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<P align="right"><FONT size="2">As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March&nbsp;15, 2002</FONT>

<P align="right"><FONT size="2">Registration
No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
Washington, D.C. 20549</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">FORM S-8</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Abaxis, Inc.</B></FONT>

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<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></DIV>

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77-0213001</FONT></DIV></TD>
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        <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">(State or other jurisdiction<BR>
of incorporation or organization)</FONT></DIV></TD>
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(I.R.S. employer identification no.)</FONT></DIV></TD>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">3240 Whipple Road<BR>
Union City, California 94587</FONT>

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<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)</FONT></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan</B></FONT>

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<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">(Full title of the plan)</FONT></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">Clinton H. Severson<BR>
President, Chief Executive Officer,<BR>
and Chairman of the Board<BR>
Abaxis, Inc.<BR>
3240 Whipple Road<BR>
Union City, California 94587</FONT>

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<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">(Name and address of agent for service)</FONT></DIV>

<P><FONT size="2">Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service: (510)&nbsp;675-6500.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">This registration statement shall hereafter become effective in accordance with
Rule&nbsp;462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
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<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

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<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption From Registration Claimed</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#008">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="a79903orex5.txt">EXHIBIT 5</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="a79903orex23-2.txt">EXHIBIT 23.2</A></TD></TR>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</FONT>
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        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">Proposed</FONT></TD>
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        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">Proposed</FONT></TD>
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        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">maximum</FONT></TD>
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        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">maximum</FONT></TD>
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        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">Title of Securities</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">Amount to be</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">offering price</FONT></TD>
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        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">aggregate</FONT></TD>
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        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">Amount of</FONT></TD>
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        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">to be registered<SUP>1</SUP></FONT></TD>
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        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">registered<SUP>2</SUP></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">per share<SUP>3</SUP></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">offering price<SUP>3</SUP></FONT></TD>
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        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">registration fee</FONT></TD>
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        <TD><FONT size="2">Common Stock</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">100,000</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">6.32</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">632,000</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">58.15</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT size="2">Participation interests in the Abaxis Tax
Deferral<BR>
Savings Plan<SUP>4</SUP>
</FONT>




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<DIV><FONT size="2"><SUP>1</SUP>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The securities to be registered are shares to be held by the Abaxis Tax
Deferral Savings Plan and related trust.
</FONT></DIV>

<P><FONT size="2"><SUP>2</SUP>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416(a), this registration statement also covers any
additional securities that may be offered or issued in connection with any
stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction.
</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2"><SUP>3</SUP>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Estimated pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457 solely for purposes of calculating the
registration fee based on the prices of the Company#s Common Stock as reported
on the Nasdaq National Market on March&nbsp;12, 2002.
</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2"><SUP>4</SUP>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416(c), this Registration Statement also covers
an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the
Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan and trust as described herein.
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>

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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">PART II</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</FONT>

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<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Incorporation of Documents by Reference</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Abaxis, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) hereby incorporates by reference in this
registration statement the following documents:
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company&#146;s latest annual report on Form&nbsp;10-K containing audited
financial statements for the Company&#146;s fiscal year ended March&nbsp;31, 2001 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June&nbsp;29, 2001.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All other reports filed pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) since the end
of the fiscal year covered by the registrant document referred to in (a)&nbsp;above.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The description of the Company&#146;s Common Stock contained in the
Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;8-A filed on December&nbsp;11, 1991 under
the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating such description.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement which indicates that
all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all
securities remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in
this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of
such documents.
</FONT>
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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Description of Securities</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The class of securities to be offered is registered under Section&nbsp;12 of
the Exchange Act.
</FONT>
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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inapplicable.
</FONT>
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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indemnification of Directors and Officers</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company&#146;s Articles of Incorporation provide that the liability of the
directors for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent
permissible under California law. Pursuant to California law, the Company&#146;s
directors shall not be liable for monetary damages for breach of the directors&#146;
fiduciary duty of care to the Company and its shareholders. However, this
provision does not eliminate the duty of care, and in appropriate
circumstances, equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of
nonmonetary relief will remain available under California law.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>

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<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, each director will continue to be subject to liability for
(i)&nbsp;acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing and
culpable violation of law, (ii)&nbsp;acts or omissions that a director believes to
be contrary to the best interests of the Company or its shareholders or that
involve the absence of good faith on the part of the director, (iii)&nbsp;any
transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit, (iv)
acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the director&#146;s duty to the
Company or its shareholders in circumstances in which the director was aware,
or should have been aware, in the ordinary course of performing a director&#146;s
duties, of a risk of serious injury to the Company or its shareholders, (v)
acts or omissions that constitute an unexcused pattern of inattention that
amounts to an abdication of the director&#146;s duty to the Company or its
shareholders, (vi)&nbsp;any transaction that constitutes an illegal distribution or
dividend under California law, and (vii)&nbsp;any transaction involving an unlawful
conflict of interest between the director and the Company under California law.
The provision also does not affect a director&#146;s responsibilities under any
other law, such as the federal securities laws or state or federal
environmental laws.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, the Company&#146;s Articles of Incorporation provide that the
Company is authorized to provide indemnification of agents (as defined under
California law) for breach of duty to the Company and its shareholders through
bylaw provisions or through agreements with the agents, or through shareholder
resolutions, or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted
by California law, subject to the limits on such excess indemnification set
forth in California law.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company&#146;s Bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify its directors
and executive officers and may indemnify its other officers, employees and
other agents to the fullest extent permitted by California law. Such
indemnification is intended to provide the full flexibility available under
California law and may, under certain circumstances, include indemnification
for negligence, gross negligence and certain types of recklessness. Under
California law and the Company&#146;s Bylaws, the Company will be permitted to
indemnify its directors, executive officers, officers, employees and other
agents, within the limits established by law and public policy, pursuant to an
express contract, bylaw provision, shareholder vote or otherwise, any or all of
which could provide indemnification rights broader than those expressly
available under California law.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company is also empowered under its Bylaws to enter into
indemnification agreements with its directors and officers and to purchase
insurance on behalf of any person whom it is required or permitted to
indemnify. The Company has entered into agreements with its directors and
certain of its executive officers that require the Company to indemnify such
persons against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts
actually and reasonably incurred (including expenses of a derivative action) in
connection with any proceeding, whether actual or threatened, to which any such
person may be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director or an executive officer of the Company or any of its affiliated
enterprises, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner such
person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Company and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause
to believe his conduct was unlawful. The indemnification agreements also set
forth certain procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for
indemnification thereunder.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>

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<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;317 of the California Corporations Code makes provisions for the
indemnification of officers, directors and other corporate agents in terms
sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons, under certain circumstances, for
liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). Section&nbsp;317 also
provides that the indemnification provided by this section is not exclusive to
the extent additional rights are authorized in a corporation&#146;s articles of
incorporation.
</FONT>
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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exemption From Registration Claimed</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inapplicable.
</FONT>
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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See Exhibit&nbsp;Index.
</FONT>
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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Undertakings</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the 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 the registration statement;
and
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (l)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to
Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in the registration statement.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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.
</FONT>
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<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s
annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the 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.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification 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.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant undertakes to submit the Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings
Plan and any amendments thereto to the Internal Revenue Service (&#147;IRS&#148;) in a
timely manner and has made or will make all changes required by the IRS in
order to qualify the Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>

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<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">SIGNATURES</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to
believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has
duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Union City, State of
California, on March&nbsp;13, 2002.
</FONT>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="50%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="50%"><FONT size="2">ABAXIS, INC.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="50%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="5%"><FONT size="2">By:</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="45%"><FONT size="2">/s/ CLINTON H. SEVERSON<BR>
        <HR noshade size="1">
Clinton H. Severson<BR>
President, Chief Executive Officer<BR>
and Chairman of the Board</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">SIGNATURES</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the administrator of the Abaxis Tax
Deferral Savings Plan has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Union City, State of California, on March&nbsp;13, 2002.
</FONT>

<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="50%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="50%"><FONT size="2">ABAXIS, INC.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="50%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="5%"><FONT size="2">By:</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="45%"><FONT size="2">/s/ CLINTON H. SEVERSON<BR>
        <HR noshade size="1">
Clinton H. Severson<BR>
On behalf of the Plan Administrator of<BR>
the Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The officers and directors of Abaxis, Inc. whose signatures appear below,
hereby constitute and appoint Clinton H. Severson and Alberto Santa Ines, and
each of them, their true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full
power of substitution, each with power to act alone, to sign and execute on
behalf of the undersigned any amendment or amendments to this registration
statement on Form&nbsp;S-8, and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and
confirm all that each of said attorney-in-fact and agent, or their or his
substitutes, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on March&nbsp;13, 2002.
</FONT>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="33%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="62%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="1"><B>Signature</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="2"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>



<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;CLINTON H. SEVERSON<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Clinton H. Severson</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
President, Chief Executive Officer and<BR>
Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;ALBERTO SANTA INES<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Alberto Santa Ines</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Interim Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial Officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;RICHARD BASTIANI, PH.D.<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Richard Bastiani, Ph.D.</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;BRENTON G.A. HANLON<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Brenton G.A. Hanlon</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;PRITHIPAL SINGH, PH.D.<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Prithipal Singh, Ph.D.</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;ERNEST S. TUCKER III, M.D.<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Ernest S. Tucker III, M.D.</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">EXHIBIT INDEX</FONT>

<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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        <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="94%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">5</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">
Opinion of legality</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5)</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">24</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">
Power of Attorney (included in signature pages to this registration statement)</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>

</BODY>
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Abaxis, Inc
Table of Contents
As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2002
Registration
No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Abaxis, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California
77-0213001
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
3240 Whipple Road
Union City, California 94587
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Clinton H. Severson
President, Chief Executive Officer,
and Chairman of the Board
Abaxis, Inc.
3240 Whipple Road
Union City, California 94587
(Name and address of agent for service)
Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service: (510) 675-6500.
This registration statement shall hereafter become effective in accordance with
Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Item 4. Description of Securities
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed
Item 8. Exhibits
Item 9. Undertakings
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT 5
EXHIBIT 23.2
Table of Contents
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed
maximum
maximum
Title of Securities
Amount to be
offering price
aggregate
Amount of
to be registered
1
registered
2
per share
3
offering price
3
registration fee
Common Stock
100,000
$
6.32
$
632,000
$
58.15
Participation interests in the Abaxis Tax
Deferral
Savings Plan
4
1
The securities to be registered are shares to be held by the Abaxis Tax
Deferral Savings Plan and related trust.
2
Pursuant to Rule 416(a), this registration statement also covers any
additional securities that may be offered or issued in connection with any
stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction.
3
Estimated pursuant to Rule 457 solely for purposes of calculating the
registration fee based on the prices of the Company#s Common Stock as reported
on the Nasdaq National Market on March 12, 2002.
4
In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c), this Registration Statement also covers
an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the
Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan and trust as described herein.
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.      Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Abaxis, Inc. (the "Company") hereby incorporates by reference in this
registration statement the following documents:
(a)      The Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K containing audited
financial statements for the Company's fiscal year ended March 31, 2001 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2001.
(b)      All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") since the end
of the fiscal year covered by the registrant document referred to in (a) above.
(c)      The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on December 11, 1991 under
the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating such description.
All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement which indicates that
all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all
securities remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in
this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of
such documents.
Item 4.      Description of Securities
The class of securities to be offered is registered under Section 12 of
the Exchange Act.
Item 5.      Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Inapplicable.
Item 6.      Indemnification of Directors and Officers
The Company's Articles of Incorporation provide that the liability of the
directors for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent
permissible under California law. Pursuant to California law, the Company's
directors shall not be liable for monetary damages for breach of the directors'
fiduciary duty of care to the Company and its shareholders. However, this
provision does not eliminate the duty of care, and in appropriate
circumstances, equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of
nonmonetary relief will remain available under California law.
Table of Contents
In addition, each director will continue to be subject to liability for
(i) acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing and
culpable violation of law, (ii) acts or omissions that a director believes to
be contrary to the best interests of the Company or its shareholders or that
involve the absence of good faith on the part of the director, (iii) any
transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit, (iv)
acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the director's duty to the
Company or its shareholders in circumstances in which the director was aware,
or should have been aware, in the ordinary course of performing a director's
duties, of a risk of serious injury to the Company or its shareholders, (v)
acts or omissions that constitute an unexcused pattern of inattention that
amounts to an abdication of the director's duty to the Company or its
shareholders, (vi) any transaction that constitutes an illegal distribution or
dividend under California law, and (vii) any transaction involving an unlawful
conflict of interest between the director and the Company under California law.
The provision also does not affect a director's responsibilities under any
other law, such as the federal securities laws or state or federal
environmental laws.
In addition, the Company's Articles of Incorporation provide that the
Company is authorized to provide indemnification of agents (as defined under
California law) for breach of duty to the Company and its shareholders through
bylaw provisions or through agreements with the agents, or through shareholder
resolutions, or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted
by California law, subject to the limits on such excess indemnification set
forth in California law.
The Company's Bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify its directors
and executive officers and may indemnify its other officers, employees and
other agents to the fullest extent permitted by California law. Such
indemnification is intended to provide the full flexibility available under
California law and may, under certain circumstances, include indemnification
for negligence, gross negligence and certain types of recklessness. Under
California law and the Company's Bylaws, the Company will be permitted to
indemnify its directors, executive officers, officers, employees and other
agents, within the limits established by law and public policy, pursuant to an
express contract, bylaw provision, shareholder vote or otherwise, any or all of
which could provide indemnification rights broader than those expressly
available under California law.
The Company is also empowered under its Bylaws to enter into
indemnification agreements with its directors and officers and to purchase
insurance on behalf of any person whom it is required or permitted to
indemnify. The Company has entered into agreements with its directors and
certain of its executive officers that require the Company to indemnify such
persons against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts
actually and reasonably incurred (including expenses of a derivative action) in
connection with any proceeding, whether actual or threatened, to which any such
person may be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director or an executive officer of the Company or any of its affiliated
enterprises, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner such
person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Company and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause
to believe his conduct was unlawful. The indemnification agreements also set
forth certain procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for
indemnification thereunder.
Table of Contents
Section 317 of the California Corporations Code makes provisions for the
indemnification of officers, directors and other corporate agents in terms
sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons, under certain circumstances, for
liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Section 317 also
provides that the indemnification provided by this section is not exclusive to
the extent additional rights are authorized in a corporation's articles of
incorporation.
Item 7.      Exemption From Registration Claimed
Inapplicable.
Item 8.      Exhibits
See Exhibit Index.
Item 9.      Undertakings
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 the 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 the registration statement;
and
(iii)    To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (l)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in 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.
Table of Contents
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the 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.
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 foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification 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.
(4)    The Registrant undertakes to submit the Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings
Plan and any amendments thereto to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in a
timely manner and has made or will make all changes required by the IRS in
order to qualify the Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan.
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
The Registrant. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to
believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Union City, State of
California, on March 13, 2002.
ABAXIS, INC.
By:
/s/ CLINTON H. SEVERSON
Clinton H. Severson
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the administrator of the Abaxis Tax
Deferral Savings Plan has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Union City, State of California, on March 13, 2002.
ABAXIS, INC.
By:
/s/ CLINTON H. SEVERSON
Clinton H. Severson
On behalf of the Plan Administrator of
the Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY
The officers and directors of Abaxis, Inc. whose signatures appear below,
hereby constitute and appoint Clinton H. Severson and Alberto Santa Ines, and
each of them, their true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full
power of substitution, each with power to act alone, to sign and execute on
behalf of the undersigned any amendment or amendments to this registration
statement on Form S-8, and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and
confirm all that each of said attorney-in-fact and agent, or their or his
substitutes, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on March 13, 2002.
Signature
Title
/s/  CLINTON H. SEVERSON
Clinton H. Severson
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/  ALBERTO SANTA INES
Alberto Santa Ines
Interim Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/  RICHARD BASTIANI, PH.D.
Richard Bastiani, Ph.D.
Director
/s/  BRENTON G.A. HANLON
Brenton G.A. Hanlon
Director
/s/  PRITHIPAL SINGH, PH.D.
Prithipal Singh, Ph.D.
Director
/s/  ERNEST S. TUCKER III, M.D.
Ernest S. Tucker III, M.D.
Director
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
5
Opinion of legality
23.1
Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5)
23.2
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
24
Power of Attorney (included in signature pages to this registration statement)