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Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
Registration No. 333-241454
PROSPECTUS

27,774,195 Units consisting of shares of common stock and warrants (and shares of common stock underlying such warrants)
CHF SOLUTIONS, INC.
We are offering 27,774,195 Units, with each Unit consisting of one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and one warrant to purchase one share of our common stock (together with the shares of common stock underlying such warrants, the “Units”) at a public offering price of $0.45 per Unit. Warrants included in the Units have an exercise price of $0.45 per whole share (“Warrants”).
The Units will not be certificated and the shares of common stock and warrants comprising the Units are immediately separable and will be issued separately in this offering. The Warrants will be exercisable beginning on the effective date of our stockholders’ approval of a reverse stock split in an amount sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Warrants, and will expire on the five year anniversary of the original issuance date.
Our common stock trades on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “CHFS”. See “Prospectus Summary—Recent Developments” in this prospectus for important information about the listing of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market. We do not intend to list the Warrants to be sold in this offering on any stock exchange or other trading market.
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before making any investment in our securities, you should read and carefully consider the risks described in this prospectus under the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” on page 7 of this prospectus.
 
Per
Unit
Total
Public offering price
0.45
12,498,387.75
Underwriting discounts(2)
0.036
999,871.02
Proceeds, before expenses, to CHF Solutions, Inc.
0.414
11,498,516.73
(1)
The public offering price and underwriting discount in respect of the Units corresponds to (i) a public offering price per share of common stock of $0.44 ($0.4048 net of the underwriting discount) and (ii) a public offering price per warrant of $0.01 ($0.0092 net of the underwriting discount).
(2)
We have agreed to pay certain expenses of the underwriters in this offering. We refer you to “Underwriting” on page 43 for additional information regarding underwriting compensation.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed on the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriters have the option to purchase up to (i) 4,166,129 additional shares of common stock, and/or (ii) additional warrants to purchase up to 4,166,129 additional shares of common stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any, at the public offering price per share of common stock and the public offering price per warrant set forth above less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The over-allotment option may be used to purchase shares of common stock and/or warrants, or any combination thereof, as determined by the underwriters, but such purchases cannot exceed an aggregate of 4,166,129 shares of common stock and 4,166,129 Warrants. The over-allotment option is exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus.
The underwriters expect to deliver the securities to purchasers on August 21, 2020.
Sole Book-Running Manager
Ladenburg Thalmann
Co-Manager
Maxim Group LLC
The date of this prospectus is August 19, 2020

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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and any free-writing prospectus that we authorize to be distributed to you. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information different from or in addition to that contained in this prospectus or any related free-writing prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are offering to sell, and are seeking offers to buy, the securities offered by this prospectus only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of the securities. Our business, financial conditions, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you under the caption “Where You Can Find Additional Information” in this prospectus.
We have not, and the underwriter has not, done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to the offering of the securities and distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.
We obtained industry and market data used throughout and incorporated by reference into this prospectus through our research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties and industry and general publications. We have not independently verified market and industry data from third-party sources.
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-1 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). It omits some of the information contained in the registration statement and reference is made to the registration statement for further information with regard to us and the securities being offered hereby. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and the securities being offered hereby. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to the filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.
You should read this prospectus, any documents that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus and the additional information described below under “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Information Incorporated By Reference” before making an investment decision. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with additional, different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any documents we incorporate by reference herein is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of such document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Our reports, proxy statements and other information filed with the SEC are available free of charge to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. These documents may also be accessed on our website at www.chf-solutions.com. Information contained in, or accessible through, our website is not a part of this prospectus.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
SEC rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus much of the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus plus consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus. These documents may include Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements. You should read the information incorporated by reference because it is an important part of this prospectus.
This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below, other than those documents or the portions of those documents deemed to be furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules:
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 5, 2020;
our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on May 14, 2020 and for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on August 5, 2020;
the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 from our definitive proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders held on May 20, 2020, filed with the SEC on April 13, 2020, and supplemented on May 22, 2020 and June 4, 2020 for the adjournment of the annual meeting of stockholders held on June 19, 2020;
the description of our common stock in our registration statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC on September 30, 2011, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and
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the description of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on June 14, 2013.
Any statement contained in any document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We also incorporate by reference any future filings, other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items, made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents deemed to be furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, until the offering of the securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is terminated or completed. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.
Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus is continually updated and later information filed with the SEC may update and supersede some of the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded.
These documents may also be accessed on our website at www.chf-solutions.com. Information contained in, or accessible through, our website is not a part of this prospectus. We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owners, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all reports or documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus, excluding exhibits to those reports or documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You may request a copy of these documents by writing or telephoning us at the following address.
CHF Solutions, Inc.
12988 Valley View Road
Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344
(952) 345-4200
ir@chf-solutions.com
Attention: Claudia Drayton
Chief Financial Officer
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making your investment decision. Before deciding to invest in our securities, you should read this entire prospectus carefully, including our financial statements and related notes, the information in the section “Risk Factors” and our filings incorporated by reference herein to which we have referred you in the sections “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Information Incorporated by Reference.” Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to the “Company,” “CHFS,” the “registrant,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to CHF Solutions, Inc.
Company Overview
We are a medical device company dedicated to changing the lives of patients suffering from fluid overload through science, collaboration, and innovative technology. The company is focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing medical devices used in ultrafiltration therapy, including the Aquadex FlexFlow® and the Aquadex SmartFlow™ systems (collectively, the “Aquadex System”). The Aquadex System is indicated for temporary (up to eight hours) or extended (longer than 8 hours in patients who require hospitalization) use in adult and pediatric patients weighing 20kg or more whose fluid overload is unresponsive to medical management, including diuretics.
The Aquadex System
The Aquadex System is designed and clinically proven to simply, safely, and precisely remove excess fluid (primarily excess salt and water) from patients suffering from fluid overload who have failed diuretic therapy. With the Aquadex System, medical practitioners can specify and control the amount of fluid to be extracted at a safe, predictable, and effective rate. The Aquadex System has been shown to have no clinically significant impact on electrolyte balance, blood pressure or heart rate.(1) Unlike other forms of ultrafiltration, which typically require administration specifically by a nephrologist, the Aquadex System may be prescribed by any physician and administered by a healthcare provider, both of whom have received training in extracorporeal therapies.
Benefits of the Aquadex System
The Aquadex System offers a safe approach to treating fluid overload and:
Provides complete control over rate and total volume of fluid removed by allowing a medical practitioner to specify the amount of fluid to be removed from each individual patient;
Can be performed via peripheral or central venous access;
Removes isotonic fluid (extracts sodium while sparing potassium and magnesium)(2);
Following ultrafiltration, neurohormonal activation is reset toward a more physiological condition and diuretic efficacy is restored(3);
Provides highly automated operation with only one setting required to begin;
Utilizes a single-use, disposable auto-loading blood filter circuit that facilitates easy set-up;
The console guides medical practitioner through the setup and operational process; and
Decreased hospital readmissions and duration(4) resulting in cost savings at 90 days(5).
(1)
SAFE Trial: Jaski BE, et al. J Card Fail. 2003 Jun; 9(3): 227-231; RAPID Trial: Bart BA, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005 Dec 6; 46(11): 2043-2046
(2)
Ali SS, et al. Congest Heart Fail. 2009; 15(1):1-4.
(3)
Marenzi G, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001 Oct; 38(4): 963-968.
(4)
Costanzo MR, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005 Dec 6; 46(11): 2047-2051.
(5)
Costanzo MR, et al. Ultrafiltration vs. Diuretics for the Treatment of Fluid Overload in Patients with Heart Failure: A Hospital Cost Analysis.
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Components of the Aquadex System
The Aquadex System consists of:
A console, a piece of capital equipment containing electromechanical pumps and an LCD screen;
A one-time disposable blood set, an integrated collection of tubing, filter, sensors, and connectors that contain and deliver the blood from and back to the patient; and
A disposable catheter, a small, dual-lumen extended length catheter designed to access the peripheral venous system of the patient and to simultaneously withdraw blood and return filtered blood to the patient.
The Aquadex blood circuit set is proprietary and the Aquadex System can only be used with the Aquadex blood circuit set. The dual lumen extended length catheter (dELC) is designed for use with the Aquadex System, although it is one of many potential catheter options available to the healthcare provider.
Corporate Information
CHF Solutions, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware on August 22, 2002. We began operating our business in November 1999 through Sunshine Heart Company Pty Limited, which currently is a wholly owned Australian subsidiary of CHF Solutions, Inc. Our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on February 16, 2012.
Our principal executive offices are located at 12988 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344, and our telephone number is (952) 345-4200. Our website address is www.chf-solutions.com. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act will be made available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into and should not be considered a part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.
We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which the aggregate market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates is at least $250 million or the last day of the fiscal year in which we have at least $100 million in revenue and the aggregate market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates is at least $700 million (in each case, with respect to the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates, as measured as of the last business day of the second quarter of such fiscal year). Also, as long as we remain a non-accelerated filer, we are exempt from the attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting by our independent auditors pursuant to section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 but are required to make our own internal assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting.
Recent Developments
Nasdaq Notice
On December 17, 2019, we received a letter (the “Notice”) from The Nasdaq Stock Market (“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. The Nasdaq letter further states that if compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule cannot be demonstrated by the end of the 180-day period, we may be eligible for a second 180-day period to regain compliance. To be eligible for the second 180 day compliance period, (i) we must meet the market value of publicly held shares requirement for continued
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listing and all other applicable standards for initial listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market set forth in Marketplace Rule 5505 (except the bid price requirement), (ii) we must provide Nasdaq with written notice of its intention to cure the deficiency, through a reverse stock split, if necessary, and (iii) Nasdaq must determine that the Company will be able to cure the deficiency. 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. At such time, we may appeal Nasdaq’s delisting determination.
On April 17, 2020, Nasdaq notified us that the 180-day period to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule has been extended due to the global market impact caused by COVID-19. More specifically, Nasdaq has stated that the compliance periods for any company previously notified about non-compliance are suspended effective April 16, 2020, until June 30, 2020. On July 1, 2020, companies received the balance of any pending compliance period exception to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule. As a result of this extension, we now have until August 28, 2020 to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule.
At our annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”), held on May 20, 2020 and adjourned to June 19, 2020, our board of directors proposed an amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of common stock, which if implemented would increase the closing bid price of our common stock above $1.00. There were insufficient votes to pass such proposal at the Annual Meeting.
We intend to monitor the closing bid price of our common stock through the Compliance Period. If we have not regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price before August 28, 2020, we intend to seek an 180-day extension to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement under the Nasdaq Listing Rules.
Pediatrics
In first quarter 2020, the Company received 510(k) clearance and CE Mark for the Aquadex System to include pediatric patients who weigh 20kg or more. The Aquadex System is being prescribed by physicians to treat various conditions in pediatric patients, including heart failure, cardiac surgery, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy, solid organ transplantation, and kidney replacement therapy for neonatal patients.
Public Offering
On January 28, 2020, we closed on an underwritten public offering of 6,046,367 shares of common stock, 11,517,269 shares of Series H Convertible Preferred Stock, and warrants to purchase 17,563,636 shares of common stock, which included the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option, for gross proceeds of $9.66 million. Net proceeds totaled approximately $8.6 million after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other costs associated with the offering.
Registered Direct Offerings
On March 23, 2020, we closed on a registered direct offering of 4,161,392 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $1,248,000, prior to deduction of commissions and offering expenses. In a concurrent private placement, we agreed to issue to the investors in the registered direct offering, unregistered warrants to purchase up to 4,161,392 shares of our common stock. On April 29, 2020, we filed a registration statement to register the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on May 8, 2020.
On April 1, 2020, we closed on a registered direct offering of 5,130,228 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $2,226,000, prior to deduction of commissions and offering expenses. In a concurrent private placement, we agreed to issue to the investors in the registered direct offering, unregistered warrants to purchase up to 2,565,114 shares of our common stock. On April 29, 2020, we filed a registration statement to register the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on May 8, 2020.
On May 5, 2020, we closed on a registered direct offering of 3,597,880 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $1,700,000, prior to deduction of commissions and offering expenses. In a concurrent private placement, we agreed to issue to the investors in the registered direct offering, unregistered warrants to purchase up to 1,798,940 shares of our common stock. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on June 8, 2020.
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Paycheck Protection Program
On April 21, 2020, we announced that we had received $1.66 million under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Subsequent to applying and receiving the funds under the PPP, the United States Treasury Department and the U.S. Small Business Administration issued new guidance regarding eligibility for these loans. As a result, on May 12, 2020, the Company announced it had elected to return all funds it had received under the PPP, so that these funds could be used to help another small business in greater need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Promotion of Nestor Jaramillo, Jr.
On June 25, 2020, we announced that Nestor Jaramillo, Jr., our Chief Commercial Officer, was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer effective July 1, 2020.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
We have been subject to challenging social and economic conditions created as a result of the novel strain of coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (“COVID-19”). The resulting impact of the COVID-19 outbreak created disruptions in our operations resulting from rapid and evolving changes implemented to keep our customers, their patients, and our employees safe. These changes included restrictions on hospital access imposed on our employees by customers dealing in the front lines of COVID-19, changes to employees work practices by requiring employees to work remotely and ensuring the safety of those employees that remained on site. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our operational and financial performance will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, impact on our customers and our sales cycles, employee or industry events, and effect on our vendors, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted.
We may experience constrained supply or curtailed customer demand that could materially adversely impact our business, results of operations and overall financial performance in future periods. Specifically, we may experience impact from changes in how we conduct business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to restrictions on travel and in-person meetings, production delays, warehouses and staffing disruptions and shortages, decreases or delays in customer demand and spending, difficulties or changes to our sales process and customer support. In addition, the disruption created by COVID-19 have created significant uncertainty about our ability to access the capital markets in future periods. As of the date hereof, the extent to which COVID-19 may impact our financial condition or results of operations or guidance is uncertain and cannot be reasonably estimated but could be material and last for an extended period of time. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic will not be fully reflected in our results of operations and overall financial performance until future periods.
Several hospitals in the U.S. have included the Aquadex System, into their treatment protocol for fluid management for COVID-19 patients, especially when dialysis equipment and staff are limited.
In March 2020, we increased production of the Aquadex System to meet anticipated demand due to its use in treatment protocols for COVID-19. We estimate that approximately 34% of our revenue for the second quarter of 2020 was driven by hospitals treating patients with COVID-19. However, we have also seen changes to our sales practices due to restrictions on hospital access and believe that revenue in other areas was negatively impacted by these restrictions.
Warrant Exercises
Since June 30, 2020, we have received cash proceeds of $1,774,291 in connection with the exercise of warrants to purchase 5,914,303 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.30 per share.
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The Offering
Issuer
CHF Solutions, Inc.
Units Offered
We are offering 27,774,195 Units. Each Unit consists of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of our common stock (together with the shares of common stock underlying such warrants).
Offering Price per Unit
$0.45 per Unit.
Description of Warrants
The Warrants will be exercisable beginning on the effective date of our stockholders’ approval of a reverse stock split in an amount sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Warrants, and will expire on the five year anniversary of the original issuance date. We do not have a sufficient number of authorized shares to permit exercise of the Warrants. In the event that we are unable to effect a reverse split in an amount sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Warrants, the Warrants will not be exercisable and therefore have no value. In no event will the Warrants have any cash value other than in connection with a fundamental transaction as described therein.
Shares of common stock underlying the Warrants
27,774,195 shares.
Shares of common stock outstanding before this offering
44,494,631 shares as of July 31, 2020.
Shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering
72,268,826 shares (100,043,021 shares if the Warrants sold in this offering are exercised in full).
Shares of Preferred Stock outstanding before this offering
We have 135 shares of Series F convertible preferred stock (the “Series F Preferred Stock”) outstanding prior to this offering as of July 31, 2020.
Shares of Preferred Stock to be outstanding after this offering
135 shares of Series F Preferred Stock.
Over-allotment option
We have granted the representative an option to purchase up to an additional 4,166,129 shares and/or 4,166,129 warrants at the public offering price per share of common stock and the public offering price per warrant set forth on the cover page hereto less the underwriting discounts and commission. This option is exercisable, in whole or in part, for a period of 45 days from the date of this prospectus.
Market and Trading Symbol
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CHFS”. See “—Recent Developments” above for important information about the listing of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market. There is no established trading market for the Warrants being offered and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply for the listing of the Warrants on any national securities exchange or other trading market. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Warrants will be limited.
Use of Proceeds
We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, including for continued investments in our commercialization efforts. See “Use of Proceeds” herein.
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No listing of Warrants
We do not intend to apply for listing of the Warrants on any securities exchange or trading system.
Risk Factors
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review and consider the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” on page 7 of this prospectus for a discussion of factors to consider before deciding to invest in this offering.
Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus is based on 44,494,631 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 31, 2020 and excludes the shares of Common Stock being offered by this prospectus and issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and also excludes the following:
477,213 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, having a weighted average exercise price of $18.24 per share;
22,637,741 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants (other than the warrants offered hereby) with a weighted-average exercise price of $1.89 per share;
450,090 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the 135 outstanding shares of our Series F Preferred Stock; and
1,811,759 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our equity incentive plans.
All share and per share amounts for all periods presented in this prospectus and the registration statement of which it forms a part have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock splits we previously effected on January 12, 2017, October 12, 2017 and January 2, 2019.
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities has a high degree of risk. Before you invest you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this prospectus. Any of the risks and uncertainties set forth herein could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, which in turn could materially and adversely affect the trading price or value of our securities. Additional risks not currently known to us or which we consider immaterial based on information currently available to us may also materially adversely affect us. As a result, you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business
We have limited history of operations and limited experience in sales and marketing, and we might be unsuccessful in increasing our sales and cannot assure you that we will ever generate substantial revenue or be profitable.
Prior to our acquisition of the Aquadex System in August 2016, we did not have a product approved for commercial sale and focused our resources on developing and manufacturing our C-Pulse System. On September 29, 2016, we announced a strategic refocus of our strategy that included halting all clinical evaluations of the C-Pulse System to fully focus our resources on commercializing our Aquadex System, taking actions to reduce our cash burn in connection with such strategic refocus and reviewing potential strategic alliances and financing alternatives. In addition, our business strategy depends in part on our ability to grow our business by establishing an effective sales force and selling our products to hospitals and other healthcare facilities while controlling costs. In addition to heart failure, we have expanded our commercialization efforts into critical care and post-cardiac surgery. In February 2020, we received 510(k) clearance of the Aquadex SmartFlow system to include pediatric patients who weigh 20kg or more. With this 510(k) clearance, we have expanded our commercialization efforts into pediatrics. We have limited prior experience with respect to sales or marketing of the Aquadex System in both heart failure, critical care, post-cardiac surgery and pediatrics. If we are unsuccessful at marketing and selling our Aquadex System, our operations and potential revenues will be materially adversely affected.
We have incurred operating losses since our inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur operating losses in the near-term. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm issued in connection with its audit of our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
We are an emerging company with a history of incurring net losses. We have incurred net losses since our inception, including net losses of $8.5 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, our accumulated deficit was $226.0 million.
The report of our independent registered public accounting firm issued in connection with its audit of our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Prior to August 2016, we did not have any products approved for commercialization, generated only limited revenue from our clinical studies and had significant operating losses as we incurred costs associated with the conduct of clinical studies and our research and development programs for our C-Pulse System. We became a revenue generating company only after acquiring the Aquadex Business from a subsidiary of Baxter in August 2016. We expect to incur additional losses in the near-term as we grow the Aquadex Business, including investments in expanding our sales and marketing capabilities, manufacturing components, and complying with the requirements related to being a U.S. public company listed on Nasdaq. To become and remain profitable, we must succeed in expanding the adoption and market acceptance of the Aquadex System. This will require us to succeed in a range of challenging activities, including training personnel at hospitals and effectively and efficiently manufacturing, marketing and distributing the Aquadex System and related components. There can be no assurance that we will succeed in these activities, and we may never generate revenues sufficient to achieve profitability. If we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain it.
We will need to raise additional capital to fund our operations beyond mid-2021. 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 beyond mid-2021. Changing circumstances may cause us to consume capital significantly faster than we currently anticipate and could
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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 may make it more difficult to obtain necessary additional funding on terms favorable to us, or at all. If we raise additional funding through the issuance of equity securities, our stockholders may suffer dilution and our ability to 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 our commercialization efforts would be delayed, reduced or eliminated, our relationships with our suppliers and manufacturers may be harmed, and we may not be able to continue our operations.
Our near-term prospects are highly dependent on revenues from a single product, the Aquadex System. We face significant challenges in expanding market acceptance of the Aquadex System, which could adversely affect our potential sales.
Our near-term prospects are highly dependent on revenues from a single product, the Aquadex System, and we have no other commercial products or products in active development at this time. The established market or customer base for our Aquadex System is limited and our success depends on our ability to increase adoption and utilization of the Aquadex System. Acceptance of our product in the marketplace by health care providers is uncertain, and our failure to achieve sufficient market acceptance will significantly limit our ability to generate revenue and be profitable. Market acceptance will require substantial marketing efforts and the expenditure of significant funds by us to inform health care providers of the benefits of using the Aquadex System and to provide further training on its use. We may not be able to build key relationships with health care providers to drive further sales in the United States or sell the Aquadex System outside the United States. Product orders may be cancelled, patients or customers currently using our products may cease to do so and patients or customers expected to begin using our products may not. In addition, market acceptance of the Aquadex System may require that we make enhancements to the system or its components. We cannot be sure that we will be able to successfully develop such enhancements, or that if developed they will be viewed favorable by the market. Our ability to achieve acceptance of our Aquadex System depends on our ability to demonstrate the safety, efficacy, ease-of-use and cost-effectiveness of the system. We may not be able to expand the adoption and market acceptance of the Aquadex System to both the inpatient and outpatient markets and our potential sales could be harmed.
We depend on a limited number of customers, the loss of which, or failure of which to order our products in a particular period, could cause our revenues to decline.
Our ten largest customers represented 45.1% and 54.1% of our revenues in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, with our largest customer representing 10.0% and 10.1%, respectively, of our revenues during such periods. For the three months ended June 30, 2020, one customer represented 10% of net sales. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, two customers each represented 10% of net sales. Customer ordering patterns may vary significantly from quarter to quarter, or customers may discontinue providing therapies using our products. If one of our largest customers reduced its purchases in a fiscal period, our revenues for that period may be materially adversely affected. Further, if one of our largest customers discontinued the use of our products, our revenues may be materially adversely affected.
We have limited commercial manufacturing experience and could experience difficulty in producing commercial volumes of the Aquadex System and related components or may need to depend on third parties for manufacturing.
We have limited experience in commercial manufacturing of the Aquadex System. Following the acquisition of the Aquadex Business in 2016, Baxter manufactured and supplied the Aquadex FlexFlow blood circuit sets and Aquadex FlexFlow catheters. We transferred manufacturing equipment for the Aquadex Business to our manufacturing facility in July 2017. We began manufacturing Aquadex FlexFlow consoles and blood circuits in-house in the fourth quarter of 2017 and Aquadex FlexFlow catheters in-house in the third quarter of 2018. We have manufactured the Aquadex SmartFlow console since its development in 2019. However, because we have limited prior commercial manufacturing experience, we may incur manufacturing inefficiencies, delays or interruptions. We may not be able to achieve low-cost manufacturing capabilities and processes that will enable
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us to manufacture the Aquadex System or related components in significant volumes, while meeting the legal, regulatory, quality, price, durability, engineering, design and production standards required to market our products successfully. If we experience difficulties with our manufacturing operations, we may experience delays in providing products and services to our customers, and our business could be harmed.
We depend upon third-party suppliers, including single source suppliers, making us vulnerable to supply problems and price fluctuations.
We will rely on third-party suppliers, including single source suppliers, to provide us with certain components of the Aquadex System. We have no long-term contracts with third-party suppliers that guarantee volume or the continuation of payment terms. We depend on our suppliers to provide us with materials in a timely manner that meet our quality, quantity and cost requirements. The forecasts of demand we use to determine order quantities and lead times for components purchased from outside suppliers may be incorrect. If we do not increase our sales volumes, which drive our demand for our suppliers’ products, we may not procure volumes sufficient to receive favorable pricing, which could impact our gross margins if we are unable to pass along price differences to our customers. Our failure to obtain required components or subassemblies when needed and at a reasonable cost would adversely affect our business. These suppliers may encounter problems during manufacturing for a variety of reasons, any of which could delay or impede their ability to meet our demand. Any difficulties in locating and hiring third-party suppliers, or in the ability of third-party suppliers to supply quantities of our products at the times and in the quantities we need, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The coronavirus outbreak has the potential to cause a disruption in our supply chain.
The COVID-19, or coronavirus, outbreak has the potential to cause a disruption in our supply chain. Currently, some of our suppliers of certain components and materials included in the Aquadex System are located in China. It is possible that we could obtain these components or materials from suppliers outside of China. However, such alternative components or materials and/or suppliers would need to be qualified under our supplier quality procedures, which may take significant time and resources. In addition, due to port closures, import delays and other restrictions resulting from the coronavirus outbreak in China, suppliers, located both inside and outside of China, may have limited supply of the components or materials, which could cause the price of such materials to increase. These and other disruptions would likely impact our sales and operating results. If we are unable to obtain the necessary components and materials to manufacture the Aquadex System within our standard lead times, it may delay the production and shipment of the Aquadex System, thereby shifting the timing of recognizing the resulting sale to our customers. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could affect demand for our products and impact our operating results.
The COVID-19 outbreak and other public health threats or outbreaks of communicable diseases could have a material adverse effect on our operations and overall financial performance.
We may face risks related to public health threats or outbreaks of communicable diseases. A global health crisis, such as the current outbreak of coronavirus or COVID-19, could adversely affect the United States and global economies and limit the ability of enterprises to conduct business for an indefinite period of time. The current outbreak of COVID-19 has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted financial markets and international trade, resulted in increased unemployment levels, significantly impacted global supply chains. The resulting impact of the COVID-19 outbreak has created disruptions in our operations resulting from rapid and evolving changes implemented to keep our customers, their patients, and our employees safe. These changes included restrictions on hospital access imposed on our employees by customers dealing in the front lines of COVID-19, changes to employees work practices by requiring employees to work remotely and ensuring the safety of those employees that remained on site. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our operational and financial performance will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, impact on our customers and our sales cycles, employee or industry events, and effect on our vendors, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted.
In addition, government authorities have implemented various mitigation measures, including travel restrictions, limitations on business operations, stay-at-home orders and social distancing protocols. While we
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have been deemed an essential critical infrastructure by the United States, the economic impact of the aforementioned actions may impair our ability to sustain sufficient financial liquidity and impact our financial results. Specifically, the continued spread of COVID-19 and efforts to contain the virus could: (i) decrease or delay customer demand and spending; (ii) result in an increase in costs related to delayed payments from customers and uncollectable accounts; (iii) cause difficulties or changes to our sales process and customer support; (iv) cause delays and disruptions in the supply chain or production; (v) cause staffing disruptions and shortages, including finding qualified personnel; (vi) limit our ability to access the capital markets in future periods; and (vii) cause other unpredictable events.
As we cannot predict the duration or scope of the global health crisis, the anticipated negative financial impact to our financial condition or results of operation is uncertain and cannot be reasonably estimated but could be material and last for an extended period of time.
If we cannot develop adequate distribution, customer service and technical support networks, then we may not be able to market and distribute the Aquadex System effectively and our sales will suffer.
Our strategy requires us to provide a significant amount of customer service, maintenance, and other technical service to our customers. To provide these services, we have begun, and will need to continue, to develop a network of distribution and a staff of employees and independent contractors in each of the areas in which we intend to operate. We cannot assure that we will be able to organize and manage this network on a cost-effective basis. If we cannot effectively organize and manage this network, then it may be difficult for us to distribute our products and to provide competitive service and support to our customers, in which case customers may be unable, or decide not, to order our products and our sales will suffer.
We compete against many companies, some of which have longer operating histories, more established products and greater resources than we do, which may prevent us from achieving further market penetration or improving operating results.
Competition from medical device companies and medical device divisions of health care companies, pharmaceutical companies and gene- and cell-based therapies is intense and expected to increase. The vast majority of patients with fluid overload receive pharmacological treatment (diuretics) as a standard of care. There are no direct competitors for the Aquadex System in the U.S., other than diuretics. Other systems, such as Baxter’s Prismaflex, a filter-based device that is approved for continuous renal replacement therapy for patients weighing 20kg or more with acute renal failure and/or fluid overload, and Medtronic’s Carpediem, a pediatric dialysis machine that has been approved in the European Union, represent indirect competitors, as they can also be used to conduct ultrafiltration.
Our ability to compete effectively depends upon our ability to demonstrate the advantages of ultrafiltration as compared to diuretics, a pharmacological treatment that is currently the standard of care. In addition, we need to distinguish Aquadex System from the indirect competition of other devices that can also be used to conduct ultrafiltration.
The competition for qualified personnel is particularly intense in our industry. If we are unable to retain or hire key personnel, we may not be able to sustain or grow our business.
Our ability to operate successfully and manage our potential future growth depends significantly upon our ability to attract, retain and motivate highly skilled and qualified research, technical, clinical, regulatory, sales, marketing, managerial and financial personnel. We face intense competition for such personnel, and we may not be able to attract, retain and motivate these individuals. We compete for talent with numerous companies, as well as universities and nonprofit research organizations. Our future success also depends on the personal efforts and abilities of the principal members of our senior management and scientific staff to provide strategic direction, manage our operations and maintain a cohesive and stable environment. We do not maintain life insurance on the lives of any of the members of our senior management. The loss of key personnel for any reason or our inability to hire, retain and motivate additional qualified personnel in the future could prevent us from sustaining or growing our business.
Significant additional governmental regulation could subject us to unanticipated delays which would adversely affect our sales.
Our business strategy depends in part on our ability to expand the use of the Aquadex System in the market as quickly as possible. To achieve expanded market use of the Aquadex System, we may develop additional
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enhancements to the system or its components. Depending on their nature, such enhancements may be subject to review by the FDA and regulatory authorities outside of the United States under the applicable regulations. Any regulatory delay in our ability to implement enhancements to the Aquadex System or its components could have an adverse effect on our potential sales.
Health care laws in the United States and other countries are subject to ongoing changes, including changes to the amount of reimbursement for hospital services. Additional laws and regulations, or changes to existing laws and regulations that are applicable to our business may be enacted or promulgated, and the interpretation, application or enforcement of the existing laws and regulations may change. Legislative proposals can substantially change the way health care is financed by both governmental and private insurers and may negatively impact payment rates for our system. We cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations, applications or enforcements or the specific effects any of these might have on our business. However, in the United States and international markets, we expect that both government and third-party payers will continue to attempt to contain or reduce the costs of health care by challenging the prices charged, or deny coverage, for health care products and services. Any future laws, regulations, interpretations, applications or enforcements could delay or prevent regulatory approval or clearance of our Aquadex System and our ability to market our Aquadex System. Moreover, changes that result in our failure to comply with the requirements of applicable laws and regulations could result in the types of enforcement actions by the FDA and/or other agencies as described above, all of which could impair our ability to have manufactured and to sell the affected products.
In the United States, the products included in the Aquadex System are purchased primarily by customers, such as hospitals or other health care providers. Customers bill various third-party payers for covered therapies involving the Aquadex System provided to patients. These payers, which include federal health care programs (e.g., Medicare and Medicaid), state health care programs, private health insurance companies and managed care organizations, then reimburse our customers based on established payment formulas that take into account part or all of the cost associated with these devices and the related procedures performed.
While the agency responsible for administering the Medicare program, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has not issued a favorable national coverage determination under its Investigational Device Exception Studies Program for ultrafiltration using the Aquadex System, a number of private insurers have approved reimbursement for the products included in the Aquadex System for specific indications and points of service.
In addition, patients and providers may seek insurance coverage on a case-by-case basis. We are exploring the ability to increase the range of coverage for uses of the Aquadex System, such as use in the outpatient setting and use for decompensated heart failure and other indicated uses under its approved labeling, although we may not be successful in doing so.
Product defects, resulting in lawsuits for product liability, could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The design, manufacture and marketing of medical devices involve certain inherent risks. Manufacturing or design defects, unanticipated use of a product or inadequate disclosure of risks relating to the use of the product can lead to injury or other adverse events. These events could lead to recalls or safety alerts relating to a product (either voluntary or required by the FDA or similar governmental authorities in other countries), and could result, in certain cases, in the removal of a product from the market. Any recall of our Aquadex System or any related components could result in significant costs, as well as negative publicity and damage to our reputation that could reduce demand for our products. Personal injuries relating to the use of our products could also result in product liability claims being brought against us. In some circumstances, such adverse events could also cause delays in new product approvals.
We may be held liable if any product we develop or commercialize causes injury or is found otherwise unsuitable during product testing, manufacturing, marketing, sale or consumer use. The safety studies we must perform and the regulatory approvals required to commercialize our products will not protect us from any such liability. We carry product liability insurance with a $6.0 million aggregate limit. However, if there are product liability claims against us, our insurance may be insufficient to cover the expense of defending against such claims, or may be insufficient to pay or settle such claims. Furthermore, we may be unable to obtain adequate product liability insurance coverage for commercial sales of any approved product. If such insurance is
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insufficient to protect us, our business, results of operations and financial condition will be harmed. If any product liability claim is made against us, our reputation and future sales will be damaged, even if we have adequate insurance coverage. Even if a product liability claim against us is without merit or if we are not found liable for any damages, a product liability claim could result in decreased interest in our registry studies, decreased demand for our system, if approved for commercialization, injury to our reputation, diversion of management’s attention from operating our business, withdrawal of study participants, significant costs of related litigation, loss of revenue or the inability to commercialize our products.
We may face significant risks associated with international operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We market our products globally. Our international operations are subject to a number of risks, including the following: fluctuations in exchange rates of the United States dollar could adversely affect our results of operations, we may face difficulties in enforcing and collecting accounts receivable under some countries’ legal systems, have our products serviced or conduct other operations, political instability could disrupt our operations, some governments and customers may have longer payment cycles, with resulting adverse effects on our cash flow, and some countries could impose additional taxes or restrict the import of our products. In addition, regulations in individual countries or regions may restrict our ability to sell our products. Most countries, including the countries in the European Union (EU), require approval or registration to import and/or sell our products in the country.
In the EU, we are required to hold a Conformité Européene, or CE, Mark to import our product into the EU. To hold the CE Mark, we must demonstrate compliance with the essential requirements of the European Union Medical Devices Directive (93/42/EEC). Recently, the European Union replaced the Medical Devices Directive with the new European Medical Devices Regulation, or MDR. The MDR will apply after a transitional period of three years ending on May 26, 2020. Manufacturers have the duration of the transition period to update their technical documentation and processes to meet the new requirements in order to obtain a CE Mark or to issue a EC Declaration of Conformity. After May 26, 2020, medical devices can still be placed on the market under the provision of the MDD or the Active Implantable Medical Devices Directive (“AIMDD”) 90/385/EEC (hereafter referred to together as “MDD/AIMDD”) until May 27, 2024; provided the CE Mark was issued prior to this date, the manufacturer continues to comply with either one of the directives, and that no significant changes are made in the design and intended purpose of the applicable medical device. By May 27, 2024, all medical devices entering the EU will need to have a new CE Mark under the MDR, even if they have been on the market previously under the MDD/AIMDD. We received renewal for the CE Mark for the Aquadex FlexFlow circuit in the second quarter of 2019 and the CE Mark for the Aquadex SmartFlow console in January 2020.
Any one or more of these factors associated with international operations could increase our costs, reduce our revenues, or disrupt our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are not able to maintain sufficient quality controls, then the approval or clearance of our products by the European Union, the FDA or other relevant authorities could be withdrawn, delayed or denied and our sales will suffer.
Approval or clearance of our products could be withdrawn, delayed or denied by the European Union, the FDA and the relevant authorities of other countries if our manufacturing facilities do not comply with their respective manufacturing requirements. The European Union imposes requirements on quality control systems of manufacturers, which are inspected and certified on a periodic basis and may be subject to additional unannounced inspections. Failure to comply with these requirements could prevent us from marketing our products in the European Community. The FDA also imposes requirements through quality system requirements, or QSR, regulations, which include requirements for good manufacturing practices, or GMP. Failure to comply with these requirements could prevent us from obtaining FDA approval of our products and from marketing such products in the United States. Our manufacturing facilities have not been inspected and certified by a worldwide testing and certification agency (also referred to as a notified body) that performs conformity assessments to European Union requirements for medical devices. A “notified body” is a group accredited and monitored by governmental agencies that inspects manufacturing facilities and quality control systems at regular intervals and
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is authorized to carry out unannounced inspections. We cannot be sure that our facilities or the processes we use will comply or continue to comply with their respective requirements on a timely basis or at all, which could delay or prevent obtaining the approvals we need to market our products in the European Community and the United States.
To market our products in the European Community, the United States and other countries, where approved, manufacturers of such products must continue to comply or ensure compliance with the relevant manufacturing requirements. Although we cannot control the manufacturers of our products, if we choose to subcontract manufacturing to a contract manufacturer, we may need to expend time, resources and effort in product manufacturing and quality control to assist with their continued compliance with these requirements. If violations of applicable requirements are noted during periodic inspections of the manufacturing facilities of our manufacturers or we fail to address issues raised by the FDA in these inspections, then we may not be able to continue to market the products manufactured in such facilities and our revenues may be materially adversely affected.
If we violate any provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDC Act”) or any other statutes or regulations, then we could be subject to enforcement actions by the FDA or other governmental agencies.
We face a significant compliance burden under the FDC Act and other applicable statutes and regulations which govern the testing, labeling, storage, record keeping, distribution, sale, marketing, advertising and promotion of our medically approved products.
If we violate the FDC Act or other regulatory requirements at any time during or after the product development and/or approval process, we could be subject to enforcement actions by the FDA or other agencies, including: fines, injunctions, civil penalties, recalls or seizures of products, total or partial suspension of the production of our products, withdrawal of any existing approvals or pre-market clearances of our products, refusal to approve or clear new applications or notices relating to our products, recommendations that we not be allowed to enter into government contracts and criminal prosecution. Any of the above could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We cannot assure you that our products will be safe or that there will not be serious injuries or product malfunctions. Further, we are required under applicable law to report any circumstances relating to our medically approved products that could result in deaths or serious injuries. These circumstances could trigger recalls, class action lawsuits and other events that could cause us to incur expenses and may also limit our ability to generate revenues from such products.
We cannot assure you that our products will prove to be safe or that there will not be serious injuries or product malfunctions, which could trigger recalls, class action lawsuits and other events that could cause us to incur significant expenses, limit our ability to market our products and generate revenues from such products or cause us reputational harm.
Under the FDC Act, we are required to submit medical device reports, or MDRs, to the FDA to report device-related deaths, serious injuries and malfunctions of medically approved products that could result in death or serious injury if they were to recur. Depending on their significance, MDRs could trigger events that could cause us to incur expenses and may also limit our ability to generate revenues from such products, such as the following: information contained in the MDRs could trigger FDA regulatory actions such as inspections, recalls and patient/physician notifications; because the reports are publicly available, MDRs could become the basis for private lawsuits, including class actions; and if we fail to submit a required MDR to the FDA, the FDA could take enforcement action against us.
If any of these events occur, then we could incur significant expenses and it could become more difficult for us to market and sell our products and to generate revenues from sales. Other countries may impose analogous reporting requirements that could cause us to incur expenses and may also limit our ability to generate revenues from sales of our products.
We face significant uncertainty in the industry due to government healthcare reform.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended, (the “Affordable Care Act”) as well as other healthcare reform may have a significant impact on our business. The Affordable Care Act is extremely complex, and, as a result, additional legislation is likely to be considered and enacted over time. The impact of the
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Affordable Care Act on the health care industry is extensive and includes, among other things, the federal government assuming a larger role in the health care system, expanding healthcare coverage of United States citizens and mandating basic healthcare benefits. The uncertainties regarding the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, including possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act, ongoing legal challenges, and further judicial interpretations, create unpredictability for the health care industry, which itself constitutes a risk.
The Affordable Care Act contains many provisions designed to generate the revenues necessary to fund the coverage expansions and to reduce costs of Medicare and Medicaid, including imposing a 2.3% excise tax on domestic sales of many medical devices by manufacturers that began in 2013. The medical device excise tax was suspended for 2018 and 2019 and was repealed effective January 1, 2020.
The Affordable Care Act includes a Hospital Readmission Reduction program and is designed to reduce payments to hospitals with excess heart failure readmissions, among other conditions. The penalty to hospitals can be significant, as much as 3% of total Medicare reimbursement. We believe the Aquadex System may offer hospitals an economic benefit for using the device on a regular basis for in-patient or out-patient usage to avoid readmissions for heart failure; however, if the Hospital Readmission Reduction program is repealed, hospitals may not be as inclined to take measures to reduce readmissions.
In addition, any healthcare reforms enacted in the future may, like the Affordable Care Act, be phased in over a number of years, but if enacted, could reduce our revenue, increase our costs, or require us to revise the ways in which we conduct business or put us at risk for loss of business. In addition, our results of operations, financial position and cash flows could be materially adversely affected by changes under the Affordable Care Act and changes under any federal or state legislation adopted in the future.
Moreover, the Physician Payment Sunshine Act (the Sunshine Act), which was enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act, requires applicable medical device companies to track and publicly report, with limited exceptions, all payments and other transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals in the U.S. Implementing regulations for these tracking and reporting obligations were finalized in 2013, and companies have been required to track payments made since August 1, 2013. Effective in 2019, payments to certain nurses, who prescribe treatments, has been added to the list of recipients that companies need to track. If we fail to comply with the data collection and reporting obligations imposed by the Sunshine Act, we may be subject to substantial civil monetary penalties.
We are subject, directly or indirectly, to United States federal and state healthcare fraud and abuse and false claims laws and regulations. Prosecutions under such laws have increased in recent years and we may become subject to such litigation. If we are unable to, or have not fully complied with such laws, we could face substantial penalties.
Our operations are directly, or indirectly through customers, subject to various state and federal fraud and abuse laws, including, without limitation, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the stark law and federal False Claims Act. These laws may impact, among other things, our sales, marketing and education programs.
The federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits persons from knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, receiving or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, in exchange for or to induce either the referral of an individual, or the furnishing or arranging for a good or service, for which payment may be made under a federal healthcare program such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Several courts have interpreted the statute’s intent requirement to mean that if any one purpose of an arrangement involving remuneration is to induce referrals of federal healthcare covered business, the statute has been violated. The Anti-Kickback Statute is broad and, despite a series of narrow safe harbors, prohibits many arrangements and practices that are lawful in businesses outside of the healthcare industry. Penalties for violations of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute include criminal penalties and civil sanctions such as fines, imprisonment and possible exclusion from Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs. Many states have also adopted laws similar to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, some of which apply to the referral of patients for healthcare items or services reimbursed by any source, not only the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The physician self-referral laws, commonly referred to as the Stark law, is a strict liability statute that generally prohibits physicians from making referrals for the furnishing of any “designated health services,” for which payment may be made under the Medicare or Medicaid programs, to any entity with which the physician (or an immediate family member) has an ownership interest or compensation arrangement, unless an applicable exception applies. Moreover, many states have adopted or are considering adopting similar laws, some of which extend beyond the scope of the Stark law to
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prohibit the payment or receipt of remuneration for the prohibited referral of patients for designated healthcare services and physician self-referrals, regardless of the source of the payment for the patient’s care. If it is determined that any of the relationships we may have with physicians violate the Stark law or similar statutes, we could become subject to civil and criminal penalties. The imposition of any such penalties could harm our business.
The federal False Claims Act prohibits persons from knowingly filing, or causing to be filed, a false claim to, or the knowing use of false statements to obtain payment from the federal government. Suits filed under the False Claims Act, known as “qui tam” actions, can be brought by any individual on behalf of the government and such individuals, commonly known as “whistleblowers,” may share in any amounts paid by the entity to the government in fines or settlement. The frequency of filing qui tam actions has increased significantly in recent years, causing greater numbers of medical device, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to have to defend a False Claim Act action. When an entity is determined to have violated the federal False Claims Act, it may be required to pay up to three times the actual damages sustained by the government, plus civil penalties for each separate false claim. Various states have also enacted laws modeled after the federal False Claims Act.
We are unable to predict whether we could be subject to actions under any of these laws, or the impact of such actions. If we are found to be in violation of any of the laws described above or other applicable state and federal fraud and abuse laws, we may be subject to penalties, including civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, exclusion from government healthcare reimbursement programs and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations.
Failure to comply with anti-bribery, anti-corruption, and anti-money laundering laws could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.
We are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act and other anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-money laundering laws in various jurisdictions both domestic and abroad. The FCPA prohibits any U.S. individual or business from paying, offering, authorizing payment or offering of anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any foreign official, political party or candidate for the purpose of influencing any act or decision of the foreign entity in order to assist the individual or business in obtaining or retaining business. The U.K. Bribery Act is similar but even broader in scope in that it prohibits bribery of private (non-government) persons as well. The FCPA also obligates companies whose securities are listed in the United States to comply with certain accounting provisions requiring the company to maintain books and records that accurately and fairly reflect all transactions of the corporation, including international subsidiaries, and to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls for international operations. Our distribution arrangements outside of the U.S. presents some risk under these laws. Our distributors may sell to our products to healthcare providers that are owned, controlled or managed by a foreign government and its employees, including healthcare providers may be deemed to be a foreign official under the FCPA. We could be held liable for the actions of our distributors. While we have policies and procedure to address compliance with these laws, we cannot assure you that our distributors will not take actions in violation of our policies and applicable law, for which we may be ultimately held responsible. Noncompliance with these laws could subject us to investigations, sanctions, settlements, prosecution, other enforcement actions, disgorgement of profits, significant fines, damages, other civil and criminal penalties or injunctions, adverse media coverage and other consequences. Any investigations, actions or sanctions could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our operating results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year.
Our sales and operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year in the future. Our operating results are affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Factors contributing to these fluctuations include the following:
changes in the prices at which we sell our consoles and disposable blood sets and catheters;
our bulk ordering practices by our customers;
general economic uncertainties and political concerns;
introduction of new products, product enhancements and new applications by our competitors;
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the timing of the introduction and market acceptance of new products, product enhancements and new applications;
changes in demand for our Aquadex System;
our ability to maintain sales volumes at a level sufficient to cover fixed manufacturing and operating costs;
the effect of regulatory approvals and changes in domestic and foreign regulatory requirements;
our highly variable sales cycle;
changes in customers’ or potential customers’ budgets as a result of, among other things, reimbursement policies of government programs and private insurers for treatments that use the Aquadex System;
variances in shipment volumes as a result of product, supply chain and training issues; and
increased product costs.
Our sales volumes from quarter to quarter may fluctuate significantly as a result of such ordering practices. Furthermore, from time to time, we offer our disposable blood sets and disposable catheters at a discount to the list price, and our agreements with certain customers may contain volume or other discounts from our normal selling prices and other special pricing considerations.
Discounted pricing can impact our operating results through increasing sales volumes, causing our average selling prices and operating margins to decline and, if we are unable to offset discounts by increasing our sales volume, our net sales could decline. As a result of discounted prices and/or bulk sales orders by our customers, our sales volume may significantly fluctuate quarter to quarter and our sales volume for one quarter may not be indicative of our sales volume for future periods.
Our expense levels are based, in part, on expected future sales. If sales levels in a particular quarter do not meet expectations, we may be unable to adjust operating expenses quickly enough to compensate for the shortfall of sales, and our results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, we have historically made a significant portion of each quarter’s product shipments near the end of the quarter. If that pattern continues, any delays in shipment could have a material adverse effect on results of operations for such quarter.
Due to these and other factors, we believe that quarter to quarter and year to year comparisons of our past operating results may not be meaningful. You should not rely on our results for any quarter or year as an indication of our future performance. Our operating results in future quarters and years may be below expectations, which would likely cause the price of our common stock to fall.
If we acquire other businesses, products or technologies, we could incur additional impairment charges and will be subject to risks that could hurt our business.
We may pursue acquisitions to obtain complementary businesses, products or technologies. Any such acquisition may not produce the revenues, earnings or business synergies that we anticipate and an acquired business, product or technology might not perform as we expect. Our management could spend a significant amount of time, effort and money in identifying, pursuing and completing the acquisition. If we complete an acquisition, we may encounter significant difficulties and incur substantial expenses in integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired businesses, products or technologies into our operations. In particular, we may lose the services of key employees and we may make changes in management that impair the acquired business’s relationships with employees, vendors and customers. Additionally, we may acquire development-stage companies that are not yet profitable and which require continued investment, which could decrease our future earnings or increase our futures losses.
Any of these outcomes could prevent us from realizing the anticipated benefits of an acquisition. To pay for an acquisition, we might use stock or cash. Alternatively, we might borrow money from a bank or other lender. If we use stock, our stockholders would experience dilution of their ownership interests. If we use cash or debt financing, our financial liquidity would be reduced.
As a result of a potential acquisition, we may be required to capitalize a significant amount of intangibles, including goodwill. We would be required to review our definite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable
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through the estimated undiscounted future cash flows derived from such assets. In addition, we would be required to evaluate goodwill for impairment annually, or to the extent events or conditions indicate a risk of possible impairment during the interim periods prior to its annual impairment test. In the year ended December 31, 2017, we recognized impairment charges of $4.0 million related to goodwill and intangible assets from our acquisition of the Aquadex Business. If we were required to recognize impairment charges related to future acquisitions, those charges could decrease our future earnings or increase our future losses.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights effectively, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain and maintain protection in the United States and other countries of the intellectual property relating to or incorporated into our Aquadex System and related components. On August 5, 2016, upon closing of our acquisition of the Aquadex Business, we entered into a patent license agreement with Baxter pursuant to which we obtained, for no additional consideration, a world-wide license to 49 exclusively licensed and 9 non-exclusively licensed patents used in connection with the Aquadex System to make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale and import, the Aquadex System in the “field of use” as defined in the license. The license is exclusive, with respect to some patents, and non-exclusive, with respect to other patents. Under the patent license agreement, Baxter has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to continue maintenance of seven “required maintenance patents,” and we have agreed to reimburse Baxter for all fees, costs, and expenses (internal or external) incurred by Baxter in connection with such continued maintenance. The rights granted to us under the patent license agreement will automatically revert to Baxter in the event we cease operation of the Aquadex Business or we file for, or have filed against us, or otherwise undertake any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, or other similar proceeding. For two years following the closing, the patent license agreement is not assignable by us (including in connection with a change of control) without Baxter’s prior written consent. We estimate that the patents licensed from Baxter will expire between approximately 2020 and 2025. In December 2018, we filed two patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. One application is based on our design for a wearable device designed to assist in maintaining peripheral venous blood flow access in the arm during aquapheresis treatment with the Aquadex System. The second application includes multiple potential new features and improvements to the diagnostic capabilities of the Aquadex System, which, if incorporated into the product, would be designed to help patient fluid balance and to improve usability for healthcare providers.
We have six pending patent applications. The first application is based on our design for a wearable device designed to assist in maintaining peripheral venous blood flow access in the arm during aquapheresis treatment. The second application includes multiple potential new features and improvements to the diagnostic and ultrafiltration capabilities of the Aquadex System, which, to the extent incorporated into the product, would be designed to help patient fluid balance and to improve usability for healthcare providers. The third application involves a vacuum pump-controlled garment to increase vein diameter and venous flow for peripheral ultrafiltration. The fourth application involves plasma and blood volume measurement during ultrafiltration therapy. The fifth application involves updates to the Aquadex System for use with pediatric patients. The sixth application involves a hemofiltration system for removing cytokines.
In addition, as of June 30, 2020, we owned 36 issued patents and two pending patent applications in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions related to our C-Pulse System and had one pending application for neuromodulation. We estimate that most of our currently issued U.S. patents will expire between approximately 2021 and 2027. Given the strategic refocus away from C-Pulse and towards the Aquadex System, we have chosen to limit the maintenance of issued C-Pulse related patents to those innovations that are of the highest value. Further, we have elected to emphasize a few of the most critical jurisdictions rather than maintain the earlier approach that involved multiple countries.
Our pending and future patent applications may not issue as patents or, if issued, may not issue in a form that will provide us any financial return. Even if issued, existing or future patents may be challenged, narrowed, invalidated or circumvented, which could limit our ability to obtain commercial benefits from them. Changes in patent laws or their interpretation in the United States and other countries could also diminish the value of our intellectual property or narrow the scope of our patent protection. In addition, the legal systems of certain countries do not favor the aggressive enforcement of patents, and the laws of foreign countries may not protect our rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. In order to preserve and enforce our patent and
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other intellectual property rights, we may need to make claims or file lawsuits against third parties. This can entail significant costs to us and divert our management’s attention from our business.
Intellectual property litigation could be costly and disruptive to us.
In recent years, there has been significant litigation involving intellectual property rights. From time to time, third parties may assert patent, copyright, trademark and other intellectual property rights to technologies used in our business. Any claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel or require us to pay substantial damages. If we are unsuccessful in defending ourselves against these types of claims, we may be required to do one or more of the following:
halt use of our Aquadex System products;
attempt to obtain a license to sell or use the relevant technology or substitute technology, which license may not be available on reasonable terms or at all; or
redesign our system.
In the event a claim against us were successful and we could not obtain a license to the relevant technology on acceptable terms or license a substitute technology or redesign our system to avoid infringement, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be significantly harmed.
If we were unable to protect the confidentiality of our proprietary information and know-how, the value of our technology and system could be adversely affected.
In addition to patented technology, we rely on our unpatented proprietary technology, trade secrets, processes and know-how. We generally seek to protect this information by confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, scientific advisors and third parties. These agreements may be breached, and we may not have adequate remedies for any such breach. In addition, our trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently developed by competitors. To the extent that our employees, consultants or contractors use intellectual property owned by others in their work for us, disputes may arise as to the rights in related or resulting know-how and inventions.
Our products could infringe patent rights of others, which may require costly litigation and, if we are not successful, could cause us to pay substantial damages or limit our ability to commercialize our products.
Our commercial success depends on our ability to increase adoption of the Aquadex System without infringing the patents and other proprietary rights of third parties. As our industry expands and more patents are issued, the risk increases that there may be patents issued to third parties that relate to our system and technologies of which we are not aware or that we must challenge to continue our operations as currently contemplated. Our system may infringe or may be alleged to infringe these patents.
In addition, some patent applications in the United States may be maintained in secrecy until the patents are issued because patent applications in the United States and many foreign jurisdictions are typically not published until 18 months after filing, and because publications in the scientific literature often lag behind actual discoveries, we cannot be certain that others have not filed patent applications for technology covered by our issued patents or our pending applications or that we were the first to invent the technology. Another party may have filed, and may in the future file, patent applications covering our system or technology similar to ours. Any such patent application may have priority over our patent applications or patents, which could further require us to obtain rights to issued patents covering such technologies. If another party has filed a U.S. patent application on inventions similar to ours, we may have to participate in an interference or derivation proceeding declared by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to determine priority of invention in the United States. The costs of these proceedings could be substantial, and it is possible that such efforts would be unsuccessful if the other party had independently arrived at the same or similar invention prior to our own invention, resulting in a loss of our U.S. patent position with respect to such inventions.
We may be subject to claims that our employees have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their former employers.
As is common in our industry, we employ individuals who were previously employed at other medical device companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Although no claims against us are
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currently pending, we may be subject to claims that these employees, or we, have used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former employers. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.
Security breaches, loss of data and other disruptions could compromise sensitive information related to our business or prevent us from accessing critical information and expose us to liability, which could adversely affect our business and our reputation.
In the ordinary course of our business, we may collect and store sensitive data, including legally protected health information, personally identifiable information, intellectual property and proprietary business information owned or controlled by ourselves or others. At times we may have access to limited amounts of protected health information as part of other healthcare providers’ provision of treatment to patients with our medical devices. We manage and maintain our applications and data utilizing on-site systems. These applications and data encompass a wide variety of business-critical information including research and development information, commercial information, and business and financial information. We face four primary risks relative to protecting this critical information, including: loss of access risk; inappropriate disclosure risk; inappropriate modification risk; and the risk of our being unable to adequately monitor our controls over the first three risks.
The secure processing, storage, maintenance, and transmission of this critical information is vital to our operations and business strategy. Although we take measures to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access or disclosure, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or viruses or breached due to employee error, malfeasance, or other disruptions. Any such breach or interruption could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed by unauthorized parties, publicly disclosed, lost, or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws and regulations that protect the privacy of personal information and regulatory penalties. To the extent that we may engage in activities regulated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Clinical and Economic Health Act (HITECH) we may have additional regulatory and reporting obligations. We are also subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 due to our business in the European Union. Although we believe we have implemented security measures, there is no guarantee we can protect our systems and data from unauthorized access, loss or dissemination that could also disrupt our operations, including our ability to conduct our analyses, conduct research and development activities, collect, process, and prepare company financial information, provide information about our products and other patient and physician education and outreach efforts through our website, manage the administrative aspects of our business, and damage our reputation, any of which could adversely affect our business.
In addition, the interpretation and application of consumer, health-related, and data protection laws in the United States, Europe and elsewhere are often uncertain, contradictory, and in flux. It is possible that these laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our practices. If so, this could result in government- imposed fines or orders requiring that we change our practices, which could adversely affect our business. In addition, these privacy regulations may differ from country to country, and may vary based on whether testing is performed in the United States or in the local country. Complying with these various laws could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices and compliance procedures in a manner adverse to our business.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Our business could be negatively affected as a result of actions of activist stockholders, and such activism could impact the trading value of our securities.
Stockholders may, from time to time, engage in proxy solicitations or advance stockholder proposals, or otherwise attempt to effect changes and assert influence on our board of directors and management. Activist campaigns that contest or conflict with our strategic direction or seek changes in the composition of our board of directors could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. A proxy contest would require us to incur significant legal and advisory fees, proxy solicitation expenses and administrative and associated costs and require significant time and attention by our board of directors and management, diverting their attention from the pursuit of our business strategy. Any perceived uncertainties as to our future direction
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and control, our ability to execute on our strategy, or changes to the composition of our board of directors or senior management team arising from a proxy contest could lead to the perception of a change in the direction of our business or instability which may result in the loss of potential business opportunities, make it more difficult to pursue our strategic initiatives, or limit our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and business partners, any of which could adversely affect our business and operating results. If individuals are ultimately elected to our board of directors with a specific agenda, it may adversely affect our ability to effectively implement our business strategy and create additional value for our stockholders. We may choose to initiate, or may become subject to, litigation as a result of the proxy contest or matters arising from the proxy contest, which would serve as a further distraction to our board of directors and management and would require us to incur significant additional costs. In addition, actions such as those described above could cause significant fluctuations in our stock price based upon temporary or speculative market perceptions or other factors that do not necessarily reflect the underlying fundamentals and prospects of our business.
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.
The Nasdaq letter further states that if compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule cannot be demonstrated by the end of the 180-day period, we may be eligible for a second 180-day period to regain compliance. To be eligible for the second 180 day compliance period, (i) we must meet the market value of publicly held shares requirement for continued listing and all other applicable standards for initial listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market set forth in Marketplace Rule 5505 (except the bid price requirement), (ii) we must provide Nasdaq with written notice of its intention to cure the deficiency, through a reverse stock split, if necessary, and (iii) Nasdaq must determine that the Company will be able to cure the deficiency. 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. At such time, we may appeal Nasdaq’s delisting determination.
On April 17, 2020, Nasdaq notified us that the 180-day period to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule has been extended due to the global market impact caused by COVID-19. More specifically, Nasdaq has stated that the compliance periods for any company previously notified about non-compliance are suspended effective April 16, 2020, until June 30, 2020. On July 1, 2020, companies received the balance of any pending compliance period exception to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule. As a result of this extension, we now have until August 28, 2020 to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule.
At our annual meeting of stockholders, held on May 20, 2020 and adjourned to June 19, 2020, our board of directors proposed an amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of common stock, which if implemented would increase the closing bid price of our common stock above $1.00. There were insufficient votes to pass such proposal at the Annual Meeting.
We intend to monitor the closing bid price of our common stock through the Compliance Period. If we have not regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price before August 28, 2020, we intend to seek an 180-day extension to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement under the Nasdaq Listing Rules.
Additionally, Nasdaq has the authority, pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), to delist our common stock if our stockholders’ equity falls below $2.5 million. As of December 31, 2019, 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, which
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effectively allows us to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum equity requirements. It is possible that our stockholders’ equity could be reduced again below $2.5 million as a result of operating losses or other reasons. If that occurs, or if we are unable to demonstrate to Nasdaq’s satisfaction that we will be able to sustain compliance with this requirement, Nasdaq may delist our common 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 maintain 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 our shares are a “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading in our securities to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities; a reduced amount of news and analyst coverage for our Company; and a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. These factors could result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for our common stock and would substantially impair our ability to raise additional funds and could result in a loss of institutional investor interest and fewer development opportunities for us.
In addition to the foregoing, if our common stock is delisted from Nasdaq and it trades on the over-the-counter market, the application of the “penny stock” rules could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and increase the transaction costs to sell those shares. The SEC has adopted regulations which generally define a “penny stock” as an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to specific exemptions. If our common stock is delisted from Nasdaq and it trades on the over-the-counter market at a price of less than $5.00 per share, our common stock would be considered a penny stock. The SEC’s penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, before a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer must also provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and the salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. In addition, the penny stock rules generally require that before a transaction in a penny stock occurs, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s agreement to the transaction. If applicable in the future, these rules may restrict the ability of brokers-dealers to sell our common stock and may affect the ability of investors to sell their shares, until our common stock no longer is considered a penny stock.
The number of shares of common stock underlying our outstanding warrants and outstanding preferred stock is significant in relation to our currently outstanding common stock. Conversion or exercise of such outstanding convertible securities will cause dilution to holders of our common stock, and could cause downward pressure on the market price for our common stock.
The number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of our outstanding preferred stock and exercise of outstanding warrants is significant in relation to the number of shares of our common stock currently outstanding.
As of July 31, 2020, we have warrants to purchase 22,637,741 shares of common stock outstanding, with exercise prices ranging from $0.30 to $43,848.00 with a weighted-average exercise price of $1.89.
As of July 31, 2020, there were 135 shares of Series F Preferred Stock outstanding, convertible into 450,090 shares of common stock. The certificate of designation for our Series F Preferred Stock contains an anti-dilution provision, which provision requires the lowering of the applicable conversion price, as then in effect, to the purchase price per share of common stock or common stock equivalents issued in the future. If the effective price per share on a common-stock equivalent basis in a future equity offering is lower than the then-current conversion price of the Series F Convertible Preferred Stock, then such conversion price shall be reduced to such
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lower price and additional shares of common stock will be issuable upon the conversion of the of the Series F Convertible Preferred Stock. To the extent the outstanding shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock become exercisable for additional shares of common stock, holders of our common stock will experience further dilution.
If any security holder determines to sell a substantial number of shares into the market at any given time, there may not be sufficient demand in the market to purchase the shares without a decline in the market price for our common stock. Moreover, continuous sales into the market of a number of shares in excess of the typical trading volume for our common stock could depress the trading market for our common stock over an extended period of time.
In addition, the fact that our stockholders, option holders and warrant holders can sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, whether or not sales have occurred or are occurring, could make it more difficult for us to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate, or at all.
The rights of holders of our capital stock will be subject to, and could be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of our outstanding preferred stock and stock that may be issued in the future.
Our board of directors has authority, without further stockholder approval, to issue additional shares of preferred stock with such rights, preferences and privileges as our board may determine. These rights, preferences and privileges may include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights and liquidation rights that may be greater than the rights of our common stock.
Our board of directors has previously approved, pursuant to this authority, the issuance of preferred stock, and we have 135 shares of Series F Preferred Stock outstanding as of July 31, 2020. As described therein, upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, holders of our Series F Preferred Stock have the right to receive, out of the assets, whether capital or surplus, of the Company an amount equal to the par value, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, for each share of such preferred stock held by such holder before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of our common stock, and, following such payment, such holders are entitled to receive the same amount that a holder of common stock would receive if such preferred stock was fully converted, pari passu with all the holders of common stock.
Our board of directors may issue additional series of preferred stock. As a result, the rights of holders of our capital stock will be subject to, and could be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any stock that may be issued in the future.
The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and this may make it difficult for you to resell the common stock you want or at prices you find attractive.
The price of our common stock constantly changes. The price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly for many reasons, including the following:
future announcements concerning us, including our clinical and product development strategy, or our competitors;
regulatory developments, disclosure regarding completed, ongoing or future clinical studies and enforcement actions bearing on advertising, marketing or sales;
reports and recommendations of analysts and whether or not we meet the milestones and metrics set forth in such reports;
introduction of new products;
acquisition or loss of significant manufacturers, distributors or suppliers or an inability to obtain sufficient quantities of materials needed to manufacture our system;
quarterly variations in operating results, which we have experienced in the past and expect to experience in the future;
business acquisitions or divestitures;
changes in governmental or third-party reimbursement practices;
fluctuations of investor interest in the medical device sector; and
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fluctuations in the economy, world political events or general market conditions.
In addition, stock markets in general, and the market for shares of health care stocks in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations in recent years, fluctuations that frequently have been unrelated to the operating performance of the affected companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. The market price of our common stock could decline below its current price and the market price of our shares may fluctuate significantly in the future. These fluctuations may be unrelated to our performance. We expect that the market price of our common stock will continue to fluctuate.
Our ability to use U.S. net operating loss carryforwards or Australian tax losses might be limited.
As of December 31, 2019, we had U.S. net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $152.1 million for U.S. income tax purposes. Approximately $120.1 million of NOL carryforwards will expire from 2024 through 2037. Pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the NOL generated in 2018 and 2019 totaling approximately $32.0 million does not expire. To the extent these NOL carryforwards are available, we intend to use them to reduce any corporate income tax liability associated with our operations that we might have in the future. Section 382 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), generally imposes an annual limitation on the amount of NOL carryforwards that might be used to offset taxable income when a corporation has undergone significant changes in stock ownership. During 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, we believe we experienced an ownership change as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code which will limit our ability to utilize the our NOLs.
We may have experienced additional ownership changes in earlier years further limiting the NOL carryforwards that may be utilized. We have not yet completed a formal Section 382 analysis. As a result, prior or future changes in ownership, could put limitations on the availability of our NOL carryforwards. In addition, our ability to utilize the current NOL carryforwards might be further limited by future issuances of our common stock.
As of December 31, 2019, we had tax losses in the Commonwealth of Australia of approximately AU$49.1 million. Continuing utilization of carryforward tax losses in Australia may also be affected by the issuance of our common stock. 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 Australian tax law) of more than 50% between the loss year and the income year in which the loss is claimed.
To the extent use of our NOL carryforwards or tax losses is limited, our income could be subject to corporate income tax earlier than it would if we were able to use NOL carryforwards and tax losses, which could result in lower profits.
We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock, and we currently do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain any earnings to finance the development and expansion of our products and business. Accordingly, our stockholders will not realize a return on their investments unless the trading price of our common stock appreciates.
We will continue to incur increased costs as a result of being a U.S. reporting company.
In connection with the effectiveness of our registration statement on Form 10, as of February 14, 2012, we became subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. Although we were previously listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and had been required to file financial information and make certain other filings with the Australian Securities Exchange, our status as a U.S. reporting company under the Exchange Act has caused us, and will continue to cause us, to incur additional legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not previously incur, including costs related to compliance with the requirements of SOX and the listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market. We expect these rules and regulations will continue to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time-consuming and costly, and these activities may increase general and administrative expenses and divert management’s time and attention away from revenue-generating activities. Furthermore, now that we are a revenue-generating company following the acquisition of the Aquadex Business in August 2016, our costs to comply with regulations applicable to U.S. reporting companies may further increase. We also expect these rules and regulations may make it more difficult
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and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers.
Investors could lose confidence in our financial reports, and the value of our common stock may be adversely affected, if our internal controls over financial reporting are found not to be effective by management or by an independent registered public accounting firm or if we make disclosure of existing or potential material weaknesses in those controls.
As long as we remain a non-accelerated filer, we are exempt from the attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting by our independent auditors pursuant to section 404 (b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 but are required to make our own internal assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting.
We continue to evaluate our existing internal controls over financial reporting. During the course of our ongoing evaluation of the internal controls, we may identify areas requiring improvement and may have to design enhanced processes and controls to address issues identified through this review. Remediating any deficiencies, significant deficiencies or material weaknesses that we or our independent registered public accounting firm may identify may require us to incur significant costs and expend significant time and management resources. We cannot assure you that any of the measures we implement to remedy any such deficiencies will effectively mitigate or remedy such deficiencies. The existence of one or more material weaknesses could affect the accuracy and timing of our financial reporting. It may be more difficult for us to manage our internal control over financial reporting following our acquisition of the Aquadex Business now that we are a revenue generating company. Investors could lose confidence in our financial reports, and the value of our common stock may be harmed, if our internal controls over financial reporting are found not to be effective by management or by our independent registered public accounting firm or if we make disclosure of existing or potential material weaknesses in those controls.
Our Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or employees.
Our Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”); or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This choice of forum provision does not preclude or contract the scope of exclusive federal or concurrent jurisdiction for any actions brought under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Accordingly, our exclusive forum provision will not relieve us of our duties to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations.
Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to these provisions. These exclusive-forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum of its choosing for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees.
If a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management and other employees.
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Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as certain provisions of the DGCL, may delay or deter a change in control transaction.
Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of deterring takeovers, such as those provisions authorizing our board of directors to issue, from time to time, any series of preferred stock and fix the 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 66 2⁄3% majority stockholder approval in order for stockholders to amend certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws or adopt new bylaws; providing that, subject to the rights of preferred shares, the directors will be divided into three classes and the number of directors is to be fixed exclusively by our board of directors; and providing that none of our directors may be removed without cause. Section 203 of the DGCL, from which we did not elect to opt out, provides that if a holder acquires 15% or more of our stock without prior approval of our board of directors, that holder will be subject to certain restrictions on its ability to acquire us within three years. These provisions may delay or deter a change in control of us, and could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.
We are a “smaller reporting company” under federal securities laws and we cannot be certain whether the reduced reporting requirements applicable to such companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are a “smaller reporting company” under federal securities laws. For as long as we continue to be a smaller reporting company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies, including reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which the aggregate market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates is at least $250 million or the last day of the fiscal year in which we have at least $100 million in revenue and the aggregate market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates is at least $700 million (in each case, with respect to the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates, as measured as of the last business day of the second quarter of such fiscal year). We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may decline or be more volatile.
Stockholder litigation could divert the attention of management from the day-to-day operation of our business or result in us incurring substantial costs and liabilities.
We cannot be sure that our stockholders will not initiate securities litigation against us in the future. If securities or stockholder derivative litigation were to be commenced against us, our defense of such litigation could divert the attention of management from the day-to-day operation of our business or result in us incurring substantial costs and liabilities, irrespective of the merits of the litigation.
The Company has used almost all of its unreserved, authorized shares.
After giving effect to this offering, the Company will have used almost all of its unreserved authorized shares and will need shareholder approval to conduct a reverse stock split. The Company’s certificate of incorporation currently requires shareholder approval of not less than a majority of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in order to approve a reverse stock split. There are no assurances that shareholder approval will be obtained. In the event that shareholder approval is not obtained, the Company will be unable to raise additional capital through the issuance of shares of common stock to fund its future operations.
Risks Relating to this Offering
You will be unable to exercise the Warrants and they may have no value under certain circumstances.
We currently do not have authorized shares available to permit exercise of the Warrants. Therefore, such Warrants will not be exercisable until we obtain stockholder approval to effect a reverse stock split in an amount sufficient to permit exercise in full of the Warrants. If we are unable to obtain such stockholder approval, the
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Warrants will have no value and will expire. In no event may the Warrants be net cash settled. At our annual meeting of stockholders held on May 20, 2020 and adjourned to June 19, 2020, our board of directors proposed an amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of common stock, which if implemented would increase the closing bid price of our common stock above $1.00. There were insufficient votes to pass such proposal at the annual meeting. We expect that the holders of the Warrants will vote in the next stockholder approval. Existing holders of common stock may have an incentive to vote against the proposal for a reverse stock split to prevent dilution in their interests by the shares underlying the Warrants.
Because our management will have broad discretion and flexibility in how the net proceeds from this offering are used, our management may use the net proceeds in ways with which you disagree or which may not prove effective.
We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering as discussed under “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus. We have not allocated specific amounts of the net proceeds from this offering for any of the foregoing purposes. Accordingly, our management will have significant discretion and flexibility in applying the net proceeds of this offering. You will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. It is possible that the net proceeds will be invested in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for us. The failure of our management to use such funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow.
If you purchase Units in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of your shares.
The public offering price of the Units is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock. Investors purchasing Units in this offering will pay a price per share of common stock that will exceed the pro forma book value of our tangible assets after subtracting our liabilities. As a result, investors purchasing Units in this offering will incur immediate dilution of $0.16 per share of common stock. See “Dilution.”
As a result of the dilution to investors purchasing shares in this offering, investors will receive significantly less than the purchase price paid in this offering, if anything, in the event of a liquidation of our company.
The Warrants are unlisted securities and there is no public market for them.
There is no established public trading market for the Warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, the Warrants are not listed, and we do not intend to apply for listing of the Warrants on any securities exchange or trading system. Without an active market, the liquidity of the Warrants is limited, and investors may be unable to liquidate their investments in the Warrants.
The Warrants may not have any value.
The Warrants will be exercisable beginning on the effective date of our stockholders’ approval of a reverse stock split in an amount sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Warrants, and will expire on the five year anniversary of the original issuance date at an initial exercise price of $0.45 per share. In the event that the price of a share of our common stock does not exceed the exercise price of the Warrants during the period when the Warrants are exercisable, the Warrants may not have any value.
The Warrants purchased in this offering do not entitle the holder to any rights as common stockholders until the holder exercises the Warrant for shares of our common stock.
Until you acquire shares of our common stock upon exercise of your Warrants purchased in this offering, such Warrants will not provide you any rights as a common stockholder, except as set forth in the Warrants. Upon exercise of your Warrants purchased in this offering, you will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs on or after the exercise date.
Purchasers in this offering may experience additional dilution of their investment in the future.
Subject to lock-up provisions described under “Underwriting,” we are generally not restricted from issuing additional securities, including shares of common stock, securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock or substantially similar securities. The issuance of securities may cause further dilution to our stockholders, including investors in this offering. In order to raise additional capital, such securities may be at prices that are not the same as the price per share in this offering. We cannot
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assure you that we will be able to sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is equal to or greater than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders, including investors who purchase securities in this offering. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock or securities convertible into common stock in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share in this offering. The exercise of outstanding stock options or warrants and the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units may also result in further dilution of your investment.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but are not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “management believes,” “we believe,” “we intend” and similar words or phrases. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this prospectus, and in particular those factors included in the section entitled “Risk Factors.”
Because the factors referred to in the preceding paragraph could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements we make, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which factors will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
You should carefully read this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus and with the understanding that our actual future results may materially differ from what we expect.
Except as required by law, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus in this offering will be approximately $11.2 million (or $13.0 million if the underwriters fully exercise their overallotment option) after deducting commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including for continued investments in our commercialization efforts. We may use a portion of the net proceeds for the acquisitions of businesses, products, technologies or licenses that are complementary to our business, although we have no present commitments or agreements to do so.
The allocation of the net proceeds of the offering set forth above represents our estimates based upon our current plans and assumptions regarding industry and general economic conditions, our future revenues and expenditures.
The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly and will depend on numerous factors, including market conditions, cash generated or used by our operations, business developments and opportunities that may arise and related rate of growth. We may find it necessary or advisable to use portions of the proceeds from this offering for other purposes.
Circumstances that may give rise to a change in the use of proceeds and the alternate purposes for which the proceeds may be used include:
the existence of other opportunities or the need to take advantage of changes in timing of our existing activities;
the need or desire on our part to accelerate, increase or eliminate existing initiatives due to, among other things, changing market conditions and competitive developments; and/or
if strategic opportunities present themselves (including acquisitions, joint ventures, licensing and other similar transactions).
From time to time, we evaluate these factors and other factors and we anticipate continuing to make such evaluations to determine if the existing allocation of resources, including the proceeds of this offering, is being optimized. Pending the application of the net proceeds as described above, we will hold the net proceeds from this offering in short-term, interest-bearing, securities.
We believe that the net proceeds of this offering, together with cash on hand, will be sufficient to fund our operations through mid-2021, and we believe that we will need to raise additional capital to fund our operations thereafter if our sales projections do not materialize. Additional capital may not be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our stockholders may experience dilution. Debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants or additional security interests in our assets. Any additional debt or equity financing that we complete may contain terms that are not favorable to us or our stockholders. If we raise additional funds through collaboration and licensing arrangements with third parties, it may be necessary to relinquish some rights to our technologies or products or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. If we are unable to raise adequate funds, we may have to delay, reduce the scope of, or eliminate some or all of, our development programs or liquidate some or all of our assets.
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MARKET INFORMATION AND DIVIDEND POLICY
Our common stock is currently listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CHFS.” See “Prospectus Summary— Recent Developments” in this prospectus for important information about the listing of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market. The Warrants will not be traded on a national securities exchange.
As of August 18, 2020, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market was $0.50.
As of July 31, 2020, there were approximately 20 stockholders of record for our common stock. A substantially greater number of stockholders may be “street name” or beneficial holders, whose shares are held of record by banks, brokers and other financial institutions.
We have not historically paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion and growth of our business, and we do not expect to pay cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future. Payment of future cash dividends, if any, will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors after taking into account various factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our operating subsidiaries, covenants associated with any debt obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Moreover, if we determine to pay any dividends in the future, there can be no assurance that we will continue to pay such dividends.
Our transfer agent is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219; Telephone: 800-937-5449.
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our actual cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of June 30, 2020 and on an adjusted basis to give effect to the sale of the securities offered hereby and the use of proceeds, as described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds.”
You should read this information in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, which are each incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The information provided below has been adjusted to reflect our 1-for-14 reverse stock split that was effected after trading on January 2, 2019. The information below has also been adjusted to reflect the effect of this current offering.
 
As of June 30, 2020
(in thousands, except
share and per share data)
 
Actual
Pro Forma As
Adjusted
Cash and cash equivalents
$7,821
$19,065
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
Series A junior participating preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share; authorized 30,000 shares, none outstanding
 
Series F convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share; authorized 435 shares, issued and outstanding 435 shares
 
Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share; authorized 39,969,656 shares, respectively, none outstanding
 
 
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 43,196,813 shares
4
7
Additional paid-in capital
234,381
245,622
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
1,209
1,209
Accumulated deficit
(225,992)
(225,992)
Total stockholders’ equity
9,602
20,846
The pro forma as adjusted column above reflects our sale of, common stock and Warrants in this offering and assumes no exercise of the warrants offered hereby. The above discussion and table are based 43,196,813 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2020 and excludes:
519,713 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, having a weighted average exercise price of $16.80 per share;
22,935,559 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants (other than the warrants offered hereby) with a weighted-average exercise price of $1.87 per share;
1,450,290 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the 435 outstanding shares of our Series F Preferred Stock (excluding additional shares of common stock that we may be required to issue upon such conversion due to the full ratchet anti-dilution price protection in the certificate of designation for the Series F Preferred Stock); and
1,769,259 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our equity incentive plans.
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DILUTION
A purchaser of our securities in this offering will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the price you may for each share of our common stock and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering. Our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2020 was approximately $9.6 million, or $0.22 per share of our common stock. Net tangible book value per share is equal to our total tangible assets minus total liabilities, all divided by 43,196,813 shares of common stock outstanding at June 30, 2020.
After giving effect to our sale in this offering of 27,774,195 shares of common stock, at a public offering price of $0.45 per Unit, excluding shares that may be issued upon exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2020 would have been approximately $20.8 million, or $0.29 per share of our common stock. This amount represents an immediate increase of net tangible book value to our existing stockholders of $0.07 per share and an immediate dilution of $0.16 per share to the new investors purchasing securities in this offering. The following table illustrates the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors:
Public offering price per Unit
$0.45
Historical net tangible book value per share at June 30, 2020
$0.22
Increase per share attributable to existing stockholders
$0.07
Net tangible book value per share, as adjusted to give effect to this offering
$0.29
Dilution per share to investors in this offering
$0.16
The above discussion and table are based on 43,196,813 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2020 and excludes the following as of that date:
519,713 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, having a weighted average exercise price of $16.80 per share;
22,935,559 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants (other than the warrants offered hereby) with a weighted-average exercise price of $1.87 per share;
1,450,290 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the 435 outstanding shares of our Series F Preferred Stock; and
1,769,259 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our equity incentive plans.
To the extent that outstanding convertible preferred stock, options or warrants are converted or exercised, you could experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of additional equity, the issuance of these shares could result in further dilution to our stockholders.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of our common stock as of July 31, 2020 by (i) each of the directors and named executive officers, (ii) all of the directors and executive officers as a group, and (iii) to our knowledge, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock. As of July 31, 2020, there were 44,494,631 shares of our common stock outstanding. Unless otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property laws, each owner has sole voting and investment powers with respect to the securities listed below.
Name of Beneficial Owner
Number
of Shares
Right to
Acquire(1)
Total
Aggregate
Percent of
Class(2)
John L. Erb
11,617
385,855(3)
397,472
*%
Steve Brandt
5
11,293
11,298
*
Maria Rosa Costanzo, M.D.
Jon W. Salveson
3
12,238
12,241
*
Gregory D. Waller
2
12,707
12,709
*
Warren S. Watson
3
12,238
12,241
*
Claudia Drayton
2
9,436
9,438
*
Nestor Jaramillo, Jr.
28,163
28,163
*
All directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons)
11,637
471,930
483,567
1.1%
Bigger Capital Fund, L.P.(4)
175 W. Carver Street
Huntington, New York 11743
167,661
1,130,774
1,198,435
9.99%
Hudson Bay Capital Management LP(5)
777 Third Avenue, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10017
518,763
518,763
9.99%
Empery Asset Master, Ltd.(6)
551 Fifth Avenue, Floor 19
New York, NY 10176
842,000
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, and (iv) the conversion of outstanding Series F Preferred Stock, in each case within 60 days after July 31, 2020.
(2)
Based on 44,494,631 shares outstanding as of July 31, 2020.
(3)
Consists of (i) 31,459 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 (iii) 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)
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%.
(5)
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 purchase common 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.
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(6)
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 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) 3,228,205 shares such holder could acquire upon exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase common stock and (ii) 2,339,818 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.
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Description of Units
We are offering 27,774,195 Units, with each Unit consisting of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of our common stock (together with the shares of common stock underlying such warrants) at a public offering price of $0.45 per Unit. Each warrant included in the Units entitles its holder to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.45.
The securities of which the Units are composed (the “underlying securities”) are being sold in this offering only as part of the units. However, the Units will not be certificated and the underlying securities comprising such units are immediately separable. Each underlying security purchased in this offering will be issued independent of each other underlying security and not as part of a unit. Upon issuance, each underlying security may be transferred independent of any other underlying security, subject to applicable law and transfer restrictions.
Description of Warrants Included in the Units
The material terms and provisions of the Warrants being offered pursuant to this prospectus are summarized below. This summary of some provisions of the Warrants is not complete, and is qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the Warrant. For the complete terms of the Warrants, you should refer to the form of warrant filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Pursuant to a warrant agency agreement between us and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, as warrant agent, the Warrants will be issued in book-entry form and shall initially be represented only by one or more global warrants deposited with the warrant agent, as custodian on behalf of The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of DTC, or as otherwise directed by DTC.
Exercisability. The Warrants are exercisable on the date we file an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to reflect our stockholders’ approval of a reverse stock split in an amount sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Warrants and will expire on the date that is five years after their original issuance. The Warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice. In no event may the Warrants be net cash settled.
Stockholder Approval. We have agreed to hold a stockholders meeting in order to seek stockholder approval for an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse split of the common stock in an amount sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Warrants in accordance with their terms. In the event that we are unable to obtain stockholder approval and effect an increase in our authorized shares of common stock or effect a reverse split of our common stock, the Warrants will not be exercisable and will have no value. In no event may the Warrants be net cash settled.
Exercise Limitation. A holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the Warrant if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the Warrants. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage, provided that any increase will not be effective until the 61st day after such election.
Exercise Price. The Warrants will have an exercise price of $0.45 per share (100% of the per Unit offering price). The exercise price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock and also upon any distributions of assets, including cash, stock or other property to our stockholders.
Cashless Exercise. If, at the time a holder exercises its Warrant, there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for an issuance of the shares underlying the Warrant to the holder, then in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of shares of common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the Warrant.
Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, the Warrants may be offered for sale, sold, transferred or assigned without our consent.
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Exchange Listing. There is no established trading market for the Warrants being offered and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply for the listing of the Warrants on any national securities exchange or other trading market. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Warrants will be limited.
Fundamental Transactions. If a fundamental transaction occurs, then the successor entity will succeed to, and be substituted for us, and may exercise every right and power that we may exercise and will assume all of our obligations under the Warrants with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named in the warrant itself. If holders of our common stock are given a choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a fundamental transaction, then the holder shall be given the same choice as to the consideration it receives upon any exercise of the warrant following such fundamental transaction. Additionally, as more fully described in the Warrant, in the event of certain fundamental transactions, the holders of the Warrants will be entitled to receive consideration in an amount equal to the Black Scholes value of the warrants on the date of consummation of such transaction.
Rights as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the Warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holder of a Warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common stock, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the Warrant.
We do not intend to apply for listing of the warrants on any securities exchange or other trading system.
Description of Capital Stock
Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 40,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 30,000 of which are designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and 535 of which are designated Series F Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series F Preferred Stock”) as of December 31, 2019. Once shares of Series F Preferred Stock are converted, redeemed or reacquired by us, such shares shall resume the status of authorized but unissued shares of undesignated preferred stock.
As of July 31, 2020, we had (i) 44,494,631 outstanding shares of common stock, (ii) 135 outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock, which, at the currently applicable conversion price, would convert into 450,090 shares of common stock, subject to future adjustment, (iii) outstanding options to acquire 477,213 shares of our common stock, and (iv) outstanding warrants to purchase 22,637,741 shares of our common stock. In December 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved a reverse split of its outstanding common stock at a ratio in the range of 1-for-2 to 1-for 14 and, in January 2019, the board of directors approved a 1-for-14 reverse split of the Company’s outstanding common stock that became effective after trading on January 2, 2019. All share and per share amounts presented herein have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.
The following description summarizes the most important terms of our capital stock. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description you should refer to our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and certificate of designation of preferences, rights and limitations of Series F Preferred Stock, copies of which have been incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and to the applicable provisions of the DGCL.
Common Stock
Dividends
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available.
Voting
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).
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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 holders of 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. Those 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 terms of the members of our board of directors;
the limitations on removal of any of our directors described below under “—Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Delaware Law;”
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 described above;
the limitation on action of our stockholders by written action described below under “—Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Delaware Law;”
the choice of forum provision described below under “—Choice of Forum;”
the limitations on director liability and indemnification described below under the heading “—Limitation on Liability of Directors and Indemnification;” and
the super-majority voting requirement to amend our certificate of incorporation described above.
Conversion, Redemption and Preemptive Rights
Holders of our common stock do not have any conversion, redemption or preemptive rights pursuant to our organizational documents.
Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding-up
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution 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, including our outstanding Series F Preferred Stock.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CHFS.” See “Prospectus Summary—Recent Developments” in this prospectus for important information about the listing of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
Preferred Stock
We may issue any class of preferred stock in any series. Our board of directors has the authority to establish and designate series, and to fix the number of shares included in each such series and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, designation, preferences, and relative participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. Our board of directors is not restricted in repurchasing or redeeming such stock while there is any arrearage in the payment of dividends or sinking fund installments. Our board of directors is authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. The number of authorized shares of preferred stock may be increased or decreased, but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the common stock, without a vote of the holders of the preferred stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of preferred stock.
Prior to issuance of shares of any series of preferred stock, our board of directors is required by Delaware law to adopt resolutions and file a certificate of designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
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The certificate of designation fixes for each class or series the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Any shares of preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable.
Outstanding Series F Convertible Preferred Stock. Our Board designated 18,000 shares of preferred stock as Series F convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value. As of July 31, 2020, there were 135 shares of Series F Preferred Stock outstanding with a conversion price of $0.30.
Liquidation. Upon any dissolution, liquidation or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Series F Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive distributions out of our assets, whether capital or surplus, of an amount equal to $0.0001 per share of Series F Preferred Stock before any distributions shall be made on the common stock or any series of preferred stock ranked junior to the Series F Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends equal (on an “as converted to common stock” basis) to and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of our common stock when, as and if such dividends are paid on shares of our common stock. No other dividends will be paid on shares of Series F Preferred Stock.
Conversion. Each share of Series F Preferred Stock is convertible, at any time and from time to time at the option of the holder thereof, into that number of shares of common stock determined by dividing $1,000 by the conversion price of $3,334 (subject to adjustment described below). This right to convert is limited by the beneficial ownership limitation described below.
Forced Conversion. Subject to certain ownership limitations as described below and certain equity conditions being met, until such time that during any 20 of 30 consecutive trading days, the volume weighted average price of our common stock exceeds 300% of the conversion price and the daily dollar trading volume during such period exceeds $200,000 per trading day, we have the right to force the conversion of the Series F Preferred Stock into common stock.
Beneficial Ownership Limitation. A holder shall have no right to convert any portion of Series F Preferred Stock, to the extent that, after giving effect to such conversion, such holder, together with such holder’s affiliates, and any persons acting as a group together with such holder or any such affiliate, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock upon such conversion (subject to the right of the holder to increase such beneficial ownership limitation upon not less than 61 days prior notice provided that such limitation can never exceed 9.99% and such 61 day period cannot be waived). Beneficial ownership of the holder and its affiliates will be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Holders of Series F Preferred Stock who are subject to such beneficial ownership limitation are and will remain responsible for ensuring their own compliance with Regulation 13D-G promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, consistent with their individual facts and circumstances. In addition, pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(1) (i) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, any person who acquires Series F Preferred Stock with the purpose or effect of changing or influencing the control of our company, or in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purpose or effect, immediately upon such acquisition will be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the underlying common stock.
Optional Redemption. Subject to the terms of the certificate of designation, the Company holds an option to redeem some or all the Series F Preferred Stock six months after its issuance date at a 200% premium to the stated value of the Series F Preferred Stock subject to the redemption, upon 30 days prior written notice to the holder of the Series F Preferred Stock. The Series F Preferred Stock would be redeemed by the Company for cash.
Conversion Price Adjustment
Subsequent Equity Sales. The Series F Preferred Stock has full ratchet price based anti-dilution protection, subject to customary carve outs, in the event of a down-round financing at a price per share below the conversion price of the Series F Preferred Stock, including in this offering. If during any 20 of 30 consecutive
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trading days the volume weighted average price of our common stock exceeds 300% of the then-effective conversion price of the Series F Preferred Stock and the daily dollar trading volume for each trading day during such period exceeds $200,000, the anti-dilution protection in the Series F Preferred Stock will expire and cease to apply.
Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If we pay a stock dividend or otherwise make a distribution payable in shares of common stock on shares of common stock or any other common stock equivalents, subdivide or combine outstanding common stock, or reclassify common stock, the conversion price will be adjusted by multiplying the then conversion price by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately before such event, and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares outstanding immediately after such event.
Fundamental Transaction. If we effect a fundamental transaction in which we are the surviving entity, then upon any subsequent conversion of Series F Preferred Stock, the holder thereof shall have the right to receive, for each share of common stock that would have been issuable upon such conversion immediately prior to the occurrence of such fundamental transaction, the number of shares of our common stock and any additional consideration receivable as a result of such fundamental transaction by a holder of the number of shares of common stock into which Series F Preferred Stock is convertible immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. If we effect a fundamental transaction in which we are not the surviving entity or a reverse merger in which we are the surviving entity, then the surviving entity shall purchase the outstanding Series F Preferred Stock by paying and issuing, in the event that such consideration given to common stockholders is non-cash consideration, as the case may be, to such holder (or canceling such holder’s outstanding Series F Preferred Stock and converting it into the right to receive) an amount equal to the greater of (i) the cash consideration plus the non-cash consideration (in the form issuable to the holders of common stock) per share of the common stock in the fundamental transaction multiplied by the number of conversion shares underlying the shares of Series F Preferred Stock held by the holder on the date of the consummation of the fundamental transaction or (ii) 130% of the stated value of the Series F Preferred Stock then outstanding on the date immediately prior to the consummation of the fundamental transaction. Such amount shall be paid in the same form and mix (be it securities, cash or property, or any combination of the foregoing) as the consideration received by the common stock in such fundamental transaction. A fundamental transaction means: (i) our merger or consolidation with or into another entity, (ii) any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets in one transaction or a series of related transactions, (iii) any tender offer or exchange offer allowing holders of our common stock to tender or exchange their shares for cash, property or securities, and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding common stock (iv) any reclassification of our common stock or any compulsory share exchange by which common stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) consummation of a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination with another person whereby such other person acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock.
Voting Rights, etc. Except as otherwise provided in the Series F Preferred Stock certificate of designation or required by law, the Series F Preferred Stock has no voting rights. However, as long as any shares of Series F Preferred Stock are outstanding, we may not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Series F Preferred Stock, alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series F Preferred Stock, amend its certificate of designation, amend our certificate of incorporation or other charter documents in any manner that adversely affects any rights of the holders, increase the number of authorized shares of Series F Preferred Stock, or enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing. The Series F Preferred Stock certificate of designation provides that if any party commences an action or proceeding to enforce any provisions of the certificate of designation, then the prevailing party in such action or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred in the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding. This provision may, under certain circumstances, be inconsistent with federal securities laws and DGCL.
Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon conversion of Series F Preferred Stock. Rather, we shall, at our election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the conversion price or round up to the next whole share.
The Series F Preferred Stock was issued in book-entry form under a preferred stock agent agreement between American Stock Transfer & Trust as preferred stock agent, and us, and shall initially be represented by one or more book-entry certificates deposited with The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and registered in the
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name of Cede & Co., a nominee of DTC, or as otherwise directed by DTC. There is no established public trading market for the Series F Preferred Stock, and the Series F Preferred Stock is not listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market, any other national securities exchange or any other nationally recognized trading system.
Description of Outstanding Warrants
As of July 31, 2020, there were warrants outstanding to purchase a total of 22,637,741 shares of our common stock, which expire between 2020 and 2025. Each of these warrants entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at prices ranging from $0.30 to $43,848 per common share, with a weighted average exercise price of $1.89 per share. Certain of these warrants have a net exercise provision under which its holder may, in lieu of payment of the exercise price in cash, surrender the warrant and receive a net amount of shares based on the fair market value of our common stock at the time of exercise of the warrant after deduction of the aggregate exercise price. Each of these warrants also contains provisions for the adjustment of the exercise price and the aggregate number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrant in the event of dividends, share splits, reorganizations and reclassifications and consolidations. Certain of these warrants provide that, subject to limited exceptions, a holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of its warrants if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own over 4.99% of our then outstanding common stock following such exercise; provided, however, that upon prior notice to us, the warrant holder may increase its ownership, provided that in no event will the ownership exceed 9.99%.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and
Delaware Law Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may be considered to have 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 if less than a quorum, and not by the stockholders.
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Delaware Law
We are also subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which generally 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) those shares owned by (i) 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 of the DGCL 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 our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the above-summarized provisions of the DGCL 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.
Choice of Forum
Our Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the DGCL; or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. These provisions would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Our Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, will further provide that the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, subject to applicable law. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to these provisions. Our exclusive forum provision will not relieve us of our duties to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations.
The provisions of the DGCL, our Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.
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Limitation on Liability of Directors and Indemnification
Our certificate of incorporation limits the liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for liability for any:
breach of their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;
act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
unlawful payment of dividends or redemption of shares as provided in Section 174 of the DGCL; or
transaction from which the directors derived an improper personal benefit.
These limitations of liability do not apply to liabilities arising under federal securities laws and do not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.
Our bylaws provide that we will indemnify and advance expenses to our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law or, if applicable, pursuant to indemnification agreements. They further provide that we may choose to indemnify our other employees or agents from time to time. Subject to certain exceptions and procedures, our bylaws also require us to advance to any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any proceeding by reason of the person’s service as one of our directors or officers all expenses incurred by the person in connection with such proceeding.
Section 145(g) of the DGCL and our bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in connection with their services to us, regardless of whether our bylaws permit indemnification. We maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy.
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 and, subject to certain exceptions and procedures, that we will advance to them all expenses that they incur in connection with any proceeding to which they are, or are threatened to be made, a party.
At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors or officers as to which indemnification is required or permitted, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for indemnification.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Registration Rights
Aquadex Acquisition. On August 5, 2016, upon closing of the acquisition of the Aquadex Business, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Baxter, pursuant to which Baxter or its affiliates has the right to request that we file a registration statement with the SEC to register all or part of the 1,666 shares of common stock that Baxter received in connection with the acquisition. Upon receipt of any such request, we have agreed to use reasonable best efforts to prepare and file a registration statement as expeditiously as possible but in any event within 30 days of such request, to cause the registration statement to become effective in accordance with Baxter’s intended method of distribution, and to pay the expenses incurred in connection with any such registration.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC.
Listing
Our common stock trades on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CHFS.” See “Prospectus Summary—Recent Developments” in this prospectus for important information about the listing of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
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UNDERWRITING
We are offering the Units described in this prospectus through the underwriters named below. Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., is acting as the representative of the underwriters in this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed to purchase the number of our securities set forth opposite its name below.
Underwriters
Units
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.
23,608,066
Maxim Group LLC
4,166,129
Total
27,774,195
A copy of the underwriting agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is part.
We have been advised by the underwriters that they propose to offer the Units directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Any securities sold by the underwriters to securities dealers will be sold at the public offering price less a selling concession not in excess of $0.02112 per share and $0.00048 per warrant.
The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters’ obligation to purchase the securities we are offering is subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement.
No action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the Units, or the shares of common stock and warrants included in the Units in any jurisdiction outside the United States where action for that purpose is required. None of our securities included in this offering may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sales of any of the securities offering hereby be distributed or published in any jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons who receive this prospectus are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering of securities and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of any offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction where that would not be permitted or legal.
The underwriters have advised us that they do not intend to confirm sales to any account over which they exercise discretionary authority.
Underwriting Discount and Expenses
The following table summarizes the underwriting discount and commission to be paid to the underwriters by us.
 
Per
Unit(1)
Total
Total with Full
Exercise of
Overallotment
Public offering price
0.45
$12,498,387.75
$14,373,145.80
Underwriting discount to be paid to the underwriters by us (8.0%)(2)(3)
0.036
$999,871.02
$1,149,851.66
Proceeds to us (before expenses)
0.414
$11,498,516.73
$13,223,294.14
(1)
The public offering price and underwriting discount corresponds, in respect of the Units (i) a public offering price per share of common stock of $0.44 ($0.4048 net of the underwriting discount) and (ii) a public offering price per warrant of $0.01 ($0.0092 net of the underwriting discount).
(2)
We have also agreed to reimburse the accountable expenses of the representative, including legal fees, in this offering, up to a maximum of $85,000.
(3)
We have granted a 45 day option to the representative to purchase up to 4,166,129 additional shares of common stock and/or additional warrants exercisable for up to an additional 4,166,129 shares of common stock at the public offering price per share of common stock and the public offering price per warrant set forth above less the underwriting discounts and commissions solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
We estimate the total expenses payable by us for this offering to be approximately $1,253,947, which amount includes (i) the underwriting discount of $999,871 and (ii) reimbursement of the accountable expenses of
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$85,000 to the underwriters, including the legal fees of the representative and (iii) other estimated company expenses of approximately $139,076 which includes legal accounting printing costs and various fees associated with the registration and listing of our shares.
The securities we are offering are being offered by the underwriters subject to certain conditions specified in the underwriting agreement.
Over-allotment Option
We have granted to the underwriters an option exercisable not later than 45 days after the date of this prospectus to purchase up to an additional 4,166,129 shares and/or 4,166,129 warrants at the public offering price per share of common stock and the public offering price per warrant set forth on the cover page hereto less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise the option solely to cover overallotments, if any, made in connection with this offering. If any additional shares of common stock and/or warrants are purchased, the underwriters will offer these shares of common stock and/or warrants on the same terms as those on which the other securities are being offered.
Determination of Offering Price
Our common stock is currently traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CHFS.” See “Prospectus Summary—Recent Developments” for important information about the listing of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market. On August 18, 2020, the closing price of our common stock was $0.50 per share. We do not intend to apply for listing of the Warrants on any securities exchange or other trading system.
The public offering price of the securities offered by this prospectus will be determined by negotiation between us and the underwriters among the factors considered in determining the public offering price of the shares were;
our history and our prospects;
the industry in which we operate;
our past and present operating results;
the previous experience of our executive officers; and
the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering, including discussions between the underwriters and prospective investors.
The offering price stated on the cover page of this prospectus should not be considered an indication of the actual value of the securities sold in this offering. That price is subject to change as a result of market conditions and other factors and we cannot assure you that the securities sold in this offering can be resold at or above the public offering price.
Lock-up Agreements
Our officers, directors and each of their respective affiliates and associated partners have agreed with the representative to be subject to a lock-up period of 90 days following the date of this prospectus. This means that, during the applicable lock-up period, such persons may not offer for sale, contract to sell, sell, distribute, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, shares of our common stock. Certain limited transfers are permitted during the lock-up period if the transferee agrees to these lock-up restrictions. We have also agreed, in the underwriting agreement, to similar lock-up restrictions on the issuance and sale of our securities for 90 days following the closing of this offering, although we will be permitted to issue stock options or stock awards to directors, officers and employees under our existing plans. The representative may, in their sole discretion and without notice, waive the terms of any of these lock-up agreements.
Certain investors in this offering have agreed with the representative to enter into a lock-up and voting agreement whereby each such investor will be subject to a lock-up period of three (3) days following the closing of this offering. This means that, during the applicable lock-up period, such persons may not offer for sale, contract to sell, sell, distribute, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into, or
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exercisable or exchangeable for, shares of our common stock. Certain limited transfers are permitted during the lock-up period if the transferee agrees to these lock-up restrictions. Additionally, such investors have agreed to vote all shares of common stock it beneficially owns on the closing date of this offering, including such common stock obtained in this offering, with respect to any proposals presented to the stockholders of the Company.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC.
Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids
The underwriters may engage in syndicate covering transactions stabilizing transactions and penalty bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of our common stock;
Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Such a naked short position would be closed out by buying securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.
Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specific maximum.
Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.
These syndicate covering transactions, stabilizing transactions, and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market prices of our securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market prices of our securities. As a result the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq Capital Market, in the over-the-counter market or on any other trading market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
In connection with this offering, the underwriters also may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock in accordance with Regulation M during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of shares of our common stock in this offering and extending through the completion of the distribution. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid that bid must then be lowered when specific purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Neither we, nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the prices of our securities. In addition, neither we nor the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that any transactions, once commenced will not be discontinued without notice.
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act or to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general discussion of material U.S. federal income considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock or Warrants. This discussion is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated or proposed thereunder and current administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as in effect as of the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change or to differing interpretation, possibly with retroactive effect. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position.
This discussion is limited to U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders who hold our common stock or Warrants as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code (generally, as property held for investment). This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation, such as the U.S. alternative minimum income tax and the additional tax on net investment income, nor does it address any aspect of state, local or non-U.S. taxes, or U.S. federal taxes other than income taxes, such as federal estate taxes. This discussion does not consider any specific facts or circumstances that may apply to a holder and does not address the special tax considerations that may be applicable to particular holders, such as:
insurance companies;
tax-exempt organizations;
financial institutions;
brokers or dealers in securities;
regulated investment companies;
pension plans;
persons required for U.S. federal income tax purposes to conform the timing of income accruals to their financial statements under Section 451(b) of the Code;
controlled foreign corporations;
passive foreign investment companies;
corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;
certain U.S. expatriates;
U.S. persons that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar;
persons that acquire our common stock or Warrants as compensation for services;
owners that hold our common stock or Warrants as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, synthetic security or other integrated investment;
entities that are treated as disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes (regardless of their places of organization or formation) and their investors; and
partnerships or other entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and their investors.
If any entity taxable as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common stock or Warrants, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. An investor in a partnership or entity treated as disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult his, her or its own tax advisor regarding the applicable tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock or Warrants.
For purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock or Warrants that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
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a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision of the United States;
an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
a trust, if (i) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) the trust has a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations.
A “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of our common stock or Warrants that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an individual, corporation, estate or trust that is not a U.S. holder.
Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax considerations of purchasing, holding and disposing of our common stock or Warrants.
U.S. Holders
Purchase of Units
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the purchase of a Unit will be treated as the purchase of two components: a component consisting of one share of our common stock and a component consisting of one warrant to purchase one share of our common stock. The purchase price for each Unit will be allocated between its components in proportion to the relative fair market value of each at the time the Unit is purchased by the holder. This allocation of the purchase price for each Unit will establish a holder’s initial tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the shares and warrants that compose each Unit.
Exercise of Warrants
A U.S. holder generally will not recognize gain or loss on the exercise of a warrant and related receipt of shares of our common stock (unless cash is received in lieu of the issuance of a fractional share of our common stock). A U.S. holder’s initial tax basis in the shares of our common stock received upon the exercise of a warrant will be equal to the sum of (a) such U.S. holder’s tax basis in such warrant plus (b) the exercise price paid by such U.S. holder on the exercise of such warrant. A U.S. holder’s holding period for the shares of our common stock received upon the exercise of a warrant will begin on the day after the date that the warrant is exercised.
In certain limited circumstances, a U.S. holder may be permitted to undertake a cashless exercise of warrants into shares of our common stock. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise of warrants into shares of common stock is unclear, and the tax consequences of a cashless exercise could differ from the consequences upon the exercise of a warrant described in the preceding paragraph. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of warrants.
Certain Adjustments to the Warrants
An adjustment to the number of shares of our common stock that will be issued upon the exercise of a warrant, or an adjustment to the exercise price of a warrant, may be treated as a constructive distribution to a U.S. holder of the warrant or share depending on the circumstances of such adjustment (for example, if such adjustment is to compensate for a distribution of cash or other property to our shareholders). Adjustments to the exercise price of warrants made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing dilution of the interest of the holders thereof generally should not be considered to result in a constructive distribution. Any such constructive distribution would be taxable whether or not there is an actual distribution of cash or other property. See the more detailed discussion of the rules applicable to distributions made by us under the heading “Distributions on Common Stock” below.
Expiration of the Warrants without Exercise
Upon the lapse or expiration of a warrant, a U.S. holder will recognize a loss in an amount equal to such U.S. holder’s tax basis in the warrant. Any such loss generally will be a capital loss and will be long-term capital loss if the warrant is held for more than one year. Deductions for capital losses are subject to certain limitations.
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Distributions on Common Stock
If we pay distributions of cash or property with respect to our common stock (including constructive distributions as described above under the heading “Certain Adjustments to the Warrants”), those distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of the U.S. holder’s investment, up to such holder’s tax basis in its shares of our common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain, subject to the tax treatment described below under the heading “—Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition.”
Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition
Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares or Warrants, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between (a) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and (b) such U.S. holder’s tax basis in such common shares or Warrants sold or otherwise disposed of. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, the common shares or Warrants have been held by the U.S. holder for more than one year. Preferential tax rates may apply to long-term capital gain of a U.S. holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. Deductions for capital losses are subject to certain limitations.
Non-U.S. Holders
Distributions on Common Stock
If we pay distributions of cash or property with respect to our common stock (including constructive distributions as described above under the heading “Certain Adjustments to the Warrants”), those distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of the non-U.S. holder’s investment, up to such holder’s tax basis in its shares of our common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain, subject to the tax treatment described below under the heading “—Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition.” Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder’s country of residence. In the case of any constructive distribution, it is possible that this tax would be withheld from any amount owed to the non-U.S. holder, including, but not limited to, distributions of cash, common stock or sales proceeds subsequently paid or credited to that holder. If we are unable to determine, at the time of payment of a distribution, whether the distribution will constitute a dividend, we may nonetheless choose to withhold any U.S. federal income tax on the distribution as permitted by U.S. Treasury Regulations.
Distributions that are treated as effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by a non-U.S. holder within the United States are generally not subject to the 30% withholding tax if the non-U.S. holder provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI stating that the distributions are not subject to withholding because they are effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If a non-U.S. holder is engaged in a trade or business in the United States and the distribution is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business, the distribution will generally have the consequences described above for a U.S. holder (subject to any modification provided under an applicable income tax treaty). Any U.S. effectively connected income received by a non-U.S. holder that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty).
A non-U.S. holder who claims the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder’s country of residence generally will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, and satisfy applicable certification and other requirements. A non-U.S. holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax under an income tax treaty generally may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim with the IRS. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under a relevant income tax treaty.
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Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition
Subject to the discussion below in “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” and “—Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act,” a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized on a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock or Warrants unless:
the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States and, if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States; in these cases, the non-U.S. holder will be taxed on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates and in the manner applicable to a U.S. holder, and, if the non-U.S. holder is a corporation, an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, or a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, may also apply;
the non-U.S. holder is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to a 30% tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount by which such non-U.S. holder’s capital gains allocable to U.S. sources exceed capital losses allocable to U.S. sources during the taxable year of the disposition; or
we are or were a “U.S. real property holding corporation” during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition or the period that the non-U.S. holder held our common stock. Generally, a corporation is a “U.S. real property holding corporation” if the fair market value of its “U.S. real property interests” (within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code) equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Distributions on, and the payment of the proceeds of a disposition of, our common stock or Warrants generally will be subject to information reporting if made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries. Information returns are required to be filed with the IRS and copies of information returns may be made available to the tax authorities of the country in which a holder resides or is incorporated under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement.
Backup withholding may also apply if the holder fails to provide certification of exempt status or a correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and otherwise comply with the applicable backup withholding requirements. Generally, a holder will not be subject to backup withholding if it provides a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 or appropriate IRS Form W-8, as applicable. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided certain information is timely filed with the IRS.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Legislation commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, generally imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on dividends paid to certain non-U.S. entities (including certain intermediaries) unless such persons comply with FATCA’s information reporting and withholding regime. We will not pay any additional amounts to stockholders in respect of any amounts withheld. This regime and its requirements are different from, and in addition to, the certification requirements described elsewhere in this discussion. If a payment is both subject to withholding under FATCA and subject to withholding tax discussed above, the withholding under FATCA may be credited against, and therefore reduce, such other withholding tax.
The United States has entered into, and continues to negotiate, intergovernmental agreements (each, an “IGA”) with a number of other jurisdictions to facilitate the implementation of FATCA. An IGA may significantly alter the application of FATCA and its information reporting and withholding requirements with respect to any particular investor. FATCA is particularly complex and its application remains uncertain. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding how these rules may apply in their particular circumstances.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Honigman LLP, Kalamazoo, Michigan, will issue a legal opinion as to the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York is acting as counsel for the underwriters in connection with certain legal matters in connection with this offering.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of CHF Solutions, Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by Baker Tilly US, LLP (FKA: Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP), our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference (which report expresses an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and includes an explanatory paragraph related to the substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements). Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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