Form 8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

August 8, 2007

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

APPLERA CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-04389   06-1534213

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  (Commission
File Number)
 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

301 Merritt 7

Norwalk, Connecticut

  06851
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(203) 840-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 


Item 8.01. Other Events

On August 8, 2007, the Board of Directors of Applera Corporation (“Applera”) announced two initiatives. The Board said it has retained Morgan Stanley to explore alternatives to Applera’s current tracking stock structure, including the possibility of creating two independent publicly traded companies in place of the two tracking stocks. Also, the Board said it has increased to $1.2 billion the current authorization to repurchase shares of Applera Corporation-Applied Biosystems Group Common Stock. Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein is the text of Applera’s press release issued August 8, 2007, announcing these two initiatives.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed with this Report:

 

Exhibit No.    Description

99.1

   Press Release issued August 8, 2007.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

APPLERA CORPORATION

By:

 

/s/ Dennis L. Winger

  Dennis L. Winger
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Dated: August 9, 2007


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   Description
99.1   Press Release issued August 8, 2007.