-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): October 4, 2001 -------------------- GENOME THERAPEUTICS CORP. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) MASSACHUSETTS 0-10824 04-2297484 (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) Identification Number) 100 BEAVER STREET WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 02453 (Address, of principal executive offices, including zip code) (781) 398-2300 (Registrant's Telephone number including area code) -------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PAGE 1 OF 3 PAGES. Item 5. OTHER EVENTS Due to current market conditions, Genome Therapeutics Corp. has decided to discontinue its offer and sale of up to 1,950,000 shares of common stock (the "Shares") as described in the prospectus supplement dated June 28, 2001, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company intends to continue to evaluate market conditions and may seek to sell the Shares through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to one or more purchasers. -2- 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. GENOME THERAPEUTICS CORP. By /s/ Stephen Cohen --------------------- Name: Stephen Cohen Title: Chief Financial Officer Date: October 4, 2001 -3-