Case | HBS Case Collection | 2004 (Revised from original 2003 version)

Circon (A) (Abridged)

by Brian J. Hall, Christopher Rose and Guhan Subramanian

Abstract

In 1996, U.S. Surgical launched a hostile takeover bid against Circon Corp. CEO Richard Auhll recruited an old HBS friend, George Cloutier, to the Circon board to help him defend the company. Circon's primary defenses include a "poison pill" and a staggered board and lead to the longest-running takeover battle in U.S. corporate history. This is an abridged version of an earlier case.

Keywords: Motivation and Incentives; Governing and Advisory Boards; Executive Compensation; Trust; Relationships; Acquisition; Business and Shareholder Relations; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; United States;

Citation:

Hall, Brian J., Christopher Rose, and Guhan Subramanian. "Circon (A) (Abridged)." Harvard Business School Case 904-023, August 2004. (Revised from original December 2003 version.)