424B3 1 prosp16079dec-10.txt PROSPECTUS 160794 424(b)(3) File #333-160794 PROSPECTUS CEL-SCI CORPORATION Common Stock CEL-SCI Corporation may offer from time to time shares of common stock, preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, promissory notes, convertible notes, rights, warrants, or securities issuable upon the exercise of warrants at an initial offering price not to exceed $34,000,000, at prices and on terms to be determined at or prior to the time of sale in light of market conditions at the time of sale. Specific terms pertaining to the securities offered by this prospectus will be set forth in one or more accompanying prospectus supplements, together with the terms of the offering and the initial price and the net proceeds to CEL-SCI from the sale. The prospectus supplement will set forth, without limitation, the number of shares of common stock or warrants and the terms of the offering and sale of such securities. CEL-SCI may sell the securities offered by this prospectus directly, through agents designated from time to time, or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents of CEL-SCI or any underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of the securities, the names of the agents, underwriters or dealers, any applicable commissions and discounts, and the net proceeds to the Company will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. CEL-SCI may not use this prospectus to complete sales of its securities unless this prospectus is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. The securities offered by this prospectus are speculative and involve a high degree of risk and should be purchased only by persons who can afford to lose their entire investment. For a description of certain important factors that should be considered by prospective investors, see "Risk Factors" beginning on page 14 of CEL-SCI's September 30, 2010 annual report on Form 10-K, which report is incorporated by reference. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Date of this Prospectus is December 9, 2010 PROSPECTUS CEL-SCI Corporation (CEL-SCI) was formed as a Colorado corporation in 1983. CEL-SCI's principal office is located at 8229 Boone Boulevard, Suite 802, Vienna, VA 22182. CEL-SCI's telephone number is 703-506-9460 and its web site is www.cel-sci.com. CEL-SCI makes its electronic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports available on its website free of charge as soon as practicable after they are filed or furnished to the SEC. CEL-SCI may offer from time to time shares of common stock, preferred stock, promissory notes, convertible notes, rights and warrants at an initial offering price not to exceed $34,000,000, at prices and on terms to be determined at or prior to the time of sale in light of market conditions at the time of sale. CEL-SCI may not use this prospectus to complete sales of its securities unless this prospectus is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. See the "Plan of Distribution" section of this prospectus for additional information concerning the manner in which CEL-SCI's securities may be offered. For information concerning CEL-SCI's business, risk factors pertaining to an investment in CEL-SCI, the market price of CEL-SCI's common stock, financial condition, management and principal shareholders, see CEL-SCI's report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010, which report is incorporated by reference. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION CEL-SCI may sell shares of its common stock, preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, promissory notes, convertible notes, rights, or warrants in and/or outside the United States: (i) through underwriters or dealers; (ii) directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; or (iii) through agents. The applicable prospectus supplement with respect to the offered securities will set forth the name or names of any underwriters or agents, if any, the purchase price of the offered securities and the proceeds to CEL-SCI from such sale, any delayed delivery arrangements, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters' compensation, any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any compensation paid to a placement agent. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. Notwithstanding the above, the maximum commission or discount to be received by any NASD member or independent broker-dealer will not be greater than 10% in connection with the sale of any securities offered by means of this prospectus or any related prospectus supplement, exclusive of any non-accountable expense allowance. Any securities issued by CEL-SCI to any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer in connection with an offering of CEL-SCI's securities will be considered underwriting compensation and may be restricted from sale, transfer, assignment, or hypothecation for a number of months following the effective date of the offering, except to officers or partners (not directors) of any underwriter or member of a selling group and/or their officers or partners. 2 CEL-SCI's securities may be sold: o At a fixed price. o As the result of the exercise of warrants or the conversion of preferred shares, and at fixed or varying prices, as determined by the terms of the warrants, or convertible securities. o At varying prices in at the market offerings. o In privately negotiated transactions, at fixed prices which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. If underwriters are used in the sale, the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. The underwriter or underwriters with respect to a particular underwritten offering of securities to be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering and, if an underwriting syndicate is used, the managing underwriter or underwriters will be set forth on the cover of such prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if any are purchased. If dealers are utilized in the sale of offered securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, CEL-SCI will sell the offered securities to the dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell the offered securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the securities sold to the dealers. If an agent is used in an offering of offered securities, the agent will be named, and the terms of the agency will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, an agent will act on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. The securities may be sold directly by CEL-SCI to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities purchased by the institutional investors. The terms of any of the sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. CEL-SCI may permit agents or underwriters to solicit offers to purchase its securities at the public offering price set forth in a prospectus supplement pursuant to a delayed delivery arrangement providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Any delayed delivery contract, when issued, will contain definite fixed price and quantity terms. The obligations of any purchaser pursuant to a delayed delivery contract will not be subject to any market outs or other conditions other than the condition that the 3 delayed delivery contract will not violate applicable law. In the event the securities underlying the delayed delivery contract are sold to underwriters at the time of performance of the delayed delivery contract, those securities will be sold to those underwriters. Each delayed delivery contract shall be subject to CEL-SCI's approval. CEL-SCI will pay the commission indicated in the prospectus supplement to underwriters or agents soliciting purchases of securities pursuant to delayed delivery arrangements accepted by CEL-SCI. Notwithstanding the above, while prospectus supplements may provide specific offering terms, or add to or update information contained in this prospectus, any fundamental changes to the offering terms will be made by means of a post-effective amendment. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be entitled under agreements entered into with CEL-SCI to indemnification from CEL-SCI against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments made by such agents, dealers or underwriters. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES Common Stock CEL-SCI is authorized to issue 450,000,000 shares of common stock, (the "common stock"). Holders of common stock are each entitled to cast one vote for each share held of record on all matters presented to shareholders. Cumulative voting is not allowed; hence, the holders of a majority of the outstanding common stock can elect all directors. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor and, in the event of liquidation, to share pro rata in any distribution of CEL-SCI's assets after payment of liabilities. The board is not obligated to declare a dividend. It is not anticipated that dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. Holders of common stock do not have preemptive rights to subscribe to additional shares if issued by CEL-SCI. There are no conversion, redemption, sinking fund or similar provisions regarding the common stock. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable and all of the shares of common stock offered as a component of the Units will be, upon issuance, fully paid and non-assessable. Preferred Stock CEL-SCI is authorized to issue up to 200,000 shares of preferred stock. CEL-SCI's Articles of Incorporation provide that the Board of Directors has the authority to divide the preferred stock into series and, within the limitations provided by Colorado statute, to fix by resolution the voting power, designations, preferences, and relative participation, special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the shares of any series so established. As the Board of Directors has authority to establish the terms of, 4 and to issue, the preferred stock without shareholder approval, the preferred stock could be issued to defend against any attempted takeover of CEL-SCI. As of the date of this prospectus, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding. Transfer Agent Computershare Trust Company, Inc., of Denver, Colorado, is the transfer agent for CEL-SCI's common stock. INDEMNIFICATION CEL-SCI's bylaws authorize indemnification of a director, officer, employee or agent of CEL-SCI against expenses incurred by him in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding to which he is named a party by reason of his having acted or served in such capacity, except for liabilities arising from his own misconduct or negligence in performance of his duty. In addition, even a director, officer, employee, or agent of CEL-SCI who was found liable for misconduct or negligence in the performance of his duty may obtain such indemnification if, in view of all the circumstances in the case, a court of competent jurisdiction determines such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, or persons controlling CEL-SCI pursuant to the foregoing provisions, CEL-SCI has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CEL-SCI is subject to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of l934 and is required to file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of any such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by CEL-SCI can be read and copied at the Commission's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding CEL-SCI. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov. CEL-SCI will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, including any beneficial owner, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference below (other than exhibits to these documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus). Requests should be directed to: CEL-SCI Corporation 8229 Boone Blvd., #802 Vienna, Virginia 22182 (703) 506-9460 5 The following documents filed with the Commission by CEL-SCI (Commission File No. 1-11889) are incorporated by reference into this prospectus: o Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 All documents filed with the Commission by CEL-SCI pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and to be a part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. Investors are entitled to rely upon information in this prospectus or incorporated by reference at the time it is used by CEL-SCI to offer and sell securities, even though that information may be superseded or modified by information subsequently incorporated by reference into this prospectus. CEL-SCI has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement under the Securities Act of l933, as amended, with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement. For further information with respect to CEL-SCI and such securities, reference is made to the Registration Statement and to the exhibits filed with the Registration Statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other documents are summaries which are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. The Registration Statement and related exhibits may also be examined at the Commission's internet site.