UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.         )

 

Filed by the Registrant

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary Proxy Statement

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

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

Preliminary Proxy Statement

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

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

Histogen Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

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

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)all boxes that apply):

No fee required.

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

No fee required.

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 


 

 

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10655 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite

200 San Diego, CA 92121

NOTICE OF 2022 ANNUAL SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

STOCKHOLDERS AND PROXY STATEMENT

STATEMENT

Dear Stockholder:

The AnnualNotice is hereby given that a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Histogen Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”Company), will be held virtually, via live webcaston , 2023 at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2022, which allows all of our stockholders to participate no matter where they are located, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at 8:00 a.m., Pacific time,Time via a live webcast, for the following purposes:

1.

ToelectthreedirectorstoserveasClassIIIdirectorsforathree-yeartermtoexpireatthe2025annualmeetingofstockholders (the “Election of the Directors Proposal”1.

To approve the liquidation and dissolution of the Company pursuant to the Plan of Liquidation and Dissolution (the “Plan of Dissolution”) which, if approved, will authorize the Company to liquidate and dissolve the Company in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution (the “Dissolution Proposal); and
2.
To approve the adjournment from time to time of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Plan of Dissolution (the “Adjournment Proposal”).

After careful consideration of a number of factors, as described in the attached proxy statement, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has unanimously determined that the Plan of Dissolution is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

2.

To approve an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock, within a range, as determined by the Company’s board of directors, of one new share for every five (5) to twenty (20) (or any number in between) shares outstanding (the “Reverse Stock Split”), the implementation and timing of which shall be subject to the discretion of the Company’s board of directors (the “Reverse Stock Split Proposal”);

3.

ToconsiderandvoteupontheratificationoftheselectionofMayer Hoffman McCann P.C. (“MHM)asourindependentregisteredpublicaccountingfirmforthe fiscal year ending December 31,2022 (the “Auditor Ratification Proposal”);

4.

Toconsiderandvoteupon,onanadvisorybasis,thecompensationofournamedexecutiveofficersasdisclosedinthisproxystatementpursuant tothecompensationdisclosurerules oftheSecuritiesandExchangeCommission (the “Say on Pay Proposal”); and

5.

Totransactsuchotherbusinessasmaybeproperlybroughtbeforethemeetingoranyadjournmentorpostponementthereof.

The Board unanimously recommends that you vote (i) “FOR” each of the three nominees to the Board named in the Election of DirectorsDissolution Proposal; and (ii) “FOR” the Reverse Stock Split Proposal; (iii) “FOR” the “Say on Pay” Proposal; and (vi) “FOR” our Auditor RatificationAdjournment Proposal.

The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the attached proxy statement, which forms a part of this notice and is incorporated herein by reference. Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) has fixed the close of business on April 14, 2022, 2023 as the Record Date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meetingSpecial Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Your vote is important. Whether or not you expect to attend our AnnualSpecial Meeting, we encourage you to read the proxy statement accompanying this notice and submit your proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please refer to the instructions in the section entitled “General Information About the AnnualSpecial Meeting and Voting” beginning on page 1 of the proxy statement accompanying this notice. If you plan to attend our AnnualSpecial Meeting virtually via the live webcast and wish to vote your shares at the virtual meeting, you may do so at any time before the proxy is voted.


All stockholdersarecordiallyinvitedtoattendthemeeting virtually.

 

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

 

 

Steven J. Mento, Ph.D./s/ Susan A. Knudson

 

 

Executive Chairman and Interim President and Chief Executive OfficerSusan A. Knudson

 

President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

San Diego, California

April 21, 2022                               , 2023

 

 

Your vote is important. Please vote your shares whether or not you plan to attend the meeting.

It is important that your shares be represented and voted whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting virtually. Instructions regarding the different methods for voting your shares are provided under the section entitled “General Information About the Annual Meeting and Voting.”

This notice of our Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the accompanying proxy statement and form of proxy are being distributed and made available on or about April 21, 2022.

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING AND VOTING

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PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORSCAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING-STATEMENTS

79

RISK FACTORS

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PROPOSAL 1: APPROVAL OF THE DISSOLUTION PURSUANT TO THE PLAN OF DISSOLUTION

18

PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY EFFECTING THE REVERSE STOCK SPLITADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

19

PROPOSAL 3: RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

27

PROPOSAL 4: APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

2934

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

3035

EXECUTIVE OFFICERSWHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

3237

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATIONANNEX A

33

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

38

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

40

ANNUAL REPORT

40

STOCKHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME ADDRESS

40

OTHER MATTERS

4139

 

 

 

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10655 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200

San Diego, CA 92121

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE 2022 ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022, 2023

The Board of Directors (sometimes referred to as the “Board”) of Histogen Inc. (the “Company”(sometimes referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company or “Histogen”Histogen) is soliciting the proxiesenclosed proxy for use at a special meeting of stockholders (including any adjournments, continuations or postponements thereof, the 2022 AnnualSpecial Meeting of Stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) toon , 2023 at a.m., Pacific Time. The Special Meeting will be held virtually,a virtual meeting, which will be conducted via live webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2022, which allows all of our stockholders to participate no matter where they are located, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at 8:00 a.m., Pacific time, and any postponements or adjournments thereof.  Due to the emerging public health impact of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, the Company has decided to hold our Annual Meeting virtually. We are sensitive to the public health and travel concerns our stockholders may have and the protocols that federal, state and local governments may impose.webcast.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual

Special Meeting of Stockholders to be Heldheld on June 1, 2022., 2023.

This proxy statement and the form of proxy card and our Annual Report on Form 10-Kfor the Special Meeting (this “Proxy Statement”) are available electronically at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2023SMwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2022..

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING AND VOTING

Questions and Answers Regarding the Special Meeting

Why did you send me this proxy?

Our 2022Special Meeting proxy materials and our 2021 Annual Report are accessible at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2022.HSTO2023SM.

We sent you this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card because our Board is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2022 AnnualSpecial Meeting of Stockholders. This proxy statement summarizes information related to your vote at the AnnualSpecial Meeting. All stockholders who find it convenient to do so are cordially invited to attend the AnnualSpecial Meeting virtually. However, you do not need to attend the meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card, or complete and submit your proxy via phone or the internet in accordance with the instructions provided on the enclosed proxy card.

We intend to begin mailing this proxy statement, the attached notice of AnnualSpecial Meeting and the enclosed proxy card on or about April 21, 2022, 2023 to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the annual meeting.Special Meeting.

Shareholders Entitled to Vote?Who can vote at the Special Meeting?

Only stockholders who own our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), or Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”, as of record at the close of business on April 14, 2022,, 2023, the record date for the AnnualSpecial Meeting (the “Record Date”Record Date), will beare entitled to vote at the AnnualSpecial Meeting.

On March 25, 2022,At the Company closed two preferred stock offerings, in which the Company issued 2,500 sharesclose of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and 2,500 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock collectively the “Preferred Stock”), each with an aggregate stated value of $2,500,000. Total gross proceeds from the offerings, before deducting the placement agent’s fees and other estimated offering expenses, was approximately $4.75 million. Each share of Preferred Stock has a purchase price of $952.38,

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representing an original issue discount of 5% of the $1,000 stated value of each share. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of Common Stock at an initial conversion price of $1.00 per share and each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of Common Stock at an initial conversion price of $1.00 per share.

How will the shares be voted at the Annual Meeting?

Each share of our Common Stock outstandingbusiness on the Record Date entitles the holder thereof to cast one vote on each matter submitted to the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 49,950,212 shares of our common stock outstanding. Common Stock issued and outstanding. Holdersstock is the only class of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock will vote on the Reverse Stock Split Proposal as a single class. Only the holders of Common Stock arestock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. A list of our stockholders of record will be available for inspection online during the Special Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2023SM, and during the ten days prior to the Special Meeting upon request.

If you would like to view the list, please contact our Secretary to schedule an appointment by calling (302) 636-5401 or writing to her directed to the Company’s agent for service of process at Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808, or to the email address set forth in the Company’s proxy materials and/or identified on Proposal 1 (Electionthe Company’s investor relations website. The Company terminated its lease agreement for its headquarters and laboratory. Accordingly, the Company does not maintain a headquarters. For purposes of compliance with applicable requirements of the Directors Proposal), Proposal 3 (Auditor Ratification Proposal),Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Proposal 4 (Say on Pay Proposal).Securities


Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, any stockholder communication required to be sent to the Company’s principal executive offices may be directed to the Company’s agent for service of process as stated above.

Each shareStockholders of Series A Preferred Stock outstandingRecord: Shares Registered in Your Name

If, on the Record Date, has a number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such share (whether or not such shares are then convertible). Accordingly, as of the Record Date, each share of Series A Preferred Stock has 3,776 votes, which is determined by dividing $1,000, the stated value of one share of Series A Preferred Stock, by $0.2648, the NASDAQ Minimum Price. As of the Record Date, there were 2,500 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, convertible into an aggregate of 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have agreed to not transfer their shares of Series A Preferred Stock until after the Annual Meeting and to vote all shares of Series A Preferred Stock in favor of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal.

Each share of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding on the Record Date entitles the holder thereof to cast 30,000 votes on the Reverse Stock Split. As of the Record Date, there were 2,500 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, convertible into an aggregate of 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock. The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock have agreed to not transfer their shares of Series B Preferred Stock until after the Annual Meeting and to vote all shares of Series B Preferred Stock in the same proportion as the aggregate shares of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock are voted on the Reverse Stock Split Proposal. As an example, if 70% of the aggregate votes cast by Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock voting on the Reverse Stock Split Proposal are voted in favor thereof and 30% of the aggregate votes cast by Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock voting on the Reverse Stock Split Proposal are voted against such Proposal, then 70% of the votes entitled to be cast by Series B Preferred Stock will be cast in favor of the Proposal and 30% of such votes will be cast against the Proposal.

What am I voting on?

There are four proposals scheduled for a vote:

Proposal 1:

To elect three directors to serve as Class III directors for a three-year term (the “Election of the Directors Proposal”).

Proposal 2: To approve an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock, within a range, as determined by the Company’s board of directors, of one new share for every five (5) to twenty (20) (or any number in between) shares outstanding (the “Reverse Stock Split Proposal).

Proposal 3:

To consider and vote upon the ratification of the appointment of Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2022 (the “Auditor Ratification Proposal”).

Proposal 4:

To consider and vote upon, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC (the “Say on Pay Proposal”).

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What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a beneficial owner of shares held in street name?

If your shares arewere registered directly in your name with our registrar andthe transfer agent American Stock Transfer &for our common stock, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, then you are considereda stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, with respectyou may vote at the Special Meeting if you attend online or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to those shares and ourattend the Special Meeting online, we encourage you to vote by proxy materials have been made availablevia the Internet, by telephone or by mail, as instructed below to you directly by us. ensure your vote is counted.

Beneficial Owners: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank

If, on the Record Date, your shares arewere held in an account at a stock brokerage account, by afirm, bank, broker,dealer or other agent,similar organization, then you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name“street name” and ourthese proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your bank, broker, or other agent thataccount is considered the ownerstockholder of record for purposes of those shares.voting at the Special Meeting. As thea beneficial owner, you have the right to instructdirect your bank, broker or other agent on how to vote the shares in your shares.account. Since a beneficial owner is not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the AnnualSpecial Meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker, bank, trustee or nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares at the meeting. If you are a beneficial owner and do not wish to vote in person or you will not be attending the AnnualSpecial Meeting, you may vote by following the instructions provided by your broker, bank, trustee, or other nominee.

What am I voting on?

There are two proposals scheduled for a vote:

Proposal 1: To approve the liquidation and dissolution of the Company pursuant to the Plan of Liquidation and Dissolution (the “Plan of Dissolution”), which, if approved, will authorize the Company to liquidate and dissolve the Company (the “Dissolution”) in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution (the “Dissolution Proposal”).
Proposal 2: To approve the adjournment from time to time of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Plan of Dissolution (the “Adjournment Proposal”).

How many votes do I have?

Each share of Histogen common stock that you own as of , 2023, the Record Date, entitles you to one vote at the Special Meeting.

How do I vote?

With respect to each of the Dissolution Proposal (Proposal 1) and the Adjournment Proposal (Proposal 2), you may vote by proxy?“FOR,” “AGAINST” or abstain from voting.

Stockholders of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If you are a stockholder of record, there are several ways for you to vote your shares. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting,virtual Special Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy prior to the Special Meeting to ensure that your vote is counted.

Via the Internet: If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2022,www.proxyvote.com, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by following the Internet voting instructions on your proxy card.


By Telephone: If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote using a touch-tone telephone by calling 1-800-690-6903, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by following the telephone voting instructions on your proxy card.

Virtually: This year’s Annual Meeting will be conducted solely online via live webcast. You will be able to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting online and vote your shares electronically prior to and during the meeting by registering in advance and visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2022 on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at 8:00 a.m., Pacific time. To be admitted to the Annual Meeting you will need to register in advance at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2022, you must enter the control number included in your proxy materials. There is no physical location for the Annual Meeting. We recommend you log in at least 15 minutes before the meeting to ensure you are logged in when the meeting starts. Further instructions on how to attend and participate online are available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2022 and on the proxy card.

By Mail, if You Requested a Printed Copy of Your Proxy Materials: You may vote using your proxy card by completing, signing, dating and returning the proxy card in the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided. If you properly complete your proxy card and send it to us in time to vote, your proxy (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares as you have directed. If you sign the proxy card but do not make specific choices, your shares, as permitted, will be voted as recommended by our Board. If any other matter is presented at the AnnualSpecial Meeting, your proxy will vote in accordance with his or her best judgment. As of the date of this proxy statement, we knew of no matters that needed to be acted on at the meeting, other than those discussed in this proxy statement.

At the Virtual Special Note for Series B Preferred StockholdersMeeting: YourThe Special Meeting will be conducted solely online via live webcast. You will be able to attend and participate in the Special Meeting online and vote your shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall,electronically during the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2023SM on , _________________, 2023, at a.m., Pacific Time. To be admitted to the extent castSpecial Meeting you will need to enter the control number included in your proxy materials at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2023SM. There is no physical location for the Special Meeting. We recommend you log in at least 15 minutes before the meeting to ensure you are logged in when the meeting starts. Further instructions on how to attend and participate online are available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2023SM and on the Reverse stock Split Proposal, be automatically and without further action by you, be voted in the same proportions as shares of common stock (excluding any shares of common stock that are not voted) and Series A Preferred Stock.proxy card.

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Beneficial Owners: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank

If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, and requested a printed copy of the proxy materials, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than directly from us. Simply complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted. You may be eligible to vote your shares electronically over the Internet or by telephone. A large number of banks and brokerage firms offer Internet and telephone voting. To vote during the live webcast of the AnnualSpecial Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.

May I revoke my proxy?

If you give us your proxy, you may revoke it at any time before it is exercised. You may revoke your proxy in any one of the three following ways:

you may grant a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy) using any of the methods described above (and until the applicable deadline for each method);

you may notify our corporate secretary, Susan A. Knudson, in writing before the AnnualSpecial Meeting that you have revoked your proxy by mailing a written notice of revocation to the attention of Susan A. Knudson, Histogen Inc., 10655 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121;directed to the Company’s agent for service of process at Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808, or

to the email address set forth in the Company’s proxy materials and/or identified on the Company’s investor relations website, after which you are entitled to submit a new proxy or vote during the virtual Special Meeting; or

you may vote during the live webcast of the AnnualSpecial Meeting.

Attendance at the meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically so request. For shares held in street name, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank, trustee, or nominee following the instructions they provided or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker, bank, trustee, or nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person at the virtual meeting

What constitutes a quorum?

The presence at the AnnualSpecial Meeting, virtuallyby virtual attendance or by proxy, of holders representing one-third (1/3) of the voting power of the capitalour outstanding common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote as of April 14, 2022, 2023, or approximately shares, constitutes a quorum at the meeting, permitting us to conduct our business.  For purposes of the Annual Meeting, a quorum requires 18,316,737 shares, or 33 1/3 % of the voting power of our Common Stock and Preferred Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.


What vote is required to approve each proposal?

Proposal 1: Election of Class III Directors. 1 (Dissolution Proposal): The electionApproval of the directorsPlan of Dissolution requires a pluralitythe affirmative vote of a majority of all of the outstanding shares of our common stock present virtually or by proxy atas of the Annual MeetingRecord Date. Abstentions and broker non-votes (in other words, where a brokerage firm has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and for which the brokerage firm does not have discretionary power to vote on a particular matter) are counted as present and entitled to vote thereonfor purposes of determining a quorum. However, abstentions are not deemed to be approved.  “Plurality” means that the nominees who receive the largest number of votes cast “FOR” are electedand, therefore, will have the same effect as directors. With respect tovotes “AGAINST” the electionDissolution Proposal. Shares of Class III directors, you may either vote “For” or you may “Withhold” your vote for any nominee you specify. The three nominees who receive the most “For” votes (among votesour common stock represented by properly cast in person or by proxy)executed, timely received and unrevoked proxies will be elected. Only votes “For” or “Withheld” will affectvoted in accordance with the outcome.instructions indicated thereon.

Proposal 2: 2 (Adjournment Proposal): Approval of an Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to Effect a Reverse Stock Split of the Company’s Common Stock, within a Range, as Determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, of One New Share for Every Five (5) to Twenty (20) (or Any Number in Between) Shares Outstanding.  The approval of a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock, within a range, as determined by the Company’s board of directors, of one new share for every five (5) to twenty (20) (or any number in between) shares outstanding must receiveAdjournment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock and Preferred Stock, voting together ascast at the Special Meeting (whether or not a single class, presentquorum is present). Failure to vote virtually or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting, abstentions and entitled to vote on the proposal. Since the Series B Preferred Stockbroker non-votes (if any) will mirror only votes cast, abstentions by holders of our Common Stock, which would ordinarily have the effect of a vote against the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, will not have anyno effect on the outcome of the vote. With respect toAdjournment Proposal. Shares of our common stock represented by properly executed, timely received and unrevoked proxies will be voted in accordance with the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting.  

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Proposal 3: Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. With respect to the Auditor Ratification Proposal, you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting. The ratification of the appointment of Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. must receive “For” votes from a majority of the voting power of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively on the proposal.

Proposal 4: Approval of the Compensation of the Named Executive Officers. With respect to the Say on Pay Proposal, you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting. The approval of the compensation of the named executive officers must receive “For” votes from a majority of the voting power of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively on the proposal.instructions indicated thereon.

Voting results will be tabulated and certified by the inspector of election appointed for the AnnualSpecial Meeting.

How will my shares be voted if I do not specify how they should be voted?

Common Stockholders

If you are a stockholder of record and you indicate when voting on the Internet or by telephone that you wish to vote as recommended by ourthe Board, then your shares will be voted at the AnnualSpecial Meeting in accordance with our Board of Director’sthe Board’s recommendation on all matters presented for a vote at the AnnualSpecial Meeting. Similarly, if you requested a printed copy of the proxy materials and sign and return a proxy card but do not indicate how you want to vote your shares for a particular proposal or for allany of the proposals, then for any proposal for which you do not so indicate, your shares will be voted in accordance with our Board of Director’sthe Board’s recommendation.

If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, then, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote your shares in their discretion on “routine” matters, but cannotmay not use its discretion to vote your shares on “non-routine” matters.matters under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”). If the organization that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, that organization will inform the inspector of election that it does not have the authority to vote on that matter with respect to your shares. This is generally referred to as a “broker non-vote.”

Preferred Stockholders

Series A Preferred Under the rules and Series B Preferred Stockholdersinterpretations of the NYSE, “non-routine” matters are requiredmatters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholders, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested), executive compensation (including any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation and on the frequency of stockholder votes on executive compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if management-supported. We believe that the Dissolution Proposal is a “non-routine” matter and so, without instruction from the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, the organization that holds the shares will not be able to vote their shares with respect to the Reverse Stock Spliton Proposal as described above.1.

What is the effect of withheld votes, abstentions and broker non-votes?

Shares of common stock held by persons attending the Annualvirtual Special Meeting virtually, but not voting, and shares represented by proxies that reflect withheld votes or abstentions as to a particular proposal, will be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. Abstentions are not an affirmative or negative vote on a proposal, so abstaining does not count as a vote cast and has no effect for purposes of determining whether our stockholders have ratified the appointment of Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C., our independent registered public accounting firm or whether our stockholders have approved the compensationapproval of the named executive officers. In addition, becauseAdjournment Proposal. Approval of the election of directorsDissolution Proposal is determined by the affirmative vote of a pluralitymajority of votes cast, withheld votes orall of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of the Record Date, so abstentions will not be counted in determininghave the outcome of such proposal.same effect as votes “AGAINST” the Dissolution Proposal.


Shares represented by proxies that reflect a broker non-vote will be counted as present for purposes of determining whetherthe presence of a quorum exists. As discussed above, a broker non-vote occurs when an organization holding shares for a beneficial owner has not received instructions from the beneficial owner and does not have discretionary authority to vote the shares for certain non-routine matters. With regard to the election of directors and the advisory vote to approve the compensation of the named executive officers, which are considered non-routine matters, broker non-votes, will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote. However, ratification of the appointment of Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.The Adjournment Proposal is considered a routine matter on which a broker or other nominee has discretionary authority to vote. Accordingly, noIf there are broker non-votes, they will likely resulthave the same effect as votes “AGAINST” the Dissolution Proposal.

How does the Board recommend that I vote?

The Board recommends that you vote:

Proposal 1 (Dissolution Proposal): “FOR” the approval of the Dissolution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution.

Proposal 2 (Adjournment Proposal): “FOR” the approval of the adjournment from time to time of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Plan of Dissolution.

If you vote via the Internet, by telephone, or sign and return a proxy card by mail but do not make specific choices, your shares, as permitted, will be voted as recommended by our Board. If any other matter is presented at the Special Meeting, your proxy will vote in accordance with his or her best judgment. As of the date of this proposal.Proxy Statement, we know of no matters that needed to be acted on at the Special Meeting, other than those discussed in this Proxy Statement.

5


Who is paying the costs of soliciting these proxies?

We will pay all of the costs of soliciting these proxies. The Company has engaged a proxy solicitation firm, Kingsdale Shareholder Services, U.S. LLC, 745 Fifth Avenue, Suite 500,Fifth Floor, New York, New York, 10151, and may conduct further solicitation personally, by telephone or by facsimile with the assistances of our officers, directors, and regular employees, none of whom will receive additional compensation for assisting with the solicitation. The Company expects that thehas agreed to pay Kingsdale Advisors a fee of $12,500 for its services. We have also agreed to reimburse Kingsdale Advisors for its reasonable out-of-pocket costs associated with solicitation of proxies, will be approximately $14,500.plus an additional performance fee payable in the event Proposal 1 is approved by our stockholders. We will also ask banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees, and fiduciaries to forward these proxy materials to their principals and to obtain authority to execute proxies. We will then reimburse them for their expenses. Our costs for forwarding proxy materials will not be significant.

How doWhom may I contact if I have other questions about the Special Meeting or voting?

Shareholders of Histogen who have questions or require assistance with voting their shares may contact Histogen’s strategic shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent: Kingsdale Advisors, by telephone at 1-888-212-9553 (North American Toll Free) or 1-646-741-7961 (Outside North America), or by email at: contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com. To obtain an Annual Report on Form 10-K?

If you would like a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 that we filed with the SEC, we will send you one without charge. Please write to:

information about voting your Histogen Inc.

10655 Sorrento Valley Road, Ste 200

San Diego, CA 92121

Attn: Corporate Secretary

All of our SEC filings are also available free of charge in the “Investors—Financial Information” section of our website at www.histogen.com.shares, please visit www.histogenvote.com.

How can I find out the results of the voting at the annual meeting?Special Meeting?

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the AnnualSpecial Meeting. FinalWe will publish the final voting results will be published in our current reporta Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC within four business days after the AnnualSpecial Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Form 8-K within four business days after the meeting,Special Meeting, we intend towill file a Form 8-K to publish the preliminary voting results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Form 8-K to publish the final results.


Questions and Answers Regarding the Plan of Dissolution

Why is the Board recommending approval of the Plan of Dissolution?

The Board carefully reviewed and considered the Plan of Dissolution in light of the financial position of the Company, including our available cash, resources and operations following and our previously announced review and pursuit of strategic alternatives. After due consideration of the options available to the Company, our Board has determined that the Dissolution is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. See “Proposal 1: Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution — Reasons for the Proposed Dissolution.”

What does the Plan of Dissolution entail?

The Plan of Dissolution provides an outline of the steps for the Dissolution of the Company under Delaware law. The Plan of Dissolution provides that we will file the Certificate of Dissolution following the required stockholder approval; however, the decision of whether or not to proceed with the Dissolution and when to file the Certificate of Dissolution will be made by the Board in its sole discretion.

What will happen if the Plan of Dissolution is approved?

If the Plan of Dissolution is authorized, we expect to file a Certificate of Dissolution with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Secretary of State”), complete the liquidation of our remaining assets, satisfy our remaining obligations, and make distributions to stockholders of available liquidation proceeds, if any. We expect to close our stock transfer books and to discontinue recording transfers and issuing stock certificates on or around the date that the Certificate of Dissolution filed with the Delaware Secretary of State becomes effective (the “Effective Date”). The Effective Date will be announced as soon as reasonably practicable after that time. We anticipate that we will notify the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) of our impending dissolution and request that our common stock permanently stop trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) to the extent not previously delisted and deregistered from trading on Nasdaq.

What will stockholders receive in the liquidation?

Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution, we intend to liquidate all of our remaining non-cash assets and, after satisfying or making reasonable provision for the satisfaction of claims, obligations and liabilities as required by applicable law, distribute any remaining cash to our stockholders. We can only estimate the amount of cash that may be available for distribution to stockholders. We estimate that the aggregate amount of cash distributions to stockholders will be in the range of $ and $ per share of common stock, provided, however, that we may not have any available cash for distributions.

Many of the factors influencing the amount of cash distributed to stockholders as a liquidation distribution cannot be currently quantified with certainty and are subject to change. Accordingly, you will not know the exact amount of any liquidating distributions you may receive as a result of the Dissolution when you vote on the Dissolution Proposal. You may receive no distribution at all.

When will stockholders receive payment of any available liquidation proceeds?

Although we are not able to predict with certainty the precise nature, amount or timing of distributions, if any, to the extent we have available cash, we expect to make an initial distribution as soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Date. We are not able to predict with certainty the precise nature, amount or timing of any distributions, primarily due to our inability to predict the amount that we will expend during the course of the liquidation and the net value, if any, of our remaining non-cash assets. Subject to contingencies inherent in winding up our business, the Board additionally intends to authorize any distributions as promptly as reasonably practicable in our best interests and the best interests of stockholders. The Board, in its discretion, will determine the nature, amount and timing of all distributions. In any liquidation of the Company, the claims of secured and unsecured creditors of the Company take priority over the stockholders.


What will happen to our common stock if the Certificate of Dissolution is filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware?

If the Certificate of Dissolution is filed with the Secretary of State, our common stock (if not previously delisted and deregistered) will be delisted from the Nasdaq and deregistered under the Exchange Act. From and after the effective time of the Certificate of Dissolution (the “Effective Time”), and subject to applicable law, each holder of shares of our common stock shall cease to have any rights in respect of that stock, except the right to receive distributions, if any, pursuant to and in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution and the DGCL. After the Effective Time, our stock transfer records shall be closed, and we will not record or recognize any transfer of our common stock occurring after the Effective Time, except, in our sole discretion, such transfers occurring by will, intestate succession or operation of law as to which we have received adequate written notice. Under the DGCL, no stockholder shall have any appraisal rights in connection with the Dissolution.

What is the reporting and listing status of the Company?

Based upon the determination by Nasdaq’s Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) that the Company is a “public shell” as that term is defined in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5101, the Staff notified the Company on September 26, 2023 that trading in the Company’s stock would be suspended upon the opening of business on October 5, 2023 unless the Company timely requests a hearing before a Nasdaq Hearings Panel to address the deficiencies and present a plan to regain compliance. We do not expect to request a hearing and trading in the Company’s stock is expected to be suspended on the opening of business on October 5, 2023. Thereafter, Nasdaq will file a Form 25 with the SEC to formally delist the Company’s stock. Nasdaq has not specified the exact date on which the Form 25 will be filed. Following such delisting, our common stock may only trade in the U.S. on the over-the-counter market, which is a less liquid market, if at all.

If the Dissolution is approved by our stockholders and if the Board determines to proceed with the Dissolution, we will close our transfer books at the Effective Time. After such time, we will not record any further transfers of our common stock, except pursuant to the provisions of a deceased stockholder’s will, intestate succession, or operation of law and we will not issue any new stock certificates, other than replacement certificates. In addition, after the Effective Time, we will not issue any shares of our common stock upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, or restricted stock units. As a result of the closing of our transfer books, it is anticipated that distributions, if any, made in connection with the Dissolution will likely be made pro rata to the same stockholders of record as the stockholders of record as of the Effective Time, and it is anticipated that no further transfers of record ownership of our common stock will occur after the Effective Time.

Additionally, whether or not the Dissolution is approved, we will have an obligation to continue to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) until we have exited such reporting requirements. We did not request a hearing before the Nasdaq Hearings Panel with respect to the delisting of our common stock on Nasdaq and plan to initiate steps to exit from certain reporting requirements under the Exchange Act.

However, such process may be protracted and we may be required to continue to file Current Reports on Form 8-K to disclose material events, including those related to the Dissolution. Accordingly, we will continue to incur expenses that will reduce the amount available for distribution, including expenses of complying with public company reporting requirements and paying its service providers, among others.

Can I still sell my shares?

Yes, for a limited period of time. However, the Board may direct that our stock transfer books be closed and recording of transfers of common stock discontinued as of the earliest of:

the close of business on the record date fixed by our Board for the first or any subsequent installment of any liquidating distribution;
the close of business on the date on which our remaining assets are transferred to a liquidating trust; or
the date on or as soon as reasonably practicable after which we file our Certificate of Dissolution with the Delaware Secretary of State.

Further, we expect that the Board will close our stock transfer books on or around the Effective Date (such actual time, the “Final Record Date”). Following the Final Record Date, certificates representing shares of our common stock will not be assignable or transferable on our books except by will, intestate succession or operation of law, and we will not issue any new stock certificates.

Do I have appraisal rights?

No. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), stockholders are not entitled to assert appraisal rights with respect to the Plan of Dissolution. Neither our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation nor our Amended and Restated Bylaws provides for appraisal or other similar rights for dissenting stockholders in connection with the Dissolution, and we do not intend to independently provide stockholders with any such right.

Are there any risks related to the Dissolution?

Yes. You should carefully review the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this proxy statement for a description of risks related to the Dissolution.

Will I owe any U.S. federal income taxes as a result of the Dissolution?

If the Dissolution is approved and implemented, a stockholder that is a U.S. person generally will recognize gain or loss on a share-by-share basis equal to the difference between (1) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of property, if any, distributed to the stockholder with respect to each share, less any known liabilities assumed by the stockholder or to which the distributed property (if any) is subject, and (2) the stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in each share of our common stock. You are urged to read the section entitled “Proposal 1 —  Approval of the Dissolution Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution —Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” beginning on page 31 of this proxy statement for a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock SplitDissolution, including the ownership of an interest in a liquidating trust, if any.


CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING-STATEMENTS

This Proxy Statement, including Annex A attached hereto, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs and involve numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as predictions of future events as it cannot be assured that the events or circumstances reflected in these statements will be achieved or will occur. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “continue,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “opportunity,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “targets,” “will” or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. For example, forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding:

beliefs about the Company’s available options, strategic alternatives and financial condition;
the proposed Dissolution pursuant to the Company’s U.S. Holders?Plan of Dissolution;
the amount and timing of distributions made to stockholders, if any, in connection with the Dissolution;
the plans and objectives of management for future operations;
the timing, implementation or success of our Plan of Dissolution;
future economic conditions or performance; and
assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

The forward-looking statements in this Proxy Statement are only predictions. Although we believe that the expectations presented in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable at the time of filing, there can be no assurance that such expectations or any of the forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements, including with respect to the timing and success of the Dissolution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, including, among other things:

the availability, timing and amount of liquidating distributions;
the amounts that will need to be set aside by us;
the adequacy of contingency reserves to satisfy our obligations;
our ability to favorably resolve certain potential tax claims, litigation matters and other unresolved contingent liabilities;
the amount of proceeds that might be realized from the sale or other disposition of our assets;
the application of, and any changes in, applicable tax laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles and interpretations;
the incurrence by us of expenses relating to the Dissolution; and
the ability of our Board to abandon, modify or delay implementation of the Plan of Dissolution, even after stockholder approval.

Further information regarding the risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from the results in these forward-looking are discussed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” set forth below, and for the reasons described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in our periodic reports and documents filed with the SEC. See the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information” in this Proxy Statement. There can be no assurance that the Dissolution will be completed pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution, or if it is completed, that it will close within the anticipated time period or that the expected benefits of the Dissolution will be realized.

A Company’s U.S. Holder generallyIf any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or any of these assumptions proves incorrect, our results following completion of the Dissolution could differ materially from the forward-looking statements. All


forward-looking statements and reasons why results may differ included in this Proxy Statement are made as of the date hereof. New risk factors and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties. We do not undertake any obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which any statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable law.

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this Proxy Statement, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and such statements should not recognize gainbe read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or lossreview of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements:


RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information included and incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement, including the matters addressed in the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” you should carefully consider the following risks before deciding whether to vote for the approval of the Dissolution Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal, as well as the risks described in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2023, which is filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement. You should also read and consider the other information in this Proxy Statement and the other documents incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement. See the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information,” beginning on page 36 of this Proxy Statement. Any of these risks, as well as other risks and uncertainties, could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, which in turn could materially and adversely affect the trading price of shares of our common stock. Stockholders should keep in mind that the risks below are not the only risks that are relevant to your voting decision. Additional risks not currently known or currently material to us may also harm our business.

Risks Related to the Dissolution

We cannot assure you as to the amount of distributions, if any, to be made to our stockholders.

If our stockholders approve the Dissolution, we estimate that we will have between approximately $ to $ million of cash that we will be able to distribute to our stockholders in connection with the Dissolution, which implies a per share distribution of between $ and $ based on fully diluted shares outstanding as of , 2023. This amount may be paid in one or more distributions. We cannot predict the timing or amount of any such distributions, as uncertainties exist as to the value we may receive upon the Reverse Stock Split, exceptsale of all or substantially all of our assets, the net value of any remaining assets after such sales are completed, the ultimate amount of our liabilities, the operating costs and amounts to be set aside for claims, obligations and provisions during the liquidation and winding-up process, and the related timing to complete such transactions. These and other factors make it impossible to predict with certainty the actual net cash amount that will ultimately be available for distribution to stockholders or the timing of any such distributions. In addition, as discussed below under the heading “Risks Related to the Dissolution—The amount of cash available to distribute to our stockholders depends on our ability to dispose of certain of our non-cash assets,” there are many factors impacting our ability to successfully execute the sale or disposition of certain of our non-cash assets. As a result of these and other risks and uncertainties, we have provided a wide range of cash that we estimate may be available to distribute to our stockholders in connection with the Dissolution.

Without limiting its flexibility, our Board may, at its option, rely on the “safe harbor” procedures under Sections 280 and 281(a) of the DGCL to, among other things, obtain an order from the Delaware Court of Chancery establishing the amount and form of security for contested known, contingent and potential future claims that are likely to arise or become known within five years filing of the Certificate of Dissolution (or such longer period of time as the Delaware Court of Chancery may determine not to exceed ten years) (the “Court Order”), and pay or make reasonable provision for our uncontested known claims and expenses and establish reserves for other claims as required by the Court Order and the DGCL. Should we obtain such a Court Order, we expect to distribute all of our remaining assets in excess of the amount to be used by us to pay claims and fund the reserves required by the Court Order and pay our operating expenses through the completion of the dissolution and winding-up process to our stockholders. The Court Order, if we chose to obtain one, would reflect the Delaware Court of Chancery’s own determination as to the amount and form of security reasonably likely to be sufficient to provide compensation for all known, contingent and potential future claims against us. There can be no assurances that the Delaware Court of Chancery would not require us to withhold additional amounts in excess of the amounts that we believe are sufficient to satisfy our potential claims and liabilities. Accordingly, stockholders may not receive any distributions of our remaining assets for a substantial period of time.

In addition, there are numerous factors that could impact the amount of the reserves to be determined by any such Court Order, and consequently the amount of cash initially available for distribution, if any, to our stockholders following the effective time of the Dissolution, including without limitation:

whether any potential liabilities are resolved prior to the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution;
whether any claim is resolved or barred pursuant to Section 280 of the DGCL;

unanticipated costs relating to the defense, satisfaction or settlement of existing or future lawsuits or other claims threatened against us;
whether unforeseen claims are asserted against us, in which case we would have to defend or resolve such claims and/or be required to establish additional reserves to provide for such claims; and
whether any of the expenses incurred in the winding-up process, including expenses of required personnel and other operating expenses (including legal, accounting and other professional fees) necessary to dissolve and liquidate the Company, are more or less than our estimates.

Further, the amount of any distributable proceeds and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders depends on our ability to sell or otherwise dispose of our remaining non-cash assets in order to attain the highest value for such non-cash assets and maximize value for our stockholders and creditors, which is subject to significant risks and uncertainties.

In addition, as we wind down, we will continue to incur expenses from operations, such as operating costs, salaries, rental payments, directors’ and officers’ insurance, payroll and local taxes; and other legal, accounting and financial advisory fees, which will reduce any amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.

As a result of these and other factors, we cannot assure you as to any amounts to be distributed to our stockholders if our Board proceeds with the Dissolution. If our stockholders do not approve the Dissolution Proposal, no liquidating distributions will be made. See the section entitled “Estimated Liquidating Distributions” beginning on page 20 of this Proxy Statement for a description of the assumptions underlying and sensitivities of our estimate of the total cash distributions to our stockholders in the Dissolution.

Liquidating distributions to stockholders could be substantially reduced and/or delayed due to uncertainty regarding the resolution of certain potential tax claims, litigation matters and other unresolved contingent liabilities of the Company.

Without limiting its flexibility, our Board may, at its option, rely on the “safe harbor” procedures under Sections 280 and 281(a) of the DGCL to, among other things, obtain the Court Order establishing the amount and form of security for pending claims for which the Company is a party, contingent or unmatured contract claims for which the holder declined the Company’s offer of a security, and unknown claims that, based on facts known to the Company, are likely to arise or become known within five years filing of the Certificate of Dissolution (or such longer period of time, not to exceed ten years, as the Delaware Court of Chancery may determine), and pay or make reasonable provision for our uncontested known claims and expenses and establish reserves for other claims as required by the Court Order and the DGCL.

Whether any remaining assets or cash of the Company can be used to make liquidating distributions to stockholders would depend on whether claims for which we have set aside reserves are resolved or satisfied at amounts less than such reserves and whether a need has arisen to establish additional reserves. We cannot assure stockholders that our liabilities can be resolved for less than the amounts we have reserved, or that unknown liabilities that have not been accounted for will not arise. As a result, we may continue to hold back funds and delay additional liquidating distributions to stockholders. It is important for us to retain sufficient funds to pay the expenses and liabilities actually owed to our creditors, because under the DGCL, if the we fail to do so, each stockholder could be held liable for the repayment to creditors, out of the amounts previously distributed to such stockholder in the Dissolution from us or from any liquidating trust or trusts, of such stockholder’s pro rata share of such excess (up to the full amount actually received by such stockholder in Dissolution).


We cannot predict the timing of the distributions to stockholders.

Following the sale or other disposition of our remaining non-cash assets, or such earlier time as our Board determines in its sole discretion, we will file the Certificate of Dissolution as soon as practicable and in accordance with the DGCL.

We are currently targeting, if approved by our stockholders, a filing of the Certificate of Dissolution as soon as practical following the Special Meeting. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to proceed with the Dissolution will be made by our Board in its sole discretion. If our stockholders approve the Plan of Dissolution, our Board has not set a deadline to make its decision to proceed with the effectiveness of the Dissolution. No further stockholder approval would be required to effect the Dissolution. However, if our Board determines that the Dissolution is not in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders, our Board may, in its sole discretion, abandon the Dissolution or may amend or modify the Plan of Dissolution to the extent permitted by Delaware law without the necessity of further stockholder approval. After the Certificate of Dissolution has been filed, revocation of the Dissolution would require stockholder approval under Delaware law.

Our Board will determine, in its sole discretion and in its own timing, the timing of any distributions to our stockholders in the Dissolution. We can provide no assurance as to if or when any such distribution will be made, and we cannot provide any assurance as to the amount to be paid to stockholder in any such distribution, if one is made. The Board intends to seek to distribute funds to our stockholders as quickly as possible, as permitted by the DGCL, and will take all reasonable actions to optimize the distributable value to our stockholders.

Under the DGCL, before a dissolved corporation may make any distribution to its stockholders, it must pay or make reasonable provision to pay all of its claims and obligations, including all contingent, conditional or unmatured contractual claims known to the corporation. The precise amount and timing of any distributions to our stockholders will depend on and could be delayed or diminished due to many factors, including without limitation:

whether a claim is resolved for more than the amount of reserve established for such claim pursuant to any Court Order;
whether we are unable to resolve claims with creditors or other third parties, or if such resolutions take longer than expected;
whether a creditor or other third party seeks an injunction against the making of additional distributions to stockholders on the basis that the amounts to be distributed are needed to satisfy our liabilities or other obligations to the extent not previously reserved for;
whether due to new facts and developments, a new claim, as our Board reasonably determines, requires additional funds to be reserved for its satisfaction; and
whether the expenses we incur in the winding-up process, including expenses of personnel required and other operating expenses (including legal, accounting and other professional fees), necessary to dissolve and liquidate the Company U.S. Holder receivesare more than anticipated.

As a result of these and other factors, it might take significant time to resolve these matters, and as a result we are unable to predict the timing of distributions, if any are made, to our stockholders.

The Dissolution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution may be disrupted and adversely impacted by the effects of natural disasters, political crises, public health crises, and other events outside of our control.

Natural disasters, such as adverse weather, fires, earthquakes, power shortages and outages, political crises, such as terrorism, war, political instability, or other conflict, criminal activities, public health crises, such as disease epidemics and pandemics, and other disruptions or events outside of our control could negatively affect our operations. Any of these events may cause a delay in our targeted timing to file the Certificate of Dissolution with the Delaware Secretary of State.


The amount of cash available to distribute to our stockholders depends on our ability to dispose of certain of our non-cash assets.

Our efforts to enhance stockholder value through the sale or other disposition of our remaining non-cash assets may not be successful, which would significantly reduce, or eliminate, the cash or value of other non-cash assets available for distribution to our stockholders. We cannot assure you that our efforts to enhance stockholder value will succeed. There will be risks associated with any potential transactions, including whether offers for our remaining non-cash assets will be at valuations that we deem reasonable. Moreover, we are not able to predict how long it will take to consummate the sale or other disposition of our remaining non-cash assets, the delay of which may impact the timing of the Dissolution. We intend for any sale or other disposition of assets to occur prior to the Special Meeting. However, the timing and terms of such a sale or other disposition will depend on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. A delay in, or failure to complete, any such transaction could have an effect on our stock price and the amount of any potential distributions to our stockholders.

In addition, our ability to successfully complete such a sale or other disposition could be negatively affected by adverse macroeconomic and geopolitical developments, both in the United States and elsewhere around the world. We are exploring and evaluating potential transactions, the success or timing of which may be impacted by a general economic slowdown or recession. In order to successfully monetize our assets, we must identify and complete one or more transactions with third parties. Even if we are able to identify potential transactions in furtherance of the sale or other disposition of our remaining non-cash assets, such buyers may be operationally constrained or unable to locate financing on attractive terms or at all, which risk may be heightened due to the uncertainty of a potential general economic slowdown or recession. Additionally, if financing is unavailable to potential buyers of our assets, or if potential buyers are unwilling to engage in various transactions due to the uncertainty in the market or rising interest rates, our ability to complete such acquisition would be significantly impaired.

Any negative impact on such third parties due to any of the foregoing events could cause costly delays and have a material adverse effect on our ability to return value to our stockholders, including our ability to realize full value from a sale or other disposition of certain of our non-cash assets as part of our monetization strategy. Any such negative impacts could also reduce the amount of cash or other property we are able to distribute to our stockholders.

Our Board may determine not to proceed with the Dissolution.

Even if the Dissolution Proposal is approved by our stockholders, our Board may determine, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties, not to proceed with the Dissolution. If our Board elects to pursue any alternative to the Plan of Dissolution, our stockholders may not receive any of the funds that might otherwise be available for distribution to our stockholders. Additionally, as discussed above under the heading “—We cannot predict the timing of the distributions to stockholders”, the decision of whether or not to proceed with the Dissolution will be made by our Board in its sole discretion and our Board has not set a deadline to make its decision to proceed with or abandon the Dissolution after stockholder approval. After the Certificate of Dissolution has been filed, revocation of the Dissolution would require stockholder approval under Delaware law.

Our stockholders may be liable to our creditors for part or all of the amount received from us in our liquidating distributions if reserves are inadequate.

If the Dissolution becomes effective, we may establish a contingency reserve designed to satisfy any additional claims and obligations that may arise, including any claims from holders of the Company’s Common Stock, options to purchase Common Stock and/or warrants to purchase Common Stock or preferred stock of the Company. Any contingency reserve may not be adequate to cover all of our claims and obligations. Under the DGCL, if we fail to create an adequate contingency reserve for payment of our expenses, claims and obligations, each stockholder could be held liable for payment to our creditors for claims brought during the three-year period after we file the Certificate of Dissolution with the Delaware Secretary of State, up to the lesser of (i) such stockholder’s pro rata share of amounts owed to creditors in excess of the contingency reserve and (ii) the amounts previously received by such stockholder in dissolution from us and from any liquidating trust or trusts. Accordingly, in such event, a stockholder could be


required to return part or all of the distributions previously made to such stockholder pursuant to the Dissolution, and a stockholder could receive nothing from us under the Plan of Dissolution. Moreover, if a stockholder has paid taxes on amounts previously received, a repayment of all or a portion of such amounts received could result in a situation in which such repayment does not result in a commensurate refund of such taxes paid.

Our directors and officers will continue to receive benefits from the Company following the Dissolution.

Following the effective date of the Dissolution, we will continue to indemnify each of our current and former directors and officers to the extent permitted under the DGCL and our certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and agreements as in effect at the time of the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution. In addition, we intend to maintain directors’ and officers’ insurance coverage throughout the wind down period.

We will continue to incur the expenses of complying with public company reporting requirements.

We have an obligation to continue to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, even though compliance with such reporting requirements is economically burdensome. In order to curtail expenses, we currently intend, after the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution, to seek relief from the SEC from the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act.

However, the SEC may not grant any such relief, in which case we would be required to continue to bear the expense of being a public reporting company.

If stockholders vote against the Dissolution pursuant to the Plan and Dissolution, we may pursue other alternatives, but there can be no assurance that any of these alternatives would result in greater stockholder value than the proposed Dissolution, and any alternative we select may entail additional risks.

In July 2023, we announced that, in light of our financial condition and review of its business, including the status of programs, resources and capabilities, our Board had approved a plan to review strategic alternatives, including a sale or merger of the Company or one or more sales of our assets, and to significantly and immediately reduce our operations. After an extensive review of strategic alternatives, we have been unable to identify any meaningful financial alternatives, a merger partner or purchaser of our Company or substantially all of our assets. In September 2023, after extensive consideration of potential strategic alternatives, our Board approved and adopted the Plan of Dissolution that would include the distribution of remaining cash to stockholders following an orderly wind down of the company’s operations, including any proceeds from the potential sale of any pipeline assets. In order to reduce costs and in connection with the Plan of Dissolution, we discontinued all clinical development programs and reduced our workforce, including the termination of all employees except for two employees at the end of September.

If our stockholders do not approve the Dissolution Proposal, the Board will continue its corporate existence and continue to explore what, if any, alternatives are available for the future of the Company in light of its discontinued business activities; however, those alternatives are likely limited to seeking voluntary dissolution at a later time with potentially diminished assets, seeking bankruptcy protection (should our net assets decline to levels that would require such action) or investing our cash in lieuanother operating business.

There can be no assurance that any of these alternatives would result in greater stockholder value than the proposed Dissolution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution. Moreover, any alternative we select may entail additional risks. In addition to the risks described above, you should carefully consider the risks described in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2023 filed with the SEC, our subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023 to be filed with the SEC and other documents we file with or furnish to the SEC.

Our stockholders will not be able to buy or sell shares of our common stock after we close our stock transfer books on the Final Record Date.

If the Board determines to proceed with the Dissolution, we intend to close our stock transfer books and discontinue recording transfers of our common stock at the effective time of the Dissolution as set forth in the


Certificate of Dissolution. After we close our stock transfer books, we will not record any further transfers of our common stock on our books except by will, intestate succession or operation of law. Therefore, shares of our common stock will not be freely transferable after the Final Record Date. As a fractionalresult of the closing of the stock transfer books, all liquidating distributions from a liquidating trust, if any, or from us after the Final Record Date will be made pro rata to the same stockholders of record as the stockholders of record as of the Final Record Date.

We plan to initiate steps to exit from certain reporting requirements under the Exchange Act, which may substantially reduce publicly available information about us. If the exit process is protracted, we will continue to bear the expense of being a public reporting company despite having no source of revenue.

Our common stock is currently registered under the Exchange Act, which requires that we, and our officers and directors with respect to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, comply with certain public reporting and proxy statement requirements thereunder. Compliance with these requirements is costly and time-consuming. We plan to initiate steps to exit from such reporting requirements in order to curtail expenses; however, such process may be protracted and we may be required to continue to file Current Reports on Form 8-K or other reports to disclose material events, including those related to the Dissolution. Accordingly, we will continue to incur expenses that will reduce the amount available for distribution, including expenses of complying with public company reporting requirements and paying its service providers, among others. If our reporting obligations cease, publicly available information about us will be substantially reduced.

Stockholders may not be able to recognize a loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes until they receive a final distribution from us.

Distributions made pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution are intended to be treated as received by a stockholder in exchange for the stockholder’s shares of our common stock. Accordingly, the amount of any such distribution allocable to a block of shares of our common stock owned by a U.S. stockholder will reduce the stockholder’s tax basis in such shares, but not below zero. Any excess amount allocable to such shares will be taxable as capital gain. Such gain generally will be taxable as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year. Any tax basis remaining in a share of our common stock following the final liquidating distribution by the Company will be treated as a capital loss. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. For a more detailed discussion, see “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” beginning on page 31 of this Proxy Statement. You should consult your tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences of the Dissolution to you, including the applicability of any U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax laws.

The tax treatment of any liquidating distribution may vary from stockholder to stockholder, and the discussions in this proxy statement regarding tax consequences are general in nature.

We have not requested a ruling from the IRS with respect to the anticipated tax consequences of the Dissolution, and we will not seek an opinion of counsel with respect to the anticipated tax consequences of any liquidating distributions. If any of the anticipated tax consequences described in this proxy statement prove to be incorrect, the result could be increased taxation at the corporate or stockholder level, thus reducing the benefit to our stockholders and us from the Dissolution. Tax considerations applicable to particular stockholders may vary with and be contingent on the stockholder’s individual circumstances. You should consult your own tax advisor for tax advice instead of relying on the discussions of tax consequences in this proxy statement.

Further stockholder approval will not be required in connection with the implementation of the Plan of Dissolution, including the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our assets following the effective time of the Dissolution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution.

The approval of the Dissolution Proposal by the requisite vote of the stockholders will grant full and complete authority to our Board and officers, without further stockholder action, to proceed with the Dissolution pursuant to Plan of Dissolution in accordance with any applicable provision of Delaware law. Following the effective time of the Dissolution, we may sell, distribute or otherwise dispose of our remaining non-cash assets without further stockholder approval. As a result, stockholders will no longer have the opportunity to approve or reject a sale of all or substantially all of our assets after the Certificate of Dissolution has been filed and the Plan of Dissolution provides for ratification of any prior sales and disposition of our assets. Also, after the effective time, the Board may, in order to maximize


value for our stockholders and creditors, authorize actions in implementing the Plan of Dissolution, including the specific terms and prices for the sales and dispositions of its remaining assets, with which stockholders may not agree. Although we are currently targeting, if approved by our stockholders, a filing of the Certificate of Dissolution as soon as practical following the Special Meeting as discussed above under the heading “—We cannot predict the timing of the distributions to stockholders”, ultimately, the decision of when and whether or not to proceed with the Dissolution will be made by the Board in its sole discretion.

We can abandon or revoke the Dissolution and this may cause prior distributions made in liquidation to be treated as dividends.

By approving the Dissolution Proposal, stockholders will also be granting our Board the authority, notwithstanding stockholder approval of the Dissolution Proposal, to abandon the Dissolution prior to the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution without further stockholder action, if our Board determines that the Dissolution is not in the best interests of us and our stockholders.

After the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution, our Board may revoke the Dissolution if holders of a majority of the voting power of our common stock entitled to vote on the Dissolution Proposal approve a resolution adopted by our Board recommending such revocation. If the Dissolution is abandoned or revoked, then all prior distributions made in liquidation to stockholders may be treated as dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. See “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” beginning on page 31 of this Proxy Statement


MATTERS FOR APPROVAL AT THE SPECIAL MEETING

PROPOSAL 1:

APPROVAL OF THE DISSOLUTION PURSUANT TO THE PLAN OF DISSOLUTION

General

At the Special Meeting, our stockholders will be asked to approve the Dissolution Proposal, which authorizes the Dissolution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution. Our Board has determined that the Dissolution is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, approved the Dissolution and adopted the Plan of Dissolution on September 18, 2023, subject to stockholder approval.

If we consummate the Dissolution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution, we will cease conducting our business, wind up our affairs, dispose of our non-cash assets, pay or otherwise provide for our obligations, and distribute our remaining assets, if any, during a post-dissolution period of at least three years, as required by the DGCL (the “Survival Period”). The effective time of the Dissolution will be when the Certificate of Dissolution is filed with the office of the Delaware Secretary of State or such later date and time, as provided in the Certificate of Dissolution. With respect to the Dissolution, we will follow the dissolution and winding up procedures prescribed by the DGCL, as described in further detail under the heading “Dissolution Under Delaware Law” beginning on page 22 of this Proxy Statement. In the event our stockholders approve the Dissolution Proposal, we currently plan to file the Certificate of Dissolution with the Delaware Secretary of State as soon as practical following the Special Meeting, however, such filing may be delayed as determined by our Board in its sole discretion, as described in more detail below.

Following the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL, our Board will proceed to wind up the Company’s affairs. Authorization of the Dissolution by the holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock shall constitute the authorization of the sale, exchange or other disposition in liquidation of all of the remaining property and assets of the Company after the effective time of the Dissolution, whether the sale, exchange or other disposition occurs in one transaction or a series of transactions, and shall constitute ratification of any and all contracts for sale, exchange or other disposition that are conditioned on stockholder approval. Without limiting its flexibility, our Board may, at its option, rely on the “safe harbor” procedures under Sections 280 and 281(a) of the DGCL to, among other things, obtain an order from the Delaware Court of Chancery establishing the amount and form of security for contested known, contingent and potential future claims that are likely to arise or become known within five years filing of the Certificate of Dissolution (or such longer period of time as the Delaware Court of Chancery may determine not to exceed ten years) (the “Court Order”). We would pay or make reasonable provision for our uncontested known claims and expenses and establish reserves for other claims as required by any Court Order. The remaining assets or cash of the Company would be used to make liquidating distributions to our stockholders.

Subject to the requirements of the DGCL and our Plan of Dissolution, as further described below, we will use our existing cash to pay for our winding up procedures, including:

income and other taxes;
the costs associated with our Dissolution and winding up over the Survival Period; these costs may include, among others, expenses necessary to the implementation and administration of our Plan of Dissolution and fees and other amounts payable to professional advisors (including legal counsel, financial advisors and others) and to consultants and others assisting us with our Dissolution;
any claims by others against us that we do not reject as part of the dissolution process;
any amounts owed by us under contracts with third parties;
the funding of any reserves or other security we are required to establish, or deem appropriate to establish,

to pay for asserted claims (including lawsuits) and possible future claims, as further described below; and
solely to the extent remaining after provision for the above-described payments, liquidating distributions to be made to our stockholders, which distributions may be made from time to time as available and in accordance with the DGCL procedures described below.

If our stockholders do not approve the Dissolution Proposal at the Special Meeting, we will continue our corporate existence and our Board will continue to explore alternatives for returning capital to stockholders in a manner intended to maximize stockholder value; however, those alternatives are likely limited to seeking voluntary dissolution at a later time with potentially diminished assets, seeking bankruptcy protection (should our net assets decline to levels that would require such action) or investing our cash in another operating business.

Our liquidation, winding up and distribution procedures will be further guided by the Plan of Dissolution, as described in further detail under the heading “Principal Provisions of the Plan of Dissolution” beginning on page 23 of this Proxy Statement. You should carefully consider the risk factors relating to the Dissolution and described under the heading “Risks Related to the Dissolution” beginning on page 11 of this Proxy Statement.

A copy of the Plan of Dissolution is attached as Annex A to this Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference. The material features of the Plan of Dissolution are summarized below. We urge stockholders to carefully read the Plan of Dissolution in its entirety.

Background of the Proposed Dissolution

Historically, we were a clinical-stage therapeutics company focused on developing potential first-in-class clinical and preclinical small molecule pan-caspase and caspase selective inhibitors that protect the body’s natural process to restore immune function.

On July 5, 2023, we announced that the Company, post completing a careful review of our business, including the status of programs, resources and capabilities, had turned its primary focus to evaluation of strategic alternatives with the intent to enhance shareholder value. We paused all product development activities and implemented reductions in operating costs in order to preserve cash as we explored these strategic alternatives and engaged Roth Capital Partners, LLC, to act as our strategic advisor (“Roth Capital”).

Potential strategic alternatives that were explored and evaluated as part of this process included acquisitions, mergers, reverse mergers, other business combinations, sales of assets, financing alternatives, licensing transactions, and other strategic transactions involving the Company. The Board and management devoted substantial time and effort in identifying and pursuing various opportunities independently and through Roth Capital. Despite broad outreach and multiple discussions with potential strategic partners, we were unable to identify any viable transactions for the Company as a whole that would allow us the potential to enhance stockholder value.

On September 18, 2023, we announced that our Board, after extensive consideration of potential strategic alternatives, had approved and adopted the Plan of Dissolution that may include the distribution of remaining cash to stockholders following an orderly wind down of the company’s operations, including discontinuing all clinical development programs and reducing its workforce, including the termination of all but two employees as of September 30, 2023. The focus of the two employees is to manage the wind-down of our operations and matters related to managing the Dissolution, including obtaining the necessary stockholder approval of the Plan of Dissolution.

Subsequent to our Board approving the Plan of Dissolution, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with Allergan Sales, LLC (“Allergan”) on October 3, 2023, pursuant to which we and our affiliates sold to Allergan certain assets, including certain patents and other intellectual property rights, related to Histogen’s fibroblast cell based bioengineering technology (the “Allergan Transaction”). In exchange, Allergan agreed to pay us a purchase price of two million fifty thousand dollars ($2,050,000) and agreed to assume certain liabilities as set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement.


In addition to the Allergan Transaction, we are currently exploring the sale or other disposition of our assets related to our caspase programs, Emricasan, CTS 2090, and other proprietary caspase inhibitors. We believe that emricasan has the potential to treat infections in a different way; by protecting the competence of the body’s immune system thereby restoring the body’s natural process to combat invading organisms. By focusing on optimizing the immune response, we believe that emricasan can be a viable option for physicians to treat and cure infectious diseases without the risk of generating resistance. We do not consider these assets to be material and we will not seek stockholder approval for any such sale or disposition. In the event that we are successful in selling any of these caspase program assets, proceeds from any such sale would be included as part of any distribution to stockholders in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution.

We believe that approving the Plan of Dissolution gives our Board and management the most flexibility in seeking out the optimal transaction or transactions to sell the remaining business, or its assets, as well as the other remaining miscellaneous assets of the Company. In approving the Plan of Dissolution, our Board determined that approving the Plan of Dissolution gives the most flexibility in optimizing value for our stockholders.

Reasons for the Proposed Dissolution

The Board believes that the Dissolution is in Histogen’s best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. The Board considered and pursued at length potential strategic alternatives available to Histogen such as a merger, asset sale, strategic partnership, financing alternatives or other business combination transaction, and, following the results of such review, now believe that pursuing a wind-up of the Company in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution gives our Board the most flexibility in optimizing value for our stockholders.

In making its determination to approve the Dissolution, the Board considered, in addition to other pertinent factors, the fact that Histogen currently has no significant remaining business operations or business prospects; the fact that Histogen will continue to incur substantial accounting, legal and other expenses associated with being a public company despite having no source of revenue or financing alternatives; and the fact that Histogen has conducted an evaluation to identify remaining strategic alternatives involving Histogen’s assets or Histogen as a whole, such as a merger, asset sale, strategic partnership, financing alternatives or other business combination transaction, that would have a reasonable likelihood of providing value to our stockholders in excess of the amount the stockholders would receive in a liquidation. As a result of its evaluation, the Board concluded that the Dissolution is the preferred strategy among the alternatives now available to Histogen and is in the best interests of Histogen and its stockholders. Accordingly, the Board approved the Dissolution of Histogen pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution and recommends that our stockholders approve the Dissolution Proposal.

Estimated Liquidating Distributions

MANY OF THE FACTORS INFLUENCING THE AMOUNT OF CASH DISTRIBUTED TO STOCKHOLDERS AS A LIQUIDATING DISTRIBUTION CANNOT CURRENTLY BE QUANTIFIED WITH CERTAINTY AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ACCORDINGLY, YOU WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT OF ANY LIQUIDATING DISTRIBUTIONS YOU MAY RECEIVE AS A RESULT OF THE PLAN OF DISSOLUTION WHEN YOU VOTE ON THE DISSOLUTION PROPOSAL. YOU MAY RECEIVE NO DISTRIBUTION AT ALL.

As of , 2023, we had approximately $ million in assets. In addition to settling the liabilities reflected on our balance sheet, we anticipate using cash, and current assets converted to cash through the end of the liquidation process, for a number of items, including without limitation the following:

Ongoing operating, overhead and administrative expenses.
Contractual severance and termination benefits afforded to terminated employees.
Continued salary and retention offered to two remaining employees.
Purchasing insurance policies and coverage for periods subsequent to the Effective Date.

Expenses incurred in connection with the Dissolution.
Professional, legal, tax, accounting, and consulting fees.

We intend to liquidate our cash assets and sell or dispose of our remaining non-cash assets for the best price available as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Date. The amount of any contingency reserve established by the Board will be deducted before determining amounts available for distribution to stockholders. Based on the foregoing, we estimate that the aggregate amount of cash distributions to our stockholders will be in the range of $ million and $ million of cash resulting in an implied range of return of $ and $ per share of common stock. Please review

However, uncertainties as to the precise net value of our assets, the ultimate amount of our liabilities, the amount of operating costs during the liquidation and winding-up process and the related timing to complete such transactions make it impossible to predict with certainty the actual net cash amount that will ultimately be available for distribution to our stockholders or the timing of any such distribution. If our stockholders do not approve the Plan of Dissolution, no liquidating distributions will be made pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution.

THE FOLLOWING ESTIMATES ARE NOT GUARANTEES, DO NOT REFLECT THE TOTAL RANGE OF POSSIBLE OUTCOMES AND HAVE NOT BEEN AUDITED OR REVIEWED BY OUR INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM. YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE ANY LIQUIDATING DISTRIBUTIONS EVEN IF OUR STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE THE PLAN OF DISSOLUTION.

Low

High

Payroll and Liabilities/ Expenses to Continue Operating:

Cash and Cash Equivalents Opening balance ( , 2023) (unaudited)

Return of certain deposits, retainers, and prepaid expenses

Payroll/operational spend (through , 2023)

Sell Assets and Liquidate:

Sale of caspase program assets (estimate) net of sales fees and taxes

Final employee retention and severance

Other liabilities – non-employee

Final D&O run-off policy

Contingency reserve

Dissolution and liquidation expenses

Ending balance

Fully diluted shares as of , 2023 (including common shares outstanding and outstanding equity awards)

Per share

$

$


Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution, we intend to liquidate all of our remaining non-cash assets and, after paying or making reasonable provision for the payment of claims against and obligations of the Company as required by law, distribute any remaining cash to stockholders. We may defend suits and incur claims, liabilities and expenses (such as salaries and benefits, directors’ and officers’ insurance, payroll and local taxes, facilities expenses, legal, accounting and consulting fees, rent, and miscellaneous office expenses) following approval of the Plan of Dissolution and during the three years following the Effective Date. Satisfaction of these claims, liabilities and expenses will reduce the amount of cash available for ultimate distribution to stockholders. While we cannot predict the actual amount of our liabilities, other obligations and expenses and claims against us, we believe that available cash and any amounts received from the sale of our remaining non-cash assets will be adequate to provide for the satisfaction of our liabilities, other obligations and expenses and claims against us and that we will make one or more cash distributions to stockholders.

Assuming that the Plan of Dissolution is approved by the requisite vote of our stockholders, we intend to sell, liquidate or otherwise dispose of our remaining non-cash assets and pay or make reasonable provision for the payment of claims against and obligations of the Company. Although we are not able to predict with certainty the precise nature, amount or timing of any distributions, we presently expect to make an initial distribution, as soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Date, to holders of record of our common stock as of the close of business on the Effective Date. Such distributions will not occur until after the Certificate of Dissolution is filed, and we cannot predict the timing or amount of any such distributions, as uncertainties as to the ultimate amount of our liabilities, the operating costs and amounts to be set aside for claims, obligations and provisions during the liquidation and winding-up process, and the related timing to complete such transactions make it impossible to predict with certainty the actual net cash amount that will ultimately be available for distribution to stockholders or the timing of any such distributions. Examples of uncertainties that could reduce the value of distributions to our stockholders include: unanticipated costs relating to the defense, satisfaction or settlement of existing or future lawsuits or other claims threatened against us or our officers or directors; amounts necessary to resolve claims of our creditors; and delays in the liquidation and dissolution or other winding up of our subsidiary due to our inability to settle claims or otherwise.

A range of approximately $ and $ per share is our best current estimate of the aggregate amount of cash that will ultimately be available for distribution to our stockholders; provided, however, that there can be no guarantee that any return to our stockholders. If the amount of our liabilities or the amounts that we expend during the liquidation are greater than we anticipate, our stockholders may not receive a distribution. Our Board has not established a firm timetable for any final distributions to our stockholders. Subject to contingencies inherent in winding up our business, our Board intends to authorize any distributions as promptly as reasonably practicable in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. Our Board, in its discretion, will determine the nature, amount and timing of all distributions.

Dissolution Under Delaware Law

We are a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and the Dissolution will be governed by the DGCL. The DGCL provides that a corporation may dissolve upon the recommendation of its board of directors, followed by the approval of its stockholders. Following such approvals, dissolutions are effected by filing a Certificate of Dissolution with the Delaware Secretary of State and the corporation is dissolved upon the Effective Date.

Section 278 of the DGCL provides that after a corporation is dissolved, its existence continues for a period of three years “or for such longer period as the Delaware Court of Chancery shall in its discretion direct” for the purpose of prosecuting and defending suits and to enable the corporation gradually to sell its properties and to wind up its affairs and discharge its liabilities. The process of winding up includes:

The collection and disposal of assets that will be applied toward the satisfaction or the making of reasonable provision for the satisfaction of liabilities and claims or that will not otherwise be distributed in kind to the corporation’s stockholders.
The satisfaction or making of reasonable provision for satisfaction of liabilities and claims.
The prosecution and defense of any lawsuits.

Subject to statutory limitations, the distribution of any remaining assets to the stockholders of the corporation.
The taking of all other actions necessary to wind up and liquidate the corporation’s business and affairs.

In order to ensure that its stockholders and directors are afforded certain protections under the DGCL, Section 280 of the DGCL permits a dissolving corporation to give notice by mail and publication of its dissolution to all persons known to have a claim against the corporation and require those persons to submit their claims in accordance with the notice. The notice is to be mailed to all known claimants, including persons with claims asserted against the corporation in a pending proceeding to which it is a party, and published in accordance with the DGCL. Any claim against a dissolving corporation will be barred if the known claimant is given the required notice and does not present the claim to the corporation by the cut-off date referred to in the notice.

To dispose of any contractual claims contingent upon the occurrence or nonoccurrence of future events or otherwise conditional or unmatured, the dissolving corporation must send a notice to the contingent claimants and publish the notice in accordance with the DGCL. After the receipt of a contingent claim, the corporation must offer the claimant such security that, in the judgment of the corporation, is sufficient to satisfy the claim if it were to mature. The claimant must notify the corporation within 120 days of the receipt of the offer or the claimant will be deemed to have accepted the security offered by the corporation as the sole source from which the claim will be satisfied.

Finally, the dissolving corporation will be required to provide security in an amount that is “reasonably likely” to be sufficient to provide compensation for any unknown claims that are likely to arise or to become known within five years after the date of dissolution or such longer period of time as the Delaware Court of Chancery may determine (not to exceed ten years from the date of dissolution).

Principal Provisions of the Plan of Dissolution

This section of the Proxy Statement describes material aspects of the proposed Plan of Dissolution. While we believe that this description covers the material terms of the Plan of Dissolution, this summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should carefully read this entire Proxy Statement, including the Plan of Dissolution attached as Annex A to this Proxy Statement, for a more complete understanding of the Dissolution.

Approval of the Plan of Dissolution and Authority of Officers and Directors

The Dissolution must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of all of the outstanding shares of our common stock. The approval of the Dissolution by the requisite vote of our stockholders will constitute adoption of the Plan of Dissolution and will grant full and complete authority to our Board, without further stockholder action, to do and perform, or to cause our officers to do and perform, any and all acts and to make, execute, deliver or adopt any and all agreements, resolutions, conveyances, certificates and other documents of every kind that our Board deems necessary, appropriate or desirable, in the section entitled “Proposal No. 3:absolute discretion of the Board, to implement the Plan of Dissolution and to proceed with our Dissolution in accordance with any applicable provision of the DGCL, including, without limitation, all filings or acts required by any state or federal law or regulation to wind up its affairs.

After the Effective Date, we expect that our Board (or some subset thereof) and some of our officers will continue in their positions for the purpose of winding up our business and affairs. New members of the Board may be appointed and the Board may appoint new officers, hire employees and retain independent contractors and agents in connection with the winding up process, and is authorized to pay compensation to or otherwise compensate our directors, officers, employees, independent contractors and agents above their regular compensation in recognition of the extraordinary efforts they may be required to undertake in connection with the successful implementation of the Plan of Dissolution. Adoption of the Dissolution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution by the requisite vote of our stockholders will constitute approval by the stockholders of any such cash or non-cash compensation.


Dissolution and Liquidation

If the Plan of Dissolution is approved by the requisite vote of our stockholders, the steps set forth below are expected to be completed at such times as our Board, in its discretion and in accordance with the DGCL, deems necessary, appropriate or advisable in our best interests and the best interests of the stockholders:

The filing of a Certificate of Dissolution with the Delaware Secretary of State after obtaining a revenue clearance certificate from the Delaware Department of Finance.
The giving of notice, the disposition and the making of provision for any known, contingent or unknown claims in accordance with Section 280 of the DGCL.
The cessation of all of our business activities except those relating to winding up and liquidating our business and affairs, including, but not limited to, prosecuting and defending suits by or against us, collecting our assets, converting such assets into cash or cash equivalents, discharging or making provision for discharging our liabilities, withdrawing from all jurisdictions in which we are qualified to do business, and distributing our remaining property among our stockholders according to their interests.
The collection, sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of our non-cash property and assets, in one transaction or in several transactions to one or more persons.
The payment of or the making of reasonable provision for the payment of all claims and obligations known to us, and the making of such provisions as will be reasonably likely to be sufficient to provide compensation for any claim against us which is the subject of a pending action, suit or proceeding to which we are a party, including, without limitation, the establishment and setting aside of a reasonable amount of cash and/or property to satisfy such claims against and obligations of us.
The making of reasonable provision for the payment of claims and obligations that are unknown to us or that have not arisen, but that based on facts known to us, are likely to arise or to become known to us within five years after the Effective Date (or such longer period of time as the Delaware Court of Chancery may determine not to exceed ten years after the Effective Date).
The pro rata distribution to our stockholders, or the transfer to one or more liquidating trustees, for the benefit of our stockholders under a liquidating trust, of our remaining assets after payment or provision for payment of claims against and obligations of us.
The taking of any and all other actions permitted or required by the DGCL and any other applicable laws and regulations.

The resolution authorizing the Dissolution provide that, notwithstanding authorization of the Dissolution by our stockholders, the Board may abandon the dissolution without further action by the stockholders. While we do not currently foresee any reason that our Board would abandon our proposed Dissolution once it is authorized by our stockholders, to provide our Board with the maximum flexibility to act in the best interests of our stockholders, the resolutions adopted by our Board included language providing the board with the flexibility to abandon the Dissolution without further action of our stockholders at any time prior to the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution.

Liquidating Trust

If deemed necessary, appropriate or desirable by our Board, in furtherance of the liquidation and distribution of any remaining assets to stockholders in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution, we may transfer to one or more liquidating trustees, for the benefit of our stockholders under a liquidating trust, any or all of our assets, including any cash intended for distribution to creditors and stockholders not disposed of at the time of our dissolution. Our Board is authorized to appoint one or more individuals, corporations, partnerships or other persons, or any combination thereof, including, without limitation, any one or more of our directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives, to act as the initial trustee. Any trustee so appointed shall succeed to all right, title and interest of the Company of any


kind and character with respect to such transferred assets and, to the extent of the assets so transferred and solely in its capacity as trustee, shall assume all of our claims and obligations, including any unsatisfied claims and unknown or contingent liabilities. Any conveyance of assets to a trustee shall be deemed to be a distribution of property and assets by us to our stockholders, including for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Approval of an Amendmentthe Plan of Dissolution by our stockholders shall constitute the approval of any trustee so appointed, any liquidating trust agreement, and any transfer of assets by us to the trust.

Whether or not a trust shall have been previously established, if it should not be feasible for us to make the final liquidating distribution to stockholders of all of our assets and properties prior to the third anniversary of the filing of a Certificate of Dissolution, then, on or before such date, we will be required to establish a trust and transfer any remaining assets and properties to the trustee. Any such distribution shall be only in the form of cash.

Professional Fees and Expenses

It is specifically contemplated that we will obtain legal and accounting advice and guidance from one or more law and accounting firms in implementing the Plan of Dissolution, and we will pay all fees and expenses reasonably incurred by us in connection with or arising out of the implementation of the Plan of Dissolution, including the prosecution, defense, settlement or other resolution of any claims or suits by or against us, the discharge, filing and disclosure of outstanding obligations, liabilities and claims, the filing and resolution of claims with local, county, state and federal tax authorities, and the advancement and reimbursement of any fees and expenses payable by us pursuant to the indemnification we provide in our certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, the DGCL or otherwise. In addition, in connection with and for the purpose of implementing and assuring completion of the Plan of Dissolution, we may, in the absolute discretion of our Board, pay any brokerage, agency, professional, advisory, valuation, appraisal and other fees and expenses of persons rendering services to us in connection with collection, sale, exchange or other disposition of our property and assets and the implementation of the Plan of Dissolution.

Indemnification

We will continue to indemnify our directors, officers, employees, consultants, and agents to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, our certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, and any contractual arrangements, for actions taken in connection with the Plan of Dissolution and the winding up of our business and affairs. If a liquidating trust is established, we will indemnify any trustees and their agents on similar terms. Our Board and any trustees appointed in connection with the formation of a liquidating trust are authorized at our expense to obtain and maintain insurance for the benefit of such directors, officers, employees, consultants, agents and trustees to the extent permitted by law and as may be necessary or appropriate to cover our obligations under the Plan of Dissolution, including seeking an extension in time and coverage of our insurance policies currently in effect.

Liquidating Distributions

We will, as determined by our Board: (i) pay or make reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations, including all contingent, conditional or unmatured contractual claims known to us; (ii) make such provisions as will be reasonably likely to be sufficient to provide payment for any claim against us which is the subject of a pending action, suit or proceeding to which we are a party; and (iii) make such provision as will be reasonably likely to be sufficient to provide payment for claims that have not been made known to us or that have not arisen but that, based on facts known to us or our successor entity, are likely to arise or to become known within five years after the Effective Date (or such longer period of time as the Delaware Court of Chancery may determine not to exceed ten years after the Effective Date). Any of our assets remaining after the payment or the provision for payment of claims against and obligations of the Company shall be distributed by us pro rata to our stockholders. Such distribution may occur all at once or in a series of distributions and may be in cash or assets, in such amounts, and at such time or times, as our Board or trustee(s), if any, in their absolute discretion, may determine.

If any liquidating distribution to a stockholder cannot be made, whether because the stockholder cannot be located, has not surrendered its certificates evidencing our common stock as may be required pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution, or for any other reason, then the distribution to which such stockholder is entitled will be transferred, at such time as the final liquidating distribution is made, to the official of such state or other jurisdiction authorized or permitted by applicable law to receive the proceeds of such distribution. The proceeds of such distribution will


thereafter be held solely for the benefit of and for ultimate distribution to such stockholder as the sole equitable owner thereof and will be treated as abandoned property and escheat to the applicable state or other jurisdiction in accordance with applicable law. In no event will the proceeds of any such distribution revert to or become our property.

If, after we have made final distributions, we hold assets with an aggregate value that the Board deems insufficient to pay all expenses associated with a supplemental distribution (provided that for the purpose of this provision such amount shall not exceed $25,000), we may abandon such assets or transfer such assets to a nonprofit organization or organizations that are exempt pursuant to Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to be determined by our Board in its sole discretion.

Amendment, Modification or Revocation of Plan of Dissolution

If for any reason our Board determines that such action would be in our best interest and the best interests of the stockholders, our Board may, in its sole discretion and without requiring further stockholder approval, revoke the Plan of Dissolution and all action contemplated thereunder, to the extent permitted by the DGCL; provided, however, the Board may not abandon the Plan of Dissolution following the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution without first obtaining stockholder consent. The Plan of Dissolution would be void upon the effective date of any such revocation or abandonment, as applicable. The Board may not unilaterally amend or modify the Plan of Dissolution under circumstances that would require additional stockholder approval under the DGCL and federal securities laws without complying with such requirements.

Liquidation Under Code Sections 331 and 336

It is intended that the Plan of Dissolution constitute a plan of complete liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Sections 331 and 336 of the Code. The Plan of Dissolution will be deemed to authorize the taking of such action as, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, may be necessary to conform with the provisions of Sections 331 and 336 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

Filing of Tax Returns, Forms and Other Reports and Statements

The Plan of Dissolution authorizes our officers to make such elections for tax purposes as are deemed appropriate and in our best interest. The Plan of Dissolution directs us to file an appropriate statement of corporate dissolution with the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), to notify all jurisdictions of any withdrawals related to qualification to do business, to file final tax returns and reports as required, and to file the proper IRS forms related to the reporting of liquidating distributions to stockholders.

Conduct of the Company Following Dissolution

If the Dissolution is approved, we will file a Certificate of Dissolution with the Delaware Secretary of State as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of the required revenue clearance certificate from the Department of Finance. We intend to make a public announcement in advance of the anticipated Effective Date. After the Effective Date, our corporate existence will continue but we may not carry on any business except that appropriate to wind-up and liquidate our business and affairs, including, without limitation, collecting and disposing of our assets, satisfying or making reasonable provision for the satisfaction of our liabilities and, subject to legal requirements, distributing our remaining property among the stockholders.


Sale of Remaining Assets

The Plan of Dissolution gives the Board the authority to dispose of all of our remaining property and assets without further stockholder approval. Stockholder approval of the Plan of Dissolution will constitute approval of any and all such future asset dispositions on such terms and at such prices as our Board, without further stockholder approval, may determine to be in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. We may contract with one or more third parties to assist us in selling any remaining non-cash assets on such terms as are approved by our Board in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. We may conduct sales by any means, including by competitive bidding or private negotiations, to one or more purchasers in one or more transactions over a period of time.

Contingency Reserve

In order to ensure that stockholders and directors are afforded certain protections under the DGCL, we may give notice by mail and publication of our dissolution to all persons known to have a claim against us and require those persons to submit their claims in accordance with the notice. Any such notice will be mailed to all known claimants, including persons with claims asserted against us in a pending proceeding to which we are a party, and published in accordance with the DGCL. Any claim against us will be barred if the known claimant is given the required notice and does not present the claim to us by the cut-off date referred to in the notice.

To dispose of any contractual claims contingent upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of future events or otherwise conditional or unmatured, we may send a notice to the contingent claimants and publish the notice in accordance with the DGCL. After the receipt of any contingent claim, we will offer the claimant such security that, in our judgment, is sufficient to satisfy the claim if it were to mature. The claimant must notify us within 120 days of the receipt of the offer or the claimant will be deemed to have accepted the security offered by us as the sole source from which the claim will be satisfied.

Finally, we will be required to provide security in an amount that is “reasonably likely” to be sufficient to provide compensation for any unknown claims that are likely to arise or to become known within five years after the date of dissolution or such longer period of time as the Delaware Court of Chancery may determine (not to exceed ten years from the date of dissolution).

Under the DGCL, we are required, in connection with our dissolution, to satisfy or make reasonable provision for the satisfaction of all claims and liabilities. Following the Effective Date, we will pay all expenses and other known liabilities and establish a contingency reserve, consisting of cash or other assets, that our Board believes will be adequate for the satisfaction of all current, contingent or conditional claims and liabilities. We also will seek to acquire insurance coverage and take other steps our Board determines are reasonably calculated to provide for the satisfaction of the reasonably estimated amount of such liabilities. At this time, we are not able to provide a precise estimate of the amount of the contingency reserve or the cost of insurance or other steps that may be undertaken to make provision for the satisfaction of liabilities and claims, but any such amount will be deducted before the determination of amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.

The actual amount of the contingency reserve may vary from time to time and will be based upon estimates and opinions of our Board, derived from consultations with management and outside experts, if our Board determines that it is advisable to retain such experts, and a review of our estimated contingent liabilities and estimated ongoing expenses, including, without limitation: anticipated salary, retention, compensation and benefits payments; estimated legal and accounting fees; payroll and other taxes; expenses accrued in connection with the preparation of our financial statements; and costs related to public company reporting matters. We anticipate that expenses for professional fees and other expenses of liquidation may be significant. Our established contingency reserve may not be sufficient to satisfy all of our obligations, expenses and liabilities, in which case a creditor could bring a claim against our stockholders for the total amount distributed by us to such stockholders pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution. From time to time, we may distribute to stockholders on a pro rata basis any portions of the contingency reserve that our Board deems no longer necessary to reserve for unknown claims.


Potential Liability of Stockholders

Under the DGCL, if the amount of the contingency reserve and other measures calculated to provide for the satisfaction of liabilities and claims are insufficient to satisfy the aggregate amount ultimately found payable in respect of our liabilities and claims against us, each stockholder could be held liable for amounts due to creditors up to the amounts distributed to such stockholder under the Plan of Dissolution.

So long as we dispose of our claims in accordance with the DGCL, the potential for stockholder liability regarding a distribution continues for three years after the Effective Date. Under the DGCL, our dissolution does not remove or impair any remedy available against the Company, its directors, officers or stockholders for any right or claim existing, or any liability incurred, prior to such dissolution or arising thereafter, unless the action or other proceeding thereon is not commenced within three years (or any court extension thereof) after the Effective Date.

If we were held by a court to have failed to make adequate provision for expenses and liabilities or if the amount ultimately required to be paid in respect of such liabilities exceeded the amount available from the contingency reserve, a creditor could seek an injunction against us to prevent us from making distributions to stockholders in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution. Any such action could delay and substantially diminish liquidating distributions to stockholders.

Reporting Requirements

Whether or not the Plan of Dissolution is approved, we have an obligation to continue to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, even though compliance with such reporting requirements may be economically burdensome and of minimal value to stockholders. If our stockholders approve the Plan of Dissolution, in order to curtail expenses, we intend, on or about the Effective Date, to seek relief from the SEC to suspend our reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, and ultimately to terminate the registration of our common stock. If, however, we transfer our assets to a liquidating trust, the trust (as successor to the Company) would likely, if granted relief from the SEC, be required to file annual reports on Form 10-K (with unaudited financial statements) and current reports on Form 8-K along with any other reports that the SEC might require. In either situation, the SEC may not grant us the requested relief. If we are unable to suspend our obligation to file periodic reports with the SEC, we will be obligated to continue complying with the applicable reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and will be required to continue to incur the expenses associated with these reporting requirements, including legal and accounting expenses, which will reduce the cash available for distribution to stockholders.

Subsidiaries

As part of the Dissolution, we may take actions with respect to our subsidiaries, based on the advice and counsel of our legal and other advisors and in accordance with the requirements of the laws and charter documents governing such subsidiaries, to liquidate, dissolve or otherwise wind up such subsidiaries.

Closing of Transfer Books

Our Board may direct that our stock transfer books be closed and the recording of transfers of common stock be discontinued as of the earliest of (i) the Effective Date; (ii) the close of business on the record date fixed by the Board for the first or any subsequent installment of any liquidating distribution; (iii) the close of business on the date on which our remaining assets are transferred to a liquidating trust; or (iv) the date we file a Certificate of Dissolution with the Delaware Secretary of State. We expect that our Board will close our stock transfer books on or around the Effective Date. The Effective Date will be announced as soon as reasonably practicable after we receive a revenue clearance certificate from the Delaware Department of Finance. Thereafter, certificates representing shares of our common stock will not be assignable or transferable on our books except by will, intestate succession or operation of law, and we will not issue any new stock certificates. See “Cessation of Trading of Common Stock” below.

The liquidating distributions to our stockholders pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution shall be in complete redemption and cancellation of all of the outstanding shares of our common stock. As a condition to receipt of the liquidating distribution, the Board or any trustees, if appointed in connection with the formation of a liquidating trust,


may require the stockholders to: (i) surrender to the Company any certificates evidencing their shares of common stock; or (ii) furnish the Company with evidence satisfactory to our Board or trustees, if any, of the loss, theft or destruction of such certificates, together with such surety bond or other security or indemnity as may be required by and satisfactory to our Board or trustees, if any. After receipt of a liquidating distribution, each stockholder will cease to have any rights with respect to his, her or its shares, except the right to receive distributions pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution.

If the surrender of stock certificates will be required following the Dissolution, we will send you written instructions regarding such surrender. Any distributions otherwise payable by us to our stockholders who have not surrendered their stock certificates, if requested to do so, may be held in trust for such stockholders, without interest, pending the surrender of such certificates (subject to escheat pursuant to the laws relating to unclaimed property).

Cessation of Trading of Common Stock

We anticipate that we will notify FINRA of our impending dissolution and request that our common stock stop trading on the Effective Date or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable. As noted above, we also currently expect to close our stock transfer books on or around the Effective Date and to discontinue recording transfers and issuing stock certificates at that time. Accordingly, it is expected that trading in our shares of common stock will cease on or very soon after the Effective Date.

Appraisal Rights

Under the DGCL, stockholders are not entitled to assert appraisal, dissenters’ or similar rights with respect to the Dissolution. Neither our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation nor our Amended and Restated Bylaws provides for appraisal or other similar rights for dissenting stockholders in connection with the Dissolution, and we do not intend to independently provide stockholders with any such right.

Legal Claims

We will defend any claims against us, our officers or directors or our subsidiaries, whether a claim exists before the Effective Time or is brought during the Survival Period, based on advice and counsel of our legal and other advisors and in such manner, at such time and with such costs and expenses as our Board may approve from time to time. During the Survival Period, we may continue to prosecute any claims that we had against others before the Effective Time and may institute any new claims against any person as the Board may determine necessary or advisable to protect the Company and its assets and rights or to implement the Plan of Dissolution. At the Board’s discretion, we may defend, prosecute or settle any lawsuits, as applicable.

Regulatory Approvals

We are not aware of any U.S. federal or state regulatory requirements or governmental approvals or actions that may be required to consummate the Dissolution, except for compliance with applicable SEC regulations in connection with this Proxy Statement and compliance with the DGCL. Additionally, the Dissolution requires that we obtain a revenue clearance certificate from the Delaware Department of Finance certifying that we have paid or provided for every license fee, tax increase or penalty of the Company. In order to obtain the revenue clearance certificate, we must file an application with the Delaware Department of Finance. If our stockholders approve the Plan of Dissolution, we intend to file such application as soon as reasonably practicable after the Special Meeting. We intend to file our Certificate of Dissolution with the Delaware Secretary of State as soon as reasonably practicable after we receive a revenue clearance certificate.

Interests of Management in the Dissolution of the Company

After the Effective Date, we expect that our Board (or some subset thereof) and some of our officers will continue in their positions for the purpose of winding up our business and affairs. We expect to compensate these individuals at reduced compensation levels in connection with their services provided during the implementation of the Plan of Dissolution on an hourly basis, with certain de minimis quarterly minimums.


On September 18, 2023, Susan A. Knudson, the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, and principal financial officer, was appointed to the additional positions of President and Chief Executive Officer, and was designated as the Company’s principal executive officer, in each case effective as of October 1, 2023. Ms. Knudson continues to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and principal financial officer. In connection with Ms. Knudson’s continued role with the Company and as retention for Ms. Knudson to manage and assist with the Plan of Dissolution, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (the “Retention Employment Agreement”) with Ms. Knudson, pursuant to which Ms. Knudson will, upon the effectiveness of her new position on the Executive Employment Date, be entitled to a severance payment in the amount of $117,000, which is equal to three (3) months of her existing base salary (the “Severance Payment”), less applicable taxes and withholdings and subject to Ms. Knudson’s agreement to a general release of claims in favor of the Company Effectingand its affiliates and compliance with certain confidentiality, non-disparagement and nondisclosure obligations (“Release of Claims”). Ms. Knudson is entitled to an additional payment of $117,000 based on the Reverse Stock Split—successful sale of assets to Allergan as part of the Allergen Transaction (“Allergan Payment”). The Retention Employment Agreement also provides for a retention payment of $156,000, which is equal to four (4) months of her base salary (the “Retention Payment”), of which 50% is payable upfront on the Executive Employment Date and the remaining 50% is payable upon termination of Ms. Knudson’s employment with the Company after the adjournment of the Special Meeting, less applicable taxes and withholdings and subject to Ms. Knudson delivery of a Release of Claims. The Retention Payment and Allergan Payment shall be subject to recoupment by the Company in the event that Ms. Knudson voluntarily terminates her employment with the Company, or the Company terminates her employment with cause, prior to the final adjournment of this Special Meeting of the stockholders.

Substantially contemporaneously with the initial distribution, and as soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Date, to holders of record of our common stock as of the close of business on the Effective Date we intend to make the payments as noted in the table above on page 21 of this Proxy Statement.

See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” for information regarding the number of shares of common stock owned by our directors and executive officers.

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws and the DGCL

During the Survival Period, we will continue to be governed by our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, insofar as their terms apply and insofar as necessary or appropriate to implement our Plan of Dissolution. Our Board will continue to have the authority to amend our Amended and Restated Bylaws as it may deem necessary or advisable. To any extent that the provisions of our Plan of Dissolution conflict with any provision of the DGCL, the provisions of the DGCL shall prevail.

Authority of the Board

Our Board, without further action by our stockholders, is authorized to take all actions as they deem necessary or advisable to implement our Plan of Dissolution. All determinations and decisions to be made by our Board will be at the absolute and sole discretion of our Board.

Accounting Treatment

Upon the Dissolution, we plan to change our basis of accounting from the going-concern basis, which contemplates realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business, to the liquidation basis. Under the liquidation basis of accounting, assets are stated at the lower of their carrying value or their estimated net realizable values and liabilities are stated at their estimated settlement amounts. Recorded liabilities will include the estimated costs associated with carrying out the Plan of Dissolution. For periodic reporting, a statement of net assets in liquidation will summarize the liquidation value per outstanding share of common stock. Valuations presented in the statement will represent management’s estimates, based on then present facts and circumstances, of the net realizable values of assets and costs associated with carrying out the Plan of Dissolution based upon management’s assumptions.


The valuation of assets and liabilities will require many estimates and assumptions, and there will be substantial uncertainties in carrying out the provisions of the Plan of Dissolution. The estimated net realizable value of our assets and the estimated settlement amounts for liabilities are expected to differ from estimates recorded in interim financial statements.

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

The following discussion is a more complete descriptiongeneral summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock SplitDissolution pursuant to the Company’sPlan of Dissolution to the Company and its stockholders. The discussion does not address all of the U.S. Holders.federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to particular stockholders in light of their particular circumstances, or to stockholders that are subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including, without limitation, financial institutions, persons that own (actually or constructively) 5% or more of our voting stock, persons that are partnerships or other pass-through entities, non-United States individuals and entities, or persons who acquired their shares of our stock through compensatory arrangements. Furthermore, this discussion does not address any U.S. federal estate and gift or alternative minimum tax consequences or any state, local or foreign tax consequences of the Dissolution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution and assumes that a liquidating trust will not be formed in connection with the Dissolution.

The following discussion is based on the Code, applicable Treasury Regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, each as in effect as of the date hereof, all of which may change, possibly with retroactive effect. The discussion assumes that shares of our stock are held as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment).

The following discussion has no binding effect on the IRS or the courts. Liquidating distributions pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution may occur at various times and in more than one tax year. We can give no assurance that the U.S. federal income tax treatment described herein will remain unchanged at the time of our liquidating distributions. No ruling has been requested from the IRS with respect to any tax consequences of the Dissolution, and we will not seek any such ruling or an opinion of counsel with respect to you relatedany such tax consequences.

THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF THE POTENTIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES RELATING TO THE PLAN OF DISSOLUTION AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISSOLUTION PURSUANT TO THE PLAN OF DISSOLUTION, INCLUDING TAX REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND THE EFFECT OF FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to the Reverse Stock SplitCompany

After the approval of the Dissolution and until our liquidation is completed, we will dependcontinue to be subject to U.S. federal income tax (including any personal holding company tax) on your particular factsour taxable income, if any, such as interest income or gain from the sale of any of our remaining non-cash assets. Upon the sale of any of our assets in connection with our liquidation, we will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between: (i) the cash and circumstances. Pleasethe fair market value of any other consideration received for each asset sold; and (ii) our adjusted tax basis in the asset sold. We should not recognize any gain or loss upon the distribution of cash to our stockholders in liquidation of their shares of stock. We currently do not anticipate making distributions of property other than cash to stockholders. If we make a liquidating distribution of property other than cash to stockholders, we will recognize gain or loss upon the distribution of such property as if we sold the distributed property for its fair market value on the date of the distribution. We currently do not anticipate that our Dissolution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution will produce a material corporate tax liability for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Stockholders

In general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we intend that amounts received by our stockholders pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution will be treated as full payment in exchange for their shares of common stock. As a result of the Dissolution, stockholders generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between: (i) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value (at the time of distribution) of property, if any, distributed to


them; and (ii) their tax basis for their shares of stock. In general, a stockholder’s gain or loss will be computed on a “per share” basis. If we make more than one liquidating distribution, which is expected, each liquidating distribution will be allocated proportionately to each share of common stock owned by a stockholder, and the value of each liquidating distribution will be applied against and reduce a stockholder’s tax basis in the stock. In general, a stockholder will recognize gain as a result of a liquidating distribution if the aggregate value of the distribution and prior liquidating distributions received by the stockholder with respect to a share exceeds the stockholder’s tax basis for that share. Any loss generally will be recognized by a stockholder only when the stockholder receives the final liquidating distribution made by us to stockholders, and then only if the aggregate value of all liquidating distributions with respect to a share is less than the stockholder’s tax basis for that share. Gain or loss recognized by a stockholder generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the stock has been held for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

In the unlikely event we make a liquidating distribution of property other than cash to stockholders, a stockholder’s tax basis in such property immediately after the distribution generally will be the fair market value of the property received by the stockholder at the time of distribution. Gain or loss realized upon the stockholder’s future sale of that property generally would be measured by the difference between the proceeds received by the stockholder in the sale and the tax basis of the property sold.

If our liabilities are not fully covered by the cash or other assets in our contingency reserve or otherwise satisfied through insurance or other reasonable means (see “Contingency Reserve” above), payments made by a stockholder in satisfaction of those liabilities generally would produce a capital loss for such stockholder in the year the liabilities are paid. The deductibility of any such capital loss would generally be subject to limitations under the Code.

Stockholders who immediately before the first liquidating distribution own 5% or more (by vote or value) of the Company may need to include a statement on or with their tax return entitled: “Statement pursuant to Section 1.331-1(d) by [insert name and tax identification number (if any) of stockholder], a significant holder of the stock of Histogen Inc., Tax ID: 20-3183915” and must include the fair market value and basis of the common stock the stockholder transferred to the Company and a description of the property the stockholder received from the Company.

Reporting of Liquidating Distributions and Back-Up Withholding

After the close of each taxable year, we will provide stockholders and the IRS with a Form 1099-DIV, Dividends and Distributions statement of the amount of cash distributed to stockholders in connection with our liquidation and our best estimate as to the value of any property distributed to stockholders during the relevant taxable year. In the unlikely event we make a liquidating distribution of property other than cash to stockholders, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our valuation of the distributed property. Certain stockholders may be subject to special rules regarding information to be provided with the stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax returns. Stockholders should consult yourtheir own tax advisors as to the specific tax consequences to you.them in connection with the Dissolution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution, including tax reporting requirements. Liquidating distributions made to stockholders pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution may be subject to back-up withholding (currently at a rate of 24%). Back-up withholding generally will not apply to payments made to exempt recipients, including corporations or financial institutions, or individuals who furnish their correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate of foreign status and other required information. Back-up withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, amounts withheld generally may be used as a credit against a stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability or the stockholder may claim a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely and duly filing a claim for refund with the IRS.

What is


Required Vote

The approval of the merger?

On January 28, 2020, the Company, then operating as Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc., entered into an AgreementDissolution and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, as amended, with privately-held Histogen Inc. (“Private Histogen”) and Chinook Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiaryDissolution requires the affirmative vote of Conatus (“Merger Sub”). Under the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Private Histogen, with Private Histogen surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). On May 26, 2020, the Merger was completed. Pre-Merger Conatus (“Conatus”) changed its name to Histogen Inc., and Private Histogen, which remains as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, changed its name to Histogen Therapeutics Inc. On May 27, 2020, the combined Company’s common stock began trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “HSTO”.

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PROPOSAL 1:

ELECTION OF CLASS III DIRECTORS

Our Board is divided into three classes, with one class of our directors standing for election each year, generally for a three-year term. Directors for each class are elected at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the year in which the term for their class expires and hold office until their resignation or removal or their successors are duly elected and qualified. In accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, our Board may fill existing vacancies on the Board by appointment.

The term of office of our Class III directors, Steven J. Mento, Ph.D., David H. Crean, Ph.D. and Brian M. Satz, will expire at the 2022 Annual Meeting. The nominees for Class III directors for election at the 2022 Annual Meeting are Steven J. Mento, Ph.D., David H. Crean, Ph.D. and Brian M. Satz.  If each Dr. Mento, Dr. Crean and Mr. Satz is elected at the 2022 Annual Meeting, such individual will be elected to serve for a three-year term that will expire at our 2025 annual meeting of stockholders and until such individual’s successor is elected and qualified.

If no contrary indication is made, proxies in the accompanying form are to be voted for Dr. Mento, Dr. Crean and Mr. Satz or in the event that Dr. Mento, Dr. Crean and Mr. Satz is not a candidate or is unable to serve as a director at the time of the election (which is not currently expected), for any nominee who is designated by our Board to fill the vacancy.

All of our directors bring to the Board significant leadership experience derived from their professional experience and service as executives or board members of other corporations and/or venture capital firms. The process undertaken by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in recommending qualified director candidates is described below under “Director Nomination Process.” Certain individual qualifications and skills of our directors that contribute to the Board’s effectiveness as a whole are described in the following paragraphs.

Information Regarding Directors

The information set forth below as to the directors and nominees for director has been furnished to us by the directors and nominees for director:

Nominees for Election to the Board of Directors for a Three-Year-Term Expiring at the

2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Class III)

Name

Age

Present Position with Histogen Inc.

Steven J. Mento, Ph.D.

70

Executive Chairman and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

David H. Crean, Ph.D.

57

Lead Independent Director

Brian M. Satz

49

Director

Steven J. Mento, Ph.D. is our Executive Chairman and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer.  He also serves are the Chair of the Scientific Committee.  He has been our Executive Chairman and Interim President and CEO since November 2021 and he has served as a member of our Board since July 2005. Dr. Mento was one of Conatus’ co-founders and served as Conatus’ President and Chief Executive Officer from July 2005 until the merger. From July 2005 until December 2012, Dr. Mento also served as chairman of Conatus’ board of directors. Dr. Mento has over 30 years of combined experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. From 1997 to 2005, Dr. Mento was President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of Idun Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Mento guided Idun during its transition from a discovery focused organization to a drug development company with multiple products in or near human clinical testing. In April 2005, Idun was sold to Pfizer Inc. Previously, Dr. Mento served as President of Chiron Viagene, Inc. (subsequently Chiron Technologies, Center for Gene Therapy), and Vice President of Chiron Corporation from 1995 to 1997. Dr. Mento was Vice President of R&D at Viagene from 1992 to 1995. Prior to Viagene, Dr. Mento held various positions at American Cyanamid Company from 1982 to 1992. His last position was Director of Viral Vaccine Research and Development at Lederle-Praxis Biologicals, a business unit of American Cyanamid. Dr. Mento previously served on the board of directors of Sangamo Biosciences, Inc., BIO, BIO Emerging Company Section Governing Body and BIO Health Section Governing Body, and currently serves on the boards of directors of Dermata Therapeutics, Inc., BIOCOM and various academic and charitable organizations.

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Dr. Mento holds a B.A. in Microbiology from Rutgers College, and an M.S. and Ph.D. both in Microbiology from Rutgers University. We believe Dr. Mento is qualified to serve on our Board because of his extensive knowledge of Conatus’ business prior to the merger, as well as his over 30 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, including executive leadership in several pharmaceutical companies.

David H. Crean, Ph.D. is our Lead Independent Director and a member of our Audit and Scientific Committees. He has been a member of our Board since the merger in May 2020, served as Chairman of the Board from May 2020 to November 2021, served as the Chairman of the Audit Committee from January to March 2021 and previously as a director at Histogen from March 2018 until May 2020. Dr. Crean is Managing General Partner of Coast BioVentures LLC, a life sciences investment fund, and a Managing Partner with Cardiff Advisory, LLC where he leads the firm’s strategic and financial advisory service practice focusing on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), partnering transactions and capital financing of life science and healthcare companies. Since 2015, he was Managing Director for Objective Capital Partners, LLC driving Objective’s practice in the same domain sectors, and currently serves in a Senior Advisory capacity with his former firm. He currently serves on the board of directors for Phoenix Molecular Designs as Chairman, California Life Sciences (CLS) as a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, and BIOCOM California’s Board of Governors. He is a venture partner with SunCoast Ventures and a limited partner with Mesa Verde Venture Partners, both leading life sciences venture funds. Dr. Crean is also a contributing author for PharmaBoardroom.com and Forbes.com through his work with Forbes Los Angeles Business Council. Dr. Crean holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licenses and is a Registered Investment Banking Representative of BA Securities LLC, Member FINRA SIPC. He holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Degree with a finance concentration from Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Management. Additionally, he holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree in Biophysics and a Masters of Science (MS) Degree in Oncology from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Biology/ Pre-Med from Canisius College.  We believe Dr. Crean is qualified to serve on our Board based on his over 25 years of life sciences R&D and corporate development transactional experience in the pharmaceutical industry, during which he was responsible for leading mergers, acquisitions, licensing and collaborations and establishing corporate strategy.

Brian Satz is our director, Chair of the Compensation Committee, and a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  He has served as a member of our Board of Directors since the Merger in May 2020 and previously served as a director of Private Histogen from November 2012 until the Merger. In addition to Histogen, Mr. Satz is an attorney and founder of Satz Law Group LLC in Fairfield, New Jersey. Mr. Satz has extensive experience representing clients in all aspects of corporate and commercial transactions as well as their day-to-day business matters. In particular, he has advised numerous investors and businesses in the biotech and life sciences industries and has been involved in the financing of many early stage companies. Prior to the founding of Satz Law Group, Mr. Satz spent the vast majority of his career working at large New York City based law firms.  Mr. Satz also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of American Friends of Sentebale Foundation. We believe Mr. Satz is qualified to serve on our Board based on his ability to contribute to the board’s understanding of legal matters related to the company’s business, as well as Mr. Satz’s broader management experience.

Members of the Board of Directors Continuing in Office Term Expiring at the

2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Class I)

Name

Age

Present Position with Histogen Inc.

Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.

75

Director

Daniel L. Kisner, M.D. is our director and a member of our Compensation and Scientific Committees. He has served as a member of our board of directors since February 2014. He currently serves as an independent consultant in the life science industry. He was a partner at Aberdare Ventures from 2003 to 2011. Dr. Kisner served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Caliper Life Sciences from 2002 to 2008, and as President and CEO of its predecessor company, Caliper Technologies, from 1999 to 2002. He held positions of increasing responsibility at Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., from 1991 to 1999, most recently as President and COO. Dr. Kisner previously served in pharmaceutical research and development executive positions at Abbott Laboratories from 1988 to 1991 and at SmithKline Beckman Laboratories from 1985 to 1988. He held a tenured faculty position in the Division of Medical Oncology at the University of Texas, San Antonio School of Medicine until 1985 after a five-year advancement through the Cancer Treatment Evaluation Program of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Kisner is board certified in

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internal medicine and medical oncology. Dr. Kisner holds a B.A. from Rutgers University and an M.D. from Georgetown University. Dr. Kisner currently serves as a director at Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Dynavax Technologies Corporation and Oncternal Therapeutics, and has extensive prior private and public company board experience, including serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Tekmira Pharmaceuticals. We believe Dr. Kisner is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive leadership experience in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries and as a venture capital investor. We believe Dr. Kisner is qualified to serve on our Board because of his extensive leadership experience in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries and as a venture capital investor.

Members of the Board of Directors Continuing in Office Term Expiring at the

2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Class II)

Name

Age

Present Position with Histogen Inc.

Rochelle Fuhrmann

52

Director

Jonathan Jackson

60

Director

Susan R. Windham-Bannister, Ph.D.

70

Director

Rochelle Fuhrmann has served as a member of our Board and Chair of the Audit Committee since March 2021.  Ms. Fuhrmann currently serves as the Vice President Audit and Enterprise Risk Management at Becton Dickinson (“BD”). In this role, she leads an international team of audit professionals in the review of processes and controls. She also has accountability for the enterprise risk management program including the integration of risk concepts into strategic planning and working with stakeholders on risk identification and mitigation activities. In 2016, Ms. Fuhrmann helped establish the BD Foundation, and she presently serves as Treasurer and as a member of its Board of Trustees. She joined BD in July 2015 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Life Sciences. Prior to joining BD, she held various positions responsible for the management of financial functions including accounting and financial reporting, investor relations, corporate finance, risk management and treasury, primarily in the pharmaceutical industry with companies such as Amneal Pharmaceuticals and Warner Chilcott plc.  She previously served as a member of the board of directors of Concordia International Corp. and held the position of Audit Committee Chair for three years. Ms. Fuhrmann’s career started at Coopers & Lybrand LLC (now PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) in Boston, MA. She is a certified public accountant (inactive) and holds a B.Sc. degree in accounting from the University of Rhode Island. We believe Ms. Fuhrmann is qualified to serve on our Board based on her significant financial expertise and operational experience.

Jonathan Jackson is a member of our Board of Directors and a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee.  He has served as a member of our Board of Directors since the Merger in May 2020 and previously served as a director of Private Histogen from December 2010 until the Merger. A few years after completing his degree in Business Management in London, Mr. Jackson set up his own company to develop commercial real estate in Central Europe. Over the last 20 years, he has currently under development and developed more than 6,000,000 square feet of space. Since selling a portfolio of completed assets in early 2007 in one of the largest deals in Central Europe, Mr. Jackson has diversified and invested over $15M in different business sectors, both in the USA and Europe, with great success. We believe Mr. Jackson is qualified to serve on our Board based on the depth and diversity of his experience in business management and investment banking.

Susan R. Windham-Bannister, Ph.D. is our director, Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a member of our Audit Committee.  She has served as a member of our Board since March 2021.  Dr. Windham-Bannister currently serves as President and CEO of Biomedical Growth Strategies., LLC, a strategic advisory firm providing market access and growth optimization advisory services to the life sciences industry. From 2008-2015, Dr. Windham-Bannister served as founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative, launched by former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick where she led this $1billion healthcare dedicated investment fund. She has been recognized by Biosphere as one of the “10 most prominent African American Leaders in Life Sciences” and by the Boston Globe as one of the “10 Most Influential Women in Biotech.” She is widely credited with formulating the investment strategy that transformed Massachusetts from a leading life sciences research hub to a global sciences innovation and business hub, where science is translated from academic labs, developed, and commercialized in Massachusetts. Dr. Windham-Bannister is the immediate Past Chair of the National Governing Board of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) and also serves on the Boards of St.

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Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Humacyte Inc. and Aridis Inc. She received a Doctorate in Health Policy and Management from the Florence Heller School at Brandeis University, and a Doctor of Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (honoris causa). Dr. Windham-Bannister was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School and a Fellow in the Center for Science and Policy (CSAP) at Cambridge University, Cambridge, England. She completed her doctoral work at the Heller School under a fellowship from the Ford Foundation. We believe that Dr. Windham-Bannister possesses specific attributes that qualify her to serve as a member of the Company’s Board, including her past experiences as Chair of the National Governing Board of the Association for Women in STEM, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), Fellow in the Center for Science and Policy (CSAP) at Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, and having been recognized by the Boston Globe as one of the "10 Most Influential Women in Biotech".

Board Diversity Matrix (as of April 14, 2022)

Board Size:

Total Number of Directors

7

 

Female

Male

Gender:

Directors

2

5

Number of Directors who identify in Any of the Categories Below:

African American or Black

1

0

White

1

5

Board Independence

Under the rules of Nasdaq, independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s board of directors within a specified period of the completion of such company’s initial public offering. Our Board has determined that each of Rochelle Fuhrmann, Jonathan Jackson, Susan R. Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., David H. Crean, Ph.D., Brian M. Satz, and Daniel L. Kisner, M.D., representing six of our seven directors, are independent directors within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, or Nasdaq, listing standards. Steven J. Mento, Ph.D., our Executive Chairman and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, is not considered an “independent director” within the meaning of applicable Nasdaq listing standards. In addition, our Board previously determined that our former director, Yizhuo (“Hayden”) Zhang, who resigned from our Board effective March 10, 2021, was an independent director within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards, but our former President, Chief Executive Officer and director, Richard W. Pascoe, who stepped down from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer and as director on our Board effective November 8, 2021, and our former director, Stephen Chang, Ph.D., who resigned from our Board effective March 24, 2021, were not independent within the meaning of such Nasdaq listing standards.

Board Leadership Structure

Our Board currently has six independent directors and one employee director. Our Board is currently led by its Executive Chairman, Steven J. Mento, Ph.D.  Our Board’s Lead Independent Director is David H. Crean, Ph.D. Our Board recognizes that it is important to determine an optimal board leadership structure to ensure the independent oversight of management as the Company continues to grow. We separate the roles of Executive Chairman and Lead Independent Director of the Board in recognition of the differences between the two roles. The Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Company in conjunction with the Board and the day-to-day leadership and performance of the Company, while the Lead Independent Director of the Board provides guidance to the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. We believe that this separation of responsibilities provides a balanced approach to managing the Board and overseeing the Company.

Our Board has concluded that our current leadership structure is appropriate at this time. However, our Board will continue to periodically review our leadership structure and may make such changes in the future as it deems appropriate.

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The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

Our Board has responsibility for the oversight of the Company’s risk management processes and, either as a whole or through its committees, regularly discusses with management our major risk exposures, their potential impact on our business and the steps we take to manage them. The risk oversight process includes receiving regular reports from board committees and members of senior management to enable our board to understand the Company’s risk identification, risk management and risk mitigation strategies with respect to areas of potential material risk, including operations, finance, legal, regulatory, strategic, cybersecurity and reputational risk.

The Audit Committee reviews information regarding liquidity and operations and oversees our management of financial risks. Periodically, the Audit Committee reviews our policies with respect to risk assessment, risk management, loss prevention and regulatory compliance. Oversight by the Audit Committee includes direct communication with our external auditors, and discussions with management regarding significant risk exposures and the actions management has taken to limit, monitor or control such exposures. The Compensation Committee is responsible for assessing whether any of our compensation policies or programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee manages risks associated with the independence of our Board, corporate disclosure practices and potential conflicts of interest. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire board is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks. Matters of significant strategic risk are considered by our Board as a whole.

Oversight of Cybersecurity Risk

We understand the importance of cybersecurity and have taken action to protect our systems and data.  We maintain our cybersecurity infrastructure through a number of security measures including our internal policies and procedures, business processes, and software technology tools to control and monitor our systems and security. Our Audit Committee has oversight responsibility over our cybersecurity measures.

ESG Oversight

We are committed to prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) issues.  Our Board works closely with our management team to promote awareness of ESG issues and to integrate ESG promotion into our long-term business strategy.

Board of Directors Meetings

During fiscal year 2021, our Board met ten times, including telephonic meetings. In that year, each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of our Board held during the period for which he/she served as a director and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of our Board on which he/she served during the periods that he/she served.

Committees of the Board of Directors

We have three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of these committees has a written charter approved by our Board. A copy of each charter can be found under the “Investors—Corporate Governance” section of our website at www.histogen.com. In addition, the Board also recently established a Scientific Committee of the Board.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee of our Board currently consists of Rochelle Fuhrmann (Chair and Audit Committee Financial Expert), David H. Crean, Ph.D. (Audit Committee Financial Expert) and Susan R. Windham-Bannister, Ph.D.  The Audit Committee met four times during fiscal year 2021, including telephonic meetings.  Dr. Crean served as the Chair and Audit Committee Financial Expert and Brian Satz served as a member of the Audit Committee until Ms. Fuhrmann was appointed to the Audit Committee in March 2021 and Dr. Kisner served as a member of the Audit Committee until May 2021.

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Our Board has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are independent directors, as defined in the Nasdaq qualification standards and by Section 10A of Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Conatus’ board of directors previously determined that all members of the audit committee pre-merger were independent directors, as defined in the Nasdaq qualification standards and by Section 10A of Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act during their terms of service on the audit committee.  In addition, our Board has determined that Ms. Fuhrmann and Dr. Crean each qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as that phrase is defined under the regulations promulgated by the SEC. The Audit Committee is governed by a written charter adopted by our Board. Our Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of our consolidated financial statements on behalf of our Board. The specific powers and responsibilities of our Audit Committee include, among other things:

appointing and retaining our independent registered public accounting firm;

evaluating the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent registered accounting firm;

approving the audit and non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm;

reviewing the design, implementation, adequacy and effectiveness of our internal accounting controls and our critical accounting policies;

discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the results of our annual audit and the review of our quarterly unaudited financial statements;

reviewing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm our annual and quarterly reports to be filed with the SEC;

reviewing, overseeing and monitoring the integrity of our financial statements and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as they relate to financial statements or accounting matters;

reviewing on a periodic basis, or as appropriate, any investment policy and recommending to our board any changes to such investment policy;

reviewing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm any earnings announcements and other public announcements regarding our results of operations;

preparing the report that SEC rules require be included in our annual proxy statement;

reviewing and approving any related party transactions and reviewing and monitoring compliance with our code of conduct and ethics; and

reviewing and evaluating, at least annually, the performance of the audit committee and its members including compliance of the audit committee with its charter.

Both our external auditor and internal financial personnel meet privately with the audit committee and have unrestricted access to this committee.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee of our Board currently consists of Brian Satz (Chair), Jonathan Jackson and Daniel Kisner, M.D.  The Compensation Committee met three times during fiscal year 2021.

Our Board has determined that all members of the Compensation Committee are independent directors, as defined in applicable Nasdaq and SEC qualification standards, and Conatus’ board of directors previously determined that all members of the Compensation Committee pre-merger were independent directors, as defined in the Nasdaq qualification standards during their terms of service on the Compensation Committee. Each member of the Compensation Committee is also a non-employee director, as defined pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and an outside director, as defined pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Compensation Committee is governed by a written charter approved by our Board. Our Compensation Committee reviews and approves policies relating to compensation and benefits of our officers and employees, corporate goals

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and objectives relevant to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, evaluates the performance of these officers in light of those goals and objectives and approves the compensation of these officers based on such evaluations. Typically, our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to our Compensation Committee, often attends committee meetings and is involved in the determination of compensation for the respective executive officers who report to him, except that the Chief Executive Officer does not make recommendations as to his own compensation. In addition, under the Compensation Committee’s charter, the Compensation Committee may retain or obtain the advice of any compensation consultant, legal counsel, or other advisor as the Compensation Committee deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its responsibilities, only after taking into consideration the factors required by any applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and Nasdaq rules. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Compensation Committee engaged Compensia Inc. (“Compensia”) for benchmarking information and executive compensation assessment. The Compensation Committee has determined, and Compensia has affirmed, that Compensia’s work does not present any conflicts of interest and that Compensia is independent. In reaching these conclusions, the Compensation Committee considered the factors set forth in Exchange Act Rule 10C-1 and Nasdaq listing standards. The Compensation Committee also reviews and approves the issuance of stock options and other awards under our equity plan. The Compensation Committee reviews and evaluates, at least annually, its performance, including compliance by the Compensation Committee with its charter.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board currently consists of Susan R. Windham-Bannister, Ph.D. (Chair), Jonathan Jackson and Brian Satz.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met two times during fiscal year 2021. Mr. Zhang served as a member of the corporate governance and nominating committee until his resignation on March 10, 2021. Mr. Satz served as the Chair of the corporate governance and nominating committee until May 2021.

Our Board has determined that all members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent directors, as defined in applicable Nasdaq and SEC qualification standards, and Conatus’ board of directors previously determined that all members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee pre-merger were independent directors, as defined in applicable Nasdaq and SEC qualification standards during their terms of service on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is governed by a written charter approved by our Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for assisting our Board in discharging our Board’s responsibilities regarding the identification of qualified candidates to become board members, the selection of nominees for election as directors at our annual meetings of stockholders (or special meetings of stockholders at which directors are to be elected), and the selection of candidates to fill any vacancies on our Board and any committees thereof. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing our corporate governance policies, reporting, and making recommendations to our Board concerning governance matters and oversight of the evaluation of our Board.

Scientific Committee

The Scientific Committee of our Board currently consists of Steven J. Mento, Ph.D. (Chair), David Crean, Ph.D. and Daniel Kisner, M.D. The primary purpose of the Scientific Committee is to:

examine on a periodic basis management's strategic direction and investment in the Company's efforts to develop and bring to market new or improved products, including the Company's research, development and technology initiatives;

examine on a periodic basis management's strategic direction and investment in the Company's efforts to strategically in-license, out-license, acquire, or divest product candidates; and

review, evaluate and report to the Board regarding the identified long-term strategic goals and objectives of the Company's research, development, and technology programs and the performance of the research, development, and technology programs in achieving such strategic goals and objectives.

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ReportoftheAuditCommitteeoftheBoardofDirectors

The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of our Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report with management, including a discussion of any significant changes in the selection or application of accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements and the effect of any new accounting initiatives.

The Audit Committee reviewed with Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. (“MHM”), which is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the Company’s audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, its judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under generally accepted auditing standards and the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with MHM its independence from management and the company, has received from MHM the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding MHM’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the auditors’ independence.

The Audit Committee met with MHM to discuss the overall scope of its services, the results of its audit and reviews, its evaluation of the company’s internal controls and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. MHM, as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, also periodically updates the Audit Committee about new accounting developments and their potential impact on the Company’s reporting. The Audit Committee’s meetings with MHM were held with and without management present. The Audit Committee is not employed by the Company, nor does it provide any expert assurance or professional certification regarding the Company’s financial statements.

The Audit Committee relies, without independent verification, on the accuracy and integrity of the information provided, and representations made, by management and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Company’s Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Audit Committee and the Company’s Board also have recommended, subject to stockholder approval, the ratification of the appointment of MHM as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2022.

This report of the Audit Committee is not “soliciting material,” shall not be deemed “filed” with the SEC and shall not be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.

The foregoing report has been furnished by the Audit Committee.

Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of

Directors

Rochelle Fuhrmann (Chair)

David Crean, Ph.D.

Susan R. Windham-Bannister, Ph.D.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Brian Satz (Chair), Jonathan Jackson and Daniel Kisner, M.D. serve as members of our Compensation Committee.  

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David Crean, Ph.D. previously served as a member of our Compensation Committee until May 2021.  None of the members of our Compensation Committee during fiscal year 2021 has ever been one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or has served, as a member of the Board or compensation committee of any entity that had one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board or Compensation Committee during fiscal year 2021.

Director Nomination Process

Director Qualifications

In evaluating director nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider among other things the following factors:

personalandprofessionalintegrity,ethicsandvalues;

experienceincorporatemanagement,suchasservingasanofficerorformerofficerofapubliclyheldcompany;

strongfinanceexperience;

experiencerelevanttotheCompany’sindustry;

experienceasaboardmemberofanotherpubliclyheldcompany;

relevantacademicexpertiseorotherproficiencyinanareaofourbusinessoperations;

diversityofexpertiseandexperienceinsubstantivematterspertainingtoourbusinessrelativetootherboardmembers;

diversityofbackgroundandperspective,includingwithrespecttoage,gender,race,placeofresidenceandspecializedexperience;

practicalandmaturebusinessjudgment,including,butnotlimitedto,theabilitytomakeindependentanalyticalinquiries;and

anyotherrelevantqualifications,attributesorskills.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s goal is to assemble a Board that brings to the Company a variety of perspectives and skills derived from high quality business and professional experience. Moreover, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that the background and qualifications of the Board, considered as a group, should provide a significant mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will allow the Board to fulfill its responsibilities. Nominees are not discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or any other basis proscribed by law.

Other than the foregoing criteria for director nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not adopted a formal policy with respect to a fixed set of specific minimum qualifications for its candidates for membership on the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may consider such other facts, including, without limitation, diversity, as it may deem are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does, however, believe it is appropriate for at least one, and, preferably, several, members of our Board to meet the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” as that phrase is defined under the regulations promulgated by the SEC, and that a majority of the members of our Board be independent as required under the Nasdaq qualification standards. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also believes it is appropriate for our Interim President and Chief Executive Officer to serve as a member of our Board. Our directors’ performance and qualification criteria are reviewed annually by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Identification and Evaluation of Nominees for Directors

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies nominees for director by first evaluating the current members of our Board willing to continue in service. Current members with qualifications and skills that are

15


consistentwiththeNominatingandCorporateGovernance Committee’scriteriaforboardofdirectorserviceandwhoarewillingtocontinueinserviceareconsideredforre-nomination,balancingthevalueofcontinuityofservicebyexistingmembersofourBoardwiththatofobtaininganewperspectiveorexpertise.

If any member of our Board does not wish to continue in service or if our Board decides not to re-nominate a member for re-election, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies the desired skills and experience of a new nominee in light of the criteria above. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee generally polls our Board and members of management for their recommendations. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also review the composition and qualification of the boards of directors of our competitors and may seek input from industry experts or analysts. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews the qualifications, experience and background of the candidates. Final candidates are interviewed by the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and by certain of our other independent directors and executive management. In making its determinations, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates each individual in the context of our Board as a whole, with the objective of assembling a group that can best contribute to the success of our Company and represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment. After review and deliberation of all feedback and data, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee makes its recommendation to our Board.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates nominees recommended by stockholders in the same manner as it evaluates other nominees. We have not received director candidate recommendations from our stockholders and do not have a formal policy regarding consideration of such recommendations. However, any recommendations received from stockholders will be evaluated in the same manner that potential nominees suggested by board members, management or other parties are evaluated. We do not intend to treat stockholder recommendations in any manner different from other recommendations.

Under our amended and restated bylaws, a stockholder wishing to suggest a candidate for director should write to our corporate secretary and provide such information about the stockholder and the proposed candidate as is set forth in our amended and restated bylaws and as would be required by SEC rules to be included in a proxy statement. In addition, the stockholder must include the consent of the candidate and describe any arrangements or undertakings between the stockholder and the candidate regarding the nomination. In order to give the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee sufficient time to evaluate a recommended candidate and include the candidate in our proxy statement for the 2023 annual meeting, the recommendation should be received by our corporate secretary at our principal executive offices in accordance with our procedures detailed in the section below entitled “Stockholder Proposals.”

Director Attendance at Annual Meetings

Although our Company does not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of our Board at our Annual Meeting, we encourage all of our directors to attend. All of our current directors that were on our Board in 2021 attended our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders.

Communications with our Board of Directors

Stockholders seeking to communicate with our Board should submit their written comments to our corporate secretary, Histogen Inc., 10655 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121. The corporate secretary will forward such communications to each member of our Board; provided that, if in the opinion of our corporate secretary it would be inappropriate to send a particular stockholder communication to a specific director, such communication will only be sent to the remaining directors (subject to the remaining directors concurring with such opinion).

Corporate Governance

Our Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter are available, free of charge, on our website at www.histogen.com. Please note, however, that the information contained on the website is not incorporated by reference in, or considered part of, this proxy statement. We will also provide copies of these

16


documentsaswellasourCompany’sothercorporategovernancedocuments,freeofcharge,toanystockholderuponwrittenrequest toHistogen Inc., 10655 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121.

Director Compensation

We compensate non-employee members of the Board for their service. Directors who are also employees do not receive cash or equity compensation for service on the Board in addition to compensation payable for their service as our employees. The non-employee members of our Board are also reimbursed for travel, lodging and other reasonable expenses incurred in attending Board or committee meetings.

Under our non-employee director compensation policy, we provide cash compensation in the form of an annual retainer of $40,000 for each non-employee director. In addition, the non-employee Chair of the Board or Lead Independent Director receive an additional annual retainer of $30,000. To our non-employee directors, we also pay an additional annual retainer of $15,000 to the Chair of our Audit Committee, $7,500 to other directors who serve on our Audit Committee, $10,000 to the Chair of our Compensation Committee, $6,000 to other directors who serve on our Compensation Committee, $7,000 to the Chair of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, $3,500 to other directors who serve on our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, $7,500 to the Chair of our Scientific Committee, and $3,500 to other directors who serve on our Scientific Committee.

Also under our non-employee director compensation policy, any non-employee director who is first elected to the Board is granted an option to purchase 30,000 shares of our common stock on the date of his or her initial election to the Board. Such options have an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. In addition, non-employee directors who (1) have been serving on the Board for at least six months as of the date of any annual meeting and (2) will continue to serve immediately following such meeting, receive a grant of options to purchase 20,000 shares of our common stock, and a non-employee director serving as Chair of the Board will receive a grant of options to purchase an additional 25,000 shares of our common stock.

The initial options granted to non-employee directors described above vest and become exercisable in substantially equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to the director’s continuing service on our Board on those dates. The annual options granted to non-employee directors described above vest and/or become exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the director’s continuing service on our Board on those dates. All options will also vest in full upon the occurrence of a change in control.

Additionally, in October 2020, our Board approved one-time grants of options to purchase 20,000 shares of our common stock to each of our non-employee directors. The grants are intended to compensate our non-employee directors for their service on our board for 2020 and into 2021 and to further align the interests of our non-employee directors with the interests of our stockholders to maximize stockholder value. The October 2020 option grants vest in full on the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the director’s continuing service on our Board on such date.

The following table provides information related to the compensation of each of our non-employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Name

 

Cash

Compensation (1)

 

 

Option

Grants (2)

 

 

Total

 

David H. Crean, Ph.D.

 

$

83,737

 

 

$

20,550

 

 

 

$

104,287

 

Brian Satz

 

$

56,638

 

 

$

16,440

 

 

 

$

73,078

 

Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.

 

$

51,104

 

 

$

16,440

 

 

 

$

67,544

 

Jonathan Jackson

 

$

49,500

 

 

$

16,440

 

 

 

$

65,940

 

Rochelle Fuhrmann (3)

 

$

42,285

 

 

$

38,100

 

 

 

$

80,385

 

Susan R. Windham-Bannister, Ph.D. (4)

 

$

41,786

 

 

$

36,900

 

 

 

$

78,686

 

Stephen Chang, Ph.D. (5)

 

$

10,000

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

10,000

 

Hayden Yizhuo Zhang (6)

 

$

8,303

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

8,303

 


(1)

Includes the value of the annual retainers payable to our non-employee directors.

(2)

Represents the grant date fair value of the stock options granted in 2021, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used to calculate the value of such awards are included in Note 2 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.  As of December 31, 2021, each of our non-employee directors held stock options to purchase the following number of shares of our common stock: Dr. Crean, options to purchase 102,367 shares; Mr. Satz, options to purchase 75,855 shares; Dr. Kisner, options to purchase 52,500 shares; Mr. Jackson, options to purchase 40,000 shares; Ms. Fuhrmann, options to purchase 30,000 shares; and Dr. Windham-Bannister, options to purchase 30,000 shares.  Dr. Chang and Mr. Zhang have no options to purchase shares.

(3)

Ms. Fuhrmann was not appointed to our Board until March 25, 2021.

(4)

Dr. Windham-Bannister was not appointed to our Board until March 10, 2021.

(5)

Dr. Chang resigned from our Board on March 24, 2021.

(6)

Mr. Zhang resigned from our Board on March 10, 2021.

Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

If a quorum is present and voting at the Annual Meeting, the three nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to our Board of Directors as Class III directors. Votes withheld from any nominee, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted only for purposes of determining a quorum. Broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal as brokers or other nominees are not entitled to vote on such proposals in the absence of voting instructions from the beneficial owner.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF STEVEN J. MENTO, PH.D., DAVID H. CREAN, PH.D. AND BRIAN M. SATZ.  PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE SO VOTED UNLESS STOCKHOLDERS SPECIFY OTHERWISE.



PROPOSAL 2:

APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY EFFECTING THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

Background and Proposed Amendment

The Company is seeking an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock, within a range, as determined by the Company’s board of directors, of one new share for every five (5) to twenty (20) (or any number in between) shares outstanding (the “Reverse Stock Split”), the implementation and timing of which shall be subject to the discretion of the Company’s board of directors (the “Reverse Stock Split Proposal”).  

The Reverse Stock Split will not change the number of authorized shares of common stock or Preferred Stock or the relative voting power of such holders of our outstanding common stock and Preferred Stock. The number of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock will materially increase and will be available for reissuance by the Company. The Reverse Stock Split, if effected, would affect all of our shareholders uniformly.

The Board unanimously approved, and recommended seeking shareholder approval of the Reverse Stock Split, on February 17, 2022. If this Reverse Stock Split is approved by the shareholders, the Board will have the authority, in its sole discretion, without further action by the shareholders, to effect the Reverse Stock Split. The Board’s decision as to whether and when to effect the Reverse Stock Split, if approved by the shareholders, will be based on a number of factors, including prevailing market conditions, existing and expected trading prices for our common stock, actual or forecasted results of operations, and the likely effect of such results on the market price of our common stock.

A reverse stock split will also affect our outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and shares of common stock issued under our stock plans, as well as our outstanding warrants. Under these plans and securities, the number of shares of common stock deliverable upon exercise or grant must be appropriately adjusted and appropriate adjustments must be made to the purchase price per share to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.

The Reverse Stock Split is not being proposed in response to any effort of which we are aware to accumulate our shares of common stock or obtain control of the Company, nor is it a plan by management to recommend a series of similar actions to the Board or our shareholders.

Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split

The Board believes that effecting the Reverse Stock Split would increase the price of our common stock which would, among other things, help us to:

Meet certain listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market;

Appeal to a broader range of investors to generate greater interest in the Company; and

Improve perception of our common stock as an investment security.

Meet Nasdaq Listing Requirements

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol HSTO.  On August 18, 2021, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq Stock Market, or Nasdaq, indicating that, based upon the closing bid price of our common stock for the 30 consecutive business day period between July 7, 2021, through August 17, 2021, we did not meet the minimum bid price of $1.00 per share required for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), or the Bid Price Rule (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”). The letter also indicated that we will be provided with a compliance period of 180 calendar days, or until February 14, 2022, or the Compliance Period, in which to regain compliance pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A). As of February 14, 2022, the Company had not regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. However, the Company was granted an additional 180 calendar day period, or until August 15, 2022, to regain compliance, or the Second Compliance Period, based upon the Company’s written notice provided to Nasdaq of its intention to cure the deficiency during the Second Compliance Period, by effecting a reverse stock split. Although we believe that implementing the Reverse Stock Split is likely to lead to compliance with the Rule 5550(a)(2), there can be no assurance that the closing share price after implementation of the Reverse Stock Split will succeed in restoring such compliance.


Our Board determined that the continued listing of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market is beneficial for our stockholders. The delisting of our common stock from Nasdaq would likely have very serious consequences for the Company and our stockholders. If our common stock is delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market, our board of directors believes that the trading market for our common stock could become significantly less liquid, which could reduce the trading price of our common stock and increase the transaction costs of trading in shares of our common stock.

The principal purpose of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is to decrease the total number of shares of common stock outstanding and proportionately increase the market price of the common stock in order to meet the continuing listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market. Accordingly, our board of directors approved the Reverse Stock Split Proposal in order to help ensure that the share price of our common stock meets the continued listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market. Our Board intends to effect the Reverse Stock Split Proposal only if it believes that a decrease in the number of shares outstanding is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders and is likely to improve the trading price of our common stock and improve the likelihood that we will be allowed to maintain our continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market. Our Board may determine to effect the Reverse Stock Split Proposal even if the trading price of our common stock is at or above $1.00 per share. We believe that approval of a number of alternative ratios of the reverse stock split as opposed to one specific ratio of the reverse stock split provides the Board with the flexibility to achieve the purposes of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal.

In addition to establishing a mechanism for the price of our common stock to meet the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, we also believe that the Reverse Stock Split Proposal will make our common stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other investors. It is our understanding that the current market price of our common stock may affect its acceptability to certain institutional investors, professional investors and other members of the investing public. It is also our understanding that many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. In addition, some of those policies and practices may function to make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers. Moreover, because brokers’ commissions on low-priced stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, the current average price per share of our common stock can result in individual stockholders paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their total share value than would be the case if the share price were substantially higher. However, some investors may view the reverse stock split negatively because it reduces the number of shares of common stock available in the public market.

Reducing the number of outstanding shares of our common stock through the reverse stock split is intended, absent other factors, to increase the per share market price of our common stock. However, other factors, such as our financial results, market conditions and the market perception of our business may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As a result, there can be no assurance that the reverse stock split, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above, that the market price of our common stock will increase following the reverse stock split, that the market price of our common stock will not decrease in the future, or that our common stock will achieve a high enough price per share to permit its continued listing by Nasdaq.

Board Discretion to Implement the Reverse Stock Split

Approval of this proposal authorizes the Board to select a one new share for every five (5) to twenty (20) range of reverse stock split ratios. The Board expects to implement the reverse stock split only where the reverse stock split would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Following stockholder approval, no further action on the part of stockholders will be required to either implement or abandon the reverse stock split. If the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is approved by stockholders and the Board determines to implement the reverse stock split, we would communicate to the public, prior to the effective date of the reverse stock split, additional details regarding the reverse stock split (including the final reverse stock split ratio, as determined by the Board and the proportionate decrease in the number of authorized shares of common stock and preferred stock). The Board reserves its right to elect not to proceed with the reverse stock split if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is no longer in the best interests of the Company or its stockholders.


Impact of Preferred Stock on Reverse Stock Split

In order to assist with procuring the vote necessary to effect the Reverse Stock Split, on March 25, 2022, we closed a private placement offering for (i) 2,500 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) 2,500 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, in each case, at an offering price of $952.38 per share, representing a 5% original issue discount to the stated value of $1,000 per share of Preferred Stock, for gross proceeds from the offerings of approximately $4.75 million, before the deduction of the placement agent’s fee and other offering expenses. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock will have a stated value of $1,000 per share and will be convertible, at a conversion price of $1.00 per share, into 2,500,000 shares of common stock (subject in certain circumstances to adjustments). The shares of Series B Preferred Stock will have a stated value of $1,000 per share and will be convertible, at a conversion price of $1.00 per share, into 2,500,000 shares of common stock (subject in certain circumstances to adjustments). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company has filed two certificates of designation (the “Certificates of Designation”) with the Secretary of the State of Delaware designating the rights, preferences, and limitations of the shares of Preferred Stock. The Certificates of Designation provide, in particular, that the Preferred Stock will have no voting rights, other than the right to vote as a class on certain specified matters, except that (i) each share of Series A Preferred Stock will have the right to cast 3,776 votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock, which is determined by dividing $1,000, the stated value of one share of Series A Preferred Stock, by $0.2648, the NASDAQ Minimum Price, on the Reverse Stock Split (together with the Company’s Common Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock as a single class), and (ii) each share of Series B Preferred Stock will have the right to cast 30,000 votes per share of Series B Preferred Stock on the Reverse Stock Split; provided, that such votes of Series B Preferred Stock will, when cast, automatically be voted in a manner that “mirrors” the proportions on which the shares of Common Stock (excluding any shares of Common Stock that are not voted) and Series A Preferred Stock are voted on the Reverse Stock Split. The shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding as of the Record Date for this Annual MeetingDate. Abstentions and the holders of the Preferred Stockbroker non-votes are requiredcounted as present and entitled to vote their sharesfor purposes of Preferred Stock with respect to the Reverse Stock Split Proposal at the Annual Meeting.

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

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

Improve the Perception of Our Common Stock as an Investment Security

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

Certain Risks Associated with the Reverse Stock Split

Reducing the number of outstanding shares of our common stock through the reverse stock split is intended, absent other factors, to increase the per share market price of our common stock. However, other factors, such as our financial results, market conditions and the market perception of our business and industry may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As a result, there can be no assurance that the reverse stock split, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above, that the market price of our common stock will increase following the reverse stock split or that the market price of our common stock will not decrease in the future. Additionally, we cannot assure you that the market price per share of our common stock after a reverse stock split will increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our common stock outstanding before the reverse stock split. Accordingly, the total market capitalization of our common stock after the reverse stock split may be lower than the total market capitalization before the reverse stock split.OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE DISSOLUTON PROPOSAL.

 


Even if a reverse stock split is effected, some or all of the expected benefits discussed above may not be realized or maintained. The market price ofPROPOSAL 2:

ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

This proposal would permit our common stock will continueBoard to be based, in part, on our performance and other factors unrelated to the number of shares outstanding. The Reverse Stock Split will reduce the number of outstanding shares of our common stock without reducing the number of shares of available but unissued common stock, which will also have the effect of increasing the number of shares of common stock available for issuance. The issuance of additional shares of our common stock may have a dilutive effect on the ownership of existing shareholders. The current economic environment in which we operate, along with otherwise volatile equity market conditions, could limit our ability to raise new equity capital in the future

Effects of the Reverse Stock Split

If our shareholders approve the proposed Reverse Stock Split and the Board elects to effect the Reverse Stock Split, our issued and outstanding shares of common stock, for example, would decrease at a rate of approximately one (1) share of common stock for every ten (10) shares of common stock currently outstanding in a one-for-ten split. If approved, the Board has the discretion to select a ratio for the Reverse Stock Split between one-for-five and one-for-twenty shares. The Reverse Stock Split would be effected simultaneously for all of our common stock, and the exchange ratio would be the same for all shares of common stock. The Reverse Stock Split would affect all of our shareholders uniformly and would not affect any shareholders’ percentage ownership interests in the Company, except to the extent that it results in a shareholder receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares. The Reverse Stock Split would not affect the relative voting or other rights that accompany the shares of our common stock, except to the extent that it results in a shareholder receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares. Common stock issued pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split would remain fully paid and non-assessable. The Reverse Stock Split would not affect our securities law reporting and disclosure obligations, and we would continue to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have no current plans to take the Company private. Accordingly, the Reverse Stock Split is not related to a strategy to do so.

In addition to the change in the number of shares of common stock outstanding, the Reverse Stock Split would have the following effects:

Increase the Per Share Price of our Common Stock

By effectively condensing a number of pre-split shares into one share of common stock, the per share price of a post-split share is generally greater than the per share price of a pre-split share. The amount of the initial increase in per share price and the duration of such increase, however, is uncertain. The Board may utilize the Reverse Stock Split as part of its plan to maintain the required minimum per share price of the common stock under the Nasdaq listing standards.

Increase in the Number of Shares of Common Stock Available for Future Issuance

By reducing the number of shares outstanding without reducing the number of shares of available but unissued common stock, the Reverse Stock Split will increase the number of authorized but unissued shares. The Board believes the increase is appropriate for use to fund the future operations of the Company. Although the Company does not have any pending acquisitions for which shares are expected to be used, the Company may also use authorized shares in connection with the financing of future acquisitions.


The following table contains approximate information relating to our common stock, based on share information as of April 14, 2022:

 

Current

 

After the Reverse Stock Split if the Minimum 5-1 Ratio is Selected

 

After the Reverse Stock Split if the Maximum 20-1 Ratio is Selected

Authorized common stock

 

200,000,000

 

200,000,000

 

200,000,000

Common stock issued and outstanding (including common stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock)

54,950,212

 

10,990,042

 

2,747,510

Warrants to purchase common stock outstanding

 

24,076,140

 

4,815,228

 

1,203,807

Common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, and settlement of restricted stock units

3,347,811

 

669,561

 

167,390

Common stock reserved for issuance for future grants under Stock Plans

1,968,422

 

393,684

 

98,421

Common stock authorized but unissued and unreserved/allocated

145,049,788

 

29,009,957

 

7,252,489

Authorized Preferred Stock

 

10,000,000

 

10,000,000

 

10,000,000

Preferred Stock Issued and Outstanding

 

5,000

 

5,000

 

5,000

Common stock underlying outstanding Preferred Stock

 

5,000,000

 

1,000,000

 

250,000

Although the Reverse Stock Split would not have any dilutive effect on our shareholders, the Reverse Stock Split without a reduction in the number of shares authorized for issuance would reduce the proportion of shares owned by our shareholders relative to the number of shares authorized for issuance, giving the Board an effective increase in the authorized shares available for issuance, in its discretion. The Boardadjourn from time to time may deem itthe Special Meeting, if necessary, to be insolicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the best interests of the CompanyDissolution Proposal. In that event, we will ask Histogen’s stockholders to enter into transactions and other ventures that may include the issuance of shares of our common stock. If the Board authorizes the issuance of additional shares subsequent to the Reverse Stock Split, the dilution to the ownership interest of our existing shareholders may be greater than would occur had the Reverse Stock Split not been effected.

Require Adjustment to Currently Outstanding Securities Exercisable or Convertible into Shares of our Common Stock

The Reverse Stock Split would effect a reduction in the number of shares of common stock issuablevote only upon the exercise or conversion of our outstanding stock options, settlement of restricted stock units and exercise of our outstanding warrants in proportion to the reverse stock split ratio. The exercise price of outstanding options and warrants would increase, likewise in proportion to the reverse stock split ratio.

Require Adjustment to the Number of Shares of Common Stock Available for Future Issuance Under our Equity Plans

In connection with any reverse stock split, the Board would also make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares available for future issuance under our equity plans, so as to avoid the effect of increasing the number of authorized but unissued shares available for future issuance underAdjournment Proposal during such plans.

In addition, the Reverse Stock Split may result in some shareholders owning “odd lots” of less than one hundred (100) shares of common stock, which may be more difficult to sell and may cause those holders to incur greater brokerage commissions and other costs upon sale.


Procedure for Effecting Reverse Stock Split

If the Company’s stockholders approve the amendment to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company effecting the Reverse Stock Split, and if the Company’s board of directors still believes that a reverse stock split is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, the board of directors will determine the Reverse Stock Split ratio and the Company will file the amendment to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware at such time as the Company’s board of directors has determined to be the appropriate split effective time. The Company’s board of directors may delay effecting the reverse stock split without resoliciting stockholder approval. Beginning at the split effective time, each certificate representing pre-split shares will be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of post-split shares.

As soon as practicable after the split effective time, the Company’s stockholders will be notified that the Reverse Stock Split has been effected. The Company expects that the Company’s transfer agent will act as exchange agent for purposes of implementing the exchange. No new certificates will be issued to a stockholder until such stockholder has surrendered properly completed and executed letter of transmittal to the exchange agent. Any pre-split shares submitted for transfer, whether pursuant to a sale or other disposition, or otherwise, will automatically be exchanged for post-split shares.

Effect on Beneficial Holders (i.e., Shareholders Who Hold in “Street Name”)

If the proposed Reverse Stock Split is approved and effected, we intend to treat common stock held by shareholders in “street name,” through a bank, broker, or other nominee, in the same manner as shareholders whose shares are registered in their own names. Banks, brokers or other nominees will be instructed to effect the Reverse Stock Split for their customers holding common stock in “street name.” However, these banks, brokers or other nominees may have different procedures than registered shareholders for processing the Reverse Stock Split. If you hold shares of common stock with a bank, broker or other nominee and have any questions in this regard, you are encouraged to contact your bank, broker, or other nominee.

Fractional Shares

No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Shareholders of record who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares will be entitled to an amount in cash (without interest or deduction) in an amount equal to the product of (x) the fractional share of common stock to which such stockholder would otherwise be entitled, as determined by the Board, multiplied by (y) the closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the date of the filing of the Certificate of Amendment to implement the Reverse Stock Split with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware multiplied by (z) the number of shares of common stock being combined into one share of common stock in the Reverse Stock Split. Except for the right to receive the cash payment in lieu of fractional shares, shareholders will not have any voting, dividend, or other rights with respect to the fractional shares they would otherwise be entitled to receive.

Shareholders should be aware that, under the escheat laws of the various jurisdictions where shareholders may reside, where we are domiciled, and where the funds will be deposited, sums due for fractional interests that are not timely claimed after the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split may be required to be paid to the designated agent for each such jurisdiction, unless correspondence has been received by us or the exchange agent concerning ownership of such funds within the time permitted in such jurisdiction. Thereafter, shareholders otherwise entitled to receive such funds will have to seek to obtain them directly from the state to which they were paid.

Accounting Matters

The par value of our common stock would remain unchanged at $0.0001 per share, if the Reverse Stock Split is effected.  The Company’s shareholders’ equity in its consolidated balance sheet would not change in total. However, the Company’s stated capital (i.e., $0.0001 par value times the number of shares issued and outstanding), would be proportionately reduced based on the reduction in shares of common stock outstanding. Additional paid in capital would be increased by an equal amount, which would result in no overall change to the balance of shareholders’ equity. Additionally, net income or loss per share for all periods would increase proportionately as a result of the Reverse Stock Split since there would be a lower number of shares outstanding. We do not anticipate that any other material

24


accounting consequences would arise as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.

Potential Anti-Takeover Effect

Even though the proposed Reverse Stock Split would result in an increased proportion of unissued authorized shares to issued shares, which could, under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect (for example, by permitting issuances that would dilute the stock ownership of a person seeking to effect a change in the composition of the Board or contemplating a tender offer or other transaction for the combination of us with another company), the Reverse Stock Split is not being proposed in response to any effort of which we are aware to accumulate shares of our common stock or obtain control of us, nor is it part of a plan by management to recommend a series of similar amendments to the Board and our shareholders.

No Appraisal Rights

Our shareholders are not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the Reverse Stock Split, and we will not independently provide shareholders with any such right.

Federal Income Tax Consequences of a Reverse Stock Split

The following discussion is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split to the Company and to shareholders that hold shares of common stock as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This discussion is based upon provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code, and U.S. administrative rulings and court decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and differing interpretations. Changes in these authorities may cause the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split to vary substantially from the consequences summarized below.

This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to shareholders in light of their particular circumstances or to shareholders who may be subject to special tax treatment under the Code, including, without limitation, dealers in securities, commodities or foreign currency, persons who are treated as non−U.S. persons for U.S. federal income tax purposes, certain former citizens or long−term residents of the United States, insurance companies, tax−exempt organizations, banks, financial institutions, small business investment companies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, retirement plans, persons that are partnerships or other pass−through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, traders that mark−to−market their securities, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, persons who hold their shares of common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion or other risk reduction transaction, or who acquired their shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of compensatory stock options, the vesting of previously restricted shares of stock or otherwise as compensation. If a partnership or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of common stock, the tax treatment of a partner thereof will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding shares of the Company’s common stock, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.

The Company has not sought and will not seek an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), regarding the federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split. The state and local tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split may vary as to each shareholder, depending on the jurisdiction in which such shareholder resides. This discussion should not be considered as tax or investment advice, and the tax consequences of the reverse stock split may not be the same for all shareholders. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors to know their individual federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences.

Tax Consequences to the Company

We believe that the Reverse Stock Split will constitute a reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Code. Accordingly, we should not recognize taxable income, gain or loss in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. In addition, we do not expect the Reverse Stock Split to affect our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards.


Tax Consequences to Shareholders

Shareholders should not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, except to the extent of any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of common stock (which fractional share will be treated as received and then exchanged for cash). Each shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in the common stock received in the Reverse Stock Split, including any fractional share treated as received and then exchanged for cash, should equal the shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in the common stock exchanged in the Reverse Stock Split. In addition, each shareholder’s holding period for the common stock it receives in the Reverse Stock Split should include the shareholder’s holding period for the common stock exchanged in the Reverse Stock Split.

In general, a shareholder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having received a fractional share pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split and then as having received cash in exchange for the fractional share and should generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the shareholder’s tax basis allocable to the fractional share. Any capital gain or loss will generally be long term capital gain or loss if the shareholder’s holding period in the fractional share is greater than one year as of the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split. Special rules may apply to cause all or a portion of the cash received in lieuSpecial Meeting, and not upon any of a fractional sharethe other proposals to be treated as dividend income with respect to certain shareholders who own more than a minimal amount of common stock (generally more than 1%) or who exercise some control overacted on at the affairs of the Company. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax effects to them of receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares based on their particular circumstances.Special Meeting.

Interests of Directors and Executive Officers

Our directors and executive officers have no substantial interests, directly or indirectly, in the matters set forth herein regarding the proposed Reverse Stock Split, except to the extent of their ownership of shares of our common stock.

Reservation of Right to Abandon Reverse Stock Split

We reserve the right to abandon the Reverse Stock Split without further action by our shareholders at any time before the effectiveness of the filing with the Secretary of the State of Delaware of the amendment toPursuant our amended and restated certificatebylaws, notice need not be given of incorporation, evenany such adjourned meeting if the authority to effect the Reverse Stock Split has been approved by our shareholderstime and place thereof are announced at the Annual Meeting. By voting in favormeeting at which adjournment is taken. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the Reverse Stock Split, you are expressly also authorizingadjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the Board to delay, not to proceed with, and abandon,Special Meeting. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the Reverse Stock Split if it should so decide, in its sole discretion, that such action is in the best interestsoriginal meeting.

Approval of the Company.

Vote Required; Recommendation ofAdjournment Proposal requires the Board of Directors

Therequires the affirmative vote of a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock and Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal outstanding on the record date for the Annual Meeting is required to approve the amendment to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company effecting the Reverse Stock Split.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMPANY’S STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 2 TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY TO EFFECT THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT.

26


PROPOSAL 3:

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has selected Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C., or MHM, as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2022 and has further directed that management submit the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholderscast at the Annual Meeting. MHM has served asSpecial Meeting (whether or not a quorum is present). For the Company’s auditor since May 2020, following the Merger,Adjournment Proposal, abstentions and has audited the Company’s financial  statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021.  MHM previously served as Private Histogen’s auditors pre-Merger. Representatives of MHM are expected to be present virtually at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.  Substantially all of MHM’s personnel, who work under the control of MHM shareholders, are employees of wholly-owned subsidiaries of CBIZ, Inc., which provides personnel and various services to MHM in an alternative practice structure.

Stockholder ratification of the selection of MHM as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is not required by Delaware law, the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, or the Company’s amended and restated bylaws. However, the Audit Committee is submitting the selection of MHM to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

During the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, and the subsequent interim period through May 29, 2020, neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf has consulted with MHM regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that MHM concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue, (ii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, or (iii) any reportable event within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

Independent Registered Public Accountants’ Fees

The following table is a summary of fees billed to the Company by MHM for professional services rendered for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

 

MHM

2021

 

 

MHM

2020

 

Audit Fees(1)

 

$

219,713

 

 

$

285,845

 

Audit Related Fees

 

$

 

 

$

 

Tax Fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Other Fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

219,713

 

 

$

285,845

 

(1)

Audit fees consist of estimated fees for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements included in our Form 10-K filing and review of financial statements included in our quarterly Form 10-Q filings, reviews of registration statements and issuances of consents, comfort letters and services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements and due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions, accounting consultations and audits in connection with acquisitions.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

Our Audit Committee has established a policy that all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm will be pre-approved by the Audit Committee, and all such services were pre-approved in accordance with this policy during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. The Audit Committee

27


considerswhethertheprovisionofeachnon-auditserviceiscompatiblewithmaintainingtheindependenceofourauditors.Pre-approvalisdetailedastotheparticularserviceorcategoryofservicesandisgenerallysubjecttoaspecificbudget.Ourindependentregisteredpublicaccountingfirmandmanagementarerequiredtoperiodicallyreporttothe AuditCommitteeregardingtheextentofservicesprovidedbytheindependentregistered public accountingfirminaccordancewiththispre-approval,andthefeesforthe servicesperformedtodate.

Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively on the proposal will be required to ratify the selection of MHM. Abstentions will not be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on this proposal andbroker “non-votes” will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal. TheShares of our common stock represented by properly executed, timely received and unrevoked proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated thereon. If a stockholder returns a signed proxy card without indicating voting preferences on such proxy card, the shares of our common stock represented by that proxy will be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for the Special Meeting and all of such shares will be voted as recommended by our Board.

Our Board believes that if the number of shares of Histogen’s common stock present or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting and voting in favor of the approval of the Dissolution pursuant to the Dissolution Proposal 2 is insufficient to approve such proposal, it is in our best interests to enable Histogen to continue to seek to obtain a routine proposal on which a broker or other nominee has discretionary authoritysufficient number of additional votes to vote. Accordingly, no broker non-votes will likely result from this proposal.bring about the approval of the Dissolution Proposal.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERSA VOTE TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022. PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE SO VOTED UNLESS STOCKHOLDERS SPECIFY OTHERWISE.


PROPOSAL 4:

APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, our stockholders are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting to provide advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the stockholder vote on executive compensation is an advisory vote only, and it is not binding on us or our Board of Directors. At our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, our Board recommended, and our stockholders approved, holding an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers every year: we believe an annual vote allows for a meaningful evaluation period of performance against our compensation practices.

Although the vote is non-binding, our Compensation Committee and Board of Directors value the opinions of the stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions. As described more fully in the Executive Compensation and Other Information section of this proxy statement, our executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain, and motivate individuals with superior ability, experience, and leadership capability to deliver on our annual and long-term business objectives necessary to create stockholder value. We urge stockholders to read the Executive Compensation and Other Information section of this proxy statement, which describes in detail how our executive compensation policies and procedures operate and are intended to operate in the future. The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that our executive compensation program fulfills these goals and is reasonable, competitive, and aligned with our performance and the performance of our executives.

We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our named executive officer compensation as described in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our named executive officers’ compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly, we ask that our stockholders vote “FOR” the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that Histogen Inc.’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in Histogen Inc.’s Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting.”

Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively on the proposal will be required to approve the advisory vote regarding the compensation of the named executive officers. Abstentions will not be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on this proposal and will have no effect on the proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal as brokers or other nominees are not entitled to vote on such proposal in the absence of voting instructions from the beneficial owner.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATIONADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE RULES OF THE SEC.

29


SECURITYOWNERSHIPOFCERTAINBENEFICIAL BENEFICIAL OWNERSANDMANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information relating to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 14, 2022,October 1, 2023, by:

eachperson,orgroupofaffiliatedpersons,knownbyustobeneficiallyownmorethan5%ofouroutstandingsharesofcommonstock (including shares of common stock issuable upon conversionstock;

each of our Preferred Stock);

directors;

eachofourdirectors;

named executive officers; and

eachall ofournamed current directors and executiveofficers;and

alldirectorsandexecutiveofficersasagroup.

The number of shares beneficially owned by each entity, person, director or executive officer is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares over which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power as well as any shares that the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 14, 2022 through the exercise of any stock option, warrants or other rights. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock held by that person.person, subject to community property laws where applicable.

The percentage of shares beneficially owned is computed on the basis of 54,950,2124,271,759 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 14, 2022, which includes 5,000,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of our Preferred Stock.October 1, 2023. Shares of our common stock that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 14, 2022October 1, 2023 are deemed outstanding and beneficially owned for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such rights, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person, except with respect to the percentage ownership of all directors and executive officers as a group.person. Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each beneficial owner listed in the following table is c/o Histogen Inc., 10655 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121.directed to the Company's agent for service of process at Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

 

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned

 

 

Percentage

of Shares

Beneficially

Owned (1)

5% Stockholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intracoastal Capital, LLC (2)

 

5,282,710

 

 

9.13%

Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd. (3)

 

4,941,178

 

 

8.99%

Directors and Executive Officers (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonathan Jackson (5)

 

2,396,597

 

 

4.36%

Steven J. Mento, Ph.D. (6)

 

157,866

 

 

*

Susan A. Knudson (7)

 

127,406

 

 

*

Martin Latterich (8)

 

107,477

 

 

*

David H. Crean, Ph.D. (7)

 

102,367

 

 

*

Brian Satz (9)

 

77,289

 

 

*

Daniel L. Kisner, M.D. (10)

 

53,446

 

 

*

Susan R. Windham-Bannister, Ph.D. (7)

 

10,000

 

 

*

Rochelle Fuhrmann (7)

 

 

10,000

 

 

*

Richard W. Pascoe

 

 

 

 

*

Moya Daniels

 

 

 

 

*

All current directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons) (11)

 

3,044,839

 

 

5.54%

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned

Percentage

of Shares

Beneficially

Owned (1)

5% Stockholders

Intracoastal Capital, LLC (2)

 

240,375

 

 

5.3%

Directors and Executive Officers

Jonathan Jackson (3)

120,830

2.8%

David H. Crean, Ph.D. (4)

6,119

*

Brian Satz (5)

4,865

*

Steven J. Mento, Ph.D. (6)

4,858

*

Daniel L. Kisner, M.D. (7)

3,672

*

Susan R. Windham-Bannister, Ph.D. (4)

2,000

*

Rochelle Fuhrmann (4)

2,000

*

Susan A. Knudson

*

Joyce Reyes

*

All current directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons) (8)

139,486

3.3%

 

* Less than one percent.

*

Less than one percent.

(1)
Percentage ownership is calculated based on 4,271,759 shares of our common stock outstanding on October 1, 2023.

(1)

Percentage ownership is calculated based on 54,950,212(2)

Represents shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Intracoastal Capital, LLC (“Intracoastal”) on December 31, 2022, as indicated in the entity’s Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 8, 2023, which consisted entirely of our common stock outstanding on April 14, 2022, which includes 5,000,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of our Preferred Stock.

30


(2)

Represents shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Intracoastal Capital, LLC (“Intracoastal”) on December 31, 2021, as indicated in the entity’s Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 11, 2022, which consisted of 2,352,942 shares of Common Stock and 2,929,768 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants held by Intracoastal. The foregoing excludes an additional 1,877,726 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants held by Intracoastal that contains a blocker provision under which the holder thereof does not have the right to exercise it to the extent (but only to the extent) that such exercise would result in beneficial ownership by the holder thereof, together with the holder’s affiliates, and any other persons acting as a group together with the holder or any of the holder’s affiliates, of more than 9.99% of the Common Stock. Without such blocker provisions, the entity would have been deemed to have beneficial ownership of 7,160,436 shares of Common Stock. Mitchell P. Kopin (“Mr. Kopin”) and Daniel B. Asher (“Mr. Asher”), each of whom are managers of Intracoastal, have shared voting control and investment discretion over the securities reported herein that are held by Intracoastal. As a result, each of Mr. Kopin and Mr. Asher may be deemed to have beneficial ownership (as determined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange


Act) of the securities reported herein that are held by Intracoastal. The business address of Intracoastal is 245 Palm Trail, Delray Beach, FL 33483.
(3)
Mr. Jackson is Chairman of Lordship Ventures and has beneficial ownership over our securities owned by Lordship. Consists of shares of common stock and 3,000 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of October 1, 2023.
(4)
Consists of shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of October 1, 2023.
(5)
Consists of 72 shares of common stock and 4,793 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of October 1, 2023.
(6)
Consists of 3,921 shares of common stock and 937 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of October 1, 2023.
(7)
Consists of 47 shares of common stock and 3,625 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of October 1, 2023.
(8)
Consists of 21,537 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of October 1, 2023.


HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

Some companies, banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of our documents, including this proxy statement, may have been sent to multiple stockholders in your household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of either document to you upon written or oral request directed to our Company's agent for service of process at Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808, Attention: Corporate Secretary, or by phone at (302) 636-5401. If you want to receive separate copies of the proxy statement or annual report to stockholders in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy per household, you should contact your bank, broker, or other nominee record holder, or you may contact us at the above address and phone number.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

We do not intend to hold future annual meetings of stockholders, including the 2024 annual meeting, if the Plan of Dissolution is approved.

OTHER BUSINESS

In addition to voting on the Dissolution Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal, stockholders may transact such other business as may properly come before the Special Meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the Special Meeting by or at the direction of the Board. We do not expect that any matter other than such proposals will be brought before the Special Meeting. If, however, any other matter properly comes before the Special Meeting, proxy holders will vote thereon in accordance with their discretion.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. You may read and copy any of this information at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. The SEC also maintains an Internet website, www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including Histogen, who file electronically with the SEC.

In addition, the SEC allows us to disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC, which we refer to as incorporated documents. Information contained in incorporated documents is considered to be a part of this Proxy Statement, except as otherwise specified below.

This Proxy Statement also incorporates by reference the incorporated documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC; provided, however, that we are not incorporating by reference, in each case, any documents, portion of documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules. They contain important information about Histogen, our financial condition or other matters.

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed on March 9, 2023.
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed May 1, 2023.
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, filed on May 11, 2023 and August 10, 2023, respectively.


In addition, we incorporate by reference any future filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Proxy Statement and prior to the date of the Special Meeting except that we are not incorporating any information that has been or will be furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of a Current Report on Form 8-K or the exhibits related thereto under Item 9.01, unless such information is expressly incorporated herein by reference to a furnished Current Report on Form 8-K or other furnished document. Such documents are considered to be a part of this Proxy Statement, effective as of the date such documents are filed. In the event of conflicting information in these documents, the information in the latest filed document should be considered correct.

You can obtain any of these documents from the SEC, through the SEC’s website at the address described above, or Histogen will provide you with copies of these documents, without charge, upon written or oral request directed to the Company's agent for service of process at Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808 or by phone at (302) 636-5401.

If you would like to request documents, please do so by , 2023 to receive them before the Special Meeting. If you request any documents from us, we will undertake to mail them to you by first class mail, or another equally prompt means, within one business day after we receive your request.


ANNEX A

Histogen Inc.

PLAN OF LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION

This Plan of Dissolution (the “Plan”) is intended to accomplish the dissolution and liquidation of Histogen Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in accordance with Section 275 and other applicable provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

1.

Approval and Adoption of Plan. This Plan shall be effective when all of the following steps have been completed:

a.

Resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors: The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) shall have adopted a resolution or resolutions with respect to the following:

i.

the Board shall deem it advisable for the Company to be dissolved and liquidated completely;

ii.

the Board shall approve this Plan as the appropriate means for carrying out the complete dissolution and liquidation of the Company; and

iii.

the Board may determine that, as part of the Plan (but not as a separate matter arising under Section 271 of the DGCL), it is deemed expedient and in the best interests of the Company to transfer any of the Company’s assets remaining (collectively, the “Remaining Assets”) after satisfaction of all liabilities and obligations of the Company remaining on the date of dissolution of the Company (collectively, the “Remaining Liabilities”) to the Company’s creditors or stockholders, as appropriate.

b.

Adoption of this Plan by the Company’s Stockholders: This Plan, including the dissolution of the Company and those provisions authorizing the Board to proceed with the transfer of the Remaining Assets to the Company’s stockholders and creditors, as appropriate, shall have been approved by the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon at a special or annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company called for such purpose by the Board pursuant to Section 275(c) of the DGCL (the “Requisite Holders”). The date of such approval shall be referred to in this Plan as the “Approval Date.”

2.

Dissolution and Liquidation Period. Once the Plan is effective, the steps set forth below shall be completed at such times as the Board, in its absolute discretion, deems necessary, appropriate or advisable:

a.

the filing of a Certificate of Dissolution of the Company (the “Certificate of Dissolution”) pursuant to Section 275 of the DGCL specifying the date (no later than ninety (90) days after the filing) upon which the Certificate of Dissolution shall become effective (the “Effective Date”);

b.

notification to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) of the Effective Date at least 10 calendar days prior thereto pursuant to the FINRA Uniform Practice Code, including a request for withdrawal of the Company’s trading symbol from the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, if applicable;

c.

from and after the Effective Date, the cessation of all of the Company’s business activities and the withdrawal of the Company from any jurisdiction in which it is qualified to do business, except and insofar as necessary for the sale of its assets and for the proper winding up of the Company pursuant to Section 278 of the DGCL;

d.

the negotiation and consummation of sales and conversion of all of the Remaining Assets of the Company into cash and/or other distribution form, including where appropriate the assumption by the purchaser or purchasers of any or all liabilities of the Company, or if any Remaining Asset shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership (as determinedinsignificant commercial value, to take such actions as may be necessary to properly abandon such Remaining Asset under Section 13(d)applicable law;


e.

the dissolution and liquidation of any subsidiary entities wholly owned by the Company remaining after the actions taken pursuant to foregoing subparagraph (c), including the cessation of all of the Exchange Act)business activities of any such entities and the withdrawal of any such entities from any jurisdiction in which it is qualified to do business, together with such filings as are required under applicable law;

f.

the taking of all actions required or permitted under the dissolution procedures of Section 281(b) of the securities reported herein that are held by Intracoastal. The business address of Intracoastal is 245 Palm Trail, Delray Beach, FL 33483.DGCL; and

(3)

g.

Represents sharesthe (1) payment or making reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations of Common Stock beneficially owned by Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd. on December 31, 2021,the Company, including all contingent, conditional or unmatured claims known to the Company; (2) making of such provision as indicated in the entity’s Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 15, 2022.  The shares are directly held by Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Master Fund”), and maywill be deemedreasonably likely to be indirectly beneficially owned by: (i) Armistice Capital, LLC (“Armistice Capital”), assufficient to provide compensation for any claim against the investment manager ofCompany which is the Master Fund; and (ii) Steven Boyd, as the Managing Member of Armistice Capital. The number of shares excludes 8,955,984 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of certain warrants, all of which are subject to beneficial ownership limitations of 4.99% that prohibit the Master Fund from exercising any portion of a warrant ifpending action, suit or proceeding to which the Company is a party; and (3) making of such exercise would result in the Master Fund owning a percentage of our outstanding common stock exceeding the 4.99% ownership limitation after giving effectprovision as shall be reasonably likely to be sufficient to provide compensation for claims that have not been made known to the issuanceCompany or that have not arisen but that, based on facts known to the Company, are likely to arise or to become known to the Company within ten years after the date of common stockdissolution.

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to follow the procedures described in Section 281(b) of the DGCL, and the adoption of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company as provided in Section 1 above shall constitute full and complete authority for the Board and the officers of the Company, without further stockholder action, to proceed with the dissolution and liquidation of the Company in accordance with any applicable provision of the DGCL, including, without limitation, Sections 280 and 281(a) thereof.

3.

Authority of Officers and Directors.

a.

After the Effective Date, the Board may appoint additional or replacement directors or officers, hire employees and retain independent contractors and advisors in connection with the Master Fund’s exercisewinding up process, and is authorized to pay to the Company’s officers, directors and employees, or any of any portion of a warrant. Armistice Capital and Steven Boyd disclaim beneficial ownershipthem, compensation or additional compensation above their regular compensation, in money or other property, in recognition of the securities exceptextraordinary efforts they, or any of them, shall be required to the extent of their respective pecuniary interests therein. The business address of the Master Fund is c/o Armistice Capital, LLC, 510 Madison Ave, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022.

(4)

Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each of our executive officers and directors is c/o 10655 Sorrento Valley Road, Ste 200, San Diego, California, 92121.

(5)

Mr. Jackson is Chairman of Lordship Ventures and has beneficial ownership over our securities owned by Lordship. Consists of shares of common stock and 40,000 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2022.

(6)

Consists of 78,410 shares of common stock and 79,456 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2022.

(7)

Consists of shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2022.

(8)

Consists of 14,342 shares of common stock and 95,526 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2022.

(9)

Consists of 1,434 shares of common stock and 75,855 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2022.

(10)

Consists of 946 shares of common stock and 52,500 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2022.

(11)

Consists of 593,110 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2022.

For a description of the number of shares subject to outstanding awards and shares remaining available for issuance under our equity compensation plans, in each case as of December 31, 2021, please see “Equity Compensation Plan Information” below.

31


EXECUTIVEOFFICERS

Our Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers as of April 21, 2022:

Name

Age

Position(s)

Steven J. Mento, Ph.D.

70

Executive Chairman and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

Susan A. Knudson

58

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

Martin Latterich, Ph.D.

55

Senior Vice President, Research

The biography of Steven J. Mento, Ph.D. can be found under “Information Regarding Directors.”

Susan A. Knudson has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since May 2020. Previously, Ms. Knudson served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at Pfenex Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from February 2018 until November 2019. From 2009 to 2017, Ms. Knudson held various roles at Neothetics, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, including Chief Financial Officer from 2014 to 2017 and Vice President of Finance and Administration from 2009 to 2014. Prior to joining Neothetics, Ms. Knudson served as Senior Director of Finance and Administration at Avera Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company, from May 2002 to January 2009. Prior to May 2002, Ms. Knudson served as Director of Finance and Administration at MD Edge, Inc., a medical communications company, from October 2000 to April 2002. Prior to joining MD Edge, Ms. Knudson served as Assistant Director of Accounting at Isis Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company, from April 2000 to October 2000. Ms. Knudson has also held senior positions at CombiChem, General Atomics and Deloitte & Touche. Ms. Knudson holds a B.A. in Accounting from the University of San Diego.

Martin Latterich, Ph.D. has served as our Senior Vice President of Research since February 2022.  Prior to that he served as our Senior Vice President of Technical Operations since August 2021 and Vice President of Technical Operations since the Merger in May 2020. Previously, Dr. Latterich served as the Vice President of Technical Operations at Private Histogen from October 2016 until the Merger in May 2020. Prior to joining Histogen, from June 2012 through December 2016, Dr. Latterich served as Chief Scientific Officer of the biotechnology firm ProterixBio (formerly BioScale), Inc.. He is author of 40 publications and one book and served as Editor-in-Chief of Proteome Science from 2002 to 2019. Dr. Latterich is a 1998 Pew Scholar and has held the prestigious Tier I Canada Research Chair at McGill University during his faculty appointment at the McGill School of Medicine.

32


EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONANDOTHERINFORMATION

The following table sets forth the compensation paid by us during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 to each person who served as our principal executive officer at any time during fiscal year 2021 and our two most highly compensated executive officers other than our principal executive officer of the Company who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2021 (collectively our “Named Executive Officers”).

Summary Compensation Table

The following table shows information regarding the compensation of the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

Name and Position(s)

 

Year

 

Salary

 

 

 

Stock

Awards (6)

 

 

Option

Awards (7)

 

 

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation (8)

 

 

All Other

Compensation

 

 

Total

 

Steven J. Mento, Ph.D.

 

2021

 

$

49,193

 

 

 

$

75,370

 

 

$

275,438

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

400,001

 

Executive Chairman and Interim President & Chief Executive Officer (1)

 

2020

 

$

294,822

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

986,774

 

 

$

1,307,610

 

Richard W. Pascoe

 

2021

 

$

443,624

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

335,620

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

779,244

 

Former President,

   Chief Executive

   Officer &

   Director (2)

 

2020

 

$

450,000

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

90,000

 

 

$

 

 

$

540,000

 

Susan A. Knudson

 

2021

 

$

385,246

 

 

 

$

45,267

 

 

$

108,640

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,079,153

 

Executive Vice

   President, Chief

   Financial Officer

   & Corporate

   Secretary (3)

 

2020

 

$

211,521

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

379,804

 

 

$

33,133

 

 

$

 

 

$

624,458

 

Moya Daniels

 

2021

 

$

245,900

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

97,000

 

 

$

 

 

$

305,639

 

 

$

648,539

 

Former Executive Vice   

   President and Head of   

   Regulatory, Quality

   and Clinical

   Operations (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Latterich, Ph.D.

 

2021

 

$

340,156

 

 

 

$

33,950

 

 

$

87,300

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

461,406

 

Senior Vice President of Technical Operations (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Dr. Mento joined the Company as an executive officer on November 8, 2021.  Dr. Mento was one of Conatus’ co-founders and served as Conatus’ President and Chief Executive Officer from July 2005 until the Merger.  He has served as a member of our Board since July 2005. Dr. Mento’s employment was terminated on May 26, 2021. Dr. Mento’s salary in 2020 includes $71,242 in accrued and unused vacation and personal time pay provided upon termination. Dr. Mento’s All Other Compensation in 2020 includes $870,429 in severance payments, $23,846 in cash pursuant to our non-employee director compensation policy and $21,256 for option grants, which represents the grant date fair value of stock options to purchase 20,000 shares granted in 2020, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

(2)

Mr. Pascoe stepped down from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on November 8, 2021.  He had joined Private Histogen effective January 24, 2019 and subsequently, he was appointed our President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Directorsundertake, or actually undertake, in connection with the Merger. For 2021, Mr. Pascoe’s salary amount includes $17,677successful implementation of this Plan. Adoption of this Plan by the stockholders of the Company as provided in accrued and unused vacation pay provided to Mr. Pascoe upon his terminationSection 1 above shall constitute the approval by the Company’s stockholders of employmentthe Board’s authorization of the payment of any such compensation.

(3)

b.

Ms. Knudson joinedThe adoption of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company on May 27, 2020.

(4)

Ms. Daniels’ employment withas provided in Section 1 above shall constitute full and complete authority for the Board and the officers of the Company, terminated in August 2021. For 2021, Ms. Daniels’ salary amount includes $9,511 in accruedwithout further stockholder action, to do and unused vacation pay providedperform any and all acts and to Ms. Daniels upon her terminationmake, execute and deliver any and all agreements, conveyances, assignments, transfers, certificates and other documents of employmentany kind and her all-other compensation includes severance payments of $305,639 (including a $108,465 bonus payment portion ofcharacter that the severance payment). In accordance with SEC guidance, compensation information for Ms. Daniels for fiscal 2020 has not been included in this table because Ms. Daniels was not a named executive officer for fiscal year 2020.

(5)

In accordance with SEC guidance, compensation information for Dr. Latterich for fiscal 2020 has not been included in this table because Dr. Latterich was not a named executive officer for fiscal year 2020.

33


(6)

RepresentsBoard or such officers deem necessary, appropriate or advisable: (1) to dissolve the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock awards granted during the relevant fiscal year computedCompany in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions usedthe laws of the State of Delaware and cause its withdrawal from all jurisdictions in which it is authorized to do business; (2) to transfer the valuationRemaining Assets to the Company’s stockholders or otherwise to sell, dispose, convey, transfer and deliver, all of these awards are consistent with the valuation methodologies specified in Note 2assets and properties of the Company, or to Histogen’s financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-Kabandon Remaining Assets deemed to not have commercial value; (3) to satisfy or provide for the year ended December 31, 2021.

(7)

Represents the aggregate grant date fair valuesatisfaction of the option awards granted during the relevant fiscal year computedCompany’s obligations in accordance with FASB Topic ASC 718. The assumptions usedSections 280 and 281 of the DGCL; and (4) for the Board to distribute any properties and assets of the Company and all remaining funds pro rata to the holders of the Common Stock of the Company in the valuation of these awards are consistentaccordance with the valuation methodologies specified inrespective number of shares of such Common Stock then held of record by them as of the Company’s financial statements included in our Annual Report onEffective Date (“Final Record Stockholders”).

4.

Conversion of Assets Into Cash and/or Other Distributable Form 10-K for.

a.

Subject to approval by the year ended December 31, 2021. These amounts do not correspondBoard, the officers, employees and agents of the Company shall, as promptly as feasible, proceed to (1) collect all sums due or owing to the actual value that will be recognized byCompany, (2) sell and convert into cash and/or other distributable form, all the Named Executive Officer with respect to such awards.remaining assets and properties of the Company, if any, and (3) out of the assets and properties of the Company, pay, satisfy and discharge or make adequate provision for the


(8)

Represents the bonus paid to the Named Executive Officers in cash for performance during fiscal 2020 pursuant to our annual incentive program, which was paid during fiscal 2021.

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with certain of our Named Executive Officers. These agreements set forth the individual’s base salary, annual incentive opportunities, equity compensation and other employee benefits, which are described in this Executive Compensation section. All employment agreements provided for “at-will” employment, meaning that either party could terminate the employment relationship at any time, although those agreements provided that those Named Executive Officers would be eligible for severance benefits in certain circumstances following a termination of employment without cause or resignation for good reason. Our Compensation Committee approved the severance benefits to mitigate certain risks associated with working in a biopharmaceutical company at our current stage of development and to help attract and retain qualified executives.

Executive Compensation Elements

The following describes the material terms of the elements of our executive compensation program during 2021.

Base Salaries

The annual base salaries or base compensation, as applicable, for our Named Executive Officers for 2021 changed from the base salaries in effect for 2020 as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above, specifically for Ms. Knudson. On November 8, 2021, the Board approved an increased base salary for Ms. Knudson of $450,000, as compared to $355,00 in 2020.

Annual Cash Incentive

We may also provide executive officers with annual performance-based cash bonuses, in the Board’s sole discretion, which are specifically designed to reward executives for overall performance of the Company in a given year. The target annual cash bonus amounts relative to base salary vary depending on each executive’s accountability, scope of responsibilities and potential impact on the Company’s performance. The following executive officers were entitled to the following target performance-based cash bonuses: Mr. Pascoe, 50% of base salary; and Ms. Knudson, 40% of base salary.

The Compensation Committee considers our overall performance for the preceding fiscal year in deciding whether to award a bonus and, if one is to be awarded, the amount of the bonus. The Compensation Committee retains the ability to apply discretion in making adjustments to the final bonus payouts. No annual cash bonuses were paid with respect 2021.  The 2020 annual bonuses, which were paid in 2021, as applicable, for Mr. Pascoe and Ms. Knudson were $90,000 and $33,133, respectively, which represents 40% achievement of the 2020 corporate goals and objectives.The Compensation Committee considers equity incentives to be important in aligning the interests of our executive officers with those of its stockholders. As part of our pay-for-performance philosophy, its compensation program tends to emphasize the long-term equity award component of total compensation packages paid to our executive officers.

Because vesting is based on continued employment, our equity-based incentives also encourage the retention of our Named Executive Officers through the vesting period of the awards. In determining the size of the long-term equity incentives to be awarded to our named executive officers, it takes into account a number of internal factors, such as the relative job scope, the value of existing long-term incentive awards, individual performance history, prior contributions to the Company and the size of prior grants.

The Company uses stock options to compensate its Named Executive Officers both in the form of initial grants in

34


connection with the commencement of employment and annual refresher grants. Because employees are able to profit from stock options only if our stock price increases relative to the stock option’s exercise price, we believe stock options in particular provide meaningful incentives to employees to achieve increases in the value of the Company’s stock over time.

Annual grants of equity awards are typically approved by the Board and/or the Compensation Committee during the first quarter of each year, if applicable. While we intend that the majority of equity awards to its employees be made pursuant to initial grants or its annual grant program, the Compensation Committee retains discretion to grant equity awards to employees at other times, including in connection with the promotion of an employee, to reward an employee, for retention purposes or for other circumstances recommended by management or the Compensation Committee.

The exercise price of each stock option grant is the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Time-based stock option awards granted to our Named Executive Officers generally vest over a four-year period as follows: 25% of the shares underlying the option vest on the first anniversary of the date of the vesting commencement date and the remainder of the shares underlying the option vest in equal monthly installments over the remaining 36 months thereafter. From time to time, the Compensation Committee may, however, determine that a different vesting schedule is appropriate. We do not have any stock ownership requirements for its Named Executive Officers.

Employee Benefits Program

Executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, group life, disability insurance, in each case on the same basis as other employees, subject to applicable law. We provide Dr. Mento, Ms. Knudson and Dr. Latterich with term life insurance and disability insurance at our expense and Conatus previously provided such insurance to Dr. Mento at its expense. We also provide vacation and other paid holidays to all employees, including executive officers. These benefit programs are designed to enable us to attract and retain our workforce in a competitive marketplace. Health, welfare and vacation benefits ensure that we have a productive and focused workforce through reliable and competitive health and other benefits.

We currently maintain a 401(k) retirement savings plan that allows eligible employees to defer a portion of their compensation, within limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code, on a pre-tax or after-tax basis through contributions to the plan. The Company’s Named Executive Officers are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan on the same terms as other full-time employees generally. Currently, the Company has the ability to match contributions made by participants in the 401(k) plan up to a maximum of $2,500, but these matching contributions are in the sole discretion of the Board and no matching contributions were provided in 2021 or 2020. We believe that providing a vehicle for retirement savings through our 401(k) plan adds to the overall desirability of our executive compensation package and further incentivizes the Company’s employees, including our Named Executive Officers, in accordance with our compensation policies.

Change in Control Benefits

We entered into employment agreements with certain of the Named Executive Officers. These agreements set forth the individual’s base salary, annual incentive opportunities, equity compensation and other employee benefits, which are described in this Executive Compensation section. The employment agreements provide for “at-will” employment, meaning that either party can terminate the employment relationship at any time, although the agreement with Ms. Knudson provide that she may be eligible for severance benefits in certain circumstances following a termination of employment without cause, including, but not limited to, continuing compensation equal to twelve (12) months of her base salaries, her respective cash bonus for the prior year, if accrued and unpaid, a pro rata portion of her target bonuses for the then-current calendar year, acceleration of certain of her options and reimbursement for up to twelve (12) months of COBRA premiums.

Certain of the Company’s Named Executive Officers may become entitled to certain benefits or enhanced benefits in connection with a change in control of Histogen’s company. The employment agreement of Ms. Knudson entitles her to accelerated vesting of certain equity awards upon a change in control of the Company in certain circumstances.

35


Our Compensation Committee approved the severance benefits to mitigate certain risks associated with working in a biopharmaceutical company at our current stage of development and to help attract and retain qualified executives.

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2021

The following table sets forth specified information concerning outstanding equity incentive plan awards for each of the Named Executive Officers outstanding as of December 31, 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

Option Awards (1)

 

Stock Awards (2)

 

Name

 

Grant Date

 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

Exercisable

(#)

 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

Non-

Exercisable

(#)

 

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)

 

Option

Exercise

Price

 

 

Option

Expiration

Date

 

Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)

Market Value of Shares of Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (3)

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)

 

Steven J. Mento,

Executive

Chairman and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

 

2/4/16

 

16,749

 

 

 

 

$

18.50

 

 

2/3/26

 

228,395

$75,370

 

 

10/7/20

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

$

1.59

 

 

10/7/30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9/2/21

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

$

0.822

 

 

9/2/31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11/8/21

 

 

377,830 (4)

 

 

 

$

0.729

 

 

11/8/31

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard W. Pascoe,

 

1/24/19

 

200,142

 

 

 

 

$

5.30

 

 

1/24/29

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former President, Chief Executive Officer & Director (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susan A. Knudson,

 

5/27/20

 

49,132

 

74,987

 

 

 

$

4.61

 

 

5/27/30

 

137,174

$45,267

 

Executive Vice

 

1/13/21

 

 

112,000

 

 

 

$

0.97

 

 

1/13/31

 

 

 

 

 

 

President, Chief Financial Officer

& Corporate Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moya Daniels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former Executive Vice President and Head of Regulatory, Quality and Clinical Operations (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Latterich, Ph.D.,

 

10/7/16

 

28,684

 

 

 

 

$

3.70

 

 

10/7/26

 

102,880

$33,950

 

Vice President of

 

3/12/18

 

14,342

 

 

 

 

$

3.84

 

 

3/12/28

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical

 

1/13/21

 

 

90,000

 

 

 

$

0.97

 

 

1/13/31

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

payment, satisfaction and discharge of all debts and liabilities of the Company pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 above, including all expenses of the sales of assets and of the dissolution and liquidation provided for by the Plan.

b.

The adoption of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company as provided in Section 1 above shall constitute full and complete authority for any sale, exchange or other disposition of the properties and assets of the Company contemplated by the Plan, whether such sale, exchange or other disposition occurs in one transaction or a series of transactions, and shall constitute ratification of all such contracts for sale, exchange or other disposition. The Company may invest in such interim assets as determined by the Board in its discretion, pending conversion to cash or other distributable forms.

5.

Professional Fees and Expenses.

a.

It is specifically contemplated that the Board may authorize the payment of a retainer fee to a law firm or law firms selected by the Board for legal fees and expenses of the Company, including, among other things, to cover any costs payable pursuant to the indemnification of the Company’s officers or members of the Board provided by the Company pursuant to its certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as amended and/or restated, or the DGCL or otherwise.

b.

In addition, in connection with and for the purpose of implementing and assuring completion of this Plan, the Company may, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board, pay any brokerage, agency and other fees and expenses of persons rendering services, including accountants, tax advisors and valuation experts, to the Company in connection with the collection, sale, exchange or other disposition of the Company’s property and assets and the implementation of this Plan.

6.

Indemnification. The Company shall continue to indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents in accordance with its certificate of incorporation and bylaws (each as amended to date) and any contractual arrangements, for actions taken in connection with this Plan and the winding up of the affairs of the Company. The Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, is authorized to obtain and maintain insurance as may be necessary, appropriate or advisable to cover the Company’s obligations hereunder, including without limitation directors’ and officers’ liability coverage for acts and omissions in connection with implementation of this Plan.

7.

Liquidating Distributions.

a.

In the event Stockholder Approval is obtained, liquidating distributions, if any, shall be made from time to time after the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution as provided in Section 1 above and adoption of this Plan by the stockholders to the Final Record Stockholders pro rata based on the number of shares of such common stock then held of record by them; provided that in the opinion of the Board adequate provision has been made for the payment, satisfaction and discharge of all known, unascertained or contingent debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company (including costs and expenses incurred and anticipated to be incurred in connection with the sale and distribution of assets and liquidation of the Company). Liquidating distributions shall be made in cash or to the extent necessary in kind, including in stock of, or ownership interests in, subsidiaries of the Company and remaining assets of the Company, if any. Such distributions may occur in a single distribution or in a series of distributions, in such amounts and at such time or times as the Board in its absolute discretion, and in accordance with Section 281 of the DGCL, may determine; provided, however, that the Company shall complete the distribution of all its properties and assets to its stockholders as provided in this Section in any event on or prior to the tenth anniversary of the Approval Date (the “Final Distribution Date”).

b.

If and to the extent deemed necessary, appropriate or desirable by the Board in its absolute discretion, the Company may establish and set aside a reasonable amount of cash and/or property to satisfy claims against the Company and other obligations of the Company (a “Contingency Reserve”), including, without limitations, (1) tax obligations, (2) all expenses of the sale of the Company’s property and assets, if any, (3) the salary, fees and expenses of members of the Board, management and employees, (4) expenses for the collection and defense of the Company’s property and assets, and (5) all other expenses related to the dissolution and liquidation of the Company and the winding-up of its affairs. Any unexpended amounts


 

 

remaining in a Contingency Reserve shall be distributed to the Company’s stockholders no later than the Final Distribution Date.

(1)c.

ExceptAs provided in Section 12 below, distributions made pursuant to this Plan shall be treated as made in complete liquidation of the Company within the meaning of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Subject to Stockholder Approval, the adoption of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company as provided in Section 1 above shall constitute full and complete authority for the making by the Board of all distributions contemplated in this Section 7.

8.

Liquidating Trusts. The Board may but is not required to establish a Liquidating Trust (the “Liquidating Trust”) and distribute assets of the Company to the Liquidating Trust. The Liquidating Trust may be established by agreement with one or more trustees selected by the Board. If the Liquidating Trust is established by agreement with one or more trustees, the trust agreement establishing and governing the Liquidating Trust shall be in form and substance determined by the Board. The trustees shall in general be authorized to take charge of the Company’s property, and to sell and convert into cash any and all corporate non-cash assets and collect the debts and property due and belonging to the Company, with power to prosecute and defend, in the name of the Company, or otherwise, noted, all such suits as may be necessary or proper for the foregoing purposes, and to appoint an agent under it and to do all other acts which might be done by the Company that may be necessary, appropriate or advisable for the final settlement of the unfinished business of the Company.

9.

Unallocated Stockholders. Any cash or other property held for distribution to stockholders of the Company who have not, at the time of the final liquidating distribution, been located shall be transferred to the official of such state or other jurisdiction authorized by applicable law to receive the proceeds of such distribution. Such cash or other property shall thereafter be held by such person(s) solely for the benefit of and ultimate distribution, but without interest thereon, to such former stockholder or stockholders entitled to receive such assets, who shall constitute the sole equitable owners thereof, subject only to such escheat or other laws as may be applicable to unclaimed funds or property, and thereupon all responsibilities and liabilities of the Company with respect thereto shall be satisfied and exhausted. In no event shall any of such assets revert to or become the property of the Company.


10.

Amendment, Modification or Abandonment of Plan. If for any reason the Board determines that such action would be in the best interests of the Company, it may amend, modify or abandon the Plan and all actions contemplated thereunder, including the proposed dissolution of the Company, notwithstanding stockholder approval of the Plan, to the extent permitted by the DGCL; provided, however, that the Board shall not abandon the Plan following the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution without first obtaining stockholder consent. Upon the abandonment of the Plan, the Plan shall be void.

11.

Cancellation of Stock and Stock Certificates. The Liquidating Distribution shall be in complete redemption and cancellation of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock. As a condition to receipt of any Liquidating Distribution, the Board or the trustees, in their absolute discretion, may require the stockholders to (i) surrender their certificates evidencing the capital stock options have a termto the Company or its agents for recording of ten years fromsuch distributions thereon, or (ii) furnish the Company with evidence satisfactory to the Board or the trustees of the loss, theft or destruction of their certificates evidencing the capital stock, together with such surety bond or other security or indemnity as may be required by and satisfactory to the Board or the trustees. The Board, in its absolute discretion, may direct that the Company’s stock transfer books be closed and recording of transfers of capital stock discontinued and such capital stock treated as no longer being outstanding as of the earliest of (w) the Effective Date, (x) the close of business on the record date fixed by the Board for the first or any subsequent installment of any Liquidating Distribution, (y) the close of business on the date of grant and vest over four years, with 25%on which the remaining assets of the shares subjectCompany are transferred to the options vestingLiquidating Trust, or (z) the date on which the Company files its Certificate of Dissolution under the DGCL, and thereafter certificates representing shares of capital stock will not be assignable or transferable on the first anniversarybooks of the dateCompany except by will, intestate succession or operation of grant and the remainder vesting in 36 monthly tranches thereafter. For alaw.

36


description

12.

Stockholder Consent to Sale of Assets. Approval of the accelerated vesting provisions applicableproposed dissolution and adoption of the Plan of Dissolution by the Requisite Holders shall constitute the approval of the stockholders of the Company of the dissolution of the Company and the sale, exchange or other disposition in liquidation of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company pursuant to the stock options grantedterms hereof, whether such sale, exchange or other disposition occurs in one transaction or a series of transactions, and shall constitute ratification of all contracts for sale, exchange or other disposition which are conditioned on adoption of the Plan of Dissolution.

13.

Liquidation under Code Sections 331 and 336. It is intended that this Plan shall be a plan of complete liquidation of the Company in accordance with the terms of Sections 331 and 336 of the Code. The Plan shall be deemed to authorize the taking of such action as, in the opinion of counsel to the Named Executive Officer, see “Change in Control Payments” above.Company, may be necessary to conform with the provisions of said Sections 331 and 336 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(2)

14.

One hundred percentFiling of Tax Forms. The appropriate officers of the restricted stock units will vest upon the earlier to occur of (i) one (1) yearCompany are authorized and directed, within thirty (30) days after the granteffective date of the Plan, to execute and file a United States Treasury Form 966 pursuant to Section 6043 of the Code and such additional forms and reports with the Internal Revenue Service as may be necessary or (ii) a changeappropriate in connection with this Plan and the carrying out thereof.

15.

Power of controlBoard of Directors and Officers. The Board is hereby authorized, without further action by the Company’s stockholders, to do and perform, or cause the officers of the Company, subject to hisapproval of the Board, to do and perform, any and all acts, and to make, execute, deliver or her continued serviceadopt any and all agreements, resolutions, conveyances, certificates and other documents of every kind that are deemed necessary, appropriate or desirable, in the absolute discretion of the Board, to implement the Company.Plan of Dissolution and the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, all filings or acts required by any state or Federal law or regulation to wind up its affairs.

(3)

Computed by multiplying the number of shares underlying each RSU by $0.33, the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2021, the last trading day of 2021.

(4)

Twenty-five percent (25%) of the option award shall vest on the annual anniversary of the option award so that one hundred percent (100%) of the option award shall vest by the fourth anniversary of the grant date, subject to Dr. Mento’s continuing to provide services to the Company through the relevant vesting dates.

(5)

Mr. Pascoe stepped down from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on November 8, 2021.  At such time, his unvested options were forfeited.  Pursuant to Mr. Pascoe’s award agreement (as it was amended on January 28, 2020), 10% of the Histogen options granted to him in connection with his commencement of employment with Histogen, representing the option to acquire approximately 48,517 shares of the Company’s common stock, became fully vested upon the closing of the Merger. An additional 10% of such options was scheduled to vest upon the date that the market capitalization of the combined company exceeds each of $200,000,000, $275,000,000, and $300,000,000. Collectively, these options represent 40% of Mr. Pascoe’s new hire options, however the portion of the option grant related to these milestones were unvested on November 8, 2021. The remaining 60% of Mr. Pascoe’s new hire options continued to vest at the rate of 1/48th of those options (or approximately 6,064 shares of Histogen common stock) per month, according to the time schedule set forth in his original award agreement.

(6)

Ms. Daniels’ employment with the Company terminated in August 2021.

Hedging and Pledging Prohibitions

As part of our Insider Trading Policy, our employees (including our executive officers and the non-employee members of our board of directors) are prohibited from trading in publicly-traded options, such as puts and calls, and other derivative securities with respect to our securities. This includes any hedging or similar transaction designed to decrease the risks associated with holding shares of our common stock.

In addition, our employees (including our executive officers and the non-employee members of our board of directors) are prohibited from holding our common stock in a margin account or pledging our securities as collateral for a loan.

 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table gives information as of December 31, 2021 about shares of our Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options under our existing equity compensation plans:

Plan category

 

Number of

securities to

be issued upon

exercise of

outstanding

options, warrants

and rights

(a)

 

Weighted- average

exercise price of

outstanding

options, warrants

and rights

(b)(1)

 

 

Number of

securities

remaining

available for

future issuance

under equity

compensation

plans

(excluding

securities

reflected in

column

(a)(2)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (3)(4)

 

1,367,089

 

$

4.49

 

 

31,786

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (5)

 

959,132

 

2.61

 

 

Total

 

2,326,221

 

3.61

 

 

31,786

(1)

Consists of the weighted average exercise price of outstanding options as of December 31, 2021.

(2)

Consists of shares of Common Stock that remain available for future issuance under the Company’s 2020 Incentive Award Plan (the “2020 Plan”) and Conatus’ 2013 Plan as of December 31, 2021.

(3)

Consists of options outstanding as of December 31, 2021 under the 2020 Plan and the 2013 Plan.

(4)

The number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 2020 Plan will increase automatically on January 1st of each year, beginning January 1, 2021 and ending with the last January 1 during the initial ten year term of the 2020 Plan, equal to the lesser of (i) five percent of the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, and (ii) such lesser number of shares of the Company’s common stock as determined by the Company’s board of directors.

(5)

Consists of the Private Histogen 2007 Stock Plan and the Private Histogen 2017 Stock Plan.


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

The following is a description of transactions since January 1, 2020 to which we have been a party, in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or, to our knowledge, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our capital stock, or an affiliate or immediate family member thereof, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. We believe the terms obtained or consideration that we paid or received, as applicable, in connection with the transactions described below were comparable to terms available or the amounts that would be paid or received, as applicable, from unaffiliated third parties.

Lordship

Lordship, with its predecessor entities along with its principal owner, Jonathan Jackson, have invested and been affiliated with Private Histogen since 2010. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, Lordship controlled approximately 4.7% and 16% of the Company’s outstanding voting shares, respectively, and currently holds two Board of Director seats.

In November 2012, Private Histogen entered into a Strategic Relationship Success Fee Agreement with Lordship (the “Success Fee Agreement”). The Success Fee Agreement causes certain payments to be made from the Company to Lordship equal to 1% of certain product revenues and 10% of certain license and royalty revenues. The Success Fee Agreement also stipulates that if the Company engages in a merger or sale of all or substantially all (defined as 90% or more) of its assets or equity to a third party, then the Company has the option to terminate the agreement by paying Lordship the fair market value of future payments with the minimum payment being at least equal to the most recent annual payments Lordship has received. The Success Fee Agreement was amended in August 2016 but continues to carry the same rights to certain payments. Histogen recognized an expense to Lordship for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 totaling $10 thousand and $0.1 million, respectively, all of which is included in general and administrative expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there was a balance of $12 thousand and $14 thousand, respectively, paid to Lordship included as a component of other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in connection with the deferral of revenue from the Allergan license transfer agreements.

Promissory Notes

In April 2020, the Company entered into two promissory notes (the “Notes”), each for $0.3 million, with two stockholders, one of which was a principal owner of the Company. The Notes carried a fixed return of $25 thousand, due upon maturity. All outstanding principal and interest were due upon the earlier of (1) June 13, 2020 or (ii) 15 days following the consummation of the Merger. In June 2020, the Notes, including principal and interest, were repaid.

Anti-Cancer Inc.

Anti-Cancer Inc. (“Anti-Cancer”) is a small early stockholder of the Company who leased space to AB during 2016. Additionally, services were provided to AB by the principal owner of Anti-Cancer. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, outstanding amounts owed to Anti-Cancer were $22 thousand and are included in the consolidated balance sheets.

Indemnification Agreements

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws provide that we shall have the power to indemnify our employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. We have entered into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws. These agreements, among other things, require us or will require us to indemnify each director (and in certain cases their related venture capital funds) and executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive officer in any action or proceeding, including any action or proceeding by or in right of us, arising out of the person’s services as a director or executive officer.

38


PoliciesandProceduresforRelatedPartyTransactions

Pursuant to our Audit Committee charter, our Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all transactions with related parties which are required to be reported under applicable SEC regulations, other than compensation-related matters. We have adopted a written procedure for review of, or standards for approval of, these transactions by our Audit Committee.

 

 

 


STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Proposals of stockholders, including nominations for candidates for membership on the Board, intended to be presented at our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023 must be received by us no later than December 19, 2022, which is 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the mailing date of this proxy, in order to be included in our proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting, unless the date of the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders is changed by more than 30 days from the anniversary of our 2022 annual meeting, in which case the deadline for such proposals will be a reasonable time before we begin to print and send our proxy materials. These proposals must comply with the requirements as to form and substance established by the SEC for such proposals in order to be included in the proxy statement.

In addition, our amended and restated bylaws establish an advance notice procedure with regard to certain matters, including stockholder proposals and nominations not included in our proxy statement, to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders. In general, notice must meet the requirements in our amended and restated bylaws and be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 calendar days before nor more than 120 calendar days before the one year anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders. Therefore, to be presented at our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, such a proposal must be received by us no earlier than February 1, 2023 and no later than March 3, 2023. However, if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days earlier or more than 60 days later than such anniversary date, notice must be received not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and no later than the 90th calendar day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, ten calendar days following the date on which public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made. If the stockholder fails to give notice by these dates, then the persons named as proxies in the proxies solicited by the board of directors for the 2023 annual meeting may exercise discretionary voting power regarding any such proposal. Stockholders are advised to review our amended and restated bylaws which also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice.

ANNUALREPORT

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K does not constitute, and should not be considered, a part of this proxy solicitation material.

Any person who was a beneficial owner of our common stock on the record date may request a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and it will be furnished without charge upon receipt of a written request identifying the person so requesting a report as a stockholder of our company at such date. Requests should be directed to Histogen Inc., 10655 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

STOCKHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME ADDRESS

The rules promulgated by the SEC permit companies, brokers, banks or other intermediaries to deliver a single copy of a proxy statement and annual report to households at which two or more stockholders reside. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce duplicate mailings and save significant printing and postage costs as well as natural resources. Stockholders sharing an address who have been previously notified by their broker, bank or other intermediary and have consented to householding will receive only one copy of our proxy statement and annual report. If you would like to opt out of this practice for future mailings and receive separate proxy statements and annual reports for each stockholder sharing the same address, please contact your broker, bank or other intermediary. You may also obtain a separate proxy statement and annual report, or if applicable, proxy materials, without charge by sending a written request to Histogen Inc., 10655 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121, Attention: Corporate Secretary or by calling (858) 526-3100. We will promptly send additional copies of our proxy statement and annual report, or if applicable, the proxy materials, upon receipt of such request. Stockholders sharing an address that are receiving multiple copies of our proxy statement and annual report can request delivery of a single copy of our proxy statement and annual report by contacting their broker, bank or other intermediary or sending a written request to Histogen Inc., 10655 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121, Attention: Corporate Secretary or by calling (858) 526-3100

40


OTHERMATTERS

We do not know of any business other than that described in this proxy statement that will be presented for consideration or action by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. If, however, any other business is properly brought before the meeting, shares represented by proxies will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the persons named in the proxies or their substitutes. It is important that your shares be represented at the 2022 Annual Meeting, regardless of the number of shares that you hold. You are, therefore, urged to vote as promptly as possible to ensure your vote is recorded.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

Steven J. Mento, Ph.D.

Executive Chairman and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

San Diego, California

April 21, 2022


 

 


img187565713_2.jpg 

HISTOGEN INC POINC. P.O. BOX 8016 CARY, NC 27512-9903 GRAPHICS SCAN27512-9903SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE GRAPHICS VOTE BY INTERNET - wwwproxyvotecomwww.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of informationinformation. Vote by 1159 PM11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 31 2022, 2023. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction formform. During The Meeting - Go to wwwvirtualshareholdermeetingcom/HSTO2022www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HSTO2023SM You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meetingmeeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructionsinstructions. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructionsinstructions. Vote by 1159 PM11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 31 2022, 2023. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructionsinstructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 1171711717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS D81294-P74114FOLLOWS: V24329-S74933 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLYDATED. HISTOGEN INC The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following 1 Election of Class III Directors Nominees For Withhold 1a Steven J Mento PhD 1b David H Crean PhD 1c Brian M SatzINC. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 31 and 42. For Against Abstain 2 Approval of an amendment to1. To approve the Company's amendedliquidation and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split to the Company's common stock within a range as determined by the Company's board of directors of one (1) new share every five (5) to twenty (20) (or any number in between) shares outstanding the implementation and timing of which shall be subject to the discretiondissolution of the Company's board of directors 3 Ratification of the selection of Mayer Hoffman McCann PC (MHM) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31 2022 4 On an advisory basis the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in our proxy statement for our 2022 Annual Meeting of StockholdersCompany pursuant to the compensation disclosure rulesPlan of Liquidation and Dissolution (the “Plan of Dissolution”) which, if approved, will authorize the Company to liquidate and dissolve the Company in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution. 2. To approve the adjournment from time to time of the Securities and Exchange Commission NOTESpecial Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Plan of Dissolution. NOTE: Transact such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereofthereof. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereonhereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as suchsuch. Joint owners should each sign personallypersonally. All holders must signsign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officerofficer. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date

 


 

 

img187565713_3.jpg 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual MeetingSpecial Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Form 10-K areis available at wwwproxyvotecom D81295-P74114www.proxyvote.com. V24330-S74933 HISTOGEN INC AnnualINC. Special Meeting of Stockholders Wednesday June 1 2022 800, 2023 AM, Pacific Time This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The undersigned hereby appoints Steven J Mento PhD and Susan AA. Knudson, and each or either of them as the true and lawful attorneysattorney of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and revocation, and authorizes them and each of themher, to vote all the shares of capital stock of Histogen IncInc. which the undersigned is entitled to vote at said meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof upon the matters specified and upon such other matters as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, conferring authority upon such true and lawful attorneysattorney to vote in theirher discretion on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting and revoking any proxy heretofore givengiven. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, SHARES WILL BE VOTED IDENTICAL TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATIONRECOMMENDATION. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed hereinherein. In their discretion, the Named Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereofthereof. You are encouraged to specify your choice by marking the appropriate box (SEE REVERSE SIDE) but you need not mark any box if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendationrecommendation. The Named Proxies cannot vote yourthe shares unless you sign (on the reverse side) and return this cardcard. Continued and to be signed on reverse side

 

 


HISTOGEN INC PO BOX 8016 CARY NC 27512-9903 GRAPHICS SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE GRAPHICS VOTE BY INTERNET - wwwproxyvotecom or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information Vote by 1159 PM Eastern Time on May 31 2022 Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form During The Meeting - Go to wwwvirtualshareholdermeetingcom/HSTO2022 You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions Vote by 1159 PM Eastern Time on May 31 2022 Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions VOTE BY MAIL Mark sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing c/o Broadridge 51 Mercedes Way Edgewood NY 11717 TO VOTE MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS D81296-P74114 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY HISTOGEN INC The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal For Against Abstain 2 Approval of an amendment to the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split to the Company's common stock within a range as determined by the Company's board of directors of one (1) new share every five (5) to twenty (20) (or any number in between) shares outstanding the implementation and timing of which shall be subject to the discretion of the Company's board of directors NOTE Transact such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon When signing as attorney executor administrator or other fiduciary please give full title as such Joint owners should each sign personally All holders must sign If a corporation or partnership please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date


Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Form 10-K are available at wwwproxyvotecom D81297-P74114 HISTOGEN INC Annual Meeting of Stockholders Wednesday June 1 2022 8:00 AM Pacific Time This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The undersigned hereby appoints Steven J Mento PhD and Susan A Knudson and each or either of them as the true and lawful attorneys of the undersigned with full power of substitution and revocation and authorizes them and each of them to vote all the shares of capital stock of Histogen Inc which the undersigned is entitled to vote at said meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof upon the matters specified and upon such other matters as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof conferring authority upon such true and lawful attorneys to vote in their discretion on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting and revoking any proxy heretofore given THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN SHARES WILL BE VOTED IDENTICAL TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATION This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein In their discretion the Named Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof You are encouraged to specify your choice by marking the appropriate box (SEE REVERSE SIDE) but you need not mark any box if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendation The Named Proxies cannot vote your shares unless you sign (on the reverse side) and return this card Continued and to be signed on reverse side


 


 

ANNEX AQuestions?

HISTOGEN CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

REGARDING REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

HISTOGEN INC.Need Help Voting?

 

Histogen Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organizedPlease contact our Strategic Shareholder Advisor and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the “DGCLProxy”), hereby certifies as follows:

Solicitation Agent, Kingsdale Advisors

A.

The name of the Corporation is Histogen Inc. The date of filing of the original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was July 13, 2005.

B.

This Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “Certificate of Amendment”) amends the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 30, 2013 (the “Prior Certificate”) and has been duly adopted by the Corporation’s Board of Directors and stockholders in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL and the provisions of the Prior Certificate.

C.

Article FOURTH of the Prior Certificate is hereby amended to add the following Section C:

“C. REVERSE SPLIT. Upon the effectiveness of this Certificate of Amendment pursuant to Section 242 of the DGCL, each             (    ) shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such filing shall be automatically combined into one (1) share of Common Stock. The aforementioned reclassification shall be referred to collectively as the “Reverse Split.” The number of authorized shares of Common Stock, and the par value thereof, shall remain as set forth in this Certificate of Incorporation.

The Reverse Split shall occur without any further action on the part of the Corporation or stockholders of the Corporation and whether or not certificates representing such stockholders’ shares prior to the Reverse Split are surrendered for cancellation. All shares of Common Stock (including fractions thereof) issuable upon the Reverse Split held by a stockholder prior to the Reverse Split shall be aggregated. No fractional interest in a share of Common Stock shall be deliverable upon the Reverse Split and each stockholder who would otherwise be entitled to a receive a fraction of a share of Common Stock upon the Reverse Split (after aggregating all shares of Common Stock held by a stockholder as aforesaid) shall, in lieu thereof, be entitled to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (x) the fractional share of Common Stock to which such stockholder would otherwise be entitled multiplied by (y) the closing price of the Corporation’s Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the date of the filing of this Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware multiplied by (z) the number of shares of Common Stock being combined into one share of Common Stock in the Reverse Split. The Corporation shall not be obliged to issue certificates evidencing the shares of Common Stock outstanding as a result of the Reverse Split unless and until all of the certificates evidencing the shares held by a holder prior to the Reverse Split are either delivered to the Corporation or its transfer agent, or the holder notifies the Corporation or its transfer agent that any certificates not so delivered have been lost, stolen or destroyed and executes an agreement satisfactory to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation from any loss incurred by it in connection with such certificates.”

D.

All other provisions of the Prior Certificate remain in full force and effect.

E.

This Certificate of Amendment shall be effective at 4:01 P.M. Eastern Time on                     , 2022.

 

 


CONTACT US: ​

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Histogen Inc. has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by Steven J. Mento, a duly authorized officer of the Corporation, on                     , 2022.North American Toll Free Phone:

 

1-888-212-9553

HISTOGEN INC.

By:

Name:

Steven J. Mento, Ph.D.

Title:

Executive Chairman and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Website: www.histogenvote.com

E-mail: contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com

Fax: 416-867-2271

Toll Free Fax: 1-866-545-5580

Outside North America, Banks and Brokers

Call Collect: 1-646-741-7961