Cadrenal Therapeutics Inc

PROPOSAL 3

APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT

TO THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO EFFECT THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

The Board has adopted a resolution setting forth a proposed amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, a copy of which is set forth in the certificate of amendment annexed to this proxy statement as Annex A, declared such amendment advisable, and is recommending that our stockholders approve, such proposed amendment. Such amendment will be effected after stockholder approval thereof only in the event the Board still deems it advisable. Holders of the Common Stock are being asked to approve the proposal that Article IV of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation be amended to effect a reverse stock split of the Common Stock at a ratio in the range of one (1) share of Common Stock for every two (2) shares of Common Stock to one (1) share of Common Stock for every twenty (20) shares of Common Stock. If the Reverse Stock Split is approved by our stockholders and if a certificate of amendment is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, the certificate of amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will effect the Reverse Stock Split by reducing the outstanding number of shares of Common Stock. If the Board does not implement an approved Reverse Stock Split prior to the one-year anniversary of this meeting, this vote will be of no further force and effect and the Board will seek stockholder approval before implementing any reverse stock split after that time. The Board may abandon the proposed amendment to effect the Reverse Stock Split at any time prior to its effectiveness, whether before or after stockholder approval thereof.

As of the Record Date, the Company had 16,008,469 shares of Common Stock outstanding. For purposes of illustration, if the Reverse Stock Split is effected at a ratio of 1-for-10, the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock after the Reverse Stock Split would be approximately 1,600,846 shares. The Board’s decision as to whether and when to effect the Reverse Stock Split will be based on a number of factors, including market conditions, existing and expected trading prices for the Common Stock, and the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”). See below for a discussion of the factors that the Board considered in determining the Reverse Stock Split Ratio range, some of which included, but was not limited to, the following: the historical trading price and trading volume of the Common Stock, the expected impact of the Reverse Stock Split on the trading market for the Common Stock in the short-term and long-term, and general market, economic conditions, and other related conditions prevailing in our industry.

The Reverse Stock Split, if effected, will not change the number of authorized shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, or the par value of Common Stock or Preferred Stock; however, effecting the Reverse Stock Split will provide for additional shares of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock. However, if Proposal 4 (the Authorized Increase Proposal), is approved and the Board determines to effect the increase in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock, the authorized number of shares of Common Stock will be increased. As of the date of this proxy statement, our current authorized number of shares of Common Stock is sufficient to satisfy all of our share issuance obligations and current share plans and we do not have any current plans, arrangements or understandings relating to the issuance of the additional shares of authorized Common Stock that will become available for issuance following the Reverse Stock Split.

Purpose and Background of the Reverse Stock Split

The Board’s primary objective in asking for authority to effect a reverse split is to increase the per-share trading price of our Common Stock. If our Board does not implement the Reverse Stock Split prior to the one-year anniversary of the date on which the Reverse Stock Split is approved by our stockholders at the 2024 Annual Meeting, the authority granted in this proposal to implement the Reverse Stock Split will terminate and the Reverse Stock Split will be abandoned.

As background, we received notice on September 6, 2023 from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of the Nasdaq notifying us of our noncompliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) by failing to maintain a minimum bid price for our Common Stock of at least $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”). We were given 180 days, or until March 4, 2024 to regain compliance; provided that the Nasdaq Staff retained discretion to grant an additional 180-calendar day grace period to determine that we have demonstrated an ability to maintain long-term compliance so long as we (i) met the continued listing requirement for the market value of our publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for Nasdaq, with the exception

of the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, and (ii) provided a written notice to the Staff of our intention to cure the deficiency during the second grace period by effecting a reverse stock split (which notice was provided by us to Nasdaq on September 6, 2023). On March 5, 2024, we were notified by the Nasdaq Staff that we had been granted until September 3, 2024 to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. In the event that we are unable to cure the deficiency, and ultimately receive notice that our Common Stock is being delisted, Nasdaq listing rules permit us to appeal the delisting determination by the Staff to a Nasdaq hearings panel. Accordingly, we are hereby asking our stockholders to approve a reverse split to, among other things, give us the option to seek to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement prior to expiration of the second compliance period.

The Board believes that the failure of stockholders to approve the Reverse Stock Split Proposal could prevent us from maintaining compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement and could inhibit our ability to conduct capital raising activities, among other things. If Nasdaq delists our Common Stock, then our Common Stock would likely become traded on an over-the-counter market such as those maintained by OTC Markets Group Inc., which do not have the substantial corporate governance or quantitative listing requirements for continued trading that Nasdaq has. In that event, interest in our Common Stock may decline and certain institutions may not have the ability to trade in our Common Stock, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the liquidity or trading volume of our Common Stock. If our Common Stock becomes significantly less liquid due to delisting from Nasdaq, our stockholders may not have the ability to liquidate their investments in our Common Stock as and when desired and we believe our ability to maintain analyst coverage, attractive investor interest, and have access to capital may become significantly diminished as a result.

If the stockholders approve the Reverse Stock Split Proposal and the Board determines to implement the Reverse Stock Split, we will file a certificate of amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split. The text of the form of proposed amendment is set forth in the certificate of amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which is annexed to this proxy statement as Annex A.

The Reverse Stock Split will be effected simultaneously for all issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and the Reverse Stock Split Ratio will be the same for all issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Reverse Stock Split will affect all of our stockholders uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interests in our company, except those stockholders who would have otherwise received fractional shares will receive cash in lieu of such fractional shares determined in the manner set forth below under the heading “Fractional Shares.” After the Reverse Stock Split, each share of the Common Stock will have the same voting rights and rights to dividends and distributions and will be identical in all other respects to our Common Stock now authorized. The Reverse Stock Split will not affect us continuing to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Reverse Stock Split is not intended to be, and will not have the effect of, a “going private transaction” covered by Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act.

The Reverse Stock Split may result in some stockholders owning “odd-lots” of less than 100 shares of the Common Stock. Brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd-lots are generally higher than the costs of transactions in “round-lots” of even multiples of 100 shares. In addition, we will not issue fractional shares in connection with the Reverse Stock Split, and stockholders who would have otherwise been entitled to receive such fractional shares will receive an amount in cash determined in the manner set forth below under the heading “Fractional Shares.”

Following the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split, if approved by the stockholders and implemented by the Company, current stockholders will hold fewer shares of Common Stock.

If the Board decides to implement the Reverse Stock Split, the Company would communicate to the public, prior to the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, additional details regarding the Reverse Stock Split (including the final Reverse Stock Split Ratio, as determined by the Board). By voting in favor of the Reverse Stock Split, you are also expressly authorizing the Board to determine not to proceed with, and to defer or to abandon, the Reverse Stock Split, in the Board’s sole discretion. In determining whether to implement the Reverse Stock Split following receipt of stockholder approval of the Reverse Stock Split, and which Reverse Stock Split Ratio to implement, if any, the Board may consider, among other things, various factors, such as:

• our ability to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market;

• the historical trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock;

• the then-prevailing trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock and the expected impact of the reverse stock split on the trading market for our Common Stock in the short and long term;

• which Reverse Stock Split Ratio would result in the greatest overall reduction in our administrative costs; and

• prevailing general market and economic conditions.

Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split

To increase the per share price of our Common Stock. As discussed above, the primary objective for effecting the Reverse Stock Split, should our Board choose to effect one, would be to increase the per share price of our Common Stock. Our Board believes that, should the appropriate circumstances arise, effecting the Reverse Stock Split, could, among other things, help us to appeal to a broader range of investors, generate greater investor interest in the Company, and improve the perception of our Common Stock as an investment security. Our Common Stock is listed on Nasdaq and the continuing failure to comply with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement may be cured, if the closing share price is at least $1.00 per share, and the price remains at or above the level for at least 10 consecutive business days prior to expiration of any Nasdaq grace period (provided that Nasdaq can increase the ten day period requirement). We provided written notice to the Staff of our intention to cure the deficiency during the second grace period by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary. The Board believes that the Reverse Stock Split may potentially assist us in achieving compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. We currently believe that we are in compliance with all other applicable continued listing requirements of Nasdaq.

To potentially improve the liquidity of the Common Stock. A Reverse Stock Split could allow a broader range of institutions to invest in the Common Stock (namely, funds that are prohibited from buying stocks whose price is below certain thresholds), potentially increasing trading volume and liquidity of the Common Stock and potentially decreasing the volatility of the Common Stock if institutions become long-term holders of the Common Stock. A Reverse Stock Split could help increase analyst and broker interest in the Common Stock as their policies can discourage them from following or recommending companies with low stock prices. Because of the trading volatility often associated with low-priced stocks, many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. Some of those policies and practices may make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers. Additionally, because brokers’ commissions on low-priced stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, a low average price per share of Common Stock can result in individual stockholders paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their total share value than would be the case if the share price were higher. Some investors, however, may view a Reverse Stock Split negatively since it reduces the number of shares of Common Stock available in the public market. If the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is approved and the Board believes that effecting the Reverse Stock Split is in our best interest and the best interest of our stockholders, the Board may effect the Reverse Stock Split, regardless of whether our stock is at risk of delisting from Nasdaq Capital Market, for purposes of enhancing the liquidity of the Common Stock and to facilitate capital raising.

To increase the number of additional shares issuable under the Company’s charter. A Reverse Stock Split will reduce the nominal number of shares of Common Stock outstanding and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of Company warrants or options, while leaving the number of shares issuable under our charter unchanged. A Reverse Stock Split will therefor effectively increase the number of shares of the Common Stock that we are able to issue. This effective increase will facilitate future capital fundraising on our part. As a biotechnology company without a revenue generating product yet on the market and considerable development costs that must be funded to bring a product to market, we are likely to require additional capital funding. Some investors may find the Common Stock more attractive if the Reverse Stock Split is effected with additional assurance that we are unlikely to be limited in our ability to access needed capital by the number of shares of our Common Sock authorized for issuance. However, other investors may find the Common Stock a less attractive investment with the knowledge that additional dilution of the Common Stock is possible.

Potential Anti-takeover Effects of the Reverse Stock Split

Release No. 34-15230 of the staff of the SEC requires disclosure and discussion of the effects of any action, including the proposals discussed herein, that may be used as an anti-takeover mechanism. The relative increase in the number of shares of our Common Stock available for issuance vis-à-vis the outstanding shares of our Common Stock, could, under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect, although this is not the purpose or intent of the Board. It could potentially deter takeovers, including takeovers that the Board has determined are not in the best interest of our stockholders, in that additional shares could be issued (within the limits imposed by applicable law) in one or more transactions that could make a change in control or takeover more difficult. For example, we could issue additional shares so as to dilute the stock ownership or voting rights of persons seeking to obtain control without our agreement. Similarly, the issuance of additional shares to certain persons allied with our management could have the effect of making it more difficult to remove our current management by diluting the stock ownership or voting rights of persons seeking to cause such removal. The increase in the number of shares of authorized Common Stock therefore may have the effect of discouraging unsolicited takeover attempts. By potentially discouraging initiation of any such unsolicited takeover attempts, the Increase may limit the opportunity for our stockholders to dispose of their shares at the higher price generally available in takeover attempts or that may be available under a merger proposal.

Certain Risks Associated with a Reverse Stock Split

Reducing the number of outstanding shares of the Common Stock through the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is intended, absent other factors, to increase the per share market price of the Common Stock. Other factors, however, such as our financial results, market conditions, the market perception of our business and other risks, including those set forth below and in our SEC filings and reports, may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock.

As a result, there can be no assurance that the Reverse Stock Split, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above, that the market price of the Common Stock will increase following the Reverse Stock Split or that the market price of the Common Stock will not decrease in the future.

The Reverse Stock Split May Not Result in a Sustained Increase in the Price of the Common Stock. As noted above, the principal purpose of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is to maintain a higher average per share market closing bid price of the Common Stock. However, the effect of the Reverse Stock Split upon the market price of the Common Stock cannot be predicted with any certainty and we cannot assure you that the Reverse Stock Split will accomplish this objective for any meaningful period of time, or at all.

The Reverse Stock Split May Decrease the Liquidity of the Common Stock. The Board believes that the Reverse Stock Split may result in an increase in the market price of the Common Stock, which could lead to increased interest in the Common Stock and possibly promote greater liquidity for our stockholders. However, the Reverse Stock Split will also reduce the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, which may lead to reduced trading and a smaller number of market makers for the Common Stock.

The Reverse Stock Split May Result in Some Stockholders Owning “Odd Lots” That May Be More Difficult to Sell or Require Greater Transaction Costs per Share to Sell. If the Reverse Stock Split is implemented, it will increase the number of stockholders who own “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of Common Stock. A purchase or sale of less than 100 shares of Common Stock (an “odd lot” transaction) may result in incrementally higher trading costs through certain brokers, particularly “full service” brokers. Therefore, those stockholders who own less than 100 shares of Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split may be required to pay higher transaction costs if they sell their Common Stock.

The Reverse Stock Split May Lead to a Decrease in the Overall Market Capitalization of the Company. The Reverse Stock Split may be viewed negatively by the market and, consequently, could lead to a decrease in our overall market capitalization. If the per share market price of the Common Stock does not increase in proportion to the Reverse Stock Split Ratio, then our value, as measured by our market capitalization, will be reduced.

The Reverse Stock Split May Lead to Further Dilution of the Common Stock. Since the Reverse Stock Split Proposal would reduce the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of our warrants or options, while leaving the number of shares authorized and issuable under our Charter unchanged, the Reverse Stock Split would effectively increase the number of shares of the Common Stock that we would be able to issue and could lead to dilution of the Common Stock in future financings.

Impact of a Reverse Stock Split If Implemented

A Reverse Stock Split would affect all holders of Common Stock uniformly and would not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interests or proportionate voting power. The other principal effects of the Reverse Stock Split will be that:

• the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and treasury shares, if any, will be reduced proportionately based on the final Reverse Stock Split Ratio, as determined by the Board;

• based on the final Reverse Stock Split Ratio, the per share exercise price of all outstanding options and warrants will be increased proportionately and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding options and warrants will be reduced proportionately; and

• the number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to any outstanding equity awards and any maximum number of shares with respect to which equity awards may be granted will be reduced proportionately based on the final Reverse Stock Split Ratio.

The following table sets forth the approximate number of shares of the Common Stock that would be outstanding immediately after the Reverse Stock Split based on the current authorized number of shares of Common Stock at various exchange ratios, based on 16,008,469 shares of Common Stock actually outstanding as of June 6, 2024.

The table does not account for fractional shares that will be paid in cash.

We are currently authorized to issue a maximum of 75,000,000 shares of our Common Stock. As of the Record Date, there were 16,008,469 shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding. Although the number of authorized shares of our Common Stock will not change as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, the number of shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding will be reduced in proportion to the ratio selected by the Board. Thus, the Reverse Stock Split will effectively increase the number of authorized and unissued shares of our Common Stock available for future issuance by the amount of the reduction effected by the Reverse Stock Split.

Following the Reverse Stock Split, the Board will have the authority, subject to applicable securities laws, to issue all authorized and unissued shares without further stockholder approval, upon such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. Although we consider financing opportunities from time to time, we do not currently have any plans, proposals or understandings to issue the additional shares that would be available if the Reverse Stock Split is approved and effected, but some of the additional shares underlie warrants, which could be exercised or converted after the Reverse Stock Split is effected.

Effects of the Reverse Stock Split

Management does not anticipate that our financial condition, the percentage ownership of Common Stock by management, the number of our stockholders or any aspect of our business will materially change as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. Because the Reverse Stock Split will apply to all issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and outstanding rights to purchase Common Stock or to convert other securities into Common Stock the proposed Reverse Stock Split will not alter the relative rights and preferences of existing stockholders, except to the extent the Reverse Stock Split will result in fractional shares, as discussed in more detail below.

The Common Stock is currently registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and we are subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. The Reverse Stock Split will not affect the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act or the listing of the Common Stock on Nasdaq Capital Market (other than to the extent it facilitates compliance with Nasdaq Capital Market continued listing standards). Following the Reverse Stock Split, the Common Stock will continue to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, although it will be considered a new listing with a new Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures, or CUSIP number.

The rights of the holders of the Common Stock will not be affected by the Reverse Stock Split, other than as a result of the treatment of fractional shares as described below. For example, a holder of 2% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split will generally continue to hold 2% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock immediately after effecting the Reverse Stock Split. The number of stockholders of record will not be affected by the Reverse Stock Split (except to the extent any are cashed out as a result of holding fractional shares). If approved and implemented, the Reverse Stock Split may result in some stockholders owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of the Common Stock. Odd lot shares may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 shares. The Board believes, however, that these potential effects are outweighed by the benefits of the Reverse Stock Split.

Effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split. The Reverse Stock Split, if approved by our stockholders, would become effective upon the filing and effectiveness (the “Effective Time”) of an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, which would take place at the Board’s discretion. The exact timing of the filing of the Reverse Stock Split Amendment, if filed, would be determined by the Board based on its evaluation as to when such action would be the most advantageous to us and our stockholders. In addition, the Board reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval and without further action by the stockholders, to elect not to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split at any time prior to filing the Reverse Stock Split Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that it is no longer in our best interests or the best interests of our stockholders to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split. If our Board does not implement the Reverse Stock Split prior to the one-year anniversary of the date on which the Reverse Stock Split is approved by our stockholders at the 2024 Annual Meeting, the authority granted in this proposal to implement the Reverse Stock Split will terminate and the Reverse Stock Split will be abandoned.

Effect on Par Value; Reduction in Stated Capital. The proposed Reverse Stock Split will not affect the par value of our stock, which will remain at $0.001 per share of Common Stock and $0.001 per share of Preferred Stock. As a result, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to our Common Stock, which consists of the par value per share of Common Stock multiplied by the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, will be reduced in proportion to the Reverse Stock Split Ratio selected by the Board. Correspondingly, our additional paid-in capital account, which consists of the difference between our stated capital and the aggregate amount paid to the Company upon issuance of all currently outstanding shares of the Common Stock, will be increased by the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. Our stockholders’ equity, in the aggregate, will remain unchanged.

Book-Entry Shares. If the Reverse Stock Split is effected, stockholders, either as direct or beneficial owners, will have their holdings electronically adjusted by our transfer agent (and, for beneficial owners, by their brokers or banks that hold in “street name” for their benefit, as the case may be) to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split. Banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees will be instructed to effect the Reverse Stock Split for their beneficial holders holding Common Stock in street name. However, these banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees may have different procedures than registered stockholders for processing the Reverse Stock Split and making payment for fractional shares. If a stockholder holds shares of Common Stock with a bank, broker, custodian or other nominee and has any questions in this regard, stockholders are encouraged to contact their bank, broker, custodian or other nominee. We do not issue physical certificates to stockholders.

No Appraisal Rights. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights with respect to the Reverse Stock Split described in the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, and we will not independently provide our stockholders with any such rights.

Fractional Shares. We do not intend to issue fractional shares in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. and, in lieu thereof, any person who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share of Common Stock as a result of the reclassification and combination following the Effective Time (after taking into account all fractional shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to such holder) shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the number of shares of the Common Stock held by such stockholder before the Reverse Stock Split that would otherwise have been exchanged for such fractional share interest multiplied by the average closing sales price of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market for the ten days preceding the Effective Time. After the Reverse Stock Split is effected, a stockholder will have no further interest in our Company with respect to its fractional share interest and persons otherwise entitled to a fractional share will not have any voting, dividend or other rights with respect thereto, except to receive the above-described cash payment. Stockholders should be aware that under the escheat laws of various jurisdictions, sums due for fractional interests that are not timely claimed after the Effective Time may be required to be paid to the designated agent for each such jurisdiction. Stockholders otherwise entitled to receive such funds, who have not received them, will have to seek to obtain such funds directly from the jurisdiction to which they were paid.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Related to the Reverse Stock Split

The following is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations to U.S. holders (as defined below) of the Reverse Stock Split. This discussion is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code (the “Treasury Regulations”) and judicial authority and administrative interpretations, all as of the date of this document, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and are subject to differing interpretations. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. We have not sought and will not seek an opinion of counsel or any rulings from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to any of the tax considerations discussed below. As a result, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the conclusions set forth below.

This discussion is limited to U.S. holders (except to the extent such discussion explicitly addresses non-U.S. holders) that hold Common Stock as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address any tax consequences arising under the tax on net investment income or the alternative minimum tax, nor does it address any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction, U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws, or any tax treaties. Furthermore, this discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be applicable to U.S. holders in light of their particular circumstances or to U.S. holders that may be subject to special rules under U.S. federal income tax laws, including, without limitation:

• a bank, insurance company or other financial institution;

• a tax-exempt or a governmental organization;

• a real estate investment trust;

• an S corporation or other pass-through entity (or an investor in an S corporation or other pass-through entity);

• a regulated investment company or a mutual fund;

• a dealer or broker in stocks and securities, or currencies;

• a trader in securities that elects mark-to-market treatment;

• a holder of Common Stock that received such stock through the exercise of an employee option, pursuant to a retirement plan or otherwise as compensation;

• a person who holds Common Stock as part of a straddle, appreciated financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment or risk reduction transaction;

• a corporation that accumulates earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

• a person whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;

• a U.S. holder who holds Common Stock through non-U.S. brokers or other non-U.S. intermediaries;

• a U.S. holder owning or treated as owning 5% or more of the Company’s Common Stock;

• a person subject to Section 451(b) of the Code; or

• a former citizen or long-term resident of the United States subject to Section 877 or 877A of the Code.

If a partnership, or any entity (or arrangement) treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership and upon certain determinations made at the partner level. Partnerships holding Common Stock and partners in such partnerships should consult their own tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of shares of Common Stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

• an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

• a corporation (or any other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

• an estate, whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

• a trust (i) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and that has one or more United States persons that have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) that has made a valid election under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a domestic trust.

A “non-U.S. holder” is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a beneficial owner of shares of Common Stock that is a not a U.S. holder or a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split Generally

The Reverse Stock Split should constitute a “recapitalization” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. holder of Common Stock generally should not recognize gain or loss upon the Reverse Stock Split, except with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock, as discussed below. A U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis in the shares of Common Stock received pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split should equal the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Common Stock surrendered (excluding any portion of such basis that is allocated to any fractional share of Common Stock), and such U.S. holder’s holding period in the shares of Common Stock received should include the holding period in the shares of Common Stock surrendered. Treasury Regulations provide detailed rules for allocating the tax basis and holding period of the shares of Common Stock surrendered to the shares of Common Stock received in a recapitalization pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split. U.S. holders of shares of Common Stock 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 U.S. holder of Common Stock that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split and whose proportionate interest in us is reduced (after taking into account certain constructive ownership rules) should generally recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the shares of Common Stock surrendered that is allocated to such fractional share of Common Stock. Such capital gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for Common Stock surrendered exceeds one year at the effective time of the Reverse

Stock Split. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. A U.S. holder that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our Common Stock pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split and whose proportionate interest in us is not reduced (after taking into account certain constructive ownership rules) should generally be treated as having received a distribution that will be treated first as dividend income to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, and then as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the U.S. holder’s tax basis in our Common Stock, with any remaining amount being treated as capital gain. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax effects to them of receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares based on their particular circumstances.

Non-U.S. Holders

Generally, non-U.S. holders will not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. In particular, gain or loss will not be recognized with respect to a non-U.S. holder that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock and whose proportionate interest in us is reduced (after taking into account certain constructive ownership rules) provided that (a) such gain or loss is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by such non-U.S. holder in the United States (or, if certain income tax treaties apply, is not attributable to a non-U.S. holder’s permanent establishment in the United States), (b) with respect to a non-U.S. holder who is an individual, such non-U.S. holder is present in the United States for less than 183 days in the taxable year of the Reverse Stock Split and other conditions are met, and (c) such non-U.S. holder complies with certain certification requirements. If such gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., and if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States, the non-U.S. holder will be taxed on a net income basis at the regular tax rates and in the manner applicable to U.S. holders, and if the non-U.S. holder is a corporation, an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, or a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, may also apply. If the non-U.S. holder is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the Reverse Stock Split and certain other requirements are met, the non-U.S. holder will be subject to a 30% tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder’s country of residence) on the net gain from the exchange of the shares of our Common Stock, which may be offset by certain U.S.-source capital losses of the non-U.S. holder, if any.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a non-U.S. holder that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our Common Stock pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split and whose proportionate interest in us is not reduced (after taking into account certain constructive ownership rules), the gain will be treated as a dividend rather than capital gain to the extent of the non-U.S. holder’s ratable share of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as calculated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the non-U.S. holder’s aggregate adjusted tax basis in the shares, and any remaining amount will be treated as capital gain.

We will withhold U.S. federal income taxes equal to 30% of any cash payments made to a non-U.S. holder as a result of the Reverse Stock Split that may be treated as a dividend, unless such holder properly demonstrates that a reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax withholding or an exemption from such withholding is applicable. For example, an applicable income tax treaty may reduce or eliminate U.S. federal income tax withholding, in which case a non-U.S. holder claiming a reduction in (or exemption from) such tax must provide us with a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN (or other appropriate IRS Form W-8) claiming the applicable treaty benefit. Alternatively, an exemption generally should apply if the non-U.S. holder’s gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of such holder, and such holder provides us with an appropriate statement to that effect on a properly completed IRS Form W-8ECI.

Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding possible dividend treatment and should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Cash payments received by a U.S. holder of Common Stock pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split may be subject to information reporting and may be subject to U.S. backup withholding (currently at 24%) unless such holder provides proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. In general, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to payment of cash in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock to a non-U.S. holder pursuant to the

Reverse Stock Split if the non-U.S. holder certifies under penalties of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder, and the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge to the contrary. In certain circumstances the amount of cash paid to a non-U.S. holder in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock, the name and address of the beneficial owner and the amount, if any, of tax withheld may be reported to the IRS. Any amount withheld under the U.S. backup withholding rules is not an additional tax and will generally be allowed as a refund or credit against the U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

FATCA

Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), withholding taxes may apply to certain types of payments made to ‘‘foreign financial institutions’’ (as specially defined in the Code) and certain other non-United States entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on stock paid to a foreign financial institution or to a non-financial foreign entity, unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any substantial United States owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in clause (1) above, then, pursuant to an agreement between it and the U.S. Treasury or an intergovernmental agreement between, generally, the jurisdiction in which it is resident and the U.S. Treasury, it must, among other things, identify accounts held by certain United States persons or United States-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts and withhold 30% on payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders.

Any cash paid to a non-U.S. holder as a result of the Reverse Stock Split that is treated as dividend may be subject to withholding under FATCA unless the requirements set forth above are satisfied (if applicable) and appropriate certifications are made. While withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our Common Stock on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued.

Our directors and executive officers have no substantial interests, directly or indirectly, in the matters set forth in this proposal except to the extent of their ownership of shares of our Common Stock.

To be approved, the votes cast on the Reverse Stock Split Proposal must exceed the votes cast against the Reverse Stock Split Proposal. Since abstentions are not considered votes cast, they will have no effect on this proposal. Broker non-votes are not expected for this proposal because we believe this matter is a routine matter. If there were to be any broker non-votes they would have no effect on the vote with respect to this proposal.

Approval by our stockholders of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is not conditioned upon approval by our stockholders of the Authorized Increase Proposal; conversely, approval by our stockholders of the Authorized Increase Proposal is not conditioned upon approval by our stockholders of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE REVERSE

STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL.