Unassociated Document
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 13G
 (Rule 13d-102)
 
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO RULES 13d-1(b)(c), AND (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED
PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-2(b)
 
(Amendment No. ) *
 
Nuvasive, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
 

Common Stock
 (Title of Class of Securities)
 
 
670704105
 (CUSIP Number)


July 14, 2011
 (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:
 
¨ Rule 13d-1(b)

x Rule 13d-1(c)

¨ Rule 13d-1(d)
 
(Page 1 of 13 Pages)
 
_____________
* 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 the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

     The information required in 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 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).
 
 
 
 
 
CUSIP No.
670704105
13G
Page 2 of 13 Pages
 
1.
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
 
Deerfield Capital, L.P.
2.
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 
  (a) o
  (b) ý
3.
SEC USE ONLY
 
4.
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Delaware


NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH
5.
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
6.
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
915,118(1)
7.
SOLE DISPOSITIVE VOTING POWER
 
0
8.
SHARED DISPOSITIVE VOTING POWER
 
915,118(1)
9.
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
915,118(1)
10.
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
 
¨
11.
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
 
2.27%
12.
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
 
PN
 
(1) Comprised of 301,641 shares of common stock, 228,562 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion, subject to certain conditions, of 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 and 384,915 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 held by Deerfield Partners, L.P.
 
 
 
 
 
CUSIP No.
670704105
13G
Page 3 of 13 Pages
 
1.
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
 
Deerfield Partners, L.P.
2.
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 
  (a) o
  (b) ý
3.
SEC USE ONLY
 
4.
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Delaware


NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH
5.
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
6.
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
915,118(2)
7.
SOLE DISPOSITIVE VOTING POWER
 
0
8.
SHARED DISPOSITIVE VOTING POWER
 
915,118(2)
9.
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
915,118(2)
10.
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
 
¨
11.
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
 
2.27%
12.
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
 
PN
 
(2) Comprised of 301,641 shares of common stock, 228,562 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion, subject to certain conditions, of 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 and 384,915 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013.
 
 
 
 
 
CUSIP No.
670704105
13G
Page 4 of 13 Pages
 
1.
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
 
Deerfield Management Company, L.P.
2.
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 
  (a) o
  (b) ý
3.
SEC USE ONLY
 
4.
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Delaware


NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH
5.
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
6.
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
1,222,991(3)
7.
SOLE DISPOSITIVE VOTING POWER
 
0
8.
SHARED DISPOSITIVE VOTING POWER
 
1,222,991(3)
9.
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
1,222,991(3)
10.
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
 
¨
11.
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
 
3.02%
12.
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
 
PN
 
(3) Comprised of 403,131 shares of common stock, 305,462 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion, subject to certain conditions, of 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 and 514,398 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 held by Deerfield International Limited.
 
 
 
 
 
CUSIP No.
670704105
13G
Page 5 of 13 Pages
 
1.
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
 
Deerfield International Limited
2.
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 
  (a) o
  (b) ý
3.
SEC USE ONLY
 
4.
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
British Virgin Islands


NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH
5.
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
6.
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
1,222,991(4)
7.
SOLE DISPOSITIVE VOTING POWER
 
0
8.
SHARED DISPOSITIVE VOTING POWER
 
1,222,991(4)
9.
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
1,222,991(4)
10.
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
 
¨
11.
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
 
3.02%
12.
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
 
CO
 
(4) Comprised of 403,131 shares of common stock, 305,462 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion, subject to certain conditions, of 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 and 514,398 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013.
 
 
 
 
 
CUSIP No.
670704105
13G
Page 6 of 13 Pages
 
1.
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
 
James E. Flynn
2.
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 
  (a) o
  (b) ý
3.
SEC USE ONLY
 
4.
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
United States


NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH
5.
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
6.
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
2,138,109(5)
7.
SOLE DISPOSITIVE VOTING POWER
 
0
8.
SHARED DISPOSITIVE VOTING POWER
 
2,138,109(5)
9.
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,138,109(5)
10.
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
 
¨
11.
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
 
5.20%
12.
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
 
IN
 
(5) Comprised of (a) 301,641 shares of common stock, 228,562 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion, subject to certain conditions, of 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 and 384,915 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 held by Deerfield Partners, L.P. and (b) 403,131 shares of common stock, 305,462 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion, subject to certain conditions, of 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 and 514,398 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 held by Deerfield International Limited.
 
 
 
 
 
CUSIP No.
670704105
13G
Page 7 of 13 Pages
 
Item 1(a).   Name of Issuer:
     
   
Nuvasive, Inc.
     
Item 1(b).   Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
     
   
4545 Towne Centre Court
San Diego, California 92121
     
Item 2(a).   Name of Person Filing:
     
   
James E. Flynn, Deerfield Capital, L.P., Deerfield Partners, L.P., Deerfield Management Company, L.P., Deerfield International Limited
     
Item 2(b).   Address of Principal Business Office, or if None, Residence:
     
   
James E. Flynn, Deerfield Capital, L.P., Deerfield Partners, L.P.,
Deerfield Management Company, L.P., 780 Third Avenue, 37th Floor, New York, NY
10017; Deerfield International Limited c/o Citi Hedge Fund
Services (B.V.I.) Ltd., Bison Court, Columbus Centre, P.O. Box 3460, Road Town,
Tortola, D8, British Virgin Islands
     
Item 2(c).   Citizenship:
     
   
Mr. Flynn - United States citizen
Deerfield Capital, L.P., Deerfield Partners, L.P. and Delaware Management Company,
L.P. - Delaware limited partnerships
Deerfield International Limited - British Virgin Islands corporations
     
Item 2(d).   Title of Class of Securities:
     
   
Common Stock
     
Item 2(e).   CUSIP Number:
     
   
670704105
     
Item 3.  
If This Statement is Filed Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b) or (c), Check Whether the Person Filing is a:
 
(a)    o Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act.
       
(b)    o Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act. 
       
(c)    o Insurance company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Exchange Act.
       
(d)    o Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act.
 
(e)    o An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
 
(f)    o An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
 
(g)    o A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
 
(h)    o A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act;
 
 
 
 
 
CUSIP No.
670704105
13G
Page 8 of 13 Pages
 
(i)    o A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act;
       
(j)    o Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). 
 
Item 4.      Ownership. 
 
Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1.
 
(a)     Amount beneficially owned**:
       
     
Deerfield Capital, L.P. – 915,118 shares
Deerfield Partners, L.P. – 915,118 shares
Deerfield Management Company, L.P. – 1,222,991 shares
Deerfield International Limited – 1,222,991 shares
James E. Flynn – 2,138,109 shares
       
(b)     Percent of class**:
       
     
Deerfield Capital, L.P. – 2.27%
Deerfield Partners, L.P. – 2.27%
Deerfield Management Company, L.P. – 3.02%
Deerfield International Limited – 3.02%
James E. Flynn – 5.20%
 
(c)     Number of shares as to which such person has**:  
           
      (i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote
All Reporting Persons - 0
           
      (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote
Deerfield Capital, L.P. – 915,118
Deerfield Partners, L.P. – 915,118
Deerfield Management Company, L.P. – 1,222,991
Deerfield International Limited – 1,222,991
James E. Flynn - 2,138,109 shares
 
      (iii)
Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
All Reporting Persons - 0
           
      (iv)
Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
Deerfield Capital, L.P. – 915,118
Deerfield Partners, L.P. – 915,118
Deerfield Management Company, L.P. – 1,222,991
Deerfield International Limited – 1,222,991
James E. Flynn - 2,138,109 shares
 
**See footnotes on cover pages which are incorporated by reference herein.
 
 
 
 
 
CUSIP No.
670704105
13G
Page 9 of 13 Pages
 
Item 5.
Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

     If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities check the following o.
 
 
 
 
Item 6.
 Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
 
     If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this item and, if such interest relates to more than five percent of the class, such person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required.
 
 
N/A
 
Item 7.
 Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
 
     If a parent holding company or Control person has filed this schedule, pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G), so indicate under Item 3(g) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and the Item 3 classification of the relevant subsidiary. If a parent holding company or control person has filed this schedule pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) or Rule 13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the identification of the relevant subsidiary.
 
 
N/A
 
Item 8.
 Identification  and  Classification  of Members of the Group.
 
     If a group has filed this schedule pursuant to ss.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), so indicate under Item 3(j) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and Item 3 classification of each member of the group. If a group has filed this schedule pursuant to ss.240.13d-1(c) or ss.240.13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the identity of each member of the group.
 
 
See Exhibit B
 
Item 9.
 Notice of Dissolution of Group.
 
     Notice of dissolution of a group may be furnished as an exhibit stating the date of the dissolution and that all further filings with respect to transactions in the security reported on will be filed, if required, by members of the group, in their individual capacity. See Item 5.
 
 
N/A
 
Item 10.
 Certifications.
 
         "By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purpose or effect."
 
 
 
 
 
CUSIP No.
670704105
13G
Page 10 of 13 Pages
 
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.
 
 
DEERFIELD CAPITAL, L.P.
     
By:
J.E. Flynn Capital LLC, General Partner
  
     
By:
/s/ Darren Levine
  
 
Darren Levine, Attorney-In-Fact
  
 
 
DEERFIELD PARTNERS, L.P.
     
By:
Deerfield Capital, L.P., General Partner
  
     
By:
J.E. Flynn Capital LLC, General Partner
  
     
By:
/s/ Darren Levine
  
 
Darren Levine, Attorney-In-Fact
  
 
 
DEERFIELD MANAGEMENT COMPANY, L.P.
     
By:
Flynn Management LLC, General Partner
  
     
By:
/s/ Darren Levine
  
 
Darren Levine, Attorney-In-Fact
  
 
 
DEERFIELD INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
     
By:
/s/ Darren Levine
  
 
Darren Levine, Attorney-In-Fact
  
     
     
JAMES E. FLYNN
     
/s/ Darren Levine
  
Darren Levine, Attorney-In-Fact
  
 
Date:  July 18, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit List

Exhibit A.
Joint Filing Agreement.
 
Exhibit B.
Item 8 Statement.
 
Exhibit C. (1)
Power of Attorney.
 
(1) Previously filed as Exhibit C to a Schedule 13G with regard to Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co., Inc. filed with the Commission on July 13, 2010 by Deerfield Capital L.P.; Deerfield Partners, L.P.; Deerfield Management Company, L.P.; Deerfield International Limited; Deerfield Special Situations Fund, L.P.; Deerfield Special Situations Fund International Limited; and James E. Flynn.
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit A

Agreement

         The undersigned agree that this Schedule 13G, and all amendments thereto, relating to the Common Stock of Nuvasive, Inc. shall be filed on behalf of the undersigned.
 
 
DEERFIELD CAPITAL, L.P.
     
By:
J.E. Flynn Capital LLC, General Partner
  
     
By:
/s/ Darren Levine
  
 
Darren Levine, Attorney-In-Fact
  
 
 
DEERFIELD PARTNERS, L.P.
     
By:
Deerfield Capital, L.P., General Partner
  
     
By:
J.E. Flynn Capital LLC, General Partner
  
     
By:
/s/ Darren Levine
  
 
Darren Levine, Attorney-In-Fact
  
 
 
DEERFIELD MANAGEMENT COMPANY, L.P.
     
By:
Flynn Management LLC, General Partner
  
     
By:
/s/ Darren Levine
  
 
Darren Levine, Attorney-In-Fact
  
 
 
DEERFIELD INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
     
By:
/s/ Darren Levine
  
 
Darren Levine, Attorney-In-Fact
  
     
     
JAMES E. FLYNN
     
/s/ Darren Levine
  
Darren Levine, Attorney-In-Fact
  
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit B
 
Due to the relationships between them, the reporting persons hereunder may be deemed to constitute a “group” with one another for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.