TranSwitch Corporation (NASDAQ: TXCC), a leading provider of
semiconductor solutions for the converging voice, data and video
network, today announced that on October 20, 2009, it entered into
privately negotiated agreements pursuant to which it shall exchange all
of its $10.013 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding
5.45% Convertible Notes due September 30, 2010 ("Old Notes”) for an
equivalent principal amount of a new series of 5.45% Convertible Notes
due September 30, 2011 ("New Notes”).
The conversion price of the New Notes has been established initially at
$0.90 principal amount of New Notes per share of common stock, as
compared to $1.83 per share for the Old Notes. Terms of the New Notes
provide for payment of principal on a monthly-basis such that the
principal amount of the debt service will have been paid down in monthly
installments through September 2011, as compared with a balloon payment
of the entire principal amount at September 30, 2010 for the Old Notes.
Interest shall be paid on a monthly basis. Payments of principal for the
New Notes may be made in cash or, at the Company’s option, upon
satisfaction of certain conditions, in shares of its common stock. The
New Notes are subject to auto-conversion by the Company at its
discretion at any time if its common shares have traded over 150% of the
conversion price of $0.90 (or a per share price of over $1.35) for 20
consecutive trading days.
The New Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the securities laws of any state and, unless so
registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except
pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirement of
the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
"We believe the terms of the debt refinancing demonstrate the confidence
our convertible noteholders have in the "New TranSwitch,” stated Dr.
Santanu Das, TranSwitch’s President and CEO. "With our improved
operating performance, we felt it opportune to refinance our remaining
long-term debt on similar terms with an extended maturity while
providing flexibility in paying down the principal.”
In addition to the note exchange, TranSwitch also announced it has filed
a universal shelf registration statement with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC), which if and when declared effective by the
SEC, would enable the Company to raise funds through one or more
issuances of the securities covered by the shelf registration statement,
subject to market conditions and the Company’s capital needs.
An offering of securities covered by the shelf registration statement
will be made only by means of a written prospectus and prospectus
supplement, and specific terms of any future offering will be subject to
prevailing market conditions. The Company does not currently have any
commitments or intentions to sell securities at this time. The Company
may use the net proceeds from the sale of these securities for general
corporate purposes, which may include repayment or refinancing of
existing indebtedness, acquisitions, investments, capital expenditures,
repurchase of its capital stock and for any other purposes that the
Company may specify in any prospectus supplement.
The registration statement relating to the securities listed in the
shelf registration has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become
effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be
accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes
effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, nor
the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the
securities mentioned herein in any state or other jurisdiction in which
such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to
registration or qualification under the securities law of any state or
jurisdiction. This press release is being issued pursuant to and in
accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act.
About TranSwitch Corporation
TranSwitch Corporation (Nasdaq: TXCC) designs, develops and markets
innovative semiconductors and technologies that provide core
functionality and complete solutions for voice, data and video
communications network equipment. As a leading supplier to telecom,
datacom, cable television and wireless markets, TranSwitch customers
include the major OEMs that serve the worldwide public network, the
Internet, and corporate Wide Area Networks (WANs). TranSwitch devices
are inherently flexible, many incorporating embedded programmable
microcontrollers to rapidly meet customers’ new requirements or evolving
network standards by modifying a function via software instruction.
TranSwitch implements global communications standards in its VLSI
solutions and is committed to providing high-quality products and
services. TranSwitch, Shelton, CT, is an ISO 9001:2000 registered
company. For more information, visit www.transwitch.com.
Forward-looking statements in this release, including statements
regarding management's expectations for future financial results and the
markets for TranSwitch's products, are made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements regarding
TranSwitch, its operations and its financial results involve risks and
uncertainties, including without limitation risks associated with
acquiring new businesses; of downturns in economic conditions generally
and in the telecommunications and data communications markets and the
semiconductor industry specifically; risks in product development and
market acceptance of and demand for TranSwitch's products and products
developed by TranSwitch's customers; risks relating to TranSwitch's
indebtedness; risks of failing to attract and retain key managerial and
technical personnel; risks associated with foreign sales and high
customer concentration; risks associated with competition and
competitive pricing pressures; risks associated with investing in new
businesses; risks of dependence on third-party VLSI fabrication
facilities; risks related to intellectual property rights and
litigation; risks in technology development and commercialization; and
other risks detailed in TranSwitch's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
TranSwitch is a registered trademark of TranSwitch Corporation.