SeaStar Medical Announces 1-for-10 Reverse Split

Rhea-AI Summary

SeaStar Medical (Nasdaq: ICU) announced a 1-for-10 reverse stock split effective 12:01 a.m. ET on January 5, 2026, with post-split trading beginning at the open on January 5, 2026.

The reverse split will convert every 10 pre-split shares into 1 share, change the CUSIP to 81256L302, and proportionally adjust outstanding stock options and certain warrants. Stockholders entitled to fractional shares will receive one whole share instead of fractional shares. The company said the objective is to increase the market price to help regain compliance with Nasdaq's $1.00 minimum bid rule.

Positive

• 1-for-10 reverse split effective Jan 5, 2026
• CUSIP changes to 81256L302 post-split
• Outstanding options and warrants adjusted proportionally

Negative

• Reverse split may not guarantee Nasdaq compliance
• Potential reduced liquidity from share consolidation
• Trading volatility risk around the Jan 5, 2026 effective date

Key Figures

Reverse split ratio 1-for-10 Reverse stock split effective January 5, 2026

Effective time 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time Reverse split effective on January 5, 2026

Minimum bid requirement $1.00 Nasdaq minimum bid price compliance objective

Share consolidation 10-to-1 Each 10 pre-split shares combine into 1 post-split share

New CUSIP 81256L302 CUSIP for post-split common stock

FDA approval year 2024 QUELIMMUNE (SCD-PED) therapy approval by FDA

Breakthrough indications 6 indications SCD therapy Breakthrough Device Designation from FDA

AKI adult incidence over 200,000 adults U.S. adults annually with AKI requiring CRRT

Market Reality Check

$0.2631 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,565,254 is at 0.48x the 20-day average of 3,276,820, indicating subdued trading ahead of the reverse split. low

Technical Shares trade well below the 200-day MA, with price at 0.2352 vs 200-day MA of 0.9, and only slightly above the 52-week low of 0.2315.

Peers on Argus 1 Up

ICU is up 5.11% while key peers are mixed: AKTX at -7.29%, NRXS at -13.43%, BOLD at -5.34%, ENLV at 0.73%, and RNTX flat. Only AKTX showed upside momentum in scanners, suggesting ICU’s move is company-specific around the reverse split news.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock moved -8.6% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite the procedural nature of a 1-for-10 reverse split would have fit concerns about structurally low prices, given trading just above the 0.2315 52-week low and far below the 0.9 200-day MA. Historically, such splits often reflected underlying business or listing challenges, so investors would have focused on execution around the FDA-approved QUELIMMUNE therapy and progress in the NEUTRALIZE-AKI pivotal trial when reassessing valuation.

Key Terms

reverse stock split financial

"announced today the Company’s 1-for-10 reverse stock split (Reverse Split)"

A reverse stock split is when a company reduces the number of its shares outstanding, making each share more valuable. For example, if you own 100 shares worth $1 each, a 1-for-10 reverse split would turn your 100 shares into 10 shares worth $10 each. Companies often do this to boost their stock price and appear more stable to investors.

cusip financial

"The Company's common stock will trade under a new CUSIP number – 81256L302."

A CUSIP is a nine-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies a U.S. or Canadian financial security—such as a stock, bond, or fund share—like a Social Security number for an investment. It matters to investors because brokers, exchanges and record-keepers use the CUSIP to match trades, track ownership, settle transactions and pull accurate records, reducing errors and ensuring money and securities go to the right place.

stock options financial

"reduces the number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise or vesting of its outstanding stock options"

Stock options are agreements that give a person the right to buy or sell a company's stock at a specific price within a certain time frame. They are often used as a reward or incentive, similar to a coupon that can be used later if the stock price rises, allowing the holder to make a profit.

warrants financial

"and certain warrants in proportion to the ratio of the Reverse Split"

Warrants are special documents that give you the right to buy a company's stock at a set price before a certain date. They are often used as a way for companies to attract investors or raise money, and their value can increase if the company's stock price goes up.

current report on form 8-k regulatory

"refer to SeaStar Medical’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities"

A current report on Form 8-K is a document that publicly traded companies file to promptly share important news or events that could affect their financial position or stock price, such as major business changes or legal issues. It helps investors stay informed about timely developments, allowing them to make better decisions about buying or selling shares.

u.s. food and drug administration (fda) regulatory

"approved in 2024 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a government agency responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety and effectiveness of food, medicines, vaccines, and other health-related products. For investors, the FDA’s decisions can significantly impact companies in the healthcare and food industries, as approval or rejection of products can influence a company's success and stock performance.

breakthrough device designation regulatory

"has been awarded Breakthrough Device Designation for six therapeutic indications by the FDA"

A breakthrough device designation is a regulatory program that gives promising medical devices for serious or life‑threatening conditions priority support and faster review from a health authority (e.g., the U.S. FDA). Think of it as a “fast lane” or VIP pass through development and review: it can shorten time to market, lower regulatory uncertainty, and boost a company’s commercial prospects — but it is not an approval by itself.

continuous renal replacement therapy (crrt) medical

"adult patients with AKI requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)"

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a slow, gentle form of dialysis used in intensive care to remove waste, excess fluid, and balance electrolytes from the blood around the clock when kidneys are failing. For investors, CRRT matters because it drives demand for specialized machines, consumable filters, training and hospital ICU time, and influences treatment costs and outcomes—factors that affect revenues and margins for medical device makers and healthcare providers.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

DENVER, Dec. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: ICU), a commercial-stage healthcare company focused on transforming treatments for critically ill patients facing organ failure and potential loss of life, announced today the Company’s 1-for-10 reverse stock split (Reverse Split), which will become effective as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on January 5, 2026. The Company’s common stock will begin trading on a post-split adjusted basis on The Nasdaq Capital Market (Nasdaq) effective with the open of the market on January 5, 2026. SeaStar Medical’s stock will continue to trade under the ticker symbol “ICU.”

Authorization for the Reverse Split was approved by the Company’s stockholders at SeaStar Medical’s 2025 Special Meeting of Stockholders held on December 18, 2025. The objective of the Reverse Split is to increase the market price for the Company’s common stock to, among things, enable the Company to regain compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement under applicable Nasdaq Listing Rules. The Company's common stock will trade under a new CUSIP number – 81256L302.

As a result of the Reverse Split, each 10 pre-split shares of common stock outstanding will automatically combine and convert to 1 issued and outstanding share of common stock. Stockholders of record who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares will receive one whole share of common stock in lieu of such fractional share. The Reverse Split reduces the number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise or vesting of its outstanding stock options and certain warrants in proportion to the ratio of the Reverse Split and causes a proportionate increase in the exercise prices of such stock options and warrants.

Stockholders of record will receive information regarding their share ownership following the reverse stock split from the Company’s transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company. Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company can be reached at 800-509-8856. Stockholders owning shares via a bank, broker or other nominee will have their positions automatically adjusted to reflect the Reverse Split and will not be required to take further action in connection with the Reverse Split, subject to brokers’ particular processes.

For additional information regarding the Reverse Split, please refer to SeaStar Medical’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 18, 2025.

About SeaStar Medical

SeaStar Medical is a commercial-stage healthcare company focused on transforming treatments for critically ill patients facing organ failure and potential loss of life. The QUELIMMUNE (SCD-PED) therapy is SeaStar Medical’s first commercial product based on its patented Selective Cytopheretic Device (SCD) technology. The QUELIMMUNE (SCD-PED) therapy was approved in 2024 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is the only FDA approved product for the ultra-rare condition of life-threatening acute kidney injury (AKI) due to sepsis or a septic condition in critically ill pediatric patients. SeaStar Medical’s Selective Cytopheretic Device (SCD) therapy has been awarded Breakthrough Device Designation for six therapeutic indications by the FDA, enabling the potential for a speedier pathway to approval and preferable reimbursement dynamics at commercial launch. The company is currently conducting the NEUTRALIZE-AKI pivotal trial of its SCD therapy in adult patients with AKI requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), a life-threatening condition with no effective treatment options that impacts over 200,000 adults in the U.S. annually.

For more information visit www.seastarmedical.com or visit us on LinkedIn or X.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1955. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, SeaStar Medical’s expectations with respect to the proposed reverse stock split and the ability of SeaStar Medical to regain compliance with Nasdaq listing rules. Words such as “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside SeaStar Medical’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause actual future events to differ materially from the expected results include, but are not limited to: (i) the risk that SeaStar Medical may not be able to obtain regulatory approval of its SCD product candidates; (ii) the risk that SeaStar Medical may not be able to raise sufficient capital to fund its operations, including current or future clinical trials; (iii) the risk that SeaStar Medical and its current and future collaborators are unable to successfully develop and commercialize its products or services, or experience significant delays in doing so, including failure to achieve approval of its products by applicable federal and state regulators, (iv) the risk that SeaStar Medical may never achieve or sustain profitability; (v) the risk that SeaStar Medical may not be able to secure additional financing on acceptable terms; (vi) the risk that third-party suppliers and manufacturers are not able to fully and timely meet their obligations, (vii) the risk of product liability or regulatory lawsuits or proceedings relating to SeaStar Medical’s products and services, (viii) the risk that SeaStar Medical is unable to secure or protect its intellectual property, and (ix) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in SeaStar Medical’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, including those under the “Risk Factors” section therein and in SeaStar Medical’s other filings with the SEC. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and SeaStar Medical assumes no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. 

Contact:

IR@SEASTARMED.COM

FAQ

What is SeaStar Medical's 1-for-10 reverse split and when does it take effect for ICU?

SeaStar Medical is executing a 1-for-10 reverse split that becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. ET on January 5, 2026, with trading on a post-split basis at market open that day.

Will SeaStar Medical ticker or CUSIP change after the reverse split for ICU?

The ticker remains ICU; the company's common stock will trade under a new CUSIP: 81256L302.

How will SeaStar Medical's reverse split affect my fractional shares and brokerage-held ICU shares?

Record holders entitled to fractional shares will receive one whole share in lieu of fractional shares; positions held at brokers will be automatically adjusted subject to each broker's processes.

How does the reverse split affect SeaStar Medical stock options and warrants (ICU)?

Outstanding stock options and certain warrants will be combined and converted in proportion to the 1-for-10 ratio and their exercise prices will increase proportionately.

Does the SeaStar Medical reverse split ensure ICU will meet Nasdaq's $1.00 minimum bid rule?

The company stated the objective is to raise the market price to help regain compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid, but the reverse split does not guarantee compliance.