UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE 13D
(Amendment No. 3)
 
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Athersys, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
 
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
 
04744L106
(CUSIP Number)
 
OrbiMed Advisors LLC
OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC
Samuel D. Isaly
767 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Telephone:  (212) 739-6400
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
to Receive Notices and Communications)
 
Copy to:
Nathan J. Greene, Esq.
Shearman & Sterling LLP
599 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Telephone:  (212) 848-4000
 
December 28, 2009
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
 
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because § 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g) check the following box o.
 
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See § 240.13d-7(b) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
 
 
 
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
 
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
 
 
 
SCHEDULE 13D
 
CUSIP No.  04744L106
  
Page 3 of 13 Pages
         
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
 
OrbiMed Advisors LLC
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (See Instructions)
(a) o
(b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)
 
WC
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
 
 
o
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Delaware
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON
WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
24,075
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
24,075
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
24,075
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)
 
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
0.12%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)
 
IA
 
 
SCHEDULE 13D
 
CUSIP No. 04744L106
  
Page 4 of 13 Pages
         
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
 
OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (See Instructions)
(a) o
(b) o
 
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)
 
WC
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
 
 
o
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Delaware
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON
WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
2,531,025
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,531,025
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,531,025
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)
 
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
12.86%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)
 
OO
 
 
 
SCHEDULE 13D
 
CUSIP No. 04744L106
  
Page 5 of 13 Pages
         
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
 
Samuel D. Isaly
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (See Instructions)
(a) o
(b) o
 
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)
 
WC
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
 
 
o
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
United States
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON
WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
2,555,100
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,555,100
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,555,100
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)
 
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
12.98%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)
 
IN
 
 
Item 1.
Security and Issuer.
 
The class of equity securities to which this Statement on Schedule 13D relates is the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of Athersys, Inc. (the “Issuer”), a Delaware company with its principal executive offices located at 3201 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2634.
 
Item 2.
Identity and Background.
 
(a)  This Statement is being filed by OrbiMed Advisors LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware, OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware, and Samuel D. Isaly (“Isaly”), an individual (collectively, the “Reporting Persons”).
 
(b) – (c)  OrbiMed Advisors LLC is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, that acts as investment adviser or general partner to certain clients which hold Shares of the Issuer, as more particularly described in Item 6 below.  OrbiMed Advisors LLC has its principal offices at 767 Third Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
 
OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC is a company that acts as investment adviser or general partner to certain limited partnerships as more particularly described in Item 6 below.  OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC has its principal offices at 767 Third Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
 
Isaly, a natural person, owns a controlling interest in OrbiMed Advisors LLC and OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC.
 
The directors and executive officers of OrbiMed Advisors LLC and OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC  are set forth on Schedules I and II, attached hereto.  Schedules I and II set forth the following information with respect to each such person:
 
(i)
name;
   
(ii)
business address (or residence address where indicated);
   
(iii)
present principal occupation or employment and the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted;
   
(iv)
citizenship.
 
(d) – (e)  During the last five years, neither the Reporting Persons nor any Person named in Schedules I or II have been (i) convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (ii) a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
 
 
(f)  Isaly is a citizen of the United States.
 
Item 3.
Source and Amount of Funds or Other Considerations.
 
On and prior to the close of May 22, 2008, pursuant to the authority of OrbiMed Advisors LLC and OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC under their respective investment advisory contracts and limited partnership agreements with or relating to Caduceus Private Investments III, LP (“Caduceus”) and OrbiMed Associates III, LP (“Associates”), as more particularly referred to in Item 6 below, caused these clients to purchase 3,448,000 Shares of the Issuer (268,000 Shares purchased on May 22, 2008 and the balance prior thereto) and to enter into a Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) to purchase 750,000 Shares of the Issuer exercisable immediately and for the duration of five years.
 
On December 28, 2009 OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC and OrbiMed Advisors LLC made an in-kind distribution of 1,800,153 shares of  Common Stock to investors in Caduceus and Associates. Concurrently, Associates transferred 4,947 shares of Common Stock to OrbiMed Advisors LLC. On January 7, 2010 OrbiMed Advisors LLC made an in-kind distribution to its members of 4,947 shares of Common Stock.
 
As a result of the transactions described in this Item 3, the Reporting Persons are beneficial owners of approximately 12.86% of the outstanding Shares of the Issuer.  Isaly, as the owner of a controlling interest in both OrbiMed Advisors LLC and OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC, is the beneficial owner of approximately 12.86% of the outstanding Shares of the Issuer. OrbiMed Advisors LLC is the beneficial owner of approximately 0.12% of the outstanding Shares of the Issuer and OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC is the beneficial owner of approximately 12.98% of such Shares.
 
None of the Reporting Persons have acquired or disposed of any additional Shares of the Issuer since January 7, 2010.
 
Item 4.
Purpose of Transaction.
 
Of the in-kind distribution of the Common Stock made to investors in Caduceus on December 28, 2009, as described in Item 3., 3,406 shares were allocated to Michael B. Sheffery, a director of the Issuer, who also is a partner of OrbiMed Advisors LLC and of OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC. Of the in-kind distribution of the Common Stock made by OrbiMed Advisors LLC to its members on January 7, 2010 as described in Item 3., 466 shares were allocated to Mr. Sheffery. As a result of these transactions, Mr. Sheffery holds directly 3,872 shares of Common Stock of the issuer.
 
Prior to the close of June 8, 2007, Michael B. Sheffery a director of the Issuer, who also is a partner of OrbiMed Advisors LLC and of OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC, was the recipient of a grant of stock options of the Issuer (the “Director’s Stock Options”).  Pursuant to an agreement with the Reporting Persons, Sheffery is obligated to transfer any Shares issued under the Director’s Stock Options to the Reporting Persons, who will distribute the Shares to Caduceus and Associates on a pro-rata basis.
 
The following table sets forth the transactions with respect to the Director’s Stock Options and includes the Director’s Stock Options’ exercisable date. As of this filing, none of the Director’s Stock Options have been exercised.
 
Title
Conversion Price
Date Exercisable
Expiration Date
Number of Shares Underlying Security
Ownership of Shares
Director’s Stock Option (right to buy)
$5.00
This option vests 50%/25%/25% over three years in quarterly increments
06/08/2017
75,000
The amount shown represents (i) options to purchase 74,292 Shares, held by Caduceus, (ii) options to purchase 708 Shares, held by Associates.
 
 
This statement relates to the acquisition of Shares by the Reporting Persons.  The Shares acquired by the Reporting Persons were acquired for the purpose of making an investment in the Issuer and not with the intention of acquiring control of the Issuer’s business on behalf of the Reporting Persons’ respective advisory clients.
 
The Reporting Persons previously were granted and exercised the right to appoint a representative to the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Issuer, so as to permit active monitoring of the operations of the Issuer.  As mentioned above, Michael B. Sheffery currently serves as the Reporting Persons’ representative on the Board.
 
The Reporting Persons from time to time intend to review their investment in the Issuer on the basis of various factors, including the Issuer’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, general economic and industry conditions, the securities markets in general and those for the Issuer’s Shares in particular, as well as other developments and other investment opportunities.  Based upon such review, the Reporting Persons will take such actions in the future as the Reporting Persons may deem appropriate in light of the circumstances existing from time to time.  If the Reporting Persons believe that further investment in the Issuer is attractive, whether because of the market price of the Issuer’s Shares or otherwise, they may acquire shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Issuer either in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Similarly, depending on market and other factors, the Reporting Persons may determine to dispose of some or all of the Shares currently owned by the Reporting Persons or otherwise acquired by the Reporting Persons either in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.
 
Except as set forth above, the Reporting Persons have not formulated any plans or proposals which relate to or would result in: (a) the acquisition by any person of additional securities of the Issuer or the disposition of securities of the Issuer, (b) an extraordinary corporate transaction involving the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries, (c) a sale or transfer of a material amount of the assets of the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries, (d) any change in the present Board of Directors or management of the Issuer, (e) any material change in the Issuer’s capitalization or dividend policy, (f) any other material change in the Issuer’s business or corporate structure, (g) any change in the Issuer’s charter or bylaws or other or instrument corresponding thereto or other action which may impede the acquisition of control of the Issuer by any person, (h) causing a class of the Issuer’s securities to be deregistered or delisted, (i) a class of equity securities of the Issuer becoming eligible for termination of registration or (j) any action similar to any of those enumerated above.
 

 
Item 5.
Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
 
(a) – (b)  As of this date of this filing, OrbiMed Advisors LLC, OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC and Samuel D. Isaly may be deemed directly or indirectly, including by reason of their mutual affiliation, to be the beneficial owners of the Shares described in Item 3.  Based upon information contained in the most recent available filing by the Issuer with the SEC, such Shares constitute approximately 12.98% of the issued and outstanding Shares.  As described above in Item 2, Isaly owns, pursuant to the terms of the limited liability company agreement of each of
 
 
OrbiMed Advisors LLC and OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC, a controlling interest in the outstanding limited liability company interests of such entity.  As a result, Isaly, OrbiMed Advisors LLC and OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC share power to direct the vote and to direct the disposition of the Common Stock described in Item 3.
 
(c) Except as disclosed in Item 3, the Reporting Persons have not effected any transactions in the Shares during the past sixty (60) days.
 
(d) Not applicable.
 
(e) Not applicable.
 
Item 6.
Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
 
In addition to the relationships between the Reporting Persons described in Item 5, OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC is the general partner of Caduceus, pursuant to the terms of its limited partnership agreement. OrbiMed Advisors LLC acts as investment manager of Associates, pursuant to the terms of its investment advisory agreement. Pursuant to these agreements and relationships, OrbiMed Advisors LLC and OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC have discretionary investment management authority with respect to the assets of these investment accounts. Such authority includes the power to vote and otherwise dispose of securities purchased by Caduceus and Associates. The number of outstanding Shares of the Issuer attributable to Caduceus is 1,788,100 Shares and 742,925 Warrants and to Associates 17,000 Shares and 7,075 Warrants. OrbiMed Advisors LLC, pursuant to its authority under its investment advisory contracts with Associates, may be considered to hold indirectly 17,000 Shares and 7,075 Warrants and OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC, pursuant to its authority under its investment advisory contract with Caduceus, may be considered to hold indirectly 1,788,100 Shares and 742,925 Warrants. As noted above under Item 4, Michael B. Sheffery, a partner of OrbiMed Advisors LLC and of OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC, has been appointed to the Board of the Issuer and, accordingly, the Reporting Persons may have the ability to effect and influence control of the Issuer.
 
Also as noted in Item 4, Sheffery has been granted a number of Director’s Stock Options and is obligated to transfer any Shares issued pursuant to such Options to the Reporting Persons, who will distribute the Shares to Caduceus and Associates on a pro-rata basis.  Accordingly, the number of Director’s Stock Options attributable to Caduceus and Associates is 74,292 and 708, respectively.  Of these OrbiMed Advisors LLC and OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC may be considered to hold indirectly 708 and 74,292 Director’s Stock Options, respectively.
 
Other than the agreements and the relationships mentioned above, to the best knowledge of the Reporting Persons, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) among the persons named in Item 2 and between such persons and any persons with respect to any securities of the Issuer, including, but not limited to, transfer or voting of any of the Shares, finder’s fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies.
 
 
Item 7.
Materials to be Filed as Exhibits.
 
Exhibit
Description
  
A.
Joint Filing Agreement among OrbiMed Advisors LLC, OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC and Samuel D. Isaly
  

SIGNATURE
 
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
 
Dated:  January 12, 2010
 
  OrbiMed Advisors LLC  
       
 
By:
/s/ Samuel D. Isaly  
    Name:  Samuel D. Isaly  
    Title:  Managing Partner  
       
OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC  
       
By:
/s/ Samuel D. Isaly  
    Name:  Samuel D. Isaly  
    Title:  Managing Partner
 
By:
/s/ Samuel D. Isaly  
    Name:  Samuel D. Isaly  
 
 
Schedule I
 
The name and present principal occupation of each of the executive officers and directors of OrbiMed Advisors LLC are set forth below.  Unless otherwise noted, each of these persons are United States citizens and have as their business address 767 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
 
 
Name
Position with Reporting
Person
 
Principal Occupation
Samuel D. Isaly
Managing Partner
Partner
OrbiMed Advisors LLC
Michael Sheffery
Partner
Partner
OrbiMed Advisors LLC
Carl L. Gordon
Partner
Partner
OrbiMed Advisors LLC
Sven Borho
German and Swedish Citizen
Partner
Partner
OrbiMed Advisors LLC
Jonathan T. Silverstein
Partner
Partner
OrbiMed Advisors LLC
W. Carter Neild
Partner
Partner
OrbiMed Advisors LLC
Eric A. Bittelman
Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Compliance Officer
CFO/CCO
OrbiMed Advisors LLC
 
 
Schedule II
 
The name and present principal occupation of each of the executive officers and directors of OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC are set forth below.  Unless otherwise noted, each of these persons are United States citizens and have as their business address 767 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
 
 
Name
Position with Reporting
Person
 
Principal Occupation
Samuel D. Isaly
Managing Partner
Partner
OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC
Michael Sheffery
Partner
Partner
OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC
Carl L. Gordon
Partner
Partner
OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC
Sven Borho
German and Swedish Citizen
Partner
Partner
OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC
Jonathan T. Silverstein
Partner
Partner
OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC
W. Carter Neild
Partner
Partner
OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC
Eric A. Bittelman
Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Compliance Officer
CFO/CCO
OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
Description
Page No.
A.
Joint Filing Agreement among OrbiMed Advisors LLC, OrbiMed Capital GP III LLC and Samuel D. Isaly
A-1