Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
This Item 9A includes information concerning the controls and controls evaluation referred to in the certifications of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14 of the Exchange Act included in this Annual Report as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of December 31, 2023 and based on this evaluation, have concluded that, as a result of the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as described below, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2023.
Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e), the term “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The management of the Company has designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.
As discussed elsewhere in this report, we completed the Business Combination on October 28, 2022. Prior to the Business Combination, the Predecessor was a private company and therefore its controls were not required to be designed or maintained in accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act. The design and implementation of internal control over financial reporting for the Company post-Business Combination has required
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and will continue to require significant time and resources from management and other personnel. Because of this, the design and ongoing development of our framework for implementation and evaluation of internal control over financial reporting is in its preliminary stages. As a result, management was unable, without incurring unreasonable effort or expense to conduct an assessment of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. Accordingly, we are excluding management’s report on internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 215.02 of the SEC Division of Corporation Finance’s Regulation S-K Compliance & Disclosure Interpretations.
Identification of Material Weaknesses
In the course of preparing the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report, the Company has identified material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, which relates to a deficiency in the design and operation of its financial accounting and reporting controls (See Note 3 and Note 19). A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Specifically, the Company identified deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting which were determined to rise to the level of material weakness. The Company has strengthened its accounting team with the addition of an experienced Controller and Chief Financial Officer, and has identified additional accounting resources that are expected to help to remediate the material weaknesses. The Company will also continue to review the overall internal control environment as we develop the requisite internal control framework.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Except as noted above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the period ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information .
None.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Not applicable.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance .
The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A, which proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the close of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all officers, directors, and employees in connection with their work for us. The full text of our Code of Ethics is posted on the investor relations page of our website at https://investors.seastarmedical.com/governance/governance-documents/default.aspx.
We intend to satisfy any disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of this Code of Ethics by posting such information on our website, at the Internet address and location specified above.
Item 11. Executive Compensation .
The information required under this item is incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A, which proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the close of the Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners a nd Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required under this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A, which proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the close of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, And Director Independence .
The information required under this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A, which proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the close of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services .
The information required under this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A, which proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the close of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules .
(1) For a list of the financial statements included herein, see Index to the consolidated financial statements on page F-1 of this Annual Report, incorporated into this Item by reference.
(2) Financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are either not required or not applicable or the information is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit
No.
Description
1.1
Placement Agency Agreement, dated January 26, 2024, by and among the Company and Maxim Group LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of Form 8-K dated January 30, 2024).
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 21, 2022, by and among LMF Acquisition Opportunities, Inc. (“LMAO”), LMF Merger Sub, Inc. and SeaStar Medical, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on April 26, 2022).
3.1
Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation, filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on October 28, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
3.2
Certificate of Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed September 20, 2023).
3.3
Amended and Restated Bylaws of SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
4.1
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
4.2
Specimen Warrant Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.3).
4.3
Warrant Agreement, dated January 25, 2021, between LMAO and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on January 28, 2021).
4.4
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 16, 2023).
4.5
Description of Securities (included under "Description of Securities" in Form S-1 filed by the registrant on January 20, 2023.
4.6
Form of Pre-Funded Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-K dated January 30, 2024).
4.7
Form of Series A Common Stock Purchase Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Form 8-K dated January 30, 2024).
4.8
Form of Series B Common Stock Purchase Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Form 8-K dated January 30, 2024).
10.1
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2022, by and among LMAO, SeaStar Medical, Inc., and certain stockholders of SeaStar Medical, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on April 26, 2022).
10.2
Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated January 25, 2021, between LMAO and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on January 28, 2021).
10.3
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2021, by and among LMF Acquisition Opportunities, Inc., SeaStar Medical, Inc. and certain stockholders of SeaStar Medical, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on January 28, 2021).
10.4
SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex D of Form S-4 filed by the registrant on May 16, 2022).
10.5
SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex E of Form S-4 filed by the registrant on May 16, 2022).
10.6
Promissory Note, dated effective as of March 1, 2022, between LMFAO Sponsor LLC and LMAO (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q filed by LMAO to the SEC on May 19, 2022).
10.7
Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated July 28, 2022, issued by LMAO to LMFAO Sponsor, LLC (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed by LMAO with the SEC on August 1, 2022).
10.8
Form of Subscription Agreement, dated August 23, 2022, between LMAO, SeaStar Medical, Inc. and certain investors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Form S-4/A filed by the registrant on August 24, 2022).
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10.09
Credit Agreement, between SeaStar Medical, Inc. and LM Funding America, Inc., dated September 9, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to Form S-4/A filed by the registrant on September 13, 2022).
10.10
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement and Waiver of Lock-up Period, dated October 25, 2022, by and among LMAO and the investors listed on the signature pages thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
10.11
Letter Agreement, dated October 28, 2022, by and among LMAO, SeaStar Medical, Inc., and Tumim Stone Capital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
10.12
Director Nomination Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2022, by and among LMFAO Sponsor LLC and LMAO (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
10.13
First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated October 28, 2022, by and between SeaStar Medical, Inc. and LM Funding America, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
10.14
Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated October 28, 2022, issued by SeaStar Medical, Inc. to LM Funding America, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
10.15
Security Agreement, dated October 28, 2022, issued by SeaStar Medical, Inc. and SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation to LM Funding America, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
10.16
Guaranty, dated October 28, 2022, issued by SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation to LM Funding America, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
10.17
Consolidated Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated October 28, 2022, issued by SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation to LMFAO Sponsor, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
10.18
Security Agreement, dated October 28, 2022, issued by SeaStar Medical, Inc. and SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation to LMFAO Sponsor, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
10.19
Guaranty, dated October 28, 2022, issued by SeaStar Medical, Inc. to LMFAO Sponsor, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
10.20
Promissory Note, dated October 28, 2022, issued by SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation to Maxim Group LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
10.21
Intercreditor Agreement, dated October 28, 2022, by and among Maxim Group LLC, LM Funding America, Inc., LMFAO Sponsor, LLC, SeaStar Medical, Inc. and SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Form 8-K filed by the Company with the registrant on November 4, 2022).
10.22
Confirmation for Prepaid Forward Transaction, dated October 26, 2022, by and among LMF Acquisition Opportunities, Inc., SeaStar Medical, Inc. and HB Strategies LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on October 27, 2022).
10.23
Confirmation for Prepaid Forward Transaction, dated October 17, 2022, by and among LMF Acquisition Opportunities, Inc., SeaStar Medical, Inc. and Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC—Series 4 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on October 17, 2022).
10.24
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2023, by and among SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation and 3i, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 16, 2023).
10.25
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2023, by and among SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation and 3i, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 16, 2023).
10.26
Form of Senior Unsecured Convertible Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 16, 2023).
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10.27
Share Issuance and Settlement Agreement, dated as of June 6, 2023, by and between SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation and Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC – Series 4 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2023).
10.28
First Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement, dated August 7, 2023, by and between the Company and 3i, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed August 7, 2023).
10.29
First Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 7, 2023, by and between the Company and 3i, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed August 7, 2023).
10.30
Letter Agreement, dated August 7, 2023, by and between the Company and 3i, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K filed August 7, 2023).
10.31
Third Amendment, Consent and Waiver Agreement, dated August 7, 2023, by and between the Company and Maxim Group LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K filed August 7, 2023).
10.32
Third Amendment, Consent and Waiver Agreement, dated August 7, 2023, by and between the Company and LM Funding America, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Form 8-K filed August 7, 2023).
10.33
Third Amendment, Consent and Waiver Agreement, dated August 7, 2023, by and between the Company and LMFAO Sponsor, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Form 8-K filed August 7, 2023).
10.34
Letter Agreement, dated August 30, 2023, by and between the Company and 3i, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed August 30, 2023).
10.35+
Employment Agreement, dated January 10, 2024, by and between the Company and David Green (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated January 11, 2024).
10.36
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, by and among the Company and the parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K filed January 30, 2024).
10.37 √
License and Distribution Agreement, dated December 27, 2022, by and between the Company and NuWellis, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.63 of Form 10-K filed by Nuwellis, Inc. on March 3, 2023).
10.38** √
Amendment No. 1 to the License and Distribution Agreement, dated December 29, 2023, by and between the Company and Nuwellis, Inc.
21.1
List of Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 4, 2022).
23.1**
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation for fiscal year-ended December 31, 2022
23.2**
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation for fiscal year-ended December 31, 2023
24.1**
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto).
31.1**
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2**
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1**
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2**
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
+ Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
Schedules and exhibits to this agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule and/or exhibit will be furnished to the SEC upon request.
** Filed herewith
147
√ Portions of this exhibit (indicated by asterisks) have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 406 under the Securities Act of 1933.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY .
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized .
SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation
Date: April 16, 2024
By:
/s/ Eric Schlorff
Eric Schlorff
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:April 16, 2024
By:
/s/ David Green
David Green
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned constitutes and appoints Eric Schlorff his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and revocation, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to execute any or all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
Title
Date
/s/ Eric Schlorff
Eric Schlorff
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
April 16, 2024
/s/ David Green
David Green
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
April 16, 2024
/s/ Rick Barnett
Rick Barnett
Chairman of the Board of Directors
April 16, 2024
/s/ Kenneth Van Heel
Kenneth Van Heel
Director
April 16, 2024
/s/ Andres Lobo
Andres Lobo
Director
April 16, 2024
/s/ Allan Collins
Allan Collins
Director
April 16, 2024
/s/ Bruce Rodgers
Bruce Rodgers
Director
April 16, 2024
/s/ Richard Russell
Richard Russell
Director
April 16, 2024
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