Use these links to rapidly review the document
Table of Contents

Table of Contents

As Filed With the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15, 2014

Registration No. 333-      

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

---

FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

---

Exact Sciences Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

441 Charmany Drive
Madison, WI 53719
(608) 284-5700
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

---

William J. Megan
Principal Financial Officer
Exact Sciences Corporation
441 Charmany Drive
Madison, WI 53719
(608) 284-5700
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

---

Please send copies of all communications to:
Mark R. Busch
K&L Gates LLP
214 North Tryon Street, 47^th Floor
Charlotte, N.C. 28202
(704) 331-7440

---

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by market conditions.

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

(1)

Omitted pursuant to General Instruction II.E of Form S-3.

(2)

An indeterminate number or aggregate principal amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may at various times be issued at indeterminate prices.

(3)

In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee.

(4)

In addition to any securities that may be registered hereunder, we are also registering an indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may be issued upon conversion or exercise of the securities issued directly hereunder.

   

---

Table of Contents

EXACT SCIENCES CORPORATION

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants

---

        This prospectus relates to common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants that Exact Sciences Corporation may sell from time to time in one or more offerings on terms to be determined at the time of sale. We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement for those securities.

        Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol "EXAS."

        These securities may be sold directly by us, through dealers or agents designated from time to time, to or through underwriters or through a combination of these methods. See "Plan of Distribution" in this prospectus. We may also describe the plan of distribution for any particular offering of these securities in any applicable prospectus supplement. If any agents, underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of any securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, we will disclose their names and the nature of our arrangements with them in a prospectus supplement. The net proceeds we expect to receive from any such sale will also be included in a prospectus supplement.

---

        INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. YOU SHOULD REVIEW CAREFULLY THE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES DESCRIBED UNDER THE HEADING "RISK FACTORS" CONTAINED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND ANY RELATED FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS, AND UNDER SIMILAR HEADINGS IN OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SUCH PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 4 OF THIS 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.

---

   

The date of this prospectus is December 15, 2014.

---

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

i

---

Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may from time to time sell any combination of securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

        This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the securities being offered. That prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special consideration that apply to those securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and a prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described above under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

        When acquiring any securities discussed in this prospectus, you should rely on the information provided in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference. Neither we, nor any underwriters or agents, have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not offering the securities in any state where such an offer is prohibited. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, or any document incorporated by reference, is truthful or complete at any date other than the date mentioned on the cover page of those documents. You should also carefully review the section entitled "Risk Factors", which highlights certain risks associated with an investment in our securities, to determine whether an investment in our securities is appropriate for you.

        References in this prospectus to "Exact", the "Company", "we", "us" and "our" are to Exact Sciences Corporation and its subsidiaries.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). You can inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D. C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, such as Exact Sciences Corporation (www.sec.gov). Our web site is located at www.exactsciences.com. The information contained on our web site is not part of this prospectus.

        This prospectus "incorporates by reference" certain information that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). This means we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the offering is terminated:

•

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on February 28, 2014;



•

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on May 2, 2014;



•

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 filed with the SEC on August 1, 2014;

1

---

Table of Contents

•

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 filed with the SEC on October 31, 2014;



•

The information contained in the following sections of the proxy statement for our 2014 Annual Meeting filed with the SEC on June 20, 2014: "Information Concerning Directors and Nominees for Director," "Information Concerning Executive Officers," "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance," "Corporate Governance Principles and Board Matters," "The Board of Directors and Its Committees," "Compensation and Other Information Concerning Directors and Officers," "Report of the Compensation Committee," "Equity Compensation Plan Information," "Securities Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management," "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions," "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" and "Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures;"



•

Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed on March 21, 2014, April 4, 2014, July 24, 2014 and November 14, 2014;



•

The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on January 30, 2001, including any amendment or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description (Registration No. 333-48812); and



•

The description of the Company's preferred stock purchase rights contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on February 23, 2011.

        You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus. We have authorized no one to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this document. All documents that we file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus or after the date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the termination of the offering will be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus by reference and will be a part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of the document. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement that is modified or superseded will not constitute a part of this prospectus, except as modified or superseded.

        We will provide, upon written or oral request, without charge to you, including any beneficial owner to whom this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference other than the exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this prospectus incorporates. You should direct a request for copies to us at Attention: Secretary, 441 Charmany Drive, Madison, WI 53719 or you may call us at 608.284.5700.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Certain information set forth in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, that are intended to be covered by the "safe harbor" created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "seek," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "goal," "anticipate," "project" or other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties which could

2

---

Table of Contents

cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, as a result of various factors including those risks and uncertainties described in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to consider those risks and uncertainties in evaluating our forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the applicable cautionary statements. We further caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein or in the accompanying prospectus (or elsewhere) to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

THE COMPANY

        We are a molecular diagnostics company currently focused on the early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer. We have developed Cologuard®, an accurate, non-invasive, patient-friendly screening test to meet our primary goal of becoming the market leader for the early detection of colorectal pre-cancer and cancer.

        Our Cologuard test is designed to detect pre-cancerous lesions or polyps and each of the four stages of colorectal cancer, and is expected to be a powerful preventive tool. Cologuard is a non-invasive, stool-based DNA (sDNA) screening test designed to detect DNA markers, which in published studies have been shown to be associated with colorectal cancer. In addition to DNA markers, our test includes a protein marker to detect blood in the stool, utilizing an antibody-based fecal immunochemical test (FIT).

USE OF PROCEEDS

        We currently intend to use the estimated net proceeds from the sale of these securities for general corporate and working capital purposes, including to fund our Cologuard commercialization activities and to fund our product development efforts. Accordingly, our management will have significant discretion and flexibility in applying the net proceeds from the sale of these securities. Our plans to use the estimated net proceeds from the sale of these securities may change, and if they do, we will update this information in a prospectus supplement.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        Our earnings are inadequate to cover fixed charges. The following table sets forth the dollar amount of the coverage deficiency (in thousands) for the periods indicated.

3

---

Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our securities involves risk. See the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our most recent fiscal year (together with any material changes thereto contained in subsequent filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q) and those contained in our other filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

        The prospectus supplement applicable to each type or series of securities we offer may contain a discussion of risks applicable to the particular types of securities that we are offering under that prospectus supplement. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information contained in the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. These risks could materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition and cause the value of our securities to decline. You could lose all or part of your investment.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

        We may issue from time to time, in one or more offerings, the following securities:

•

shares of common stock;



•

shares of preferred stock;



•

debt securities, which may include senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities and senior subordinated debt securities; and



•

warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock.

        Set forth below is a description of the common stock and preferred stock that may be offered under this prospectus. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus a description of the debt securities and warrants that may be offered under this prospectus. The terms of the offering of our common stock, preferred stock or any such other securities, the initial offering price and the net proceeds to us will be contained in the prospectus supplement, and other offering material, relating to such offer.

        We may sell the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus directly to purchasers, to or through underwriters, through dealers or agents, or through a combination of such methods. The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities being offered will set forth the terms of the offering of those securities, including the names of any such underwriters, dealers or agents, the purchase price, the net proceeds to us, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters' compensation, the initial public offering price, any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchanges on which such securities may be listed.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK WE MAY OFFER

        The following summary description of our common stock is based on the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the applicable provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. This information may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. For information on how to obtain copies of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, see the discussion above under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

4

---

Table of Contents

        We may offer our common stock issuable upon the conversion of debt securities or preferred stock and upon the exercise of warrants.

Authorized Capital

        We currently have authority to issue 200,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of December 12, 2014, 84,583,034 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding.

Voting Rights

        Each outstanding share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. There is no cumulative voting.

Dividend and Liquidation Rights

        The holders of outstanding shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends at the times and in the amounts as our board of directors may from time to time determine. The shares of our common stock are neither redeemable nor convertible. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive or subscription rights to purchase any securities of Exact. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Exact, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive pro rata the assets of Exact which are legally available for distribution, after payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any holders of preferred stock then outstanding.

        We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK WE MAY OFFER

        This section describes the general terms and provisions of the preferred stock we may offer. This information may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to our certificate of incorporation, with respect to each series of preferred stock. The specific terms of any series will be described in a prospectus supplement. Those terms may differ from the terms discussed below. Any series of preferred stock we issue will be governed by our certificate of incorporation and by the certificate of designations relating to that series. We will file the certificate of designations with the SEC and incorporate it by reference as an exhibit to our registration statement at or before the time we issue any preferred stock of that series.

Authorized Preferred Stock

        Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series, without shareholder approval, when authorized by our board of directors.

        Upon issuance of a particular series of preferred stock, our board of directors is authorized, to specify:

•

the number of shares to be included in the series;



•

the annual dividend rate for the series, if any, and any restrictions or conditions on the payment of dividends;



•

the redemption price, if any, and the terms and conditions of redemption;



•

any sinking fund provisions for the purchase or redemption of the series;



•

if the series is convertible, the terms and conditions of conversion;

5

---

Table of Contents

•

the amounts payable to holders upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and



•

any other rights, preferences and limitations relating to the series, including voting rights.

        Our board of director's ability to authorize, without shareholder approval, the issuance of preferred stock with conversion and other rights, may adversely affect the rights of holders of our common stock or other series of preferred stock that may be outstanding.

        No shares of our preferred stock are currently issued and outstanding.

Specific Terms of a Series of Preferred Stock

        The preferred stock we may offer will be issued in one or more series. The preferred stock will have the dividend, liquidation, redemption and voting rights discussed below, unless otherwise described in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular series. A prospectus supplement will discuss the following features of the series of preferred stock to which it relates:

•

the designations and stated value per share;



•

the number of shares offered;



•

the amount of liquidation preference per share;



•

the public offering price at which the preferred stock will be issued;



•

the dividend rate, the method of its calculation, the dates on which dividends would be paid and the dates, if any, from which dividends would cumulate;



•

any redemption or sinking fund provisions;



•

any conversion or exchange rights; and



•

any additional voting, dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions.

Rank

        Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will have priority over our common stock with respect to dividends and distribution of assets, but will rank junior to all our outstanding indebtedness for borrowed money. Any series of preferred stock could rank senior, equal or junior to our other capital stock, as may be specified in a prospectus supplement, as long as our certificate of incorporation so permits.

Dividends

        Holders of each series of preferred stock shall be entitled to receive cash dividends to the extent specified in the prospectus supplement when, as and if declared by our board of directors, from funds legally available for the payment of dividends. The rates and dates of payment of dividends of each series of preferred stock will be stated in the prospectus supplement. Dividends will be payable to the holders of record of preferred stock as they appear on our books on the record dates fixed by our board of directors. Dividends on any series of preferred stock may be cumulative or non-cumulative, as discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Convertibility

        Shares of a series of preferred stock may be exchangeable or convertible into shares of our common stock, another series of preferred stock or other securities or property. The conversion or exchange may be mandatory or optional. The prospectus supplement will specify whether the preferred

6

---

Table of Contents

stock being offered has any conversion or exchange features, and will describe all the related terms and conditions.

Redemption

        The terms, if any, on which shares of preferred stock of a series may be redeemed will be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Liquidation

        Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of Exact, holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive distributions upon liquidation in the amount described in the related prospectus supplement. These distributions will be made before any distribution is made on any securities ranking junior to the preferred stock with respect to liquidation, including our common stock. If the liquidation amounts payable relating to the preferred stock of any series and any other securities ranking on a parity regarding liquidation rights are not paid in full, the holders of the preferred stock of that series will share ratably in proportion to the full liquidation preferences of each security. Holders of our preferred stock will not be entitled to any other amounts from us after they have received their full liquidation preference.

Voting

        The holders of preferred stock of each series will have no voting rights, except as required by law and as described below or in a prospectus supplement. Our board of directors may, upon issuance of a series of preferred stock, grant voting rights to the holders of that series to elect additional board members if we fail to pay dividends in a timely fashion.

        Without the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of preferred stock of any series then outstanding, we may not:

•

increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of that series;



•

increase or decrease the par value of the shares of that series; or



•

alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares of that series so as to affect them adversely.

No Other Rights

        The shares of a series of preferred stock will not have any preferences, voting powers or relative, participating, optional or other special rights except:

•

as discussed above or in the prospectus supplement;



•

as provided in our certificate of incorporation and in the certificate of designations; and

        as otherwise required by law.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus to one or more underwriters or dealers for public offering, through agents, directly to purchasers or through a combination of any such methods of sale. The name of any such underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the offer and sale of the securities, the amounts underwritten and the nature of its obligation to take the securities will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We have reserved the right to sell the securities directly to investors on our own behalf in those jurisdictions where we are authorized to do so. The sale of the securities may be effected in transactions (a) on any national or international securities

7

---

Table of Contents

exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, (b) in the over-the-counter market, (c) in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges or in the over-the-counter market or (d) through the writing of options.

        We and our agents and underwriters may offer and sell the securities at a fixed price or prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The securities may be offered on an exchange, which will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may, from time to time, authorize dealers, acting as our agents, to offer and sell the securities upon such terms and conditions as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        If we use underwriters to sell securities, we will enter into an underwriting agreement with them at the time of the sale to them. In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agent. Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement to the extent required by applicable law. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions (which may be changed from time to time) from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.

        Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase debt securities as a principal, and may then resell the debt securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.

        If so indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain specified institutions to purchase offered securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be subject to any conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts. The underwriters and other persons soliciting such contracts will have no responsibility for the validity or performance of any such contracts.

        Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution towards certain civil liabilities, including any liabilities under the Securities Act.

        To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the securities. These may include over-allotment, stabilization, syndicate short covering transactions and penalty bids. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate short covering transactions involve purchases of securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim selling concessions from dealers when the securities originally sold by the dealers are purchased in covering transactions to cover syndicate short positions. These transactions may cause the price of the securities sold in an offering to be higher than it would otherwise be. These transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time.

8

---

Table of Contents

        Any securities other than our common stock issued hereunder may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters or agents to or through whom such securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any such securities. The amount of expenses expected to be incurred by us in connection with any issuance of securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Certain of the underwriters, dealers or agents and their associates may engage in transactions with, and perform services for, us and certain of our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

        During such time as we may be engaged in a distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus we are required to comply with Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act. With certain exceptions, Regulation M precludes us, any affiliated purchasers, and any broker-dealer or other person who participates in such distribution from bidding for or purchasing, or attempting to induce any person to bid for or purchase, any security which is the subject of the distribution until the entire distribution is complete. Regulation M also restricts bids or purchases made in order to stabilize the price of a security in connection with the distribution of that security. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of our shares of common stock.

LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity and legality of the securities offered hereby and certain other legal matters will be passed upon for the Company by K&L Gates LLP, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202.

EXPERTS

        The financial statements as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

9

---

Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

        The following is an itemized statement of expenses of the Company in connection with the issuance and delivery of the securities being registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts and commissions.

Item 15.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

        The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Section 145 ("Section 145") of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended ("DGCL"), provides, among other things, that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any persons who were, are or are threatened to be made parties to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation's best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was illegal.

        Section 145 further authorizes a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise, against any liability asserted against any such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would otherwise have the power to indemnify such person under Section 145.

        The Company's certificate of incorporation provides that, except to the extent that the DGCL prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty, directors of the Company shall not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of their fiduciary duty as directors except (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a known violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper impersonal benefit. In addition, the certificate

II-1

---

Table of Contents

of incorporation of the Company provides that the Company shall indemnify each person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was, or has agreed to become, one of the Company's directors or officers or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the Company's request as a director, officer or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against all expenses, including attorney's fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

        All of the Company's directors and officers are covered by insurance policies maintained by the Company against specified liabilities for actions taken in their capacities as such, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Item 16.    Exhibits.

        The exhibits required to be filed as a part of this Registration Statement are listed in the Exhibit Index attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17.    Undertakings.

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant, pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

        (1)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

          (i)  to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

         (ii)  to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement); and

II-2

---

Table of Contents

        (iii)  to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement;

provided, however, that subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those subparagraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

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

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

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

        (5)   That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: (i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; (iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and (iv) any other

II-3

---

Table of Contents

communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

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

        (7)   That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

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

        (9)   To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

II-4

---

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Madison, State of Wisconsin, on December 15, 2014.

POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Kevin T. Conroy and William J. Megan his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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

II-5

---

Table of Contents

II-6

---

Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

---