UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
DC 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment
No. )
Filed
by the Registrant |
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Filed
by a party other than the Registrant |
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Check
the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material under § 240.14a-12 |
NUWELLIS,
INC. |
(Name
of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
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(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
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No
fee required |
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials |
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Fee
computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 |
,
2025
To
our Stockholders:
A special meeting of stockholders will
be held on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. U.S. Central Time (the ‘‘Special Meeting”) to conduct
the following items of business:
| ● | Proposal
1 – To approve the issuance of shares of Common Stock in accordance with Nasdaq
Listing Rule 5635(d) and Nasdaq’s interpretations and guidance thereunder pursuant
to the exercise of warrants sold in our financing transaction that closed on June 10,
2025 (the “Offering”). We refer to this proposal as the “Warrant
Exercise Proposal” or “Proposal 1.” |
| ● | Proposal
2 – The approval of an amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to increase the authorized number
of shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000 shares. We refer to this proposal
as the “Authorized Shares Increase Proposal” or “Proposal 2.” |
| ● | Proposal
3 – To approve an amendment to our Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended, to effect a reverse split of our outstanding common stock
at a ratio in the range of 1-for-5 to 1-for-70, to be determined at the discretion of
our Board of Directors, whereby each outstanding 5 to 70 shares of common stock would
be combined, converted and changed into 1 share of our common stock, to enable the Company
to comply with the Nasdaq Stock Market’s continued listing requirements, which
such approval granted to the Board of Directors shall be effectuated, in the discretion
of the Board of Directors, if at all, within twelve months after the date that the Company’s
stockholders approve this proposal. We refer to this proposal as the “Reverse Split
Proposal” or “Proposal 3.” |
| ● | Proposal
4 – To authorize one or more adjournments of the Special Meeting to solicit
additional proxies in the event there are insufficient votes to approve Proposals 1,
2 or 3 described above. |
Our
Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4.
The
Special Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting of stockholders, which will be conducted via live webcast. You will be able
to attend the Special Meeting online, vote and submit your questions during the Special Meeting. We are pleased to utilize the
virtual stockholder meeting technology to provide ready access and cost savings for our stockholders and the Company. The virtual
meeting format allows attendance from any location in the world.
Even
if you are planning on attending the Special Meeting online, please promptly submit your proxy vote via the Internet, by telephone,
or, if you received a printed form of proxy in the mail, by completing, dating, signing and returning the enclosed proxy, so your
shares will be represented at the Special Meeting. Instructions on voting your shares are in the proxy materials you received
for the Special Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Special Meeting online, it is strongly recommended you vote before the
Special Meeting date, to ensure that your shares will be represented at the Special Meeting if you are unable to attend.
Details
regarding admission to the meeting and the business to be conducted at the meeting are more fully described in the accompanying
Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement.
Only
holders of our common stock at the close of business on June 9, 2025, the record date, are entitled to receive notice of and to
attend and vote at the Special Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Your
vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting virtually, please submit your completed proxy as soon
as possible so that your shares can be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you attend the Special Meeting, you
may revoke your proxy in accordance with the procedures set forth in the proxy statement and vote in person.
Thank
you for your continued support of Nuwellis.
Sincerely,
John
L. Erb
President
& Chief Executive Officer
Corporate
Headquarters
12988
Valley View Road
Eden
Prairie, Minnesota 55344
(952)
345-4200
NUWELLIS,
INC.
12988
Valley View Road
Eden
Prairie, Minnesota 55344
PRELIMINARY
PROXY STATEMENT - SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
NOTICE
OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
Be Held on August 4, 2025
Dear
Stockholder:
You are invited to attend a Special Meeting
of Stockholders, or the “Special Meeting”, of Nuwellis, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or the “Company,”
to be held on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. The Special Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only,
via live webcast on the Internet, with no physical in-person meeting. You will be able to attend and participate in the Special
Meeting online by visiting https://web.viewproxy.com/NUWESM, where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit
questions and vote. You will need to have the control number included in your proxy materials to join the virtual Special Meeting.
As always, we encourage you to vote your shares prior to the Special Meeting. You are being asked to vote on the following matters:
| ● | Proposal
1 – To approve the issuance of shares of Common Stock in accordance with Nasdaq
Listing Rule 5635(d) and Nasdaq’s interpretations and guidance thereunder pursuant
to the exercise of warrants sold in our financing transaction that closed on June 10,
2025 (the “Offering”). We refer to this proposal as the “Warrant
Exercise Proposal” or “Proposal 1. |
| ● | Proposal
2 – The approval of an amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to increase the authorized number
of shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000 shares. We refer to this proposal
as the “Authorized Shares Increase Proposal” or “Proposal 2.” |
| ● | Proposal
3 – To approve an amendment to our Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended, to effect a reverse split of our outstanding common stock
at a ratio in the range of 1-for-5 to 1-for-70, to be determined at the discretion of
our Board of Directors, whereby each outstanding 5 to 70 shares of common stock would
be combined, converted and changed into 1 share of our common stock, to enable the Company
to comply with the Nasdaq Stock Market’s continued listing requirements, which
such approval granted to the Board of Directors shall be effectuated, in the discretion
of the Board of Directors, if at all, within twelve months after the date that the Company’s
stockholders approve this proposal. We refer to this proposal as the “Reverse Split
Proposal” or “Proposal 3.” |
| ● | Proposal
4 – To authorize one or more adjournments of the Special Meeting to solicit
additional proxies in the event there are insufficient votes to approve Proposals 1,
2 or 3 described above. |
These
items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.
The
record date for the Special Meeting is June 9, 2025, stockholders of record at the close of business on that date may vote at
the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The Special Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting of stockholders. To participate,
vote or submit questions during the Special Meeting via live webcast, please visit https://web.viewproxy.com/NUWESM.
You
will not be able to attend the Special Meeting in person.
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By
Order of the Board of Directors |
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Neil
P. Ayotte |
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Secretary |
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,
2025 |
You
are cordially invited to attend the virtual Special Meeting. Whether or not you expect
to attend the Special Meeting, PLEASE VOTE YOUR SHARES. As an alternative to voting online
at the Special Meeting, you may vote via the internet, by telephone or, if you receive
a paper proxy card by mailing the completed proxy card. Voting instructions are provided
in the instructions printed on your proxy card.
Even
if you have voted by proxy, you may still vote online at the Special Meeting. Please note, however, that if your shares are held
of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the Special Meeting, you must follow the instructions from
such organization and will need to obtain a legal proxy issued in your name from that record holder.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING |
4 |
PROPOSAL 1 – APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF UP TO 1,599,214 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK UPON THE EXERCISE OF WARRANTS |
8 |
PROPOSAL 2 –
APPROVAL OF INCREASE IN NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK |
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PROPOSAL 3 – TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO OUR FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED, TO EFFECT
A REVERSE SPLIT OF OUR OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK. |
11 |
PROPOSAL 4 –
APPROVAL OF AN ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES |
20 |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT |
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ADDITIONAL MATTERS |
22 |
Other Matters |
22 |
Householding |
22 |
Requirements for Submissions of Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for 2026 Annual Meeting |
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Solicitation by Board; Expenses |
23 |
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on August 4, 2025 |
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ANNEXES
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NUWELLIS,
INC.
12988
Valley View Road
Eden
Prairie, Minnesota 55344
PROXY
STATEMENT
FOR
THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
Be Held On August 4, 2025
I. |
ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING |
Who
is soliciting my vote?
The Board of Directors (the “Board”)
of Nuwellis, Inc. (the “Company”, “we” or “us”) is
soliciting your proxy, as a holder of our common stock, for use at the special meeting of stockholders and any postponement, adjournment
or delay thereof (the “meeting” or the “special meeting”). The special meeting
will be held on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. U.S. Central Time, virtually via live webcast.
The
notice of special meeting, proxy statement and form of proxy card are expected to be first mailed to stockholders of record on
or about , 2025.
What
is the purpose of the special meeting?
At
the special meeting, you will be voting on:
| ● | Proposal
1 – To approve the issuance of shares of Common Stock in accordance with Nasdaq
Listing Rule 5635(d) and Nasdaq’s interpretations and guidance thereunder pursuant
to the exercise of warrants sold in our financing transaction that closed on June 10,
2025 (the “Offering”). We refer to this proposal as the “Warrant
Exercise Proposal” or “Proposal 1. |
| ● | Proposal
2 – The approval of an amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to increase the authorized number
of shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000 shares. We refer to this proposal
as the “Authorized Share Increase Proposal” or “Proposal 2.” |
| ● | Proposal
3 – To approve an amendment to our Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended, to effect a reverse split of our outstanding common stock
at a ratio in the range of 1-for-5 to 1-for-70, to be determined at the discretion of
our Board of Directors, whereby each outstanding 5 to 70 shares of common stock would
be combined, converted and changed into 1 share of our common stock, to enable the Company
to comply with the Nasdaq Stock Market’s continued listing requirements, which
such approval granted to the Board of Directors shall be effectuated, in the discretion
of the Board of Directors, if at all, within twelve months after the date that the Company’s
stockholders approve this proposal. We refer to this proposal as the “Reverse Split
Proposal” or “Proposal 3.” |
| ● | Proposal
4 – To authorize one or more adjournments of the Special Meeting to solicit
additional proxies in the event there are insufficient votes to approve Proposals 1,
2 or 3 described above. |
The
Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Except
as noted herein, share numbers are provided as of the record date.
Who
is entitled to vote?
You
may vote if you owned shares of our common stock at the close of business on June 9, 2025, the record date, provided such shares
are held directly in your name as the stockholder of record or are held for you as the beneficial owner through a broker, bank
or other nominee. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter properly brought before the meeting. As of
June 9, 2025, we had 130,154 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote (adjusted to reflect the effectiveness of
the amendment to our certificate of incorporation that became effective on July 3, 2025 for a 1-for-42 reverse stock split).
What
is the difference between a stockholder of record and a beneficial owner?
Stockholders
of Record. If your common shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, you are considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares, and these proxy materials are being
sent directly to you by us. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to us through
the enclosed proxy card or to vote at the special meeting.
Beneficial
Owners. Many of our stockholders hold their common shares through a broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in
their own names. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial
owner with respect to those shares, and these proxy materials (including a voting instruction card) are being forwarded to
you by your broker, bank or nominee who is considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. As the beneficial
owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee on how to vote and are also invited to attend the special meeting.
However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares at the special meeting unless you request
and obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or nominee and register to attend the special meeting (as described below). Your
broker, bank or nominee has enclosed a voting instruction card for you to use in directing it on how to vote your shares.
Can
I vote my shares without attending the special meeting?
Stockholders
of Record. You may vote by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided.
If
you are a stockholder of record, you may also vote by internet or by phone. To vote by internet or phone, you will need to use
a control number provided to you in the materials with this proxy statement and follow the additional steps when prompted. The
steps have been designed to authenticate your identity, allow you to give voting instructions and confirm that those instructions
have been recorded properly.
Beneficial
Owners. If you are a beneficial owner, you must vote your shares in the manner prescribed by your broker, bank or other nominee.
You will receive a voting instruction card (not a proxy card) to use in directing the broker, bank or nominee how to vote your
shares. You may also have the option to vote your shares via the internet or phone.
May
I attend the special meeting and vote my shares in person virtually?
All of our
stockholders are invited to participate in the special meeting. The special meeting will be a virtual meeting of stockholders.
You are invited to attend and vote your shares at the special meeting live via internet webcast so long as you register to attend
the special meeting at https://web.viewproxy.com/NUWESM by 10:59 p.m. Central
Time on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (the “Registration Deadline”). If you hold your shares through a bank,
broker or other nominee and would like to vote online at the meeting, you must obtain a “legal proxy” from that entity
and submit it when you register prior to the Registration Deadline. After registering you will receive an e-mail containing a
unique link and password that will enable you to attend the meeting and vote. You will not be able to attend the special meeting
in person. We recommend that you log in at least fifteen minutes before the special meeting to ensure that you are logged in when
the meeting starts. If you encounter problems logging in to the meeting, technical support will be available at the telephone
number posted on the meeting website.
Can
I change my vote?
Stockholders of Record. You may
change your vote at any time before your proxy is exercised by sending a written notice of revocation or a later-dated proxy to
our Secretary, which must be received prior to commencement of the special meeting; by submitting a later-dated proxy via internet
or phone before 10:59 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, August 3, 2025; or by voting in person at the special meeting. Your attendance
at the special meeting in person virtually will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you file the proper
documentation for it to be so revoked.
Beneficial
Owners. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, you should contact such person prior to the time
such voting instructions are exercised.
What
does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction card?
If
you receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction card, it means that you have multiple accounts with brokers, banks
or other nominees and/or our transfer agent. Please sign and deliver, or otherwise vote, each proxy card and voting instruction
card that you receive. We recommend that you contact your brokers, banks or other nominees and/or our transfer agent, as appropriate,
to consolidate as many accounts as possible under the same name and address. Our transfer agent is Equiniti Trust Company, LLC,
6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219; telephone: 800-937-5449.
What
if I do not vote for some of the items listed on my proxy card or voting instruction card?
Stockholders
of Record. If you indicate a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon on your proxy card, the shares will be voted
in accordance with your instructions. Proxy cards that are signed and returned, but do not contain voting instructions with respect
to certain matters, will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board on such matters.
Beneficial
Owners. If you indicate a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon on your voting instruction card, the shares will
be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you do not return the voting instruction card, the broker, bank or other nominee
will determine if it has the discretionary authority to vote on each matter. Under applicable regulations, a broker, bank or nominee
generally has the discretion to vote on routine matters, including Proposals 2, 3 and 4.Therefore, it is very important for you
to vote your shares for each proposal.
How
many shares must be present to hold the meeting?
In
order for us to conduct the special meeting, one-third of our outstanding shares entitled to vote as of June 9, 2025 must be present
in person or by proxy at the meeting. This is called a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be considered present for
purposes of determining a quorum.
What
vote is required to approve each item of business?
Proposal 1 - Approval of Warrant Exercise
Proposal. The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of votes cast is required for the approval of the Warrant Exercise
Proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not have an effect on this proposal.
Proposal
2 – Approval of the Authorized Increase Proposal. The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of votes cast is required
for the approval of the Authorized Share Increase Proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not have an effect
on this proposal.
Proposal
3 – Approval of the Reverse Split Proposal. The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast is required
for the approval of the Reverse Split Proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not have an effect on this proposal.
Proposal 4 - Approval of Adjournment.
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented
by proxy at the special meeting and entitled to vote thereon, is required for any adjournment of the special meeting to solicit
additional proxies in the event there are insufficient votes to approve Proposal 1, 2 and 3. Abstentions will have the same effect
as a vote against the matter. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
Other
Matters. The Board does not propose to conduct any business at the meeting, nor is it aware of any other matter to be presented
for action at the meeting, other than as stated above.
Who
will count the votes and where can I find the voting results?
Alliance
Advisors, LLC will tabulate the voting results. We intend to announce the preliminary voting results at the special meeting and,
in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we intend
to publish the final results in a current report on Form 8-K within four business days of the special meeting.
Who
can help answer my other questions?
If
you have more questions about the proposals or voting, you should contact Alliance Advisors, LLC, which is assisting us with the
proxy solicitation.
The
Solicitation Agent for the Special Meeting is:
The
Overlook Corporate Center
Clove
Rd. #400
Little
Falls Township, NJ 07424
Tel:
1-844-202-6063
PROPOSAL
NO. 1
APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF UP TO 1,599,214 SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK UPON THE EXERCISE OF WARRANTS
Background
of the Offering
We
are seeking stockholder approval (“Warrant Stockholder Approval”) for the issuance of up to 1,599,214
shares of our common stock upon the exercise of warrants that we issued in the Offering pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635.
On
June 9, 2025, we entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Ladenburg
Thalmann & Co., Inc. (the “Underwriter”) pursuant to which we sold (i) 61,443 shares of the Company’s
common stock, (ii) 335,380 pre-funded warrants to purchase common stock, (iii) 11,905 warrants to the Underwriter (the “Underwriter
Warrants”), (iv) 1,190,480 Series A Warrants (“Series A Warrants”) and (v) 396,829 Series
B Warrants (“Series B Warrants” and, together with the Underwriter Warrants and Series A Warrants, the
“Warrants”) at an offering price of $0.30 per unit. The gross proceeds received by us from the Offering
were approximately $5.0 million and the offering closed on June 10, 2025. All amounts set forth herein have been adjusted
to reflect the effectiveness of the amendment to our certificate of incorporation that became effective on July 3, 2025 for a
1-for-42 reverse stock split.
The
purpose of the Offering was to provide the Company with working capital for operations and generally corporate purposes. If our
stockholders do not approve this Proposal 1, we will be required to hold a stockholder meeting every forty days until we obtain
such Warrant Stockholder Approval. We will incur substantial costs, and management will devote substantial time and attention,
in attempting to obtain the Warrant Stockholder Approval.
Description
of Warrants
In
compliance with Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(d), the Warrants are not exercisable until we receive the Warrant Stockholder Approval.
Following the Warrant Stockholder Approval, the Warrants will be exercisable for five years from the date of Warrant Stockholder
Approval. The Warrants have an initial exercise price per share equal to $12.60 per share, subject to certain adjustment.
The
Warrant holders must pay the exercise price in cash upon the exercise of the Warrants. However, at any time when a registration
statement covering the issuance of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is not effective, the holder
may, at its option, exercise its Warrants on a cashless basis.
The
Series A Warrants contain a one-time reset of the exercise price in the event that the Company implements a reverse stock split
to the greater of: (i) 20% of the combined public offering price per share of common stock and accompanying common warrants in
this offering and (ii) the lowest daily volume weighted average price for the five trading days immediately following the date
of the implementation of a reverse stock split (the “Price Reset”).
The
Series B Warrant contains a zero cash exercise option whereby holders of a Series B Warrant will have the right to receive, without
payment of any additional cash to the Company, an aggregate number of shares equal to the number of shares of common stock that
would be issuable upon a cash exercise of such Series B Warrant.
Purpose
of Proposal No. 1
Our
common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) and trades under the ticker symbol
“NUWE.” Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) (“Rule 5635”) requires stockholder approval of transactions
other than public offerings of greater than 20% of the outstanding common stock or voting power of the issuer prior to the offering.
In determining whether an offering qualifies as a public offering, Nasdaq considers all relevant factors, including the extent
of any discount to market price. In determining discount, Nasdaq generally attributes a value of $0.125 for each Warrant offered
with a share of common stock, which value is generally deemed to be a discount. In order to ensure that the Offering qualified
as a public offering under Rule 5635 due to the value attributable to the Warrants, the Warrants provide that they may not be
exercised — and therefore have no value — until stockholder approval of their exercise
is obtained.
Potential
Consequences if Proposal No. 1 is Not Approved
The
board of directors is not seeking the approval of our stockholders to authorize our entry into the Underwriting Agreement, as
the Offering has already been completed and the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants have already been issued. We are only
asking for approval to issue the shares underlying the Warrants in connection with an exercise of the Warrants.
The
failure of our stockholders to approve this Proposal No. 1 will mean that: (i) we cannot permit the exercise of the Warrants
and (ii) we may incur substantial costs and expenses.
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Each
of the Series A Warrants has an initial exercise price of $12.60 per share (subject to the Price Reset). Even if the exercise
price is reduced to the lowest possible exercise price pursuant to the Price Reset, if all the Series A Warrants are cash
exercised we will receive additional proceeds of approximately $3.0 million. If the Warrants cannot be exercised, we
will not receive any such proceeds, which could adversely impact our ability to fund our operations and advance the clinical
trials and related product development activities for our product candidates.
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Each
of the Underwriter Warrants has an initial exercise price of $20.79 per share. If all the Underwriter Warrants are cash
exercised we will receive additional proceeds of approximately $0.25 million. If the Warrants cannot be exercised, we
will not receive any such proceeds, which could adversely impact our ability to fund our operations and advance the clinical
trials and related product development activities for our product candidates.
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In connection with
the Offering and the issuance of Warrants, we agreed to seek stockholder approval every forty (40) days until our stockholders
approve the issuance of the shares underlying the Warrants. The costs and expenses associated with seeking such approval could
adversely impact our ability to fund our operations. |
Potential
Adverse Effects of the Approval of Proposal No. 1
If
this Proposal No. 1 is approved, existing stockholders may suffer dilution in their ownership interests as a result of the potential
issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the Warrants. Assuming the full exercise of the Warrants, an aggregate of
1,599,214 additional shares of common stock will be issued, and the ownership interest of our existing stockholders would be correspondingly
reduced. The number of shares of common stock described above does not give effect to (i) the issuance of shares of common
stock pursuant to other outstanding options and warrants or (ii) any other future issuances of our common stock. The sale
into the public market of these shares also could materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Interests
of Certain Persons
None
of our directors and executive officers have substantial interests, directly or indirectly, in the matters set forth in this Proposal
1 except to the extent of their ownership of shares of our common stock and common stock underlying other convertible securities.
Vote
Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of
shares of Common Stock representing a majority of votes cast at the Special Meeting will be required for approval of this proposal.
Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not have an effect on this proposal.
OUR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 1.
PROPOSAL
2
APPROVAL
OF INCREASE IN NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The
Board is requesting stockholder approval of an amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
to increase the Company’s authorized number of shares of common stock from 100,000,000 shares to 200,000,000 shares.
The
additional common stock to be authorized by adoption of the amendment would have rights identical to the currently outstanding
common stock of the Company. Adoption of the proposed amendment would not affect the rights of the holders of currently outstanding
common stock of the Company, except for effects incidental to any increase in the number of shares of the Company’s common
stock authorized. If the amendment is adopted, it will become effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Amendment of the Company’s
Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The text of the
proposed Certificate of Amendment of the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is attached hereto as Annex
A.
As
of June 9, 2025, our Fourth Amended and Restated Certification of Incorporation, as amended provides for 100,000,000 shares
of authorized common stock and 40,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock, 30,000 of which are designated Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, 18,000 of which are designated as Series F Convertible Preferred Stock, 100 of which are designated Series F-1 Convertible Preferred Stock, and 600,000 of which are designated
Series J Convertible Preferred Stock.
Although
at present the Board has no other plans to issue the additional shares of common stock, it desires to have the shares available
to provide additional flexibility to use its capital stock for business and financial purposes in the future. The additional shares
available to be issued may be used for various purposes without further stockholder approval, unless required pursuant to other
rules and regulations. These purposes may include raising capital; providing equity incentives to employees, officers or directors;
establishing strategic relationships with other companies; and other purposes.
Pursuant
to Section 242(d)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation will be approved if the votes cast “For” the amendment exceed the votes cast “Against”
the amendment. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, stockholders are not entitled to rights of dissent or appraisal with
respect to the proposed amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock
pursuant to this Proposal 2, and we will not independently provide our stockholders with any such right.
Vote
Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of Common Stock
representing a majority of votes cast at the Special Meeting will be required for approval of this proposal. Accordingly, abstentions
and broker non-votes, if any, will not have an effect on this proposal. Brokers generally have discretionary authority to vote
on the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, thus, broker
non-votes are not expected to result from the vote on this proposal.
OUR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 2.
PROPOSAL
3
TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO OUR FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED, TO EFFECT A REVERSE
SPLIT OF OUR
OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK
The Company’s Fourth Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as amended, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) currently authorizes the
issuance of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. On June 30, 2025, the Company had 527,092 shares of
common stock issued and outstanding. Additionally, there were 15,728 shares issuable upon the conversion of outstanding preferred
stock, 4,471 shares of common stock issuable under the Company’s equity incentive plans and 1,725,514 shares of common stock
reserved pursuant to currently exercisable outstanding warrants.
The
Board has unanimously approved an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse split of the
Company’s common stock any time prior to the first anniversary of its approval by the stockholders at a ratio in the range
of 1-for-5 to 1-for-70, to be determined at the discretion of the Board, whereby each outstanding 5 to 70 common shares would
be combined, converted and changed into 1 share of the Company’s common stock. A copy of the certificate of amendment for
the reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment”) to the Certificate of Incorporation is
attached hereto as Annex B.
If
the Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment is approved by the holders of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting
for Proposal 3, the Board will have discretion to determine, as it deems to be in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders,
the specific ratio to be used within the range described above and the timing of the reverse stock split, which must occur any
time prior to the first anniversary of its approval by the stockholders. The Board believes that stockholder approval of the range
of reverse stock split ratios (as opposed to approval of a single reverse stock split ratio) provides the Board with maximum flexibility
to achieve the purpose of a reverse stock split, as discussed below, and therefore is in the best interests of the Company and
its stockholders.
The
Board may, in its discretion, determine not to effect the reverse stock split if it determines, subsequent to obtaining stockholder
approval, that such action is not in the best interests of the Company. By voting in favor of the reverse stock split, you are
expressly authorizing the Board to determine not to proceed with, and abandon, the reverse stock split if it should so decide.
The
Board has unanimously recommended that the proposed Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment to effect the reverse stock split
be presented to the Company’s stockholders for approval.
Reasons
for the Reverse Stock Split
Our
common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “NUWE”. In order to maintain that listing,
we must satisfy minimum financial and other requirements including, without limitation, the minimum stockholders’ equity
requirement and the minimum bid price requirement. There can be no assurances that we will be successful in maintaining,
or if we fall out of compliance, in regaining compliance with the continued listing requirements and maintaining the listing of
our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
We
continue to actively monitor our performance with respect to the Nasdaq listing standards and will consider available options
to resolve any deficiency and maintain compliance with the Nasdaq rules. There can be no assurance that we will be able
to maintain compliance or, if we fall out of compliance, regain compliance with any deficiency, or if we implement an option that
regains our compliance, maintain compliance thereafter.
While
the Company currently remains compliant with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, the Board is asking the stockholders to grant
it the authority, at its discretion, to effect a reverse stock split, if one becomes needed within the next twelve months of this
proposed stockholder approval, which the Board believes is an effective way to increase the minimum bid price of our common stock
proportionately and put us in a position to regain and maintain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), if necessary.
The
Board believes that maintaining the listing of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq is in the best interests of the Company
and its stockholders. The Board believes that the delisting of the Company’s common stock from Nasdaq would impair our ability
to raise additional funds and result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for the Company’s common
stock, among other things. See “—Certain Risk Factors Associated with the Reverse Stock Split or Nasdaq Delisting”
below for more information.
Determination
of the Reverse Stock Split Ratio
In
determining the ratio to be used, the Board will consider various factors, including but not limited to, (i) the potential impact
and anticipated benefits to the Company and its stockholders, (ii) market conditions and existing and expected market prices of
the Company’s common stock at such time, (iii) the number of shares that will be outstanding after the reverse stock split,
(iv) the stockholders’ equity at such time, and (v) the trading volume of the Company’s common stock at such time.
Our Board only intends to implement the reverse stock split to the extent it believes necessary to maintain the Company’s
listing on Nasdaq and to ensure that a sufficient number of shares of our common stock are authorized to satisfy the Company’s
obligations.
Impact
of the Reverse Stock Split, if Implemented
If
approved and effected, the reverse stock split will automatically apply to all shares of the Company’s common stock, and
each stockholder will own a reduced number of shares of the Company’s common stock. However, except for adjustments that
may result from the treatment of fractional shares, as described below, or as a result of adjustments to the conversion prices
of certain convertible securities, as described below, the reverse stock split will not affect any stockholder’s percentage
ownership or proportionate voting power.
Based
on the Company’s capitalization as of June 30, 2025, the principal effect of the reverse stock split (at a ratio between
1-for-5 and 1-for-70), not taking into account the treatment of fractional shares described under “—Procedure for
Effecting the Reverse Stock Split-Treatment of Fractional Shares” below, would be that:
| ● | the
number of shares of the Company’s authorized common stock would remain unchanged
at 100,000,000 shares (subject to approval of Proposal 2); |
| ● | the
number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding would be
reduced from 22,140,131 shares to approximately 4,428,131 shares and 316,295 shares; |
| ● | the
40,000,000 shares of the Company’s authorized preferred stock, 30,000 of which
are designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, 27 of which are designated
as Series F Convertible Preferred Stock, 34 of which are designated as Series F-1 Convertible
Preferred Stock and 600,000 of which are designated as Series J Convertible Redeemable
Preferred Stock, which would remain unchanged; |
| ● | the
number of shares of the Company’s Series J Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock
issued and outstanding would remain unchanged, although the conversion price of the 119
outstanding shares of Series J Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock would increase
and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of such preferred stock
would decrease in proportion to the reverse stock split from 84 shares to between approximately
589 shares and 42 shares, subject to future adjustment as provided in the Certificate
of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series J Convertible Redeemable
Preferred Stock; |
| ● | the
number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon the exercise or vesting
of outstanding warrants would be reduced from 72,469,870 to between approximately 14,531,654
shares and 1,037,976 shares (and the respective exercise prices of the warrants would
increase by a factor equal to the inverse of the split ratio); |
| ● | the
number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding
stock options and restricted stock units would be reduced from 188,400 to between approximately
37,680 shares and 2,691 shares (and the respective exercise prices of the options would
increase by a factor equal to the inverse of the split ratio); |
| ● | the
aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for issuance,
in connection with future awards under the Company’s equity incentive plans would
be reduced from 1,474,216 to between approximately 294,843 shares and 21,060 shares,
if Proposal 3 is approved, the limit in the 2017 Plan on the number of shares of common
stock that could be issued upon exercise of incentive stock options would not, however,
be adjusted; and |
| ● | the
number of shares of the Company’s common stock that are authorized, but unissued
and unreserved, would remain unchanged (subject to Proposal 2); and the par value of
the Company’s common stock and preferred stock would remain unchanged at $0.0001
per share, and, as a result, the stated capital attributable to common stock on the Company’s
balance sheet would be reduced proportionately based on the reverse stock split ratio,
the additional paid-in capital account would be credited with the amount by which the
stated capital is reduced, and the per-share net income or loss and net book value of
the Company’s common stock would be restated because there would be fewer shares
of common stock outstanding. |
The
following table contains approximate information relating to our common stock immediately following the reverse stock split under
certain possible exchange ratios, based on share information as of June 9, 2025. All share numbers are rounded down to the nearest
whole share.
| |
Pre-Reverse Split | | |
1-for-5 | | |
1-for-10 | | |
1-for-30 | | |
1-for-50 | | |
1-for-70 | |
Number of authorized shares of common
stock | |
| 100,000,000 | | |
| 100,000,000 | | |
| 100,000,000 | | |
| 100,000,000 | | |
| 100,000,000 | | |
| 100,000,000 | |
Number of outstanding shares of common stock | |
| 22,140,655 | | |
| 4,428,131 | | |
| 2,214,065 | | |
| 738,021 | | |
| 442,813 | | |
| 316,295 | |
Number of authorized shares of preferred stock | |
| 40,000,000 | | |
| 40,000,000 | | |
| 40,000,000 | | |
| 40,000,000 | | |
| 40,000,000 | | |
| 40,000,000 | |
Number of shares of common
stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and warrants | |
| 72,658,270 | | |
| 14,531,654 | | |
| 7,265,827 | | |
| 2,421,943 | | |
| 1,453,166 | | |
| 1,037,976 | |
Number
of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of preferred stock(1) | |
| 656,780 | | |
| 131,954 | | |
| 66,059 | | |
| 22,060 | | |
| 13,258 | | |
| 9,496 | |
Number
of shares of common stock reserved for issuance in connection with future awards under the Company’s equity incentive
plans(2) | |
| 1,474,216 | | |
| 294,843 | | |
| 147,421 | | |
| 49,140 | | |
| 29,484 | | |
| 21,060 | |
Number
of shares of common stock authorized, but unissued and unreserved(3) | |
| 3,070,079 | | |
| 80,613418 | | |
| 90,306,628 | | |
| 96,768,836 | | |
| 98,061,279 | | |
| 98,615,173 | |
(1) | The
number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series F Convertible
Preferred Stock and Series J Convertible Preferred Stock will change as a result of adjustments to the conversion price of such
shares pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights
and Limitations of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock and the Certificate of Designation
of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series J Convertible Preferred Stock. Specifically,
if, at any time while shares of such series are outstanding, the Company sells or grants
any option to purchase or sells or grants any right to reprice, or otherwise disposes
of or issues any common stock or its equivalents entitling any person to acquire shares
of common stock at an effective price per share that is lower than the then price of
conversion (other than in connection with certain exempt issuances as set forth in the
certificate of designation for such series), then the price of conversion shall be reduced
to such lower price. |
(2) | The
shares reserved for future issuance under the Company’s 2017 Plan Equity Incentive
Plan are subject to increase on January 1st of each year due to the “evergreen”
provisions in such plans. |
(3) | The
number of authorized, but unissued and unreserved shares of common stock will increase
or decrease in connection with any adjustments to the conversion price of the Company’s
outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock. |
See
also “—Certain Risk Factors Associated with the Reverse Stock Split or Nasdaq Delisting” and “—Procedure
for Effecting the Reverse Stock Split-Treatment of Fractional Shares” below for additional information regarding the potential
impact of the reverse stock split.
Anti-Takeover
and Dilutive Effects
The
number of authorized shares of our common stock and preferred stock will not be reduced as a result of the reverse stock split.
The common stock and preferred stock that is authorized but unissued provide the Board with flexibility to effect, among other
transactions, public or private financings, acquisitions, stock dividends, stock splits and the granting of equity incentive awards.
However, these authorized but unissued shares may also be used by the Board, consistent with and subject to its fiduciary duties,
to deter future attempts to gain control of us or make such actions more expensive and less desirable. The Board would continue
to have authority to issue additional shares from time to time without delay or further action by the stockholders except as may
be required by applicable law or regulations. The Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment is not being recommended in response
to any specific effort of which we are aware to obtain control of us, nor does our Board have any present intent to use the authorized
but unissued common stock or preferred stock to impede a takeover attempt.
Except
for the Company’s obligation to issue common stock upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants or the conversion
of our outstanding shares of preferred stock, we have no specific plan, commitment, arrangement, understanding or agreement, either
oral or written, regarding the issuance of common stock subsequent to the reverse stock split at this time, and we have not allocated
any specific portion of the authorized number of shares to any particular purpose.
Certain
Risk Factors Associated with the Reverse Stock Split or Nasdaq Delisting
A
reverse stock split may negatively impact the market for our common stock.
Factors
such as our financial results, market conditions and the market perception of our business may adversely affect the market price
of our common stock. As a result, there can be no assurance that the total market capitalization of our common stock after the
proposed reverse stock split will be equal to or greater than the total market capitalization before the proposed reverse stock
split or that the per share market price of our common stock following the reverse stock split will increase in proportion to
the reduction in the number of shares of common stock outstanding before the reverse stock split. A decline in the market price
of our common stock after the reverse stock split may result in a greater percentage decline than would occur in the absence of
a reverse stock split, and the liquidity of our common stock could be adversely affected following such a reverse stock split.
In
addition, the reverse stock split may increase the number of stockholders who own odd lots (less than 100 shares). Any stockholder
who owns fewer than 5 to 70 shares of common stock, depending on the final ratio, prior to the reverse stock split will own fewer
than 100 shares of common stock following the reverse stock split. Stockholders who hold odd lots typically experience an increase
in the cost of selling their shares and may have greater difficulty in effecting sales. Furthermore, some stockholders may cease
being stockholders of the Company following the reverse stock split. Any stockholder who owns fewer than 5 to 70 shares of common
stock, depending on the final ratio, prior to the reverse stock split will own less than one share of common stock following the
reverse stock split and therefore such stockholder will receive cash equal to the market value of such fractional share and cease
being a stockholder of the Company, as further described below under “—Procedure for Effecting the Reverse Stock Split-
Treatment of Fractional Shares”.
Furthermore,
there can also be no assurance that the minimum bid price per share of our common stock would remain in excess of $1.00 following
the reverse stock split for a sustained period of time, if at all.
Nasdaq
may delist our common stock from its exchange which could limit your ability to make transactions in our securities and subject
us to additional trading restrictions.
On
December 7, 2023, we received a notice from Nasdaq (the “Notice”) informing us that because the closing bid price
for our Common Stock was below $1.00 for 30 consecutive trading days, we were not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement
for continued listing on Nasdaq, as set forth in Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”).
In
accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we were granted a period of 180 calendar days from December 7, 2023, or
until June 4, 2024, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. Subsequently, on May 23, 2024, we received
a letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff (the “Staff”) informing the Company that it was not in compliance with
the minimum stockholders’ equity requirement for continued listing on Nasdaq, under Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) (the “Stockholder’s
Equity Requirement”), because the Company’s stockholders’ equity of $885,000, as reported in the Company’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2024, was below the required minimum of $2.5 million, and because,
as of May 23, 2024, the Company did not meet the alternative compliance standards, relating to the market value of listed securities
of $35 million or net income from continuing operations of $500,000 in the most recently completed fiscal year or in two of the
last three most recently completed fiscal years.
As
a result, on June 5, 2024, we received a letter from Nasdaq indicating the Company’s continued non-compliance with Nasdaq
Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Letter”). The Letter further informed the Company that the Common Stock would be
delisted from Nasdaq unless the Company appeals the Staff's delisting determination by requesting a hearing before the Nasdaq
Hearings Panel (the “Panel”). The Company requested a hearing to request additional time to meet the Stockholder Equity
Requirement which stayed any further delisting action by the Staff pending the ultimate outcome of the hearing.
On
June 27, 2024, we effected a 1-for-35 reverse stock split of our outstanding Common Stock. On July 18, 2024, the Company received
a letter from the Staff informing the Company that it had regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, but that
because it was still non-compliant with the Stockholder’s Equity Requirement the hearing would continue as scheduled as
to the matter of the Stockholder’s Equity Requirement. On July 23, 2024, the Company addressed the Panel and presented its
plan of compliance for the Stockholder’s Equity Requirement to the Panel and on August 8, 2024, the Company was notified
by Nasdaq that the Panel had granted the Company’s request for continued listing, subject to, among other things, the Company’s
filing of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, evidencing compliance with the Stockholder’s
Equity Requirement. On November 12, 2024, we filed our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024
evidencing compliance with the Stockholder’s Equity Requirement. On December 17, 2024 we received a letter from the Staff
indicating that the Company regained compliance with the Stockholder’s Equity Requirement, as required by the Panel. The
letter also indicated that pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5815(d)(4)(B), the Company will be subject to a Mandatory Panel Monitor
for a period of one year from the date of the letter. If, within that one-year monitoring period, the Staff finds the Company
out of compliance with the Stockholder’s Equity Requirement, the Company will not be permitted to provide the Staff with
a plan of compliance with respect to the deficiency and the Staff will not be permitted to grant additional time for the Company
to regain compliance with respect to that deficiency, nor will the Company be afforded an applicable cure or compliance period;
instead, the Staff will issue a delisting letter and the Company will have the opportunity to request a new hearing, where the
Company’s securities may be at that time subject to delisting.
On
June 18, 2025 we were notified by Nasdaq that because the closing bid price for the Company’s common stock listed on Nasdaq
was below $1.00 for 30 consecutive trading days, the Company was not in compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement for
continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, as set forth in Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2). We were also notified
that the Company was not eligible for any compliance period specified in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) because the Company
effected a reverse stock split over the prior one-year period or has effected one or more reverse stock splits over the prior
two-year period with a cumulative ratio of 250 shares or more to one; accordingly, the Company was informed that its securities
were subject to delisting from Nasdaq unless the Company timely requested a hearing before the Panel. We submitted a timely request
for a hearing and effectuated a 1-for-42 reverse stock split on July 3, 2025. We are waiting for our hearing before the Panel,
at which time we expect to be in compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement.
If
our common stock is delisted from Nasdaq, our ability to raise capital through public offerings of our securities and to finance
our operations could be adversely affected. We also believe that delisting would likely result in decreased liquidity and/or increased
volatility in our common stock and could harm our business and future prospects. In addition, we believe that, if our common stock
is delisted, our stockholders would likely find it more difficult to obtain accurate quotations as to the price of the common
stock and it may be more difficult for stockholders to buy or sell our common stock at competitive market prices, or at all.
If
our common stock is delisted, our common stock would likely then trade only in the over-the-counter market. If our common stock
were to trade on the over-the-counter market, selling our common stock could be more difficult because smaller quantities of shares
would likely be bought and sold, transactions could be delayed, and we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
a limited availability of market quotations for our securities; reduced liquidity with respect to our securities; a determination
that our shares are a “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading in our securities to adhere to more stringent
rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities; a reduced
amount of news and analyst coverage for our Company; and a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional
financing in the future. These factors could result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for our common
stock and would substantially impair our ability to raise additional funds and could result in a loss of institutional investor
interest and fewer development opportunities for us.
In
addition to the foregoing, if our common stock is delisted from Nasdaq and it trades on the over-the-counter market, the application
of the “penny stock” rules could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and increase the transaction
costs to sell those shares. The SEC has adopted regulations which generally define a “penny stock” as an equity security
that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to specific exemptions. If our common stock is delisted from Nasdaq
and it trades on the over-the-counter market at a price of less than $5.00 per share, our common stock would be considered a penny
stock. The SEC’s penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, before a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from
the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the risks in the
penny stock market. The broker-dealer must also provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock,
the compensation of the broker-dealer and the salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market
value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. In addition, the penny stock rules generally require that before
a transaction in a penny stock occurs, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable
investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s agreement to the transaction. If applicable in the future, these
rules may restrict the ability of brokers-dealers to sell our common stock and may affect the ability of investors to sell their
shares, until our common stock no longer is considered a penny stock.
A
reverse stock split would increase our number of authorized but unissued shares of stock, which could negatively impact an investor
in our common stock.
Because
the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock will not be reduced proportionately, the reverse stock split
will increase the Board’s ability to issue authorized and unissued shares without further stockholder action. The issuance
of additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into common stock may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share
and relative voting power and may cause a decline in the trading price of our common stock. We could use the shares that are available
for future issuance in dilutive equity financing transactions, or to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or delay or prevent changes
in control or changes in or removal of management, including transactions that are favored by a majority of the stockholders or
in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then-current market prices or benefit in some
other manner. We may seek additional financing in the future. Other than the foregoing, we have no existing plans to issue any
of the authorized, but unissued and unreserved shares, whether available as a result of the proposed reverse stock split or otherwise.
Procedure
for Effecting the Reverse Stock Split
When
and if the Board decides to implement the reverse stock split at any time before the first anniversary of its approval by the
stockholders, the Company will file the Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware to amend its existing Certificate of Incorporation. The reverse stock split will become effective on the date of filing
the Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment, which is referred to as the “reverse stock split effective date”.
Beginning on the reverse stock split effective date, each certificate representing pre-reverse stock split shares will be deemed
for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of post-reverse stock split shares. The text of the Reverse Stock Split Certificate
of Amendment is set forth in Appendix A to this proxy statement. The text of the Reverse Stock Split Certificate
of Amendment is subject to modification to include such changes as may be required by the office of the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware and as the Board deems necessary and advisable to effect the reverse stock split, including the applicable
ratio for the reverse stock split.
After
the reverse stock split effective date, our common stock will have a new CUSIP number, which is a number used to identify our
securities, and stock certificates with the old CUSIP number will need to be exchanged for stock certificates with the new CUSIP
number using the procedures described below.
Exchange
of Stock Certificates
As
soon as practicable after the effective date of any reverse stock split, stockholders holding certificated shares, if any, will
be notified that the reverse stock split has been effected. Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, our transfer agent, will act as exchange
agent for purposes of implementing the exchange of stock certificates. Holders of pre-split shares in certificated form will be
asked to surrender to the exchange agent certificates representing pre-split shares in exchange for certificates representing
post-split shares in accordance with the procedures to be set forth in a letter of transmittal that will be delivered to our stockholders.
No new certificates will be issued to a stockholder until the stockholder has surrendered to the exchange agent his, her or its
outstanding certificate(s) together with the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal.
STOCKHOLDERS
SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATES AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT THEIR STOCK CERTIFICATES UNTIL THEY RECEIVE A TRANSMITTAL FORM
FROM OUR EXCHANGE AGENT.
STOCKHOLDERS
ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROMPTLY SURRENDER CERTIFICATES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF TRANSMITTAL FORMS IN ORDER TO AVOID
HAVING SHARES POSSIBLY BECOMING SUBJECT TO ESCHEAT LAWS.
Stockholders
whose shares are held by their stockbroker do not need to submit old share certificates for exchange. Their accounts will automatically
reflect the new quantity of shares based on the selected reverse stock split ratio. Beginning on the reverse stock split effective
date, each certificate representing pre-split shares will be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of post-split
shares.
Treatment
of Fractional Shares
To
avoid the existence of fractional shares of common stock after the reverse stock split, fractional shares that would be created
as a result of the reverse stock split will be rounded down to the next whole share and the stockholder will receive cash equal
to the market value of the factional share, determined by multiplying such fraction by the closing sales price of the Company’s
common stock as reported on Nasdaq on the last trading day before the reverse stock split effective date (as adjusted to give
effect to the Reverse Split). The ownership of a fractional interest will not give the holder any voting, dividend or other right
except to receive the cash payment therefor. If a stockholder is entitled to a cash payment in lieu of any fractional share interest,
a check will be mailed to the stockholder’s registered address as soon as practicable after the reverse stock split effective
date, and where a holder has a physical certificate, a check will be mailed after the physical certificate is received. By signing
and cashing the check, stockholders will warrant that they owned the shares of common stock for which they received such cash
payment.
No
Appraisal Rights
Under
the Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders do not have a right to dissent and are not entitled to appraisal rights
with respect to the proposed Reverse Stock Split Certificate of Amendment to effect the reverse stock split, and we will not independently
provide our stockholders with any such rights.
Material
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The
following discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Company’s stockholders of the reverse stock
split, if effected, does not purport to be a complete discussion of all of the possible U.S. federal income tax consequences and
is included for general information only. It not intended as tax advice to any person and is not a comprehensive description of
the tax consequences that may be relevant to each stockholder’s own particular circumstances. The discussion is based on
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder,
judicial authority and current administrative rulings and practices as in effect on the date of this proxy statement. Changes
to the laws or their interpretation could alter the tax consequences of the reverse stock split differing substantially from the
consequences described below, possibly with retroactive effect. The Company has not sought and will not seek an opinion of counsel
or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse
stock split. Stockholders should be aware that the IRS could adopt a position which could be sustained by a court contrary to
that set forth in this discussion. Accordingly, each stockholder should consult with such stockholder’s own tax advisor
with respect to all of the potential tax consequences to such stockholder of the Reverse Stock Split. This discussion addresses
the U.S. federal income tax consequences only to a stockholder that is (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United
States or someone treated as a U.S. citizen or resident for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (ii) a corporation organized
in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or otherwise subject to U.S. federal
income taxation on a net income basis in respect of our common stock, (iii) a trust if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary
supervision over administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons (within the meaning of Code Section 7701(a)(30)) have
the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S.
person, or (iv) an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source. This discussion addresses
only those stockholders who hold their pre-reverse stock split shares as “capital assets” as defined in Code Section
1221 (generally, property held for investment), and will hold the shares received in the reverse stock split as capital assets.
This
discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to U.S. Holders in light of their
particular circumstances, nor does it address tax consequences to stockholders that are subject to special tax rules, such as,
without limitation, stockholders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax, banks, insurance companies, or other financial
institutions, regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts, personal holding companies, stockholders who are
not “United States persons” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, U.S. persons whose functional currency
is not the U.S. dollar, broker-dealers, tax-exempt entities, traders in securities that elect to use the mark-to-market method
of accounting, persons holding our common stock in a hedging transaction, “straddle,” “conversion transaction”
or other risk reduction transaction, persons who acquired our common stock in connection with employment or the performance of
services, retirement plans, or certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States, or S corporations, partnerships
or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (or investors therein). If an entity
or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds pre-reverse stock split shares of our stock,
the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner of the partnership will depend on the status of the partner and the activities
of the partnership and upon certain determinations made at the partnership level. Partners in partnerships holding our common
stock are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split.
Further,
this discussion does not address any state, local, foreign or other income tax consequences, the tax consequences of transactions
effectuated before, after or at the same time as the reverse stock split, whether or not they are in connection with the reverse
stock split, any U.S. federal non-income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split, including estate, gift or other tax consequences,
the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income, or tax consequences to holders of options, warrants or similar rights
to acquire our common stock.
Stockholders
are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split in
light of their personal circumstances and the consequences under state, local and foreign tax laws, and also as to any estate
or gift tax considerations.
Exchange
Pursuant to Reverse Stock Split
The
exchange of pre-reverse stock split shares for post-reverse stock split shares should constitute a “recapitalization”
for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a recapitalization, except as described below in “— Cash in Lieu
of Fractional Shares”, a U.S. Holder should not recognize gain or loss as a result of the exchange. The aggregate tax
basis of the post-reverse stock split shares received in the reverse stock split, including any fractional share deemed to have
been received, should be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the pre-reverse stock split shares exchanged therefor, and the holding
period of the post-reverse stock split shares will include the holding period of the pre-reverse stock split shares. Treasury
regulations promulgated under the Code provide detailed rules for allocating the tax basis and holding period of shares of common
stock surrendered pursuant to the exchange to shares of common stock received pursuant to the exchange. U.S. Holders holding shares
of common stock that were acquired on different dates and at different prices should consult their tax advisors regarding the
allocation of the tax basis and holding period of such shares.
Cash
in Lieu of Fractional Shares
A
stockholder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of post-reverse stock split shares should generally recognize capital
gain or loss as a result of having received such fractional share pursuant to the reverse stock split and then as having exchanged
such fractional share for cash in a redemption of such fractional share. The amount of any gain or loss should be equal to the
difference between the ratable portion of the tax basis of the pre-reverse stock split shares exchanged in the reverse stock split
that is allocated to such fractional share and the cash received in lieu thereof. In general, any such gain or loss will constitute
a long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder’s holding period for such pre-reverse stock split shares exceeds one
year at the time of the reverse stock split. Deductibility of capital losses by holders is subject to limitations. Depending on
a stockholder’s individual facts and circumstances, it is possible that cash received in lieu of a fractional share could
be treated as a distribution under Section 301 of the Code, so stockholders should consult their own tax advisors as to that possibility
and the resulting tax consequences to them in that event.
The
Company will not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the reverse stock split.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
Stockholders
may be subject to information reporting with respect to any cash received in exchange for a fractional share interest in a new
share in the reverse stock split. Stockholders who are subject to information reporting and who do not provide a correct taxpayer
identification number and other required information (such as by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-9) may also be subject
to backup withholding, at the applicable rate. Any amount withheld under such rules is not an additional tax and may be refunded
or credited against the stockholder’s
U.S. federal income tax liability,
provided that the required information is properly furnished in a timely manner to the IRS.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of Common Stock
representing a majority of votes cast at the Special Meeting will be required for approval of this proposal. Accordingly, abstentions
and broker non-votes, if any, will not have an effect on this proposal. Brokers generally have discretionary authority to vote
on the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, thus, broker
non-votes are not expected to result from the vote on this proposal.
THE
BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 3.
PROPOSAL
4
APPROVAL
OF AN ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
TO
SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES
General
The
Board has approved the submission to the stockholders of a proposal to approve one or more adjournments of the special meeting
in the event that there is not a sufficient number of votes at the special meeting to approve Proposals 1, 2 or 3. In order
to permit proxies that have been timely received to be voted for such adjournments, we are submitting this proposal as a separate
matter for your consideration. If it is necessary to adjourn the special meeting, the adjournment is for a period of less than
30 days and the record date remains unchanged, no notice of the time and place of the reconvened meeting will be given to stockholders,
other than an announcement made at the special meeting.
Vote
Required
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of shares present
in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the special meeting and entitled to vote thereon,
is required for any adjournment of the special meeting to solicit additional proxies in the event there are insufficient votes
to approve Proposals 1, 2 or 3. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the matter. Broker non-votes will have
no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
OUR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 4.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of June 9, 2025 by (i) each of
the directors and named executive officers, (ii) all of the directors and executive officers as a group, and (iii) to our knowledge,
beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock. As of June 9, 2025, there were 130,154 shares of our common stock outstanding.
Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect
to our common stock. In addition, the rules include shares of common stock issuable pursuant to: (i) the exercise of stock options
that are either immediately exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of June 9, 2025; (ii) the vesting of restricted stock units
within 60 days of June 9, 2025; and (iii) outstanding warrants to purchase common stock held by that person that is either immediately
exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of June 9, 2025. These shares are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by
the person holding those options, restricted stock units and warrants for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of
that person, but they are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
Except
as otherwise indicated in the table below, addresses of named beneficial owners are in care of Nuwellis, Inc. 12988 Valley View
Road Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344. Unless otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property laws, each owner has
sole voting and investment powers with respect to the securities listed below.
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Executive
Officers, Directors and Greater than 5% Stockholders |
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Number
of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
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Percent
Ownership
Prior
to the
Offering
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John
L. Erb(1) |
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26,191 |
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19.99% |
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Michael
McCormick. |
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117 |
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* |
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Maria
Rosa Costanzo, M.D. |
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0 |
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* |
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Archelle
Georgiou, M.D. |
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110 |
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* |
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Gregory
D. Waller(2) |
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104 |
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* |
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David
McDonald |
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110 |
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* |
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Robert
B. Scott(3) |
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6 |
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* |
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Neil
P. Ayotte(4) |
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3 |
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* |
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All
current executive officers and directors as a group (8 persons) |
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26,641 |
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20.08% |
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1) |
Does not include 1 share and 458 shares issuable
upon the exercise of outstanding stock options or 13,498 shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of Series F-1
Convertible Preferred Stock, which are subject to beneficial ownership limitations. |
2) |
Consists of 104 shares issuable upon the exercise
of outstanding stock options. |
3) |
Consists of 6 shares issuable upon the exercise
of outstanding stock options. |
4) |
Consists of 3 shares issuable upon the exercise
of outstanding stock options. |
ADDITIONAL
MATTERS
Other
Matters
The
Company is unaware of any business, other than as described in this proxy statement, that may be considered at the special meeting.
To
assure the presence of the necessary quorum and to vote on the matters to come before the special meeting, please promptly indicate
your choices via the Internet or phone, or by mail, according to the procedures described on the proxy card or voting instruction
card. The submission of a proxy via the internet or phone or by mail, does not prevent you from attending and voting at the special
meeting.
The
Company’s common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “NUWE.”
Householding
The
SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (such as brokers) to implement a delivery procedure called “householding.”
Under this procedure, stockholders sharing an address who have been previously notified by their broker, bank or other agent and
have consented to householding will receive only one copy of our proxy statement. This procedure reduces printing costs and postage
fees, and helps protect the environment as well.
We
expect that a number of brokers with account holders who are our stockholders will be “householding” our proxy materials.
A single set of proxy materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have
been received from one or more of the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that it will be “householding”
communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke
your consent. Stockholders may revoke their consent at any time by contacting their broker.
Upon written or oral request, we will undertake
to promptly deliver a separate copy of the proxy materials to any stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of any
of those documents was delivered. To receive a separate copy of the proxy materials, now or in the future, you may write our Secretary
at Nuwellis, Inc., 12988 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, or call (952) 345-4200.
Any
stockholders who share the same address and currently receive multiple copies of the proxy materials who wish to receive only
one copy in the future can contact their bank, broker, other holder of record or our Secretary to request information about “householding.”
Requirements
for Submissions of Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for 2026 Annual Meeting
Under
the rules of the SEC, if a stockholder wants us to include a proposal in our proxy statement and form of proxy for presentation
at our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders (pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act), the proposal must be received by us at
our principal executive offices (Secretary, Nuwellis, Inc., 12988 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344) by December 15, 2025.
As the rules of the SEC make clear, simply submitting a proposal does not guarantee that it will be included.
Any
stockholder director nomination or proposal of other business intended to be presented for consideration at the 2026 annual meeting,
but not intended to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy relating to such meeting (i.e. not pursuant
to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act), must be received by us at the address stated above not less than 90 days and not more than
120 days before the first anniversary of the date of the 2025 annual meeting. Therefore, such notice must be received between
January 20, 2026 and the close of business on February 19, 2026 to be considered timely. However, if our 2026 annual meeting occurs
more than 30 days before or more than 30 days after May 20, 2026, we must receive nominations or proposals (i) not later than
the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of the 2026 annual meeting or the 10th day following the
day on which public announcement is made of the date of the 2026 annual meeting, and (ii) not earlier than the 120th day prior
to the 2026 annual meeting.
The above-mentioned proposals must also
be in compliance with our Bylaws and the proxy solicitation rules of the SEC and Nasdaq, including but not limited to the information
requirements set forth in our Bylaws. We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order or take other appropriate action with
respect to any proposal that does not comply with the foregoing and other applicable requirements. In addition, stockholders who
intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must also comply with the additional
requirements of Rule 14a-19(b).
Solicitation
by Board; Expenses
Our
Board is sending you this proxy statement in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at our special meeting. We have
engaged Alliance Advisors, LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies and provide related advice and informational support,
for a services fee plus customary disbursements, which are not expected to exceed $35,000 in total. In addition, our directors,
officers and regular employees may solicit proxies personally, telephonically, electronically or by other means of communication,
but they will not receive any additional compensation for these services. We will pay the cost of preparing, assembling, and mailing
the proxy materials. We have requested brokers, banks and other nominees to send the proxy materials to, and to obtain proxies
from, the beneficial owners and we will reimburse such record holders for their reasonable expenses in doing so.
Important
Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on August 4, 2025
The
proxy statement is available at https://web.viewproxy.com/NUWESM.
Your
cooperation in giving this matter your immediate attention and in voting your proxies promptly is appreciated.
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By
Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Neil
P. Ayotte |
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Secretary |
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,
2025 |
Annex A
CERTIFICATE
OF
AMENDMENT TO THE
FOURTH AMENDED AND
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION OF
NUWELLIS, INC.
NUWELLIS,
INC. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), does hereby certify that:
FIRST:
The name of the Corporation is Nuwellis, Inc. and the date on which the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of the Corporation was originally filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was September 20, 2011 (the “Fourth
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”);
SECOND:
The Board of Directors of the Corporation has duly adopted resolutions proposing and declaring advisable that the Fourth Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation be amended as set forth herein and calling for the consideration and approval thereof
at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation;
THIRD:
The Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended by deleting the Paragraph A of ARTICLE IV in
its entirety and inserting the following in lieu thereof:
“The
Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and
“Preferred Stock”. The total number of shares that the Corporation is authorized to issue is Two Hundred
Forty Million (240,000,000) shares, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Two Hundred Million (200,000,000) shares shall
be Common Stock and Forty Million (40,000,000) shares shall be Preferred Stock.”
FOURTH:
Pursuant to a resolution of Board of Directors of the Corporation, this Certificate of Amendment was submitted to the stockholders
of the Company for their approval, and was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL.
FIFTH:
This Certificate of Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective on and as
of the date of filing of this Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Nuwellis, Inc. has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officer on
this __day of __, 2025.
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NUWELLIS, INC. |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Its: |
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Annex B
CERTIFICATE
OF
AMENDMENT TO THE
FOURTH AMENDED AND
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION OF
NUWELLIS, INC.
NUWELLIS,
INC. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), does hereby certify that:
FIRST: The
name of the Corporation is Nuwellis, Inc. and the date on which the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
the Corporation was originally filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was September 20, 2011 (the “Fourth
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”);
SECOND: The
Board of Directors of the Corporation has duly adopted resolutions proposing and declaring advisable that the Fourth Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation be amended as set forth herein and calling for the consideration and approval thereof at
a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation;
THIRD: The
Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended by deleting the Paragraph A of ARTICLE IV in its entirety
and inserting the following in lieu thereof:
“The
Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred
Stock”. The total number of shares that the Corporation is authorized to issue is One Hundred Forty Million (140,000,000)
shares, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share. One Hundred Million (100,000,000) shares shall be Common Stock and Forty Million
(40,000,000) shares shall be Preferred Stock. Upon the filing and effectiveness (the “Effective Time”)
pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) of this Certificate
of Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as previously amended (the “Restated
Certificate”), each [XX] shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall, automatically and without any action on the part of the Corporation or respective holders thereof,
be combined and converted into one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock (the “Reverse
Split”); provided, however, that the Corporation shall issue no fractional shares as a result of the actions set
forth herein but shall instead pay to the holder of such fractional share a sum in cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the
closing sales price of the Common Stock as reported on The Nasdaq Capital Market on the last trading day before the Effective
Time (as adjusted to give effect to the Reverse Split).”
FOURTH: Pursuant
to a resolution of Board of Directors of the Corporation, this Certificate of Amendment was submitted to the stockholders of the
Company for their approval, and was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL.
FIFTH: This
Certificate of Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective on and as of the date
of filing of this Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Nuwellis, Inc. has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officer on
this __day of __, 202_.
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NUWELLIS, INC. |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Its: |
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NAME & ADDRESS HERE PLEASE DETACH ALONG PERFORATED LINE AND MAIL IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. NAME & ADDRESS HERE YOUR
CONTROL NUMBER Address Change: (If you noted any Address Changes above, please mark box.) ? NUWELLIS, INC. SPECIAL MEETING
OF STOCKHOLDERS AUGUST 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF NUWELLIS,
INC. The undersigned, revoking all prior proxies heretofore given, hereby appoints John L. Erb and Neil P. Ayotte, and each
of them, as proxies, attorneys and agents, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of common stock of Nuwellis,
Inc. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on August
4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. including at any adjournments, postponements, or continuations thereof, with all powers
that the undersigned would possess if personally present. The Special Meeting will be held in virtual only format. In order
to attend the meeting, you must first register at https://web.viewproxy.com/NUWESM before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August
3, 2025. If no designation is made, the shares will be voted as the Board of Directors recommends, as indicated on the reverse
side, and in the discretion of the proxies upon such other matters as may properly come before the Special Meeting. PROXY
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS Please have your 11-digit control number ready when voting by Internet or Telephone. Vote Your Proxy on
the Internet: Go to https://AALvote.com/NUWESM Have your proxy card available when you access the above website. Follow the
prompts to vote your shares. Vote Your Proxy by Phone: Call 1-866-804-9616 Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy.
Have your proxy card available when you call. Follow the voting instructions to vote your shares. Vote Your Proxy by Mail:
Mark, sign, and date your proxy card, then detach it, and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided. YOUR CONTROL NUMBER
As a stockholder of Nuwellis, Inc., you have the option of voting your shares electronically through the Internet or by telephone,
eliminating the need to return the proxy card. Your electronic or telephonic vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your
shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed, dated, and returned the proxy card. Votes submitted electronically over
the Internet or by telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 3, 2025. This proxy, when properly executed,
will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the
Board of Directors’ recommendations. Signature____________________________________________________________ Date________________________________________________________________
Title_________________________________________________________________ Signature (Joint Owners)_____________________________________________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator or other fiduciary,
please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. If a corporation, limited liability company or partnership,
please sign in full corporate, limited liability company, or partnership name by authorized officer or person.

PLEASE DETACH ALONG PERFORATED LINE AND MAIL IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy
Materials for the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held on August 4, 2025: The Proxy Statement is available at: https://web.viewproxy.com/NUWESM
When properly executed, your proxy card/voting instruction form will be voted in the manner you direct. If you do not specify
your choices, your shares will be voted FOR Items 1, 2, 3, and 4. Please mark your votes like this 1. To approve the issuance
of shares of Common Stock in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) and Nasdaq’s interpretations and guidance thereunder
pursuant to the exercise of warrants sold in our financing transaction that closed on June 10, 2025. FOR ? AGAINST ? ABSTAIN
? 2. The approval of an amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended,
to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000 shares. FOR ? AGAINST ? ABSTAIN
? 3. To approve an amendment to our Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to effect a reverse
split of our outstanding common stock at a ratio in the range of 1-for-5 to 1-for-70, to be determined at the discretion of
our Board of Directors, whereby each outstanding 5 to 70 shares of common stock would be combined, converted and changed into
one share of our common stock, to enable the Company to comply with the Nasdaq Stock Market’s continued listing requirements,
which such approval granted to the Board of Directors shall be effectuated, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, if
at all, within twelve months after the date that the Company’s stockholders approve this proposal. FOR ? AGAINST ? ABSTAIN
? 4. To authorize one or more adjournments of the Special Meeting to solicit additional proxies in the event there are insufficient
votes to approve Proposals 1, 2 or 3 described above. FOR ? AGAINST ? ABSTAIN ?