Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration No. 333-160966

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED MARCH 4, 2010

 

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement

(To Prospectus dated July 31, 2009)

 

$          

 

 

Baxter International Inc.

     % Senior Notes due 2013

 

     % Senior Notes due 2020

 

 

 

 

We are offering $      aggregate principal amount of     % Senior Notes due 2013 (the “2013 Notes”) and $      aggregate principal amount of     % Senior Notes due 2020 (the ‘‘2020 Notes”). Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on           and           of each year, beginning on          . The 2013 Notes will mature on          , 2013. The 2020 Notes will mature on          , 2020. We may at our option redeem the notes, at any time, in whole or in part, at a “make whole” redemption price as described in the section of this prospectus supplement entitled “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption.” If a change of control triggering event as described in this prospectus supplement occurs, we will be required to offer to purchase the notes from the holders as described in the section of this prospectus supplement entitled “Description of the Notes — Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event.”

 

The notes will be our general senior unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank equal in priority with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness.

 

 

Investing in the notes involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

Currently, there is no public market for the notes. The notes will not be listed on any national securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company and its participants, including Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, on or about March   , 2010.

Joint Book-Runners

 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is          .

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Before making a decision to invest in the notes, you should read this entire prospectus supplement, including the section entitled “Risk Factors,” as well as the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus that are described in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters 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, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the respective dates of those documents in which the information is contained. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

Unless we have indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references to “Baxter,” “we,” “us,” and “our” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are to Baxter International Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

Issuer		Baxter International Inc., a Delaware corporation
Notes Offered		$      aggregate principal amount of     % Senior Notes due 2013.
		$      aggregate principal amount of     % Senior Notes due 2020.
Maturity		The 2013 Notes will mature on          , 2013.
		The 2020 Notes will mature on          , 2020.
Interest		Interest on the 2013 Notes will accrue from the date of their issuance at the rate of     % per annum.
		Interest on the 2020 Notes will accrue from the date of their issuance at the rate of     % per annum.
Interest Payment Dates		Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on           and           of each year. The first interest payment on the notes will be made on          , 2010.
Ranking		The notes are senior unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of ours and rank equal in priority with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness. See the section of this prospectus supplement entitled “Description of the Notes — Ranking.”
Optional Redemption		We may at our option redeem the notes, at any time, in whole or in part, at a “make whole” redemption price as described in the section of this prospectus supplement entitled “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption.”
Change of Control Triggering Event		Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, as defined under “Description of the Notes — Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event,” we will be required to make an offer to repurchase the notes at a price equal to 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of repurchase.
Certain Covenants		The indenture governing the notes contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to create liens on our assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. See the section in the accompanying prospectus entitled “Description of Debt Securities — Certain Covenants.”
Further Issuances		We reserve the right, from time to time, without the consent of the holders of either series of notes, to issue additional notes of either series on terms and conditions substantially identical to those of the notes of such series (except for the issue date and in some cases, the initial interest payment date), so that such additional

		notes will increase the aggregate principal amount of, and will be consolidated and form a single series with the notes of such series and will otherwise have the same terms as the notes of such series.
Use of Proceeds		We will use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes for general corporate purposes, including the refinancing of indebtedness.
Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent		The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association).
Governing Law		The indenture and the notes will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

Before you decide to invest in the notes, you should carefully consider the following risk factors as well as the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. See the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

The notes are our obligations and not obligations of our subsidiaries and will be effectively subordinated to the claims of our subsidiaries’ creditors.

 

The notes are exclusively our obligations and not obligations of our subsidiaries. We are a holding company and, accordingly, we conduct substantially all of our operations through our subsidiaries. As a result, our cash flow and our ability to service our debt, including the notes, depends upon the earnings and operating capital requirements of our subsidiaries. We depend on the distribution of earnings, loans or other payments by our subsidiaries to us. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the notes or to make any funds available to us for such payment, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or other payments. The ability of our subsidiaries to make any payments to us will depend on our subsidiaries’ earnings, business and tax considerations and any legal restrictions.

 

As a result of our structure, the notes will effectively rank junior to all existing and future indebtedness, trade payables and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. Our right to receive any assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization, and therefore the right of holders of the notes to participate in those assets, will be subject to the prior claims of our subsidiaries’ creditors, including trade creditors. In addition, even if we were a creditor of any of our subsidiaries, our rights as a creditor would be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of our subsidiaries and any indebtedness of our subsidiaries senior to that held by us.

 

An active trading market for the notes may not develop.

 

Currently there is no public market for the notes and we do not plan to list the notes on any national securities exchange or automated dealer quotation system. As a result, an active trading market for the notes may not develop or, if one does develop, it may not be sustained. If an active trading market for the notes fails to develop or cannot be sustained, the trading price and liquidity of the notes could be adversely affected.

 

The liquidity of any trading market in the notes, and the market price quoted for the notes, also may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for these securities and by changes in our financial performance or prospects. In addition, we may determine from time to time in the future to purchase the notes through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers or otherwise, which would create a more limited market for the notes.

 

We could enter into various transactions that could increase the amount of our outstanding indebtedness, adversely affect our capital structure or credit ratings, or otherwise adversely affect holders of the notes.

 

The indenture governing the notes does not generally prevent us from entering into a variety of acquisition, change of control, refinancing, recapitalization or other highly leveraged transactions. As a result, we could enter into any such transaction even though the transaction could increase the total amount of our outstanding indebtedness, adversely affect our capital structure or credit ratings, or otherwise adversely affect the holders of the notes.

 

We may not be able to repurchase all of the notes upon a change of control triggering event, which would result in a default under the notes.

 

We will be required to offer to repurchase the notes upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event as provided in the indenture governing the notes. However, we may not have sufficient funds to repurchase the notes in cash at such time. In addition, our ability to repurchase the notes for cash may be limited by law or the terms of other agreements relating to our indebtedness outstanding at the time. The failure to make such repurchase would result in a default under the notes.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “expect,” and similar expressions. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including assumptions concerning:

 

 

 

Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.

 

We estimate the net proceeds to us from the sale of the notes will be approximately $      million, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes for general corporate purposes, including the refinancing of indebtedness.

 

The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the years indicated:

 

 

 

 

“Income from continuing operations before income taxes” includes certain significant items as follows:

 

 

Please refer to the financial statements and financial information incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus for more information relating to the foregoing. See the section of the accompanying prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

The following description is a summary of the terms of the notes being offered by this prospectus supplement and supplements the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities contained in the accompanying prospectus and, to the extent it is inconsistent, replaces the description in the accompanying prospectus. The descriptions in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain a description of certain terms of the notes and the indenture under which the notes will be issued, but do not purport to be complete. The descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the indenture, dated as of August 8, 2006, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association), as trustee and supplemental indenture No. 6 to be entered into between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. A copy of the indenture is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the registration statement relating to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and you should refer to the indenture for provisions that may be important to you.

 

General

 

We will issue the notes under the indenture, dated as of August 8, 2006, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association), as trustee, and to be amended and supplemented by supplemental indenture No. 6 to be entered into between us and the trustee (as so amended and supplemented, the “indenture”). The indenture has been qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The terms of the indenture are those provided in the indenture and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act. The notes will constitute debt securities under the indenture as described in the accompanying prospectus. In addition to the notes, we may issue, from time to time, other series of debt securities under the indenture. Such other series will be separate from and independent of the notes.

 

We will issue two series of notes. We will initially issue a total of $      aggregate principal amount of notes that will mature on          , 2013 and $      aggregate principal amount of notes that will mature on     , 2020.

 

We may, from time to time, without the consent of the holders of either series of notes, issue additional notes of either series on terms and conditions substantially identical to those of the notes of such series (except for the issue date, and in some cases, the initial interest payment date) so that such additional notes will increase the aggregate principal amount of, and will be consolidated and form a single series with the notes of such series and will otherwise have the same terms as the notes of such series.

 

The 2013 Notes will bear interest at a rate of     % per annum. The 2020 Notes will bear interest at a rate of     % per annum. Interest on the notes will be payable semi-annually on           and           of each year beginning     . We will make each interest payment to the holders of record of the notes as of the close of business on the immediately preceding      and      (whether or not a business day). Interest on the notes will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

If any interest payment date falls on a day that is not a business day, payment will be made on the next succeeding business day, and no interest will accrue for the period from and after the interest payment date to the next succeeding business day. As used in this prospectus supplement, the term “business day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by or pursuant to law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

Each series of notes will be issued in the form of one or more global securities registered in the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (which we may refer to along with its successors in such capacity as the depositary). The notes will only be issued in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Payments on notes issued as a global security will be made to the depositary, the nominee of the depositary or in the event that no depositary is used, to a paying agent for the notes. See the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities — Book-Entry Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.

With certain exceptions and pursuant to certain requirements set forth in the indenture, we may discharge our obligations under the indenture with respect to the notes as described in the sections entitled “Description of Debt Securities — Satisfaction and Discharge” and “— Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

The notes will not be subject to a sinking fund provision.

 

Ranking

 

The notes are our direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank equal in priority of payment with all of our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness. At December 31, 2009, we had approximately $4.14 billion of senior unsecured indebtedness outstanding. In addition to the notes, we may issue other series of debt securities under the indenture. There is no limit on the total aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we can issue under the indenture.

 

The notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries. See “Risk Factors” above and the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities — Ranking” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Optional Redemption

 

The notes will be redeemable in whole at any time or in part, from time to time, at our option, at a “make whole” redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes to be redeemed (not including any portion of the payment of interest accrued as of the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate, as defined below, plus           basis points in the case of the 2013 Notes and      basis points in the case of the 2020 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

 

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the notes to be redeemed.

 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if we obtain fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

 

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers that we shall appoint.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealers” means (1) Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. and their respective successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. government securities dealer (“Primary Treasury Dealer”), we shall substitute another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a Primary Treasury Dealer, and (2) at our option, additional Primary Treasury Dealers selected by us.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by us, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to us by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

To exercise our option to redeem the notes, we will give each holder of notes to be redeemed a notice in writing at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date. If we elect to redeem fewer than all the notes of a series, the trustee will select the particular notes to be redeemed by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate and in accordance with the indenture.

 

Unless a default occurs in payment of the redemption price, from and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event

 

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, unless we have exercised our option to redeem the notes as described above, we will be required to make an offer (the “Change of Control Offer”) to each holder of the notes to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that holder’s notes on the terms set forth in the notes. In the Change of Control Offer, we will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes repurchased to the date of repurchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event or, at our option, prior to any Change of Control, but after public announcement of the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control, a notice will be mailed to holders of the notes describing the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the notes on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”). The notice will, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.

 

On the Change of Control Payment Date, we will, to the extent lawful:

 

 

We will not be required to comply with the obligations relating to repurchasing the notes if a third party instead satisfies them. In addition, we will not repurchase any notes if there has occurred and is continuing on the Change of Control Payment Date an event of default under the indenture with respect to such notes, other than a default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment upon a Change of Control Triggering Event.

 

We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), and any other securities laws and regulations applicable to the repurchase of the notes. To the extent that the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with the change of control offer provisions of the notes, we will comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the change of control offer provisions of the notes by virtue of any such conflict.

 

If a Change of Control Offer is made, there can be no assurance that we will have available funds sufficient to make the Change of Control Payment for all of the notes that may be tendered for repurchase.

 

For purposes of the change of control offer provisions of the notes, the following terms will be applicable:

 

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than us or one of our subsidiaries, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or

indirectly, of more than 50% of our Voting Stock or other Voting Stock into which our Voting Stock is reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, (2) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to one or more “persons” (as that term is defined in the indenture), other than us or one of our subsidiaries, (3) the adoption of a plan relating to our liquidation or dissolution, or (4) the replacement of a majority of our board of directors over a two-year period from the directors who constituted our board of directors at the beginning of such period, and such replacement directors shall not have been approved by at least a majority of our board of directors then still in office (either by a specific vote or by approval of a proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director) who either were members of such board of directors at the beginning of such period or whose election as a member of such board of directors was previously so approved. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to be a Change of Control if (1) we become a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (2)(A) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of our Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (B) immediately following that transaction no “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than a holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such holding company.

 

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Event.

 

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement Rating Agency or Rating Agencies.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P, and (2) if either Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the notes or fails to make a rating of the notes publicly available for reasons outside of our control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by us (as certified by a resolution of our board of directors) as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both of them, as the case may be.

 

“Rating Event” means, with respect to any series of the notes, the rating on such notes is lowered by each of the Rating Agencies and such notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any day within the 60-day period (which 60-day period will be extended so long as the rating of such notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies but no longer than 180 days) after the earlier of (1) the occurrence of a Change of Control and (2) public notice of our intention to effect a Change of Control; provided, however, that a Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus will not be deemed a Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the trustee in writing at our or its request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control has occurred at the time of the Rating Event).

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

 

“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any specified “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), as of any date, the capital stock of such person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of such person.

 

The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of “all or substantially all” of our

assets and the assets of our subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of such phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of the notes to require us to repurchase that holder’s notes as a result of the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to one or more persons may be uncertain.

 

Under clause (4) of the definition of Change of Control, a change of control will occur if a majority of our board of directors is replaced over a two year period by directors who have not been “approved” by the directors then in office. Under a recent Delaware Chancery Court interpretation of a similar provision, our board of directors could approve a slate of shareholder-nominated directors without endorsing them, while simultaneously recommending and endorsing its own slate. Accordingly, under such interpretation, our board of directors could approve a slate of directors that includes a majority of dissident directors nominated pursuant to a proxy contest, and the ultimate election of such dissident slate would not constitute a “Change of Control” that would trigger a holder’s right to require us to repurchase the holder’s notes as described above.

 

Our obligation to purchase the notes following a Change of Control Triggering Event is subject to the provisions described in the accompanying prospectus described in the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities — Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.”

 

Book-Entry and Settlement

 

Each series of the notes will be represented by one or more fully registered global notes that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), the depositary for the notes, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. All interests in the global notes will be subject to the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream, Luxembourg”). A description of DTC’s procedures is set forth in the accompanying prospectus under the heading “Description of Debt Securities — Book-Entry Securities.”

 

Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear hold interests on behalf of their participating organizations through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream, Luxembourg’s and Euroclear’s names on the books of their respective depositaries, which hold those interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC. At the present time, Citibank, N.A. acts as U.S. depositary for Clearstream, Luxembourg and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. acts as U.S. depositary for Euroclear (the “U.S. Depositaries”).

 

Clearstream, Luxembourg holds securities for its participating organizations (“Clearstream Participants”) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream, Luxembourg provides to Clearstream Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream, Luxembourg interfaces with domestic markets in several countries.

 

Clearstream, Luxembourg is registered as a bank in Luxembourg, and as such is subject to regulation by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier and the Banque Centrale du Luxembourg, which supervise and oversee the activities of Luxembourg banks. Clearstream, Luxembourg participants are world-wide financial institutions including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations, and may include the underwriters or their affiliates. Indirect access to Clearstream, Luxembourg is available to other institutions that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream, Luxembourg participant. Clearstream, Luxembourg has established an electronic bridge with Euroclear as the operator of the Euroclear system (the “Euroclear Operator”) in Brussels to facilitate settlement of trades between Clearstream, Luxembourg and the Euroclear Operator.

 

Distributions with respect to the notes held beneficially through Clearstream, Luxembourg will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Clearstream, Luxembourg.

Euroclear holds securities and book-entry interests in securities for participating organizations (“Euroclear Participants”) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Euroclear Participants and between Euroclear Participants and participants of certain other securities intermediaries through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of such participants or other securities intermediaries. Euroclear provides Euroclear Participants, among other things, with safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement, securities lending and borrowing, and related services. Euroclear Participants are investment banks, securities brokers and dealers, banks, central banks, supranationals, custodians, investment managers, corporations, trust companies and certain other organizations, and may include the underwriters or their affiliates. Non-participants in Euroclear may hold and transfer beneficial interests in a global note through accounts with a participant in the Euroclear system or any other securities intermediary that holds a book-entry interest in a global note through one or more securities intermediaries standing between such other securities intermediary and Euroclear.

 

Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear system and applicable Belgian law (collectively, the “Terms and Conditions”). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.

 

Distributions with respect to notes held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Euroclear.

 

Transfers between Euroclear Participants and Clearstream, Luxembourg Participants will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures. Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the global notes described herein or in the accompanying prospectus, cross-market transfers between direct participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear Participants or Clearstream Participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, by its U.S. Depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (European time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. Depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the global note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day fund settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear Participants and Clearstream Participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. Depositaries.

 

Due to time zone differences, the securities accounts of a Euroclear or Clearstream Participant purchasing an interest in a global note from a direct participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear Participant or Clearstream Participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as a result of sales of interests in a global note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream Participant to a direct participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg following DTC’s settlement date.

 

The information in this section concerning Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg and their book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of that information.

Although Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the global notes among Euroclear Participants and Clearstream, Luxembourg Participants, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither we nor the underwriters take any responsibility for the performance by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or their respective participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

 

The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent

 

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association) will be the trustee, registrar and paying agent with respect to the notes.

 

We and the underwriters named below, for whom Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. are acting as representatives, have entered into an underwriting agreement relating to the offering and sale of the notes. In the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter, and each underwriter has agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of the notes set forth opposite the name of that underwriter below:

 

The obligations of the underwriters under the underwriting agreement, including their agreement to purchase the notes from us, are several and not joint. Those obligations are also subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the notes if any of them are purchased. We will deliver the notes to the underwriters at the closing of this offering when the underwriters pay us the purchase price for the notes. The offering of the notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

 

In the underwriting agreement, we have agreed that we will indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute in respect of these liabilities.

 

We estimate that the offering expenses payable by us in connection with the issuance of the notes, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $          . The underwriters have agreed to make a payment to us of $          , in reimbursement of a portion of the estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the issuance of the notes.

 

The notes are new issues of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes. However, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making at any time in their sole discretion. Therefore, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for the notes, that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

 

The underwriters initially propose to offer the notes directly to the public at the offering prices described on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, and to certain dealers at prices that represent a concession not in excess of     % of the principal amount of the notes. Any underwriter may allow, and any such dealer may re-allow, a concession not in excess of     % of the principal amount of the notes to certain other dealers. After the initial offering of the notes, the underwriters may from time to time vary the offering prices and other selling terms.

 

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell the notes in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater principal amount of an applicable series of notes than they are required to purchase in the offering. The underwriters may close out any short position by purchasing such notes in the open market. A short position is more likely to be created if underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the applicable series of notes in the open market prior to the completion of the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of the notes made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering. Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions may have the effect of preventing or slowing a

decline in the market price of such notes. Additionally, these purchases may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the notes. As a result, the price of the notes may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the underwriters or their affiliates have repurchased notes sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

 

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates perform investment banking and other capital markets services for us in the ordinary course of business. They have received customary fees and commissions for these services. In addition, certain affiliates of the underwriters are, among other things, lenders under our credit facility dated December 20, 2006.

 

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments.

 

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each underwriter has represented and agreed that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) it has not made and will not make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the notes which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

(a) to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

(b) to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000; and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;

 

(c) to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives; or

 

(d) in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by us of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of notes to the public” in relation to any notes in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the notes, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

 

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

 

(a) it has only communicated, or caused to be communicated, and will only communicate, or cause to be communicated, any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) (the “FSMA”)), received by

it in connection with the issue or sale of the notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and

 

(b) it has complied, and will comply, with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

Each underwriter has agreed that it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell the notes in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

 

The notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the “Financial Instruments and Exchange Law”) and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

 

This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore and each underwriter has agreed that it may not offer or sell the notes or make the notes the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase nor may it circulate or distribute this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

 

Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

 

Stephanie A. Shinn, Baxter’s Corporate Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, will pass upon certain legal matters for us with respect to the notes. Ms. Shinn owns shares of, or options on, Baxter common stock as a participant in various stock and employee benefit plans. Certain legal matters for the underwriters with respect to the notes will be passed upon by Sidley Austin LLP, Chicago, Illinois. Sidley Austin LLP has represented us from time to time on various unrelated legal matters.

PROSPECTUS

 

 

Baxter International Inc.

 

Debt Securities

 

By this prospectus, we may offer debt securities from time to time.

 

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these debt securities. We will provide you with the specific terms and the offering prices of these debt securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated and deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus, carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell debt securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement or a free writing prospectus.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission 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.

 

 

We may sell these securities on a continuous or delayed basis directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. We reserve the sole right to accept, and together with any agents, dealers and underwriters, reserve the right to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of securities. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable commissions or discounts. Our net proceeds from the sale of securities also will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

This prospectus is dated July 31, 2009.

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus. Baxter International Inc. has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents, as applicable. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized, or in which the person is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus

 

 

This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Under the shelf registration process, we may, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, sell debt securities under this prospectus.

 

The exhibits to our registration statement contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus. Since these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we offer, you should review the full text of these documents. The registration statement and the exhibits can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the debt securities we may offer. Each time we sell debt securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of the offering, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the debt securities 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 the additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before making an investment decision.

 

References in this prospectus to Baxter, we, us and our are to Baxter International Inc. and its subsidiaries, except as otherwise indicated.

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Information about us, including our SEC filings, is also available through our website at http://www.baxter.com. However, information on our website is not a part of this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed by us with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits filed with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement and its exhibits for more information.

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” in this prospectus information that we file with it, which means that we are disclosing important business and financial information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in documents filed earlier with the SEC or contained in this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents filed by us listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prior to the termination of the offering under this prospectus; provided, however, that we are not incorporating, in each case, any documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules:

 

 

You may also request a copy of those filings, excluding exhibits unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference, at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

 

Corporate Secretary

Baxter International Inc.

One Baxter Parkway

Deerfield, Illinois 60015

(847) 948-2000

 

Baxter International Inc. was incorporated under Delaware law in 1931. Baxter develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma and other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide. These products are used by hospitals, kidney dialysis centers, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, doctors’ offices, clinical and medical research laboratories, and by patients at home under physician supervision.

 

The BioScience, Medication Delivery and Renal segments comprise Baxter’s continuing operations.

 

BioScience.  The BioScience business manufactures recombinant and plasma-based proteins to treat hemophilia and other bleeding disorders; plasma-based therapies to treat immune deficiencies, alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, burns and shock, and other chronic and acute blood-related conditions; products for regenerative medicine, such as biosurgery products and technologies used in adult stem-cell therapies; and vaccines.

 

Medication Delivery.  The Medication Delivery business manufactures intravenous (IV) solutions and administration sets, premixed drugs and drug-reconstitution systems, pre-filled vials and syringes for injectable drugs, IV nutrition products, infusion pumps, and inhalation anesthetics, as well as products and services related to pharmacy compounding, drug formulation and packaging technologies.

 

Renal.  The Renal business provides products to treat end-stage renal disease, or irreversible kidney failure. The business manufactures solutions and other products for peritoneal dialysis (PD), a home-based therapy, and also distributes products for hemodialysis (HD), which is generally conducted in a hospital or clinic.

 

Baxter manufactures products in 26 countries and sells them in over 100 countries. Baxter employs about 48,500 people. Baxter’s corporate offices are located at One Baxter Parkway, Deerfield, Illinois 60015, and the telephone number is (847) 948-2000.

 

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the years and period indicated:

 

 

 

 

“Income from continuing operations before income taxes” includes certain significant items as follows:

 

 

 

Excluding these significant items, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges was 12.97, 13.25, 12.02, 7.56 and 8.04 in 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

 

Please refer to the financial statements and financial information incorporated by reference in this prospectus for more information relating to the foregoing. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, the net proceeds from the sale of the debt securities to which this prospectus relates will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include repayment and refinancing of debt, acquisitions, additions to working capital, capital expenditures, stock repurchase programs and investments in our subsidiaries. Net proceeds may be temporarily invested prior to use.

 

The debt securities will be issued under the indenture dated as of August 8, 2006 between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association), as trustee, as subsequently supplemented. We have summarized selected provisions of the indenture and the debt securities below. This summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the indenture. A copy of the indenture is filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement relating to this prospectus and you should refer to the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. For purposes of this summary, the terms “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer only to Baxter and not to any of our subsidiaries.

 

You should carefully read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and the provisions of the indenture before investing in our debt securities.

 

General

 

We may issue debt securities at any time and from time to time in one or more series without limitation on the aggregate principal amount. The indenture gives us the ability to reopen a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of the same series. We will describe the particular terms of each series of debt securities we offer in a supplement to this prospectus. If any particular terms of the debt securities described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described in this prospectus, then the terms described in the applicable prospectus supplement will supercede the terms described in this prospectus. The terms of our debt securities will include those set forth in the indenture and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities will be payable, and the transfer of debt securities will be registrable, at any office or agency maintained by Baxter for that purpose. The debt securities will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, redemption or repayment of the debt securities, but Baxter may require you to pay a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection with the transfer or exchange.

Terms

 

We will describe the specific terms of the series of debt securities being offered in a supplement to this prospectus. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

 

 

Any limit on the maximum total principal amount for any series of the debt securities may be increased by resolution of our board of directors. We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. If there are any special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities we sell at an original issue discount, we will describe them in the prospectus supplement. In addition, we will describe in the prospectus supplement any special United States federal income tax considerations and any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell that are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. currency.

 

Ranking

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities offered by this prospectus will:

 

 

A substantial portion of our assets are owned through our subsidiaries, many of which have significant debt or other liabilities of their own which will be structurally senior to the debt securities. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, none of our subsidiaries will have any obligations with respect to the debt securities. Therefore, Baxter’s rights and the rights of Baxter’s creditors, including holders of debt securities, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon any such subsidiary’s liquidation may be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s other creditors.

 

Subject to the exceptions, and subject to compliance with the applicable requirements set forth in the indenture, we may discharge our obligations under the indenture with respect to our debt securities as described below under “— Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.”

 

Optional Redemption

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be redeemable in whole or in part, at the option of Baxter, at any time at a redemption price set forth in the prospectus supplement to be determined at the time the debt securities are issued. Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of debt securities to be redeemed. Unless a default occurs in payment of the redemption price, from and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the debt securities or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

Certain Covenants

 

Restrictions on the creation of secured debt.  Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, Baxter will not, and will not cause or permit any restricted subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness that is secured by a security interest in any principal facilities of Baxter or any restricted subsidiary or in shares of stock owned directly or indirectly by Baxter in any restricted subsidiary or in indebtedness for money borrowed by one of its restricted subsidiaries from Baxter or another of the restricted subsidiaries (“secured debt”) unless the debt securities then outstanding and any other indebtedness of or guaranteed by Baxter or such restricted subsidiary then entitled to be so secured is secured equally and ratably

with or prior to any and all other obligations and indebtedness thereby secured, with exceptions as listed in the indenture. These restrictions do not apply to indebtedness secured by:

 

 

 

For purposes of the indenture, “principal facilities” are any manufacturing plants, warehouses, office buildings and parcels of real property owned by Baxter or any restricted subsidiary, provided each such facility has a gross book value, without deduction for any depreciation reserves, in excess of 2% of Baxter’s consolidated net tangible assets other than any facility that is determined by Baxter’s board of directors to not be of material importance to the business conducted by Baxter and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. For purposes of the indenture, “consolidated net tangible assets” are the total amount of assets that would be included on Baxter’s consolidated balance sheet under generally accepted accounting principles after deducting all short-term liabilities and liability items, except for indebtedness payable more than one year from the date of incurrence and all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and unamortized expense incurred in the issuance of debt and other like intangibles, except for prepaid royalties.

 

Notwithstanding the limitations on secured debt described above, Baxter and any restricted subsidiary may create, incur, assume or guarantee secured debt, without equally and ratably securing the debt securities, provided that the sum of such secured debt and all other secured debt entered into after the date of the indenture, other than secured debt permitted as described in the bullet points above, does not exceed 15% of Baxter’s consolidated net tangible assets.

 

For purposes of the indenture, a “restricted subsidiary” is any corporation in which Baxter owns voting securities entitling it to elect a majority of the directors and which is either designated as a restricted subsidiary in accordance with the indenture or:

 

 

Restrictions on Mergers, Consolidations and Transfers of Assets.  Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, Baxter will not consolidate with or merge into or sell, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its respective properties and assets to another person unless:

 

 

Upon any of the consolidation, merger or transfer, the successor corporation will be substituted for Baxter under the indenture. The successor corporation may then exercise all of the powers and rights of Baxter under the indenture, and Baxter will be released from all of its obligations and covenants under the debt securities and the indenture. If Baxter leases all or substantially all of its assets, the lessee corporation will be the successor and may exercise all of the respective powers and rights under the indenture but Baxter will not be released from its obligations and covenants under the debt securities and the indenture.

Events of Default

 

The indenture defines an “event of default” with respect to any series of debt securities. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, each of the following will be an event of default under the indenture for any series of debt securities:

 

 

Additional or different events of default applicable to a series of debt securities may be described in a prospectus supplement. An event of default under one series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default under any other series of debt securities. The indenture provides that, within 90 days after the occurrence of any default with respect to a series of debt securities, the trustee will mail to all holders of debt securities of such series notice of the default, unless the default has been cured or waived. However, the indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice of a default with respect to a series of debt securities, except a default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, if the trustee considers it in the best interest of the holders to do so. In the case of a default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty in the indenture or in respect of a series of debt securities, no notice will be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence of the default or breach. As used in this paragraph, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an event of default with respect to a series of debt securities.

 

The indenture provides that if an event of default, other than an event of default relating to events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, with respect to a series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, the debt securities in that series to be due and payable immediately. The indenture also provides that if an event of default relating to events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to a series of debt securities occurs then the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all the debt securities of that series will automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of the debt securities. However, upon specified conditions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may rescind and annul an acceleration of the debt securities of that series and its consequences.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 requiring the trustee, during the continuance of an event of default under the indenture, to act with the requisite standard of care, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities unless those holders have offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by taking such action.

 

Subject to this requirement, holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series.

The indenture requires the annual filing with the trustee of a certificate signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of Baxter that states whether Baxter is in default under the terms, provisions or conditions of the indenture.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of the indenture, the holder of a debt security will have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on that debt security on the respective due dates for those payments and to institute suit for the enforcement of those payments, and this right will not be impaired without the consent of the holder.

 

Modification and Waivers

 

The indenture permits Baxter and the trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series affected by a modification or amendment, to modify or amend any of the provisions of the indenture or of the debt securities or the rights of the holders of the debt securities under the indenture. However, no modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected by the modification or amendment, among other things:

 

 

The indenture also contains provisions permitting Baxter and the trustee, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, to modify or amend the indenture, among other things:

 

 

 

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities may waive our compliance with some of the restrictive provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities, waive any past default under the indenture with respect to the debt securities and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities or a default in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security.

 

In order to determine whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding debt securities have taken an action under an indenture as of a specified date:

 

 

Satisfaction and Discharge

 

Upon the direction of Baxter, the indenture will cease to be of further effect with respect to any debt security specified, subject to the survival of specified provisions of the indenture, when:

 

 

 

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

 

Baxter may elect with respect to the debt securities issued under the indenture either

 

 

 

 

in either case upon the irrevocable deposit by Baxter with the trustee, or other qualifying trustee, in trust for that purpose, of an amount in United States dollars and/or government obligations which, through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the due dates for those payments.

 

The defeasance or covenant defeasance described above will only be effective if, among other things:

 

 

 

in either case to the effect that, and based on this ruling or change in law, the opinion of counsel will confirm that the holders of the debt securities then outstanding will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the defeasance had not occurred;

 

 

In the event covenant defeasance is effected with respect to the debt securities and those debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default other than an event of default

with respect to the covenants as to which covenant defeasance has been effected, which would no longer be applicable to the debt securities after covenant defeasance, the amount of monies and/or government obligations deposited with the trustee to effect covenant defeasance may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities at the time of any acceleration resulting from that event of default. However, Baxter would remain liable to make payment of those amounts due at the time of acceleration.

 

Book-Entry Securities

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global notes that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (“DTC”) and registered in the name of DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co. Global notes are not exchangeable for definitive note certificates except in the specific circumstances described below. For purposes of this prospectus, “Global Note” refers to the Global Note or Global Notes representing an entire issue of debt securities. So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a Global Note, DTC or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of such debt securities under the indenture. Except as provided below, you will not be entitled to have debt securities registered in your name, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in definitive form, and will not be considered the owner or holder thereof under the indenture.

 

Except as set forth below, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole or in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.

 

DTC has advised us that it is:

 

 

DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC and facilitates the settlement of transactions among its participants in such securities, through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com.

 

Purchases of debt securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each debt security will be recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. These beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participant through which the beneficial owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the debt securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in debt securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the debt securities is discontinued.

 

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all debt securities deposited by participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. will not change the beneficial ownership of the debt securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants

to whose accounts such debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

 

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

 

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the debt securities of a series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in such series to be redeemed.

 

In any case where a vote may be required with respect to the debt securities of any series, neither DTC nor its nominee will consent or vote with respect to such debt securities. Under its usual procedures DTC mails an omnibus proxy to Baxter as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts interests in the debt securities of the series are credited on the record date (identified in the listing attached to the omnibus proxy).

 

Principal and interest payments, if any, on the debt securities will be made to Cede & Co, as nominee of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts, upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from Baxter or the trustee, on the applicable payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such participant and not of DTC, Baxter or the trustee, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal and interest to Cede & Co. is the responsibility of us or the trustee. Disbursement of payments from Cede & Co. to direct participants is DTC’s responsibility. Disbursements of payments to beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

 

In any case where we have made a tender offer for the purchase of any debt securities, a beneficial owner must give notice through a participant to a tender agent to elect to have its debt securities purchased or tendered. The beneficial owner must deliver debt securities by causing the direct participants to transfer the participant’s interest in the debt securities, on DTC’s records, to a tender agent. The requirement for physical delivery of debt securities in connection with an optional tender or a mandatory purchase is satisfied when the ownership rights in the debt securities are transferred by direct participants on DTC’s records and followed by a book-entry credit of tendered debt securities to the tender agent’s DTC account.

 

We obtained the information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

 

If at any time DTC or any successor depository for the debt securities of any series notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as the depository for the debt securities of such series, or if at any time DTC or such successor depository shall no longer be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other applicable statute or regulation, we will be obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to appoint another depository for the debt securities of such series. If another depository is not appointed within 90 days, definitive note certificates will be issued in exchange for the Global Note representing the debt securities of that series.

 

We may at any time in our sole discretion determine that the debt securities of any series shall no longer be represented by the Global Note, in which case definitive note certificates will be issued in exchange for the Global Note representing the debt securities of that series.

 

Governing Law

 

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Regarding the Trustee

 

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., or any successor thereto, will serve as trustee under the indenture. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. acts as trustee under certain other indentures with Baxter and its affiliates.

 

We may sell the debt securities offered pursuant to this prospectus in any of the following ways:

 

 

We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, David P. Scharf, Baxter’s Corporate Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, will pass upon certain legal matters for us with respect to the securities. Mr. Scharf owns shares of, and options on, Baxter common stock, both directly and as a participant in various stock and employee benefit plans. Certain legal matters for the underwriters with respect to the securities will be passed upon by Sidley Austin LLP, Chicago, Illinois. Sidley Austin LLP has represented us from time to time on various unrelated legal matters.

 

The consolidated financial statements, the financial statement schedule and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting), incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Baxter International Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2008 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

With respect to the unaudited consolidated financial information of Baxter International Inc. for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, incorporated by reference in this prospectus, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reported that they have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However their separate report dated (i) May 5, 2009, with respect to the quarter ended March 31, 2009, and (ii) July 28, 2009, with respect to the quarter ended June 30, 2009, each of which is incorporated by reference herein, states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that unaudited financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their report on the unaudited financial information because those reports are not “reports” or “parts” of the registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act of 1933.