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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Preliminary Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. 1)

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  o

Check the appropriate box:

Filed by the Registrantý

Filed by a Party other than the Registranto

Check the appropriate box:

ý


Preliminary Proxy Statement

o


Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

o


Definitive Proxy Statement

o


Definitive Additional Materials

o


Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12


CHF SOLUTIONS, INC.
SUNSHINE HEART INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):


Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý


No fee required.

o


Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1)
(1)
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2)
(2)
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3)
(3)
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4)
(4)
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5)
(5)
Total fee paid:

o


 o
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o


Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.


(1)

(1)


Amount Previously Paid:
(2)
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3)Filing Party:
(3)
(4)
Filing Party:
(4)
Date Filed:

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LETTER TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS

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GRAPHICApril 13, 2020

12988 Valley View Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
952-345-4200

July 27, 2012

DearTo our Stockholders:

        You areWe cordially invitedinvite you to join us forattend our 20122020 annual meeting of stockholders, which will be held on Thursday, August 9, 2012,Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at 8:2:00 a.m.p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time, (11:00 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time),as a virtual meeting at https://web.lumiagm.com/265011505 where you will be able to listen to the offices of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, 2200 Wells Fargo Center, 90 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402. The notice of annualmeeting live, submit questions and vote online. We believe that a virtual meeting of stockholders provides greater access to those who may want to attend and, the proxy statement that follow describe thetherefore, have chosen this method for our Annual Meeting over an in-person meeting. The business to be conducted at the meeting.

        The matters to be acted upon are describedannual meeting is set forth in the accompanying noticeattached Notice of 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement.

Thank you for your continued support of CHF Solutions.

Sincerely,


John L. Erb
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President

Corporate Headquarters
12988 Valley View Road
Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344
(952) 345-4200

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CHF SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTICE OF 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. U.S. Central Time, as a virtual meeting at https://web.lumiagm.com/265011505, to conduct the following items of business:

Proposal 1 - To elect two Class I directors named in the accompanying proxy statement, each to serve for a three-year term or until his successor has been duly elected and Proxy Statement.

All stockholders are cordially invitedqualified.

Proposal 2 - To approve, on an advisory basis, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020.
Proposal 3 - To approve an amendment to attendour Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to effect a reverse split of our outstanding common stock at a ratio in the range of 1-for-5 to 1-for-30, to be determined at the discretion of our Board of Directors, whereby each outstanding 5 to 30 shares would be combined, converted and changed into 1 share of our common stock, without reducing the number of authorized shares of our common stock.
Proposal 4 - To authorize one or more adjournments of the annual meeting to solicit additional proxies in person. Whetherthe event there are insufficient votes to approve Proposal 3

To transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting or not you expectany postponement or adjournment of the meeting.

Only holders of our common stock at the close of business on April 6, 2020, the record date, are entitled to receive this notice and to attend the annual meeting, you are urged to submit your proxy or CHESS Depositary Interest ("CDI") voting instruction form as soon as possible so that your shares can be votedand vote at the annual meeting in accordance with your instructions. Telephone and Internet voting are available.meeting. For specific instructions on voting, please referten days prior to the instructions onmeeting, a complete list of stockholders will be available during regular business hours at our principal executive office, 12988 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344. A stockholder may examine the proxy card or CDI voting instruction form.list for any legally valid purpose related to the meeting.

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, your vote is very important and we encourageurge you to vote promptly. You may vote your shares (or direct CHESS Depositary Nominees Pty Ltd to vote if you hold your shares inpromptly and save us the formexpense of CDIs) by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card or CDI Voting Instruction Form, as applicable. Telephone and Internet voting are available as described in the enclosed materials.additional solicitation. If you holdattend the meeting, you may revoke your shares through an accountproxy in accordance with a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, please follow the instructions you receive from them to vote your shares.

        We look forward to seeing you atprocedures set forth in the annual meeting.

Sincerely,




GRAPHIC



David A. Rosa
Chief Executive Officer

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GRAPHIC

12988 Valley View Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
952-345-4200

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Date and Time:Thursday, August 9, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (11:00 p.m. Australia Eastern Standard Time)
Place:Faegre Baker Daniels LLP
2200 Wells Fargo Center
90 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Items of Business:1.To elect two directors, each for a three-year term.
2.For purposes of Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") Listing Rule 7.1, Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) and for all other purposes, to approve the issuance and sale of up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock to investors in a public offering, the over-allotment option, the potential 20% upsizing and the pre-emptive rights (if any).
3.For purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.4 and for all other purposes, to ratify our issuance and sale of (a) 256,875 shares of common stock; and (b) warrants to purchase 85,616 shares of common stock, issued to U.S. accredited investors and Australian institutional investors and to Summer Street Research Partners, our placement agent, and its registered representatives in connection with our February 8, 2012 private placement.
4.To approve (a) our Second Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"); (b) the issuance of securities under the Plan for the purposes of Exception 9 of ASX Listing Rule 7.2; and (c) the Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and for all other purposes.
5.To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor of Sunshine Heart, Inc. for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.
6.To conduct any other business that may properly be considered at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.
Record Date:You may vote at the meeting if you were a stockholder of record on July 20, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time.
Voting by Proxy:Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, you are entitled to vote only if you were a Sunshine Heart, Inc. stockholder on July 20, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time. This means that owners of common stock as of that date are entitled to vote at the annual meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. Record holders of CHESS Depositary Interests ("CDIs") as of the close of business on the record date, are entitled to receive notice of and to attend the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting and may instruct our CDI Depositary, CHESS Depositary Nominees Pty Ltd, ("CDN"), to vote the shares underlying their CDIs by following the instructions on the enclosed CDI Voting Instruction Form or by voting online atwww.linkmarketservices.com.au. Doing so permits CDI holders to instruct CDN to vote on behalf of the CDI holders at the meeting in accordance with their written instructions.

        Our proxy statement and 2012 annual report are available atwww.sunshineheart.com/investors.vote during the meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors,




GRAPHIC



David A. Rosa
Chief Executive Officer
Thomas P. Lynch
Secretary

July 27, 2012Eden Prairie, Minnesota
April 13, 2020


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PROXY STATEMENT
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Proposal 1 – Election of Directors

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


7

PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS


8

INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE


12

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics


12

Director Independence

12

Board Leadership Structure

13

Board Involvement in Risk Oversight

13

Board Committees

14

Meeting Attendance

15

Procedures for Contacting the Board of Directors

Procedures for SelectingSpecific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Nominating Director Candidates

Experience to be Represented on the Board

Director Compensation

Background and Qualifications
Director Independence

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

Year-End

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control Agreements

Beneficial Ownership of DirectorsCertain Relationships and Executive Officers

Related Transactions
Audit Committee Report

Beneficial Owners of More than Five Percent of Our Common Stock

Audit Committee Matters

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Independent Registered Public Account Firm Fees

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Proposal 3 – Reverse Stock Split

PROPOSAL 2—APPROVAL OF ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK IN A PUBLIC OFFERING WITH RELATED PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS

DescriptionProposal 4 – Adjournment of Transaction

Annual Meeting
Additional Matters

Australian Securities Exchange Listing Rules

Nasdaq Listing Rules

34

Consequences if Stockholders Approve the Issuance of Shares

34

Consequences if Stockholders Do Not Approve the Issuance of Shares

34

DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON STOCK


35

FINANCIAL INFORMATION


39

PROPOSAL 3—RATIFICATION OF ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK


44

Background


44

Australian Securities Exchange Listing Rules

44

Description of the Securities

46

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PROPOSAL 4—APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO AMENDED AND RESTATED 2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

46

The Amendments


46

Stockholder Approval Requirement

47

Description of the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan

48

Federal Income Tax Consequences

53

Future Plan Awards

55

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

PROPOSAL 5—RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

Householding

Auditor Fees

Solicitation by Board, Expenses

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


F-1


APPENDIX A




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CHF SOLUTIONS, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
2012

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 9, 2012
MAY 20, 2020

ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

Who is soliciting my vote?

The boardBoard of directorsDirectors (the “Board”) of Sunshine Heart,CHF Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) is soliciting proxiesyour proxy, as a holder of our common stock, for use at theour 2020 annual meeting of stockholders to be held on August 9, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (11:00 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time), and at any adjournment or postponement of thesuch meeting. We expecthave retained Morrow Sodali LLC to mail thisassist in the solicitation of proxies. The 2020 annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. U.S. Central Time, as a virtual meeting at https://web.lumiagm.com/265011505.

The notice of annual meeting, proxy statement and form of proxy was first mailed to our stockholders of record on or about July 27, 2012.April 13, 2020.

What is the purpose of the annual meeting?


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

What is the purpose of the meeting?

At our annual meeting, stockholdersyou will act upon the matters outlinedbe voting on:

Proposal 1 - To elect two Class I directors named in the noticeaccompanying proxy statement, each to serve for a three-year term or until his successor has been duly elected and qualified.
Proposal 2 - To approve, on an advisory basis, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP (“Baker Tilly”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020.
Proposal 3 - To approve an amendment to our Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), to effect a reverse split of our outstanding common stock at a ratio in the range of 1-for-5 to 1-for-30, to be determined at the discretion of our Board of Directors, whereby each outstanding 5 to 30 shares would be combined, converted and changed into 1 share of our common stock, without reducing the number of authorized shares of our common stock.
Proposal 4 - To authorize one or more adjournments of the annual meeting to solicit additional proxies in the event there are insufficient votes to approve Proposal 3.

To transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting or any postponement or adjournment of stockholders. After the meeting.

The Board recommends a vote FOR each of the director nominees listed in this proxy statement and FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4.

We are not aware of any other matters that will be brought before the stockholders for a vote at the annual meeting. If any other matter is properly brought before the meeting, your signed proxy card gives authority to your proxies to vote on such matter in their best judgment; proxy holders named in the proxy card will vote as the Board recommends or, if the Board gives no recommendation, in their own discretion.

During or immediately following the annual meeting, management will report on matters of current interest to our stockholdersperformance and will respond to appropriate questions from our stockholders. The matters outlined in the notice include:

    the electionRepresentatives of two directors ("Proposal 1");

    approval of the issuance and sale of up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock (equivalent to 2,000,000,000 CDIs) to investors in a public offering, the over-allotment option, the potential 20% upsizing and the pre-emptive rights (if any) ("Proposal 2");

    ratification of the issuance of securities in connection with our February 8, 2012 private placement (the "February Private Placement") ("Proposal 3");

    approval of (a) our Second Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"); (b) the issuance of securities under the Plan for purposes of Exception 9 of Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") Listing Rule 7.2; and (c) the Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and for all other purposes ("Proposal 4"); and

    ratification of the selection of our independent auditor for 2012 ("Proposal 5").

Who is entitled to vote at the meeting?

        Only those stockholders of record on July 20, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time, the record date,Baker Tilly will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. CHESS Depositary Interest ("CDI") holders as of the record date are entitled to receive notice of and attend the meeting and may instruct CHESS Depositary Nominees Pty Ltd ("CDN") to vote at the meeting by following the instructions on the CDI voting instruction form or by voting online atwww.linkmarketservices.com.au.

        As of July 20, 2012, we had 6,277,538 shares of common stock outstanding (equivalent to 1,255,507,600 CDIs assuming all shares of common stock were converted into CDIs on the record date), all of which were entitled to vote with respect to the proposals to be acted upon at the meeting, subject to the voting exclusions noted below. Each CDI represents one two hundredth of a share of our common stock.

        Votes for and against, instructions to withhold authority to vote for a director nominee, and abstentions each will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.

Will any investors be excluded from voting on any of the proposals at the meeting?

        In accordance with ASX Listing Rule 14.11.1, we will disregard any votes cast on:

    Proposal 2 by (i) any stockholder or CDI holder who may participate in the public offering of our common stock, the over-allotment option or the potential 20% upsizing, including certain

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      SPA Stockholders (as defined and named below), or purchase shares of our common under the related pre-emptive rights, (ii) any stockholder or CDI holder who might obtain a benefit if this proposal is passed (other than a benefit solely in the capacity of a holder of shares), and (iii) any associate of such stockholder or CDI holder.

    Proposal 3 by stockholders and CDI holders who participated in the February Private Placement and any associate of such stockholders and CDI holders; and

    Proposal 4 by any employee director (being Dr. William Peters and Mr. Dave Rosa) and any associate of such employee director.

        However, we need not disregard a vote if:

    it is cast by a person as a proxy for a person who is entitled to vote, in accordance with the direction on the proxy card; or

    it is cast by the person chairing the meeting as a proxy for a person who is entitled to vote, in accordance with the direction on the proxy card to vote as the proxy decides.

What are my voting rights?

        Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share. Holders of our CDIs are entitled to one vote for every two hundred CDIs held by such holder. Therefore, as of July 20, 2012, a total of 6,277,538 votes are entitled to be cast at the meeting.

How many shares must be present to hold the meeting?

        In accordance with our bylaws, shares equal to a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors as of the record date must be present at the annual meeting, in orderwill make a statement, if they desire to holddo so, and will answer appropriate questions from our stockholders.

Except as noted herein, share numbers are provided as of the meetingrecord date and conduct business. This is calledon a quorum. Shares are counted as presentpre-reverse stock split basis.

Who is entitled to vote?

You may vote if you owned shares of our common stock at the meeting if:

    if youclose of business on April 6, 2020, the record date, provided such shares are held directly in your name as the stockholder of record andor are held for you are present andas the beneficial owner through a broker, bank or other nominee. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote in person aton each matter properly brought before the meeting;

    you have properly and timely submitted your proxy as described below under "How do I vote mymeeting.

    As of April 6, 2020, we had 32,600,118 shares of Sunshine Heart common stock?"; or

    you have properlystock outstanding and timely submittedentitled to vote.

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What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a beneficial owner?

Stockholders of Record. If your CDI voting instruction form as described below under "How do I vote if I hold CDIs"?

What is a proxy?

        It is your designation of another person to vote stock you own. That other person is called a proxy. If you designate someone as your proxy in a written document, that document also is called a proxy or a proxy card. When you designate a proxy, you also may direct the proxy how to vote your shares. We refer to this as your "proxy vote." Two executive officers have been designated as proxies for our 2012 annual meeting of stockholders. These executive officerscommon shares are David A. Rosa and Jeffrey S. Mathiesen.

What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a "street name" holder?

        If you own shares registered directly in your name with our U.S. transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, you are considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares.shares, and these proxy materials are being sent directly to you by us. As athe stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to us through the companyenclosed proxy card or to vote in person at the annual meeting.

Beneficial Owners. Many of our stockholders hold their common shares through a broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own names. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank trust or other nominee, thenyou are considered the beneficial owner with respect to those shares, and these proxy materials (including a voting instruction card) are being forwarded to you by your broker, bank trust or other nominee who is considered to be the stockholder of record with respect to those shares, while you are consideredshares. As the beneficial owner, of those shares. In that case,you have the right to direct your shares


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are said to be held in "street name" and the notice was forwarded to you by that organization. Street name holders generally cannot vote their shares directly and must instead instruct the broker, bank trust or other nominee on how to vote their shares usingand are also invited to attend the method described below under "How do I vote my shares of Sunshine Heart common stock?" Since a street name holder isannual meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote yourthese shares in person at the annual meeting unless you request and obtain a "legal proxy"legal proxy form from your broker, bank or nominee (as described below). Your broker, bank or nominee has enclosed a voting instruction card for you to use in directing the broker, bank trustee, or nominee that holds your shares giving you the righton how to vote your shares.

May I attend the annual meeting and vote my shares in person?

All of our stockholders are invited to participate in the shares at theannual meeting.

        CDN is the stockholder of record for all shares beneficially owned by holders of CDIs. Holders of CDIs are entitled to receive notice of and to attend To participate in the annual meeting, and may direct CDN to vote at the annual meetingyou must register in advance by using the method described below under "How do I vote if I hold CDIs?"May 6, 2020.

How do I vote my sharesStockholders of Sunshine Heart common stock?Record.

If you are a stockholder of record, you can submitmay may vote during the virtual meeting through https://web.lumiagm.com/265011505. To be admitted to the annual meeting and vote your shares, you must register by May 6, 2020 and provide the control number as described in the Notice or proxy card. After completion of your registration by the registration deadline, further instructions, including a proxyunique link to access the annual meeting, will be voted atemailed to you. Follow the instructions provided to vote. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time leaving ample time for the check in.

Beneficial Owners: If you hold your common shares through a broker, bank or other nominee and want to vote such shares during the annual meeting, you must first obtain a valid legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee and then register in anyadvance to attend the annual meeting. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials or contact your broker or bank or other nominee to request a legal proxy form. After obtaining a valid legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee, to then register to attend the annual meeting, you must submit proof of your legal proxy reflecting the following ways:number of your shares along with your name and email address to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. Requests for registration should be directed to proxy@astfinancial.com or to facsimile number 718-765-8730. Written requests can be mailed to:

    over

    American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC
    Attn: Proxy Tabulation Department
    6201 15th Avenue
    Brooklyn, NY 11219

    Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal Proxy” and be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 6, 2020.

    You will receive a confirmation of your registration by email after we receive your registration materials. You may attend the telephoneannual meeting and vote your shares at https://web.lumiagm.com/265011505 during the meeting. Follow the instructions provided to vote. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time leaving ample time for the check in.

    Can I vote my shares without attending the annual meeting?

    Stockholders of Record. You may vote by calling a toll-free number;

    overcompleting, signing and returning the Internet; or

    signing, dating and mailing theenclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided.

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If you are a stockholder of record, you may also vote by internet or by phone. To vote by telephone or the Internet,internet, you will need to use a control number that was provided to you in the materials with this proxy statement and follow the additional steps when prompted. The steps have been designed to authenticate your identity, allow you to give voting instructions, and confirm that those instructions have been recorded properly.

Beneficial Owners. If you hold your shares in street name,are a beneficial owner, you must vote your shares in the manner prescribed by your broker, bank trust or other nominee, which is similar to the voting procedures for stockholders of record.nominee. You will receive a voting instruction formcard (not a proxy card) to use in directing the broker, bank trust or other nominee how to vote your shares.

        Please refer You may also have the option to "Willvote your shares via the internet.

Can I change my vote?

Stockholders of Record. You may change your vote at any investorstime before the proxy is exercised by sending a written notice of revocation or a later-dated proxy to our Secretary, which must be excluded from voting on anyreceived prior to commencement of the proposals at the meeting?" forannual meeting; by submitting a summary oflater-dated proxy via internet or phone before 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on May 19, 2020; or by voting exclusions applicable to each proposal to be voted onin person at the annual meeting.

How do I vote if I hold CDIs?

        Each CDI holder is entitled to direct CDN to one vote for every two hundred CDIs held by the holder. Record holders of CDIs as of the close of business in the United States on the record date, are entitled to receive notice of and to attend the meeting, or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting and may instruct our CDI Depositary, CDN, to vote the shares underlying their CDIs by following the instructions on the enclosed CDI Voting Instruction Form or by voting online atwww.linkmarketservices.com.au. Doing so permits CDI holders to instruct CDN to vote on behalf of the CDI holdersvirtually. Your attendance at the annual meeting in accordance with their written instructions.person will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you file the proper documentation for it to be so revoked.

What does it mean if I receive more than one printed set of proxy materials?Beneficial Owners. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, you should contact such person prior to the time such voting instructions are exercised.

What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction card?

If you receive more than one printed set of proxy materials,card or voting instruction card, it means that you holdhave multiple accounts with brokers, banks or other nominees and/or our transfer agent. Please sign and deliver, or otherwise vote, each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive. We recommend that you contact your nominee and/or our transfer agent, as appropriate, to consolidate as many accounts as possible under the same name and address. Our transfer agent is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219; telephone: 800-937-5449.

What if I do not vote for some of the items listed on my proxy card or voting instruction card?

Stockholders of Record. If you indicate a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon on your proxy card, the shares or CDIs registeredwill be voted in more than one account. To ensureaccordance with your instructions. Proxy cards that all of your shares are voted, please submit proxies orsigned and returned, but do not contain voting instructions for allwith respect to certain matters, will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of your shares.the Board on such matters.

How can I attend the meeting?Beneficial Owners.

        All of our stockholders and CDI holders are invited to attend the annual meeting. You may be asked to present valid photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport, before being admitted to the meeting. If you hold your shares in street name or areindicate a CDI holder, you also may be askedchoice with respect to


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present proof of ownership any matter to be admitted toacted upon on your voting instruction card, the meeting. A brokerageshares will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you do not indicate a choice or holding statement or letter from yourreturn the voting instruction card, the broker, bank trust or other nominee are exampleswill determine if it has the discretionary authority to vote on each matter. Under applicable regulations, a broker, bank or nominee has the discretion to vote on routine matters, including the advisory approval of proof of ownership.

Can I vote my shares in personthe independent registered public accounting firm. For all other matters at the meeting?

        If2020 annual meeting, brokers and certain banks and nominees will be unable to vote on your behalf if you are a stockholder of record, you maydo not instruct them how to vote your shares in the manner set forth on your voting instruction card. Therefore, it is very important for you to vote your shares for each proposal.

How many shares must be present to hold the meeting?

In order for us to conduct the annual meeting, a majority of our outstanding shares entitled to vote as of April 6, 2020 must be present in person at the meetingor by completing a ballotproxy at the meeting. Even if you currently plan to attend the meeting, we recommend that you submit your proxy as described above so your voteThis is called a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted if you later decide not to attendconsidered present for purposes of determining a quorum.

What vote is required to approve each item of business?

Proposal 1—Election of Directors. The two nominees receiving the meeting. If you submit your vote by proxy and later decide to vote in personhighest number of “FOR” votes at the annual meeting will be elected as Class I directors. This is called a plurality. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

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Proposal 2—Advisory Approval of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020. The affirmative vote you submit at the meeting will override your proxy vote.

        If you areof holders of a street name holder, you may vote yourmajority of shares in person at the meeting only if you obtain and bring to the meeting a signed letter or other form of proxy from your broker, bank, trust or other nominee giving you the rightentitled to vote the shares at the meeting.

        Please refer to "How do I vote if I hold CDIs?" if you are a CDI holder.

How does the board of directors recommend that I vote?

        The board of directors recommends a vote:

    FOR all of the nominees for director;

    FOR the approval of the issuance and sale of up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock (equivalent to 2,000,000,000 CDIs) in a public offering, the over-allotment option, the potential 20% upsizing and the pre-emptive rights (if any).

    FOR the ratification of the prior issuances of common stock and warrants in the February Private Placement;

    FOR the approval of the Plan and approval of the Plan for purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.2 (Exception 9), Section 162(m) of the Code and all other purposes; and

    FOR the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor of Sunshine Heart, Inc. for the year ending December 31, 2012.

What if I do not specify how I want my shares voted?

        If you are a stockholder of record and properly submit your proxy but do not specify how you want to vote your shares on a particular matter, we will vote your shares as follows:

    FOR all of the nominees for director;

    FOR the approval of the issuance and sale of up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock (equivalent to 2,000,000,000 CDIs) in a public offering, the over-allotment option, the potential 20% upsizing and the pre-emptive rights (if any).

    FOR the ratification of the prior issuances of common stock and warrants in the February Private Placement;

    FOR the approval of the Plan and approval of the Plan for purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.2 (Exception 9), Section 162(m) of the Code and all other purposes; and

    FOR the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor of Sunshine Heart, Inc. for the year ending December 31, 2012.

Your vote is important. We urge you to vote, or to instruct your broker, bank, trust or other nominee how to vote, on all matters before the annual meeting. If a stockholder or CDI holder submits a proxy or voting instruction form, as applicable, but abstains from voting on any matter other than the election of directors, the abstention will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the annual meeting, in person or by proxy, is required for advisory approval of Baker Tilly as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2020. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the transactionoutcome of business as well as shares entitled to vote on that particular


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matter. Accordingly, a stockholder abstention on any matterthis proposal unless you return your proxy card and select “Abstain”, which will have the same effect as a vote against thatthe matter.

        If you areAlthough the vote on Proposal 2 is not binding on the Company, the Audit Committee will take your vote on this proposal into consideration when selecting our independent registered public accounting firm in the future.

Proposal 3 – Approval of Reverse Stock Split. The affirmative vote of holders of a street name holdermajority of common stock and fail to instruct the stockholder of record how you wantshares entitled to vote your shares on a particular matter, those shares are considered to be "uninstructed." New York Stock Exchange rules determineat the circumstances under which member brokers of the New York Stock Exchange may exercise discretion to vote "uninstructed" shares held by them on behalf of their clients who are street name holders. Other than "routine" matters, such as the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditorannual meeting is required for the year ending December 31, 2012, the rules donot permit member brokers to exercise voting discretion as to the uninstructed shares on any matter included in the notice of meeting.

        With respect to the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditor for the year ending December 31, 2012, the rules permit member brokers to exercise voting discretion as to the uninstructed shares. However, on non-routine matters such as the election of directors, the approval of the salereverse stock split. Abstentions and issuancebroker non-votes, if any, will have the same effect as votes against the matter.

Proposal 4 – Approval of common stockAdjournment. The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of shares entitled to vote and present at the annual meeting, in a public offering with related pre-emptive rights, the ratification of prior issuances of securities, and the approvalperson or by proxy, is required for any adjournment of the Plan,annual meeting to solicit additional proxies in the broker must receive voting instructions from the beneficial owner, as it does not have discretionary voting power for these particular items. For matters with respectevent there are insufficient votes to which the broker, bank or other nominee does not have voting discretion or has, but does not exercise, voting discretion, the uninstructed shares will be referred to as a "broker non-vote."

        If you are a CDI holderapprove Proposal 3. Abstentions and you do not instruct CDN on how you want to vote your shares on the proposals, CDN will not vote on your behalf.

        For more information regarding the effect of broker non-votes, on the outcome of the vote, see below under "What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals included in the notice of meeting?"

What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals included in the notice of meeting?

    Proposal 1—Election of Directors

        You may either vote "FOR" or "WITHHOLD" authority to vote for each director nominee. You may NOT vote "AGAINST"if any, director nominee. This is because we are subject to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") which prohibit the casting of votes "against" the election of directors. In the election of directors, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes, which means that the director nominees receiving the highest number of "FOR" votes will be elected. If you withhold authority to vote for one or more of the director nominees, this will have no direct effect on the outcome of the election of directors. If you do not submit your proxy or voting instructions to your broker, a "broker non-vote" occurs and your shares will not be counted fortreated as present or entitled to vote at the purpose of establishing a quorumannual meeting and thus will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. Ifproposal unless you are a CDI holderreturn your proxy card and do not instruct CDN how to vote your shares, your shares will not be counted for the purpose of establishing a quorum andselect “Abstain”, which will have nothe same effect on this proposal.

        Under ASX Listing Rule 14.2.1, the proxy card must allow stockholders to vote for or against each resolution. However, ASX has granted usas a waiver from ASX Listing Rule 14.2.1 to the extent necessary to permit us to provide in the proxy card for the annual meeting for CDI holders to either vote for or to abstain from voting on a resolution to reelect a director (rather than vote against the resolution).matter.

    Proposal 2—ApprovalOther Matters. If any other matter is properly submitted to the stockholders at the meeting, its adoption generally will require the affirmative vote of Issuance and Sale of Common Stock in a Public Offering with Related
    Pre-emptive Rights

        You may vote "FOR," "AGAINST" or "ABSTAIN" on the approval of our issuance and sale of 10,000,000 shares of common stock (equivalent to 2,000,000,000 CDIs) in a public offering, the over-


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allotment option, the potential 20% upsizing and the pre-emptive rights (if any). This proposal requires an affirmative voteholders of a majority of shares entitled to vote and present at the shares presentannual meeting, in person or represented by proxyproxy. The Board does not propose to conduct any business at the meeting other than as stated above.

Who will count the votes and where can I find the voting results?

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company will tabulate the voting results. We intend to announce the preliminary voting results at the annual meeting and, entitledin accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we intend to votepublish the final results in a current report on Form 8-K within four business days of the proposal. Abstentions are considered shares present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining quorum, and will be treated as an "AGAINST" vote. Stockholders or CDI holders whose votes will be excluded under the ASX Listing Rules as described above are, nonetheless, encouraged to vote their shares, as such votes will be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum. annual meeting.

Who can help answer my other questions?

If you do not submit your proxyhave more questions about the proposals or voting, instructions to your broker, a "broker non-vote" occurs and your shares will not be countedyou should contact Morrow Sodali LLC, who is assisting us with the proxy solicitation.

The Solicitation Agent for the purposeAnnual Meeting is:
Morrow Sodali LLC
470 West Avenue – 3 rd Floor
Stamford, CT 06902

Banks and Brokerage Firms, please call (203) 658-9400
Stockholders, please call toll free (800) 662-5200

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PROPOSAL 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board currently consists of establishing a quorumsix directors serving three-year staggered terms. The Board has re-nominated current Class I directors, Steve Brandt and will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. Warren S. Watson, for new three-year terms.

The same result will occur if you do not instruct CDN howtwo Class I directors to vote your shares.

    Proposal 3—Ratification of Issuance of Common Stock and Warrants

        You may vote "FOR," "AGAINST" or "ABSTAIN" on the ratification of our issuance and sale of 256,875 shares of common stock (equivalent to 51,375,000 CDIs) and warrants to purchase 85,616 shares of common stock (equivalent to 17,123,200 CDIs) issued to investors and to Summer Street Research Partners, our placement agent, and its registered representatives in connection with our February 8, 2012 financing in which we raised equity capital necessary for our initial listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The proposal to ratify the issuance of common stock and warrants requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxybe elected at the annual meeting and entitled to vote on this proposal. Abstentions are considered shares present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining quorum, and will be treated as an "AGAINST" vote. If you do not submit your proxy or voting instructions to your broker, a "broker non-vote" occurs and your shares will not be counted forhold office until the purpose of establishing a quorum and will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. The same result will occur if you do not instruct CDN how to vote your shares.

    Proposal 4—Approval of the Plan

        You may vote "FOR," "AGAINST" or "ABSTAIN" on the proposal to approve the Plan and to approve the Plan for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.2 (Exception 9), Section 162(m) of the Code and all other purposes. The proposal to approve the Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the2023 annual meeting of stockholders. Each director will serve until a successor is duly elected and entitled to vote on this proposal. Abstentionsqualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. The remaining directors are considered shares presenttwo Class II directors, whose terms expire in 2021, and entitled to vote and thus will have the effect of a vote "AGAINST" this proposal. If you do not submit your proxy or voting instructions to your broker, a "broker non-vote" occurs and your shares will not be counted for the purpose of establishing a quorum and will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. The same result will occur if you do not instruct CDN how to vote your shares.

    Proposal 5—Ratification of Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP

        You may vote "FOR," "AGAINST" or "ABSTAIN" on the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditor for the year ending December 31, 2012. The proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares presenttwo Class III directors, whose terms expire in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting and entitled to vote on this proposal. If you properly submit your proxy or voting instruction form, but abstain from voting on this proposal, including brokers of record holding their customers' shares who cause abstentions2022.

Each nominee has consented to be recorded, your shares will be counted as present at the meeting for the purpose of determining a quorum and for the purpose of calculating the vote on this proposal. Abstentions therefore will have the effect of a vote "AGAINST" this proposal.

        If you are a street name holder and do not submit your voting instructions to your broker or record holder, as applicable, New York Stock Exchange rules permit a broker to exercise voting discretion as to the uninstructed shares. If the broker or record holder does not exercise its voting discretion, a "broker non-vote" occurs and your shares will not be counted for the purpose of


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establishing a quorum and will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. The same result will occur if you do not instruct CDN how to vote your shares.

Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?

        Yes.

        If you are a stockholder of record, you may change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the annual meeting, in any of the following ways:

    by submitting a later-dated proxy by telephone or the Internet before 10:59 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time on August 8, 2012 (1:59 p.m. on Australian Eastern Standard Time August 9, 2012);

    by submitting a later-dated proxy to the Chief Financial Officer of Sunshine Heart, Inc., which must be received by us before the time of the annual meeting;

    by sending a written notice of revocation to the Chief Financial Officer of Sunshine Heart, Inc., which must be received by us before the time of the annual meeting; or

    by voting in person at the meeting.

        If you are a holder of CDIs and you direct CDN to vote by completing the CDI Voting Instruction Form, you may revoke those instructions by delivering to Link Market Services Limited, no later than 8:00 a.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (11:00 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time) on August 7, 2012, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the CDI Voting Instruction Form previously sent.

Who pays for the cost of proxy preparation and solicitation?

        We pay for the cost of proxy preparation and solicitation, including the reasonable charges and expenses of brokerage firms, banks, trusts or other nominees for forwarding proxy materials to street name holders and CDI holders. We are soliciting proxies by mail. In addition, our directors, officers and regular employees may solicit proxies personally, telephonically, electronically or by other means of communication. Our directors, officers and regular employees will receive no additional compensation for their services other than their regular compensation.


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This proxy statement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "ongoing," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time the statements are made and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this proxy statement. These factors include:

    our ability to obtain additional financing;

    our dependence on a single product candidate;

    the cost, timing and results of our clinical trials, regulatory submissions and approvals;

    our dependence on a single or limited number of manufacturers and suppliers for critical components of our system;

    our ability to effectively manage our expected growth;

    our ability to develop sales, marketing and distribution capabilities;

    commercial acceptance of our system, if approved for sales and marketing;

    our estimates regarding our capital requirements and our need for additional financing;

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      our ability to obtain adequate reimbursement from governments or other third-party payors;

      regulatory risks affecting us;

      the cost of defending, in litigation or otherwise, any claims that we infringe third-party patent or other intellectual property rights or that our system is defective;

      our ability to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights; and

      other risk factors included under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC and our subsequent filings with the SEC.

            We cannot assure you that the forward-looking statementslisted in this proxy statement will prove to be accurate and therefore you are encouraged not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may change in the future.


    PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

            The number of directors currently serving on our board of directors is eight. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the board shall be divided into three classes, each class being as equal in number as reasonably possible. Vacancies may be filled by a majority vote of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum. Directors elected at an annual meeting of stockholders to succeed directors whose terms expire are elected for three-year terms. At the annual meeting, two persons will be nominated for election to our board of directors.

            The board of directors currently consists of eight directors, divided into the three following classes:

      Class II directors: Geoffrey Brooke and David Rosa; whose current terms will expire at the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders;

      Class III directors: Nicholas Callinan, Donal O'Dwyer, and Gregory Waller; whose current terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2013; and

      Class I directors: William Peters, M.D., Paul Buckman, and Mark Harvey, M.D.; whose current terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2014.

            Mr. Rosa initially was elected to our board of directors in connection with the commencement of his employment as our Chief Executive Officer. Our employment agreement with Mr. Rosa requires our board of directors, subject to applicable requirements of the ASX Listing Rules, to take all reasonable steps so that he will continue to serve on our board during the term of his employment agreement.

            Upon the recommendation of the governance and nominating committee, which acts as the nominating committee of the board of directors, the board has nominated Geoffrey Brooke and David Rosa for three-year terms expiring in the year 2015. Each of the nominees has agreed to serve as a director if elected. The two nominees receiving a plurality ofelected by the votes cast at the meeting in person or by proxy will be elected. Proxies may not be voted for more than two directors.stockholders. If for any reason, any nominee becomes unable or unwilling to serve beforebetween the date of this proxy statement and the annual meeting, occurs,the Board may designate a new nominee and the persons named as proxies in the attached proxy card will vote for that substitute nominee. Alternatively, the Board may vote your shares for a substitute nominee selected by our boardreduce the size of directors.the Board.

    Our board of directorsThe Board recommends athat you vote FOR the election
    of each of the twoClass I director nominees.


    Board of Directors

    TableThe director and director nominees of Contentsthe Company are as follows:

    Name
    Age
    Title
    Class – Term Ending
    John L. Erb
    71
    Chief Executive Officer; President;
    Chairman of the Board; Director
    Class III – 2022
    Steve Brandt
    64
    Director
    Class I - 2020
    Maria Rosa Costanzo, M.D.
    65
    Director
    Class II – 2021
    Jon. W. Salveson
    55
    Director
    Class II - 2021
    Gregory D. Waller
    70
    Director
    Class III - 2022
    Warren S. Watson
    67
    Lead Independent Director
    Class I – 2020

    Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience to be Represented on the Board

    The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing and assessing with the Board the appropriate skills, experience and background sought of Board members in the context of our business and the then-current membership on the Board. The Committee and the Board review and assess the continued relevance of and emphasis on these factors as part of the Board’s annual self-assessment process and in connection with candidate searches to determine if they are effective in helping to satisfy the Board’s goal of creating and sustaining a Board that can appropriately support and oversee the Company’s activities.

            Set forth below is biographical information for the nominees, each person whose termWe believe our directors have an appropriate balance of officeknowledge, experience, attributes, skills and expertise as a director will continue aftergroup to ensure that the annual meetingBoard appropriately fulfills its oversight responsibilities and each person serving as an officeracts in the best interests of stockholders. Although specific qualifications for Board membership may vary from time to time, desired qualities include (i) the highest ethical character, integrity and shared values with the Company, (ii) relevant expertise upon which to be able to offer advice and guidance to management, (iii) sound business judgment, and (iv) sufficient commitment and availability to effectively carry out a director’s duties. Listed below are additional key skills and experience that we consider important for our directors to have in light of our company. The following includes certain information regarding our directors' individualcurrent business and structure. Thereafter, the biographies of the directors and nominees set forth their business experience during at least the past five years, as well as the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s conclusion that each director and nominee should continue to serve on the Board.

    Industry Experience. We are an early-stage medical device company focused on commercializing our Aquadex SmartFlow™ system. Experience in the medical device industry is useful in understanding our business strategy, the regulatory environment we face within the United States and abroad and our primary competitors.

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    Senior Leadership Experience. Directors who have served in senior leadership positions can provide experience and perspective in analyzing, shaping, and overseeing the execution of important operational, organizational and policy issues at a senior level.
    Financial and Accounting Expertise. Knowledge of the financial markets, corporate finance, accounting regulations, and accounting and financial reporting processes can assist our directors in understanding, advising, and overseeing our capital structure, financing activities, financial reporting, and internal control of such activities. The Company also strives to have at least one director who qualifies as a financial expert under SEC rules.
    Public Company Board Experience. Directors who have served on other public company boards can offer advice and insights with regard to the dynamics and operation of a board of directors, the relations of a board to conclude that they should serve as directors.

    the chief executive officer and other management personnel, the importance of particular agenda and oversight matters, and oversight of a changing mix of strategic, operational, governance and compliance-related matters.
    Business Development and Mergers and Acquisitions Experience. Directors who have background in business development and in mergers and acquisitions transactions can provide insight into developing and implementing strategies for growing our business, which may include mergers and acquisitions. Useful experience in mergers and acquisitions includes an understanding of the importance of “fit” with the Company’s culture and strategy, the valuation of transactions, and management’s plans for integration with existing operations.

    Name
    AgePosition
    Kevin Bassett44Senior Vice President, Technology & Operations

    Debra Kridner



    60


    Vice President Research & Regulatory Affairs

    Jim Yearick



    50


    Vice President Marketing & Sales

    Jeffrey Mathiesen



    51


    Chief Financial Officer
    Director Background and Secretary

    Paul Buckman



    56


    Director

    Geoffrey Brooke



    56


    Director

    Nicholas Callinan



    66


    Chairman of the Board, Director

    Mark Harvey



    46


    Director

    Donal O'Dwyer



    59


    Director

    William Peters



    46


    Director; Chief Technical Officer & Medical Director

    David Rosa



    48


    Director; Chief Executive Officer

    Gregory Waller



    62


    DirectorQualifications

            The principal occupationJohn L. Erb has served as chief executive officer and business experiencepresident of eachthe Company since November 2015, as a director of the Company since September 2012 and as chairman of our officers, directors and director nominees is as follows:

    Executive Officers

            David Rosa:Board since October 2012. Previously, Mr. Rosa is our Chief Executive Officer, a position he has held since November 2009. From 2008 to November 2009, Mr. RosaErb served as chief executive officer (from 2007 to 2020) of NuAx, Inc. (formerly Cardia Access, Inc.), a medical device company involved in developing new devices for the Chief Executive Officertreatment of Milksmart,heart disease; he was executive chairman of the board (during 2007) and chief executive officer (from 2001 to 2006) of the previous owner of the Aquadex FlexFlow system, which was also known as CHF Solutions, Inc., a medical device company that specializesinvolved in medicalthe development, manufacturing and distribution of devices for animals. From 2004 to 2008, Mr. Rosa servedtreat congestive heart failure; as the Vice Presidentpresident and chief executive officer of Global Marketing for cardiac surgery and cardiology for St. Jude Medical.

            Kevin Bassett:    Mr. Basset is our Senior Vice President of Technology and Operations, a position he has held since January 2012. From October 2010 until December 2011, Mr. Bassett served as our Vice President of Research, Development and Quality Assurance. Prior to joining to Sunshine Heart, Inc., Mr. Bassett served in various leadership roles at Acorn Cardiovascular, a medical device company that develops treatments for patients with heart failure, the most recent position being as Senior Vice President from 2006 to 2010.

            Debra Kridner:    Ms. Kridner is our Vice President of Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs, a position she has held since November 2009 on a consultant basis and since March 2010 as an employee of our company. From 2008 to 2009, Ms. Kridner worked as a consultant for her company Kridner Consulting LLC, which performed consulting services for medical device companies. From 2004 to 2008, Ms. Kridner served as the Vice President of Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs for St. Jude Medical's Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology for the Cardiovascular Division.

            Jeffrey Mathiesen:    Mr. Mathiesen has served as our Chief Financial Officer since March 2011and as our Secretary since July 2011. From December 2005 through April 2010, Mr. Mathiesen served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Zareba Systems, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of


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    medical products, perimeter fencing and security systems. Zareba was a publicly traded company that was purchased by Woodstream Corporation in April 2010. Previous positions held by Mr. Mathiesen include Vice President and Chief Financial Officer positions with publicly traded companies dating back to 1993.

            William Peters:    Dr. Peters has served as our Chief Technical Officer and Medical Director since 2002. In addition to his role within our company, Dr. Peters is an honorary clinical research fellow with the Green Lane Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit at Auckland City Hospital in New Zealand.

            Jim Yearick:    Mr. Yearick has served as our Vice President of Marketing and Sales since September 2011. From 2008 to September 2011, Mr. Yearick served as Vice President of Global Product Marketing for Medtronic's Cardiac Rhythm Management division. Previously, from 2005 to 2008, Mr. Yearick served as Vice President—Asia for Medtronic's Cardiac Rhythm Management division.

    Board of Directors

      Nominees for election at this annual meeting for terms expiring in 2015:

            Geoff Brooke:    Director since September 2003. Dr. Brooke is managing director of GBS Venture Partners, an Australian venture capital firm that seeks out investments in life sciences companies. Dr. Brooke founded the venture capital firm in October 1996.

            Dr. Brooke's qualifications to serve on our board of directors include his experience in financial matters and fund raising as a fund manager and his experience with clinical medicine.

            David Rosa:    Director since July 2010. Mr. Rosa is our Chief Executive Officer, a position he has held since November 2009. From 2008 to November 2009, Mr. Rosa served as the Chief Executive Officer of Milksmart,IntraTherapeutics, Inc., a medical device company that specializesinvolved in medical devices for animals. From 2004the development, manufacturing and distribution of peripheral vascular stents, from 1997 to 2008,2001; and in various positions, including as vice president of worldwide operations at Schneider, a division of Pfizer, Inc., from 1991 to 1997. Mr. RosaErb’s prior board experience includes service as a director of SenoRx, Inc., (a Nasdaq listed company), from December 2001 to July 2010; service as a director of CryoCath Technologies Inc., (a publicly traded Canadian company), from October 2000 to December 2008; and service as chairman of the board of Vascular Solutions, Inc., (a Nasdaq listed company), where he also served as chairman of the Vice Presidentcompensation and nominating and corporate governance committees. Mr. Erb currently serves as chairman of Global Marketing for cardiac surgery and cardiology for St. Jude Medical.

            Mr. Rosa's qualifications to serve on ourthe board of directors include hisOsprey Medical, Inc., (listed on the Australian Securities Exchange), where he also serves as a member of the compensation and audit committees, and as a director of Micromatrix. Mr. Erb also serves as a director and chief executive officer of NeuroMedic, Inc. since 2010 to the present. Mr. Erb received a B.A. in business administration, with a concentration in finance, from California State University, Fullerton.

    With over 40 years of experience in the medical device industry, and his previous leadership experiences withinincluding 20 years of experience serving as chief executive officer of medical device companies.

      Directors whose terms expirecompanies, Mr. Erb brings to our Board valuable business, management and leadership experience, as well as a deep understanding of the challenges presented in 2013:

            Nicholas Callinan:    Director since July 2008.growing a medical device company. In addition, his role on the boards of Osprey Medical, Vascular Solutions, SenoRx and CryoCath Technologies has provided him with other public company board experience. Having managed significant operations of a multi-national medical device company, Mr. Callinan is the chairman of our board of directors. Since 2004, he Erb also contributes valuable private company operational experience.

    Steve Brandt has served as Principal at Collins Hill Pty Ltd., a private equity advisory and consulting firm. From 2001 to 2003,director of the Company since February 2017. Mr. Callinan served asBrandt is a senior executive with over 35 years of experience in the Senior Vice President and Chief Executive of Structured Investment Vehicles for Shell Internet Ventures, a company that invested in information technology companies worldwide. Previously,healthcare industry. Mr. Callinan served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Central and Eastern European funds for Advent InternationalBrandt was employed by Thoratec Corporation, a medical device company, focused on private equityfrom November 2004 to October 2015, serving as vice president global sales and venture capital fund managementmarketing, vice president of global sales and investment.vice president international sales. Prior to Thoratec, Mr. Callinan foundedBrandt was

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    vice president sales & marketing for the venture capitalprevious owner of the Aquadex FlexFlow system, which was also known as CHF Solutions, Inc. from October 2002 to November 2004 and private equity funds management company, Advent Management Group Pty. Ltd. and was Chief Executive of that company andvice president global marketing, Cardiovascular Surgery Division for St. Jude Medical from November 2000 to October 2002. Mr. Brandt received a number of funds it managed, some of which were listed on the Australia Securities Exchange, or ASX. Earlier in his career, B.S. from Franklin Pierce College.

    Mr. Callinan was a civil engineer in Australia and France and worked with Cummins Engine Company, Inc. in the United States and Australia.

            Mr. Callinan'sBrandt’s qualifications to serve on our board of directors include his experience as a Chief Executive Officer, a fund manager, and a board member for private companies throughout the world. In these roles, Mr. Callinan has aided numerous companies in developing their governance structure.


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            Donal O'Dwyer:    Director since July 2004. Mr. O'Dwyer retired as worldwide President of Cordis Cardiology, the cardiology division of the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, in 2003. Cordis is a developer and manufacturer of breakthrough stents, catheters and guidewires for interventional medicine, minimally invasive computer-based imaging, and electrophysiology. Prior to joining Cordis, Mr. O'Dwyer served as President of the Cardiovascular Group, Europe of Baxter International Inc., a global health care company that uses its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide.

            Mr. O'Dwyer's qualifications to serve on our board of directorsBoard include his extensive experience in the management of medical technology industrydevice companies.

    Maria Rosa Costanzo, M.D. has served as a director of the Company since September 2019. Dr. Costanzo has served as the medical director, Heart Failure Research, at Advocate Heart Institute, and general businessthe medical director for Advanced Heart Failure at Edward Hospital Center in Illinois since 2002. From 1994 until 2001, Dr. Costanzo served as the medical director of the Heart Failure/Cardiac Transplant Program at Rush University Medical Center and was the John H. and Margaret V. Krehbiel Professor of Cardiology at the Rush Medical College. From 1988 to 1994, she served as medical director of the Loyola University Chicago Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program. From 1995 until 2000, Dr. Costanzo was also the editor in chief of the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. In 2002, she was appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to a four-year term on the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Advisory Council. Since 2012, Dr. Costanzo has been a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine exam writing committee for the specialty of Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology. Dr. Costanzo currently serves on the board of directors for the Heart Failure Society of America. In addition, she is a member of several medical societies and a fellow with the American College of Cardiology, American College of Physicians, American Heart Association, and the European Society of Cardiology, and a Gold Member of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology. She is also a member of the Ordine Dei Medici (The Italian National Medical Professional Association). Dr. Costanzo received her medical degree with honors from Facolta’ Di Medicina e Chirurgia dell’ Universita’ di Bologna in Bologna, Italy.

    Dr. Costanzo’s qualifications to serve on our Board include her years of clinical medical experience due toin cardiac care, in particular heart failure, including her experiences leading multi-center clinical trials and serving as a board member and fellow on international medical societies.

    Jon W. Salveson has served as a director of the Company since March 2013. Mr. Salveson is vice chairman, investment banking and chairman of the healthcare investment banking group at Piper Jaffray Companies. He also serves on the board of CryoLife, Inc. a leading medical device company focused on cardiac and vascular surgery.

    Mr. Salveson joined Piper Jaffray Companies in 1993 as an associate, was elected managing director in 1999, and was named group head of Piper Jaffray’s international healthcare investment banking group in 2001. Mr. Salveson was appointed global head of investment banking and a member of the executive committee of Piper Jaffray in 2004 and has served in his board service for other medical technology companies suchpresent position as Angioblast Systems Inc. from November 2004 to January 2011, Atcor Medical Holdings Ltdvice chairman, investment banking since July 2004, Cochlear Limited since August 2005,2010. Mr. Salveson started his career as a market manager at Bio-Metrics Systems (now part of Surmodics, Inc.), an innovator in medical device surface modification, where he gained experience working in cardiology and Mesoblast Ltd. since November 2004.interventional medicine. Mr. Salveson received his undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College and an M.M.M. in finance from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

    Mr. Salveson’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his 20-plus years of experience in healthcare investment banking, advising clients on hundreds of merger and acquisition and financing transactions.

    Gregory Waller:D. Waller     Directorhas served as a director of the Company since August 2011. Mr. Waller has been employedalso serves on the boards of directors of Endologix Corporation and Arcadia Bioscience, Inc., both publicly traded companies (and as chairman of the Chief Financial Officeraudit committees for both companies, a member of the nominating and governance committee for Endologix Corporation and a member of the compensation committee for Arcadia Bioscience, Inc.). Until April 2015, Mr. Waller was chief financial officer of Ulthera Inc. since October of 2011. Ulthera isCorporation, a medical deviceprivately held company specializing in non-invasive facelifts usingthat sells an ultrasound medical device.device used for non-invasive brow lifts, which was sold to Merz North America in July 2014. From March 2006 to April 2011, Mr. Waller was the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurerchief financial officer of Universal Building Products, Inc., which was a manufacturer of concrete forms and accessories for the residential and commercial projects in North America.construction accessories. Mr. Waller previously served as the Vice Presidentvice president of Finance, Chief Financial Officer,finance, chief financial officer, and Treasurer fortreasurer of Sybron Dental Specialties, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of high technologyconsumable dental dental implant, and infection prevention products, from 1980 to 2005.August 1993 until his retirement in May 2005, and was formerly vice president and treasurer of Kerr, Ormco Corporation, and Metrex. Mr. Waller hasjoined Ormco in December 1980 as vice president and controller and served on the boardas vice president of directors of Endologix Inc. since 2003. Kerr European Operations from July 1989 to August 1993.

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    Mr. Waller also served onreceived an M.B.A. with a concentration in accounting from California State University, Fullerton. His prior board service includes service as a director for the boardfollowing companies: Alsius Corporation, a publicly traded company (chairman of directors of Clarient, Inc.the audit committee and SenoRx, Inc. from 2006 until 2010. From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Waller served as a member of the boardcompensation committee), from June 2007 until its acquisition by Zoll Medical Corporation in September 2009; Biolase Technology, Inc., a publicly traded company (chairman of directors of Alsius, Inc.the audit committee), and from October 2009 to August 2010; Cardiogenesis Corporation, a publicly traded company (chairman of the audit committee), from April, 2007 until its acquisition by Cryolife, in May 2011; Clarient, Inc., a publicly traded company which was acquired by General Electric Company in December 2010 he served as(chairman of the audit committee and a member of the boardcompensation and corporate governance committees), from December 2006 to December 2010; and SenoRx, a publicly traded company which was acquired by C.R. Bard, Inc. in July 2010 (chairman of directors of Biolase, Inc. In addition, the audit committee), from May 2006 to July 2010.

    Mr. Waller served on the board of Cardiogenesis from 2007 until 2011.

            Mr. Waller'sWaller’s qualifications to serve on our board of directorsBoard include his 3747 years of financial and management experience, including his experiences as a Chief Financial Officer forchief financial officer of Universal Building Products, Inc. and Sybron Dental Specialties, and Ulthera Inc., and as well as his familiarity with public company board functions from his servicesservice on the boards of other public companies.

    As described above, Mr. Waller was the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurerserved as chief financial officer of Universal Building Products from 2006 to 2011. Universal Building Products filed a voluntary petition for bankruptcy on August 4, 2010. Except as described in the preceding sentence, no other event has occurred during the past ten10 years requiring disclosure pursuant to Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K.

      Directors whose terms expire in 2014:

            Paul Buckman:Warren S. Watson     Director since February 2011. Since February 2012, Mr. Buckman has served as a director of the PresidentCompany since January 2013. Mr. Watson is an executive with over 40 years of experience in the field of medical devices. Since 2010, Mr. Watson has served on the board of directors for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare including as chair of the board from 2015 to 2017. From 1982 to 2014, Mr. Watson served on the board of directors of Citizens Independent Bank of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, a community bank with four branches and Chief Executive Officer$300 million in assets. From 2010 to 2012, he served as executive chairman of Sentreheart,Cameron Health Inc., a medical technology company focused on closure of various anatomic structures.subcutaneous implantable cardioverter and defibrillator devices. From 2004 to 2009, Mr. BuckmanWatson served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Pathway Medical Technologies,a director for CardioMems, Inc., a medical devicestart-up company focused on treatment of peripheral arterial disease from September 2008pulmonary artery pressure monitoring for patients with heart failure. From 2002 to February 2012. From December 2006 until September 2008,2009, Mr. BuckmanWatson served as Chief Executive Officervice president of Devax, Inc., a developerCardiac Rhythm Management Research and manufacturer of drug eluting stents, whileDevelopment, an organization leading over 1,800 professionals worldwide; he also servingserved as Chairmanchair of the Board of Directors for Pathway Medical Technologies, Inc.Medtronic Corporate Research and Development Council during his tenure with that organization. From August 20042002 to December 2006,2007, Mr. BuckmanWatson served as Presidentvice president and general manager of the Cardiology Division of St. Jude Medical, Inc., a diversified medical products company. Prior to joining St. Jude Medical, San Jose-based CardioRhythm cardiac ablation business.

    Mr. Buckman served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of ev3, LLC, a Minnesota-based medical device company focused on endovascular therapies that Mr. Buckman founded and developed into an $80 million business, from January 2001 to January 2004. Mr. Buckman has worked in the medical device industry for over 30 years, including 10 years at Scimed Life Systems, Inc. and Boston Scientific Corporation, where he held several executive positions


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    before becoming President of the Cardiology Division of Boston Scientific in January 2000. In addition to Pathway Medical Technologies, Inc., Mr. Buckman also currently serves as a Director for SentreHeart, Inc., Conventus Orthopaedics, Inc., and also as a Business Advisory Board member for Bio Star Ventures. In the past, Mr. Buckman has served on the boards of Velocimed, Inc., where he was a co-founder, EndiCor, Inc., Microvena, Inc., and Micro Therapeutics, Inc.

            Mr. Buckman'sWatson’s qualifications to serve on our board of directorsBoard include his extensiveexecutive leadership in the field of medical devices, his 40 years of experience in the managementmedical technology field, his successful development of medical device companies, includingmultiple emerging therapies and his collective eleven years of experience as a Chief Executive Officer for Pathway Medical and Devax, Inc.

            Mark Harvey:    Director since September 2011. Since 2006, Dr. Harvey has served as a partner of CM Capital Investments Pty Ltd, an Australian venture capital firm that focuses on life sciences, telecommunications, information technology, and renewable energy ventures. In this role, Dr. Harvey has gained extensive experience in the formation, fund raising, and management of numerous life science companies.

            Dr. Harvey's qualifications to serve on our board of directors include his extensive experience in the life sciences industry and general business experience due to his board service for other medical technology companies such as Osprey MedicalBardy Diagnostics since 2017, Mardil, Inc. from 2013 to 2016, Cardialen, Inc. since June 2007,2012, NuAx from 2011 to 2016 and Pathway Therapeutics Ltd. since July 2010.Closys from 2013 to 2016.

            William Peters:    Director since August 2002. Dr. Peters

    Director Independence

    Our Board believes that there should be at least a majority of independent directors on our Board. Our Board undertakes a review of director independence in accordance with Nasdaq listing rules at least once annually. The independence rules include a series of objective tests, including that the director is not employed by us and has served as our Chief Technical Officer and Medical Director since 2002.not engaged in various types of business dealings with us. In addition, our Board is required to his role withinmake a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exist which, in the opinion of our company, Dr. Peters is an honorary clinical research fellowBoard, would interfere with the Green Lane Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit at Auckland City Hospitalexercise of independent judgment in New Zealand.

            Dr. Peters' qualificationscarrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, our Board reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and us with regard to serve oneach director’s business and personal activities as they may relate to us and our board of directors includemanagement. In particular, our Board considered that (i) Mr. Watson, in his extensive experience with and expertise in cardiac medical technology, including his invention and development of devices and methods to achieve minimally cardiac surgery and his recognition in our industry gained from his authorship of numerous published articles regarding cardiac surgery and heart failure.


    INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

            The board of directors conducts its business through meetingscapacity as Chairman of the boardNominating and Corporate Governance Committee, received $25,000 from the following standing committees: audit,Company in fiscal 2015 as compensation for duties as such committee chairman in connection with the amendment and governancerestatement, implementation and nominating. Eachadministration of the standing committees has adopted and operates under a written charter, all of which are available on our website atwww.sunshineheart.com/corporate-governance. Other corporate governance documents available on our website include our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.


    Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

            We have adopted aCompany’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, relating(ii) Mr. Salveson is an executive officer of Piper Jaffray Companies, the parent company of Piper Jaffray & Co., which served as joint book-running manager for the Company’s confidentially marketed public offering that closed on

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    September 24, 2013, and (iii) Mr. Brandt provided consulting services to the conduct of our business by our directors, officersCompany on an interim basis from February 2019 to May 2019. Our Board determined that Mr. Watson continued to satisfy the objective independence tests and employees, which is posted on our website atwww.sunshineheart.com/corporate-governance.


    Director Independence

            As requiredthat his independence was not otherwise impaired under The Nasdaq Stock Market rules and regulations, a majoritythe subjective criteria, because, among other things, such payment was made to him in his capacity as Chairman of the membersNominating and Corporate Governance Committee for services related to such role and the dollar amounts at issue were immaterial. In prior years, our Board determined that Mr. Salveson was not an independent director, but in the first quarter of a listed company's board of directors must qualify as "independent," as affirmativelyfiscal 2016, our Board reassessed Mr. Salveson’s independence and determined bythat he satisfies the board. The board of directors consultsobjective independence tests and that his independence was not otherwise impaired under the subjective criteria because, among other reasons, the fees paid to Piper Jaffray in connection with our counselthe confidentially marketed public offering were well below the threshold dollar amount for payments made to ensure that the board's determinations are consistent with all relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of "independent," including thoseaffiliated entities set forth in pertinent listing standardsthe objective independence tests and due to the amount of The Nasdaq Stock Market,time that has passed since such fees were paid. Our Board determined that Mr. Brandt continued to satisfy the objective independence tests and that his independence was not otherwise impaired under the subjective criteria because Mr. Brandt served as in effect from time to time.


    Tablea consultant only on a short-term, interim basis for a period of Contentsfour months and his total compensation was only $76,000 plus reimbursement of expenses.

            Consistent with these considerations, the board of directorsOur Board has affirmatively determined, after considering all of the relevant facts and circumstances, that all of our directors are independent directors within the meaning ofunder the applicable listing standardsrules of The Nasdaq, Stock Market, except for Mr. Rosa,Erb, our current Chief Executive Officer,chief executive officer and Dr. Peters,president. Mr. Watson serves as our current Chief Technical Officerlead independent director. Each member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Medical Director.

            Under the ASX'sNominating and Corporate Governance Council's "Corporate Governance PrinciplesCommittee is independent under Nasdaq rules. In addition, our Board has affirmatively determined that the members of the Audit Committee and Recommendations with 2010 Amendments (Second Edition)," two non-executive directors, Dr. Brooke and Dr. Harvey would not be classifiedCompensation Committee qualify as independent directors duein accordance with the additional independence rules established by the SEC and Nasdaq.

    BOARD MATTERS

    The Board of Directors

    General

    Our Board has general oversight responsibility for our affairs and, in exercising its fiduciary duties, our Board represents and acts on behalf of the stockholders. Although our Board does not have responsibility for our day-to-day management, it stays regularly informed about our business and provides oversight and guidance to their association with stockholders holding a voting interest of more than 5%our management through periodic meetings and other communications. Our Board provides critical oversight in our company. Notwithstanding these associations,strategic planning process, as well as other functions carried out through our board considers that each of Dr. BrookeBoard’s committees as described below.

    Board Leadership Structure

    Mr. Erb, our chief executive officer and Dr. Harvey have operated at all timespresident, serves as independent directors and in the best interests of stockholders.

            As required under The Nasdaq Stock Market rules and regulations, our independent directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions at which only independent directors are present. Allchairman of the committees of our board of directors are comprised entirely of directors determined by the board to be independent within the meaning of The Nasdaq Stock Market rulesBoard, and regulations.


    Board Leadership Structure

    Mr. Callinan,Watson, a non-employee independent director, has served as our chairman of the board of directors since October 30, 2008, while Mr. Rosa serves as our chief executive officer. Separating these positions allows our chief executive officer to focus on our day-to-day business, while allowing the chairman of the board to lead the board in its fundamental role of providing advice to, and independent oversight of, management. The board of directors recognizes the time, effort and energydirector. Our Board believes that having the chief executive officer is required to devote to his position in the current business environment, as well as the commitment required to serve as our chairman. Our corporate governance guidelines require our chairman and chief executive officer positions to be separate because the board of directors believes that having separate positions and having an independent directoralso serve as chairman of the board isBoard provides efficiencies and permits a unified strategic vision and clear leadership for the appropriate leadership structure for usCompany as it transitions from a research and demonstrates our commitmentdevelopment entity to good corporate governance.a commercial organization. Our Board further believes that the lead independent director role provides independence from management in the operation and governance of the Board.


    Board Involvement in Risk Oversight

    It is the responsibility of management to identify, assess and manage our exposure to risks. Our Board plays an important role in overseeing management’s performance of these duties as well as the processes and systems we use to identify, prioritize, source, manage and monitor our critical risks. To this end, our Board receives regular reports from members of management is responsible for definingregarding risks associated with our operations and strategic plans. These reports typically take the variousform of discussions incorporated into presentations made to our Board at regular and special meetings where risks facingare identified in the context of the matter being discussed. Additionally, at least annually, our Board reviews a report presented by management regarding the material risks faced by us, formulating risk management policies and procedures, and managing our risk exposures on a day-to-day basis. The board of director's responsibility is to monitor our risk management processes by informing itself concerningand systems and the adequacy of our policies and procedures designed to respond to and mitigate these risks.

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    Our Board has generally retained the primary risk oversight function and has an active role in overseeing management of our material risks and evaluating whether management has reasonable controls in place to address the material risks; the board is not responsible, however, for defining or managing our various risks. The audit committee of the board of directors is primarily responsible for monitoring management's responsibility in the areaoversight of risk oversight. Accordingly, management regularly reported to the audit committee on risk management during 2011. The audit committee, in turn, reports on the matters discussedis also conducted at the committee levellevel. The Audit Committee oversees the management of financial and internal control risks as well as risks associated with litigation and related party transactions. The Compensation Committee oversees the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees the management of risks associated with the composition and independence of the Board, compliance with various regulatory and listing standards requirements and succession planning. While each committee is responsible for evaluating and overseeing the management of risks relevant to that particular committee, the full Board is regularly informed of the committees’ risk oversight activities through committee reports presented at meetings of the Board.

    Meetings

    Our Board and its committees meet throughout the year on a set schedule, and also hold special meetings and act by written consent from time to time as appropriate. The non-employee directors hold regularly scheduled executive sessions to meet without management present. These executive sessions generally occur around regularly scheduled meetings of the Board.

    All directors are expected to attend all meetings of our Board and of the committees on which they serve, as well as the annual meeting of stockholders. Our Board met eight times during 2019. In 2019, each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of all meetings of the Board and the committees of which he or she was a member. All directors attended the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, except Dr. Costanzo who was not appointed to our Board until after our annual meeting.

    Board Committees

    Our Board has delegated various responsibilities and authority to our committees of the Board. Each committee has regularly scheduled meetings and reports on its activities to the full board. The auditBoard. Each committee operates under a written charter approved by our Board, which is reviewed annually by the respective committee and the full board focus on the material risks facing us, including operational, liquidity and legal and regulatory risks, to assess whether management has reasonable controls in place to address these risks. In addition, the compensation committee is charged with reviewing and discussing with management whether our compensation arrangements are consistent with effective controls and sound risk management. The board of directors believes this division of responsibilities provides an effective and efficient approach for addressing risk management.


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    Board Committees

            The board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a governance and nominating committee.Board. Each of our committees has a charter and eachcommittee’s charter is posted on our website.website, www.chfsolutions.com, under the “Investors – Corporate Governance” tab. The followingtable below sets forth the current membership for the three committees of the Board and the number of meetings held for each of our committees.in 2019.

    Director
    Audit
    Compensation
    Nominating and
    Corporate
    Governance
    Steve Brandt
    X
    X
     
    Maria Rosa Costanzo, M.D.
     
     
    X
    John L. Erb
     
     
     
    Jon W. Salveson
     
    Chair
     
    Gregory D. Waller
    Chair
     
    X
    Warren S. Watson
    X
    X
    Chair
    Meetings
    4
    2
    2
    Director
    Audit CommitteeCompensation
    Committee
    Governance and
    Nominating
    Committee
    Geoffrey BrookeX

    Paul Buckman




    Chair


    X

    Nicholas Callinan


    X


    X


    X

    Mark Harvey




    X



    Donal O'Dwyer


    X





    Gregory Waller


    Chair




    Chair

    Audit Committee

            AmongThe primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to act on behalf of the Board in fulfilling the Board ‘s oversight responsibilities with respect to the Company’s corporate accounting and financial reporting processes; the Company’s systems of internal control over financial reporting, including financial disclosure controls and procedures; audits of the Company’s consolidated financial statements; the quality and integrity of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and reports provided to the Company’s stockholders, the SEC and other matters, our audit committee:persons; and the qualifications, independence and performance of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. To implement this purpose, the committee is charged with the following responsibilities, among others:

      evaluates
      to evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of our independent auditorregistered public accounting firm and reviewsto assess the permissibility of and approves bothpre-approve all audit and nonauditpermissible audit-related and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditor;

      discussesregistered public accounting firm;

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    to discuss with management and our independent auditorsregistered public accounting firm any major issues as to the adequacy of our internal controls,control over financial reporting, any actions to be taken in light of significant or material control deficiencies and the adequacy of our disclosures about changes in internal control over financial reporting;

    establishes
    to establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controlscontrol over financial reporting or auditing matters, including the confidential, anonymous submission bybe employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

    administers
    to review the consolidated financial statements proposed to be included in our investmentannual report on Form 10-K and cash management policies; and

    preparesrecommend to the audit committee report thatBoard whether or not such consolidated financial statements should be so included;
    to prepare the Audit Committee Report required by SEC rules require to be included in our annual proxy statementstatement; and annual report
    to review the Company’s disclosures in its periodic reports on Form 10-K.

            Each of the members of our audit committee meets the requirements for financial literacy under the applicable rules10-K and regulations ofForm 10-Q to be filed with the SEC and approve the filing of each such report.

    The Nasdaq Stock Market. responsibilities and activities of the committee are described in greater detail in its charter, a copy of which is available on the Company’s website at http://ir.chf-solutions.com/corporate-governance.

    Our board of directorsBoard has determined that each Audit Committee member has sufficient knowledge in reading and understanding financial statements to serve on the committee. Our Board has further determined that Mr. Waller is our auditqualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,expert” in accordance with SEC rules. The designation of an “audit committee financial expert” does not impose upon such person any duties, obligations or liabilities that are greater than those which are generally imposed on him as defined under the applicable rulesa member of the SEC. Eachcommittee and the Board, and such designation does not affect the duties, obligations or liabilities of any other member of our auditthe committee satisfies or the Board.

    Compensation Committee

    The Nasdaq Stock Market independence standards and the independence standards of Rule 10A-3(b)(1)primary purpose of the U.S. Securities Exchange ActCompensation Committee is to act on behalf of 1934,the Board in fulfilling the Board’s responsibilities to oversee our compensation policies, plans and programs, and to review and determine the compensation to be paid to our executive officers. To implement this purpose, the Compensation Committee is charged with the following responsibilities, among others:

    to recommend the compensation and other terms of employment of our chief executive officer to the Board for approval and to evaluate the chief executive officer’s performance in light of relevant individual and corporate performance goals and objectives;
    to review and approve the individual and corporate performance goals and objectives of the Company’s other executive officers, and to determine and approve the compensation and other terms of employment of such executive officers, considering, among other things, the recommendations of our chief executive officer;
    to review the compensation paid to non-employee directors for their service on the Board and its committees and recommend any appropriate changes to the Board for approval;
    to recommend to the Board the adoption, amendment and termination of the Company’s equity compensation plans and to administer such plans and approve grants and awards as amended (the "Exchange Act").

    permitted or required under such plans; and
    to evaluate risks associated with and potential consequences of our compensation policies and practices, as applicable to all of our employees.

    The Compensation Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees as appropriate. The responsibilities and activities of the Compensation Committee are described in greater detail in its charter, a copy of which is available on the Company’s website at http://ir.chf-solutions.com/corporate-governance.

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    Role of Compensation Consultant

            OurDuring fiscal 2019, the Compensation Committee engaged FW Cook to conduct an assessment of executive officer compensation for fiscal 2020 and advise on employee equity compensation. In connection with such engagement, FW Cook evaluated our executive officers’ base salaries, incentive compensation, and total compensation relative to a peer group consisting of 15 companies similar to ours based on industry, market capitalization and revenue.

    The Compensation Committee concluded that the advice the Company received from the compensation consultant in 2019 did not raise any conflict of interest, considering the following six factors: (i) the provision of other services to the Company by the consultant; (ii) the amount of fees received from us by the consultant, as a percentage of the total revenue of such consultant; (iii) the policies and procedures of the consultant that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest; (iv) any business or personal relationship of the consultant with a member of the Compensation Committee; (v) any stock of the Company owned by the consultant; and (vi) any business or personal relationship of the consultant with an executive officer of our company.

    See “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation—Narrative Discussion of Summary Compensation Table for 2019” below for additional information regarding our processes and procedures for consideration and determination of director and executive officer compensation.

    Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

    The primary purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to review the composition and performance of the Board and its committees and to oversee all aspects of our corporate governance functions. To implement this purpose, the committee reviewsis charged with the following responsibilities, among others:

    to identify, review and approvesevaluate candidates to serve on the Board, to review and evaluate incumbent directors, and to recommend to the Board nominees for election to the Board;
    to monitor the size of the Board;
    to review, discuss and assess, on an annual basis, the goalsperformance of management and objectivesthe Board, including its committees;
    to recommend to the Board, on an annual basis, the chairmanship and membership of each committee, considering the interests, independence and experience of individual directors and the independence and experience requirements of the SEC and Nasdaq; and
    to exercise our general oversight over corporate governance policy matters of the Company, including developing, reviewing and assessing the Corporate Governance Guidelines and recommending appropriate changes to the Board for consideration.

    The responsibilities and activities of the committee are described in greater detail in its charter, a copy of which is available on the Company’s website at http://ir.chf-solutions.com/corporate-governance..

    The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board, from time to time, regarding the appropriate skills and characteristics required of members of our Board in the context of the current make-up of the Board, the operations of the Company and the long-term interests of stockholders. The committee does not have a specific diversity policy underlying its nomination process, although it seeks to ensure the Board includes directors with diverse backgrounds, qualifications, skills and experience relevant to our business.

    In the case of an incumbent director whose term of office is set to expire, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will generally re-nominate incumbent directors who continue to satisfy the committee’s criteria for membership on the Board, continue to make important contributions to the Board and consent to continue their service on the Board.

    If a vacancy on the Board occurs or the Board increases in size, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will actively seek individuals that satisfy the committee’s criteria for membership on the Board and the committee may rely on multiple sources for identifying and evaluating potential nominees, including referrals from our current directors and management. In 2019, the committee did not employ a search firm or pay fees to other third parties in connection with identifying or evaluating Board nominee candidates.

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    The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider recommendations of director nominees by stockholders so long as such recommendations are sent on a timely basis and are otherwise in accordance with our Amended and Restated Bylaws and applicable law. See “Additional Matters—Requirements for Submission of Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for 2021 Annual Meeting” for additional information. The Committee will evaluate nominees recommended by stockholders against the same criteria that it uses to evaluate other nominees. We did not receive any nominations of directors by stockholders for the 2020 annual meeting.

    Corporate Governance

    The Board and management are committed to responsible corporate governance to ensure that the Company is managed for the benefit of its stockholders. To that end, the Board and management periodically review and update, as appropriate, the Company’s corporate governance policies and practices and, when required, make changes to such policies and practices as are mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, other SEC rules and regulations and the listing standards of Nasdaq.

    Corporate Governance Guidelines

    The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are posted on our website, www.chf-solutions.com, under the “Investors – Corporate Governance” tab. These guidelines address, among other things: Board composition and selection, including Board size, director independence and Board membership criteria, as well as Board meetings, committees, access to management and use of outside advisors.

    Annual Performance Evaluations. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines contemplate, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter requires, that the Committee annually review, discuss and assess the performance of the Board and its committees. These reviews focus on the Board and its committees as a whole, and not individual directors, unless circumstances otherwise warrant. The Board also reviews the Committee’s periodic recommendations concerning the performance and effectiveness of the Board and its committees.

    Succession Planning. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee should develop and periodically review with the Chief Executive Officer's compensation and annually reviewsOfficer the evaluation ofplan for succession to the performanceoffices of our executive officers and approves our executive officers' annual compensation.


    Tablemake recommendations to the Board with respect to the selection of Contents

    Governance and Nominating Committee

            Our governance and nominating committee identifies individuals qualified to become members of the board of directors, recommendsappropriate individuals to succeed to these positions. This succession planning process is designed to assist the boardBoard in understanding our readiness and the related transition risks for nomination as members of the board and board committees, and oversees the evaluation of our board of directors.


    Meeting Attendance

            Our directors are expected to attend meetings of the board of directors and of the committees on which they serve,a crisis as well as a planned transition, and to oversee the development of strong leadership quality.

    Code of Conduct

    The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Conduct”), which sets out basic principles to guide the actions and decisions of our annual meetingemployees, directors and officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. The Code of stockholders. Our boardConduct addresses, among other things, ethical principles, insider trading, conflicts of directors held twelve meetingsinterest, compliance with laws and actedconfidentiality. The Code of Conduct is posted on our website, www.chf-solutions.com, under the “Investors – Corporate Governance” tab. Any amendments to the Code of Conduct, or any waivers that are required to be disclosed by written consent one time during 2011. The audit committeethe rules of either the SEC or Nasdaq, will be posted on our website under the “Investors – Corporate Governance” tab.

    Committee Charters

    See “–Committees of the board metBoard” for a description of the Board’s delegation of authority and responsibilities to the three times,standing committees. All of the charters of our three standing committees are available on our website, www.chf-solutions.com, under the “Investors—Corporate Governance” tab.

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    Director Compensation

    Our non-employee directors receive a mix of cash and share-based compensation. The compensation mix is intended to encourage non-employee directors to continue Board service, further align the interests of the Board and stockholders and attract new non-employee directors with outstanding qualifications. Directors who are our employees or officers do not receive any additional compensation for service on the Board.

    2020 Compensation Table

    The table below sets forth the compensation committeeof each non-employee director in 2020.

    As a named executive officer of the board met four timesCompany, compensation paid to Mr. Erb for the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years is fully reflected under “Named Executive Officer Compensation Tables—Summary Compensation Table for 2019”.

    Name
    Fees Earned or
    Paid in Cash
    ($)
    Option
    Awards
    ($) (1)
    All Other
    Compensation
    ($)
    Total
    ($)
    Steve Brandt
     
    52,019
     
     
    5,576
     
     
    76,000
    (5) 
     
    133,595
     
    Maria Rosa Costanzo, M.D.(2)
     
    15,667
     
     
    2,713
    (3) 
     
     
     
    18,380
     
    Jon W. Salveson
     
    53,435
     
     
    5,576
     
     
     
     
    59,012
     
    Gregory D. Waller
     
    58,685
     
     
    5,576
     
     
     
     
    64,262
     
    Warren S. Watson
     
    66,185
     
     
    5,576
     
     
     
     
    71,762
     
    Matthew Likens(4)
     
    41,935
     
     
    5,576
     
     
     
     
    47,512
     
    Total
     
    287,926
     
     
    30,593
     
     
     
     
    394,523
     
    (1)This amount reflects stock options granted under the 2013 Directors’ Plan on May 23, 2019. The amounts reported represent the grant date fair value of the stock options. Valuation assumptions used in determining the grant date fair value are included in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The grant date fair value per share of the stock options granted on May 23, 2019 to all directors, other than Dr. Costanzo, was approximately $2.92 per share. The grant date fair value per share of the stock option granted to Dr. Costanzo on September 3, 2019 was approximately $2.07
    (2)Dr. Costanzo was elected to the Board on September 3, 2019.
    (3)Dr. Costanzo surrendered her stock options effective January 3, 2020.
    (4)Mr. Likens resigned from the Board on September 27, 2019.
    (5)Mr. Brandt received $76,000 for his services as a consultant from February to May 2019 as described under “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.”

    Our Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy provides for annual cash and equity compensation. Each director receives annual cash compensation of $45,000 and the governancelead independent director receives an additional $10,000 per year. Directors also receive annual cash compensation for service on committees. For the Audit Committee, the chair receives $10,000 per year and nominating committee (formerlyeach other member receives $5,000 per year. For the remunerationCompensation and nomination committee)the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees, the chair receives $5,000 per year and each other member receives $2,000 per year. Cash compensation is paid in four quarterly installments following completion of the board met three times during 2011. Each of our directors attended at least 75%applicable quarter.

    In addition to cash compensation, each director receives an annual stock option award of the meetingsnumber of shares equal to 0.15% of the boardfully-diluted shares of directors and the committeesCompany, granted on which he served during 2011. We encourage allthe date of our directors and nominees for director to attend our annual meeting of stockholders. At our 2011the annual meeting of stockholders sixwith 1/12th of the shares underlying the awards vesting monthly so that all of the underlying shares are vested on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. We do not provide any perquisites to directors.

    During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Compensation Committee engaged Compensia to conduct an assessment of non-employee director compensation for fiscal 2018. In connection with such engagement, Compensia evaluated our non-employee director compensation program including cash compensation and equity compensation, reporting directly to the Compensation Committee. We did not make any changes to our Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy in 2018 as a result of such assessment. However, in May 2019, we changed the calculation of the number of shares included in the annual stock option grant to a percentage of the full-diluted shares of the Company rather than a cash value and equity compensation is in the form of only stock options. We changed the annual cash compensation from one set amount for director to the allocation described above.

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    On the date of the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, there were insufficient shares available under the 2013 Directors’ Plan to issue an equity award with an aggregate value on the date of grant of $35,000 to each of our eight directors atnon-employee directors. Therefore, each non-employee director received an option to purchase 714 shares of our common stock with a grant date fair value of $26,259 and a cash payment in the amount of $2,186 per quarter for the twelve months prior from the second quarter of 2018 through the first quarter of 2019, in lieu of the remaining equity award contemplated by our Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy. Our Board determined that time attended the meeting.full equity award would be issued in the form of a stock option rather than restricted stock units (“RSUs”) due to the negative tax impact RSUs with the declines in the price of our common stock.

    As of December 31, 2019, each non-employee director had the following number of shares underlying outstanding options (both vested and unvested): Mr. Brandt 5,009; Dr. Costanzo 1.313, Mr. Salveson 5,954; Mr. Waller 6,423, and Mr. Watson, 5,954. As of December 31, 2018, no restricted stock units (“RSUs”) were held by the non-employee directors.


    Procedures for Contacting the Board of Directors

    Stockholder Communication with the Board

            Stockholders who wishAny stockholder wishing to communicate with the board of directors may do so by writing to the board or a particular director, in carewith all or certain of the Secretary ofnon-employee or independent directors, or with the company. All communications will initially be received and processed by the Secretary of the company, who will then referentire Board should direct the communication to the appropriate board member (either the director named in the communication, the chairperson of the board committee having authority over the matter raised in the communication, or the chairperson of the board in all other cases). The director to whom a communication is referred will determine, in consultation with our counsel, whether a copy or summary of the communication will be provided to the other directors. The board of directors will respond to communications if and as appropriate.


    Procedures for Selecting and Nominating Director Candidates

            Stockholders may directly nominate a person for election to our board of directors by complying with the procedures set forth in Article III, Section 5(b) of our bylaws, and with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Under our bylaws, only persons nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the bylaws will be eligible to serve as directors. In order to nominate a candidate for service as a director, you must be a stockholder at the time you give the board notice of your nomination, and you must be entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting at which your nominee will be considered. In accordance with our bylaws, director nominations generally must be made pursuant to notice delivered to, or mailed and received at, our principal executive offices at the address above, not later than the 90th day, but not earlier than the 120th day, prior to the first anniversary of the prior year's annual meeting of stockholders. Your notice must set forth all information relating to the nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including the nominee's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected).

            Your notice also must set forth the following information for you and any beneficial owner on whose behalf you make a nomination: (i) the name and address of the stockholder, as they appear on our books; (ii) the class and number of shares of our capital stock which are owned beneficially and of record, as well as a description of all securities or contracts, with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any shares of our capital stock, held by you and such beneficial owner or to which either is a party; (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between you and any such beneficial owner and any other person or persons (including their names) regarding the nomination;


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    (iv) a representation that you intend to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in your notice; (v) a representation as to whether you intend to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to our stockholders to elect the nominee; (vi) the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the proposal as of the date of your notice; (vii) a description of all derivative transactions in which you engaged in the previous twelve month period; and (viii) a description of any other information relating to you and any such beneficial owner that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.

            As required by our Corporate Governance Guidelines, when evaluating the appropriate characteristics of candidates for service as a director, the governance and nominating committee takes into account many factors. The board of directors selects and recommends to stockholders qualified individuals who, if added to the board, would provide the mix of director characteristics and diverse experiences, perspectives and skills appropriate for us. Board candidates are considered based on various criteria, including breadth and depth of relevant business and board skills and experiences, judgment and integrity, reputation in their profession, diversity of background, education, leadership ability, concern for the interests of stockholders and relevant regulatory guidelines. We do not have a formal policy with respect to diversity. Our board of directors recommends individuals for election as directors in the context of an assessment of the perceived needs of the board of directors at the particular point in time. Directors must be willing and able to devote sufficient time to carrying out their duties and responsibilities effectively and should be committed to serving on the board for an extended period of time.

            The governance and nominating committee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner that it considers all director candidates. Stockholders who wish to suggest qualified candidates should write to Sunshine Heart,Secretary, CHF Solutions, Inc., 12988 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344, Attention:55344. If a stockholder does not wish to have our Secretary screen the communication, the stockholder should indicate that the material sent by the stockholder be delivered unopened to the person or persons to whom it is addressed.

    EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

    The executive officers of the Company serve at the pleasure of the Board. The executive officers of the Company are as follows:

    Name
    Age
    Position
    John L. Erb
    71
    Chief Executive Officer and President, Chairman of the Board
    Claudia Drayton
    52
    Chief Financial Officer
    Nestor Jaramillo, Jr.
    62
    Chief Commercial Officer

    See “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors – Director Background and Qualifications” for biographical and other information regarding Mr. Erb, the Company’s Chief FinancialExecutive Officer statingand President.

    Claudia Drayton has served as our chief financial officer since January 2015. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Drayton spent 15 years at Medtronic plc, a $30 billion global leader in detail the characteristicsmedical device industry. During her tenure at Medtronic, Ms. Drayton held multiple senior managerial finance positions, culminating with an assignment in Europe serving as chief financial officer of the peripheral vascular business from 2010 to 2012 and, most recently, as chief financial person and senior finance director of the integrated health solutions business from 2012 to 2014. In these capacities, her responsibilities and experiences included profitability management, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, planning and forecasting, and implementation of financial best practices. Before joining Medtronic, Ms. Drayton was an audit and business advisory manager at Arthur Andersen for seven years. Ms. Drayton received an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and a B.S. from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

    Nestor Jaramillo, Jr. has served as our chief commercial officer since May 2019. From October 2017 to May 2019, Mr. Jaramillo served as president and chief executive officer of Innerspace Neuro Solutions, Inc., a commercial-stage medical technology company that makedeveloped, manufactured and distributed an intracranial pressure monitoring system. From May 2014 to September 2017, Mr. Jaramillo was managing director of healthcare investment banking at Craig-Hallum Capital, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and from March 2010 to April 2014, he was managing director of healthcare investment banking at Cherry Tree & Associates, an investment banking firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Jaramillo has also served in a variety of roles at Transoma Medical from 2007 to 2010, St. Jude Medical from 2006 to 2007, and at Medtronic plc from 1982 to 2006. In these roles, his responsibilities included leading sales and marketing teams both in the candidateUnited States and internationally, where he spent five years in Europe. Mr. Jaramillo received an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas and a suitable person to serve on our boardB.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of directors in light of our Corporate Governance Guidelines.North Dakota.


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    NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION TABLES

    Summary Compensation Table for 2019

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    Director Compensation

    The following table sets forth certain information, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, regarding compensation of our named executive officers.

    Name Principal Position
    Year
    Salary
    ($)
    Bonus
    ($)
    Option
    Awards
    ($)(1)
    Nonequity
    Incentive Plan
    Compensation
    ($)
    All Other
    Compensation
    ($)(2)
    Total
    ($)
    John L. Erb
    Chief Executive Officer & President; Chairman of the Board
    2019
     
    436,965
     
     
     
     
     
     
    131,127
     
     
    11,666
     
     
    579,758
     
    2018
     
    424,754
     
     
     
     
    2,043,696
     
     
    159,283
     
     
    11,670
     
     
    2,639,169
     
    Claudia Drayton
    Chief Financial Officer
    2019
     
    291,747
     
     
     
     
     
     
    81,986
     
     
    18,986
     
     
    392,422
     
    2018
     
    283,250
     
     
     
     
    604,015
     
     
    80,549
     
     
    12,610
     
     
    980,424
     
    Nestor Jaramillo, Jr.
    Chief Commercial Officer(3)
    2019
     
    208,651
     
     
     
     
    254,177
     
     
    58,412
     
     
    6,558
     
     
    527,762
     
    2018
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Jim Breidenstein
    Former Chief Commercial Officer(4)
    2019
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    137,000
    (8) 
     
    137,000
     
    2018
     
    214,200
     
     
     
     
     
    553,072
    (5)(6) 
     
    33,702
    (7) 
     
    171,594
    (8) 
     
    972,568
     
    (1)Except as noted below, amounts in the Option Awards column relate to stock options granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”). The amounts reported reflect the grant date fair value of the stock options. Valuation assumptions used in determining the grant date fair value are included in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
    (2)For each named executive officer, amounts include employer matching contributions made on the officer’s behalf to the Company’s 401(k) Plan, contributions to the officer’s health savings account and Company payments for life insurance premiums. In addition, the amounts for Mr. Erb and Ms. Drayton include a one-time payment equal to 50% of such officer’s accrued paid-time-off that exceeded the amount that is permitted to carry over from one fiscal year to the next fiscal year due to a change in the Company’s paid-time-off policy effective January 1, 2019.
    (3)Mr. Jaramillo commenced employment with the Company effective May 7, 2019.
    (4)Mr. Breidenstein commenced employment with the Company effective April 24, 2017 and ended employment with the Company effective July 31, 2018.
    (5)Reflects a stock option granted under the Company’s New-Hire Equity Incentive Plan (the “New-Hire Plan”) in connection with such officer’s hiring.
    (6)Such officer surrendered his options in connection with his departure from the Company.
    (7)Represents a cash payment of 1.6% of the Company’s net sales from January to July 2018, as discussed below. Because he departed the Company in July 2018, such officer did not receive a bonus for 2018.
    (8)Includes salary continuation, reimbursement of monthly COBRA premiums, and payment for accrued paid time off, in each case paid pursuant to the Separation and Release Agreement between the Company and such officer.

    Narrative Discussion of Summary Compensation Table for 2019

    Employment Agreements and Other Arrangements. Mr. Erb has a written employment agreement. We signed offer letters with each person who served as one of our non-employee directors duringother named executive officers upon the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Duringcommencement of their employment with us. All of the fiscal years ended June 30, 2011named executive officers have change in control agreements, which entitle them to payments from the Company upon the happening of specified termination events. See “— Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control”.

    Base Salaries. The initial annual base salaries of our executive officers are negotiated in connection with their hiring. The Compensation Committee reviews the base salaries of the executive officers on an annual basis and December 31, 2011, we did not provide any separategenerally grants salary increases following such reviews. In 2019, the salaries for each of Mr. Erb and Ms. Drayton was increased by 3%, representing a combination of a cost of living and inflation adjustment and a merit raise.

    As discussed above under “Board Matters—Board Committees—Compensation Committee” and “—Role of Compensation Consultant,” the Compensation Committee engaged FW Cook 2019 to conduct a review of our executive compensation program. Based on the advice and information from FW Cook and taking into account

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    information from publicly available industry surveys, the Compensation Committee approved base salary increases ranging from 2% to 4% for our directors who were also employees. Historically, our fiscal years consisted of 12-month periods ending June 30. In September 2011, we changed our fiscal year to coincideofficers and, specifically, a 3% increase for Mr. Erb, a 3.5% increase for Ms. Drayton and a 3% increase for Mr. Jaramillo (pro-rated because he commenced employment with the calendar year. AsCompany in May 2019).

    Equity Compensation. Pursuant to the terms of his offer letter, Mr. Breidenstein was granted on May 23, 2019, an option to purchase 84,489 shares of our common stock with a result, June 30, 2011 was our last fiscal year to end on June 30, we had a six-month fiscal year that began on July 1, 2011 and ended on December 31, 2011, and all future fiscal years will begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of that year.

    Name
     Fiscal Year Ended Fees Earned or
    Paid in Cash
    ($)
     Option
    Awards
    ($)(1)
     Total
    ($)
     

    Geoffrey Brooke(2)

     12/31/11  12,649  73,445  86,094 

     6/30/11       

    Paul Buckman

     

    12/31/11

      
    25,963
      
    76,626
      
    102,589
     

     6/30/11  19,542    19,542 

    Nicholas Callinan

     

    12/31/11

      
    51,375
      
    125,939
      
    177,314
     

     6/30/11  103,234    103,234 

    Dr. Mark Harvey(3)

     

    12/31/11

      
    12,649
      
    76,887
      
    89,536
     

     6/30/11       

    Crispin Marsh(4)

     

    12/31/11

      
    8,129
      
    73,445
      
    81,574
     

     6/30/11  50,853    50,853 

    Donal O'Dwyer

     

    12/31/11

      
    12,649
      
    73,445
      
    86,094
     

     6/30/11  49,941    49,941 

    Gregory Waller(5)

     

    12/31/11

      
    21,042
      
    74,784
      
    95,826
     

     6/30/11       

    (1)
    Represents the grant date fair value of the awards granted during the period computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For$254,176.71.

    To restore a discussion of the relevant assumptions used to determine the valuation of our option awards for accounting purposes please refer to Note 3 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed with our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

    (2)
    Dr. Brooke is required to transfer the compensation he receives for service on our board of directors to venture capital funds affiliated with GBS Venture Partners.

    (3)
    Dr. Harvey became a director of our company in September 2011.

    (4)
    Mr. Marsh retired from our board of directors in September 2011.

    (5)
    Mr. Waller became a director of our company in August 2011.

            All amounts for cash paymentsmeaningful equity interest in the table above were converted from Australian Dollars ("A$") to U.S. Dollars using the conversion rate in effect on the date of invoices submitted by the directors.

            Pursuant to our director compensation policy approvedCompany by our stockholdersexecutive officers following the reverse stock splits and public offerings consummated in 2004, our non-employee directors were collectively entitled to receive a maximum2017, in January 2018, following the increase in the number of A$250,000 ($255,775 basedshares reserved for issuance under the 2017 Plan on a conversion rate of A$1.00 to $1.0231) in cash compensation for their service on our board of directors during the year ended June 30, 2011. In August 2011, in accordance with the ASX Listing Rules, our stockholders approved an increase to the maximum aggregate cash amount payable to our directors to $500,000 per fiscal year. Our board of directors has the authority to allocate up to the


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    maximum aggregate compensation among the directors in its discretion. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, our board of directors paid each of our directors, other than our Chairman and our directors affiliated with venture capital funds, A$50,000 in equally quarterly installments. Our Chairman was paid A$100,000 annually in equal quarterly installments. We historically have not provided cash compensation to our directors affiliated with venture capital funds in connection with their service on our board. However, effective OctoberJanuary 1, 2011, we revised this policy so that our venture capital affiliated directors are compensated on the same basis as our other directors as described above.

            Our board grants directors stock options or equity awards from time to time, but we do not have a policy of regularly granting of equity or equity-based awards to our directors. All equity compensation awarded to our directors requires approval by our stockholders2018 pursuant to the ASX Listing Rules.

            During our six-month fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, we“evergreen” provision in such plan, and considering the advice of Compensia, the compensation consultant engaged by the Compensation Committee in the fourth quarter of 2017, the Board and Compensation Committee granted stock options to each of our non-employee directors. The stock options granted to each of our non-employee directors other than Dr. Harvey and Mr. Waller have an exercise price of A$7.00 per share, representing a 20% premium to the closing price for one of our CDIs on the date the board approved the option grant, have a 10-year term and vest in equal monthly installments over a four-year period. Our stockholders approved these options grants at a special meeting held in August 2011. Prior to these option grants, the last time we granted stock options to non-employee directors generally was in July 2008. We also granted stock options to Mr. Waller and Dr. Harvey during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 in connection with their appointments to our board of directors in August and September 2011, respectively. Each of these options has an exercise price of A$8.20 per share, representing the closing price for one of our CDIs on the date the board approved the option grant, has a 10-year term and vests in equal monthly installments over a four-year period. Our stockholders approved these options grants at our annual meeting held in November 2011. Although we previously had a practice of granting stock options to our non-employee directors with a per share exercise price that was greater than the closing price of one of our CDIs on the date the board approved the option grant, which we believe is a typical practice for Australian companies listed on the ASX, we intend to grant future stock options to our non-employee directors and other award recipients with exercise prices equal to the closing pricepurchase shares of our common stock to our named executive officers as follows:

    Name
    Option
    Awards
    (#)(1)
    Exercise
    Price
    ($)
    Option
    Awards
    ($)(2)
    John L. Erb
     
    47,085
     
     
    49.70
     
     
    2,043,696
     
    Claudia Drayton
     
    14,124
     
     
    49.00
     
     
    604,015
     
    Nestor Jaramillo, Jr.(3)
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Jim Breidenstein(4)
     
    12,933
     
     
    49.00
     
     
    553,072
     
    Total
     
    74,142
     
     
     
     
    3,200,783
     
    (1)25% will vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, with the remaining shares vesting in 36 equal consecutive monthly installments.
    (2)The amounts reported represent the grant date fair value of the stock options. Valuation assumptions used in determining grant date fair values are included in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
    (3)Such officer was not employed by the Company in January 2018 and, therefore, did not receive a stock option grant under this program.
    (4)Such officer surrendered his options in connection with his departure from the Company effective July 31, 2018.

    Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensation. In 2019, the Compensation Committee made no change to the target bonuses, set forth as a percentage of annual base salary for Mr. Erb which was 50% of base salary. For Ms. Drayton, the target bonus was increased to 40% of base salary. The target bonus of 40% for Mr. Jaramillo was approved by the Compensation Committee in connection with commencement of his employment. The earned bonus was based on the dateachievement of grant consistentcorporate performance objectives defined and weighted by the Compensation Committee, in consultation with what we believe is common practiceour chief executive officer, and primarily related to our annual revenue, the management of cash to achieve our business objectives, the development and approval of a three-year strategic plan, and regulatory milestones for public companies listedeach of the Aquadex FlexFlow system and the modification of our label to include pediatric patients. The Compensation Committee assessed our achievement of the corporate objectives at 2019 year end and calculated a total weighted average performance to corporate objectives of 60%. While Mr. Erb’s bonus was based solely on a U.S. stock exchange.the achievement of corporate objectives, Ms. Drayton and Mr. Jaramillo were also compensated based on the achievement of individual personal objectives, which accounted for 25% of their overall bonus. Because his employment with the Company commenced in May 2019, Mr. Jaramillo’s bonus was pro-rated for his time with the Company in 2019.

            As of December 31, 2011, each individual who served as a non-employee director during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 held options to purchase up to the aggregate number of shares of common stock indicated below:

      Dr. Brooke—11,685 shares, 2,585 of which were unvested;

      Mr. Buckman—11,685 shares, 2,191 of which were unvested;

      Mr. Callinan—36,705 shares, 21,101 of which were unvested;

      Dr. Harvey—11,685 shares, 731 of which were unvested;

      Mr. Marsh—16,734 shares, 7,634 of which were unvested;

      Mr. O'Dwyer���11,685 shares, 2,585 of which were unvested; and

      Mr. Waller—11,685 shares, 974 of which were unvested.

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    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

    Summary Compensation Table

    The following table sets forth certain information regarding compensation for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2011target and December 31, 2011, provided to our Chief Executive Officer and the two other most highly compensated executive officers who received remuneration exceeding $100,000 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, who we refer to as our named executive officers.

    Name and Principal Position
     Fiscal
    Year
    Ended
     Salary
    ($)
     Option
    Awards
    ($)(1)
     Non-Equity
    Incentive Plan
    Compensation
    ($)(2)
     Total
    ($)
     

    David Rosa

      12/31/11  156,550  1,473,358  79,825  1,709,733 

    Chief Executive Officer

      6/30/11  280,000  47,146  70,000  397,146 

    William Peters, MD(3)

      
    12/31/11
      
    143,542

    (4)
     
    529,493
      
    28,663

    (4)
     
    701,698
     

    Chief Medical Officer

      6/30/11  275,433(4)     275,433 

    Jeffrey Mathiesen(5)

      
    12/31/11
      
    106,667
      
    377,666
      
    44,000
      
    528,333
     

    Chief Financial Officer

      6/30/11  59,879      59,879 

    (1)
    Represents the grant date fair value of the awards granted during the period computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of the relevant assumptions used to determine the valuation of our option awards for accounting purposes please refer to Note 3 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed with our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

    (2)
    Amounts shown for Mr. Rosa, Dr. Peters and Mr. Mathiesen for fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 represent non-equity incentive compensation earned during the 12-month calendar year ended December 31, 2011. As a result, the amounts shown for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 were earned over the course of two different fiscal years, the last six months of our fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 and the full six-month fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. The amount shown for Mr. Rosa for fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 represents non-equity incentive compensation earned during the 12-month calendar year ended December 31, 2010. As a result, the amount shown for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 was earned over the course of two different fiscal years, the last six months of our fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 and the first six months of our fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.

      Historically, Mr. Rosa has been awarded incentive compensation based on performance and milestones achieved during calendar years despite the fact that, until September 2011, our fiscal years ended on June 30. For Mr. Rosa, the material performance measures and milestones for calendar year 2010 related to development projects, relocation of our headquarters to Eden Prairie, Minnesota, development of a minimally invasive procedure to implant our system, and building our executive management team. The material performance measures and milestones for calendar year 2011 related to successful completion of our feasibility trial and progress on our planned pivotal trial, continued financing of our operations and product development. Until our fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010, we historically awarded our employees based in Australia and New Zealand, including Dr. Peters, incentive compensation based on performance and milestones achieved during our fiscal years, which ended on June 30. Our fiscal years historically ended on June 30 (until we changed our fiscal year end in September 2011) because our operations previously were based in Australia, where a June 30 fiscal year end is more typical than in the United States due to the different seasons in the Southern Hemisphere (i.e., where June 30 falls in winter similar to December 31 falling in winter in the Northern Hemisphere). As we began establishing operations in the United States, we provided incentive compensation to our U.S.-based


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      employees on a calendar year basis because we believed doing so was typical for U.S.-based companies.

        Effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012 and ending December 31, 2012, our board decided to base all employee incentive compensation on performance and milestones achieved during calendar years, which, due to the change in our fiscal year effected in September 2011, will coincide with our fiscal year. As part of this transition of our compensation practices, we deferred the incentive compensation opportunity Dr. Peters otherwise would have received for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 to be based on performance and milestones achieved during the 12-month calendar year ended December 31, 2011 and Dr. Peters did not receive any incentive compensation based performance or milestones achieved during our fiscal year ended June 30, 2011. For Dr. Peters, the material performance measures and milestones for calendar year 2011 related to our clinical trial and research and development activities.

        We chose the presentation format described above and reflected in the Summary Compensation Table to avoid any "gap" between consecutive periods for which incentive compensation is earned by our named executive officers and incentive compensation information is presented in the table above and in similar tables that we will include in future filings with the SEC.

    (3)
    All amounts were paid to WSP Trading Limited, an entity that Dr. Peters owns.

    (4)
    Amount was converted from Australian Dollars to U.S. Dollars using the conversion rate in effect on the date of payment.

    (5)
    Mr. Mathiesen joined our company as Chief Financial Officer in March 2011.

    Chief Executive Officer Employment Agreement and Compensation

            We have an employment agreement with David Rosa, our Chief Executive Officer, which provides that his annual salary initially will be $250,000 and is subject to annual review by our board of directors. The board established Mr. Rosa's initial annual base salary of $250,000 in late 2009 in connection with negotiating his employment agreement. The board believed Mr. Rosa's initial base salary was less than the salaries paid to other chief executive officers of small public companies and was appropriate because Mr. Rosa previously had not served as a chief executive officer of a public company. Effective January 1, 2011, the board increased Mr. Rosa's salary to $310,000 per year in recognition of our company's progress towards its goals during calendar year 2010, which included the expansion of our management team, development of a less invasive procedure to implant our system and progress on our feasibility clinical trial, as well as to closer align Mr. Rosa's base salary with those of chief executive officers of other small public companies as determined by the board based on its collective experiences and industry knowledge.

            Our employment agreement with Mr. Rosa also provides that he will be eligible to participate in our short-term incentive bonus scheme with a maximum of up to 25% of his annual salary. The amount of the bonus is determined by our board of directors based on goals agreed upon by Mr. Rosa and our board.

            Historically, Mr. Rosa has been awarded incentive compensation based on our performance and milestones achieved during calendar years despite the fact that, until September 2011, our fiscal years ended on June 30. Beginning with 2012, our fiscal years will coincide with calendar years and with the time periods for which we provide incentive compensation to Mr. Rosa and our other named executive officers.

            Mr. Rosa's incentive compensation goals for calendar year 2010 related to development projects, relocation of our headquarters to Eden Prairie, Minnesota, development of a minimally invasive procedure to implant our system, and building our executive management team. Our board determined


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    that Mr. Rosa achieved all of these goals and awarded him the maximum cash incentive payment provided in his employment agreement for the year. The non-equity incentive plan compensation earned byfor 2018 and 2019.

     
    2018
    2019
     
    Target
    Earned
    Target
    Earned
    Name
    % of Base
    Salary
    $
    $
    % of Base
    Salary
    $
    $
    John L. Erb
     
    50
     
     
    212,377
     
     
    159,283
     
     
    50
     
     
    218,482
     
     
    131,127
     
    Claudia Drayton
     
    35
     
     
    99,137
     
     
    80,549
     
     
    40
     
     
    116,699
     
     
    81,986
     
    Nestor Jaramillo, Jr.(1)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    40
     
     
    83,446
     
     
    58,412
     
    Jim Breidenstein(2)
     
    35
     
     
    145,068
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    (1)Amounts reflect that such officer commenced employment with the Company effective May 7, 2019.
    (2)Because he departed the Company in July 31, 2018, such officer did not receive a bonus for 2018 or 2019 and had not target bonus for 2019.

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    Pursuant to his offer letter, during 2017, Mr. RosaBreidenstein was also entitled to receive 1.6% of the Company’s total net sales during calendar year 2010 is reflectedeach month of his employment. The Compensation Committee, taking into account the assessment of Compensia, who was engaged in the Summary Compensation Table above for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 duefourth quarter of 2017 to the discrepancy between our historic fiscal years and incentive compensation plan practices described above and in footnote 2 to the Summary Compensation Table.

            For calendar year 2011, Mr. Rosa's goals related to successful completionprovide an assessment of our feasibility trial and progress on our planned pivotal trial, continued financing of our operations and product development. Our board determined that Mr. Rosa achieved all of these goals and awarded him the maximum cash incentive payment provided in his employment agreement for calendar year 2011. The non-equity incentive plan compensation earned by Mr. Rosa during calendar year 2011 is reflected in the Summary Compensation Table above for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 due to the discrepancy between our historic fiscal years and incentive compensation plan practices described above and in footnote 2 to the Summary Compensation Table. We chose the presentation format described above to avoid any "gap" between consecutive periods for which incentive compensation is earned by our named executive officers and incentive compensation information is presented in the Summary Compensation Table above and in similar tables that will be included in future filings with the SEC.

            Mr. Rosa is entitled to participate in the benefit plans available to our employees generally. His employment agreement is terminable (i) by either party for any reason with one month's notice, by mutual agreement of us and Mr. Rosa; (ii) by mutual agreement between us and Mr. Rosa; (iii) immediately by us for "cause" (as defined in the agreement) if Mr. Rosa has not cured the conduct giving rise to a termination for "cause"; (iv) by us for Mr. Rosa's disability (as defined in the agreement); or (v) immediately by Mr. Rosa for "good reason" (as defined in the agreement) if we have not cured the conduct giving rise to a termination for "good reason." The agreement also provides that, for one year following his termination, Mr. Rosa will not compete with us during the term of his employment with us and he will not solicit any person who was one of our employees during the term of his employment.

            Our board of directors has granted Mr. Rosa stock options as part of his compensation from time to time. At a special meeting of our stockholders in August 2011, our stockholders approved stock option awards awarded to Mr. Rosa by our board during March 2011 and May 2011. The March 2011 stock option award covers 154,450 shares of our common stock and was granted with a per share exercise price of approximately $7.16 (using a conversion rate of A$1.00 to $1.0231 and representing a 20% premium to the closing price for our CDIs on the date the board approved the award). The May 2011 stock option award covers 29,210 shares of our common stock and was granted with a per share exercise price of approximately $13.10 (using a conversion rate of A$1.00 to $1.0231 and representing a 20% premium to the closing price for our CDIs on the date the board approved the award). At our annual meeting of stockholders in November 2011, our stockholders approved a stock option award to Mr. Rosa approved by our board in November 2011. This November 2011 stock option award covers 50,000 shares of our common stock and was granted with a per share exercise price of approximately $8.39 (using a conversion rate of A$1.00 to $1.0231 and equaling the closing price for our CDIs on the date the board approved the award).

            The ASX Listing Rules require stock options awarded to any of our directors, including Mr. Rosa, to be approved by our stockholders. For accounting purposes, stock options that are granted subject to stockholder approval are treated as granted in the period during which the necessary stockholder approval was obtained. Because we held our annual meeting of stockholders during our fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 before our board awarded the March 2011 and May 2011 stock options granted to Mr. Rosa, these stock options were approved by our stockholders at a special meeting in August 2011 and are treated as granted during our six-month fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 even though our board awarded the options, subject to stockholder approval, during our fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.


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    Because Mr. Rosa also received a stock option award during November 2011 that was approved by our board and stockholders during the same month, there is a significant discrepancy between the value for accounting purposes of option awards granted to Mr. Rosa during our fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 compared to our six-month fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. In general, our board has awarded Mr. Rosa stock options with greater-than-annual frequency to gradually give him an equity position in our company that our board, in its discretion and based on its collective experiences, believes is appropriate for the chief executive officer of a development-stage public medical device company like ours. Other than the stock option awards described above, and as indicated in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End table below, we have granted Mr. Rosa only one other equity award. As indicated in the Beneficial Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers table below, as of July 20, 2012, Mr. Rosa beneficially owned approximately 1.7% of our common stock as calculated in accordance with SEC rules.

    Salaries of Other Named Executive Officers

            Our board determined the salarynon-employee director compensation for Mr. Mathiesen pursuant2018, elected to negotiations with Mr. Mathiesen in connection with his hiring in March 2011. Our board determined Dr. Peters' salary in effect during ourcontinue this payment for fiscal years ended June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011 primarily based on the salary recommendation our Chief Executive Officer made at the beginning of our fiscal year ended June 30, 2011. Historically, up to our fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011, we awarded our employees based in Australia and New Zealand, including Dr. Peters, salary increases effective at the beginning of our fiscal years. Our Chief Executive Officer made his salary recommendation for Dr. Peters based on his subjective evaluation of our product development and clinical progress2018, reflected as of the beginning of our fiscal year ended June 30, 2011. Effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012 and ending December 31, 2012, our board decided to make annual adjustments to employees' salaries, regardless of location, effective at the beginning of each calendar year (which, beginning in 2012, will coincide with our fiscal year). As part of this transition of our compensation practices, we deferred salary adjustments that our employees based in Australia and New Zealand otherwise would have received effective July 1, 2011 to be effective as of January 1, 2012. Dr. Peters therefore was not awarded a salary increase during the periods covered by the Summary Compensation Table in connection with this transition in our compensation practices.

            Our current compensation practice is for our Chief Executive Officer to recommend salaries for the other named executive officers at the beginning of each calendar year for the salary to be paid for the that year based on our Chief Executive Officer's evaluation of three primary factors. Those factors are an evaluation of:

      salaries of persons occupying similar positions at other small medical device companies;

      the overall performance of our company for the prior year; and

      the individual's contributions to our results for the prior year.

            Our Chief Executive Officer's evaluation of salaries for persons occupying similar positions at other small public medical device companies is based on his general industry knowledge and consultation of proxy statements filed by U.S. publicly traded companies with the SEC. Our Chief Executive Officer uses this market information to help determine whether the salaries he recommends for our other named executive officers are, in his opinion, significantly above or below the salaries of persons occupying similar positions at the companies consulted and that any variations to what the Chief Executive Officer considers to be a "market" salary are in his opinion justified. Historically, our Chief Executive Officer has not targeted compensation at a specified point relative to the market information he has gathered or used studies or compilations of information prepared by third parties to evaluate salaries paid by our competitors. Our Chief Executive Officer's evaluation of our company's performance is a subjective evaluation of our progress toward commercializing our system and meeting


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    our business plan. As of January 1, 2012, salaries for our named executive officers were as follows: Mr. Rosa—$319,300; Dr. Peters—A$283,272; Mr. Mathiesen—$226,600. Future adjustments to the salaries for our named executive officers will be made using the process described above.

    Incentive Compensation of Other Named Executive Officers

            Dr. Peters' non-equity incentive plan compensation award for calendar year 2011 provided for a payment of up to 10% of his annual salary, based on goals agreed upon by Dr. Peters and our Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Peters' goals for calendar year 2011 were tied to our clinical trial and research and development activities. Based on Dr. Peters' work training and supporting physicians at sites participating in our feasibility trial, his work summarizing and presenting clinical trial data, the successful animal test for our next-generation fully implantable device and improvements to our existing system developed by Dr. Peters during the year, our board awarded Dr. Peters his maximum possible payment under the non-equity incentive plan. The non-equity incentive compensation earned by Dr. Peters during calendar year 2011 is reflected in the Summary“Summary Compensation Table above for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 due to the discrepancy between our historic fiscal years and the transition in our incentive plan practices described in footnote 2 to the Summary Compensation Table.2019” above.

            In connection with his hiring in March 2011, we decided that Mr. Mathiesen's incentive compensation would be based on the calendar year rather than our fiscal year in effect at that time. Mr. Mathiesen's non-equity incentive plan compensation award for calendar year 2011 provided for a payment of up to 20% of his annual salary. Our board determined that Mr. Mathiesen improved our financial reporting processes and successfully performed his duties for the year and awarded Mr. Mathiesen his maximum possible non-equity incentive payment. The non-equity incentive compensation earned by Mr. Mathiesen during calendar year 2011 is reflected in the Summary Compensation Table above for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 due to the discrepancy between our historic fiscal years and incentive compensation plan practices described above and in footnote 2 to the Summary Compensation Table.

            Beginning in 2012, our fiscal years will coincide with calendar years and with the relevant periods for which we provide incentive compensation to our named executive officers.

    Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

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    Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

    The following table sets forth certain information concerning equity awards held by our named executive officers that were outstanding as of December 31, 2011.2019.

     
    Option Awards
    Stock Awards
    Name
    Number of
    Securities
    Underlying
    Unexercised
    Options
    (#)
    Exercisable
    Number of
    Securities
    Underlying
    Unexercised
    Options
    (#)
    Unexercisable
    Option
    Exercise
    Price
    ($)
    Option
    Expiration
    Date
    Number of
    Shares or
    Units of
    Stock That
    Have Not
    Vested
    ($)
    Market
    Value of
    Shares or
    Units of
    Stock That
    Have Not
    Vested
    ($)(5)
    John L. Erb
     
    6
    (1) 
     
     
     
    69,468.00
     
     
    09/11/2022
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    (8) 
     
     
     
     
     
    05/28/2024
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    (8) 
     
     
     
     
     
    05/20/2025
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    59
    (2) 
     
    4
    (2) 
     
    7,812.00
     
     
    03/16/2026
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    22,561
     
     
    24,524
    (3) 
     
    49.70
     
     
    01/17/2028
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    3
    (4) 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Claudia Drayton
     
    13
    (6) 
     
     
     
    37,632.00
     
     
    01/05/2025
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    6
    (2) 
     
     
     
    8,736.00
     
     
    01/15/2026
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    6,768
    (3) 
     
    7,356
    (3) 
     
    49.00
     
     
    01/03/2028
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Nestor Jaramillo, Jr.
     
     
     
    84,489
    (6) 
     
    3.01
     
     
    5/22/2029
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Jim Breidenstein(7)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    (1)Consists of stock options granted under the 2013 Directors’ Plan. 1/12th of the shares underlying the awards vests monthly, commencing on the one-month anniversary of the grant date, so that all of the shares are vested on the one-year anniversary of the grant date.
    (2)Consists of stock options granted under the Second Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”). The underlying shares generally vest as follows: 25% of the shares vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date; the remaining shares vest in 36 equal consecutive monthly increments thereafter, so that all of the shares will be vested on the four-year anniversary of the grant date.
    (3)Consists of stock options granted under the 2017 Plan. The underlying shares generally vest as follows: 25% of the shares vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date; the remaining shares vest in 36 equal consecutive monthly increments thereafter, so that all of the shares will be vested on the four-year anniversary of the grant date.
    (4)Consists of RSUs granted under the 2011 Plan. The RSUs vest in 36 consecutive monthly increments, commencing on the one-month anniversary of the grant date, so that all of the underlying shares will be vested on the three-year anniversary of the grant date.
    (5)Based on the closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq on December 31, 2019, the last trading day in 2019, which was $0.86.
    (6)Consists of stock options granted under the New-Hire Plan. The underlying shares generally vest as follows: 25% of the shares vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date; the remaining shares vest in 36 equal consecutive monthly increments thereafter, so that all of the shares will be vested on the four-year anniversary of the grant date.
    (7)Such officer surrendered his options in connection with his departure from the Company effective July 31, 2018.
    (8)There are no shares underlying these options following application of the reverse stock split.

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    Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
     
     Option Awards 
    Name
     Number of
    Securities
    Underlying
    Unexercised
    Options
    (#)
    Exercisable
     Number of
    Securities
    Underlying
    Unexercised
    Options
    (#)
    Unexercisable
     Option
    Exercise
    Price
    ($)(1)
     Option
    Expiration
    Date
     

    David Rosa

      37,500(2) 12,500 $10.23  11/29/20 

      28,960(3) 125,490 $7.16  8/17/21 

      (5) 29,210 $13.10  8/17/21 

      (5) 43,000 $8.39  11/28/21 

    William Peters, MD

      
    3,990

    (4)
     
     
    $

    3.17
      
    1/30/13
     

      3,880(4)  $51.16  7/5/14 

      2,200(4)  $36.83  11/1/16 

      280(4)  $61.39  1/31/17 

      3,000(4)  $61.39  4/18/17 

      488(4)  $40.92  7/9/18 

      3,869(5) 857 $16.37  8/20/18 

      80,745(3) 65,605 $7.16  8/17/21 

    Jeffrey Mathiesen

      

    (5)
     
    52,575
     
    $

    7.16
      
    8/17/21
     

      (5) 5,000 $8.39  11/1/21 

    (1)
    Amount converted from Australian Dollars

    Equity Compensation Plans

    Equity awards have been issued to U.S. Dollars using a conversion rate of A$1.00 to $1.0231.

    (2)
    This option vested as to 50% of the shares on November 29, 2010,named executive officers under the date of grant, and 25% on November 1,2017 Plan, 2011 Plan and the remaining 25% will vest on November 1, 2012.

    (3)
    ThisNew-Hire Plan. A termination or change in control may affect the vesting and/or exercisability of awards issued under the equity compensation plans, as further discussed below.

    Stock Options. Generally, if a participant’s continuous service terminates:

    other than for cause or upon the participant’s death or disability, the participant may exercise his or her option vests as to1/48th of(to the shares per month until fully vested.

    (4)
    Option fullyextent the option was vested as of December 31, 2011.

    (5)
    This option vests as to 25% of the shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and1/48thtermination) within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three months following the termination or (ii) the expiration of the shares per month thereafter until fully vested.
    term of the option. If the option is not exercised within such period, it will terminate.
    upon the participant’s disability, the participant may exercise his or her option (to the extent the option was vested as of the date of termination) within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date 12 months following the termination or (ii) the expiration of the term of the option. If the option is not exercised within such period, it will terminate.
    as a result of the participant’s death, or if the participant dies within the period during which the option may be exercised after the termination of the participant’s continuous service for a reason other than death, the option may be exercised (to the extent the option was vested as of the date of death) by the participant’s estate within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date 18 months following the date of death or (ii) the expiration of the term of the option. If the option is not exercised within such period, it will terminate.
    for cause, the option will terminate upon the date of termination, and the participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her option from and after such time.


    RSUs. Upon termination of a participant’s continuous service for any reason, any unvested RSUs will be immediately canceled and forfeited, provided that the Compensation Committee may accelerate the vesting of all or a portion of the award in connection with such termination.

    Acceleration of Vesting. Under the 2017 Plan, the 2011 Plan and the New Hire Plan, the Board or the Compensation Committee may accelerate the exercisability or vesting of an award at any time, including immediately prior to a participant’s termination or change of control.

    Change in Control Agreements

    We have entered into change in control agreements with each of ourthe named executive officers who are currently executive officers of the Company that will require us to provide compensation to themthe officer in the event of a change in control of our company.control. Each agreement has a term that runs from its effective date through the later ofof: (i) the five-year anniversary of the effective date, or (ii) if a "change in control" occurs on or priorsubject to the five-year anniversary, the one-year anniversary of the effective date of the change in control. The agreements will be automatically extendedautomatic extension for successive two-year periods until notice of non-renewal is given by either party at least 60 days prior to the end of the then-effective term.term; or (ii) if a change in control occurs on or prior to the end of the then-effective term, then the one-year anniversary of the effective date of such change in control.

            Under theThe change in control agreements "change in control" means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events: (i) subject to certain exceptions, any person or group's acquisition, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the combined voting power of our outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or


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    similar transaction; (ii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, or similar transaction involving our company and immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, our stockholders immediately prior thereto do not directly own or beneficially own, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction; or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of our outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such transaction; (iii) there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of our company, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets to an entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by our stockholders in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of our outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such transaction; or (iv) individuals who, on March 17, 2011, were members of our board of directors cease to constitute at least a majority of the members of our board, providedprovide that, if the appointment, election or nomination for election of any new board member was approved or recommended by a majority of the members of the board as of March 17, 2011, the board member will be treated as being a board member as of March 17, 2011. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term "change in control" will not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing our domicile.

            Our change in control agreement with David Rosa, our Chief Executive Officer, provides that, ifif: (x) a change in control occurs during the term of his agreementthe officer’s agreement; and if Mr. Rosa's(y) the officer’s employment terminates anytime during the one yearone-year period after the effective date of the change in controlcontrol; and if(z) such termination is involuntary at ourthe Company’s initiative without cause or is due to athe officer’s voluntary resignation for good reason, we will (1)then the Company will: (i) pay in a lump sum histhe officer’s salary for 1812 months and any other earned but unpaid compensation; (2)(ii) pay in a lump sum an amount equal to the incentive bonus payment received by Mr. Rosathe officer for the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the termination occurs; and (3)(iii) provide health carehealthcare benefits to himthe officer and histhe officer’s family foruntil the shorterearlier of (i) 18(A) the date 12 months after his termination; or (ii) untilthe officer’s termination and (B) the date Mr. Rosathe officer is, and/or Mr. Rosa'sthe officer’s covered dependents are, eligible to receive group medical and/or dental insurance coverage by a subsequent employer.

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    We haveare also entered into changeobligated to make the foregoing payments and to provide the foregoing healthcare benefits in control agreements with each of our named executive officers other than Mr. Rosa, which provide that if a change in control occurs during the term ofevent (i) the officer's agreement and if the officer'sofficer’s employment terminates anytime during the one year period after the effective date of the change in control and if such termination is involuntary at our initiative without cause or is due to a voluntary resignation for good reason, we will (1) pay in a lump sum such officer's salary for 12 months and any other earned but unpaid compensation; (2) pay in a lump sum an amount equal to the incentive bonus payment received by such officer for the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the termination occurs; and (3) provide health care benefits to such officer and such officer's family for the shorter of (i) 12 months after the termination; or (ii) until the date the officer is and/or the officer's covered dependents are eligible to receive group medical and/or dental insurance coverage by a subsequent employer.

            Additionally, if any named executive officer terminates employment with us (i) during the term of the officer's change in control agreement(A) due to a voluntary resignation for good reason or (B) due to an involuntary termination of an officer's employment by usthe Company without cause, prior to a change in control and the expiration of the agreement's term (provided that the officer reasonably demonstrates that such termination arose in connection with or in anticipation of a change in control); (ii) a change in control occurs within 90 days after the officer's termination;termination date and (iii) a change in control occurs within 90 days after the termination and occurs during the term of the officer's change in control agreement, then we will provide our named executive officers the applicable payments and health benefits described above.


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            Under the change in control agreements "cause" for termination exists upon the occurrence of any of the following events, if such event results in a demonstrably harmful impact on our business or reputation: (i) such officer's commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; (ii) such officer's attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against us; (iii) such officer's intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between us and such officer or of any statutory duty owed to us; (iv) such officer's unauthorized use or disclosure of our confidential information or trade secrets; or (v) such officer's gross misconduct.

            Each named executive officer may tender resignation for "good reason" after any of the following are undertaken without such officer's written consent: (i) a significant diminution in officer's employment role with us as in effect immediately prior to the effective date of the change in control; (ii) a greater than 5% aggregate reduction by us in the officer's annual base salary, as in effect on the effective date of the change in control or as increased thereafter unless the reduction is pursuant to an across-the-board proportionate salary reduction for all officers, management-level and other salaried employees due to our financial condition, a greater than 10% aggregate reduction by us of the officer's annual base salary will be required for "good reason" to exist; (iii) any failure by us to continue in effect any benefit plan or program, including fringe benefits, incentive plans and plans with respect to the receipt of our securities, in which the officer is participating immediately prior to the effective date of the change in control, or any action by us that would adversely affect the officer's participation in or reduce his benefits under those benefit plans unless we offer a range of benefit plans and programs that, taken as a whole, is comparable to the benefit plans in effect in which the officer is participating immediately prior to the change in control; or (iv) a non-temporary relocation of the officer's business office to a location more than 50 miles from the location at which the officer performs duties as of the effective date of the change in control, except for required travel by officer on our business to an extent substantially consistent with the officer's business travel obligations prior to the change in control.

    In addition to the payments described above, theeach change in control agreements with the named executive officers provideagreement provides that if a change in control occurs while suchthe officer is actively employed by us,the Company and during the term of the agreement, such change in control will cause the immediate acceleration of the vesting of 100% of any unvested portion of any stock option awards held by the officer on the effective date of such change in control.

    We willare not obligated to make any of the payments described above unless: (i) the named executive officer signs a full release of any and all claims in favor of us;the Company; (ii) all applicable consideration periods and rescission periods have expired; and (iii) as of the dates we provide any payments to the named executive officer, the officer is in strict compliance with the terms of the applicable change in control agreement and any proprietary information agreement the officer has entered into with us.the Company.

    Employment Agreement – Mr. Erb

    On March 1, 2016, we entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Erb regarding his employment as our chief executive officer and president.

    The agreement has an initial term (the “Initial Term”) of 12 months beginning on March 1, 2016 and automatically renews for an additional 12-month period at the end of the Initial Term and each anniversary thereafter provided that at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any renewal term the Board does not notify Mr. Erb of its intention not to renew the employment period.

    The agreement entitles Mr. Erb to, among other benefits, the following compensation:


    an annual base salary of at least $400,000, reviewed at least annually;
    initial equity grants of an option to purchase 63 shares of common stock and 42 restricted stock units, in each case, granted in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan;
    an opportunity to receive additional annual equity awards as determined by the Compensation Committee based on Mr. Erb’s performance and commensurate with grants made to chief executive officers in the Company’s compensation peer group;
    an opportunity for Mr. Erb to receive an annual performance bonus in an amount of up to 50% of Mr. Erb’s annual base salary for such fiscal year based upon achievement of certain performance goals to be established by the Board;
    participation in welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent available generally or to other senior executive officers of the Company;
    prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by Mr. Erb in accordance with the plans, practices, policies and programs of the Company; and
    22 days paid time off, to accrue and to be used in accordance with our policies and practices in effect from time to time, as well as all recognized Company holidays.

    In connection with the equity grant contemplated by the agreement, Mr. Erb received an option to purchase 63 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $7,812.00 per share and an award of 42 restricted stock units, both of which were issued on March 16, 2016.

    The agreement also includes a “claw-back” provision providing for the recoupment of unearned incentive compensation if the Board, or an appropriate committee thereof, determines that Mr. Erb engaged in any fraud, negligence, or intentional misconduct that caused or significantly contributed to the Company having to restate all or a portion of its financial statements, or if we are required to seek reimbursement by applicable laws or regulations, the Board or committee may require reimbursement of any bonus or incentive compensation paid to Mr. Erb.

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    Upon termination of Mr. Erb’s employment, Mr. Erb may be entitled to certain payments and benefits, depending on the reason for his termination. In the event Mr. Erb resigns his employment without good reason, the Company terminates Mr. Erb’s employment for cause, or Mr. Erb’s employment terminates as a result of his death or disability, Mr. Erb is entitled to receive the Unconditional Entitlements, but not the Conditional Benefits (each as defined below). In the event Mr. Erb resigns with good reason or the Company terminates Mr. Erb’s employment for reason other than cause, Mr. Erb is entitled to receive the Unconditional Entitlements, as well as the Conditional Benefits, provided that Mr. Erb signs and delivers to the Company, and does not revoke, a general release of claims in favor of the Company and certain related parties.

    The “Unconditional Entitlements” include the following: (i) any annual base salary earned, but unpaid, for services rendered to the Company on or prior to the date on which the employment period ends; (ii) in the event Mr. Erb’s employment terminates after the end of a fiscal year but before payment of the annual bonus payable for his services rendered in that fiscal year, the annual bonus that would have been payable to Mr. Erb for such completed fiscal year, provided that such termination is not due to the Company’s termination of Mr. Erb for cause or Mr. Erb’s resignation without good reason; and (iii) certain other benefits contemplated by the agreement.

    The “Conditional Benefits” include the following: (i) a lump sum amount equal to one times Mr. Erb’s annual base salary as of the termination date; (ii) continued medical coverage for 12 months following the termination date; (iii) continued vesting of equity awards for 12 months following the termination date; and (iv) a pro-rata annual bonus for the year in which the termination date occurs, determined on the basis of an assumed full-year target bonus and the number of days in the applicable fiscal year occurring on or before the termination date.

    Offer Letter – Ms. Drayton

    On December 9, 2014, we entered into an offer letter with Ms. Drayton regarding her employment as our chief financial officer effective January 5, 2015. Ms. Drayton was offered an annualized salary of $240,000, paid in monthly installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll procedures. Ms. Drayton was also made eligible for a bonus of up to 25% of her base salary. The Company also agreed to discuss a performance bonus based upon mutually agreed objectives upon commencement of her employment. Ms. Drayton also received a grant of stock options as a result of her employment and was made eligible to participate in the employee stock option program, and benefit programs generally made available to employees.

    Offer Letter – Mr. Breidenstein

    On April 12, 2017, we entered into an offer letter with Mr. Breidenstein regarding his employment as our chief commercial officer effective April 24, 2017. In addition to the compensation described above under “—Narrative Discussion of Summary Compensation Table for 2019,” Mr. Breidenstein was also entitled to salary continuation and reimbursement of monthly COBRA premiums paid by him, in each case, for the 9-month period following the termination date, if the Company terminates his employment without cause; provided that Mr. Breidenstein signs and delivers to the Company, and does not revoke, a general release of claims. On July 31, 2018, Mr. Breidenstein ended employment with the Company and received the salary continuation and other benefits under the offer letter.

    Offer Letter – Mr. Jaramillo

    On April 12, 2019, we entered into an offer letter with Mr. Jaramillo regarding his employment as our Chief Commercial Officer effective May 7, 2019. Mr. Jaramillo was offered an annualized salary of $320,000, paid in semi-monthly installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll procedures. Mr. Jaramillo was also made eligible for a bonus of up to 40% his base salary, pro-rated for 2019, dependent upon Mr. Jaramillo’s good standing with the Company as of such bonus payment date. Mr. Jaramillo also received a grant of stock options as a result of his employment and was made eligible to participate in the employee stock option program, and benefit programs generally made available to employees.

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    SECURITY OWNERSHIP
    OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

    Beneficial Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers

    The following table sets forth certain information with respect toregarding the beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of our outstanding common stock as of July 20, 2012April 6, 2020 by (i) each of our named executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table above; (ii) each of our directors; and (iii) all of our executive officers and directors as a group. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. To our knowledge and subject to applicable community property laws, each of the stockholders listed below has sole voting and investment power as to the stock owned unless otherwise noted. The address for each of our directors and named executive officers, is c/o Sunshine Heart, Inc., 12988 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344.

    Name of Beneficial Owner
     Number of Shares Percent(1) 

    Dr. Geoffrey Brooke

      1,448,356(2) 22.2%

    Paul Buckman

      4,382(3) * 

    Nicholas Callinan

      54,349(4) * 

    Dr. Mark Harvey

      1,880,439(5) 28.2%

    Jeffrey Mathiesen

      38,404(6) * 

    Donal O'Dwyer

      63,682(7) 1.0%

    Dr. William Peters

      90,834(8) 1.4%

    David Rosa

      106,156(9) 1.7%

    Gregory Waller

      3,165(10) * 

    All directors, director nominees, named executive officers and other executive officers as a group (12 persons)

      3,724,614(11) 52.0%

    *
    Less than 1%.

    (1)
    Based on 6,277,538 shares outstanding as(ii) all of July 20, 2012.

    (2)
    Includes 1,194,761 shares owned by GBS Bioventures II A/C and GBS Bioventures III A/C, which we collectively refer to as GBS; 4,685 shares subject to outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012; and 248,910 shares subject to outstanding warrants held by GBS exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012. Dr. Brooke is a managing director of GBS Venture Partners Pty Ltd which manages GBS Bioventures II/AC. Dr. Brooke shares voting and investment power with another partner and may be deemed to be an indirect beneficial owner of the reported securities. Dr. Brooke disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. This report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.

    (3)
    Includes 4,382 shares subject to outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012.

    (4)
    Includes 29,647 shares owned by Beraleigh Pty Ltd. and 17,202 shares subject to outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012; and 7,500 shares subject to outstanding warrants held by Beraleigh Pty Ltd. exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012. Mr. Callinan is a director of Beraleigh Pty Ltd.

    (5)
    Includes 750 shares owned by Dr. Harvey's pension fund, for which he has the power to make investment and voting decisions; 1,500,712 shares owned by venture capital funds affiliated with CM Capital; 376,786 outstanding warrants held by CM Capital and its

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      affiliated funds exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012 and 2,191 shares subject to outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012. Dr. Harvey shares voting and investment power with other partners and may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the reported securities. Dr. Harvey disclaims indirect beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. This report shall not be deemed an admission that Dr. Harvey is the beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.

    (6)
    Includes 11,875 shares held by UBS which is Mr. Mathiesen's IRA account and 2,500 shares owned by Mr. Mathiesen. Includes 19,716 shares subject to outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012; and 4,313 shares acquirable on exercise of outstanding warrants exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012.

    (7)
    Includes 10,370 shares held by a family trust, for which Mr. O'Dwyer and his wife serve as a trustees, 38,791 shares held by a pension fund for which Mr. O'Dwyer and his wife jointly have the power to make investment and voting decisions and 686 shares owned by Mr. O'Dwyer. Includes 4,685 shares subject to outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012; and 9,150 shares acquirable on exercise of outstanding warrants exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012.

    (8)
    Includes 7,250 shares owned by Dr. William Peters and Szigetvary Trustee Services Ltd as trustees to Peters JAM Trust; 35 shares owned by Dr. William Peters for the benefit of Ava Peters; 35 shares owned by Dr. William Peters for the benefit of Michael Peters; 53 shares owned by Dr. William Peters for the benefit of James Peters; 33,433 shares owned by Dr. William Peters and Apollo Trustees No. 1 Limited as trustees to Peters Apollo Trust; 47,987 shares acquirable upon exercise of outstanding warrants exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012; and 2,041 shares subject to outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012.

    (9)
    Includes 1,000 shares owned by Mr. Rosa, and 105,156 shares subject to outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012.

    (10)
    Includes 3,165 shares subject to outstanding options exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012.

    (11)
    Consists of (i) 2,833,887 shares beneficially owned by the current directors and executive officers;officers as a group, and (ii) 890,727 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options or warrants that are exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012.


    Beneficial Owners of More than Five Percent of Our Common Stock

            Based on information filed with the SEC, the ASX and provided(iii) to us by certain of our directors, the following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of persons known by us to beknowledge, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock asstock. As of July 20, 2012. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC.

    Name of Beneficial Owner
     Number of Shares Percent(1) 

    GBS Venture Partners Pty Ltd

      1,443,671(2) 22.1%

    Funds affiliated with CM Capital

      1,877,498(3) 28.2%

    Persons affiliated with Straus & Partners

      653,057(4) 10.7%

    New Emerging Medical Opportunities Fund LP

      406,250(5) 6.4%

    (1)
    Based on 6,277,538 shares outstanding as of July 20, 2012.

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    (2)
    Based upon Form 3 filed with the SEC on February 28, 2012. Includes 1,194,761 shares beneficially owned by GBS Venture Partners Pty Ltd affiliates, and includes 248,910 shares acquirable upon exercise of outstanding warrants exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012. Dr. Geoffrey Brooke and Brigitte Smith of GBS Venture Partners Pty Ltd. hold voting and investment power with respect to these shares. The address for GBS Venture Partners Pty Ltd is Harley House, Level 5, 71 Collins Street, Melbourne Vic 3000, Australia.

    (3)
    Based upon Form 3 filed with the SEC on February 28, 2012. Includes 1,500,712 shares beneficially owned by CM Capital Investments Pty Ltd affiliates, and includes 376,786 shares acquirable upon exercise of outstanding warrants exercisable within 60 days of July 20, 2012. Michel Begun, Andy Jane, Carrie Hillyard, Mark Gill and Dr. Mark Harvey are the partners of CM Capital Investments Pty Ltd and hold voting investment power with respect to these shares. The address for CM Capital is Level 9, 545 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000, Australia.

    (4)
    Based upon Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 23, 2012. The address for the filing person is 767 Third Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10017. Straus Asset Management, L.L.C. reported shared voting and shared investment power with respect to 653,057 shares of our common stock. Straus Healthcare Partners, L.P. reported shared voting and shared investment power with respect to 367,154 shares of our common stock. Melville Straus reported shared voting and shared investment power with respect to 653,057 shares of our common stock.

    (5)
    Based upon share registry provided to us by our transfer agent, Link Market Services Limited. Includes 93,750 shares subject to outstanding warrants. Jérôme G.P Fund, Director and CEO of Sectoral Asset Management holds investment and voting power over these shares as investment manager for New Emerging Medical Opportunities Fund LP. The address for New Emerging Medical Opportunities Fund LP is 1000 Sherbrooke St. West, #2120, Montreal, QC Canada H3A 3G4.

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    SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

            Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers and directors to file initial reports of ownership of our securities and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Our directors and officers were not subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, soApril 6, 2020, there were no such filings made during our most recent fiscal year.


    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

    Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

            The board members who served on our Compensation Committee (formerly named the Remuneration and Nomination Committee) during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 were Dr. Geoffrey Brooke, Paul Buckman, Nicholas Callinan and Dr. Mark Harvey. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, no person who served as a member of our Compensation Committee was, during such period, an officer or employee of our company, or has ever been one of our officers, and no such person had any transaction with us required to be disclosed in "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions—Related Party" below. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, (i) none of our executive officers served as a member of the compensation committee of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee; (ii) none of our executive officers served as a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee; and (iii) none of our executive officers served as a member of the compensation committee of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as one of our directors.


    Related Party Transactions

            Since the beginning of our last fiscal year, we have entered into the following transactions with our directors, executive officers, holders of more than 5% of our voting securities, and affiliates of our directors, executive officers and five percent stockholders:

            In February 2012, we sold 62,50032,600,118 shares of our common stock outstanding. Unless otherwise indicated and warrants to purchase 18,750 shares of our common stock to Funds affiliated with Straus & Partners for an aggregate purchase price of A$500,000 as part of the February Private Placement. Funds affiliated with Straus & Partners beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock.

            In September 2011, we sold 14,375 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock to Jeffrey Mathiesen, our Chief Financial Officer, at the price of A$8.00 per unit as part of a private placement.

            In September 2011, we sold 125,000 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock to funds affiliated with CM Capital at the price of A$8.00 per unit as part of a private placement. Funds affiliated with CM Capital beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock and Dr. Mark Harvey, one of our directors, is a partner of CM Capital.

            In August 2011, we entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers that provide, in general, that we will indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by law in connection with their service to us or on our behalf.

            We are party to an agreement with WSP Trading Limited pursuant to which WSP Trading Limited performs technical and medical advisory services for us and we pay WSP A$283,272 annually effective as of January 1, 2012. This agreement requires that Dr. William Peters serve as our Medical Director and Chief Technical Officer. We make payments to WSP rather than to Dr. Peters directly for Dr. Peters' services to our company as Medical Director and Chief Technical Officer. Dr. Peters is a director of our company and WSP, and Dr. Peters owns all of the equity of WSP.


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    PROPOSAL 2—APPROVAL OF ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK IN A PUBLIC OFFERING WITH RELATED PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS

    Description of the Transaction

            We are planning to conduct an underwritten public offering to sell shares of our common stock for cash and we filed a registration statement on Form S-1 registering shares of common stock on July 17, 2012 U.S. Central Daylight Time (July 18, 2012 Australian Eastern Standard Time). As part of the public offering, we intend to grant the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the shares sold in the offering, which the underwriters may exercise solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the shares. In addition, pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, we are permitted to file an immediately effective registration statement prior to confirming orders in connection with this public offering, to increase the size of this public offering by an amount equal to 20% of the number of securities sold in the offering plus the amount of the over-allotment option (which we refer to as the potential 20% upsizing). If any additional shares of common stock are purchased pursuant to the over-allotment option or the potential 20% upsizing, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered. Pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement (the "February SPA"), dated February 8, 2012, between us and Straus Healthcare Partners, L.P., Iguana Healthcare Master Fund LP, Crossover Healthcare Fund LLC and Samuel Herschkowitz (collectively, the "SPA Stockholders"), the SPA Stockholders have a pre-emptive right to purchase equity securities we offer through the first anniversary of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the February SPA. Prior to offering any equity securities during this time, or within 30 days after the closing of any sale of these securities, we must offer to issue to the SPA Stockholders, on the terms we are offering the securities to third parties, an aggregate of 25% of the securities we are offering. The number of offered securities that each SPA Stockholder will have a right to subscribe for will be based on the SPA Stockholder's pro rata portion of the aggregate number of shares of common stock purchased under the February SPA by all SPA Stockholders. In accordance with the February SPA, within 30 days after the closing of the public offering, we plan to offer to sell to the SPA Stockholders shares of common stock such that the amount offered to the SPA Stockholders will equal an aggregate of 25% of the number of shares sold in the public offering plus the number of shares offered under these related pre-emptive rights.

            The issue price for shares sold in the public offering will be determined by negotiations between us and the underwriters and will be based on, among other factors, our past and present operating results, recent prices for shares of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market and of our CDIs on the ASX, our future prospects and those of the medical device industry in general, general market and economic conditions, regulatory milestones achieved in our clinical trials, and certain financial and operating information of companies engaged in activities similar to ours. Any sales we make pursuant to the pre-emptive rights granted under the February SPA as a result of the public offering will be at the same price as the shares sold in the public offering. We are seeking the approval of our stockholders to issue up to an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of our common stock in the public offering (including the over-allotment option and potential 20% upsize) and in connection with any related exercise of pre-emptive rights by the SPA Stockholders.


    Australian Securities Exchange Listing Rules

            We are subject to the ASX Listing Rules because our common stock trades on the ASX under the symbol "SHC" in the form of CDIs. ASX Listing Rule 7.1 provides that the prior approval of our stockholders is required for an issue of equity securities if the securities will, when aggregated with the securities issued by us during the previous 12 months, exceed 15% of the number of securities issuedapplicable community property laws, each owner has sole voting and outstanding at the commencement of that 12-month period.

            Due to the significant resources needed to conduct a pivotal trial and to commercialize a medical device in the United States and elsewhere, we anticipate that the number of shares of common stock we will issue in the public offering and under the related pre-emptive rights will be greater than 15% of


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    our shares of common stock issued and outstanding 12 months prior to the date of the agreement to issue the shares. We therefore are seeking prior stockholder approval for the public offering and any subsequent issuances required to comply with the pre-emptive rights under the February SPA to maintain compliance with ASX Listing Rule 7.1.

            As required by ASX Listing Rule 7.1, and in addition to the information set forth above, we disclose the following:

              (1)   The maximum number of new shares to be issued under the proposal is 10,000,000 shares of common stock (equivalent to 2,000,000,000 CDIs) (including new shares that may be sold pursuant to an over-allotment option granted by the company to the underwriters for the offering, the potential 20% upsizing and any subsequent issuances required to comply with the pre-emptive rights under the February SPA). Further information regarding the over-allotment option is set out in our registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Actinvestment powers with respect to the offering and filed with ASX and the SEC on July 17, 2012 U.S. Central Daylight Time (July 18, 2012 Australian Eastern Standard Time). A copy is available on ASX's website atwww.asx.com.au and the SEC's website atwww.sec.gov.securities listed below.

      Name of Beneficial Owner
      Number of
      Shares
      Right to
      Acquire(1)
      Total
      Aggregate
      Percent of Class(2)
      John L. Erb(3)
       
      11,617
       
       
      381,934
      (3) 
       
      393,551
       
       
      1.2
      %
      Steve Brandt
       
      5
       
       
      5,009
       
       
      5,014
       
       
       
      *
      Maria Rosa Costanzo
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Matthew E. Likens(4)
       
      5
       
       
       
       
      5
       
       
       
      *
      Jon W. Salveson
       
      3
       
       
      5,954
       
       
      5,957
       
       
       
      *
      Gregory D. Waller
       
      2
       
       
      6,423
       
       
      6,425
       
       
       
      *
      Warren S. Watson
       
      3
       
       
      5,954
       
       
      5,957
       
       
       
      *
      Claudia Drayton
       
      2
       
       
      8,552
       
       
      8,554
       
       
       
      *
      Nestor Jaramillo, Jr.
       
       
       
      21,122
       
       
      21,122
       
       
       
      All directors and executive officers as a group
      (8 persons)
       
      11,632
       
       
      434,948
       
       
      446,585
       
       
      1.4
      %
      Bigger Capital Fund, L.P.(5)
      175 W. Carver Street
      Huntington, New York 11743
       
      167,661
       
       
      1,130,774
       
       
      1,198,435
       
       
      9.99
      %
      Hudson Bay Capital Management LP(6)
      777 Third Avenue, 3oth Floor
      New York, NY 10017
       
       
       
      518,763
       
       
      518,763
       
       
      9.99
      %
      Empery Asset Master, Ltd.(7)
      551 Fifth Avenue, Floor 19
      New York, NY 10176
       
      42,000
       
       
      5,568,023
       
       
      6,410,023
       
       
      9.99
      %
      *Less than one percent.
      (1)Except as otherwise described below, amounts reflect the number of shares that such holder could acquire through (i) the exercise of outstanding stock options, (ii) the vesting/settlement of outstanding RSUs, (iii) the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase common stock, (iv) the conversion of outstanding Series F Preferred Stock and (v) the conversion of outstanding Series H Preferred Stock, in each case within 60 days after April 6, 2020.
      (2)Based on 32,600,118 shares outstanding as of April 6, 2020.
      (3)Consists of (i) 27,538 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, (ii) 20,996 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase common stock and (iv) 333,400 shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock (assuming all 100 shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock held by Mr. Erb are converted at once and rounded up to the nearest whole share).
      (4)Mr. Likens resigned as a director on September 24, 2019 and is not included in the total for all current directors and officers.
      (5)Based on the Schedule 13G/A filed by Bigger Capital Fund, LP, Bigger Capital Fund GP, LLC, District 2 Capital Fund LP, District 2 Capital LP, District 2 GP LLC, District 2 Holdings LLC and Michael Bigger with the SEC on February 12, 2020. Consists of 167,661 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Bigger Capital Fund, LP. The number of shares under “Right to Acquire” consists of (i) 1,030,774 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase common stock beneficially owned by Bigger Capital Fund, LP and (ii) 100,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase common stock beneficially owned by District 2 Capital Fund LP. Bigger Capital Fund GP, LLC is the general partner of, and may be deemed to beneficially own the securities owned by, Bigger Capital Fund, LP. Each of (i) District 2 Capital LP, as the investment manager of District 2 Capital Fund LP, (ii) District 2 GP LLC, as the general partner of District 2 Capital Fund LP, and (iii) District 2 Holdings LLC, as the managing member of District 2 GP LLC, may be deemed to beneficially own securities owned by District 2 Capital Fund LP. Mr. Bigger is the managing member of Bigger Capital Fund GP, LLC and is the managing member of District 2 Holdings LLC and may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held by Bigger Capital Fund, LP and District 2 Capital Fund LP. The percentage in this table reflects that the reporting persons may not exercise the warrants to the extent such exercise would cause the reporting persons to beneficially own a number of shares of common stock that would exceed 4.99% of our then outstanding common stock following such exercise; provided, however, that upon prior notice to us, such holder may increase its ownership, provided that in no event will the ownership exceed 9.99%.
      (6)Based on the Schedule 13G filed by Hudson Bay Capital Management LP and Sander Gerber on February 5, 2020. The number of shares under “Right to Acquire” consists of 518,763 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants to

            (2)   The issue price

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    purchase common stock. Each of the reporting persons shares issued under the offering (including any shares that may be sold pursuant to the over-allotment optionvoting and the potential 20% upsizing) will be at least 80% of the average price of our common stock calculateddisposal power over the last five days of sales on the Nasdaq Capital Market before the effective date of our registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC. The same issue price will be used for any shares issued to comply with the pre-emptive rights and a further registration statement on Form S-1 may be filed with the SEC relating to these shares. The issue price is the resale price to investors, rather than the initial price to the underwriters. As is customarypercentage in public offerings in the United States, the shares are initially purchased by the underwriters and resold to investors, with the difference representing the underwriters' fee. This is a different practice to that in Australia where the underwriting fee is typically paid in cash from proceeds of the offering.

            (3)   If approved, the new shares issued in the public offering including the over-allotment option and the potential 20% upsizing are expected to be allocated following completion of the "roadshow" for the offering to be conducted by Sunshine Heart and the underwriters for the offering. The shares issued in the public offering are expected to be issued three business days after the price for the offering is established (or four business days after pricing if pricing occurs after 4:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time). The new shares, if any, issued pursuant to the pre-emptive rights granted to SPA Stockholders under the February SPA will be issued in accordance with the terms of the February SPA. If the SPA Stockholders elect to exercise their pre-emptive rights, we anticipate delivery of the shares will be made to them promptly following their execution of a purchase agreement relating to such purchase. In no event will the shares that are the subject of this proposal be allocated and issued later than three months after the date of the annual meeting or such later date as approved by ASX.

            (4)   We anticipatetable reflects that the net proceeds we will generate from the base public offering (excluding the over-allotment option and the potential 20% upsizing), after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses, will be approximately $25.0 million. In addition to the anticipated $25.0 million from the base offering, the net proceeds (if any) we will generate from the over-allotment option and the potential 20% upsizing, each after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses and the pre-emptive rights (assuming all are exercised), will be approximately $3.5 million, $5.3 million and $10.7 million, respectively. Although we are requesting stockholder approval to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock, based on an assumed "price to the public" in the public offering equal to the closing price per share of our common stock on July 20, 2012, we anticipate we would issue approximately 2,713,350 shares in the base public offering, an additional 407,003 shares for the over-allotment option and 624,071 shares for the potential 20% upsizing. We cannot determine as of the date of


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      this proxy statement how many shares, if any, the SPA Stockholders will purchase pursuant to their rights under the February SPA. We intend to use approximately $300,000 of the net proceeds from the public offering and any related issuances required by the February SPA pre-emptive rights to repay indebtedness to Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, our outside legal counsel, and the remainder of the net proceeds to fund our pivotal clinical trial and for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include providing working capital and funding capital expenditures and research and development. The actual net proceeds from the public offering and any related issuances required by the February SPA pre-emptive rights will be based on numerous factors that cannot be determined with certainty at this time, including the offering price, the number of shares to be sold, the discounts or commissions payable to the underwriters, our fees and expenses payable to our advisors in connection with the offering and the degree to which the SPA Stockholders exercise their pre-emptive rights.

              (5)   Further discussion regarding the use of proceeds from the public offering the over-allotment option, the potential 20% upsizing and the pre-emptive rights (if any) is set forth in our registration statement filed on Form S-1, which will be available on the ASX website.

              (6)   The shares in the public offering and the over-allotment option and the 20% upsizing (if any) initially will be sold to the underwriters for the offering, which are expected to be Canaccord Genuity, Lazard Capital Markets, Cowen & Company, Craig-Hallum Capital Group, and Northland Capital Markets. The shares sold to the underwriters will be allocated to the public in countries other than Australia at the underwriters' discretion, and may also, at the underwriters' discretion, be allocated and sold to institutional and professional investors outside of the United States, including to Australian professional and sophisticated investors, provided we are satisfied that it would be lawful to make such an offer in the relevant jurisdiction. The identity of investors in the public offering is not known at this time.

              The shares, if any, issued pursuant to the pre-emptive rights granted to the SPA Stockholders will be issued in accordance with the terms of the February SPA, which requires us to offer the SPA Stockholders an aggregate of 25% of the number of shares sold in the public offering plus the number of shares offered under these related pre-emptive rights, with the number of shares each SPA Stockholder will have a right to subscribe for being based on the SPA Stockholder's pro rata portion of the aggregate number of shares purchased under the February SPA by all SPA Stockholders. We cannot determine as of the date of this proxy statement how many shares, if any, the SPA Stockholders will purchase pursuant to these pre-emptive rights.

              (7)   The shares of common stock to be issued in the public offering and the over-allotment option and the 20% upsizing (if any) and any related issuances required by the February SPA pre-emptive rights will have the same rights and preferences as all other outstanding shares we have previously issued, as such terms are summarized below under the section captioned "Description of Our Common Stock."

              (8)   We intend to issue the new shares issued in the public offering and the 20% upsizing (if any) in one allotment, except for new shares that may be sold pursuant to the over-allotment option granted by the company to the underwriters. The shares subject to the over-allotment option may be issued at any time in a 30-day period following our entry into the underwriting agreement with the representative of the underwriters, and the underwriters may only exercise this option once.

              We intend to issue any shares required to comply with our obligations under the February SPA in one allotment, unless a second issuance is required to comply with our obligations under the February SPA in connection with the underwriters' exercise of their over-allotment option granted in connection with the public offering. We intend to offer the SPA Stockholders their pre-emptive rights promptly after the closing of the public offering, and the SPA Stockholders will have 20 days from the date of receipt of our offer notice to elect to exercise their pre-emptive rights under the February SPA. Any closing pursuant to the February SPA must occur within 60 days of the purchasers' receipt of our offer notice.

              (9)   The voting exclusion statement regarding this proposal is set forth on page 1 of this proxy statement.


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    Nasdaq Listing Rules

            We are subject to the rules and regulations of The Nasdaq Stock Market because our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635 sets forth certain circumstances under which stockholder approval is required prior to an issuance of securities. One circumstance under which stockholder approval is required is in connection with the issuance or potential issuance by us of common stock equal to 20% or more of our common stock outstanding before the issuance for less than the greater of book or market value of the stock in an offering that is not a public offering. We expect the proposed public offering in which we plan to issue shares of our common stock will exceed this 20% threshold and be priced at a discount to the greater of the book or market value of the stock. While we also expect the public offering (including the over-allotment option and the potential 20% upsizing) will qualify as a "public offering" for purposes of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635, we nonetheless are seeking stockholder approval of the issuance of shares in the offering for purposes of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d). Any shares we issue pursuant to the pre-emptive rights granted under the February SPA will not involve a public offering. While we currently do not anticipate that the shares we issue pursuant to any exercise of these pre-emptive rights will exceed the 20% threshold mentioned above, we are seeking this stockholder approval for this issuance.


    Consequences if Stockholders Approve the Issuance of Shares

            If our stockholders approve the issuance of shares at the annual meeting, we plan to complete the public offering and any related issuances required to comply with the February SPA. This could result in dilution for our existing stockholders and result in (or increase the likelihood that we experience) an "ownership change" in the future. As a result, issuances or sales of our common stock in the future, or certain other direct or indirect changes in ownership, could result in an "ownership change" under Section 382 of the Code. If an "ownership change" were to occur, then we could realize a permanent loss of a significant portion of our U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2011, we had U.S. net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards of approximately $14.6 million for U.S. income tax purposes, which expire in 2023 through 2031. The amount of the permanent loss would depend on the size of the annual limitation and the remaining carryforward period. As of December 31, 2011, we had tax losses in the Commonwealth of Australia of approximately $54.1 million. Continuing utilization of carryforward tax losses in Australia also may be affected by the issuance of our common stock under the public offering (if approved), any related issuances required to comply with the pre-emptive right under the February SPA and in the future. This is because one test for carrying forward tax losses in Australia from year to year requires continuity of ultimate ownership (subject to the relevant tests in the Australian tax law) of more than 50% between the loss year and the income year in which the loss is claimed. (If the "continuity of ownership test" is failed, a loss may still be claimed under Australian tax law if the "same business test" is satisfied.) If the relevant loss tests were failed under Australian tax law or Section 382 of the Code, any future income we generate could be subject to U.S. or Australian federal income tax earlier than it would if we were able to use NOL carryforwards or Australian carryforward losses. The imposition of income tax in the United States or Australia could result in lower profits and adversely affect our financial condition.


    Consequences if Stockholders DoNot Approve the Issuance of Shares

            If our stockholders do not approve this Proposal 2, we will not be able to sell in the proposed public offering and any related issuances required to comply with the February SPA a number of shares that exceeds 15% of our shares of common stock issued and outstanding 12 months prior to the date of issue or agreement to issue shares in the offering to maintain compliance with ASX Listing Rule 7.1. If we are not able issue a number of shares in a public offering in excess of the limitation imposed by ASX Listing Rule 7.1 for issuances without stockholder approval, we believe the public offering would not be sufficiently large to attract investors. If we cannot raise additional capital through an offering of


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    our securities in excess of the limitation imposed by ASX Listing Rule 7.1, our liquidity and financial position could be materially and adversely affected. If our liquidity and financial position are so affected, we may need to reduce our operations, seek additional capital through debt financing or cease to operate as a going concern. We cannot assure you that we would be able to reduce our operations in a manner that would allow us avoid a liquidation of the company. We also cannot assure you that we would have access to debt financing. If we are able to raise additional funding through debt, we may be required grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets and to accept terms that restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, force us to maintain specified liquidity or other ratios, or restrict our ability to pay dividends or make acquisitions and require us to use our cash for debt service rather than our operations. If we are unable to secure additional funding, our product development programs and our commercialization efforts would be delayed, reduced or eliminated. Any of the foregoing potential results of could cause the value of our stock to decrease significantly.

    Our board of directors recommends a vote FOR the approval of the issuance of common stock.


    DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON STOCK

    Common Stock

            Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol of "SSH." Our shares of common stock in the form of CDIs are listed on the ASX under the symbol "SHC." We are authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share. As of July 20, 2012, we had 6,277,538 shares of common stock (equivalent to 1,255,507,600 CDIs) issued and outstanding, which were held by 31 stockholders of record. Our common stock is our only class of capital stock outstanding.

            Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available.

            Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on each matter properly submitted to our stockholders for their vote; provided however, that except as otherwise required by law, holders of our common stock will not be entitled to vote on any amendment to our certificate of incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of preferred stock) that relates solely to the terms of a series of outstanding preferred stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon by law or pursuant to our certificate of incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of preferred stock).

            Subject to the voting restrictions described above, holders of our common stock may adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws and/or alter certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation with the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding at least 662/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, in addition to any vote of the holders of a class or series of our stock required by law or our certificate of incorporation. The certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation that may be altered only by the super-majority vote described above relate to:

      the number of directors on our board of directors, the classification of our board of directors and the term of the members of our board of directors;

      the limitations on removal of any of our directors;

      the ability of our directors to fill any vacancy on our board of directors by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office under certain circumstances;

      the ability of our board of directors to adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws and the super-majority vote of our stockholders required to adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws;

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      the limitation on action of our stockholders by written action;

      the choice of forum provision;

      the limitations on director liability and indemnification; and

      the super-majority voting requirement to amend our certificate of incorporation described above.

            Holders of our common stock do not have any conversion, redemption or pre-emptive rights pursuant to our organizational documents. Pursuant to the February SPA between us and the SPA Stockholders, the SPA Stockholders have a contractual pre-emptive right to purchase equity, equity based and related securities, convertible securities, debt, preferred stock or purchase rights we offer, subject to customary exclusions, through the first anniversary of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the February SPA.

            In the event of our dissolution, liquidation or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in any assets remaining after the satisfaction in full of the prior rights of creditors and the aggregate of any liquidation preference pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of preferred stock. The rights, preferences, and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

            The foregoing description of our common stock is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, both of which are filed as exhibits to our most recent Form 10-K filed with the SEC and which are available at the SEC's website atwww.sec.gov.

            All outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

    CDIs

            In order for our shares of common stock in the form of CDIs to trade electronically on the ASX, we participate in the electronic transfer system known as the Clearing House Electronic Subregister System, or CHESS, operated by ASX Settlement Pty Limited, or ASX Settlement. ASX Settlement provides settlement services for ASX markets to assist participants and issuers to understand the operation of the rules and procedures governing settlement facilities. The ASX Settlement Operating Rules form part of the overall listing and market rules which we are required to comply with as an entity listed on ASX.

            CHESS is an electronic system which manages the settlement of transactions executed on ASX and facilitates the paperless transfer of legal title to ASX quoted securities. CHESS cannot be used directly for the transfer of securities of companies domiciled in certain jurisdictions outside of Australia, such as the U.S. Accordingly, to enable our shares of common stock to be cleared and settled electronically through CHESS, we have issued and will continue to issue depositary interests called CDIs.

            CDIs confer the beneficial ownership in the shares of common stock on the CDI holder, with the legal title to such shares held by CHESS Depositary Nominees Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ASX, to act as our Australian depositary and issue CDIs. Every 200 CDIs represents beneficial ownership of one share of our common stock.

            A holder of CDIs who does not wish to have their trades settled in CDIs may request that their CDIs be converted into shares of common stock, in which case legal title to the shares of common stock will be transferred to the CDI holder and stock certificates representing the shares of common stock will be issued. If thereafter the holder wishes to sell their investment on ASX, it will be necessary for them to convert their shares of common stock back into CDIs.


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    Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

    Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

            Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may be considered as having an anti-takeover effect, such as those provisions:

      providing for our board of directors to be divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms, with only one class of directors being elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders and the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms;

      authorizing our board of directors to issue from time to time any series of preferred stock and fix the voting powers, designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of such series of preferred stock;

      prohibiting stockholders from acting by written consent in lieu of a meeting;

      requiring advance notice of stockholder intention to put forth director nominees or bring up other business at a stockholders' meeting;

      prohibiting stockholders from calling a special meeting of stockholders;

      requiring a 662/3% super-majority stockholder approval in order for stockholders to alter, amend or repeal certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation;

      requiring a 662/3% super-majority stockholder approval in order for stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws;

      providing that, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, neither the board of directors nor any individual director may be removed without cause;

      creating the possibility that our board of directors could prevent a coercive takeover of our company due to the significant amount of authorized, but unissued shares of our common stock and preferred stock;

      providing that, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by our board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors; and

      providing that any vacancies on our board of directors under certain circumstances will be filled only by a majority of our board of directors then in office, even less than a quorum, and not by the stockholders.

    Delaware Law

            We are also subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which in general prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

      prior to that date, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

      upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder)

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        those shares owned by (i)reporting persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

      on or subsequent to that date, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 662/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

            In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as an entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by any of these entities or persons.

            The above-summarized provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and takeover bids that our board of directors may consider inadequate and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

    Pre-emptive Right Pursuant to Securities Purchase Agreement

            Pursuant to the February SPA between us and the SPA Stockholders the SPA Stockholders have a contractual pre-emptive right to purchase equity, equity based and related securities, convertible securities, debt, preferred stock or purchase rights we offer, subject to customary exclusions, through the first anniversary of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the February SPA. Prior to offering any of these securities during this period, or within 30 days after the closing of any sale of these securities, we must offer to issue to the SPA Stockholders, on the terms we are offering the securities to third parties, an aggregate of 25% of the securities we are offering. The number of offered securities that each SPA Stockholder will have a right to subscribe for will be based on the SPA Stockholder's pro rata portion of the aggregate number of common shares purchased under the February SPA by all SPA Stockholders. If an SPA Stockholder fails to purchase its pro rata share of the securities subject to the pre-emptive right, then that SPA Stockholder will no longer have pre-emptive rights pursuant to the February SPA for any subsequent placement of our securities. The pre-emptive right provided by the February SPA is subject to certain customary exceptions, including for securities issued pursuant to convertible securities issued prior to the date of the February SPA, securities issued pursuant to certain commercial arrangements and securities issued under our Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan and our Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.

    Choice of Forum

            Our certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing otherwise, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (ii) action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees or any of our stockholders; (iii) action asserting a claim pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law; or (iv) action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.


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    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes appearing in elsewhere in this proxy statement. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements included in this discussion as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" included in this proxy statement.

    Financial Statements

            The financial statements and notes thereto required to be included in this proxy statement can be found beginning on page F-1.

    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    Overview

            We are an early-stage medical device company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing our C-Pulse System for treatment of Class III and ambulatory Class IV heart failure. The C-Pulse System utilizes the scientific principles of intra-aortic balloon counter-pulsation applied in an extra-aortic approach to assist the left ventricle by reducing the workload required to pump blood throughout the body, while increasing blood flow to the coronary arteries.

            We are in the process of pursuing regulatory approvals necessary to sell our system in the United States and Europe. We completed enrollment of our North American feasibility clinical trial in the first half of 2011. In November 2011, we announced the preliminary results of the six-month follow-up period for the feasibility study and we submitted the clinical data to the FDA. In March 2012, the FDA notified us that it completed its review of the C-Pulse System feasibility trial data, concluded we met the applicable agency requirements and indicated that we can move forward with an IDE application. We expect to submit an IDE application to the FDA in the second half of 2012 for approval to initiate our pivotal trial. We expect to complete enrollment of our pivotal trial by the end of 2015 and do not anticipate marketing our system in the United States before 2017.

            We obtained CE Mark approval for the C-Pulse System in July 2012 and have taken initial steps to evaluate the potential market for our system in targeted countries in Europe in anticipation of commencing commercial sales. In order to gain additional clinical data and support reimbursement in Europe, we also expect to initiate a post-market trial in Europe that will evaluate endpoints similar to those for our U.S. pivotal trial.

    Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

            Revenue Recognition:    We recognize revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of a customer arrangement exists; (ii) the price is fixed or determinable and free of contingencies or uncertainties; (iii) collectability is reasonably assured; and (iv) product delivery has occurred, which is when product title transfers to the customer, or services have been rendered. Sales are not conditional based on customer acceptance provisions or installation obligations. Our C-Pulse System is not approved for commercial sale. Our revenue consists solely of sales of the C-Pulse System to hospitals and clinics pursuant to research arrangements and with appropriate regulatory approvals for sales in conjunction with our feasibility clinical trial. For clinical trial implant revenue, the product title generally transfers on the date the system is implanted. We do not charge hospitals and clinics for shipping. We expense shipping costs at the time we report the related revenue and record such costs in cost of sales.

            Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions:    Foreign denominated monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Results of operations are translated using the average rates prevailing during the reporting period. Our Australian subsidiary's


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    functional currency is the Australian Dollar. Translation adjustments result from translating the subsidiary's financial statements into our reporting currency, the U.S. Dollar. The translation adjustment has not been included in determining our net loss, but has been reported separately and is accumulated in a separate component of equity.

            Effective January 1, 2011, we concluded that the functional currency of our U.S.-based parent company is the U.S. Dollar. We have concluded that the functional currency of the Australian subsidiary remains the Australian Dollar.

            Comprehensive Income (Loss):    The components of comprehensive income (loss) include net income (loss) and the effects of foreign currency translation adjustments.

            Stock-Based Compensation:    We recognize all share-based payments, including grants of stock options in the income statement as an operating expense based on their fair value over the requisite service period.

            We compute the estimated fair values of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. No tax benefit has been recorded due to the full valuation allowance on deferred tax assets that we have recorded.

            Stock-based compensation expense is based on awards ultimately expected to vest and is reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

            Equity instruments issued to non-employees, and for services and goods, are shares of our common stock, warrants or options to purchase shares of our common stock. These shares, warrants or options are either fully-vested and exercisable at the date of grant or vest over a certain period during which services are provided. We expense the fair market value of these securities over the period in which the related services are received.

            Going Concern:    Our financial statements have been prepared and presented on a basis assuming we continue as a going concern.

            During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and through March 31, 2012, we incurred losses from operations and net cash outflows from operating activities as disclosed in the consolidated statements of operations and cash flows, respectively.

            Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on our ability to raise additional capital as and when required. Our directors, after due consideration, believe that we will be able to raise new equity capital as required to fund our business plan. Should our future efforts to raise capital not be successful, we may not be able to continue as a going concern. Furthermore, our ability to continue as a going concern is subject to our ability to develop and successfully commercialize our C-Pulse System being developed. If we are unable to obtain such funding of an amount and on a timeline necessary to meet our future operational plans, or to successfully commercialize our intellectual property, we may be unable to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should we not continue as a going concern.

    Internal Controls and Procedures

            Our independent registered public accounting firm is not yet required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and will not be required to do so for as long as we are an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the provisions of the JOBS Act.


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    Recent Accounting Pronouncements

            In May 2011, the FASB issued an update to accounting guidance for improved fair value measurement and disclosures. The update represents converged guidance between U.S. GAAP and IFRS, resulting in common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. This new guidance was effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012 and the adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

            In June 2011, the FASB issued amended disclosure requirements for the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income ("OCI") as part of the statement of changes in equity. Under the amended guidance, all changes in OCI are to be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. We adopted these changes effective January 1, 2012 and applied them retrospectively for all periods presented. There was no impact to our consolidated results as the amendments related only to changes in financial presentation.

    Financial Overview

            We are an early-stage medical device company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing our C-Pulse System for treatment of Class III and ambulatory Class IV heart failure. Our activities since inception have consisted principally of raising capital, performing research and development and conducting preclinical and clinical trials. At March 31, 2012, we had an accumulated deficit of $69.3 million and we expect to incur losses for the foreseeable future. To date, we have been funded by private and public equity financings. Although we believe that we will be able to successfully fund our operations, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so or that we will ever operate profitably.

    Results of Operations

    Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 to Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

      Revenue

    Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2012
    Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2011
    Increase (Decrease)% Change
    $$$N/A

            Sales of the C-Pulse System to hospitals and clinics pursuant to research arrangements and with appropriate regulatory approvals for sales in conjunction with our feasibility clinical trial historically have generated our revenue. We did not sell our C-Pulse Heart System device in the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 or 2011, because we completed enrollment in our feasibility trial in early 2011 and have not yet commenced enrollment in our pivotal clinical trial. We expect our revenue will be minimal until we begin enrolling patients in our pivotal clinical trial and initiate trials in select countries in Europe, both expected to commence during 2012.

      Research and Development Expense

    Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2012
     Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2011
     Increase (Decrease) % Change 
    $2,166,000 $2,292,000 $(126,000) (5.5)%

            Our decrease in research and development expense for the first quarter 2012 compared to the prior year's period was primarily caused by the timing of certain outsourced development activities


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    related to our C-Pulse System year to year. We expect our research and development expense will increase in the second half of 2012 as we add personnel to support our pivotal clinical trial and pursue our development efforts.

      Selling, General and Administrative Expense

    Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2012
     Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2011
     Increase (Decrease) % Change 
    $1,940,000 $642,000 $1,298,000  202.2%

            Our increase in selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the prior year was primarily caused by increased stock-based compensation expense resulting from current-year stock option grants, and increased professional fees and personnel costs as we developed our infrastructure and prepared for our Nasdaq listing completed in February 2012, the change in timing of year end audit fees in conjunction with the change in our fiscal year end from June 30 to December 31 and preparation for European trials expected to commence during 2012. We expect our selling, general and administrative expense will continue to be above comparable prior year period levels in future periods as a result of the infrastructure recently put in place to support our growth.

      Interest Income

    Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2012
     Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2011
     Increase (Decrease) % Change 
    $25,000 $117,000 $(92,000) (78.6)%

            Our decrease in interest income for the first quarter 2012 compared to the prior year was primarily caused by lower average cash balances during the first quarter of 2012 as compared to 2011.

    Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2011 to Year Ended December 31, 2010

      Revenue

    Year Ended
    December 31, 2011
     Year Ended
    December 31, 2010
     Increase (Decrease) % Change
    $ $407,000 $(407,000)N/A

            Our decrease in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year was primarily caused by completion of enrollment in our feasibility clinical trial in March 2011, after which we had no reimbursable implants. Our revenue during the year ended December 31, 2010 consisted solely of sales of the C-Pulse System to hospitals and clinics pursuant to research arrangements and with appropriate regulatory approvals for sales in conjunction with our feasibility clinical trial.

      Research and Development Expense

    Year Ended
    December 31, 2011
     Year Ended
    December 31, 2010
     Increase (Decrease) % Change 
    $11,199,000 $6,229,000 $4,970,000  79.8%

            Our increase in research and development expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year was primarily caused by increased development activities related to our C-Pulse System and the accelerated development of a fully implantable model. We also increased regulatory and clinical personnel to support the completion of our feasibility clinical trial and to prepare for our pivotal clinical trial.


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      Selling, General and Administrative Expense

    Year Ended
    December 31, 2011
     Year Ended
    December 31, 2010
     Increase (Decrease) % Change 
    $5,363,000 $2,598,000 $2,765,000  106.4%

            Our increase in selling, general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year was primarily caused by increased stock-based compensation expense resulting from 2011 stock option grants, and increased professional fees and personnel costs as we developed our infrastructure and prepared for our pivotal clinical and Nasdaq listing.

      Interest Income

    Year Ended
    December 31, 2011
     Year Ended
    December 31, 2010
     Increase (Decrease) % Change 
    $251,000 $150,000 $101,000  67.3%

            Our increase in other income for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year was primarily caused by increased interest income earned from our increased average cash balances following the completion of our financings in late 2010 and mid-2011.

      Income Tax Benefit

    Year Ended
    December 31, 2011
     Year Ended
    December 31, 2010
     Increase (Decrease) % Change 
    $(115,000)$(670,000)$(555,000) 82.8%

            Our tax income benefit for the year ended December 31, 2011 resulted from a research and development credit in the state of Minnesota for our tax year ended June 30, 2011. Our income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2010 resulted from a research and development tax credit in Australia. We completed our Australian tax return for the period ended June 30, 2011 in the second quarter of 2012 and received a $730,000 research and development tax credit refund during the quarter, which will be reported in our 2012 second quarter operating results. Assuming no further changes to the applicable Australian law for research and development tax credits, we expect to receive tax refunds in the future in amounts that vary based on research and development expenditures in Australia.

    Liquidity and Capital Resources

    Sources of Liquidity

            We have funded our operations primarily through a series of equity issuances, including the issuance of common shares in the form of CDIs for net proceeds of $7.6 million in 2011, $11.9 million in 2010 and $2.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and 2010, cash and cash equivalents were $3.8 million, $6.6 million, and $12.4 million, respectively.

            We believe, based on our current operating plan, that the net proceeds from this offering, together with our cash balances, cash generated from our clinical trial and interest income, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements through at least the next 12 months. From time to time we may seek to sell additional equity or convertible debt securities or enter into credit facilities. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt securities may result in dilution to our stockholders. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of convertible debt or enter into credit facilities, these securities and debt holders could have rights senior to those of our common stock, and this debt could contain covenants that would restrict our operations and would require us to use cash for debt service rather


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    than our operations. We may require additional capital beyond our currently forecasted amounts. Although we have successfully financed our operations through the issuance of common stock and warrants to date, any such required additional capital may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.

    Cash Flows from Operating Activities

            Net cash used in operating activities was $13.1 million in 2011, $7.2 million in 2010, and $4.8 million and $2.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The net cash used in each of these periods primarily reflects the net loss for those periods, offset in part by depreciation, non-cash, stock-based compensation and the effects of changes in operating assets and liabilities.

    Cash Flows from Investing Activities

            Net cash used in investing activities was $451,000 in 2011, $7,000 in 2010, and $89,000 and $7,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The majority of cash used in investing activities in first quarter of 2012 and in 2011 was for leasehold improvements, furniture and equipment associated with the relocation of our headquarters. Cash used in investing activities in the first quarter of 2011 and in 2010 related to purchases of property and equipment.

    Cash Flows from Financing Activities

            Net cash provided by financing activities was $7.6 million in 2011, $11.9 million in 2010, and $2.1 million and $100,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities was primarily attributable to proceeds from sales of our common stock and warrants.

    Capital Resource Requirements

            As of March 31, 2012, we did not have any material commitments for capital expenditures.

    Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

            We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.


    PROPOSAL 3—RATIFICATION OF ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK

    Background

            In February 2012, we sold, in the form of CDIs, 256,875 shares of common stock (equivalent to 51,375,000 CDIs) together with warrants to purchase 77,063 shares of common stock (equivalent to 15,412,600 CDIs) in the February Private Placement. The February Private Placement was necessary to increase our stockholders' equity to facilitate compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rules and to allow us to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market. In connection with the February Private Placement, we also issued warrants to purchase 8,553 shares of our common stock (equivalent to 1,710,600 CDIs) to Summer Street Research Partners, our placement agent in the transaction, and its registered representatives. Nasdaq approved our listing application and our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on February 16, 2012.


    Australian Securities Exchange Listing Rules

            ASX Listing Rule 7.1 prohibits, subject to certain exceptions, the issuance of securities or an agreement for the issuance of securities that would represent more than 15% of a company's shares of


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    common stock on issue 12 months prior to the date of issue or agreement to issue such shares, without the prior approval of the company's stockholders.

            ASX Listing Rule 7.4 sets out an exception to ASX Listing Rule 7.1. This rule provides that where a company in an annual meeting ratifies a previous issue of securities (made without stockholder approval under ASX Listing Rule 7.1) those securities will be excluded from the calculation of the number of securities that may be issued by us in any 12-month period within the 15% limit set out in ASX Listing Rule 7.1.

            Accordingly, we are seeking the approval of our stockholders to ratify our prior sale and issuance of our common stock and warrants to purchase common stock in connection with the February Private Placement pursuant to ASX Listing Rule 7.4, so that those securities will be excluded from the calculation of the number of securities that we can issue in any 12-month period within the 15% limit set out in ASX Listing Rule 7.1.

            We believe our cash and cash equivalents on hand will be sufficient to fund our operations through the third quarter of 2012. We currently have no products available for commercial sale and therefore anticipate needing to obtain additional financing, which we anticipate will involve sales of our equity securities. Approval of this proposal will provide our board flexibility as we seek to raise additional funds that will be necessary for the commercialization of our product and continued operation of our business.

            As required by ASX Listing Rule 7.5 and, in addition to the information set out below, we disclose the following:

      the total number of securities allotted was 256,875 shares of common stock (equivalent to 51,375,000 CDIs) and warrants to purchase 85,616 shares of common stock (equivalent to 17,123,200 CDIs), which includes warrants to purchase 8,553 shares of common stock (equivalent to 1,710,600 CDIs) issued to Summer Street Research Partners, our placement agent in the transaction, and its registered representatives;

      the shares were issued to investors for A$8.00 per share (approximately $8.63 per share using a conversion rate on February 8, 2012 of A$1.00 to $1.0784). The warrants were issued to the investors for no further consideration with investors receiving warrants to purchase three shares of common stock for every 10 shares of common stock purchased;

      the warrants issued to Summer Street Research Partners and its registered representatives were provided as compensation for its service as our exclusive U.S. placement agent in the February Private Placement;

      the securities, other than the warrants issued to our placement agent, were issued to accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act) in the United States and to institutional investors in Australia, including 62,500 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 18,750 shares of common stock purchased by Straus Healthcare Partners L.P.; 40,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 12,000 shares of common stock purchased by Iguana Healthcare Master Fund LP; 112,500 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 33,750 shares of common stock purchased by Crossover Healthcare Fund LLC; and 29,375 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 8,813 shares of common stock purchased by Samuel Herschkowitz;

      the net proceeds to us from the February Private Placement were approximately A$1.9 million (approximately $2.1 million using a conversion rate on February 8, 2012 of A$1.00 to $1.0784). We used the proceeds from the February Private Placement to support our continuing activities to obtain approvals to market our C-Pulse Heart Assist System as well as general corporate purposes, including funding of our research and development and clinical trial activities;

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      the remaining terms of the securities issued in connection with placement are set out above; and

      the voting exclusion statement for this proposal is set out on page 1 of this proxy statement.


    Description of the Securities

            The shares of common stock and CDIs issued in the February Private Placement have the same rights and preferences as all other outstanding shares and CDIs we previously issued, as such terms are described above under the section captioned "Description of Our Common Stock." In addition, the purchasers received the contracted pre-emptive rights described under "Description of Our Capital Stock—Pre-emptive Right Pursuant to Securities Purchase Agreement."

            The warrants issued to investors in the February Private Placement have an exercise price of A$11.20 per share (approximately $11.46 per share using a conversion rate of A$1.00 to $1.0231). The warrants are immediately exercisable and expire on February 29, 2016. The warrant holders generally do not have the right to exercise any portion of the warrants to the extent that, after giving effectsuch exercise would cause the reporting persons to the issuance after exercise, the holder would beneficially own more than 9.99% of our outstanding shares of common stock. The number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is subject to adjustment for certain events such as stock splits, stock dividends and similar events.

            The warrants issued to Summer Street Research Partners, our placement agent, and its registered representatives have substantially the same terms as the warrants issued to investors in the February Private Placement, except that the per share exercise price for the warrants is A$8.00 per share (approximately $8.18 per share using a conversion rate of A$1.00 to $1.0231) and the expiry date of the warrants is February 8, 2017.

    Our board of directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the issuance of common stock and warrants.


    PROPOSAL 4—APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO AMENDED AND RESTATED 2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

    The Amendments

            We are asking our stockholders to approve our Second Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") that would: (i) increase the share reserve for the Plan from 900,000 to 1,800,000 shares of our common stock; (ii) provide for an annual increase in the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Plan on each January 1, beginning in 2013 through and including 2017, commonly referred to as an "evergreen" provision; (iii) permit restricted stock and restricted stock units to be granted pursuant to the Plan; (iv) extend the term of the Plan from August 17, 2021 to the date that is 10 years after the date of the 2012 annual meeting of our stockholders; and (v) provide for a maximum annual limitation on the number of shares subject to any type of stock award granted to a participant of 500,000 shares.

            Our Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan as currently in effect (the "Current Plan") provides that 900,000 shares of our common stock, plus any shares underlying option awards under the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan (the "Prior Plan") that expire or are terminated or forfeited will be available for issuance in connection with awards under the Current Plan ("Current Plan Limit"). Pursuant to the Plan as amended and restated, the number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Plan would increase from 900,000 to 1,800,000 sharesexceed 9.99% of our common stock. Because no additional awards may be made under the Prior Plan, the Plan is our only vehicle for providing equity compensation to our employees and consultants. As of July 20, 2012, 123,820 shares of ourthen outstanding common stock remained availablefollowing such exercise.

    (7)Based on the Schedule 13G filed by Empery Asset Master, Ltd., Empery Asset Management, LP, Ryan M. Lane and Martin D. Hoe, LLC on February 3, 2020. Empery Asset Master, Ltd. is the record and direct beneficial owner of the securities. Empery Asset Management, LP is the investment advisor of, and may be deemed to beneficially own securities owned by Empery Asset Master, Ltd. Each of Mr. Lane and Mr. Hoe is a managing member of Empery AM GP, the general partner of Empery Asset Management, L.P. and may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held by Empery Asset Master, Ltd. The number of shares under “Right to Acquire” consists of (i) 1,771,229 shares such holder could acquire upon exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase common stock and (ii) 1,302,511 shares such holder could acquire upon conversion of outstanding preferred stock. Each of the reporting persons shares voting and disposal power over the shares. The percentage in this table reflects that the reporting persons may not exercise the warrants to the extent such exercise would cause the reporting persons to beneficially own a number of shares of common stock that would exceed 9.99% of our then outstanding common stock following such exercise

    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

    We give careful attention to related person transactions because they may present the Planpotential for conflicts of interest. Under SEC rules, a related person transaction is any transaction or series of transactions in which: the Company or a subsidiary is a participant; the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of the Company’s total assets at year-end for the grant of future awards. The following table


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    summarizes information regarding awards outstanding under the Planlast two completed fiscal years; and the Prior Plan as of July 20, 2012:

    Type of Award
     Shares Subject to
    Outstanding Awards
     Weighted-Average
    Exercise Price
     Weighted-Average
    Remaining Term

    Options

      123,820 $9.14 9.2 years

            Pursuant to the Plan as amendeda related person has a direct or indirect material interest. A “related person” is a director, executive officer, nominee for director or a more than 5% stockholder, and restated, the number of common shares that may be issued under the Plan will automatically adjust January 1 of each year beginning January 1, 2013 and ending on and including January 1, 2017. The amount as adjusted each year will equal (i) 13%any immediate family member of the fully diluted sharesforegoing.

    To identify related person transactions in advance, we rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant stockholders. We maintain a written policy for the review, approval or ratification of related person transactions, and our common stock deemed outstanding onAudit Committee reviews all related person transactions identified by the immediately preceding December 31, reduced by (ii) the number of our common shares issuable upon the exercise of options then outstanding under our Prior Plan, unless our board has determined that that the increase will involve a lesser number of shares (or no shares). For these purposes, the number of fully diluted shares of our common stock deemed outstanding on any date is equal to the number of our common shares (i) outstanding and (ii) issuable upon exercise, conversionCompany. The Committee approves or settlement of outstanding awards under the Plan and any other outstanding options, warrants or other securitiesratifies only those related person transactions that are (directly or indirectly) convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for shares of our common stock, in each asdetermined by it to be, under all of the close of business of the company on such date.

            The Current Plan provides that incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), and performance cash awards may granted pursuant to the Current Plan. As amended and restated, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units would also be granted pursuant to the Plan.

            The Current Plan is scheduled to terminate on August 17, 2021. As amended and restated, the term of the Plan would be 10 years from the date the Plan is approved by our stockholders at the 2012 annual meeting.

            The Current Plan provides that the maximum number of shares that may be granted to any participant in a calendar year attributable to performance stock awards will not exceed 187,500 shares. As amended and restated, the Plan would provide for a maximum annual limitation on the number of shares subject to any type of stock award granted to a participant of 500,000.

            Our board believes that it iscircumstances, in the best interests of our companythe Company and its stockholders to approvestockholders.

    Scott Erb, who served as our Senior Manager of Operations and Director of Marketing during 2017, is the Plan in order to insure that we continue to have an assortmentson of equity-based awards availableJohn Erb, our chief executive officer, president and an adequate number of shares available for equity-based awards to recruit, hire, and retain personnel.


    Stockholder Approval Requirement

            Stockholder approvalchairman of the Plan is necessaryBoard. Scott Erb was paid $78,974 in order to (i) satisfy the stockholder approval requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market, and (ii) satisfy the requirement that stockholders approve the material terms of awards intended to qualify2017 as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, including the business criteria on which performance objectives are based and the maximum awards that may be made to any individual. If the Plan is not approved by our stockholders, the Current Plan will continue in effect in its current form and awards will continue to be subject to the Current Plan Limit.

            As stated above in relation to Proposal 2, ASX Listing Rule 7.1 prohibits, subject to certain exceptions, the issuance of securities or an agreement for the issuance of securities that would represent more than 15% of a company's shares of common stock on issue 12 months prior to the date of issue or agreement to issue such shares, without the prior approval of the company's stockholders. ASX Listing Rule 7.2 sets out exceptions to ASX Listing Rule 7.1. Exception 9 of ASX Listing Rule 7.2 provides that issuances of securities under an employee incentive scheme are exempt from ASX Listing


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    Rule 7.1 for a period of three years from the date on which stockholders approve the issuance of securities under such employee incentive scheme.

            Stockholders previously approved the issue of securities under the Current Plan for the purpose of Exception 9 of ASX Listing Rule 7.2 at the annual meeting held on November 29, 2011. However, as we propose to amend and restate the Current Plan and may issue more shares under the Plan than the Current Plan Limit, this Proposal seeks to refresh that approval. If stockholders' approval is obtained for the purpose of Exception 9 of ASX Listing Rule 7.2, we will be able to issue securities under the Plan, subject to the evergreen provision, without those securities counting towards our 15% limit on new issues under ASX Listing Rule 7.1 for a three-year period commencing on the date of the annual meeting.

            The voting exclusion statement for this proposal is set out on page 1 of this proxy statement.

            Since the last stockholder approval on November 29, 2011, the following securities have been issued under the Current Plan:

      Scott Boeshart—Options to purchase 2,500 shares of common stock at a per share exercise price of $11.78;

      Paul Wotta—Options to purchase 12,500 shares at a per share exercise price of A$7.40 ($7.57 based on a conversion rate of A$1.00 to $1.0231);

      Mary Beth Kepler—Options to purchase 12,500 shares at a per share exercise price of A$7.40 ($7.57 based on a conversion rate of A$1.00 to $1.0231);

      Patrick Miller—Options to purchase 2,500 shares at a per share exercise price of A$7.40 ($7.57 based on a conversion rate of A$1.00 to $1.0231); and

      Ann Ivey—Options to purchase 1,875 shares at a per share exercise price of A$7.40 ($7.57 based on a conversion rate of A$1.00 to $1.0231).


    Description of the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan

            The major features of the Plan are summarized below. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, which is attached to this proxy statement asAppendix A. All references to share amounts in the description that follows and inAppendix A reflect the 1-for-200 reverse split of our common stock that was effective on January 27, 2012.

    General

            The purpose of the Plan is to provide incentives to selected employees and other eligible persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the company. Awards under the Plan may be in the form of stock options, SARs, performance stock awards, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance cash awards and other stock awards. The Plan will continue in effect until terminated or suspended by our board, but incentive stock options may not be granted more than 10 years after the effective date of the Plan.

            The closing sale price of a share of our common stock on July 20, 2012 on the Nasdaq Stock Market was $10.14 per share.

    Administration

            The Plan is administered by our board, which may delegate some or all of its administrative authority and responsibilities to a committee of one or more directors. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the board has the authority to, among other things, determine which of the persons eligible under the Plan will be granted awards, determine when and how each award will be granted, determine the


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    number and type of awards to be granted, determine the provisions of each award granted, accelerate the time of exercisability and vesting of awards, interpret the Plan and awards under the Plan, and establish and modify rules for the administration of the Plan.

            The Plan specifically provides that, subject to the listing rules of the ASX for so long as our common stock is listed on that exchange, the board may reprice outstanding options or SARs, including by reducing the applicable exercise price, canceling the option or SAR and granting in exchange replacement options or SARs having a lower exercise price or other forms of awards, or repurchasing the options or SARs.

    Share Reserve and Limitations

            The aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Current Plan is a total of 900,000 shares plus any shares underlying option awards under the Prior Plan that expire or are terminated or forfeited during the term of the Current Plan. Pursuant the Plan as amended and restated, the number of shares that may be issued under the Plan would increase to 1,800,000 shares of our common stock. The number of shares that could be issued under the Plan also would adjust each year pursuant to the "evergreen provision," such that the shares available under the Plan would adjust on January 1 of each year beginning January 1, 2013 and ending on and including January 1, 2017. The amount as adjusted each year will equal (1) 13% of the fully diluted shares of our common stock deemed outstanding on the immediately preceding December 31, reduced by (2) the number of our common shares issuable upon the exercise of options then outstanding under our Prior Plan, unless our board has determined that that the increase will involve a lesser number of shares (or no shares). For these purposes, the number of fully diluted shares of our common stock deemed outstanding on any date is equal to the number of our common shares (i) outstanding and (ii) issuable upon exercise, conversion or settlement of outstanding awards under the Plan and any other outstanding options, warrants or other securities that are (directly or indirectly) convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for shares of our common stock, in each as of the close of business of the company on such date.

            The aggregate maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options is currently 900,000 shares. As amended and restated, the aggregate maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options granted under the Plan must not exceed 1,800,000 shares and the maximum number of shares that may be the subject of any type of stock awards granted to any participant in a calendar year must not exceed 500,000.

            If an award expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such award having been issued, or if the award is settled in cash, such expiration, termination or settlement will not reduce (or otherwise offset) the number of shares that may be available for issue under the Plan. Similarly, if any shares issued pursuant to an award are forfeited back to our company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the participant, then the shares that are forfeited will revert to and again become available for issue under the Plan.

            Any shares tendered by a participant or withheld by us in payment of any option exercise price or in satisfaction of any tax withholding obligation with respect to an award will again become available for subsequent issuance under the Plan. Similarly, if an SAR is settled in shares, then the number of shares subject to the SAR that are not delivered to the participant in settlement of the award will remain available for subsequent issuance under the Plan.

    Eligible Participants

            Our employees and certain consultants are eligible to receive awards under the Plan. However, incentive stock options may be granted only to our employees. As of June 30, 2012, we had


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    approximately 22 full-time employees eligible to participate in the Plan, and four consultants participating in the Plan. From among the individuals eligible to participate in the Plan, the board may make awards those individuals whose performance, in the judgment of the board, can have a significant effect on our success.

    Awards

            Pursuant to the Plan, we may grant an eligible person stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock awards, performance cash awards, and other stock awards. Other than as expressly set out in the Plan or as permitted under applicable stock exchange rules, a stock award does not give a participant any right to vote, receive dividends or participate in any new issue of our shares. A stock award does not grant a participant any other rights as a stockholder of our company until such time as the participant has satisfied all requirements for the exercise of the award and (if applicable) the issuance of shares subject to the award has been entered into the books and records of our company. The following is a summary of awards that can be granted under the Plan:

      Stock Options.  Stock options permit the holder to purchase a specified number of shares of our common stock at a set price. Options granted under the Plan may be either incentive or nonstatutory stock options. The term of each option granted under the Plan will be 10 years from the date of grant or such shorter period as specified in the award agreement. If the option is not exercised within the specified period, the option will terminate. The exercise price of options granted under the Plan may be no less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares subject to the option on the date the option is granted, unless an option is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option pursuant to a corporate transaction. The total number of shares subject to an option may vest and become exercisable in periodic installments. If the aggregate fair market value (as determined at the time of grant) of shares with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by any optionholder during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, the options that exceed such limit will be treated as nonstatutory stock options. Our board may further determine the terms and conditions of options granted under the Plan, including the exercise price and vesting and exercisability terms.

      Stock Appreciation Rights.  SARs provide for payment to the holder of all or a portion of the excess of the fair market value of a specified number of shares of our common stock on the date of exercise over the specified exercise price for those shares. The term of each SAR granted under the Plan will be 10 years from the date of grant or such shorter period as specified in the award agreement. If the SAR is not exercised within the specified period, the SAR will terminate. The exercise price of each SAR may be no less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares subject to SAR on the date SAR is granted, unless the SAR is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another SAR pursuant to a corporate transaction. The total number of shares subject to a SAR may vest and become exercisable in periodic installments. SAR awards may be subject to other terms and conditions as deemed appropriate by our board, including vesting and exercisability terms.

      Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.  Shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units will be subject to such restrictions as our board, which may include performance-based vesting, time-based vesting or both. Prior to vesting, our board may require that any stock certificates evidencing restricted shares be held by us. With respect to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, our board may credit dividend equivalents to the shares subject to the award.

      Performance Awards.  Performance awards under the Plan may be performance stock awards or performance cash awards. A performance stock award is a stock award that may vest or may be

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        exercised contingent upon the attainment of certain goals during a performance period and may require the completion of a specified period of continuous service as determined by our board. A performance cash award is a cash award, the payment of which may be contingent upon the attainment of certain performance goals during a performance period, and may also require the completion of a specified period of continuous service as determined by our board. The maximum value of performance cash awards that may be granted to any participant during any calendar year may not exceed $2,000,000. Our board may specify the form of payment of performance awards, which may be shares or cash for performance share awards and cash or other property for performance cash awards.

      Other Stock Awards.  Other forms of stock awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based upon, shares of our common stock may be granted under the Plan at the sole discretion of our board, with such terms and conditions as the board may prescribe.

    Performance-Based Compensation

            If an award other than an option or SAR award is intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m), the vesting of the award will be based on the achievement of one or more performance goals established in writing by the board in accordance with Code Section 162(m) and the applicable regulations. Such performance goals shall be based upon one, or any combination of two or more of, the following performance criteria: (i) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (ii) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (iii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (iv) total stockholder return; (v) return on equity or average stockholder's equity; (vi) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (vii) stock price; (viii) margin (including gross margin); (ix) income (before or after taxes); (x) operating income; (xi) operating income after taxes; (xii) pre-tax profit; (xiii) operating cash flow; (xiv) sales or revenue targets; (xv) increases in revenue or product revenue; (xvi) expenses and cost reduction goals; (xvii) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (xiii) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (xix) market share; (xx) cash flow; (xxi) cash flow per share; (xxii) share price performance; (xxiii) debt reduction; (xxiv) implementation or completion of projects or processes; (xxv) customer satisfaction; (xxvi) stockholders' equity; (xxvii) capital expenditures; (xxiii) debt levels; (xxix) operating profit or net operating profit; (xxx) workforce diversity; (xxxi) growth of net income or operating income; or (xxxii) billings. Performance goals may be based on a company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices.

            Unless otherwise specified by the board in an award agreement or in another document at the time performance goals are established, the board will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of performance goals for a performance period by: (i) excluding restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (ii) excluding exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated performance goals; (iii) excluding the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (iv) excluding the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; and (v) excluding the effects of any "extraordinary items" as determined under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the board retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation due upon attainment of performance goals and to define the manner of calculating the performance criteria it selects to use for nay performance period.

            Approval of the Plan at the annual meeting of stockholders will be deemed to include, among other things, approval of the eligibility of executive officers and other employees to participate in the Plan, the performance criteria upon which awards intended to be "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m) may be made, and the qualification of options and SARs granted under the Plan as "performance-based compensation" for purposes of Code Section 162(m).


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    Transferability

            The Plan provides that options and SARs may be transferred only upon a participant's death by will, beneficiary designation or the laws of descent and distribution, or during a participant's lifetime pursuant to a domestic relations order, unless the board provides otherwise in connection with such awards. The transferability of other forms of awards will be as provided by the board in connection with such awards.

    Termination of Service

            Unless otherwise provided in a participant's award or other agreement, the effect of the termination of a participant's service with our company on the participant's option, SAR and restricted stock unit awards shall be as described in this paragraph. Upon termination of a participant's service with our company for cause, all option or SAR awards will terminate on the date of such participant's termination of service and the participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her option or SAR from and after the time of such termination. If a participant's service with our company terminates as a result of the participant's disability, then the participant may exercise his or her option or SAR, to the extent he or she was entitled to exercise such award as of the date of termination, until the earlier of the date 12 months following such termination or the expiration of the term of the option or SAR. If a participant's service with our company terminates as a result of the participant's death, then an option or SAR may be exercised to the extent the participant was entitled to exercise such award as of the date of death until the earlier of 18 months following the date of death or the expiration of the term of the option or SAR. If a participant's service with our company terminates for any reason other than cause, death or disability, then the participant may exercise his or her option or SAR, to the extent he or she was entitled to exercise such award as of the date of termination, until the earlier of three months following the date of termination of service or the expiration of the term of the option or SAR. Upon termination of a participant's services with our company, except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, the unvested portion of a restricted stock unit award will be forfeited by the participant. The effect of the termination of a participant's service with our company on the participant's awards other than options, SARs, and restricted stock units shall be as prescribed in the applicable award agreement.

    Changes in Capitalization

            If any change in our corporate or capital structure that affects the shares of our common stock or the value thereof occur, such as stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares, mergers, recapitalizations or similar transactions, appropriate and proportionate adjustments will be made to (i) the class of shares issuable and the maximum number and kind of shares subject to the Plan, (ii) outstanding awards as to the class and number of shares and exercise price per share, and (iii) award limitations prescribed by the Plan.

    Change in Control; Corporate Transaction

            Unless otherwise provided by the board in an award agreement or otherwise, in the event of a corporate transaction (as defined below), the board will take one or more of the following actions, conditioned upon the completion of the corporate transaction:

      arrange for the acquiring corporation to assume or continue the stock award (or substitute a similar stock award);

      arrange for the assignment to the acquiring corporation, or for the lapse of, any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by our company in respect of shares issued pursuant to the stock award;

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      accelerate the vesting of the stock award to a date prior to the effective time of such corporate transaction as determined by our board, with an unexercised award terminating at the effective time of the corporate transaction;

      cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the stock award to the extent not vested or exercised prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction in exchange for such cash consideration as the board deems appropriate; or

      make a payment, in such form as determined by our board, equal to the excess (if any) of the value of the property the participant would have received on the exercise of the stock award over any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.

            For these purposes, a "corporate transaction" generally involves (i) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, (ii) the sale or disposition of at least 90% of the voting power of our outstanding securities, or (iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are not the surviving corporation or we are the surviving corporation but our shares of common stock are converted or exchanged into other property.

            If a change in control (as defined below) occurs, a stock award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability as provided in the relevant award agreement or in any other written agreement with the participant. For these purposes, a "change in control" generally involves (i) a person or group becoming the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding securities, (ii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving our company in which our pre-transaction stockholders do not own more than 50% of the voting power of the securities of the surviving corporation or its parent, (iii) our stockholders approve a complete liquidation or dissolution of our company, (iv) all or substantially all of our assets are sold or disposed of, or (v) a majority of the members of our board are replaced under specified circumstances.

            Unless otherwise provided in an award agreement, if our company is dissolved or liquidated, all outstanding stock awards will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares subject to our company's repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by our company. The board may, however, accelerate the vesting and exercisability of some or all stock awards before the dissolution or liquidation, contingent on its completion.

    Amendment and Termination

            Our board has the authority to suspend, amend or terminate the Plan. No suspension, amendment or termination of the Plan may impair any rights under awards already granted to a participant under the Plan unless agreed to by the affected participant or, in the case of an amendment, is necessary to maintain compliance with applicable law or stock exchange rules. Our board will obtain stockholder approval of any amendment to the Plan as required by applicable law or stock exchange requirements.


    Federal Income Tax Consequences

            The following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences to the company and to participants subject to U.S. taxation with respect to awards granted under the Plan. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not discuss the income tax laws of any city, state or foreign jurisdiction in which a participant may reside.

    Nonstatutory Stock Options

            No taxable income is reportable when a nonstautory stock option with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant is granted to a participant. Upon exercise, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair


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    market value (on the exercise date) of the shares purchased over the exercise price of the option. Any taxable income recognized in connection with an option exercise by an employee of the companyCompany. Following Scott Erb’s departure from the Company, the Company paid $15,010 in 2017 to Infinitum Analytics, LLC, of which Scott Erb is subjectowner/principal, for consulting services.

    In January 2019, we entered into a consulting agreement with Steven Brandt, one of our non-employee directors, pursuant to tax withholding by the company. Any additional gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of the shares would be capital gain or loss.

    Incentive Stock Options

            No taxable income is reportable whenwhich Mr. Brandt provided services, on an incentive stock option is granted or exercised (except for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, in which case taxation is the same as for nonqualified stock options). If a participant exercises the option and then later sells or otherwise disposes of the shares more than two years after the grant date and more than one year after the exercise date, the difference between the sale price and the exercise price will be taxed as capital gain or loss. If a participant exercises the option and then later sells or otherwise disposes of the shares before the end of the two- or one-year holding periods described above, he or she generally will have ordinary income at the time of the sale equalinterim basis, until May 31, 2019, to the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date (or the sale price, if less) minus the exercise price of the option.

    Stock Appreciation Rights

            No taxable income is reportable when a SAR with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying share on the date of grant is granted to a participant. Upon exercise, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the amount of cash received and the fair market value of any shares received. Any additional gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of the shares would be capital gain or loss.

    Restricted Stock

            Unless a participant files an election to be taxed under Section 83(b) of the Code, the participant will not realize income upon the grant of restricted stock. The participant will realize ordinary income when the shares of restricted stock no longer are subject to forfeiture, and the amount of such ordinary income and deduction will be the fair market value of the shares on the date they no longer are subject to forfeiture. If the recipient files an election to be taxed under Section 83(b) of the Code, the tax consequences to the participant will be determined as of the date the restricted stock is granted rather than as of the date the shares no longer are subject to forfeiture.

            When a participant disposes of restricted stock, the difference between the amount received upon disposition and the fair market value of the shares on the date the recipient realizes ordinary income will be treated as a capital gain or loss. The capital gain (or loss) is considered "long term" or "short term" depending on how long the participant has held such stock after the date the shares no longer are subject to forfeiture, or, if an election under Section 83(b) is filed, after the date the restricted stock is granted.

    Restricted Stock Units

            A participant normally will not recognize taxable income upon an award of restricted stock units, but will generally recognize ordinary income at the time payment of the award is made in an amount equal to the amount paid in cash or the then-current fair market value of the shares received, as applicable.

    Other Awards

            The current federal income tax consequences of other awards authorizedsupport our commercial strategy under the Plan generally follow certain basic patterns. A performance award involving shares subject to a substantial riskdirection of forfeiture results in income recognition by a participant in an amount equal to the fair market value of


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    the shares received at the time the restrictions lapse and the shares vest, unless the participant elects under Section 83(b) of the Code to accelerate income recognition and the taxability of the award to the date of grant. A performance award or other stock award involving stock units or phantom shares or denominated in cash generally results in income recognition by a participant at the time payment of such an award is made in an amount equal to the amount paid in cash or the then-current fair market value of the shares received, as applicable.

    Tax Effect for the Company

            The company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in connection with an award under the Plan in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by a participant and at the time the participant recognizes such income (for example, upon the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option). Special rules may limit the deductibility of compensation paid to our chief executive officer and other "covered employees" as determined under Code Section 162(m) and applicable guidance.officer. Mr. Brandt was paid a fee of $19,000 per month, for a total of $76,000 for his services. Mr. Brandt also received $2,453 for reimbursement of expenses.

    Section 162(m) of the CodeAUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

            Section 162(m) of the Code denies a deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to certain "covered employees" in a taxable year to the extent that compensation to the covered employee exceeds $1,000,000, unless, among other exceptions, the compensation qualifies as "performance-based compensation." The Plan is intended to meet the requirements of Section 162(m), but awards other than options and SARs granted under the Plan will only be treated as qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) if the awards and the procedures associated with them comply with all other requirements of Section 162(m), including that the maximum amount of compensation a covered employee may receive is based on the satisfaction of objective, pre-established performance goals.

    Section 409A of the Code

            The foregoing discussion of tax consequences of awards under the Plan assumes that the award discussed is either not considered a "deferred compensation arrangement" subject to Section 409A of the Code, or has been structured to comply with its requirements. If an award is considered a deferred compensation arrangement subject to Section 409A but fails to comply, in operation or form, with the requirements of Section 409A, the affected participant would generally be required to include in income when the award vests the amount deemed "deferred," would be required to pay an additional 20% income tax, and would be required to pay interest on the tax that would have been paid but for the deferral.


    Future Plan Awards

            The amount and timing of awards granted under the Plan are determined in the discretion of the board or the committee and, therefore, cannot be determined in advance. Future awards that may be received under the Plan by executive officers, directors and other employees are not determinable at this time.


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    Equity Compensation Plan Information

            The following table provides information as of December 31, 2011 with respect to our equity compensation plans, which include the Plan:

    Plan Category
     Number of Securities
    to be Issued Upon
    Exercise of
    Outstanding Options,
    Warrants and Rights
     Weighted-Average
    Exercise Price of
    Outstanding Options,
    Warrants and Rights
     Number of Securities
    Remaining Available for
    Future Issuance Under
    Equity Compensation
    Plans (Excluding
    Securities Reflected in
    Column (a))
     
     
     (a)
     (b)
     (c)
     

    Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

      887,425 $10.67  132,431 

    Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

        n/a   
            

    Total

      887,425  10.67  132,431 
            

    Our board of directors recommends a vote FOR approval of the Plan.


    PROPOSAL 5—RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

    Audit Committee Report

    The primary function of our audit committeeAudit Committee is oversight of our financial reporting process, publicly filed financial reports, internal accounting andcontrol over financial controls,reporting, and the independent audit of theour consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements of Sunshine Heart, Inc.the Company for the year ended December 31, 20112019 were audited by Ernst & Young LLP,Baker Tilly, the Company’s independent auditor for the company.registered public accounting firm.

    As part of its activities, the audit committeeAudit Committee has:

      1.
      Reviewed
      reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements with management and the independent auditorregistered public accounting firm;
      discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) and the SEC;
      assessed the company's audited financial statements;

      2.
      Discussed withpermissibility of, and pre-approved all audit, audit-related and non-audit services provided by the independent auditor the matters required to be communicated underStatement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (Communications with Audit Committees);registered public accounting firm; and

      3.
      Received
    received the written disclosures and letter from the independent auditorregistered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight BoardPCAOB regarding the independent auditor'sregistered public accounting firm’s communications with the audit committeeAudit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent auditorregistered public accounting firm the independent auditor'sregistered public accounting firm’s independence.

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    Management is responsible for the company'sCompany’s system of internal controls and financial reporting process. Ernst & Young LLPprocesses. Baker Tilly is responsible for performing an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight BoardPCAOB and for issuing a report thereon. Our committee'sThe Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes. We are a “smaller reporting company” and exempt from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. As a result, Baker Tilly does not issue a report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

    Based on the foregoing review and discussions and a review of the report of Ernst & Young LLPBaker Tilly with respect to the consolidated financial statements, and relying thereon, we havethe Audit Committee has recommended to the board of directors of Sunshine Heart, Inc.Board the inclusion of the audited


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    consolidated financial statements in Sunshine Heart, Inc.'s Annual Reportthe Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011,2019, for filing with the SEC.

    Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Sunshine Heart,CHF Solutions, Inc.

    Gregory D. Waller,ChairpersonChairman
    Steve Brandt
    Donal O'Dwyer
    Nicholas Callinan
    Warren S. Watson

    AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS


    Auditor Fees

    Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

            Ernst & Young LLP served as our independent auditor for our two most recently completed fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011. The following table presents fees for professional audit services for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements for those fiscal years, as well as fees for review of our interim consolidated financial statements for those fiscal years and for all other services performed those fiscal years by Ernst & Young LLP.

     
     FY Ended 12/31/11 FY Ended 6/30/11 

    Audit Fees(1)

     $317,500 $125,574 

    Audit-Related Fees

         

    Tax Fees(2)

      24,595  75,602 

    All Other Fees

         
          

    Total

     $342,095 $201,176 
          

    (1)
    Fees for audit services relating to our fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 totaled $125,574, including fees associated with the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 audit and half yearly report ended December 31, 2010, which were filed with the ASX. Fees for audit services relating to our fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 totaled $317,500, including fees associated with (i) the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 audits and review of quarterly financial statements included in our Form 10 filed with the SEC and (ii) the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 audit (Form 10-K) and review of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

    (2)
    Fees for tax services consist of the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years presented for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. Such fees primarily related to federal and state tax compliance and planning.


    Auditor Services Pre-Approval Policy

            The audit committeeAudit Committee has adopted an auditor services pre-approval policy applicable to services performed for usthe Company by ourits independent auditor.registered public accounting firm. In accordance with this policy, the audit committee'sAudit Committee’s practice is to approveassess the permissibility of and pre-approve all auditing servicesaudit, audit-related and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditorregistered public accounting firm during the year. The committeeAudit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permittedpermissible audit-related and non-audit services. Any pre-approvals granted pursuant to delegated authority must be reported to the audit committee at its next regular meeting.

            Our audit committeeThe Audit Committee has determined that the provision of the non-audit services described in the table abovebelow was compatible with maintaining the independence of our independent auditor.registered public accounting firm. The audit committeeAudit Committee reviews each non-audit service to be provided and assesses the impact of the service on the auditor'sauditor’s independence.

    Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees

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            The audit committee of our board of directors has selected Ernst & Young LLP to serveBaker Tilly served as our independent auditorregistered public accounting firm for the year endingyears ended December 31, 2012. While it is not required2019 and December 31, 2018. The following table sets forth the fees we incurred for audit and other services provided by Baker Tilly in 2019 and 2018. All of such services described below were pre-approved in conformity with the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described above.

     
    2019($)
    2018($)
    Audit Fees(1)
     
    182,082
     
     
    178,850
     
    Audit-Related Fees(2)
     
    125,700
     
     
    62,900
     
    Tax Fees(3)(4)
     
    27,112
     
     
    36,708
     
    All Other Fees
     
     
     
     
    Total
     
    334,895
     
     
    278,458
     
    (1)Audit fees in 2019 and 2018 consisted of fees relating to the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and the review of interim condensed consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
    (2)Audit-Related Fees consisted of fees relating to the review of the Company’s registration statements and the completion of comfort letter procedures associated with the Company’s securities offerings.
    (3)Tax fees in 2019 and 2018 consisted of fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services. Such fees primarily related to federal and state tax compliance and planning.
    (4)Includes fees in the amount of $9,037 and $18,438 that were paid in 2019 and 2018, respectively, to affiliates of Baker Tilly for tax services outside of the U.S.

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    PROPOSAL 2 – ADVISORY APPROVAL OF INDEPENDENT
    REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2020

    In accordance with applicable law, the Audit Committee has ultimate authority and responsibility to do so,select, compensate, evaluate and, when appropriate, replace our board of directors is submittingindependent registered public accounting firm. See “Audit Committee Report” and “Audit Committee Matters” for additional information on Baker Tilly’s services provided to us in 2019.

    As the Audit Committee has responsibility for the selection of Ernst & Young LLP for ratificationour independent registered public accounting firm, your approval of Baker Tilly is not necessary. However, the Audit Committee will take your vote on this proposal into consideration when selecting our independent registered public accounting firm in order to ascertain the views of ourfuture. Even if the stockholders with respect to the choice of audit firm. Ifratify the selection is not ratified,of Baker Tilly, the audit committee will reconsiderAudit Committee may in its selection. sole discretion terminate the engagement of Baker Tilly and direct the appointment of another independent auditor at any time during the year.

    Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present atBaker Tilly will attend the annual meeting, will be available to answer stockholder questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so.so, and will be available to answer appropriate questions from our stockholders.

    Our board of directorsThe Board recommends athat you vote FOR ratificationthe approval, on an advisory basis, of
    Baker Tilly as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2020.

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    PROPOSAL 3 - REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

    The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. On April 6, 2020, the Company had 32,600,118 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and 30,582,351 shares of common stock reserved pursuant to outstanding warrants, options or restricted stock units or reserved for future issuance under the Company’s equity incentive plans.

    The Board has unanimously approved an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse split of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor of Sunshine Heart, Inc. and our subsidiary for the year ending December 31, 2012.


    STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING

            Unless the date of our 2013 annual meeting of stockholders changes by more than 30 days from the date of our 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, in order for a stockholder proposal, including a director nomination, to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders, the written proposal must be received at our principal executive offices on or before March 28, 2013. If the date of our 2013 annual meeting of stockholders is changed by more than 30 days from the date of our 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, then the deadline for a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for our 2013 annual meeting of stockholders will be a reasonableCompany’s common stock any time before we begin to print and send our proxy statement for the 2013 annual meeting. Any proposal should be addressed to Sunshine Heart, Inc., Attention: Chief Financial Officer, 12988 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344. The proposal must comply with SEC regulations regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials.

            In accordance with our bylaws, in order to be properly brought before the 2013 annual meeting, a stockholder's notice of the matter the stockholder wishes to present must be delivered to our principal executive offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the address identified in the preceding paragraph, not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of its approval by the datestockholders at a ratio in the range of this year's annual meeting. As1-for-5 to 1-for-30, to be determined at the discretion of the Board, whereby each outstanding 5 to 30 shares would be combined, converted and changed into 1 share of the Company’s common stock. A copy of the certificate of amendment (the “Certificate of Amendment”) to the Certificate of Incorporation is attached hereto as Appendix A.

    If the Certificate of Amendment is approved by a result,majority of the Company’s stockholders, the Board will have discretion to determine, as it deems to be in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders, the specific ratio to be used within the range described above and the timing of the reverse stock split, which must occur any notice giventime prior to the first anniversary of its approval by or on behalfthe stockholders. The Board believes that stockholder approval of the range of reverse stock split ratios (as opposed to approval of a stockholder pursuantsingle reverse stock split ratio) provides the Board with maximum flexibility to these provisionsachieve the purpose of our bylaws (and not pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the SEC) must be received no earlier than April 11, 2013,a reverse stock split, as discussed below, and no later than May 11, 2013.


    OTHER MATTERS

            We do not know of any other matters that may be presented for consideration at the annual meeting. If any other business does properly come before the meeting, the persons named as proxies above will vote as they deemtherefore is in the best interests of Sunshine Heart, Inc.the Company and its stockholders.

    The Board may, in its discretion, determine not to effect the reverse stock split if it determines, subsequent to obtaining stockholder approval, that such action is not in the best interests of the Company. By voting in favor of the reverse stock split, you are expressly authorizing the Board to determine not to proceed with, and abandon, the reverse stock split if it should so decide.

    The Board has recommended that the proposed Certificate of Amendment to effect the reverse stock split be presented to the Company’s stockholders for approval.

    Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split

    As previously disclosed in a current report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2019, on December 17 , 2019, the Listing Qualifications Staff of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC notified the Company that, based upon the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock for the 30 prior consecutive business days, the Company no longer satisfied the minimum $1.00 closing bid price requirement, as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), and had been provided a 180-day grace period to regain compliance with that requirement, through June 15, 2020.

    The Board is asking the stockholders to grant it the authority, at its discretion, to effect a reverse stock split, which the Board believes is an effective way to increase the minimum bid price of our common stock proportionately and put us in a position to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2).

    The Board believes that maintaining the listing of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Board believes that the delisting of the Company’s common stock from Nasdaq would impair our ability to raise additional funds and result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for the Company’s common stock, among other things. See “Certain Risk Factors Associated with the Reverse Stock Split” below for more information.

    Determination of the Reverse Stock Split Ratio

    In determining the ratio to be used, the Board will consider various factors, including but not limited to, (i) the potential impact and anticipated benefits to the Company and its stockholders, (ii) market conditions and existing and expected market price of the Company’s common stock at such time, (iii) the number of shares that will be outstanding after the reverse stock split, (iv) the stockholders’ equity at such time and (v) the trading volume of the Company’s common stock at such time.

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    GRAPHICImpact of the Reverse Stock Split, if Implemented
    David A. Rosa
    Chief Executive Officer

    Dated: July 27, 2012



    TableIf approved and effected, the reverse stock split will automatically apply to all shares of Contents

    LOCATION OF SUNSHINE HEART, INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

    Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time
    (11:00 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time)
    Faegre Baker Daniels LLP
    2200 Wells Fargo Center
    90 South Seventh Street
    Minneapolis, MN 55402

            Beneficial owners ofthe Company’s common stock, held inand each stockholder will own a reduced number of shares of the form of CDIs or in street name by a broker, bank, trust or other nomineeCompany’s common stock. However, except for adjustments that may need proof of ownership to be admitted to the meeting. A brokerage or holding statement or letterresult from the broker, bank, trust or other nominee are examples of proof of ownership.


    Table of Contents


    INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


    Page

    Sunshine Heart, Inc. and Subsidiary

    Audited Financial Statements

    Consolidated Balance Sheet

    F-2

    Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

    F-3

    Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

    F-4

    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    F-5

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    F-6

    Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    F-18

    Unaudited Financial Statements

    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

    F-19

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

    F-20

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    F-21

    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Unaudited

    F-22


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Consolidated Balance Sheets

    Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts
     Dec 31,
    2011
     Dec 31,
    2010
     

    Current assets

           

    Cash and cash equivalents

     $6,563 $12,350 

    Accounts receivable, net

        247 

    Other current assets

      346  182 
          

    Total current assets

      6,909  12,779 
          

    Property, plant and equipment

      522  120 
          

    TOTAL ASSETS

     $7,431 $12,899 
          

    Current liabilities

           

    Accounts payable

     $1,857 $696 

    Accrued salaries, wages, and other compensation

      978  114 
          

    Total current liabilities

      2,835  810 
          

    Total liabilities

      2,835  810 

    Stockholders' equity

           

    Preferred stock as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, $0.0001 par value per share; authorized 40,000,000 shares

         

    Common stock as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, par value $0.0001 per share; authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 6,019,663 and 5,063,968, respectively

      1  1 

    Additional paid-in capital

      68,652  60,086 

    Accumulated other comprehensive income:

           

    Foreign currency translation adjustment

      1,132  995 

    Accumulated deficit

      (65,189) (48,993)
          

    Total stockholders' equity

      4,596  12,089 
          

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

     $7,431 $12,899 
          

    See notes to the consolidated financial statements


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

     
     Year ended 
    In thousands, except per share amounts
     Dec 31,
    2011
     Dec 31,
    2010
     

    Net sales

     $ $407 

    Operating expenses

           

    Selling, general and administrative

      5,363  2,598 

    Research and development

      11,199  6,229 
          

    Total operating expenses

      16,562  8,827 
          

    Loss from operations

      (16,562) (8,420)

    Interest income

      251  150 
          

    Loss before income taxes

      (16,311) (8,270)
          

    Income tax benefit

      115  (670)
           

    Net loss

     $(16,196)$(7,600)
          

    Basic and diluted loss per share

     $(2.98)$(2.63)

    Weighted average shares outstanding—basic and diluted

      5,442  2,885 

    Other Comprehensive Income

           

    Foreign currency transaction adjustments

     $137 $623 

    Total Comprehensive loss

     
    $

    (16,059

    )

    $

    (6,977

    )

    See notes to the consolidated financial statements


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

    (In thousands)
     Outstanding
    Shares
     Common
    Stock
     Additional
    Paid in
    Capital
     Accumulated
    Other
    Comprehensive
    Income Foreign
    Currency
    Translation
    Adjustment
     Accumulated
    Deficit
     Stockholders'
    Equity
     

    Balance December 31, 2009

      2,696 $ $48,092 $372 $(41,393)$7,071 

    Comprehensive loss:

                       

    Net loss

                  (7,600) (7,600)

    Foreign currency translation adjustment

               623     623 
                       

    Total comprehensive loss

                     (6,977)

    Stock based compensation

            78        78 

    Issuance of common stock, net

      2,368  1  11,916        11,917 
                  

    Balance December 31, 2010

      5,064  1  60,086  995  (48,993) 12,089 

    Comprehensive loss:

                       

    Net loss

                  (16,196) (16,196)

    Foreign currency translation adjustment

               137     137 
                       

    Total comprehensive loss

                     (16,059)

    Stock based compensation

            939        939 

    Issuance of common stock, net

      955     7,627        7,627 
                  

    Balance December 31, 2011

      6,019 $1 $68,652 $1,132 $(65,189)$4,596 
                  

    See notes to the consolidated financial statements


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     
     Year ended 
    (In thousands)
     Dec 31,
    2011
     Dec 31,
    2010
     

    Net loss

     $(16,196)$(7,600)

    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash flows from operating activities:

           

    Depreciation and amortization

      50  32 

    Stock based compensation expense

      939  78 

    Changes in asset and liabilities:

           

    Accounts receivable

      258  (123)

    Other current assets

      (166) (94)

    Accounts payable and accrued expenses

      2,026  496 
          

    Net cash used in operations

      (13,089) (7,210)
          

    Cash flows used in investing activities:

           

    Purchase of property and equipment

      (451) (7)
          

    Net cash used in investing activities

      (451) (7)
          

    Cash flows provided by financing activities:

           

    Net proceeds from the sale of common stock

      7,627  11,917 
          

    Net cash provided by financing activities

      7,627  11,917 
          

    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

      126  623 

    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

      (5,787) 5,322 

    Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period

      12,350  7,028 
          

    Cash and cash equivalents—end of period

     $6,563 $12,350 
          

    See notes to the consolidated financial statements


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 1—Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

            Nature of Business:    Sunshine Heart ("we" or the "Company") was founded in November 1999 and incorporated in Delaware in August 2002. We are headquartered in Eden Prairie, MN and have a wholly owned subsidiary, Sunshine Heart Company Pty Ltd, located in St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia. We are a medical device company developing innovative technologies for cardiac and coronary disease. The Company's primary product, the C-Pulse® Heart Assist System, is an implantable, non-blood contacting, heart assist therapy for the treatment of moderatefractional shares, as described below, or as a result of adjustments to severe heart failurethe conversion prices of certain convertible securities, as described below, the reverse stock split will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership or proportionate voting power.

    Based on the Company’s capitalization as of April 6, 2020, the principal effect of the reverse stock split (at a ratio between 1-for-5 and 1-for-30), not taking into account the treatment of fractional shares described under “–Procedure for Effecting the Reverse Stock Split–Treatment of Fractional Shares” below, would be that:

    the number of shares of the Company’s authorized common stock would remain unchanged at 100,000,000 shares;
    the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding would be reduced from 32,600,118 shares to between approximately 6,520,024 shares and 1,086,671 shares;
    the 40,000,000 shares of the Company’s authorized preferred stock, 30,000 of which can be implanted using a minimally invasive procedure. C-Pulse is designed to relieve are designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, 435 of which are designated as Series F Convertible Preferred Stock and 488,090 of which are designated as Series H Convertible Preferred Stock, would remain unchanged;
    the symptomsnumber of heart failure throughshares of the useCompany’s Series F Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding would remain unchanged, although the conversion price of counter-pulsation technology by enabling anthe 435 outstanding shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock would increase in cardiac output, an increase in coronary blood flow, and a reduction in the heart's pumping load. The Company has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration to conduct a United States feasibility clinical trial with the C-Pulse System. Ournumber of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of such preferred stock would decrease in proportion to the reverse stock split from 1,450,290 shares to between approximately 290,058 shares and 48,343 shares, subject to future adjustment as provided in the formCertificate of CHESS Depositary Interests (CDIs) have been publicly tradedDesignation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock;
    the number of shares of the Company’s Series H Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding would remain unchanged, although the conversion price of the 488,090 outstanding shares of Series H Convertible Preferred Stock would increase and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of such preferred stock would decrease in Australiaproportion to the reverse stock split from 488,090 shares to between approximately 97,618 shares and 48,343 shares, subject to future adjustment as provided in the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series H Convertible Preferred Stock;
    the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants would be reduced from 30,013,058 to between approximately 6,002,612 shares and 1,000,435 shares (and the respective exercise prices of the warrants would increase by a factor equal to the inverse of the split ratio);
    the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and restricted stock units would be reduced from 421,062 to between approximately 84,212 shares and 14,035 shares (and the respective exercise prices of the options would increase by a factor equal to the inverse of the split ratio);
    the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for issuance, in connection with future awards under the Company’s equity incentive plans would be reduced from 148,231 to between approximately 29,646 shares and 4,941 shares, subject to increase on January 1st of each year due to the “evergreen” provisions in the Company’s 2017 Plan and Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan;
    the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that are authorized, but unissued and unreserved, would increase from 34,879,151 to between approximately 86,975,830 shares and 97,829,305 shares; and the par value of the Company’s common stock and preferred stock would remain unchanged at $0.0001 per share, and, as a result, the stated capital attributable to common stock on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) since September 2004.Company’s balance sheet would be reduced proportionately based on the reverse stock split ratio, the additional paid-in capital account would be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced, and the per-share net income or loss and net book value of the Company’s common stock would be restated because there would be fewer shares of common stock outstanding

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    The following table contains approximate information relating to our common stock immediately following the reverse stock split under certain possible exchange ratios, based on share information as of April 6, 2020. All share numbers are rounded down to the nearest whole share.

     
    Pre-Reverse
    Split
    1-for-5
    1-for-10
    1-for-20
    1-for-30
    Number of authorized shares of
    common stock
     
    100,000,000
     
     
    100,000,000
     
     
    100,000,000
     
     
    100,000,000
     
     
    100,000,000
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Number of outstanding shares of
    common stock
     
    32,600,118
     
     
    6,520,024
     
     
    3,260,012
     
     
    1,630,006
     
     
    1,086,671
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Number of authorized shares of
    preferred stock
     
    40,000,000
     
     
    40,000,000
     
     
    40,000,000
     
     
    40,000,000
     
     
    40,000,000
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of preferred stock(1)
     
    1,938,380
     
     
    387,676
     
     
    193,838
     
     
    96,919
     
     
    64,613
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, restricted stock units
    and warrants
     
    30,434,120
     
     
    6,086,824
     
     
    3,043,412
     
     
    1,521,706
     
     
    1,014,471
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance in connection with future awards under the Company’s equity incentive plans(2)
     
    148,231
     
     
    29,646
     
     
    14,823
     
     
    7,412
     
     
    4,941
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Number of shares of common stock authorized, but unissued
    and unreserved(3)
     
    34,879,151
     
     
    86,975,830
     
     
    93,487,915
     
     
    96,743,958
     
     
    97,829,305
     
    (1)The number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock will change as a result of adjustments to the conversion price of such shares pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock. Specifically, if, at any time while shares of such series are outstanding, the Company sells or grants any option to purchase or sells or grants any right to reprice, or otherwise disposes of or issues any common stock or its equivalents entitling any person to acquire shares of common stock at an effective price per share that is lower than the then price of conversion (other than in connection with certain exempt issuances as set forth in the certificate of designation for such series), then the price of conversion shall be reduced to such lower price.
    (2)The shares reserved for future issuance under the Company’s 2017 Plan and Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan are subject to increase on January 1 st of each year due to the “evergreen” provisions in such plans.
    (3)The number of authorized, but unissued and unreserved shares of common stock will increase or decrease in connection with any adjustments to the conversion price of the Company’s outstanding Series F Convertible Preferred Stock as described in note (1) above.

    See also “Certain Risk Factors Associated with the Reverse Stock Split or Nasdaq Delisting” and “—Procedure for Effecting the Reverse Stock Split—Treatment of Fractional Shares” below for additional information regarding the potential impact of the reverse stock split.

            Going Concern:Anti-Takeover and Dilutive Effects

    The Company's financial statements have been preparednumber of authorized shares of our common stock and presented on a basis assuming it continuespreferred stock will not be diluted as a going concern.result of the reverse stock split. The common stock and preferred stock that is authorized but unissued provide the Board with flexibility to effect, among other transactions, public or private financings, acquisitions, stock dividends, stock splits and the granting of equity incentive awards. However, these authorized but unissued shares may also be used by the Board, consistent with and subject to its fiduciary duties, to deter future attempts to gain control of us or make such actions more expensive and less desirable. The Certificate of Amendment would continue to

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    give our Board authority to issue additional shares from time to time without delay or further action by the stockholders except as may be required by applicable law or regulations. The Certificate of Amendment is not being recommended in response to any specific effort of which we are aware to obtain control of us, nor does our Board have any present intent to use the authorized but unissued common stock or preferred stock to impede a takeover attempt.

            DuringExcept for the years endedCompany’s obligation to issue common stock upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants or the conversion of our outstanding shares of preferred stock, we have no specific plan, commitment, arrangement, understanding or agreement, either oral or written, regarding the issuance of common stock subsequent to the reverse stock split at this time, and we have not allocated any specific portion of the authorized number of shares to any particular purpose.

    Certain Risk Factors Associated with the Reverse Stock Split or Nasdaq Delisting

    A reverse stock split may negatively impact the market for our common stock.

    Factors such as our financial results, market conditions and the market perception of our business may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As a result, there can be no assurance that the total market capitalization of our common stock after the proposed reverse stock split will be equal to or greater than the total market capitalization before the proposed reverse stock split or that the per share market price of our common stock following the reverse stock split will increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of common stock outstanding before the reverse stock split. A decline in the market price of our common stock after the reverse stock split may result in a greater percentage decline than would occur in the absence of a reverse stock split, and the liquidity of our common stock could be adversely affected following such a reverse stock split.

    In addition, the reverse stock split may increase the number of stockholders who own odd lots (less than 100 shares). Any stockholder who owns fewer than 500 to 3,000 shares of common stock, depending on the final ratio, prior to the reverse stock split will own fewer than 100 shares of common stock following the reverse stock split. Stockholders who hold odd lots typically experience an increase in the cost of selling their shares and may have greater difficulty in effecting sales. Furthermore, some stockholders may cease being stockholders of the Company following the reverse stock split. Any stockholder who owns fewer than 5 to 30 shares of common stock, depending on the final ratio, prior to the reverse stock split will own less than one share of common stock following the reverse stock split and therefore such stockholder will receive cash equal to the market value of such fractional share and cease being a stockholder of the Company, as further described below under “–Procedure for Effecting the Reverse Stock Split–Treatment of Fractional Shares”.

    Furthermore, there can also be no assurance that the minimum bid price per share of our common stock would remain in excess of $1.00 following the reverse stock split for a sustained period of time, if at all.

    Nasdaq may delist our common stock from its exchange which could limit your ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.

    On December 17, 2019, we received a letter (the “Notice”) from Nasdaq advising that for 30 consecutive trading days preceding the date of the Notice, the bid price of our common stock had closed below the $1.00 per share minimum required for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”). The Notice has no effect on the listing of our common stock at this time, and our common stock continues to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CHFS.” Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), if during the 180 calendar day period following the date of the Notice (the “Compliance Period”), the closing bid price of our common stock is at or above $1.00 for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, we will regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement and our common stock will continue to be eligible for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, absent noncompliance with any other requirement for continued listing. If we do not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by the end of the Compliance Period (or the Compliance Period as may be extended) the Company’s common stock will be subject to delisting. We intend to monitor the closing bid price of our common stock and may, if appropriate, consider implementing available options to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement under the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

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    On January 2, 2019, we effected a 1-for-14 reverse split of our outstanding common stock. This reverse stock split did not change the par value of our common stock or the number of common or preferred shares authorized by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation.

    Additionally, Nasdaq has the authority, pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(l), to delist our common stock if our stockholders’ equity falls below $2.5 million. As of December 31, 20112019, our stockholders’ equity was $2.0 million, which is below Nasdaq’s stockholders’ equity requirement. Subsequent to year end, on January 28, 2020, we closed on an underwritten public offering for net proceeds of approximately $8.6 million, and 2010,on March 23, 2020, we closed a registered direct offering for net proceeds of approximately $1.1 million. As of the date of this annual report, we believe that the Company incurredhas regained compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum stockholders’ equity requirements as result of our underwritten public offering that was consummated on January 28, 2020 and our registered direct offering that was consummated on March 23, 2020. We expect that Nasdaq will continue to monitor the Company’s ongoing compliance with the stockholders’ equity. It is possible that our stockholders’ equity could be reduced again below $2.5 million as a result of operating losses from operations and net cash outflows from operating activities as disclosed in the consolidated statements of operations and cash flows, respectively. At December 31, 2011,or other reasons. If that occurs, or if we had an accumulated deficit of $65.2 million and we expectare unable to incur losses for the foreseeable future. To date, we have been funded by private and public equity financings. Although we believedemonstrate to Nasdaq’s satisfaction that we will be able to successfully fundsustain compliance with this requirement, Nasdaq may delist our operations, therecommon stock. In addition, even if we regain technical compliance with the stockholders’ equity requirement, we will have to continue to meet other objective and subjective listing requirements to continue to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We are actively monitoring our stockholders’ equity and will consider any and all options available to us to maintain compliance. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to do so ormaintain compliance and meet Nasdaq’s minimum stockholders’ equity requirements.

    If our common stock is delisted, our common stock would likely then trade only in the over-the-counter market. If our common stock were to trade on the over-the-counter market, selling our common stock could be more difficult because smaller quantities of shares would likely be bought and sold, transactions could be delayed, and we could face significant material adverse consequences, including: a limited availability of market quotations for our securities; reduced liquidity with respect to our securities; a determination that weour shares are a “penny stock,” which will ever operate profitably.

            The Company'srequire brokers trading in our securities to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities; a reduced amount of news and analyst coverage for our Company; and a decreased ability to continue as a going concern is dependent onissue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the Company'sfuture. These factors could result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for our common stock and would substantially impair our ability to raise additional capital basedfunds and could result in a loss of institutional investor interest and fewer development opportunities for us.

    In addition to the foregoing, if our common stock is delisted from Nasdaq and it trades on the achievementover-the-counter market, the application of existing milestonesthe “penny stock” rules could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and increase the transaction costs to sell those shares. The SEC has adopted regulations which generally define a “penny stock” as an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to specific exemptions. If our common stock is delisted from Nasdaq and when required. Shouldit trades on the over-the-counter market at a price of less than $5.00 per share, our common stock would be considered a penny stock. The SEC’s penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, before a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer must also provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and the salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. In addition, the penny stock rules generally require that before a transaction in a penny stock occurs, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s agreement to the transaction. If applicable in the future, capital raisingthese rules may restrict the ability of brokers-dealers to sell our common stock and may affect the ability of investors to sell their shares, until our common stock is no longer considered a penny stock.

    A reverse stock split would increase our number of authorized but unissued shares of stock, which could negatively impact a potential investor if they purchased our common stock.

    Because the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock will not be successful,reduced proportionately, the reverse stock split, like the three reverse stock splits previously implemented by us, will increase the Board’s ability to issue authorized and unissued shares without further stockholder action. Without taking into account the impact of the proposed reverse stock split, the Company already has a substantial number of authorized but

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    unissued shares of stock. The issuance of additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into common stock may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and relative voting power and may cause a decline in the trading price of our common stock. We could use the shares that are available for future issuance in dilutive equity financing transactions, or to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or delay or prevent changes in control or changes in or removal of management, including transactions that are favored by a majority of the stockholders or in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then-current market prices or benefit in some other manner. We plan to seek additional financing in 2020. Other than the foregoing, we have no existing plans to issue any of the authorized, but unissued and unreserved shares, whether available as a result of the proposed reverse stock split or otherwise.

    We believe that we will need to raise additional capital to fund our operations into third quarter 2020. If additional capital is not available, we will have to delay, reduce or cease operations.

    We believe that we will need to raise additional capital to fund our operations into third quarter 2020. Changing circumstances may cause us to consume capital significantly faster than we currently anticipate and could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital. Additional financing may not be available when we need

    it or may not be available on terms that are favorable to us. In addition, the risk that we may not be able to continue as a going concern. Furthermore, the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is subject to the ability of the Company to develop and successfully commercialize the product being developed. If the Company is unablemay make it more difficult to obtain suchnecessary additional funding on terms favorable to us, or at all. If we raise additional funding through the issuance of an amountequity securities, our stockholders may suffer dilution and timing necessary to meet its future operational plans, or to successfully commercialize its intellectual property, the Company may be unable to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company not continue as a going concern.

            Basis of Presentation:    The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sunshine Heart, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sunshine Heart Company Pty Ltd. (collectively, "Sunshine Heart" or the "Company"). All inter-company accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated.

            Use of Estimates:    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 1—Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

            Fair Value of Financial Instruments:    Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. We believe that the carrying amounts of the financial instruments approximate their respective current fair values due to their relatively short maturities.

            Pursuant to the requirements of the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB Codification, the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

    Level 1:    Financial instruments with unadjusted quoted prices listed on active market exchanges.

    Level 2:    Financial instruments lacking unadjusted, quoted prices from active market exchanges, including over the counter traded financial instruments. The prices for the financial instruments are determined using prices for recently traded financial instruments with similar underlying terms as well as directly or indirectly observable inputs, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

    Level 3:    Financial instruments that are not actively traded on a market exchange. This category includes situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the financial instrument. The prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs or valuation techniques.

            All cash and cash equivalents are considered Level 1 measurements for all periods presented. We do not have any financial instruments classified as Level 2 or Level 3 and there were no movements between these categories.

            Cash and Cash Equivalents:    Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash, money market funds and term deposits with original maturities of three months or less. The carrying value of these instruments approximates fair value. The balances, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses on our cash and cash equivalents.

            Accounts Receivable:    Accounts receivable are unsecured, are recorded at net realizable value, and do not bear interest. We make judgments as to our ability to collect outstanding receivables based upon significant patterns of uncollectiblity, historical experience,use our net operating losses to offset future income may be limited. If we raise additional funding through debt financing, we may be required to accept terms that restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, require us to use our cash to make payments under such indebtedness, force us to maintain specified liquidity or other ratios or restrict our ability to pay dividends or make acquisitions. If we are unable to secure additional funding, our development programs and managements' evaluation of specific accounts and will provide an allowance for credit losses when collection becomes doubtful. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition on an as-needed basis. Payment is generally due 30 days from the invoice date and accounts past 30 days are individually analyzed for collectability. When all collectionour commercialization efforts have been exhausted, the account is written off against the related allowance. No allowance for doubtful accounts was considered necessary as of December 31, 2011 or December 31, 2010.

            Other Current Assets:    Other current assets represent prepayments and deposits made by the Company.

            Property, Plant and Equipment:    Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed based upon the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the assets. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 1—Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

    Major betterments and improvements, which extend the useful life of the item, are capitalized and depreciated. The cost and accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment retired or otherwise disposed of are removed from the related accounts, and any residual values are charged or credited to expenses. Depreciation expense has been calculated using the following estimated useful lives:

    Office furniture and equipment

    5-15 years

    Computer software and equipment

    3-4 years

    Laboratory and research equipment

    3-15 years

    Production equipment

    7 years

            Depreciation expense was $49 and $32 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

            Impairment of Long-lived Assets:    Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the impairment tests indicate that the carrying value of the asset is greater than the expected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by such asset, an impairment loss would be recognized. The impairment loss is determined as the amount by which the carrying value of such asset exceeds its fair value. We generally measure fair value by considering sale prices for similar assetsdelayed, reduced or by discounting estimated future cash flows from such assets using an appropriate discount rate. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of assets, and accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. There have been no impairment losses for long-lived assets, for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

            Revenue Recognition:    We recognize revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of a customer arrangement exists; (ii) the price is fixed or determinable and free of contingencies or uncertainties; (iii) collectability is reasonably assured; and (iv) product delivery has occurred, which is when product title transfers to the customer, or services have been rendered. Sales are not conditional based on customer acceptance provisions or installation obligations. Our C-Pulse Heart Assist System is not approved for commercial sale. Our revenue consists solely of sales of the C-Pulse to hospitals and clinics under contract in conjunctioneliminated, our relationships with our clinical trials. For clinical trial implant revenue, the product title generally transfers on the date the product is implanted. We do not charge hospitalssuppliers and clinics for shipping. We expense shipping costs at the time we report the related revenue and record them in cost of sales.

            Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions:    Foreign denominated monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Results of operations are translated using the average rates prevailing during the reporting period. The translation adjustment has not been included in determining the Company's net loss, but has been reported separately and is accumulated in a separate component of equity. Effective January 1, 2011, we concluded that the functional currency of our United States based parent company is the U.S. Dollar. Prior to that date the functional currency of both the United States based parent company and the Company's Australian


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 1—Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

    subsidiary was the Australian dollar. For financial reporting purposes, the reporting currency of the company is the U.S. Dollar. When a transaction is denominated in a currency other than the entity's functional currency, the Company recognizes a transaction gain or loss in net earnings.

            Comprehensive Income (Loss):    The components of comprehensive income (loss) include net income (loss) and the effects of foreign currency translation adjustments.

            Stock-Based Compensation:    The Company recognizes all share-based payments, including grants of stock options, to in the income statement as an operating expense, based on their fair value over the requisite service period.

            The Company computes the estimated fair values of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. No tax benefit has been recorded due to the full valuation allowance on deferred tax assets that the Company has recorded.

            Stock-based compensation expense is based on awards ultimately expected to vest and is reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

            Equity instruments issued to non-employees, and for services and goods are shares of the Company's common stock, warrants or options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock. These shares, warrants or options are either fully-vested and exercisable at the date of grant or vest over a certain period during which services are provided. The Company expenses the fair market value of these securities over the period in which the related services are received.

            See Note 3 for further information regarding the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of share-based compensation.

            Income Taxes:    Deferred income taxes are provided on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences, which are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

            Net Loss per Share:    Basic net loss attributable to common stockholders, on a per share basis, is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders (the numerator) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (the denominator) during the period. Shares issued during the period and shares reacquired during the period are weighted for the portion of the period that they were outstanding. The computation of diluted earnings per share, or EPS, is similar to the computation of basic EPS except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been issued and computed in accordance with the treasury stock method. In addition, in computing the dilutive effect of convertible securities, the numerator is adjusted to add back the after-tax amount of interest recognized in the period associated with any convertible debt. Shares reserved for outstanding stock warrants and options totaling 2,216,615 and 1,310,987 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 1—Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

    2010, respectively, were excluded from the computation of loss per share as their effect was antidilutive due to the Company's net loss in each of those years.

            Research and Development:    Research and development expenses consist primarily of development personnel and non-employee contractor costs related to the development of new products and services, enhancement of existing products and services, quality assurance and testing. The Company incurred research and development expenses of $11,199 and $6,229 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

            Reverse Stock Split:    On January 24, 2012, the board of directors declared a 1-for-200 reverse stock split and a corresponding inverse change in the transmutation ratio of CHESS Depositary Instruments ("CDIs") trading on the ASX in Australia such that one CDI will represent 1/200th of a share. The reverse split and change in transmutation ratio became effective for trading on the ASX on January 30, 2012. All share and per share data included in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been adjusted to reflect this reverse stock split.

            Subsequent Events:    The Company evaluates events through the date the financial statements are filed for events requiring adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements. See Note 7,Subsequent Events for additional information.

            New Accounting Pronouncements:    In June 2011, the FASB issued amended disclosure requirements for the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income ("OCI") as part of the statement of changes in equity. Under the amended guidance, all changes in OCI are to be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. We adopted these changes effective January 1, 2012 and applied them retrospectively for all periods presented. There was no impact to our consolidated results as the amendments related only to changes in financial statement presentation.

            In May 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in United States GAAP and IFRS. This accounting update generally aligns the principles for fair value measurements and the related disclosure requirements under United States GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. From a United States GAAP perspective, the amendments are largely clarifications, but some could have a significant effect on certain companies. A number of new disclosures also are required. Except for certain disclosures, the guidance applies to public and nonpublic companies and is to be applied prospectively. For public companies and nonpublic companies, the amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption by public companies is not permitted. Nonpublic companies may apply the amendments early, but no earlier than for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011.


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 2—Balance Sheet Information

            Property, plant and equipment were as follows:

     
     December 31,
    2011
     December 31,
    2010
     

    Library

     $1 $1 

    Office Furniture & Fixtures

      177  90 

    Leasehold Improvements

      251  78 

    Software

      37  28 

    Production Equipment

      293  179 

    Computer Equipment

      134  65 
          

    Total

      893  441 

    Accumulated Depreciation

      (371) (321)
          

     $522 $120 
          

    Note 3—Equity

            In November and December, 2010, the Company placed 2,368,576 shares of common stock (in the form of CDIs) for proceeds, net of transaction costs, of $11,917.

            In January 2011, the Company placed 17,858 shares of common stock (in the form of CDIs) for proceeds, net of transaction costs, of $99.

            In July 2011, the Company placed 572,222 shares of common stock (in the form of CDIs) for proceeds, net of transaction costs, of $4,597.

            In September 2011, the Company placed 349,444 shares of common stock (in the form of CDIs) for proceeds, net of transaction costs, of $2,838.

            The Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to stock options and grants of common stock to employees, directors and consultants of $939 and $78 during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense which was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:

     
     December 31,
    2011
     December 31,
    2010
     

    Selling, general and administrative

     $621 $55 

    Research and development

      318  23 
          

    Total

     $939 $78 
          

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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 3—Equity (Continued)

            As of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 the total compensation cost related to all nonvested awards not yet recognized was $4,582 and $94, respectively. This amount is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 9.21 years as of December 31, 2011 and 1.19 years as of December 31, 2010.

            The Company has granted stock options to certain employees and directors under the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan and its 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (collectively the "Plans"). The Plans are designed to assist in the motivation and retention of employees and to recognize the importance of employees to the long-term performance and success of the Company. The Company has also granted stock options to certain consultants outside of the Plans. The majority of the options to purchase common stock vest on the anniversary of the date of grant, which ranges from one to four years. Additionally, certain stock options vest upon the closing price of the Company's common stock reaching certain minimum levels, as defined in the agreements. Finally, certain other stock options vest upon the meeting of certain Company milestones such as the signing of specific agreements and the completion of the Company's anticipated listing on a United States stock exchange. As of December 31, 2011, the Company expects that all such market and performance conditions will be met. Share-based compensation expense related to these awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the related vesting term. It is the Company's policy to issue new shares upon the exercise of options.

            The following is a summary of the Plan and non-Plan stock option activity during the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

     
     Options
    Outstanding
     Weighted
    Average
    Exercise
    price
     Remaining
    Average
    Contractual
    Term (Years)
     Aggregate
    Intrinsic
    Value
     

    Outstanding, December 31, 2009

      78,789 $37.94       

    2010 Grants

      50,000  10.72       

    2010 Exercises

               

    2010 Forfeitures/expiration

      2,091  36.70       
                

    Outstanding, December 31, 2010

      126,698  28.00  7.26 $819 
                

    Exercisable at December 31, 2010

      90,427  6.94  6.54  819 

    2011 Grants

      794,926  7.64       

    2011 Exercises

      1,560  6.58       

    2011 Forfeitures/expiration

      33,231  13.02       
              

    Outstanding, December 31, 2011

      886,833 $10.05  9.21 $62,674 
              

    Exercisable at December 31, 2011

      184,296 $18.74  10.06 $24,013 
              

            The aggregate intrinsic value is defined as the difference between the market value of the Company's common stock (based on the trading price of the Company's CDIs on ASX) as of the end of the period and the exercise price of the in-the-money stock options. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $3 and $0, respectively. Of the 702,537 non vested options, 40 are held by consultants, the majority of which vest in 2012. Total


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 3—Equity (Continued)

    cash proceeds from exercised options were $10 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

            The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $6.62 and $10.72, respectively.

            The fair value of each stock option is estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company has not historically paid dividends to its shareholders, and, as a result assumed a dividend yield of 0%. The 2011 risk free interest rate is based upon the rates of US Treasury bins with a term equal to the expected term of the option. The 2010 risk free interest rate is based upon the rates of Australian bonds with a term equal to the expected term of the option. The expected volatility is based upon the historical price of the Company's CDIs. The expected term of the stock options to purchase common stock is based upon the outstanding contractual expected life of the stock option on the date of grant. The Company used the following weighted-average assumptions in calculating the fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

     
     Year ended
    December 31
     
     
     2011 2010 

    Expected dividend yield

      0% 0%

    Risk-free interest rate

      1.43% 4.97%

    Expected volatility

      100% 65%

    Expected life (in years)

      6.5  5 

            Warrants to purchase 1,496,032 and 1,223,787 shares of common stock were outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

            On November 10, 2010, the Company issued 357,050 warrants at an exercise price of AU$6.40 and a term of 4 years as part of the private placements previously described.

            Also, as part of the private placements completed during 2010, the Company issued 850,737 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of AU$6.40 per share. The warrants have a stated life of four years.

            As part of the private placement completed during 2011, the Company issued 10,623 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of AU$8.20 per share and 276,501 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of AU$11.20 per share. The warrants have a stated life of four years.

            Additional warrants to purchase common stock were issued in connection with the issuance of $800 convertible promissory notes in June 2004, which were issued as a bridging loan prior to the initial public offering of the Company's CDIs on the ASX. These warrants were issued to related party entities affiliated with certain directors of the Company and to one unrelated party. The warrants entitle the holders to receive 16,000 shares at an exercise price of AU$5.00. The warrants have an exercise period of ten years and expire in June 2014.


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 3—Equity (Continued)

            During the year ended December 31, 2011, 14,879 warrants were exercised at a price of AU$6.40 for total proceeds of $99.

    Note 4—Income Taxes

            Domestic and foreign loss before provision for income taxes consists of the following:

     
     December 31,
    2011
     December 31,
    2010
     

    Domestic

      (11,252) (2,207)

    Foreign

      (4,944) (5,563)
          

    Total

      (16,196) (8,270)
          

            The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following:

     
     December 31,
    2011
     December 31,
    2010
     

    Income tax provision:

           

    Current:

           

    United States and state

      (115)  

    Foreign

        (670)

    Deferred:

           

    United States and state

         

    Foreign

         
          

    Total income tax (benefit) expense

      (115) (670)
          

            Actual income tax expense differs from statutory federal income tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 as follows:

     
     December 31,
    2011
     December 31,
    2010
     

    Statutory federal income tax benefit

      (5,555) (2,812)

    State tax benefit, net of federal taxes

      (727) (417)

    Foreign tax

      199  225 

    R&D tax credit rebate

      (265) (670)

    Valuation allowance increase

      6,121  3,033 

    Other

      112  (29)
          

    Total income tax (benefit) expense

      (115) (670)
          

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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 4—Income Taxes (Continued)

            Deferred taxes as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of the following:

     
     December 31,
    2011
     December 31,
    2010
     

    Deferred tax assets (liabilities):

           

    Accrued expenses

      115  120 

    Stock based compensation

      658  385 

    Capitalized patent costs

      126  140 

    Deferred rent

      78   

    Fixed assets

      (76)  

    R&D credits

      150   

    Other

      7  7 

    Net operating losses

      22,357  16,210 
          

      23,415  16,862 

    Less: valuation allowance

      (23,415) (16,862)
          

         
          

            As of December 31, 2011, we had United States net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards of approximately $14.6 million for U.S. income tax purposes, which expire in 2023 through 2031, and NOLs in the Commonwealth of Australia of approximately $54.1 million which we can carry forward indefinitely. United States net operating loss carryforwards cannot be used to offset taxable income in foreign jurisdictions. In addition, future utilization of net operating loss carryforwards in the United Statesmanufacturers may be subject to certain limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. This section generally relates to a 50 percent change in ownership of a company over a three-year period. No formal study has been prepared as of the balance sheet date to determine any applicable limitations on the utilization of the United States net operating losses.

            We received a $670 fully refundable researchharmed, and development tax credit in 2010, determined as a combined average of 44% of qualified research and development expenditures of our Australian subsidiary for its tax period ended June 30, 2010. The Australian research and development tax credit is paid as a refundable credit to small and medium enterprises for tax years ending on or before June 30, 2011, when total research and development expenses of the Australian subsidiary are less than A$2 million for the tax period. If total eligible research and development expenses exceed A$2 million, the tax credit is instead applied as a carryforward reduction against future income taxes. We have not completed the Australian tax return for the period ended June 30, 2011, and cannot be assured that our total eligible research and development expenses will be less than A$2 million. Therefore, we have reflected $0 net benefit related to the research and development credit for 2011. We also computed a $115 fully refundable research and development tax credit for the state of Minnesota for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011. This credit is computed as a percentage of qualified research expenditures that were incurred in the state of Minnesota during the fiscal year. We have not yet completed a study to determine whether a similar credit will be generated for the six months ended December 31, 2011; therefore, we have reflected $0 net benefit related to the Minnesota research and development credit for the six months ended December 31, 2011.


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 4—Income Taxes (Continued)

            We provide for a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that we will not realize a portion of the deferred tax assets. We have established a valuation allowance for United States and foreign deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty that enough taxable income will be generated in those taxing jurisdictions to utilize the assets. Therefore, we have not reflected any benefit of such deferred tax assets in the accompanying financial statements. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the valuation allowance increased by $6.6 million and $4.5 million, respectively. Changes in the valuation allowance do not equal the amounts reflected in the statutory rate reconciliation due to fluctuating currency exchange rates.

            The Company has adopted accounting guidance related to uncertain tax positions. This accounting guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. It also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The adoption of uncertain tax position guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Additionally, the adoption of the guidance had no impact on retained earnings. The Company had no material uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2011 or December 31, 2010.

            We recognize interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as well as interest received from favorable tax settlements within income tax expense. Upon adoption of this guidance, we recognized no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 we recorded no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

            The fiscal tax years ended June 30, 2008 through December 31, 2011 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. For the states of California and Minnesota, all years subsequent to the fiscal tax year ended June 30, 2006 are also open to examination. Additionally, the returns of the Company's Australian subsidiary are subject to examination by Australian tax authorities for the fiscal tax years ended June 30, 2007 through June 30, 2011.

    Note 5—Commitments and Contingencies

            We lease office space under non-cancelable operating leases that expire at various times through March 2016. Rent expense related to operating leases was approximately $274 and $186 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2011 were approximately $260, $194, $262, $267 and $67 for each the years ended December 31, 2012, through 2016, respectively.

            All Australian employees are entitled to varying levels of benefits on retirement, disability or death. The superannuation plans provide accumulated benefits. Employees contribute to the plans at various percentages of their wages and salaries. Contributions by the Company of up to 9% of employees' wages and salaries are legally enforceable in Australia. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company incurred expense of $82 and $64, respectively.


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 6—Related Party Transaction

            During the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we paid $9 and $4 to SCP Technology and Growth Pty Limited, a company controlled by a director of our Australian subsidiary, for the provision of intellectual property and patent services. There were no amounts outstanding to this entity at December 31, 2011 or December 31, 2010. In September 2011, we sold 14,375 shares of our common stock to Jeffrey Mathiesen, our Chief Financial Officer, at the price of A$8.00 per share as part of a private placement.

    Note 7—Subsequent Events

            On February 9, 2012, we placed 259,000 shares of common stock for proceeds, net of transaction costs, of $2.1 million.

            On February 14, 2012, the SEC certified our common shares for listing on The Nasdaq Stock Exchange, effective that same day. Our common shares began trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market on February 16, 2012 under the symbol "SSH."

    Note 8—Segment and Geographic Information

            The Company has one reportable segment, cardiac and coronary disease products. The Company's geographic regions include the United States and Australia.

            Revenue earned relating to reimbursement of clinical trials is earned primarily in the United States. Interest income is primarily earned in Australia.

            Long-lived assets are located primarily in the United States at December 31, 2011.


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    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

    To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

    Sunshine Heart, Inc.

            We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sunshine Heart, Inc. and subsidiary as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

            We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

            In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Sunshine Heart, Inc. at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

            The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company's recurring losses from operations and projected future capital requirements raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not contain any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

    /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

    Minneapolis, Minnesota

    March 23, 2012, except for the change in the presentation of comprehensive income, discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, as to which the date is July 17, 2012.


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC.

    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

    (Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

     
     March 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 
     
     (unaudited)
      
     

    Current assets

           

    Cash and cash equivalents

     $3,832 $6,563 

    Other current assets

      645  346 
          

    Total current assets

      4,477  6,909 
          

    Property, plant and equipment, net

      521  522 
          

    TOTAL ASSETS

     $4,998 $7,431 
          

    Current liabilities

           

    Accounts payable

     $1,647 $1,857 

    Accrued salaries, wages, and other compensation

      402  978 
          

    Total current liabilities

      2,049  2,835 
          

    Total liabilities

      2,049  2,835 
          

    Commitments and contingencies

      
      
     

    Stockholders' equity

           

    Preferred Stock as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, par value $0.0001 per share; authorized 40,000,000 shares

         

    Common stock as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, par value $0.0001 per share; authorized 100,000,000 shares: issued and outstanding 6,276,538 and 6,018,740 shares, respectively

      1  1 

    Additional paid-in capital

      71,032  68,652 

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss:

           

    Foreign currency translation adjustment

      1,186  1,132 

    Retained earnings

      (69,270) (65,189)
          

    Total stockholders' equity

      2,949  4,596 
          

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

     $4,998 $7,431 
          

    See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC.

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

    (Unaudited)

    (In thousands, except per share amounts)

     
     Three months
    ended March 31,
     
     
     2012 2011 

    Net sales

     $ $ 

    Cost of goods sold

         
          

    Gross profit

         

    Operating expenses

           

    Selling, general and administrative

      1,940  642 

    Research and development

      2,166  2,292 
          

    Total operating expenses

      4,106  2,934 
          

    Loss from operations

      (4,106) (2,934)

    Interest income

      25  117 
          

    Loss before income taxes

      (4,081) (2,817)

    Income tax benefit

         
          

    Net loss

     $(4,081)$(2,817)
          

    Basic and diluted loss per share

     
    $

    (0.66

    )

    $

    (0.55

    )

    Weighted average shares outstanding—basic and diluted

      6,169  5,078 

    Comprehensive loss

     
    $

    (4,027

    )

    $

    (2,752

    )

    See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC.

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    (Unaudited)

    (in thousands)

     
     For the three months
    ended March 31,
     
     
     2012 2011 

    Net loss

     $(4,081)$(2,817)

    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash flows used in operating activities:

           

    Depreciation and amortization

      31  9 

    Loss on disposal of plant and equipment

      63   

    Stock-based compensation expense

      318  19 

    Changes in assets and liabilities

           

    Accounts receivable

        242 

    Other current assets

      (299) (80)

    Accounts payable and accrued expenses

      (800) (175)
          

    Net cash used in operations

      (4,768) (2,802)
          

    Cash flows used in investing activities:

           

    Purchases of property and equipment

      (89) (7)
          

    Net cash used in investing activities

      (89) (7)
          

    Cash flows provided by financing activities:

           

    Net proceeds from the sale of common stock

      2,061  100 
          

    Net cash provided by financing activities

      2,061  100 

    Effect of exchange rate changes in cash

      65  90 
          

    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

      (2,731) (2,619)

    Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period

      6,563  12,250 
          

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—END OF PERIOD

     $3,832 $9,631 
          

    See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

    (Unaudited)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 1—Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

            Nature of Business:    Sunshine Heart ("we" or the "Company") was founded in November 1999 and incorporated in Delaware in August 2002. The Company's headquarters are located in Eden Prairie, MN and the Company also has a wholly owned subsidiary, Sunshine Heart Company Pty Ltd, located in St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia. We are a medical device company developing innovative technologies for cardiac and coronary disease. The Company's primary product, the C-Pulse® Heart Assist System, or C-Pulse Heart System, is an implantable, non-blood contacting, heart assist therapy for the treatment of moderate to severe heart failure, which can be implanted using a minimally invasive procedure. The C-Pulse Heart System is designed to relieve the symptoms of heart failure through the use of counter-pulsation technology by enabling an increase in cardiac output, an increase in coronary blood flow, and a reduction in the heart's pumping load. The Company received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, to conduct a U.S. feasibility clinical trial with the C-Pulse Heart System. Our shares of common stock in the form of CHESS Depositary Interests, or CDIs, have been publicly traded in Australia on the Australian Securities Exchange, or ASX, since September 2004.

            Going Concern:    The Company's financial statements have been prepared and presented on a basis assuming it continues as a going concern.

            During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and through March 31, 2012, the Company incurred losses from operations and net cash outflows from operating activities as disclosed in the consolidated statements of operations and cash flows, respectively. At December 31, 2011, we had an accumulated deficit of $65,189 and we expect to incur losses for the foreseeable future. To date, the Company has been funded by private and public equity financings. Although we believe that we will be able to successfully fund our operations, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so or that we will ever operate profitably.

            The Company's ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on the Company's ability to raise additional capital based on the achievement of existing milestones as and when required. Should the future capital raising not be successful, the Company may not be able to continue asour operations.

    Vote Required

    The affirmative vote of holders of a going concern. Furthermore,majority of shares entitled to vote at the abilityannual meeting is required for the approval of the Certificate of Amendment to effect a reverse stock split. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will have the same effect as votes against the matter.

    Procedure for Effecting the Reverse Stock Split

    When and if the Board decides to implement the reverse stock split at any time before the first anniversary of its approval by the stockholders, the Company will promptly file the Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to continueamend its existing Certificate of Incorporation. The reverse stock split will become effective on the date of filing the Certificate of Amendment, which is referred to as a going concernthe “reverse stock split effective date”. Beginning on the reverse stock split effective date, each certificate representing pre-reverse stock split shares will be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of post-reverse stock split shares. The text of the Certificate of Amendment is set forth in Appendix A to this proxy statement. The text of the Certificate of Amendment is subject to modification to include such changes as may be required by the abilityoffice of the Company to develop and successfully commercialize the product being developed. If the Company is unable to obtain such fundingSecretary of an amount and timing necessary to meet its future operational plans, or to successfully commercialize its intellectual property, the Company may be unable to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company not continue as a going concern.

            Basis of Presentation:    The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sunshine Heart, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sunshine Heart Company Pty Ltd. (collectively, "Sunshine Heart" or the "Company"). All intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated.

            Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Information:    The interim balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 and statements of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (Unaudited)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 1—Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

    and related interim information contained in the notes to these financial statements are unaudited. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Regulation S-XState of the Securities ActState of 1933, as amended. In the opinion of management, such unaudited interim consolidated information has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP")Delaware and includes all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals necessary for the fair presentation of this interim information when read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto. Certain information and disclosures normally included in the financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although management believes that disclosures are adequate to make information presented not misleading. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012 or any other interim period or for any other future year.

            Use of Estimates:    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

            Net Loss per Share:    Basic net loss attributable to common stockholders, on a per share basis, is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders (the numerator) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (the denominator) during the period. Shares issued during the period and shares reacquired during the period are weighted for the portion of the period that they were outstanding. The computation of diluted earnings per share, or EPS, is similar to the computation of basic EPS except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been issued and computed in accordance with the treasury stock method. In addition, in computing the dilutive effect of convertible securities, the numerator is adjusted to add back the after-tax amount of interest recognized in the period associated with any convertible debt. Shares reserved for outstanding stock warrants and options totaling 1,961,633 and 1,188,406 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were excluded from the computation of loss per share as their effect was antidilutive due to the Company's net loss in each of those periods.

            Fair Value of Financial Instruments:    Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. We believe that the carrying amounts of the financial instruments approximate their respective current fair values due to their relatively short maturities.

            Pursuant to the requirements of the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Codification, the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

            Level 1: Financial instruments with unadjusted quoted prices listed on active market exchanges.


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (Unaudited)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 1—Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

            Level 2: Financial instruments lacking unadjusted, quoted prices from active market exchanges, including over the counter traded financial instruments. The prices for the financial instruments are determined using prices for recently traded financial instruments with similar underlying terms as well as directly or indirectly observable inputs, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

            Level 3: Financial instruments that are not actively traded on a market exchange. This category includes situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the financial instrument. The prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs or valuation techniques.

            All cash and cash equivalents are considered Level 1 measurements for all periods presented. We do not have any financial instruments classified as Level 2 or Level 3 and there were no movements between these categories.

            In May 2011, the FASB issued an update to accounting guidance for improved fair value measurement and disclosures. The update represents converged guidance between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, resulting in common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. This new guidance was effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012 and the adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

            In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance on presentation of comprehensive income that requires us to present components of other comprehensive income and of net income in one continuous statement of comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued a deferral of the effective date for presentations of reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The option to report other comprehensive income within the statement of equity has been removed. This new presentation of comprehensive income was effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012 and the adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

            There was no other accounting pronouncement adopted during the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 that had a material impact on our financial position, operating results or disclosures.

            There were no new accounting pronouncements issued during the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 that are expected to have material impacts on our financial position, operating results or disclosures.


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (Unaudited)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 2—Equity

            On February 8, 2012 we placed 256,875 shares of common stock (in the form of CDIs) at AU$8.00 per share, for proceeds, net of transaction costs of $2,061.

            The Company recognizes all share-based payments, including grants of stock options and compensatory employee stock purchase plans, in the income statement as an operating expense, based on their fair value over the requisite service period. We recorded $206 and $112 of related compensation expense to selling, general and administrative expense and research and development expense, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2012, as compared to $13 and $6, respectively, of related compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011. As of March 31, 2012, a total of $4,017 of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock option awards was outstanding and is expected to be recognized within the next 3.75 fiscal years.

            The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the weighted average fair value of options. The volatility factor used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model is based on historical stock price fluctuations. The current forfeiture rate is based on a reasonable estimate by management. Expected dividend yield is based upon the Company's historical and projected dividend activity and the risk free interest rate is based upon US Treasury rates appropriate for the expected term of the options. The expected term is based on estimates regarding projected employee stock option exercise behavior. Options for 29,375 shares were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2012, and the weighted average fair value of these options was $173, determined using an expected dividend yield of 0%, an expected stock price volatility of 98.5%, a risk-free interest rate of 1.38% and expected option lives of 6.5 years. There were no options granted in the three months ended March 31, 2011.

            The Company's stock options generally vest over four years of service and have a contractual life of 10 years. We have 1,019,856 shares authorized for grant under our Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.

            Warrants to purchase 1,581,648 and 1,496,032 shares of common stock were outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

            As part of the private placement on February 8, 2012, we issued 77,063 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of AU$11.20 per share and a term of 4 years, and 8,553 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of AU$8.00 per share with a term of 5 years.


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    SUNSHINE HEART, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

    (Unaudited)

    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    Note 3—Balance Sheet Information

            Property, plant and equipment were as follows:

     
     March 31,
    2012
     December 31,
    2011
     

    Library

     $1 $1 

    Office Furniture & Fixtures

      94  177 

    Leasehold Improvements

      145  251 

    Software

      9  37 

    Production Equipment

      373  293 

    Computer Equipment

      114  134 
          

    Total

      736  893 

    Accumulated Depreciation

      (215) (371)
          

     $521 $522 
          

            Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $31 and $9, respectively.


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    APPENDIX A


    SUNSHINE HEART, INC.
    AMENDED AND RESTATED 2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

    ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: March 17, 2011
    AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: May 20, 2011
    APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: August 18, 2011

    FIRST AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: November 2, 2011
    FIRST AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: November 29, 2011
    SECOND AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: June 26, 2012

    1.    GENERAL.

            (a)    Successor to and Continuation of Prior Plan.    The Plan is intended as the successor to and continuation of the Sunshine Heart, Inc. Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan (the"Prior Plan"). Following the Effective Date, no additional stock awards shall be granted under the Prior Plan. From and after the Effective Date, all outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan shall remain subject to the terms of the Prior Plan; provided, however, any shares underlying outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan that expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise or settlement or are forfeited because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares (the"Returning Shares") shall become available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted hereunder. All Awards granted on or after the Effective Date of this Plan shall be subject to the terms of this Plan.

    (b)    Eligible Award Recipients.    The persons eligible to receive Awards are Employees and Consultants.

    (c)    Available Awards.    The Plan provides for the grant of the following Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) Restricted Stock Awards, (v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards, (vi) Performance Stock Awards, (vii) Performance Cash Awards, and (viii) Other Stock Awards.

    (d)    Purpose.    The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to secure and retain the services of the group of persons eligible to receive Awards as set forth in Section 1(b), to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and to provide a means by which such eligible recipients may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of Awards.

    (e)    Listing Rules.    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, while the Company is admitted to the official list of ASX, the provisions of this Plan are subject to the Listing Rules and this Plan is deemed to include any provisions necessary to comply with the Listing Rules.

    2.    ADMINISTRATION.

    (a)    Administration by Board.    The Board shall administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).

    (b)    Powers of Board.    The Board shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:


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    representing pre-split shares in substitution therefor of (1) a new Option or SAR under the Plan or another equity plan of the Company covering the same or a different number ofexchange for certificates representing post-split shares of Common Stock, (2) a Restricted Stock Award, (3) a Restricted Stock Unit Award, (4) an Other Stock Award, (5) cash and/or (6) other valuable consideration (as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion); or (C) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.    

    (c)    Delegation to Committee.

    (d)    Effect of Board's Decision.    All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith shall notprocedures to be subject to review by any person and shall be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

    3.    SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

    (a)    Share Reserve.    Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments and the Listing Rules, and subject to increase as provided in this Section 3(a), the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock of the Company that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards after the Effective Date shall not exceed 1,800,000 shares plus the number of the Returning Shares. For a period of five (5) years commencing on January 1, 2013 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2017, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards shall automatically


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    adjust on each January 1 so that it will equal (i) thirteen percent (13%) of the Fully Diluted Shares as of the immediately preceding December 31, reduced by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding Options (as defined in the Prior Plan) under the Prior Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to the date of any such scheduled adjustment to provide that there shall be no increase in the share reserve as of such date or that the increase in the share reserve as of such date shall be a lesser number of shares of Common Stock than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. For clarity, the limitation in this Section 3(a) is a limitation in the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan. Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the granting of Stock Awards except as provided in Section 7(a). Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by, as applicable, NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(3), NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, AMEX Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable stock exchange rules, and such issuance shall not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan. Furthermore, if a Stock Award or any portion thereof (i) expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Stock Award having been issued or (ii) is settled in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than stock), such expiration, termination or settlement shall not reduce (or otherwise offset) the number of shares of Common Stock that may be available for issuance under the Plan.

    (b)    Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve.    If any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award are forfeited back to the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the Participant, then the shares that are forfeited shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares reacquired, withheld, or not issued by the Company pursuant to Section 8(g) or as consideration for the exercise of an Option shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, if an appreciation distribution in respect of a Stock Appreciation Right is paid in shares of Common Stock, the number of shares subject to the Stock Award that are not delivered to the Participant shall remain available for subsequent issuance under the Plan.

    (c)    Incentive Stock Option Limit.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3 and, subject to the provisions of Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall be 1,800,000 shares of Common Stock.

    (d)    Individual Stock Award Limitations.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3 and, subject to the provisions of Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be the subject of any type of Stock Award (including Performance Stock Awards) granted to any Participantset forth in a calendar year shall not exceed 500,000 sharesletter of Common Stock.

    (e)    Source of Shares.    Subject to the provisions of the Listing Rules and any law, regulation and agreement governing the Company, the stock issuable under the Plan shall be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.

    4.    ELIGIBILITY.

    (a)    Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards.    Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a "parent corporation" or "subsidiary corporation" thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code). Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees and Consultants; provided, however, that Nonstatutory Stock Options and SARs may not be granted to Employees and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any "parent" of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405, unless the stock underlying such Stock Awards is treated as "service recipient stock" under Section 409A of the Code because the Stock Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction (such as a spin off


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    transaction) or unless such Stock Awards comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

    (b)    Ten Percent Stockholders.    A Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant.

    5.    PROVISIONS RELATING TO OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.    Each Option or SAR shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates shall be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, then the Option shall be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of separate Options or SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Option Agreement or Stock Appreciation Right Agreement shall conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

    (a)    Term.    Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Award Agreement.

    (b)    Exercise Price.    Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise price (or strike price) of each Option or SAR shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Option or SAR is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise price (or strike price) lower than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR if such Option or SAR is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Sections 409A and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.

    (c)    Purchase Price for Options.    The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the methods of payment set forth below. The Board shall have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to utilize a particular method of payment. Subject to the provisions of the Listing Rules and any law, regulation and agreement governing the Company, the permitted methods of payment are as follows:


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    (d)    Exercise and Payment of a SAR.    To exercise any outstanding Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such Stock Appreciation Right. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right) of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such Stock Appreciation Right, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the Stock Appreciation Right on such date, over (B) the strike pricetransmittal that will be determined by the Board at the time of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. The appreciation distribution in respectdelivered to our stockholders. No new certificates will be issued to a Stock Appreciation Right may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any combination ofstockholder until the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such Stock Appreciation Right.

    (e)    Transferability of Options and SARs.    The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board shall determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Boardstockholder has surrendered to the contrary,exchange agent his, her or its outstanding certificate(s) together with the following restrictions onproperly completed and executed letter of transmittal.

    STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATES AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT THEIR STOCK CERTIFICATES UNTIL THEY RECEIVE A TRANSMITTAL FORM FROM OUR EXCHANGE AGENT.

    STOCKHOLDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROMPTLY SURRENDER CERTIFICATES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF TRANSMITTAL FORMS IN ORDER TO AVOID HAVING SHARES POSSIBLY BECOMING SUBJECT TO ESCHEAT LAWS.

    Stockholders whose shares are held by their stockbroker do not need to submit old share certificates for exchange. These shares will automatically reflect the transferabilitynew quantity of Options and SARs shall apply:


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    (f)    Vesting Generally.    The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR may vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfactionselected reverse stock split ratio. Beginning on the reverse stock split effective date, each certificate representing pre-split shares will be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of Performance Goals or other criteria) aspost-split shares.

    Treatment of Fractional Shares

    To avoid the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisionsexistence of individual Options or SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number offractional shares of Common Stock as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.

    (g)    Termination of Continuous Service.    Except as otherwise provided incommon stock after the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant's Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause or upon the Participant's death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extentreverse stock split, fractional shares that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Award as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3) months following the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the applicable Award Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement (as applicable), the Option or SAR shall terminate.

    (h)    Extension of Termination Date.    If the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service (other than for Cause or upon the Participant's death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of three (3) months (that need not be consecutive) after the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participant's Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company's insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a period equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant's Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company's insider trading policy, or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

    (i)    Disability of Participant.    Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant's Continuous Service terminatescreated as a result of the Participant's Disability,reverse stock split will be rounded down to the Participant may exercise hisnext whole share and the stockholder will receive cash equal to the market value of the factional share, determined by multiplying such fraction by the closing sales price of the Company’s common stock as reported on Nasdaq on the last trading day before the reverse stock split effective date. The ownership of a fractional interest will not give the holder any voting, dividend or her Option or SAR (toother right except to receive the extent that the Participant wascash payment therefor. If a stockholder is entitled to exercise such Option or SARa cash payment in lieu of any fractional share interest, a check will be mailed to the stockholder’s registered address as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date twelve (12) months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SARsoon as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement (as applicable), the Option or SAR (as applicable) shall terminate.

    (j)    Death of Participant.    Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if (i) a Participant's Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant's death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Award Agreement during which an Option or SAR may be exercisedpracticable after the termination ofreverse stock split effective date. By signing and cashing the Participant's Continuous Service for a reason other than death, then the Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant's estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option


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    or SAR by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant's death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date eighteen (18) months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Participant's death, the Option or SAR is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement (as applicable), the Option or SAR shall terminate.

    (k)    Termination for Cause.    Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participant's Award Agreement, if a Participant's Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR shall terminate upon the date of such Participant's termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant shall be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the time of such termination of Continuous Service.

    (l)    Non-Exempt Employees.    No Option or SAR granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR. Notwithstanding the foregoing, consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) in the event of the Participant's death or Disability, (ii) upon a Corporate Transaction in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participant's retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant's Award Agreement or in another applicable agreement or in accordance with the Company's then current employment policies and guidelines), any such vested Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six (6) months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate socheck, stockholders will warrant that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay.

    6.    PROVISIONS OF STOCK AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS AND SARS.

    (a)    Restricted Stock Awards.    Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. To the extent consistent with the Company's Bylaws, at the Board's election, shares of Common Stock may be (x) held in book entry form subject to the Company's instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award lapse; or (y) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate shall be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical; provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:


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    (b)    Restricted Stock Unit Awards.    Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement shall be inreceived such form and shall contain such terms and conditions ascash payment.

    No Appraisal Rights

    Under the Board shall deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements needDelaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders do not be identical;provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement shall conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

    (c)    Performance Awards.    


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    (d)    Other Stock Awards.    Other forms of Stock Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Stock Awards provided for under Section 5 and the preceding provisions of this Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Stock Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Stock Awards.


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    7.    COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.    

    (a)    Availability of Shares.    During the terms of the Stock Awards, the Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy such Stock Awards.

    (b)    Securities Law Compliance.    The Company shall seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant shall not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award or the subsequent issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.

    (c)    No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes.    The Company shall have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Stock Award. Furthermore, the Company shall have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of a Stock Award or a possible period in which the Stock Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of a Stock Award to the holder of such Stock Award.

    8.MISCELLANEOUS.    

    (a)    Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock.    Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards shall constitute general funds of the Company.

    (b)    Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Stock Awards.    Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of a Stock Award to any Participant shall be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Stock Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant.

    (c)    Stockholder Rights.    Other than as expressly set out in this Plan, an Award Agreement or as permitted under the Listing Rules, a Stock Award does not give a Participant any right to vote, receive dividends, participate in issues of new shares of Common Stock or grant any otherdissent and are not entitled to appraisal rights to the Participant as a shareholder of the Company unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Stock Award pursuant to its terms, if applicable, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Stock Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.

    (d)    No Employment or Other Service Rights.    Nothing in the Plan, any Stock Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause or (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant's agreement with the Company or an Affiliate.

    (e)    Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation.    To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock


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    Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).

    (f)    Investment Assurances.    The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Stock Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant's knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Stock Award for the Participant's own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall be inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (B) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.

    (g)    Withholding Obligations.    Unless prohibited by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to an Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Award; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Award Agreement.

    (h)    Electronic Delivery.    Any reference herein to a "written" agreement or document shall include any agreement or document delivered electronically or posted on the Company's intranet.

    (i)    Deferrals.    To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company. The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant's termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.

    (j)    Compliance With Section 409A.    To the extent that the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements shall be


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    interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the Shares are publicly traded and a Participant holding an Award that constitutes "deferred compensation" under Section 409A of the Code is a "specified employee" for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount shall be made upon a "separation from service" before a date that is six (6) months following the date of such Participant's "separation from service" (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) or, if earlier, the date of the Participant's death.

    9.    ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.    

    (a)    Capitalization Adjustments.    In the event of, and upon, a Capitalization Adjustment or other reorganization of capital, the rights of the holder of a Stock Award will be changed to the extent necessary to comply with the Listing Rules applying to a reorganization of capital at the time of the reorganization. The Board shall appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c), (iii) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be the subject of any type of Stock Award (including Performance Stock Awards) granted to any Participant in a calendar year pursuant to Section 3(d) and (iv) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards. The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

    (b)    Pro Rata Issues and Bonus Issues.    In the case of a pro-rata issue (other than a bonus issue), the exercise price of a Stock Award will be adjusted in accordance with the formula set out for making such an adjustment in the Listing Rules. In the case of a bonus issue, the number of securities over which the Stock Award is exercisable will, in accordance with the Listing Rules, be increased by the number of securities which the Participant would have received if the Stock Award had been exercised before the record date for the bonus issue. Such adjustments shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.

    (c)    Dissolution or Liquidation.    Except as otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Stock Awards (other than Stock Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company's right of repurchase) shall terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company's repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Stock Award is providing Continuous Service; provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Stock Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Stock Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent on its completion.

    (d)    Corporate Transaction.    The following provisions shall apply to Stock Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Stock Award or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the holder of the Stock Award or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of a Stock Award or as provided in the Listing Rules. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board shall take one or more of the following actions with respect to Stock Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Corporate Transaction:


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            The Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Stock Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants.

    (e)    Change in Control.    A Stock Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration shall occur.

    10.    TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.    

    (a)    Plan Term.    The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time; provided, however that Incentive Stock Options may no longer be granted under the Plan after the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

    (b)    No Impairment of Rights.    Suspension or termination of the Plan shall not impair rights and obligations under any Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant.

    11.    EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN.    This plan shall become effective on the effective date.

    12.    CHOICE OF LAW.    The law of the state of Minnesota shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that state's conflict of laws rules.

    13.    DEFINITIONS.    As used in the Plan, the following definitions shall apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

    (a)    "Affiliate" means, at the time of determination, any "parent" or "subsidiary" of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. The Board shall have the authority to determine the time or times at which "parent" or "subsidiary" status is determined within the foregoing definition.    


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    (b)    "ASX" means ASX Limited ABN 98 008 624 691.    

    (c)"Award"    means a Stock Award or a Performance Cash Award.

    (d)"Award Agreement"    means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an Award.

    (e)"Board"    means the Board of Directors of the Company.

    (f)"Capitalization Adjustment"    means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Accounting Standards Codification 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (or any successor provision thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

    (g)"Cause"    shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term shall mean with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events, if such event results in a demonstrably harmful impact on the Company's business or reputation, or that of any of its Subsidiaries: (i) such Participant's commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii)thereof or the District of Columbia or otherwise subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis in respect of our common stock, (iii) a trust if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of such Participant's attempted commissiontrust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or participation(2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person, or (iv) an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source. This discussion addresses only those stockholders who hold their pre-reverse stock split shares as “capital assets” as defined in the Code (generally, property held for investment), and will hold the shares received in the reverse stock split as capital

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    assets. Further, it does not address any state, local, foreign or other income tax consequences, nor does it address the tax consequences to stockholders that are subject to special tax rules, such as, without limitation, stockholders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax, banks, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, personal holding companies, stockholders who are not “United States persons” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, U.S. persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, broker-dealers, tax-exempt entities, or S corporations, partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (or investors therein). If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds pre-reverse stock split shares of our stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner of the partnership will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership and upon certain determinations made at the partnership level. Partners in partnerships holding our common stock are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split.

    Stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split in light of their personal circumstances and the consequences under state, local and foreign tax laws, and also as to any estate or gift tax considerations.

    Exchange Pursuant to Reverse Stock Split

    No gain or loss will be recognized by a stockholder upon such stockholder’s exchange of pre-reverse stock split shares for post-reverse stock split shares pursuant to the reverse stock split, except to the extent of cash, if any, received in lieu of fractional shares, further described in “—Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares” below. The aggregate tax basis of the post-reverse stock split shares received in the reverse stock split, including any fractional share deemed to have been received, will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the pre-reverse stock split shares exchanged therefor, and the holding period of the post-reverse stock split shares will include the holding period of the pre-reverse stock split shares.

    Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares

    A stockholder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of post-reverse stock split shares should generally be treated as having received such fractional share pursuant to the reverse stock split and then as having exchanged such fractional share for cash in a fraud or actredemption of dishonesty against the Company; (iii) such Participant's intentional, material violationfractional share. The amount of any contractgain or agreementloss should be equal to the difference between the Participantratable portion of the tax basis of the pre-reverse stock split shares exchanged in the reverse stock split that is allocated to such fractional share and the cash received in lieu thereof. In general, any such gain or loss will constitute a long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder’s holding period for such pre-reverse stock split shares exceeds one year at the time of the reverse stock split. Deductibility of capital losses by holders is subject to limitations. Depending on a stockholder’s individual facts and circumstances, it is possible that cash received in lieu of a fractional share could be treated as a distribution under Section 301 of the Code, so stockholders should consult their own tax advisors as to that possibility and the resulting tax consequences to them in that event.

    The Company will not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the reverse stock split.

    The Board recommends that you vote FOR the approval of the Certificate of
    Amendment to effect the Reverse Stock Split.

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    PROPOSAL 4 – ADJOURNMENT OF ANNUAL MEETING

    The Board has approved the submission to the stockholders of a proposal to approve one or more adjournments of the annual meeting in the event that there is not a sufficient number of votes at the annual meeting to approve Proposals 3. In order to permit proxies that have been timely received to be voted for such adjournments, we are submitting this proposal as a separate matter for your consideration. If it is necessary to adjourn the annual meeting, the adjournment is for a period of less than 30 days and the record date remains unchanged, no notice of the time and place of the reconvened meeting will be given to stockholders, other than an announcement made at the annual meeting.

    The Board recommends that you vote FOR the adjournment of the annual
    meeting if there are insufficient votes to approve Proposal 3.

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    ADDITIONAL MATTERS

    Equity Compensation Plan Information

    The following table sets forth certain information as of December 31, 2019 concerning our equity compensation plans:

    Plan category
    Number of
    securities
    to be issued
    upon exercise of
    outstanding
    options
    and rights
    (a)
    Weighted-
    average
    exercise price of
    outstanding
    options
    and rights
    (b)
    Number of securities
    remaining available for
    future issuance under
    equity compensation
    plans
    (excluding securities
    reflected in column (a))
    (c)
    Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
     
    112,829
    (1) 
    $
    58.63
    (2) 
     
    98,001
    (2) 
    Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
     
    292,901
     
    $
    7.28
     
     
    65,562
    (3)
    Total
     
    405,730
     
    $
    21.56
     
     
    163,563
     
    (1)Consists of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to outstanding stock options under the 2011 Plan, the 2017 Plan and the 2013 Directors’ Plan.
    (2)Consists of 78,172 shares of our common stock remaining available for future issuance under the 2017 Plan and 19,829 shares of our common stock remaining available for future issuance under the 2013 Directors’ Plan. No additional awards may be issued under the 2002 Stock Plan or the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.

    Each of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2013 Directors’ Plan contains an “evergreen” provision, pursuant to which the number of shares available for issuance under the plan automatically adjusts by a percentage of the number of fully diluted shares outstanding. Specifically, pursuant to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, the share reserve under the plan will automatically increase on January 1st of each year, for a period of not more than ten years, commencing on January 1, 2018 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2027, to an amount equal to 13% of the fully diluted shares outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year; provided that the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide that there will be no January 1st increase in the share reserve for such year or that the increase in the share reserve for such year will be a lesser number of shares than would otherwise occur. Pursuant to the 2013 Directors’ Plan, the share reserve under the plan will automatically increase on January 1st of each year, for a period of not more than ten years, commencing on January 1, 2014 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2023, by an amount equal to 2% of the fully diluted shares outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year; provided that the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide that there will be no January 1st increase in the share reserve for such year or that the increase in the share reserve for such year will be a lesser number of shares than would otherwise occur.

    (3)Consists of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to outstanding stock options under the New-Hire Plan. The Board approved the New-Hire Plan in July 2013. The New-Hire Plan provides for the grant of the following awards: options not intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code, restricted stock awards, RSU awards, stock appreciation rights and other stock awards. Eligible award recipients are individuals entering into employment with the Company who were not previously employees or directors of the Company or following a bona fide period of non-employment. All awards must constitute inducements material to such individuals’ entering into employment with the Company within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing rules, and all awards must be granted either by the Compensation Committee or a majority of the Company’s independent directors. Promptly following the grant of an award under the New-Hire Plan, the Company must (i) issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the award and (ii) notify Nasdaq that it granted such award in reliance on the “inducement grant exemption” from Nasdaq’s stockholder approval requirements for equity compensation plans.

    Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

    Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, file reports of ownership and changes in ownership (Forms 3, 4, and 5) with the SEC. Executive officers, directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required to furnish us with copies of all of the forms that they file.

    Dr. Costanzo filed a late Form 4 on September 16, 2019 to report the acquisition of an option to purchase shares of common stock on September 3, 2019. Other than this filing, based solely on our review of these reports or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, our officers, directors, greater than 10% beneficial owners, and other persons subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act filed on a timely basis all reports required of them under Section 16(a) so that there were no late filings of any statutory duty owedForm 3 or Form 5 reports or late Form 4 filings with respect to transactions relating to our common stock.

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    Availability of 2019 Annual Report to Stockholders

    SEC rules require us to provide a copy of our 2019 annual report to stockholders who receive this proxy statement. Our 2019 annual report to stockholders includes our annual report on Form 10-K for 2019 (including certain exhibits). We will also provide copies of our 2019 annual report to stockholders, and to brokers, dealers, banks, voting trustees and their nominees for the Company; (iv) such Participant's unauthorized use or disclosurebenefit of beneficial owners. Additional copies of the Company's confidential information2019 annual report to stockholders (excluding certain exhibits or trade secrets;documents incorporated by reference in our annual report on Form 10-K for 2019) are available to stockholders at no charge upon written request to: Secretary, CHF Solutions, Inc., 12988 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, or (v) such Participant's gross misconduct. on our website, www.chf-solutions.com, under the “Investors – Financials and Filings” tab.

    Householding

    The determinationSEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (such as brokers) to implement a delivery procedure called “householding.” Under this procedure, multiple stockholders who reside at the same address may receive a single copy of our 2019 annual report to stockholders and proxy materials unless the affected stockholder has provided other instructions. This procedure reduces printing costs and postage fees, and helps protect the environment as well.

    We expect that a terminationnumber of brokers with account holders who are our stockholders will be “householding” our 2019 annual report to stockholders and proxy materials. A single set of the Participant's Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause shall2019 annual report to stockholders and proxy materials will be made by the Company in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated by reason of dismissal without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by such Participant shalldelivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.

    (h)"Change in Control"    means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of anybeen received from one or more of the following events:

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    (i) not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of the 2021 annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is made of the date of the 2021 annual meeting, and (ii) not earlier than the 120th day prior to the 2021 annual meeting.

    The above-mentioned proposals must also be in compliance with our Bylaws and the proxy solicitation rules of the SEC and Nasdaq, including but not limited to the information requirements set forth in our Bylaws. We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order or take other thanappropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with the foregoing and other applicable requirements.

    Solicitation by Board; Expenses

    Our Board is sending you this proxy statement in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at our annual meeting. We have retained Morrow Sodali LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies for a fee of approximately $7,000 plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses and have agreed to indemnify Morrow Sodali and its affiliates against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses. In addition, our directors, officers and regular employees may solicit proxies personally, telephonically, electronically or by other means of communication, but they will not receive any additional compensation for these services. We will pay the cost of preparing, assembling, and mailing the proxy materials. We have requested brokers, banks and other nominees to send the proxy materials to, and to obtain proxies from, the beneficial owners and we will reimburse such record holders for their reasonable expenses in doing so.

    Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on May 20, 2020

    The 2020 proxy statement and 2019 annual report are available at www.proxyvote.com.

    Your cooperation in giving this matter your immediate attention and in voting your proxies promptly is appreciated.

    By Order of the Board of Directors,
    Thomas P. Lynch
    Secretary
    April 13, 2020

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    APPENDIX A

    CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
    TO THE
    FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
    CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
    OF
    CHF SOLUTIONS, INC.

    CHF Solutions, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (A) on accountGeneral Corporation Law of the acquisitionState of securitiesDelaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify:

    FIRST: That the Board of Directors of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on accountCorporation duly adopted resolutions to amend its Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as follows, declaring said amendment to be advisable and calling for submission of said resolution to a vote of the acquisitionstockholders of securitiessaid Corporation;

    SECOND: That thereafter, at a meeting duly called and held upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquiresGeneral Corporation Law of the Company's securities inState of Delaware, the stockholders of the Corporation duly voted a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities, or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the"Subject Person") exceeds the designated percentage thresholdmajority of the outstanding voting securitiesstock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon in favor of adoption of said amendment; and

    THIRD: That said amendment being duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CHF Solutions, Inc., as a resultpreviously amended, is hereby amended as follows:

    Paragraph A of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securitiesARTICLE IV, AUTHORIZED STOCK AND RELATIVE RIGHTS, as amended to date, is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced by the Company reducing thefollowing:

    “The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock”. The total number of shares outstanding, provided that ifthe Corporation is authorized to issue is One Hundred Forty Million (140,000,000) shares, each with a Change in Control would occur (but forpar value of $0.0001 per share. One Hundred Million (100,000,000) shares shall be Common Stock and Forty Million (40,000,000) shares shall be Preferred Stock. Upon the operationfiling and effectiveness (the “Effective Time”) pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) of this sentence)Certificate of Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as previously amended (the “Restated Certificate”), each      shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, automatically and without any action on the part of the Corporation or respective holders thereof, be combined and converted into one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock (the “Reverse Split”); provided, however, that the Corporation shall issue no fractional shares as a result of the acquisitionactions set forth herein but shall instead pay to the holder of voting securitiessuch fractional share a sum in cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had


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            Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply.

    (i)"Code"    means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

    (j)"Committee"    means a committee of one (1) or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).

    (k)"Common Stock"    means the common stock of the Company.

    (l)"Company"    means Sunshine Heart, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

    (m)"Consultant"    means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, shall not cause a Director to be considered a "Consultant" for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is


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    treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company's securities to such person.

    (n)"Continuous Service"    means that the Participant's service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant's service with the Company or an Affiliate, shall not terminate a Participant's Continuous Service; provided, however, if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, such Participant's Continuous Service shall be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party's sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or Chief Executive Officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence shall be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in a Stock Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company's leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.

    (o)"Corporate Transaction"    means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

    (p)"Covered Employee"    shall have the meaning provided in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code.

    (q)"Director"    means a member of the Board.

    (r)"Disability"    means, with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and shall be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.

    (s)"Effective Date"    means the effective date of this Plan document, which is the date this Plan (as amended from time to time) is approved by the Company's stockholders.

    (t)"Employee"    means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, shall not cause a Director to be considered an "Employee" for purposes of the Plan.


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    (u)"Entity"    means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

    (v)"Exchange Act"    means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

    (w)"Exchange Act Person"    means any natural person, Entity or "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that "Exchange Act Person" shall not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities; (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities.

    (x)"Fair Market Value"    means, as of any date, the valueclosing sales price of the Common Stock determined as follows:

    (y)"Fully Diluted Shares"    as of a date means an amount equalEffective Time (as adjusted to give effect to the numberReverse Split).”

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of shares of Common Stock (i) outstanding and (ii) issuable upon exercise, conversion or settlement of outstanding Awards under the Plan and any other outstanding options, warrants or other securities of the Company that are (directly or indirectly) convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for shares of Common Stock, in each as of the close of business of the Company on such date. For purposes of calculating the number of Fully Diluted Shares: (x) if the number of shares subject to an outstanding Award is variable on the applicable date, then the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or settlement of the Award shall be the maximum number of shares that could be received under such Award and (y) if two or more types of Awards are granted to a Participant in tandem with each other such that the exercise of one type of Award with respect to a number of shares cancels at least an equal number of shares of the other, then the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or settlement of the Award shall be the largest number of shares that would be counted under either of the Awards.

    (z)"Incentive Stock Option"    means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that is intendedAmendment to be and qualifies as, an "incentive stock option" within the meaningsigned by its Chief Executive Officer this                day of                         Section 422 of the Code.

    (aa)"Listing Rules"    means the Listing Rules of ASX and any other rules of ASX which are applicable while the Company is admitted to the official list of ASX, each as amended or replaced from time to time, except to the extent of any express written waiver by ASX.


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    (bb)"Non-Employee Director"    means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act ("Regulation S-K")), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a "non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3.2020.

    (cc)"Nonstatutory Stock Option"    means any option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

    (dd)"Officer"    means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

    (ee)"Option"    means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

    (ff)"Option Agreement"    means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

    (gg)"Optionholder"    means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

    (hh)"Other Stock Award"    means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(d).

    (ii)"Other Stock Award Agreement"    means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Stock Award grant. Each Other Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

    (jj)"Outside Director"    means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code), is not a former employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" who receives compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan) during the taxable year, has not been an officer of the Company or an "affiliated corporation," and does not receive remuneration from the Company or an "affiliated corporation," either directly or indirectly, in any capacity other than as a Director, or (ii) is otherwise considered an "outside director" for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

    (kk)"Own","Owned","Owner","Ownership"    A person or Entity shall be deemed to "Own," to have "Owned," to be the "Owner" of, or to have acquired "Ownership" of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting or dispositive power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting or dispose of or direct the disposition of, with respect to such securities.

    (ll)"Participant"    means a person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Stock Award.

    (mm)"Performance Cash Award"    means an award of cash granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(c)(ii).

    (nn)"Performance Criteria"    means the one or more criteria that the Board shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of,


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    the following as determined by the Board: (i) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (ii) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (iii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (iv) total stockholder return; (v) return on equity or average stockholder's equity; (vi) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (vii) stock price; (viii) margin (including gross margin); (ix) income (before or after taxes); (x) operating income; (xi) operating income after taxes; (xii) pre-tax profit; (xiii) operating cash flow; (xiv) sales or revenue targets; (xv) increases in revenue or product revenue; (xvi) expenses and cost reduction goals; (xvii) improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; (xiii) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (xix) market share; (xx) cash flow; (xxi) cash flow per share; (xxii) share price performance; (xxiii) debt reduction; (xxiv) implementation or completion of projects or processes; (xxv) customer satisfaction; (xxvi) stockholders' equity; (xxvii) capital expenditures; (xxiii) debt levels; (xxix) operating profit or net operating profit; (xxx) workforce diversity; (xxxi) growth of net income or operating income; (xxxii) billings; and (xxxiii) to the extent that an Award is not intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, other measures of performance selected by the Board.

    (oo)"Performance Goals" means,    for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Board for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. Performance Goals may be based on a Company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise by the Board (i) in the Award Agreement at the time the Award is granted or (ii) in such other document setting forth the Performance Goals at the time the Performance Goals are established, the Board shall appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of Performance Goals for a Performance Period as follows: (A) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (B) to exclude exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated Performance Goals; (C) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (D) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; and (E) to exclude the effects of any "extraordinary items" as determined under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Board retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the Stock Award Agreement or the written terms of a Performance Cash Award.

    (pp)"Performance Period"    means the period of time selected by the Board over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant's right to and the payment of a Stock Award or a Performance Cash Award. Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at the sole discretion of the Board.

    (qq)"Performance Stock Award"    means a Stock Award granted under the terms and conditions of Section 6(c)(i).

    (rr)"Plan"    means this Sunshine Heart, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.

    (ss)"Restricted Stock Award"    means an award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).

    (tt)"Restricted Stock Award Agreement"    means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.


    Table of Contents

    (uu)"Restricted Stock Unit Award"    means a right to receive shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof, which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).

    (vv)"Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement"    means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

    (ww)"Rule 16b-3"    means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

    (xx)"Securities Act"    means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

    (yy)"Stock Appreciation Right" or"SAR"    means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.

    (zz)"Stock Appreciation Right Agreement"    means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Appreciation Right grant. Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

    (aaa)"Stock Award"    means any right to receive Common Stock granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Performance Stock Award or any Other Stock Award.

    (bbb)"Stock Award Agreement"    means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

    (ccc)"Subsidiary"    means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than fifty percent (50%).

    (ddd)"Ten Percent Stockholder"    means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.


    ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF SUNSHINE HEART,

    CHF SOLUTIONS, INC. August 9, 2012 8:00 a.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (11:00 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time) NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL: The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card are available at www.sunshineheart.com/investors Please sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible. Signature of Stockholder Date: Signature of Stockholder Date: Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. 1. Election of the Class II directors identified in the accompanying proxy statement, each for a three-year term. O Dr. Geoffrey Brooke O Mr. David Rosa 2. For purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.1, Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) and for all other purposes, to approve the issuance and sale of up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock to investors in a public offering, the over-allotment option, the potential 20% upsizing and the pre-emptive rights (if any). 3. For purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.4 and for all other purposes, ratification of our issuance and sale of (a) 256,875 shares of common stock; and (b) warrants to purchase 85,616 shares of common stock, issued to U.S. accredited investors and Australian institutional investors and to Summer Street Research Partners, our placement agent, and its registered representatives in connection with our February 8, 2012 private placement. 4. Approval of (a) our Second Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"); (b) the issuance of securities under the Plan for the purposes of Exception 9 of ASX Listing Rule 7.2; and (c) the Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and for all other purposes. 5. Ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor of Sunshine Heart, Inc. for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012. The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company before the execution of this proxy of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders.The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company before the execution of this proxy of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN FOR ALL NOMINEES WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below) INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s)
    By:
    , mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: NOMINEES: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND "FOR" PROPOSALS 2, 3, 4 AND 5. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. --------------- ---------------- 20230300300300001000 4 080912 MARK “X” HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.

    Signature of Stockholder Date: Signature of Stockholder Date: Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. 1. Election of the Class II directors identified in the accompanying proxy statement, each for a three-year term. O Dr. Geoffrey Brooke O Mr. David Rosa 2. For purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.1, Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) and for all other purposes, to approve the issuance and sale of up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock to investors in a public offering, the over-allotment option, the potential 20% upsizing and the pre-emptive rights (if any). 3. For purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.4 and for all other purposes, ratification of our issuance and sale of (a) 256,875 shares of common stock; and (b) warrants to purchase 85,616 shares of common stock, issued to U.S. accredited investors and Australian institutional investors and to Summer Street Research Partners, our placement agent, and its registered representatives in connection with our February 8, 2012 private placement. 4. Approval of (a) our Second Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"); (b) the issuance of securities under the Plan for the purposes of Exception 9 of ASX Listing Rule 7.2; and (c) the Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and for all other purposes. 5. Ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor of Sunshine Heart, Inc. for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012. The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company before the execution of this proxy of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders.The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company before the execution of this proxy of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders. FOR ALL NOMINEES WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below) INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: JOHN SMITH 1234 MAIN STREET APT. 203 NEW YORK, NY 10038 NOMINEES: ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF SUNSHINE HEART, INC. August 9, 2012 8:00 a.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (11:00 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time) INTERNET - Access “www.voteproxy.com” and follow the on-screen instructions. Have your proxy card available when you access the web page. TELEPHONE - Call toll-free 1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437) in the United States or 1-718-921-8500 from foreign countries from any touch-tone telephone and follow the instructions. Have your proxy card available when you call. Vote online/phone until 10:59 PM U.S. Central Daylight Time on August 8, 2012 (1:59 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time on August 9, 2012) MAIL - Sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible. IN PERSON - You may vote your shares in person by attending the Annual Meeting. PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided IF you are not voting via telephone or the Internet. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND "FOR" PROPOSALS 2, 3, 4 AND 5. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x --------------- ---------------- 20230300300300001000 4 080912 COMPANY NUMBER ACCOUNT NUMBER NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL: The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card are available at www.sunshineheart.com/investors MARK “X” HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN

    A-1

    0 --------------- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---------------- 14475 SUNSHINE HEART, INC. 12988 Valley View Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned hereby appoints David Rosa and Jeffrey Mathiesen as proxies, each with full power of substitution, to represent and vote as designated on the reverse side, all the shares of Common Stock of Sunshine Heart, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on July 20, 2012, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the offices of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, located at 2200 Wells Fargo Center, 90 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (11:00 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time), or any adjournment or postponement thereof. (Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)

    . www.linkmarketservices.com.au ONLINE . By mail: Sunshine Heart, Inc. C/- Link Market Services Limited Locked Bag A14 Sydney South NSW 1235 Australia . By fax: +61 2 9287 0309 . All enquiries to: Telephone: +61 2 8280 7181 Sunshine Heart, Inc. ABN 79 109 440 888 X99999999999 CDI VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM DIRECTION TO CHESS DEPOSITARY NOMINEES STEP 1 I/We, being a CHESS Depositary Interest (CDI) holder in Sunshine Heart, Inc. (Company) direct CHESS Depositary Nominees Pty Ltd (CDN) to vote the shares underlying my/our holding at the Annual Meeting of the Company to be held on Thursday, 9 August 2012 at 8:00am U.S. Central Daylight Time (11:00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time) at the offices of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, 2200 Wells Fargo Center, 90 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Forms will only be valid and accepted by the Company if they are signed and received no later than 8:00am U.S. Central Daylight Time on 7 August 2012 or 11:00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time on 7 August 2012. By execution of this CDI Voting Instruction Form, the undersigned hereby authorizes CDN to appoint such proxies or their substitutes to vote in their discretion on such business as may properly come before the meeting. This form will only be used for the purpose of voting on the proposals specified below. To direct CDN on how to vote on any proposal, please insert X in the appropriate box. In the absence of a direction by you, CDN has no direction and your votes will not be counted. PROPOSALS STEP 2 For All Withold All For All Except Proposal 1 Election of the Class II directors identified in the accompanying proxy statement, each for a three-year term. Nominees: 01 Geoffrey Brooke 02 David Rosa To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number of the nominee on this box. Abstain Proposal 2 For purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.1, Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) and for all other purposes, to approve the issuance and sale of up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock to investors in a public offering, the over-allotment option the potential 20% upsizing and the pre-emptive rights (if any). Against For Proposal 3 For purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.4 and for all other purposes, ratification of our issuance and sale of (a) 256,875 shares of common stock; and (b) warrants to purchase 85,616 shares of common stock, issued to U.S. accredited investors and Australian institutional investors and to Summer Street Research Partners, our placement agent, and its registered representatives in connection with our 8 February 2012 private placement. Abstain Against For Abstain Against For Proposal 4 Approval of (a) our Second Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”); (b) the issuance of securities under the Plan for the purposes of Exception 9 of ASX Listing Rule 7.2; and (c) the Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and for all other purposes. Abstain For Against Proposal 5 Ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor of Sunshine Heart, Inc. for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2012. SIGNATURE OF SECURITYHOLDER(S) – THIS MUST BE COMPLETED STEP 3 Individual or Securityholder 1 Securityholder 2 Securityholder 3 Sole Director and Sole Company Secretary Director Director/Company Secretary Contact Name Contact Daytime Telephone Date / /


    HOW TO COMPLETE THIS VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM Your Name and Address This is your name and address as it appears on the Company’s CHESS Depositary Interest (CDI) register. If this information is incorrect, please make the correction on the form. CDI holders sponsored by a broker should advise their broker of any changes. Please note: you cannot change ownership of your CDIs using this form. Direction to CHESS Depositary Nominees Pty Ltd Two hundreds CDIs are evidence of an indirect ownership in one share of common stock in the Company (Common Share) so every two hundreds CDIs that you owned on 20 July 2012 entitles you to one vote. The underlying Common Shares are registered in the name of CHESS Depositary Nominees Pty Ltd (CDN). As holders of CDIs are not the legal owners of the Common Shares, CDN is entitled to vote at meetings of shareholders on the instruction of the registered holder of the CDIs (subject to the below). Signing Instructions You must sign this form as follows in the spaces provided: Individual: Where the holding is in one name, the CDI holder must sign. Joint Holding: Where the holding is in more than one name, either CDI holder may sign. Power of Attorney: To sign under Power of Attorney, you must lodge the Power of Attorney with the Australian registry. If you have not previously submited this document for notation, please attach a certified photocopy of the Power of Attorney to this form when you return it. Companies: Where the company has a Sole Director who is also the Sole Company Secretary, this form must be signed by that person. If the company (pursuant to section 204A of the Corporations Act 2001) does not have a Company Secretary, a Sole Director can also sign alone. Otherwise this form must be signed by a Director jointly with either another Director or a Company Secretary. Please indicate the office held by signing in the appropriate place. INSTRUCTING CDN TO NOMINATE A PROXY A CDI holder (or their nominee) will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting only if such holder informs the Company and CDN that they wish to nominate themselves or another person to be appointed as CDN’s proxy for the purpose of attending and voting the Common Shares underlying their CDIs at the meeting. Lodgement of a Voting Instruction Form This Voting Instruction Form (and any Power of Attorney under which it is signed) must be received at an address given below by 8:00am U.S. Central Daylight Time on 7 August 2012 or 11:00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time on 7 August 2012. Any Voting Instruction Form received after that time will be invalid. Voting Instruction Forms may be lodged using the reply paid envelope or: . www.linkmarketservices.com.au ONLINE Login to the Link website using the holding details as shown on the Voting Instruction Form. Select ‘Voting’ and follow the prompts to lodge your vote. To use the online lodgement facility, securityholders will need their “Holder Identifier” (Securityholder Reference Number (SRN) or Holder Identification Number (HIN) as shown on the front of the proxy form). . By mail: Sunshine Heart, Inc. C/- Link Market Services Limited Locked Bag A14 Sydney South NSW 1235 Australia . By fax: +61 2 9287 0309 . By hand: delivering it to Link Market Services Limited, 1A Homebush Bay Drive, Rhodes NSW 2138 or Level 12, 680 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000.