CERO THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.

The Board has approved and declared advisable an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to combine the outstanding shares of our Common Stock into a lesser number of outstanding shares, a so-called “reverse stock split.” If approved by the stockholders as proposed, the Board would have the sole discretion to effect the Reverse Stock Split at any time after approval of such amendment and no later than the one year anniversary of such approval and to fix the specific ratio for the Reverse Stock Split, provided that the ratio would be not less than one-for-two and not more than one-for-twenty-five. The Board would also have the discretion to abandon the Reverse Stock Split prior to its effectiveness. The Board is hereby soliciting stockholder approval for the Reverse Stock Split Proposal.

If approved by our stockholders, the Reverse Stock Split would permit (but not require) the Board to effect a reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock at any time by a ratio of not less than one-for-two and not more than one-for-twenty-five, with the specific ratio to be fixed within this range by the Board in its sole discretion without further stockholder approval. We believe that enabling the Board to fix the specific ratio of the Reverse Stock Split within the stated range will provide us with the flexibility to implement it in a manner designed to maximize the anticipated benefits for our stockholders. In fixing the ratio, the Board may consider, among other things, factors such as: the historical trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock; the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding; the then-prevailing trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock; the anticipated impact of the Reverse Stock Split on the trading market for our Common Stock; potential financing opportunities; and prevailing general market and economic conditions.

The Reverse Stock Split, if approved by our stockholders, would become effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Amendment setting forth the Reverse Stock Split (the “Certificate of Amendment”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or at the later time set forth in the Certificate of Amendment. The exact timing of the amendment will be determined by the Board of Directors based on its evaluation as to when such action will be the most advantageous to our Company and our stockholders. In addition, the Board of Directors reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval and without further action by the stockholders, to abandon the Reverse Stock Split if, at any time prior to the effectiveness of the filing of the amendment with the Secretary of State, the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, determines that it is no longer in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders to proceed.

The proposed form of amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement. Any amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect the reverse stock split will include the reverse stock split ratio fixed by the Board, within the range approved by our stockholders.

Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split

Our primary objective in effectuating the Reverse Stock Split would be to attempt to raise the per-share trading price of our Common Stock to meet Nasdaq’s listing requirements, which requires, among other things, that our Common Stock have a per share bid price that is greater than or equal to $1.00 per share. On March 31, 2025, the closing bid price for our Common Stock on Nasdaq was $0.7300 per share. The Board also believes that a higher stock price may help generate investor interest in the Company.

If the Reverse Stock Split successfully increases the per share price of our Common Stock, the Board of Directors also believes this increase may increase trading volume in our Common Stock and facilitate future financings by the Company.

Nasdaq Listing Requirements

On July 19, 2024, the Company received a letter (the “Bid Price Requirement Letter”) from the staff at Nasdaq notifying the Company that, for the 30 consecutive trading days prior to the date of the Bid Price Requirement Letter, the closing bid price for the Common Stock had been below the minimum $1.00 per share, as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 450(a)(1), which is required for continued listing of the Common Stock on Nasdaq (the “Bid Price Requirement”).

On July 19, 2024, the Company also received a letter (the “MVPHS Letter”) from Nasdaq notifying the Company that the “Market Value of Publicly Held Shares” (the “MVPHS”) of the Common Stock had been below the minimum of $15,000,000 for the last 30 consecutive business days prior to the date of the MVPHS Letter, which is required for continued listing of the Common Stock on Nasdaq pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(2)(C) (the “MVPHS Requirement”).

Such letters are in addition to the letter from Nasdaq received by the Company on May 2, 2024 (the “MVLS Letter” and, together with the Bid Price Letter and the MVPHS Letter, the “Letters”) notifying the Company that the “Market Value of Listed Securities” (“MVLS”) of the Common Stock had traded below the minimum of $50,000,000 for the 30 consecutive trading days prior to the date of such MVLS Letter, which is required for continued listing of the Common Stock on Nasdaq pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(2)(A) (the “MVLS Requirement” and, together with the Bid Price Requirement and the MVPHS Requirement, the “Requirements”).

Each of the Bid Price Requirement and MVLS Requirement deficiencies resulted in the commencement of delisting proceedings. However, we attended a hearing before a Nasdaq panel (the “Nasdaq Panel”) on December 17, 2024, at which we submitted a plan to regain compliance with the listing requirements. On January 17, 2025, the Nasdaq Panel granted the Company’s request for an extension of the deadline for regaining compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements to April 22, 2025 (the “Extended Deadline”), subject to certain conditions (the “Nasdaq Conditions”). Pursuant to the Nasdaq Conditions, the Company shall demonstrate compliance with the Bid Price Requirement and apply to transfer its listing to the Nasdaq Capital Market on or prior to January 22, 2025. The Company is also required to satisfy the $2.5 million stockholders’ equity requirement of the Nasdaq Capital Market on or prior to the Extended Deadline, submit certain plans to Nasdaq and make certain disclosures. On April 22, 2025, the Company announced that, as a result of the receipt of $2.3 million of net proceeds from its equity line of credit entered into November 2024, an additional approximately $4.1 million of net proceeds from its public offering of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants and warrants to purchase shares of common stock that closed on February 7, 2025 and $5 million of investments in marketable securities in consideration for the issuance of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock on April 22, 2025, as well as successful negotiations with certain service providers to reduce outstanding balances payable, the Company believes that it has stockholders’ equity of $2.5 million requirement as of such announcement and is awaiting a compliance determination from Nasdaq. Until Nasdaq has reached a final determination that the Company has regained compliance with all of the applicable continued listing requirements, there can be no assurances regarding the continued listing of the Company’s common stock and warrants on the Nasdaq Capital Market and the Company could be subject to delisting.

On February 12, 2025, we received a letter from the Nasdaq confirming that we had regained compliance with the Bid Price Requirement and we have been moved to the Nasdaq Capital Market, as required by the Nasdaq Panel. However, through April 23, 2025, the closing bid price of our Common Stock was below the $1.00 Bid Price Requirement for 26 consecutive trading days before such closing bid price exceeded $1.00 on April 24, 2025. Under applicable Nasdaq rules, if the Company fails to satisfy the Bid Price Requirement again for at least 30 consecutive trading days prior to the first anniversary of the Company’s one-for-100 reverse stock effectuated on January 8, 2025, the Company would be ineligible for a 180-day compliance period to permit curing such deficiency. Accordingly, as there can be no assurance that the closing bid price will not be below $1.00 in the future, the Company’s Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to proactively seek and obtain stockholder approval of an authorization to consummate an additional Reverse Stock Split.

Failure to approve the Reverse Stock Split may have serious, adverse effects on the Company and its stockholders. Our Common Stock could be delisted from Nasdaq because shares of our Common Stock may trade below the requisite $1.00 per share price needed to comply with the listing requirements of Nasdaq and maintain our listing. Our shares may then be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board or other small trading markets, which are generally considered to have less volume and be less efficient markets. We believe an investor likely would find it less convenient to sell, or to obtain accurate quotations in seeking to buy, our Common Stock on an over-the-counter market. Many investors likely would not buy or sell our Common Stock due to difficulty in accessing over-the-counter markets, policies preventing them from trading in securities not listed on a national exchange, or other reasons. In that event, the Common Stock could trade thinly as a microcap or penny stock, adversely decrease to nominal levels of trading and may be avoided by retail and institutional investors, resulting in the impaired liquidity of our Common Stock.

As of the Record Date, our Common Stock closed at $0.7300 per share on Nasdaq. The Reverse Stock Split, if effected, should have the immediate effect of increasing the price of our Common Stock as reported on Nasdaq, therefore reducing the risk that our Common Stock could be delisted from Nasdaq. However, we cannot assure you that the price of our Common Stock will not decline after the Reverse Stock Split.

Our Board strongly believes that the Reverse Stock Split is necessary to maintain our listing on Nasdaq. Accordingly, the Board recommended that our shareholders approve the Reverse Stock Split Proposal to effect the Reverse Stock Split and directed that this proposal be submitted to our shareholders for approval at the Annual Meeting, including for the reasons discussed below.

Appeal to a Broader Range of Investors to Generate Greater Investor Interest in the Company

An increase in our stock price may make our Common Stock more attractive to investors. Brokerage firms may be reluctant to recommend lower-priced securities to their clients lower-priced securities. Many institutional investors have policies prohibiting them from holding lower-priced stocks in their portfolios, which reduces the number of potential purchasers of our Common Stock. Investment funds may also be reluctant to invest in lower-priced stocks. Investors may also be dissuaded from purchasing lower-priced stocks because the brokerage commissions, as a percentage of the total transaction, tend to be higher for such stocks. Moreover, the analysts at many brokerage firms do not monitor the trading activity or otherwise provide coverage of lower-priced stocks. Giving the Board the ability to effect the Reverse Stock Split, and thereby increase the price of our Common Stock, would give the Board the ability to address these issues if it is deemed necessary.

Improve the Perception of Our Common Stock as an Investment Security

The Board believes that effecting the Reverse Stock Split is one potential means of increasing the share price of our Common Stock to improve the perception of our Common Stock as a viable investment security. Lower-priced stocks have a perception in the investment community as being risky and speculative, which may negatively impact not only the price of our Common Stock, but also our market liquidity.

Risks Associated with the Reverse Stock Split

There are risks associated with the Reverse Stock Split, including that the Reverse Stock Split may not result in an increase in the per share price of our Common Stock.

The Company cannot predict whether the Reverse Stock Split will increase the market price for our Common Stock. The history of similar stock split combinations for companies in like circumstances is varied. There is no assurance that:

• the market price per share will achieve or maintain the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for a sufficient period for our Common Stock to be approved for continued listing by Nasdaq;

• we would otherwise meet the listing requirements that would allow continued listing of our Common Stock on Nasdaq;

• the market price per share of our Common Stock after the Reverse Stock Split will rise in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding before the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split (the “Effective Time”);

• the Reverse Stock Split will result in a per share price that will attract brokers and investors who do not trade in lower-priced stocks;

• the Reverse Stock Split will result in a per share price that will increase the ability of the Company to attract and retain employees; and

• the Reverse Stock Split would promote greater liquidity for our shareholders with respect to their shares.

Under recently adopted Nasdaq rules, if the price of our Common Stock fails to satisfy the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for a 30 consecutive trading day period within one year after effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split, then the Common Stock would be subject to delisting by Nasdaq without any opportunity for a cure period.

In addition, the Reverse Stock Split would reduce the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock without reducing the number of shares of available but unissued Common Stock, increasing the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock. Therefore, the number of shares of our Common Stock that are authorized and unissued will increase relative to the number of issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split. The Board may authorize the issuance of the remaining authorized and unissued shares without further stockholder action for a variety of purposes, except as such shareholder approval may be required in particular cases by our Certificate of Incorporation, applicable law, or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities may then be listed. The issuance of additional shares would be dilutive to our existing shareholders and may cause a decline in the trading price of our Common Stock.

The market price of our Common Stock will also be based on the performance of the Company and other factors, some of which are unrelated to the number of shares outstanding. If the Reverse Stock Split is effected and the market price of our Common Stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of the overall market capitalization of the Company may be greater than would occur in the absence of the Reverse Stock Split.

In evaluating the Reverse Stock Split, in addition to the considerations described above, the Board also took into account various negative factors associated with reverse stock splits generally. These factors include: the negative perception of reverse stock splits held by some investors, analysts, and other stock market participants; the fact that the stock price of some companies that have effected reverse stock splits has subsequently declined in share price and corresponding market capitalization; the adverse effect on liquidity that might be caused by a reduced number of shares outstanding; and the costs associated with implementing a reverse stock split.

We also believe that the low market price of our Common Stock impairs its acceptability to important segments of the institutional investor community and the investing public. Many investors look upon low-priced stock as speculative in nature and, as a matter of policy, avoid investment in such stocks. Moreover, the low market price of our Common Stock may have reduced the effective marketability of our shares because of the reluctance of many brokerage firms to recommend low-priced stock to their clients. Further, a variety of brokerage house policies and practices tend to discourage individual brokers within those firms from dealing in low-priced stocks. Some of those policies and practices pertain to the payment of brokers’ commissions and to time-consuming procedures that function to make the handling of low-priced stocks unattractive to brokers from an economic standpoint. In addition, the structure of trading commissions also tends to have an adverse impact upon holders of low-priced stock because the brokerage commission on a sale of low-priced stock generally represents a higher percentage of the sales price than the commission on a relatively higher-priced issue.

In order to provide flexibility, the Board is seeking stockholder approval for a range of reverse split ratios of not less than one-for-two and not more than one-for-twenty-five. The need for the range is due to the volatility of our stock price, which ranged from a high of $5.85 per share to a low of $0.7300 per share between February 14, 2024 (the date of the Business Combination) and March 31, 2025.

We believe that enabling the Board of Directors to set the exact reverse split ratio within the stated range will provide us with the flexibility to implement the Reverse Stock Split in a manner designed to maximize the anticipated benefits for our stockholders. In determining whether to implement the Reverse Stock Split and selecting the exchange ratio, the Board of Directors will consider factors such as:

• the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding;

• the Nasdaq Capital Market requirements for the continued listing of our Common Stock;

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

• the then prevailing trading price and trading volume for our Common Stock;

• the anticipated impact of the Reverse Stock Split on the trading price of and market for our Common Stock;

• potential financing opportunities; and

• prevailing general market and economic conditions.

Reducing the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock through a Reverse Stock Split is intended, absent other factors, to increase the per share market price of our Common Stock. However, other 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 Reverse Stock Split, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above, that the market price of our Common Stock will increase following the Reverse Stock Split or that the market price of our Common Stock will not decrease in the future. Additionally, we cannot assure you that the market price per share of our Common Stock after a Reverse Stock Split will increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding before the Reverse Stock Split. Accordingly, the total market capitalization of our Common Stock after the Reverse Stock Split may be lower than the total market capitalization before the Reverse Stock Split.

The Board of Directors will have sole discretion as to any implementation of, and the exact timing and actual ratio of, the Reverse Stock Split within the range of ratios specified in this Proposal No. 1 and within one year after the date of the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors may also determine that the Reverse Stock Split is no longer in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders and decide to abandon the Reverse Stock Split at any time before, during or after the Annual Meeting and prior to its effectiveness, without further action by the stockholders.

The Reverse Stock Split alone would have no effect on our authorized capital stock, and the total number of authorized shares would remain the same as before the reverse stock split. This would have the effect of increasing the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance. As of the Record Date, the number of authorized shares of our Common Stock was 1,000,000,000 shares, which will not be affected by the Reverse Stock Split.

The additional available shares would be available for issuance from time to time at the discretion of the Board when opportunities arise, without further stockholder action or the related delays and expenses, except as may be required for a particular transaction by law, the rules of any exchange on which our securities may then be listed, or other agreements or restrictions. There are no preemptive rights relating to the Common Stock. As such, any issuance of additional shares of Common Stock would increase the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock and (unless such issuance was pro rata among existing stockholders) the percentage ownership of existing stockholders would be diluted accordingly.

The table below illustrates certain, but not all, possible reverse stock split ratios, together with the implied number of issued and outstanding shares of the Common Stock resulting from implementation of the Reverse Stock Split based on 5,169,723 shares of the Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date.

(1) Excludes the effect of fractional share treatment.

We are exploring various sources of financing, including through potential future sales of Common Stock or other securities. There can be no assurance, however, even if the Reverse Stock Split is approved and implemented, that any financing transaction would be undertaken or completed. If we are unable to successfully raise sufficient additional capital, through future sales of Common Stock or other securities or through strategic and collaborative arrangements, we will not have sufficient cash to fund our planned business operations and or may not be able to continue as a going concern.

As of the Record Date, we had 5,169,723 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, 471,199 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options, 3,405,498 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding Warrants (as defined below), and 0 shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuances under the 2024 Plan. As of the Record Date, we had 1,429 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), 198 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), and 2,537 shares of Series C convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding. Based upon a conversion price of $1.96, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock are convertible into 729,082 shares of Common Stock, the shares of Series B Preferred Stock are currently convertible at the Alternate Conversion Price (as defined below), and based upon a conversion price of $1.96, the shares of Series C Preferred Stock are convertible into 1,294,388 shares of Common Stock. If the Alternate Conversion Price is applied to determining the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and/or Series C Preferred Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon conversion thereof would be based upon 80% of the volume weighted-average price (“VWAP”) of the Common Stock during the five trading days immediately preceding the date of such conversion. The Series B Preferred Stock is currently convertible at the effective Alternate Conversion Price, which, as of the Record Date, is $0.60, resulting in the potential issuance of 118,800 shares of Common Stock.

Procedure for Implementing the Reverse Stock Split

The Effective Time, if approved by stockholders and implemented by the Company, will be the date and time set forth in the Certificate of Amendment that is filed with the Delaware Secretary of State. If the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is approved and the Board determines to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split, the exact timing of the filing of the Certificate of Amendment will be determined by our Board.

If, at any time prior to the filing of the Certificate of Amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State, notwithstanding stockholder approval, and without further action by the stockholders, the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that it is in the Company’s best interests and the best interests of the Company’s stockholders to delay the filing of the Certificate of Amendment or abandon the Reverse Stock Split, the Reverse Stock Split may be delayed or abandoned. The Company reserves the right to abandon a reverse stock split without further action by our stockholders at any time before the effectiveness of the filing with the Secretary of the State of Delaware of the Certificate of Amendment, even if the authority to effect the Reverse Stock Split has been approved by our stockholders. By voting in favor of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, you are expressly also authorizing the Board to delay, not to proceed with, and abandon, the Reverse Stock Split if it should so decide, in its sole discretion, that such action is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Beneficial Holders of Common Stock

Upon the implementation of the Reverse Stock Split, we intend to treat shares held by stockholders through a bank, broker or other nominee in the same manner as registered stockholders whose shares are registered in their names. Banks, brokers or other nominees will be instructed to effect the Reverse Stock Split for their beneficial holders holding our Common Stock in street name. However, these banks, brokers or other nominees may have different procedures than registered stockholders for processing the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders who hold shares of our Common Stock with a bank, broker or other nominee and who have any questions in this regard are encouraged to contact their banks, brokers or other nominees.

Registered “Book-Entry” Holders of Common Stock

Certain of our registered holders of Common Stock may hold some or all of their shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer agent. These stockholders do not have stock certificates evidencing their ownership of the Common Stock. They are, however, provided with statements reflecting the number of shares registered in their accounts.

Stockholders who hold shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer agent will not need to take action to receive evidence of their shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock.

Holders of Certificated Shares of Common Stock

Stockholders holding shares of our Common Stock in certificated form will be sent a transmittal letter by the transfer agent after the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions on how a stockholder should surrender his, her or its certificate(s) representing shares of our Common Stock (the “Old Certificates”) to the transfer agent. Unless a stockholder specifically requests a new paper certificate or holds restricted shares, upon the stockholder’s surrender of all of the stockholder’s Old Certificates to the transfer agent, together with a properly completed and executed letter of transmittal, the transfer agent will register the appropriate number of shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock electronically in book-entry form and provide the stockholder with a statement reflecting the number of shares registered in the stockholder’s account. No stockholder will be required to pay a transfer or other fee to exchange his, her or its Old Certificates. Until surrendered, we will deem outstanding Old Certificates held by stockholders to be cancelled and only to represent the number of shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock to which these stockholders are entitled. Any Old Certificates submitted for exchange, whether because of a sale, transfer or other disposition of stock, will automatically be exchanged for the appropriate number of shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock. If an Old Certificate has a restrictive legend on its reverse side, a new certificate will be issued with the same restrictive legend on its reverse side.

STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.

Fractional Shares

We will not issue fractional shares in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Instead, stockholders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares because they hold a number of shares not evenly divisible by the reverse stock split ratio will automatically be entitled to receive an additional fraction of a share of Common Stock to round up to the next whole share.

Effect of the Reverse Stock Split on Outstanding Stock Options, Warrants, Convertible Preferred Stock and Employee Plans

Based upon the reverse stock split ratio, proportionate adjustments are generally required to be made to the per share exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding options, warrants and convertible preferred stock entitling the holders to purchase shares of Common Stock. This would result in approximately the same aggregate price being required to be paid under such options, warrants or convertible preferred stock upon exercise, and approximately the same value of shares of Common Stock being delivered upon such exercise immediately following the Reverse Stock Split as was the case immediately preceding the Reverse Stock Split. The number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to these securities will be reduced proportionately based upon the reverse stock split ratio.

Potential Effects of the Reverse Stock Split

If our stockholders approve the Reverse Stock Split and the Board effects it, the number of shares of Common Stock authorized and issued and outstanding will be reduced due to the Reverse Stock Split, depending upon the ratio determined by the Board. The Reverse Stock Split will affect all holders of our Common Stock uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in the Company, except that as described above in “— Fractional Shares,” record holders of Common Stock otherwise entitled to a fractional share as a result of the Reverse Stock Split because they hold a number of shares not evenly divisible by the Reverse Stock Split ratio will automatically be entitled to receive an additional fraction of a share of Common Stock to round up to the next whole share. In addition, the Reverse Stock Split will not affect any stockholder’s proportionate voting power (subject to the treatment of fractional shares).

The Reverse Stock Split will not change the terms of the Common Stock. After the Reverse Stock Split, the shares of Common Stock will have the same voting rights and rights to dividends and distributions and will be identical in all other respects to the Common Stock now authorized. The Common Stock will remain fully paid and non-assessable. The Reverse Stock Split may result in some stockholders owning “odd-lots” of less than 100 shares of our 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.

After the Effective Time, we will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. Subject to our compliance with applicable continued listing requirements, our Common Stock will continue to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and traded under the symbol “CERO,” although the exchange will add the letter “D” to the end of the trading symbol for a period of 20 trading days after the Effective Time to indicate that a Reverse Stock Split has occurred. If a Reverse Stock Split is effected, then after the Effective Time, our Common Stock will have a new Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number, which is a number used to identify our equity securities, and stock certificates for our Common Stock with the older CUSIP number will need to be exchanged for stock certificates with the new CUSIP number by following the procedures described above under “— Procedure for Implementing the Reverse Stock Split.” The Reverse Stock Split is not intended as, and will not have the effect of, a “going private transaction” as described by Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act.

After the Effective Time, the post-split market price of our Common Stock may be less than the pre-split price multiplied by the reverse stock split ratio. In addition, a reduction in number of shares outstanding may impair the liquidity for our Common Stock, which may reduce the value of our Common Stock.

In addition, a Reverse Stock Split would result in an increased proportion of unissued authorized shares to issued shares, which could have possible anti-takeover effects and could be used by us to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or to delay or prevent changes in our control or management (for example, by permitting issuances that would dilute the stock ownership of a person seeking to effect a change in the composition of the Board or contemplating a tender offer or other transaction for the combination of us with another company). These authorized but unissued shares could (within the limits imposed by applicable law) be issued in one or more transactions that could make a change of control of the Company more difficult, and therefore more unlikely, or used to resist or frustrate a third-party transaction that is favored by a majority of the independent stockholders. For example, without further stockholder approval, our Board could (within the limits imposed by applicable law) strategically sell shares of Common Stock in a private transaction to purchasers who would oppose a takeover or favor our then current Board, or the shares could be available for potential issuance pursuant to a shareholder rights plan. The additional authorized shares could be used to discourage persons from attempting to gain control of the Company by diluting the voting power of shares then outstanding or increasing the voting power of persons that would support the Board in a potential takeover situation, including by preventing or delaying a proposed business combination that is opposed by the Board although perceived to be desirable by some stockholders. 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. Despite these possible anti-takeover effects, this proposal has been prompted by business and financial considerations and not by the threat of any hostile takeover attempt or any effort of which we are aware to accumulate our stock or to obtain control of our company by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation in opposition to management or otherwise (nor is our Board currently aware of any such attempts directed at us). Nevertheless, stockholders should be aware that approval of this proposal could facilitate future efforts by us to deter or prevent changes in our control, including transactions in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current market prices.

Accounting Matters

The proposed amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation will not affect the par value of our Common Stock. As a result, at the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to the Common Stock will be reduced in the same proportion as the reverse stock split ratio, and the additional paid-in capital account will be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per share net income or loss and net book value of the Common Stock will be reclassified for prior periods to conform to the post-Reverse Stock Split presentation.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split

The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split to holders of our Common Stock. This summary addresses the tax consequences only to U.S. Holders. For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our Common Stock that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as:

• an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

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

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

• a trust if either a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more United States persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust, or the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

This summary is based upon current provisions of the Code, existing Treasury Regulations and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change or different interpretation. Any change, which may or may not be retroactive, could alter the tax consequences to us or our stockholders as described in this summary. No ruling from the IRS has been or will be requested in connection with the Reverse Stock Split and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the statements and conclusions set forth below or a court would not sustain any such challenge.

No attempt has been made to comment on all U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split that may be relevant to particular U.S. Holders, including holders that: (i) are subject to special tax rules such as dealers, brokers and traders in securities, mutual funds, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, insurance companies, banks or other financial institutions or tax-exempt entities; (ii) acquired their shares in connection with stock options, stock purchase plans or other compensatory transactions; (iii) hold their shares as a hedge or as part of a hedging, straddle, “conversion transaction”, “synthetic security”, integrated investment or any risk reduction strategy; (iv) are partnerships, limited liability companies that are not treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, S corporations, or other pass-through entities or investors in such pass-through entities; (v) do not hold their shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, property held for investment within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code); (vi) hold their shares through individual retirement or other tax-deferred accounts; or (vii) who have a functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes other than the U.S. dollar.

In addition, the following discussion does not address state, local or foreign tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split, the Medicare tax on net investment income, U.S. federal estate and gift tax, the alternative minimum tax, the rules regarding qualified small business stock within the meaning of Section 1202 of the Code, or any other aspect of any U.S. federal tax other than the income tax. The discussion generally assumes that for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Reverse Stock Split will not be integrated or otherwise treated as part of a unified transaction with any other transaction.

General Tax Treatment of the Reverse Stock Split

The Reverse Stock Split is intended to qualify as a “reorganization” under Section 368(a) of the Code that should constitute a “recapitalization” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Assuming the Reverse Stock Split qualifies as a reorganization, a U.S. Holder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of our Common Stock for a lesser number of shares of Common Stock, based upon the reverse stock split ratio. A U.S. Holder’s aggregate tax basis in the lesser number of shares of Common Stock received in the Reverse Stock Split will be the same such U.S. Holder’s aggregate tax basis in the shares of our Common Stock that such U.S. Holder owned prior to the Reverse Stock Split. The holding period for the Common Stock received in the Reverse Stock Split will include the period during which a U.S. Holder held the shares of our Common Stock that were surrendered in the Reverse Stock Split. Treasury Regulations provide detailed rules for allocating the tax basis and holding period of the shares of our Common Stock surrendered to the shares of our Common Stock received pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split. U.S. Holders of shares of our 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.

THE FOREGOING IS A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A TAX OPINION. EACH HOLDER OF OUR COMMON SHARES SHOULD CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT.

Amendment Effective Date

If the proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation as described in this Proposal No. 1 is approved by the stockholders, upon the Board’s determination, if any, to effectuate the Reverse Stock Split and of the ratio (within the range approved pursuant to this Proposal No. 1) of such Reverse Stock Split, the Company will file the Certificate of Amendment reflecting the adopted amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Certificate of Amendment will be effective upon its filing or at such later time as specified in the Certificate of Amendment. If the stockholders do not approve this Proposal No. 1, the Certificate of Amendment will not be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

Dissenters’ Rights

No dissenters’ rights are available under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) or under the Certificate of Incorporation or the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”) to any stockholder who dissents from this Proposal No. 1.

Interests of Directors and Executive Officers

Our directors and executive officers do not have substantial interest, directly or indirectly, in the matters set forth in this proposal except to the extent of their ownership of shares of Common Stock or any other of our securities.

The majority of the votes properly cast will be required to approve this proposal. Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal and we do not expect any broker non-votes with respect to such proposal.