Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) S-3ASRAutomatic shelf registration

When used in this prospectus, the “Company,” “Bristol Myers Squibb,” “BMS,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any statement made in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made in a prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the information in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as the case may be. This prospectus may not be used to sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus.

You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and free writing prospectus together with the additional information described herein under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information; Documents Incorporated by Reference.” We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information and we take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus or any documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

This prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference) contains certain “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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). You can identify these forward-looking statements by the fact they use words such as “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “project,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. One can also identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These statements are likely to relate to, among other things, our goals, plans and objectives regarding our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, market position, product development, product approvals, sales efforts, expenses, performance or results of current and anticipated products, our business development strategy, potential laws and regulations to lower drug costs, market actions taken by private and government payers to manage drug utilization and contain costs, the expiration of patents or data protection on certain products, including assumptions about our ability to retain patent exclusivity of certain products, and the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings and financial results, which are based on current expectations that involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years. Such events and factors include, but are not limited to, those listed under “Risk Factors” in the documents incorporated by reference herein, enumerated in the section “Where You Can Find More Information; Documents Incorporated by Reference” of this prospectus, including, but not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, that we believe could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed.

Although we believe that we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions, no assurance can be given that any goal or plan set forth in forward-looking statements can be achieved and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date made. Additional risks that we may currently deem immaterial or that are not presently known to us could also cause the forward-looking events discussed in this prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference) not to occur. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise after the date of this prospectus.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in August 1933 under the name Bristol-Myers Company, as successor to a New York business started in 1887. In 1989, Bristol-Myers Company changed its name to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company as a result of a merger.

We operate in one segment—Biopharmaceuticals. For additional information about our business segment, refer to “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1. Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards.” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

We are engaged in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of biopharmaceutical products on a global basis. We compete with other worldwide research-based drug companies, smaller research companies and generic drug manufacturers. Our products are sold worldwide, primarily to wholesalers, retail distributors, specialty pharmacies, and to a lesser extent, directly to retailers, hospitals, clinics and government agencies. We manufacture products in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and have significant manufacturing operations in two foreign countries. Most of our revenues come from products in the following therapeutic classes: hematology, oncology, cardiovascular and immunology.

Our principal executive offices are located at 430 E. 29th Street, 14FL, New York, New York 10016, and our telephone number is (212) 546-4000. We maintain a website at www.bms.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

An investment in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, including, in particular, the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Documents Incorporated by Reference.” Any of the risks and uncertainties set forth therein could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, which in turn could materially and adversely affect the trading price or value of our securities. As a result, you could lose all or part of your investment. Furthermore, additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations.

Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include, among other things, the repayment of debt, investments in or extensions of credit to our subsidiaries, share repurchases or the financing of possible acquisitions or business expansion. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose.

The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth general terms that may apply to the debt securities. The particular terms of any debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities.

The debt securities will be either our senior debt securities or our subordinated debt securities. The senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of June 1, 1993, as subsequently supplemented, between us and a predecessor to The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. This indenture is referred to as the “senior indenture.” The subordinated debt securities will be issued under indentures to be entered into between us and the trustees named in prospectus supplements. These indentures are referred to as the “subordinated indentures.” The senior indenture and the subordinated indentures are together called the “indentures.”

The following is a summary of the most important provisions that are in the senior indenture and will be in the subordinated indentures. Copies of the indentures are or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We encourage you to read our indentures.

None of the indentures limits the amount of debt securities that we may issue. Each indenture provides that debt securities may be issued up to the principal amount authorized by our board of directors from time to time. The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will have the same rank as all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinated and junior to all senior indebtedness.

The debt securities may be issued in one or more separate series of senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered will describe the particular amounts, prices and terms of those debt securities. These terms will include:

If any of the debt securities are sold for any foreign currency or currency unit, or if any payments on the debt securities are payable in any foreign currency or currency unit, the prospectus supplement will describe any restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information relating to the debt securities and the foreign currency or currency unit.

Some of the debt securities may be issued as original issue discount debt securities. Original issue discount securities bear no interest or bear interest at below-market rates. These are sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. If we issue these securities, the prospectus supplement will describe any special tax, accounting or other considerations relevant to these securities.

Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the corporate trust office of the security registrar or at any other office or agency which is maintained for these purposes. No service charge will be payable upon the transfer or exchange, except for any applicable tax or governmental charge.

The designated security registrar in the United States for the senior debt securities is The Bank of New York Mellon, located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286. The security registrar for any subordinated debt securities will be designated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

In the event of any redemption in part of any series of debt securities, we will not be required to issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series between the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of securities of such series selected for redemption and the close of business on the date of such mailing.

We will pay principal, interest and any premium on fully registered securities in the designated currency or currency unit at the office of the paying agent. Payment of interest on fully registered securities may be made by check mailed to the registered addresses of the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered on days specified in the indentures or any prospectus supplement.

If any amount payable on any debt security or coupon remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount became due and payable, the paying agent will release, upon our written request, any unclaimed amounts to us.

Our paying agent in the United States for the senior debt securities is The Bank of New York Mellon, located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286. We will designate the paying agent for any subordinated debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates. Those certificates will be deposited with a depositary that we will identify in a prospectus supplement. We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement relating to a series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement.

Unless we otherwise specify in a prospectus supplement, we anticipate that the following provisions will apply to our depositary arrangements:

Debt securities of a series represented by a definitive global registered security and deposited with or on behalf of a depositary in the United States will be registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. These securities are referred to as “book-entry securities.”

When a global security is issued and deposited with the depositary, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts represented by that global security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with the depositary. Institutions that have accounts with the depositary are referred to as “participants.”

Ownership of book-entry securities is limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. In addition, ownership of these securities will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or its nominee or by participants or persons that hold through other participants.

So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, that depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Payments of principal, interest and premium on those securities will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner or the holder of the global security.

The laws of some jurisdictions require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to purchase or transfer book-entry securities.

We expect that the depositary for book-entry securities of a series will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments received by the depositary or nominee in amounts proportionate to the participants’ beneficial interests as shown on the records of such depositary.

We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through the participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” The payments by participants to the owners of beneficial interests will be the responsibility of those participants.

In a few special situations described below, the global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own bank or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own name, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors below.

The prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary—and not we or the trustee—is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.

The indentures will cease to be of further effect with respect to a series of debt securities that have matured or will mature or be called for redemption within one year if, among other conditions, we deposit with the trustee enough cash to pay all principal, interest and any premium due to the stated maturity date or redemption date of the debt securities.

When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under the indenture. If we deposit with the trustee sufficient cash or government securities to pay the principal, interest and any other sums due to the stated maturity date of the debt securities, then at our option:

To make either of the above elections, we must deposit in trust with the trustee enough money to pay in full the principal, interest and premium on the debt securities. This amount may be made in cash and/or U.S. government obligations, if the debt securities are denominated in U.S. dollars. This amount may be made in cash and/or foreign government securities if the debt securities are denominated in a foreign currency. In addition, as a condition to either of the above elections, no event of default or event which with notice or lapse of time would become an event of default with respect to the applicable debt securities should have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit and we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the action, and in the case of debt securities being legally defeased as described in (1) above, a ruling to that effect from the Internal Revenue Service.

If either of the above events occurs, the holders of the debt securities of the series will not be entitled to the benefits of the indentures, except for the right to payment from the trust mentioned above of the principal and any premium of and any interest on such debt securities and rights relating to the registration of, transfer and exchange of debt securities and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities.

If a specified event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series (or, if the debt securities are original issue discount securities, such portion of the principal as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement) to be due and payable immediately.

The declaration may be annulled and past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority of the principal amount of the debt securities of that series if we satisfy certain conditions. However, payment defaults that are not cured may only be waived by all holders of the debt securities.

Each indenture defines an event of default in connection with any series of debt securities as one or more of the following events:

For the events of default applicable to a particular series of debt securities, see the prospectus supplement relating to such series. A default under our other indebtedness will not be a default under the indentures, and a default under one series of debt securities will not necessarily be a default under another series.

A trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under an indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities, unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnification against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

If such indemnification is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series may, subject to certain limitations, direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or other power conferred on the trustee.

Each indenture includes a covenant that we will deliver within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year to the trustee a certificate of no default, or specifying the nature and status of any default that exists.

Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks and brokers for information on their requirements for giving notice or taking other actions upon a default.

Together with the trustee, we may, when authorized by our board of directors, modify the indentures without the consent of the holders for limited purposes, including, but not limited to, adding to our covenants or events of default, establishing forms or terms of debt securities, and curing ambiguities.

Together with the trustee, we may, when authorized by our board of directors, also make modifications and amendments to each indenture with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all affected series. However, without the consent of each affected holder, no modification may:

Notice shall be given to holders of debt securities by mail to the addresses of the holders as they appear in the Security Register.

We, the trustee, and any agent of ours or the trustee may treat the registered owner of any registered debt security as the absolute owner of that debt security for all purposes.

We will replace debt securities that have been mutilated, but you will have to pay for the replacement and will have to surrender the mutilated debt security to the trustee first. Debt securities that become destroyed,

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of New York.

We may from time to time maintain lines of credit, and have other customary banking relationships, with the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustees under the subordinated indentures.

The following covenant is applicable to both our senior debt securities and our subordinated debt securities. We may not, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, merge into or consolidate with any other corporation, or convey or transfer our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to another person unless:

The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and non-subordinated debt.

The restrictive covenants summarized below will apply (unless waived or amended) so long as any of the senior debt securities are outstanding, unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise. We have provided at the end of these covenants definitions of the capitalized words used in discussing the covenants.

We have summarized below definitions of some of the terms used in the senior indenture. In the definitions, all references to “us,” “we” or “our” mean Bristol-Myers Squibb Company only.

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total amount of our assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting: (i) all current liabilities (excluding liabilities that are extendable or renewable at the option of the obligor to a date more than 12 months after the date as of which the amount is being determined); and (ii) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangible assets, all as set forth on our most recent consolidated balance sheet and determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The definition of Funded Debt only includes Debt incurred by us meeting one of the above requirements if it ranks at least equally with the senior debt securities.

In this definition, “manufacturing facility” means property, plant and equipment used for actual manufacturing and for activities directly related to manufacturing. The definition excludes sales offices, research facilities and facilities used only for warehousing, distribution or general administration.

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement pursuant to which we or any Subsidiary leases from another person any Restricted Property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or the Subsidiary to such person, other than:

“Subsidiary” means a corporation of which we or one or more corporations meeting this definition owns, directly or indirectly, the majority of the outstanding voting stock.

“Value” means, with respect to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, an amount equal to the present value of the lease payments remaining on the date as of which the amount is being determined, without regard to any renewal or extension options contained in the lease. To determine such present value, we use a discount rate equal to the weighted average interest rate on the debt securities of all series which are outstanding on the effective date of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction and which have the benefit of the covenant limiting Sale and Leaseback Transactions discussed above.

The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate in right of payment to all senior indebtedness.

In addition, claims of our subsidiaries’ creditors and preferred stockholders generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of the subsidiaries over the claims of our creditors, including holders of the subordinated debt securities, even though those obligations may not constitute senior indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to creditors, including trade creditors, and preferred stockholders of our subsidiaries.

There is no limitation on our ability to issue additional senior indebtedness. The senior debt securities constitute senior indebtedness under the subordinated indentures. The subordinated debt securities will rank equally with our other subordinated indebtedness.

Under the subordinated indentures, no payment may be made on the subordinated debt securities and no purchase, redemption or retirement of any subordinated debt securities may be made in the event:

We may, however, pay the subordinated debt securities without regard to the above restriction if the representatives of the holders of the applicable senior indebtedness approve the payment in writing to us and the trustee.

The representatives of the holders of senior indebtedness may notify us and the trustee in writing of a default, which can result in the acceleration of that senior indebtedness’ maturity without further notice or the expiration of any grace periods. In this event, we may not pay the subordinated debt securities for 179 days after receipt of that notice of such default unless the person who gave such notice gives written notice to the trustee and to us terminating the period of non-payment, the senior indebtedness is paid in full or the default that caused such notice is no longer continuing. If the holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives have not accelerated the maturity of the senior indebtedness at the end of the 179 day period, we may resume payments on the subordinated debt securities. Not more than one such notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to senior indebtedness during that period.

In the event we pay or distribute our assets to creditors upon a total or partial liquidation or dissolution of us, or in bankruptcy or reorganization relating to us or our property, the holders of senior indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full of the senior indebtedness before the holders of subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment of either principal or interest. Until the senior indebtedness is paid in full, any payment or distribution to which holders of subordinated debt securities would be entitled but for the subordination provisions of the subordinated indentures will be made to holders of the senior indebtedness.

If a distribution is made to holders of subordinated debt securities that, due to the subordination provisions, should not have been made to them, those holders of subordinated debt securities are required to hold it in trust for the holders of senior indebtedness, and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

As a result of the subordination provisions contained in the subordinated indentures, in the event of insolvency, our creditors who are holders of senior indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the holders of subordinated debt securities. In addition, our creditors who are not holders of senior indebtedness may recover less, ratably, than holders of senior indebtedness and may recover more, ratably, than the holders of subordinated indebtedness. It is important to keep this in mind if you decide to hold our subordinated debt securities.

As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 4.5 billion shares of common stock, $0.10 par value per share. As of September 30, 2021, approximately 2.220 billion shares of common stock were outstanding. The common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BMY.”

Holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of any assets legally available for payment of dividends as may from time to time be declared by our board of directors, subject to the rights of the holders of the preferred stock.

Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters requiring a vote of the stockholders, including, without limitation, the election of directors. The holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, rule or regulation, by the rules or regulations of any securities exchange applicable to us or our securities, or by our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as amended, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or our by-laws (the “By-laws”), all matters shall be decided by the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Company present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon.

In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share equally in our assets available for distribution after payment in full of all debts and after the holders of preferred stock have received their liquidation preferences in full.

The By-laws provide that our board of directors shall be a single class, elected annually at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present (a quorum being a majority of the stockholders), pursuant to a majority of the votes cast in uncontested elections. A majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director. In contested elections where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the vote standard is a plurality of votes cast.

Shares of common stock are not redeemable and have no subscription, conversion or preemptive rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to shares of common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to the outstanding shares of $2 convertible preferred stock, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that the Company may designate and issue in the future.

The following is a description of general terms and provisions of our preferred stock. The particular terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

All the terms of the preferred stock are, or will be, contained in our Certificate of Incorporation and the certificate of designations relating to each series of the preferred stock, which will be filed with the SEC at or before the time we issue a series of the preferred stock.

The board of directors is authorized to determine, for each series of preferred stock, and the prospectus supplement will set forth with respect to the series the following information:

Holders of preferred stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, cash dividends at the rates and on the dates as set forth in the applicable certificate of designations. Generally, unless all dividends on the preferred stock have been paid, no dividends will be declared or paid on the common stock.

Payment of dividends on any series of preferred stock may be restricted by loan agreements, indentures and other agreements governing certain transactions we may enter into.

No series of preferred stock will be convertible into, or exchangeable for, other securities or property except as set forth in the applicable certificate of designations.

The holders of shares of the $2 convertible preferred stock have the right, at their option, to convert such shares into shares of common stock at any time, subject to, and in accordance with the terms of the applicable certificate of designation.

No series of preferred stock will be redeemable or receive the benefit of a sinking fund except as set forth in the applicable certificate of designations.

We may redeem the $2 convertible preferred shares at our option, at any time, or from time to time for $50 together with an amount equal to any dividends accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of redemption.

Shares of preferred stock that we redeem or otherwise reacquire will, subject to the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), resume the status of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock undesignated as to series, and will be available for subsequent issuance.

There are no restrictions on repurchase or redemption of the preferred stock while there is any arrearage on sinking fund installments except as may be set forth in the applicable certificate of designations.

In the event we voluntarily or involuntarily liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs, the holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive the liquidation preference per share specified in the applicable

If the amounts payable to preferred stockholders are not paid in full, the holders of preferred stock will share ratably in any distribution of assets based upon the aggregate liquidation preference for all outstanding shares for each series. After the holders of shares of preferred stock are paid in full, they will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.

Neither the par value nor the liquidation preference is indicative of the price at which the preferred stock will actually trade on or after the date of issuance.

The holders of preferred stock will be entitled to such voting rights as provided in the certificate of designations with respect to a particular series and the Certificate of Incorporation. If and whenever accrued dividends on the preferred stock have not been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside, in an amount equivalent to six quarterly dividends on all shares of all series of preferred stock at the time outstanding, then the holders of the preferred stock, voting separately as a class, will be entitled to elect two directors at the next annual or special meeting of the stockholders. During the time the holders of preferred stock are entitled to elect two additional directors, they are not entitled to vote with the holders of common stock in the election of any other directors. If all accumulated dividends on preferred stock have been paid in full, the holders of shares of preferred stock will no longer have the right to vote on directors except as provided for in the applicable certificate of designations, the term of office of each director so elected will terminate, and the number of our directors will, without further action, be reduced accordingly.

The vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of preferred stock voting only as a class is required to authorize any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws which would materially alter any existing provisions of the preferred stock or which would authorize a class of preferred stock ranking prior to the outstanding preferred stock as to dividends or assets. In addition, the vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock voting together as a class is required to make effective any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation authorizing the issuance of or any increase in the authorized amount of any class of preferred stock ranking on a parity with or increasing the number of authorized shares of preferred stock.

The shares of a series of preferred stock will not have any preemptive rights, preferences, voting powers or relative, participating, optional or other special rights except as set forth above or in the prospectus supplement, the Certificate of Incorporation or certificate of designations or as otherwise required by law.

Provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-laws, which are summarized below, may have antitakeover effects and could delay, defer or prevent a tender offer, takeover attempt or other change of control transaction that a stockholder might consider in its best interest.

We are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL. In general, Section 203 prohibits a public Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless:

In general, Section 203 defines a “business combination” to include mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in financial benefit to a stockholder and an “interested stockholder” as a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock. These provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing changes in control of Bristol Myers Squibb.

Our board of directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with rights and preferences, to the extent not fixed by certain provisions set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, designated from time to time by our board of directors. As of September 30, 2021, out of the 10,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock, 1,300,188 shares have been designated as $2 convertible preferred stock (of which 3,484 shares have been issued and are outstanding). The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock would enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of Bristol Myers Squibb by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or other means.

The By-laws provide that the total number of our directors will be fixed from time to time by a majority vote of our board of directors. The By-laws further provide that, subject to the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors under specific circumstances, any newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors and any vacancies occurring in our board of directors, shall be filled by an affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum. Any directors so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualify.

Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws may be altered, amended or repealed or new by-laws may be made by the affirmative vote of the holders of record of a majority of our shares entitled to vote, at any annual or special meeting, or, by a vote of the majority of our board of directors, at any regular or special meeting at which a quorum is present.

Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights under the Certificate of Incorporation of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over our common stock, a special meeting of stockholders (1) may be called only by the chairman of our board of directors or by our board of directors pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of our board of directors and (2) must be called by the secretary upon the written request of the record holders of at least 15% in voting power of the outstanding shares of our stock who have complied with the requirements in the By-laws. The By-laws provide advance notice procedures for stockholders seeking to bring business before its annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at its annual meeting of stockholders. The By-laws also specify certain requirements regarding the form and content of a stockholder’s notice.

The By-laws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) action asserting a claim of breach of a

This forum selection provision is not intended to apply to any actions brought under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder and Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, the forum selection provision in the By-laws will not relieve us of our duties to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations.

However, this forum selection provision in the By-laws may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers and other employees, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims, although our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. In addition, stockholders who do bring a claim in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware could face additional litigation costs in pursuing any such claim, particularly if they do not reside in or near Delaware. Furthermore, if a court were to find the provision inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, and each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in shares of preferred stock underlying that depositary share, to all rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share. Those rights will include dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights.

The shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a depositary under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares. The depositary will be a bank or trust company selected by us. The depositary will also act as the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares.

Holders of depositary receipts will agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which will require holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges.

The following is a summary of the most important terms of the depositary shares. The deposit agreement, our Certificate of Incorporation and the certificate of designations for the applicable series of preferred stock that are, or will be, filed with the SEC will set forth all of the terms relating to the depositary shares.

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received relating to the series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock.

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts that are entitled to receive the distribution. However, if the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution, the depositary may, with our approval, adopt another method for the distribution. The method may include selling the property and distributing the net proceeds to the holders.

In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of each depositary share will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of preferred stock held by the depositary. Whenever we redeem any preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock so redeemed. The depositary will mail the notice of redemption to the record holders of the depositary receipts promptly upon receiving the notice from us and not less than 35 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption of the preferred stock and the depositary shares. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price payable per share for the applicable series of preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares will be selected by lot or ratably as the depositary will decide.

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts representing the preferred stock. Each record holder of those depositary receipts on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock underlying that holder’s depositary shares. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same date

Owners of depositary shares will be entitled, upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and payment of any unpaid amount due the depositary, to receive the number of whole shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. These holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to deposit the shares under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares for the preferred stock.

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended at any time and from time to time by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares, other than any change in fees, will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and the initial issuance of the depositary shares, any redemption of the preferred stock and all withdrawals of preferred stock by owners of depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and certain other charges as provided in the deposit agreement. In certain circumstances, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, withhold dividends and distributions, and sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt, if the charges are not paid.

The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications we deliver to the depositary that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary—and at other places as it thinks is advisable—any reports and communications we deliver to the depositary as the holder of preferred stock.

Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our duties under the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information and on documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper persons.

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering a notice to us of its election to do so. We may also remove the depositary at any time. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a

Owners of the depositary shares will be treated for Federal income tax purposes as if they were owners of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. Accordingly, the owners will be entitled to take into account for Federal income tax purposes income and deductions to which they would be entitled if they were holders of the preferred stock. In addition:

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with our debt securities, preferred stock or common stock and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. A copy of the warrant agreement will be filed with the SEC in connection with any offering of warrants.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to issue debt securities, preferred stock or common stock will describe the terms of those warrants, including the following:

We may offer and sell securities in one or more transactions from time to time to or through underwriters, who may act as principals or agents, directly to other purchasers or through agents to other purchasers or through any combination of these methods.

A prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of securities may include the following information:

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices in block trades, or in underwritten offerings or in other types of trades.

We may offer these securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by a managing underwriter or managing underwriters or through an underwriter or underwriters without an underwriting syndicate. If underwriters are used for the sale of securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including in negotiated transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. In connection with any such underwritten sale of securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from purchasers for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.

If we use an underwriter or underwriters in the sale of particular securities, we will execute an underwriting agreement with those underwriters at the time of sale of those securities. The names of the underwriters will be set forth in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus used by the underwriters to sell those securities. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus relating to a particular offering of securities, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to customary conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered if any of the securities are purchased.

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions that they receive from us and any profit that they receive on the resale of securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. If any entity is deemed an underwriter or any amounts deemed underwriting discounts and commissions, the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will identify the underwriter or agent and describe the compensation received from us.

We may enter agreements under which underwriters and agents who participate in the distribution of securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against various liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make.

Various of the underwriters who participate in the distribution of securities, and their affiliates, may perform various commercial banking and investment banking services for us and/or our affiliates from time to time in the ordinary course of business.

We may authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. These institutions may include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases we must approve these institutions. The obligations of any purchaser under any of these contracts will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of these contracts.

If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, until the distribution of the securities is completed, rules of the SEC may limit the ability of any underwriters to bid for and purchase the securities. As an exception to these rules, representatives of any underwriters are permitted to engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the securities. These transactions may consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities. If the underwriters create a short position in the securities in connection with the offering (that is, if they sell more securities than are set forth on the cover page of the prospectus supplement), the representatives of the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing securities in the open market.

We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the securities. In addition, we make no representation that the representatives of any underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

The legal validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, New York, New York.

The consolidated financial statements of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, and the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm, given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically with the SEC, which is available at http://www.sec.gov. Unless specifically listed below, the information contained on the SEC’s website is not intended to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and you should not consider that information a part of this prospectus.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until our offering is completed:

Furthermore, all filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial filing of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering (other than portions of these documents deemed to be “furnished” or not deemed to be “filed,” including the portions of these documents that are either (1) described in paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3) or (e)(5) of Item 407 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC or (2) furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of a Current Report on Form 8-K, including any exhibits included with such Items) shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

We encourage you to read our periodic and current reports, as we think these reports provide additional information about our company which prudent investors find important. We make available free of charge most of our SEC filings through our Internet website (www.bms.com) as soon as reasonably practical after they are filed with the SEC. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus. You may access these SEC filings on our website. You also may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at:

The following statement sets forth the estimated amounts of expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be borne by us in connection with the offerings described in this registration statement:

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation—a “derivative action”), if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal actions or proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, and the DGCL requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The DGCL provides that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation’s by-laws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement or otherwise.

Under the terms of our Bylaws and subject to the applicable provisions of Delaware law, we have agreed to indemnify each of our directors and officers and, subject to the discretion of the board of directors, any other person, against expenses incurred or paid in connection with any claim made against such director or officer or any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding in which such director or officer may be involved by reason of being or having been a director or officer of us, or of serving or having served at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action taken or not taken by such director or officer in such capacity, and against the amount or amounts paid by such director or officer in settlement of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding or any judgment or order entered therein.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a provision in the certificate of incorporation of each corporation organized thereunder, such as the Company, eliminating or limiting, with certain exceptions, the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. The Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation eliminates the liability of directors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty to the extent permitted by the DGCL.

The Company carries directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that covers certain liabilities and expenses of its directors and officers.

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, on the 13^th day of December, 2021.

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Sandra Leung and Kimberly Jablonski as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the name of each of the undersigned in his or her capacity to any and all amendments (including any 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 such said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or advisable to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms that the said attorney-in-fact or agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement on Form S-3 has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.