate number of shares of common stock issuable upon the occurrence of a stock split, stock dividend, or other similar transaction.

(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based upon the average of the high and low prices for the common stock of the registrant as reported by the Nasdaq National Market on February 11, 2005.

        The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on the date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment that specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on the date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.




The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling stockholders may not sell these securities until the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective.

PROSPECTUS

Merit Medical Systems


100,000 Shares of Common Stock

        This prospectus covers the offer and sale of up to 100,000 shares of our common stock, no par value, issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase our common stock. All of the shares that may be offered hereunder are to be offered and sold by persons who are existing security holders and identified in the section of this prospectus entitled "Selling Stockholders." Pursuant to Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this prospectus and the related registration statement cover a presently indeterminate number of shares of common stock issuable upon the occurrence of a stock split, stock dividend or other similar transaction.

        We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares offered in this prospectus. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "MMSI." On February 11, 2005, the last reported sale price for our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market was $14.12 per share.

        Our executive offices are located at 1600 West Merit Parkway, South Jordan, Utah 84095, and our telephone number is (801) 253-1600.

        Carefully consider the risk factors beginning on page 3 of this prospectus before investing in the shares being offered with this prospectus.

        This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, in any state in which the offer or sale would be unlawful prior to or absent qualification under the securities laws of that state.

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed on the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is February 14, 2005.


        You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The selling stockholders are not permitted to make an offer or sale of these shares in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
RISK FACTORS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

USE OF PROCEEDS

DILUTION

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE

LEGAL MATTERS

EXPERTS

INDEMNIFICATION

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

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RISK FACTORS

        Before you invest in the securities described in this prospectus, you should be aware that the investment involves the assumption of various risks. You should consider carefully the risk factors described below together with all of the other information included in this prospectus before you decide to purchase any shares of our common stock.

We may be unable to compete in our markets, particularly if there is a significant change in relevant procedures or technology or an increase in competitive pressures.

        The market for each of our existing and potential products is highly competitive. We face competition from several companies, many of which are larger, better established, have greater financial, technical and other resources and have greater market presence. Such resources and market presence may enable our competitors to more effectively market competing products or market competing products at reduced prices in order to gain market share. Further, such resources and market presence may enable our competitors to market products beyond the scope of our current business strategy.

        Our ability to compete successfully is dependent, in part, upon our ability to respond effectively to changes in technology and procedures, as well as to develop and market new products that achieve significant market acceptance. Competing companies with substantially greater resources than ours are actively engaged in research and development of diagnostic and interventional methods, treatments and procedures that could limit the market for our products and eventually make certain products obsolete. A reduction in the demand for a significant number of our products, or a few key products, could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Our inability to develop or introduce new products may also have an adverse effect on our ability to compete effectively.

Our products may be subject to recall or product liability claims.

        Our products are used in connection with surgical procedures and in other medical contexts in which it is important that those products function with precision and accuracy. If our products do not function as designed, or are designed improperly, we may voluntarily withdraw such products from the market or be required to withdraw them by order of the FDA. In addition, if medical personnel or their patients suffer injury as a result of any failure of our products to function as designed, or a design is inappropriate, we may be subject to lawsuits seeking significant compensatory and punitive damages. Any product recall or lawsuit seeking significant monetary damages may have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.

        Substantially all of our products are backed by a limited warranty for returns due to defects in quality and workmanship. We maintain a reserve for these future returned products, but the actual costs of such returns may significantly exceed the reserve, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

We may be unable to successfully manage growth, particularly if accomplished through acquisitions.

        We may attempt to acquire businesses, assets, products, or technologies that we believe will be a strategic complement to our business model. Successful implementation of our business model will require that we effectively manage any associated growth. To manage growth effectively, our management will need to continue to implement changes in certain aspects of our business, enhance our information systems and operations to respond to increased demand, attract and retain qualified personnel and develop, train and manage an increasing number of management-level and other employees. Growth could place an increasing strain on our management, financial, product design, marketing, distribution and other resources, and we could experience operating difficulties. Any failure to manage growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and

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financial condition. These acquisitions may also require significant management attention that would otherwise be available for ongoing development of our business. Further, we may never realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisition. We may also make dilutive issuances of equity securities, incur debt or experience a decrease in the amount of cash available for our operations, or incur contingent liabilities in connection with any future acquisitions.

        To the extent that we grow through acquisition, we will face the additional challenges of integrating our current operations, culture, information management systems and other characteristics with that of the acquired entity. We may incur significant expenses in connection with negotiating and consummating one or more transactions, and we may inherit liabilities in connection with the acquisition as a result of our failure to conduct adequate due diligence. We may not realize competitive advantages, synergies or other benefits anticipated in connection with such acquisition(s). If we do not adequately identify targets for, or manage issues related to our future acquisitions, such acquisitions may have a negative adverse effect on our business and financial results.

A significant adverse change in, or failure to comply with, governing regulations could adversely affect our business.

        Substantially all of our products are "devices," as defined in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and the manufacture, distribution, record keeping, labeling and advertisement of our products is subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") in the United States and comparable regulatory agencies in various foreign countries in which our products are manufactured, distributed, labeled, offered or sold. Further, we are subject to continual review and periodic inspections at our current facilities with respect to the FDA's current Good Manufacturing Practices and similar requirements of foreign countries. Our business and financial condition could be adversely affected if we are found to be out of compliance with governing regulations. In addition, if such regulations are amended to become more restrictive and costly to comply with, the costs of compliance could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

While we believe that we currently have adequate internal control procedures in place, we are still exposed to potential risks from recent legislation requiring companies to evaluate controls under section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

        We are currently evaluating our internal controls systems in order to allow management to report on, and our independent registered public accounting firm to attest to, our internal controls, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We are performing the system and process evaluation and testing required in an effort to comply with the management certification and auditor attestation requirements of Section 404. As a result, we are incurring additional expenses and a diversion of management's time. While we anticipate being able to fully implement the requirements relating to internal controls and all other aspects of Section 404 in a timely fashion, we cannot be certain as to the timing of completion of our evaluation, testing and remediation actions or the impact of the same on our operations since there is no precedent available by which to measure compliance adequacy. If we are not able to implement the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner, we might be subject to investigation by regulatory authorities and a loss of public confidence in our internal controls, which could adversely affect our financial results and the market price of our common stock.

A significant portion of our revenues is derived from a few products and procedures.

        A significant portion of our revenues are attributable to sales of our inflation devices. During the year ended December 31, 2003, sales of our inflation devices (including inflation devices sold in custom kits) accounted for approximately 33% of our total revenues. During the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004, sales of our inflation devices (including inflation devices sold in custom kits) accounted for approximately 34% and 33%, respectively, of our total revenues. Any material

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decline in market demand for our inflation devices could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

        These products have accounted for a majority of our historical revenues and are designed for use in connection with a few related medical procedures, including angiography, angioplasty and stent placement procedures. If subsequent developments in medical technology or drug therapy make such procedures obsolete, or alter the methodology of such procedures to eliminate the usefulness of our products, we may experience a material decrease in demand for our products and experience deteriorating financial performance.

Termination of relationships with our suppliers, or failure of such suppliers to perform, could disrupt our business.

        We rely on raw materials, component parts, finished products, and services supplied by third parties. For example, substantially all of our products are sterilized by two entities. In addition, some of our products are manufactured or assembled by third parties. If a supplier of significant raw materials, component parts, finished goods or services were to terminate its relationship with us, or otherwise cease supplying raw materials, component parts, finished goods or services consistent with past practice, our ability to meet our obligations to our customers may be disrupted or our costs could increase. A disruption with respect to numerous products, or with respect to a few significant products, could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

We may be unable to protect our proprietary technology or our technology may infringe on the proprietary technology of others.

        Our ability to remain competitive is dependent, in part, upon our ability to prevent other companies from using proprietary technology incorporated into our products. We seek to protect our technology through a combination of patents and trade secrets, as well as license, proprietary know-how and confidentiality agreements. We may be unable, however, to prevent others from using our proprietary information, or to use such information ourselves, for numerous reasons, including the following:

Failure to obtain or maintain the regulatory approvals required to market and sell our products, could disrupt our business.

        We are subject to regulation by government agencies in the United States and international markets with respect to the manufacture, packaging, labeling, advertising, promotion, distribution and sale of our products. For instance, most of our products are subject to FDA clearance and approval prior to marketing in the United States for commercial use. We are also subject to similar approvals for international markets. The process of obtaining and maintaining necessary regulatory approvals and

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clearances is expensive and time-consuming. If we do not receive required regulatory approvals or clearance to market our products domestically and internationally, or if any approvals we have received are revoked or terminated, we may not be able to develop or commercialize our products, which could disrupt our business.

We are dependent upon key personnel.

        The loss of one or more key members of our management team could affect our ability to successfully implement our business strategy. Our success, if achieved, will be dependent on key management personnel, including Fred P. Lampropoulos, our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Lampropoulos is not subject to any agreement prohibiting his departure, and we do not maintain key-man life insurance with respect to his life. The loss of Mr. Lampropoulos, or of certain other key management personnel, could materially adversely affect our business and operations. Our success will also depend, among other factors, on the successful recruitment and retention of key personnel.

Limits on reimbursement imposed by governmental and other programs may adversely affect our business.

        The cost of a significant portion of medical care is funded by governmental, social security or other insurance programs. Limits on reimbursement imposed by those programs may adversely affect the ability of hospitals and others to purchase our products. In addition, limitations on reimbursement for procedures that use our products could adversely affect our sales.

Fluctuations in euro exchange rates may negatively affect our financial results.

        Fluctuations in the rate of exchange between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar could have a negative impact on our margins and financial results. For example, during 2003, the exchange rate between the Euro and U.S. Dollar resulted in an increase of the Company's gross revenues of $2.4 million and 0.3% in gross profit. For the three months ended September 30, 2004, the exchange rate resulted in an increase of gross revenues of $326,393 and approximately 0.2% increase in gross profit.

        For the three months ended September 30, 2004, approximately $4.2 million, or 11.8%, of our sales were denominated in Euros. If the rate of exchange between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar declines, we may not be able to increase the prices that we charge our European customers for products whose prices are denominated in Euros. We may be unable to, or elect not to enter into, hedging transactions that could mitigate the effect of declining exchange rates. As a result, as the rate of exchange between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar declines, our financial results may be negatively impacted.

The market price of our common stock has been, and may continue to be, volatile.

        The market price of our common stock has been, and may continue to be, highly volatile for various reasons, including the following:

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We are subject to work stoppage, transportation and related risks.

        We manufacture our products at various locations in the United States and Ireland and sell our products throughout the United States, Europe and other parts of the world. We depend on third-party transportation companies to deliver supplies necessary to manufacture our products from vendors to our various facilities and to move our products to customers, operating divisions and other subsidiaries located within and outside the United States. Our manufacturing operations, and the operations of the transportation companies on which our operations depend, may be adversely affected by natural disasters and significant human events, such as war, terrorist attack, riot, strike, slowdown or similar event. Any disruption in our manufacturing or transportation could materially adversely affect our ability to meet customer demands or conduct our operations.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus contains various forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the use of the forward-looking words "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "likely," "believe," "intend," "expect" or similar words. These statements discuss future expectations, contain projections regarding future developments, operations, or financial conditions, or state other forward-looking information. When considering such forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors noted in the previous section and other cautionary statements throughout this prospectus and our periodic filings with the SEC that are incorporated herein by reference. You should also keep in mind that all forward-looking statements are based on management's existing beliefs about present and future events outside of management's control and on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect. If one or more risks identified in this prospectus or any applicable filings materializes, or any other underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected, or intended.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        All net proceeds from any sale of offered shares will be received by the selling stockholders selling the offered shares. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of any of the offered shares.

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DILUTION

        As of January 31, 2005, there were outstanding warrants, options and conversion rights to purchase up to 4,363,497 shares of common stock. The existence of those options, warrants and conversions rights may hinder future equity offerings by us, and the exercise of those warrants, options and conversion rights may have an adverse effect on the prevailing market price of the common stock. Furthermore, the holders of those options, warrants and conversion rights may exercise them at a time when we would otherwise be able to obtain additional equity capital on terms more favorable to us.


SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

        The shares being offered pursuant to this prospectus are being offered by the principal stockholders of MedSource Packaging Concepts LLC, a packager of custom procedure trays with sterile and non-sterile medical devices for use in the medical industry. On November 17, 2004, we issued to the Medsource stockholders warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock in connection with our purchase of certain assets and assumption of certain liabilities of MedSource. The warrants permit the holder to acquire shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.1275 per share at any time between November 17, 2004 and November 17, 2009. The warrants include standard anti-dilution provisions pursuant to which the exercise price and number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are adjusted proportionately in the event of a stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or similar transaction. In connection with the asset purchase transaction, we agreed to register under the Securities Act the resale of the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants. Prior to the offering, neither MedSource nor its principal stockholders owned any shares of common stock other than the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants. All 100,000 shares of common stock are offered in this offering, but we cannot assure you that any of those shares will be sold.


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        The selling stockholders and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of the offered shares on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which our shares of common stock are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices. The selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when selling the offered shares:

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        Broker-dealers engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the selling stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchase of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated. The selling stockholders do not expect these commissions and discounts relating to its sales of shares to exceed what is customary in the types of transactions involved.

        In connection with the sale of the offered shares or interests therein, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver the offered shares to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

        The selling stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in selling the shares offered under this prospectus may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. The selling stockholders have informed us that they do not have any agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the common stock.

        We are required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by us incident to the registration of the offered shares. We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

        Because the selling stockholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. In addition, any shares of common stock covered by this prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus. The selling stockholders have advised us that they have not entered into any agreements, understandings or arrangements with any underwriter or broker-dealer regarding the sale of the offered shares. There is no underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale of the offered shares by the selling stockholders.

        Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the resale shares may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to our common stock for a period of two business days prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the selling stockholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders or any other person.

        We will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling stockholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale.


DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE

        The offering price of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus is being determined by the selling stockholders on a transaction-by-transaction basis based upon factors that the selling

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stockholder considers appropriate. The offering prices determined by the selling stockholders may, or may not, relate to a current market price but should not, in any case, be considered an indication of the actual value of the shares of common stock. We do not have any influence over the price at which any selling stockholders offer or sell the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus.


LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the shares being offered hereby is being passed upon for us by Stoel Rives LLP.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statements schedule incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference, which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, in 2002, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.


INDEMNIFICATION

        Our articles of incorporation provide that we shall indemnify our officers, directors, agents, incorporators and other persons against liabilities incurred by them that result from their acts that are performed in furtherance of our business to the full extent permitted by the laws of the state of Utah. Our bylaws director, officer, incorporator, or other person to the fullest extent permitted by the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act. Our bylaws provide that, to the full extent permitted by law, we shall indemnify any director or officer or former director or officer of the Merit, or any person who may have served at Merit's request as a director or officer of another corporation in which Merit owns shares, or of which Merit is a creditor, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her, in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, in which he or she is made a party by reason of being or having been such director or officer, except in relation to matters as to which he or she shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of duty; and to make such other indemnification as shall be authorized by our shareholders.

        As a result of the indemnification provisions described about and contained in the Utah Revised Business Corporations Act, subject to certain limitations in the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act, we may be permitted or compelled to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to our directors, officers, agents, and employees when they are made parties to an investigation or legal action in connection with services performed at our request, including when such persons are alleged to have violated the Securities Act. Insurance purchased with respect to such persons may also cover expenses or other liabilities associated with an allegation of violations of the Securities Act.

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons of pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question

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whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

        The rights of indemnification described above are not exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which the persons indemnified may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or directors or otherwise. In addition to the foregoing, the Registrant maintains insurance through a commercial carrier against certain liabilities which may be incurred by its directors and officers.

        The foregoing description is necessarily general and does not describe all details regarding the indemnification of officers, directors or controlling persons of the Registrant.


INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

        As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or the exhibits to the registration statement. The SEC permits us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus information filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except as superseded or modified by information contained directly in this prospectus or in a subsequently filed document that also is (or is deemed to be) incorporated into this prospectus by reference.

        This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that we (File No. 000-18592) have previously filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act. These documents contain important information about the Company and its financial condition.

        (a)   Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2004.

        (b)   Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, filed with the SEC on May 10, 2004.

        (c)   Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2004, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A filed with the SEC on October 4, 2004.

        (d)   Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, filed with the SEC on November 9, 2004.

        (e)   Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 13, 2004.

        (f)    Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 26, 2004.

        (g)   Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 23, 2004.

        (h)   The description of our shares of common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, SEC File No. 000-18592, filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed under the Exchange Act for the purpose of updating such description.

        We hereby incorporate by reference all reports and other documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering.

        Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or a document incorporated by reference into the prospectus are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we qualify each of these statements in all respects by the reference to the full agreement.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements, or other information that we file at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. The SEC also maintains an Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that makes available to the public reports, proxy statements, and other information regarding issuers, such as us, that file electronically with the SEC. Our Internet website is http://www.merit.com. Information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus.

        In addition, we will provide, without charge, to each person to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any or all of our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information we have filed with the SEC (other than exhibits to such documents which are not specifically incorporated by reference in such documents or portions of such documents subject to confidential treatment requests). Requests for these copies should be directed to Chief Financial Officer, 1600 West Merit Parkway, South Jordan, Utah 84095, (801) 253-1600.

        Our shares of common stock are quoted on the Nasdaq National Market. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning Merit can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Room of the National Association of Securities Dealers, 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

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We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or represent anything not contained in this prospectus. This prospectus does not offer to sell or buy any securities in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful. The information in this prospectus is current only as of the date hereof.


100,000 Shares of
Common Stock

MERIT MEDICAL
SYSTEMS, INC.


PROSPECTUS


February 14, 2005





PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

        The following table sets forth the various expenses of the offering, sale and distribution of the offered securities being registered pursuant to this registration statement (the "Registration Statement"). All of the expenses listed below will be borne by the Company. All of the amounts shown are estimates except the SEC registration fees.

Item
  Amount
SEC Commission registration fees   $ 157

Accounting fees and expenses

 

 

10,000

Legal fees and expenses

 

 

10,000

Blue Sky fees and expenses

 

 

1,000

Miscellaneous expenses

 

 

1,000
   

Total

 

$

22,157
   


Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

        We are a Utah corporation. Section 16-10a-902 of the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act (the "Revised Act") provides that a corporation may indemnify any individual who was, is, or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent (a "Party") in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal (a "Proceeding"), because he or she is or was a director of the corporation or, while a director of the corporation, is or was serving at its request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation or other person or of an employee benefit plan (an "Indemnifiable Director"), against any obligation incurred with respect to a Proceeding, including any judgment, settlement, penalty, fine or reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees), incurred in the Proceeding if his or her conduct was in good faith, he or she reasonably believed that his or her conduct was in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, in the case of any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such conduct was unlawful; provided, however, that pursuant to Subsections 902(4)-(5): (i) indemnification under Section 902 in connection with a Proceeding by or in the right of the corporation is limited to payment of reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with the Proceeding and (ii) the corporation may not indemnify an Indemnifiable Director in connection with a Proceeding by or in the right of the corporation in which the Indemnifiable Director was adjudged liable to the corporation, or in connection with any other Proceeding charging that the Indemnifiable Director derived an improper personal benefit, whether or not involving action in his or her official capacity, in which Proceeding he or she was adjudged liable on the basis that he or she derived an improper personal benefit.

        Section 16-10a-903 of the Revised Act provides that, unless limited by its articles of incorporation, a corporation shall indemnify an Indemnifiable Director who was successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any Proceeding, or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, to which he or she was a Party because he or she is or was an Indemnifiable Director of the corporation, against reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with the Proceeding or claim with respect to which he or she has been successful.

        In addition to the indemnification provided by Sections 902 and 903, Section 16-10a-905 of the Revised Act provides that, unless otherwise limited by a corporation's articles of incorporation, an Indemnifiable Director may apply for indemnification to the court conducting the Proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction.



        Section 16-10a-904 of the Revised Act provides that a corporation may pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an Indemnifiable Director who is a Party to a Proceeding in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

        Section 16-10a-907 of the Revised Act provides that, unless a corporation's articles of incorporation provide otherwise, (i) an officer of the corporation is entitled to mandatory indemnification under Section 903 and is entitled to apply for court-ordered indemnification under Section 905, in each case to the same extent as an Indemnifiable Director, (ii) the corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of the corporation to the same extent as an Indemnifiable Director, and (iii) a corporation may also indemnify and advance expenses to an officer, employee, fiduciary or agent who is not an Indemnifiable Director to a greater extent than the right of indemnification granted to an Indemnifiable Director, if not inconsistent with public policy, and if provided for by its articles of incorporation, bylaws, general or specific action of its board of directors or contract.

        Section 16-10a-908 of the Revised Act provides that a corporation may purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the corporation or who, while serving as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the corporation, is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, fiduciary, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation or other person, or of an employee benefit plan against liability asserted against or incurred by the individual in that capacity or arising from his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against the same liability under Section 902, 903, or 907 of the Revised Act.

        Section 16-10a-909 of the Revised Act provides that a provision treating a corporation's indemnification of or advance for expenses to, Indemnifiable Directors that is contained in its articles of incorporation or bylaws, in a resolution of its stockholders or board of directors or in a contract, except an insurance policy, or otherwise, is valid only if and to the extent the provision is not inconsistent with Sections 901 through 909 of the Revised Act. If the articles of incorporation limit indemnification or advancement of expenses, indemnification and advancement of expenses are valid only to the extent not inconsistent with the articles.

        Our articles of incorporation provide that we shall indemnify any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of our company, or who was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee of agent of another entity, trust or plan to the fullest extent permitted by the Revised Act. Our bylaws also include mandatory indemnification provisions with respect of our officers and directors and discretionary indemnification provisions with respect to employees and agents, each subject to limitations generally reflecting the limitations on indemnification set forth in the Revised Act.

        Our bylaws provide that we may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was one of our directors, officers, employees or agents, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her or incurred by him or her in such capacity or arising out of his or her status in such capacity, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the indemnification provisions of the bylaws or the laws of the State of Utah, as the same are amended or modified. We maintain insurance from commercial carriers against certain liabilities that may be incurred by our directors and officers.

        Indemnification may be granted pursuant to any other agreement, bylaw or vote of stockholders or directors. The foregoing description is necessarily general and does not describe all details regarding the indemnification of our officers, directors or controlling persons.




Item 16. Exhibits.

        The following exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act have been included herewith or have been filed previously with the SEC as indicated below.

Exhibit No.

  Description
4.1   Form of common stock certificate (Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-18 filed with the SEC on October 19, 1989).

4.2

 

Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 14, 1996).

4.3

 

Articles of Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation dated May 14, 1993.±

4.4

 

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated June 6, 1996.±

4.5

 

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated June 12, 1997.±

4.6

 

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated August 27, 1997 (Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on October 9, 1997).

4.7

 

Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated May 22, 2003.±

4.8

 

Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-18 filed with the SEC on October 19, 1989).

4.9

 

Form of Warrant.

5.1

 

Opinion of Stoel Rives LLP*

23.1

 

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm±

±
Filed herewith.

*
To be filed by amendment


Item 17. Undertakings.

        1.     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective


amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

        2.     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 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."



SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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, in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 14, 2005.

    MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

 

 

By:

/s/  
KENT W. STANGER      
Kent W. Stanger
Secretary and Chief Financial Officer

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
  Capacity in Which Signed
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/  FRED P. LAMPROPOULOS      
Fred P. Lampropoulos
  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director   February 14, 2005

/s/  
KENT W. STANGER      
Kent W. Stanger

 

Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and Director (Principal financial and accounting officer)

 

February 14, 2005

/s/  
RICHARD W. EDELMAN      
Richard W. Edelman

 

Director

 

February 14, 2005

/s/  
REX C. BEAN      
Rex C. Bean

 

Director

 

February 14, 2005

/s/  
JAMES J. ELLIS      
James J. Ellis

 

Director

 

February 14, 2005

/s/  
MICHAEL E. STILLABOWER      
Michael E. Stillabower

 

Director

 

February 14, 2005


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.

  Description
4.1   Form of common stock certificate (Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-18 filed with the SEC on October 19, 1989).

4.2

 

Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 14, 1996).

4.3

 

Articles of Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation dated May 14, 1993.±

4.4

 

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated June 6, 1996.±

4.5

 

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated June 12, 1997.±

4.6

 

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated August 27, 1997 (Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on October 9, 1997).

4.7

 

Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated May 22, 2003.±

4.8

 

Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-18 filed with the SEC on October 19, 1989).

4.9

 

Form of Warrant.

5.1

 

Opinion of Stoel Rives LLP*

23.1

 

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm±

±
Filed herewith.

*
To be filed by amendment