VHAQ Viveon Health Acquisition Corp

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Introduction

Viveon Health Acquisition Corp. (“Viveon,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a Delaware company incorporated on August 7, 2020 as a blank check company for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination, with one or more target businesses.

On December 28, 2020, Viveon consummated its initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 17,500,000 units (the “Units”), each Unit consisting of one share of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and one redeemable warrant (“Warrant”), entitling the holder thereof to purchase one-half of a share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per whole share, and one right to receive one-twentieth (1/20) of a share of Common Stock. The Units were sold at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $175,000,000. On December 28, 2020, the underwriters exercised the over-allotment option in full, and the closing occurred on December 30, 2020 when Viveon sold 2,625,000 Over-Allotment Option Units at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating additional gross proceeds of $26,250,000.

On December 28, 2020, simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, we consummated a private placement (“Private Placement”) with Viveon Health, LLC (the “Sponsor”) of 18,000,000 warrants (the “Private Warrants”) at a price of $0.50 per Private Warrant, generating total proceeds of $9,000,000. The Private Warrants are identical to the Warrants (as defined below) sold in the IPO except that the Private Warrants are non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the Sponsor, or its permitted transferees. Additionally, our Sponsor agreed not to transfer, assign, or sell any of the Private Warrants or underlying securities (except in limited circumstances, as described in the Private Placement Warrants Subscription Statement) until the date we complete our initial business combination. The Sponsor was granted certain demand and piggyback registration rights in connection with the purchase of the Private Warrants.

A total of $203,262,500 of the net proceeds from the sale of Units in the IPO and the private placement were placed in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public stockholders at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee. None of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account, other than interest income to pay any tax obligations, until the earlier of (i) the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination, (ii) the Company’s failure to consummate a business combination by the Extended Date (as defined below) or the Additional Extension Date (as defined below), if applicable, (iii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend Viveon’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (a) to modify the substance or timing of the ability of holders of Viveon’s public shares to seek redemption in connection with Viveon’s initial business combination or Viveon’s obligation to redeem 100% of its public shares if Viveon does not complete its initial business combination by March 28, 2022 or (b) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity.

Recent Developments

Entry into Merger Agreement

On January 12, 2022, we entered into a Merger Agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among us, VHAC Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and our wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”), and Suneva Medical, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Suneva”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, a business combination between Viveon and Suneva will be effected through the merger of Merger Sub with and into Suneva, with Suneva surviving the merger as our wholly owned subsidiary (the “Merger”). Our board of directors has (i) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby and (ii) resolved to recommend approval of the Merger Agreement and related transactions by our stockholders. The total consideration to be paid at closing (the “Initial Consideration”) by us to Suneva security holders will be an amount equal to $250 Million (plus the aggregate exercise price for all Suneva options and warrants). The Initial Consideration will be payable in 25 million shares of our Common Stock, valued at $10 per share. For a more detailed description of the Merger Agreement, please see the section titled “Business Combination” on page ___.

Extension of Date to Consummation a Business Combination

On March 18, 2022, Viveon held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to vote on a number of proposals, including, a proposal to approve an amendment to the Viveon’s amended and certificate of incorporation (the “charter”) to (i) extend the date by which Viveon has to consummate a business combination for three months, from March 28, 2022 (the “Original Termination Date”) to June 28, 2022 (the “Extended Date”), and (ii) allow Viveon, without another stockholder vote, to elect to extend the date to consummate a business combination on a monthly basis for up to six times by an additional one month each time after the Extended Date, upon five days’ advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, for a total of up to nine months after the Original Termination Date, unless the closing of the proposed business combination with Suneva Medical, Inc. or any potential alternative initial business combination shall have occurred (the “Additional Extension Date”). The proposal was approved by the stockholders. In connection with the filing of the amendment to extend the date to consummate a business combination, Viveon deposited $720,000 in the trust account. After the Extended Date, if Viveon elects to continue to extend such date until December 28, 2022, Viveon shall make a monthly deposit of $240,000 into the trust account each month for each monthly period, or portion thereof, until December 28, 2022.

As a result of the proposal to amend the charter to extend the date, public stockholders holding 15,092,126 shares of Viveon common stock elected to redeem their shares. In connection with the redemptions, Viveon paid $152,451,819.49 from the trust account.

Funding for Extension and Working Capital

On March 21, 2022, we entered into subscription agreements with several lenders for a loan of up to $4,000,000, in the aggregate (the “Subscription Agreements”). Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, we issued a series of unsecured senior promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of up to $4,000,000 (the “Notes”) to the subscribers. The subscribers for the Notes are affiliated with our sponsor, Viveon Health LLC.

The Notes do not bear interest and mature upon the earlier of (i) the closing of our initial business combination, and (ii) December 31, 2022 (the “Maturity Date”). The Notes provide for a credit line up to the maximum amount of $4,000,000. We will not have the right to re-borrow any portion of any loans made under the Notes once repaid. A commitment fee in the amount of $400,000, equal to 10% of the maximum principal amount of the Note, shall be paid to the subscribers, on a pro rata basis, by us promptly following the initial funding. In the event that we do not consummate a business combination by the Maturity Date, the Notes will be repaid only from amounts remaining outside of our trust account, if any.

Pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Agreements, the subscribers shall receive warrants to purchase one share of our common stock for every $2.00 of the funded principal amount of the Notes up to 2,000,000 shares of the our common stock, in the aggregate, at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (the “Subscription Warrants”). The Subscription Warrant term commences on the Exercise Date (as hereinafter defined) for a period of 49 months. The Subscription Warrants are exercisable commencing on the date of the initial business combination (the “Exercise Date”) and have a cashless exercise feature that is available at any time on or after the Exercise Date. Commencing on the date 13 months following the Exercise Date, the subscribers have the right, but not the obligation, to put the Subscription Warrants to us at a purchase price of $5.00 per share. We have agreed to file, within thirty (30) calendar days after the consummation of an initial business combination, a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register for resale the shares of common stock underlying the Subscription Warrants.

On March 21, 2022, an initial amount of $2,700,000 was drawn down from the Notes. $720,000 of the loan proceeds was deposited into our trust account in connection with extending the business combination completion window from March 28, 2022 until the Extended Date. After the Extended Date, if we elect to continue to extend such date until December 28, 2022 (the “Final Extension Date”), we shall make a monthly deposit of $240,000 into the trust account each month for each monthly period, or portion thereof, until the Final Extension Date.

The entry into the Subscription Agreement and the terms of the Notes and Subscription Warrants was approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company at a meeting held on March 21, 2022.

The foregoing description of the Note, the Warrant and the Subscription Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Note, the Warrant and the Subscription Agreement, which are incorporated by reference into this Annual Report as Exhibit 10.15, Exhibit 10.16 and Exhibit 10.17, respectively

Amendment to Viveon’s charter

On March 23, 2022, we filed an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State (the “Amendment”) The Amendment (i) extends the date by which we have to consummate a business combination for three months, from the Original Termination Date to the Extended Date and (ii) allows us, without another stockholder vote, to elect to extend the date to consummate a business combination on a monthly basis for up to six times by an additional one month each time after the Extended Date, upon five days’ advance notice and the deposit of $240,000 prior to the applicable deadline, for a total of up to nine months after the Original Termination Date, unless the closing of the proposed business combination with Suneva Medical, Inc. or any potential alternative initial business combination shall have occurred. A copy of the Amendment, as filed is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report as Exhibit 3.2.

As a result of the Amendment, on March 23, 2022, we entered into an amendment (the “IMTA Amendment”) to the Investment Management Trust Agreement, with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee. The IMTA Amendment amends and restates Sections 1(i), 7(c) and 7(j) of the original Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2020, to reflect the extension of the date by which the Company must consummate an initial business combination. A copy of the IMTA Amendment, is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report as Exhibit 10.18.

General

We are a Delaware blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to throughout this annual report as our initial business combination. Although we are not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating an initial business combination, we intend to focus on businesses that have their primary operations located in North America in the healthcare industry, and specifically in the medical technology and medical device sectors. As disclosed in our prospectus, although our management has significant experience in the orthopedic and spine marketplace, they also have extensive operating and transaction experiences in the medical technology sector as managers, investors, acquirors, and sellers and will use that experience to consider target companies in emerging growth medical technology and medical device companies that may be focused in areas outside of orthopedics and spine.

Consistent with our strategy, we have identified the following criteria to evaluate prospective target businesses. Although we may decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet the criteria described below, it is our intention to acquire companies that we believe:

We may use other criteria as well. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based on these general criteria as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant.

We believe that emerging growth medical technology companies will realize a material benefit from being publicly-traded, including greater access to capital to support innovation and sales channel expansion, having available liquid securities which can be utilized for acquisitions, and increased market and customer awareness.

Many of these companies that are highly innovative and are experiencing high growth have few options to reach their full potential. While a traditional IPO could, in theory, provide a meaningful avenue for these companies to access capital and accelerate their growth, the relatively high risk and expense associated with a traditional initial public offering and the negative consequences of an unsuccessful public offering represent meaningful barriers to many companies in our target sector to pursuing a traditional IPO. Accordingly, we believe that the increased visibility and acceptance of going-public mergers with special purpose acquisition companies like us may enhance our ability to consummate an initial business combination.

We believe an acquisition by a special purpose acquisition company, like ours, can provide an efficient liquidity and capital-raising mechanism while materially reducing the risks and expenses associated with a traditional IPO. Furthermore, we believe our management team is well-known to, and respected by, the founders, management, and shareholders of private medical technology companies and that our leadership’s reputation will be a competitive advantage in attracting high quality targets for our business combination. Our management team and board of directors have an extensive operating and transaction experiences in the medical technology sector as manager, investors, acquirors, and sellers. We intend to leverage this experience and network to identify a target company and to deliver operational and economic benefit from a business combination.

Business Combination Agreement

On January 12, 2022, we entered into a Merger Agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among us, VHAC Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and our wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”), and Suneva Medical, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Suneva”).

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, a business combination between Viveon and Suneva will be effected through the merger of Merger Sub with and into Suneva, with Suneva surviving the merger as our wholly owned subsidiary (the “Merger”). Our board of directors has (i) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby and (ii) resolved to recommend approval of the Merger Agreement and related transactions by our stockholders.

The total consideration to be paid at closing (the “Initial Consideration”) by us to Suneva security holders will be an amount equal to $250 Million (plus the aggregate exercise price for all Suneva options and warrants). The Initial Consideration will be payable in 25 million shares of our Common Stock, valued at $10 per share.

Suneva Security Holder Earnout Payments

In addition to the Initial Consideration, the Suneva security holders will also have the contingent right to earn up to 12,000,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate (“Earnout Consideration”) as follows:

The aggregate shares of the Earnout Consideration (1) will be issued to the Suneva security holders at Closing in accordance with their respective pro rata shares of the Earnout Consideration (determined based on the fully diluted Suneva capital stock, including stock options, warrants and convertible notes), except that shares of the Earnout Consideration issued in respect of Suneva stock options will be retained by Viveon and not issued to the holders of Suneva stock options, and (2) will be placed in escrow at Closing.

In the case of the Suneva security holders (other than holders of Suneva stock options), the shares of the Earnout Consideration will not be released from escrow until they are earned as a result of the occurrence of the applicable Earnout Milestone. Shares of the Earnout Consideration not earned on or before the expiration of the applicable Earnout Period will be automatically forfeited and cancelled.

In the case of the holders of Suneva stock options, the shares of the Earnout Consideration will not be released from escrow until the later of the occurrence of the applicable Earnout Milestone within the applicable Earnout Period and the date on which the assumed stock options of such holder vest, but only if such holder continues to provide services to Viveon or one of its subsidiaries at such time. Shares of the Earnout Consideration that are not earned by a holder of Suneva Stock options on or before the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date will be forfeited without any consideration. Shares forfeited by a holder of Suneva stock options will be reallocated to the other Suneva security holders who remain entitled to receive shares of Earnout Consideration in accordance with their respective pro rata shares

Sponsor Earnout Payments

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, we and the Sponsor entered into a Sponsor Earnout Agreement (the “Sponsor Earnout Agreement”) pursuant to which (i) 5,142,857 of the Private Warrants and 1,437,500 shares of Common Stock held by the Sponsor, and (ii) 1,028,571 Private Warrants and 287,500 shares of Common Stock that will be issued to the Sponsor at Closing (the “Sponsor Earnout Amount”), will be placed into escrow at Closing and become subject to vesting restrictions tied to achievement of the Milestone Events and will be earned upon the occurrence of the applicable Milestone Event.

The Sponsor Earnout Amount will not be released from escrow until the applicable portion of the Sponsor Earnout Amount is earned as a result of the occurrence of the applicable Earnout Milestone. The Suneva securityholders are eligible to receive additional consideration upon the occurrence of the same Earnout Milestones. Any portion of the Sponsor Earnout Amount not earned on or before the expiration of the applicable Earnout Period will be automatically forfeited and cancelled.

Treatment of Suneva Securities

Cancellation of Securities. Each share of Suneva capital stock, if any, that is owned by Viveon, Merger Sub, Suneva, or any of their subsidiaries (as treasury stock or otherwise) immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), will automatically be cancelled and retired without any conversion or consideration.

Preferred Stock. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each issued and outstanding share of Suneva’s Series AA Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Suneva Preferred Stock”) (other than any such shares of Suneva capital stock cancelled as described above), will be converted into the right to receive (1) shares of our Common Stock, at the Conversion Ratio, and (2) shares of Earnout Consideration as, and subject to the contingencies, described above. The “Conversion Ratio” as defined in the Merger Agreement means an amount equal to (a)(i) the sum of (A) $250 Million, plus (B) the aggregate exercise price of outstanding Viveon in-the-money stock options and warrants, divided by (ii) the number of fully diluted Suneva capital stock (including stock options, and convertible notes); divided by (b) $10.00.

Common Stock. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each issued and outstanding share of Suneva’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Suneva Common Stock”) (other than any such shares of Suneva capital stock cancelled as described above and any dissenting shares) will be converted into the right to receive (1) a number of shares of our Common Stock at the Conversion Ratio, and (2) shares of Earnout Consideration as, and subject to the contingencies, described above.

Merger Sub Securities. Each share of common stock of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into and become one newly issued share of our Common Stock.

Stock Options. At the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase shares of Suneva Common Stock will be converted into (1) an option to purchase, subject to substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such options prior to the Effective Time, shares of our Common Stock equal to the number of shares subject to such option prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Conversion Ratio, at an exercise price per share of our Common Stock equal to the exercise price per share of Suneva Common Stock subject to such option divided by the Conversion Ratio and (2) the holder thereof will be entitled to receive shares of the Earnout Consideration as, and subject to the contingencies, described above.

Warrants. Contingent on and effective as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, each outstanding warrant to purchase shares of Suneva Preferred Stock or Suneva Common Stock will be treated in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreements governing such warrants and converted into shares of Suneva Preferred Stock or Suneva Common Stock and such shares will be treated as described above. All such warrants will be cancelled and extinguished.

Convertible Notes. Contingent on and effective as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, Suneva’s convertible notes outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, will be treated in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreements governing such convertible notes and converted into shares of Suneva Preferred Stock or Suneva Common Stock and such shares will be treated as described above.

Certain Related Agreements

Parent Stockholder Support Agreements. In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Viveon, Suneva and our sponsor, officers and directors entered into support agreements pursuant to which our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote all shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned by them, including any additional shares they acquire ownership of or the power to vote: (i) in favor of the Merger and related transactions, (ii) against any action reasonably be expected to impede, delay, or materially and adversely affect the Merger and related transactions, and (iii) in favor of an extension of the period of time we are afforded to consummate an initial business combination.

Company Stockholder Support Agreements. In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, we, Suneva and certain stockholders of Suneva entered into support agreements, pursuant to which such Suneva stockholders have agreed to vote all common and preferred stock of Suneva beneficially owned by them, including any additional shares of Suneva they acquire ownership of or the power to vote, in favor of the Merger and related transactions and against any action reasonably be expected to impede, delay, or materially and adversely affect the Merger and related transactions.

Lock-Up Agreements. In connection with the Closing, certain key Suneva stockholders will each agree, subject to certain customary exceptions, not to (i) offer, sell contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Lockup Shares (as defined below), (ii) enter into a transaction that would have the same effect, (iii) enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Lock-Up Shares or otherwise or engage in any short sales or other arrangement with respect to the Lock-Up Shares or (iv) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii) until the date that is six months after the Closing Date. The term “Lockup Shares” mean the Merger Consideration Shares and the Earnout Shares, if any, whether or not earned prior to the end of the Lock-up Period, and including any securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, or representing the rights to receive Common Stock, and the term “Lock-Up Period” means the period from the Closing Date until six (6) months after the Closing Date, but ending early as to 50% of the Lock-up Shares if the closing price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period following the Closing Date.

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement. At the closing, we will enter into an amended and restated registration rights agreement with certain of our existing stockholders and Suneva’s existing stockholders with respect to their shares of our Common Stock acquired before or pursuant to the Merger, and including the shares issuable on conversion of the warrants issued to our sponsor in connection with the IPO and any shares issuable on conversion of preferred stock or loans. The agreement amends and restates the registration rights agreement we entered into on December 22, 2020 in connection with our IPO. Subject to the Lock-Up Agreements described above, the holders of a majority of the shares held by our existing stockholders, and the holders of a majority of the shares held by the Suneva stockholders will each be entitled to make one demand that the Company register such securities for resale under the Securities Act, or two demands each if we are eligible to use Form S-3 or a similar short-form registration statement. In addition, the holders will have certain “piggy-back” registration rights that require us to include such securities in registration statements that we otherwise file. The registration rights agreement does not contain liquidating damages or other cash settlement provisions resulting from delays in registering our securities. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

The foregoing descriptions of agreements and the transactions and documents contemplated thereby are not complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, form of Parent Stockholder Support Agreement, form of Company Stockholder Support Agreement, form of Lock-Up Agreement, form of Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, the Sponsor Earnout Agreement, copies of which are incorporated by reference into this Annual Report as Exhibits 2.1, 10.10, 10.11, 10.12, 10.13 and 10.14 respectively, and the terms of which are incorporated by reference herein.

The business combination is expected to be consummated after obtaining the required approval by the shareholders of Viveon and Suneva and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.

In connection with the Merger, will file relevant materials with the SEC, including a Registration Statement on Form S-4, which will include a proxy statement/prospectus. Promptly after the Form S-4 is declared effective by the SEC, we will mail the proxy statement/prospectus and a proxy card to each stockholder entitled to vote at the special meeting relating to the Merger. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF VIVEON ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER THAT VIVEON WILL FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT VIVEON, SUNEVA AND THE MERGER. The preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials in connection with the Merger (when they become available), and any other documents filed by us with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) or by writing to us at c/o Gibson, Deal & Fletcher, PC, Spalding Exchange, 3953 Holcomb Bridge Road Suite 200, Norcross, Georgia 30092.

Our Management Team

Jagi Gill, PhD is our Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Gill has more than 20 years of healthcare investment and general management experience. From 2017 to 2020, he served as the Vice-President of Business Development and General Manager of AcuVentures, a business unit within Acumed LLC, a Berkshire Hathaway Company. Acumed LLC is a market leader in the orthopedic sector with particular strength in the upper extremity fracture repair and trauma market segments. As the General Manager, Dr. Gill led two business units, Rib Fixation and the Soft Tissue Repair, with responsibilities for product development, sales, marketing and profitability. Under his leadership, the business units grew 2-3x faster than their market segment. In addition to general management responsibilities, Dr. Gill was involved in sourcing, closing and integrating four acquisitions within the orthopedic sector for Acumed. These transactions ranged from technology acquisitions serving as tuck-in product integrations to stand alone companies with global revenue. From 2009 to 2017, he was the Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of Tenex Health a privately held orthopedic sports medicine company. In this capacity he patented, designed and developed the initial platform technology intended to treat chronic tendon pain. Under his leadership, Tenex Health launched commercially, generated positive operating income, secured FDA regulatory approval, developed a manufacturing and operations infrastructure, and established sales channels serving the outpatient Ambulatory Surgery Centers. Before founding Tenex Health, Dr. Gill was the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of OrthoCor, a company providing non-invasive pain management technology, from 2007 to 2009, while also serving on an advisory and consulting capacity to a number of medical technology companies. OrthoCor developed and commercialized orthopedic knee braces integrating pulsed electromagnetic technology to address chronic pain associated with trauma or osteoarthritis. Prior to this, he served in executive business development roles for Boston Scientific Corporation from 2001 to 2007 where he was involved in sourcing and supporting the acquisition of private companies which collectively accounted for more than $750 million in enterprise value. While at Boston Scientific, he was involved in the investments in, and acquisition of, the following private companies: Advanced Bionics (implantable neurostimulation), Cameron Health (implantable cardiac rhythm management), Innercool (systemic hypothermia for recovery from cardiac arrest), Orqis Medical (heart failure treatment) and Kerberos (endovascular thrombectomy). Dr. Gill completed his BSc and MSc in Anatomy from McGill University and PhD in Neuroscience from Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. We believe we will be able to capitalize on Dr. Gill’s experience and accomplishments in the orthopedic and spine markets, along with his relationships among executives in the target companies, their supply chains, and their customer networks, to successfully close a business combination.

Rom Papadopoulos, M.D. is our Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Papadopoulos has more than 25 years of healthcare investment and operational experience. From 2006 to June 2020, Dr. Papadopoulos was the Founder and Managing Partner of Intuitus Capital, a private equity firm actively investing in the healthcare sector. At Intuitus, he led investments in more than 30 companies with a total of more than $700 million in enterprise value. Prior to founding Intuitus Capital, Dr. Papadopoulos was Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Corporate Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Global Energy Holdings (NYSE Amex: GNH). While at GNH, he created and executed the company’s repositioning from traditional markets to renewable energy. He was responsible for coordinating all aspects of the financial management of the company including cash management and treasury, risk management, audit functions, SEC reporting and compliance as well as HR functions and employee policies. Dr. Papadopoulos was an early investor in Tenex Health Inc., a medical device company engaged in the manufacturing and sale of minimally invasive high frequency technology used to perform percutaneous tenotomy and fasciotomy. He eventually became the interim CFO for the company until September 2013. In this capacity, he was an integral part of the team seeking and completing acquisitions for the company. From 2002 to 2006, Dr. Papadopoulos was the Managing Director and head of healthcare investment banking for Caymus Partners, a middle market investment banking firm. Dr. Papadopoulos received his medical degree (M.D.) from the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Greece, Medical School in 1985 and conducted his post-graduate training in Pediatrics at Emory University in 1986. We believe that Dr. Papadopoulos is qualified to sit on our board due to his years of experience in the healthcare industry, as a clinician as well as an investor who possesses unique insight into medical technology assets, in addition to his strong financial credentials.

Demetrios (Jim) G. Logothetis, is one of our directors and served as Senior Advisor in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of the Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer where he led the Audit Coordination Committee for Ginnie Mae, a government corporation within HUD from May 2020 to November 2020. Mr. Logothetis retired from Ernst & Young (EY) effective in June 2019 extending three years beyond normal retirement at the request of the EY Executive Board. Throughout his forty-year career with EY, from January 1979 to June 2019, Mr. Logothetis served some of EY’s largest global clients as lead audit partner, and fulfilled senior leadership roles within the firm, from offices in Chicago, Frankfurt Germany, New York, London England, and Atlanta. Mr. Logothetis has served over the years on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including The National Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Americas where he served on the audit committee; The Archbishop Lakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund where he serves as Vice Chair, The American College of Greece where he serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees; The Board of National Hellenic Museum; Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hellenic American Academy, one of the largest Greek American schools in the United States; and founding Chairman of the Foundation for Hellenic Education and Culture. Mr. Logothetis holds an M.B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance and International Business from The University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business and a B.S.C degree in Accountancy from DePaul University. Mr. Logothetis is also a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant. Mr. Logothetis has taught many EY training programs as well as graduate accounting classes at DePaul University. Mr. Logothetis served for several years on the DePaul University, Richard H. Driehaus College of Business advisory council, and since 2017 on the board of Trustees of the University as vice-chair, and then chair of the audit committee and member of the finance committee. Mr. Logothetis has also served as a member of the Trusteeship and Finance Committees for DePaul University.

Brian Cole MD, MBA is one of our directors, and the Managing Partner of Midwest Orthopedics at Rush in Chicago, the lead executive for this large specialty practice which is consistently ranked as one of the top orthopedic groups by US News & World Report. Dr. Cole is a Professor in the Department of Orthopedics with a conjoint appointment in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Rush University Medical Center. In 2015, he was appointed as an Associate-Chairman of the Department of Orthopedics at Rush. In 2011, he was appointed as Chairman of Surgery at Rush Oak Park Hospital. He is the Section Head of the Cartilage Research and Restoration Center at Rush specializing in the treatment of arthritis in young active patients with a focus on regenerative medicine and biologic alternatives to surgery. He also serves as the head of the Orthopedic Master’s Training Program and trains residents and fellows in sports medicine and research. He lectures nationally and internationally and holds several leadership positions in prominent sports medicine societies. Through his basic science and clinical research, he has developed several innovative techniques with several patents for the treatment of shoulder, elbow and knee conditions. He has published more than 1,000 articles and 10 widely read textbooks in orthopedics and regenerative medicine. In addition to his academic accomplishments, Dr. Cole currently serves in many senior leadership roles in organizations such as President of the Arthroscopy Association of North America, President of the Ortho-regeneration Network Foundation, and Secretary General (Presidential-line) International Cartilage Repair Society. Dr. Cole is frequently chosen as one of the “Best Doctors in America” since 2004 and as a “Top Doctor” in the Chicago metro area since 2003. In 2006, he was featured on the cover of Chicago Magazine as “Chicago’s Top Doctor” and was selected as NBA Team Physician of the Year in 2009. Orthopedics This Week has named Dr. Cole as one of the top 20 sports medicine, knee and shoulder specialists repeatedly over the last 5 years as selected by his peers. He is the head team physician for the Chicago Bulls NBA team, co-team physician for the Chicago White Sox MLB team and DePaul University in Chicago. Dr. Cole was awarded his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery — Cornell Medical Center in New York and his fellowship in Sports Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.

Doug Craft is one of our directors, and the Chief Executive Officer of Atlanta-based Medicraft, Inc., which is one of the largest independent agents for Medtronic, the world leader in medical technology and pioneering therapies. He has devoted his entire career to the medical industry, initially concentrating in the sale of spinal implants, which he continues today. Mr. Craft has extensive relationships with health care systems, surgeons and other senior health care professionals across the nation. Over the past three decades his commercial interests have expanded to include evaluating, consulting and developing businesses in the medical field generally, including but not limited to neuro-intraoperative monitoring, biologic agents, orthopedic reconstruction implants, surgical navigation systems, regenerative kidney technology, trans-catheter cardiac valves and spinal implant device design. He has funded and started over 12 businesses in the Orthopedic, Spine and Neurological segments such as Biocraft Inc, Orthocraft Inc, Neurocraft Inc, Pharmacraft, Premier Medical Systems, and Diamond Orthopedics. Early in his career, he was one of the first agents for Danek a publicly traded spinal implant company which merged with Sofamor to become Sofamor-Danek and relisting on the NYSE. Sofamor-Danek was acquired by Medtronic in 1999 for $3.7 billion. Mr. Craft is a highly experienced entrepreneur who is continually exploring opportunities to multiply investments in medical businesses and technologies. Mr. Craft earned a B.S. degree in biomedical engineering from Mississippi State University, and is a Distinguished Fellow of the College of Engineering at Mississippi State University.

Acquisition Strategy

We believe our management team is well positioned to identify unique opportunities within the healthcare industry, and more specifically in the medical technology and medical device industry. Our selection process will leverage our relationships within the industry particularly with leading venture capitalists and growth equity funds, executives of private and public companies, as well as leading investment banking firms, which we believe should provide us with a key competitive advantage in sourcing potential business combination targets. Furthermore, members of our board of directors will augment the selection process through their robust relationships. Given our profile and dedicated industry approach, we anticipate that target business candidates may be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, and in particular investors in other private and public companies in our networks.

Our strategy is to utilize the experience and relationships of our management and board to identify target businesses that are exhibiting rapid growth, technology and service innovation, and positive income that would benefit from the opportunity for substantial revenue and profit expansion.

We believe that target companies under this indicative will experience a substantial increase in value as a result of a public listing which brings access to the public markets to capitalize innovation, achieve added public visibility that can help expand sales channels, and provide flexibility to support additional substantial acquisitions in the highly fragmented medical technology and medical device market.

We believe an acquisition by a special purpose acquisition company, like us, can provide an efficient liquidity and capital-raising mechanism while materially reducing the risks and expenses associated with a traditional IPO. Furthermore, we believe our management team is well-known to, and respected by, the founders, management, and shareholders of private medical technology companies and that our leadership’s reputations will be a competitive advantage in attracting high quality targets for our business combination. Our management team and board of directors have extensive operating and transaction experiences in the medical technology sector as manager, investors, acquirors, and sellers. We intend to leverage this experience and network to identify a target company and to deliver operational and economic benefit from a business combination.

Investment Criteria

Consistent with our strategy, we have identified the following criteria to evaluate prospective target businesses. Although we may decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet the criteria described below, it is our intention to acquire companies that we believe:

We may use other criteria as well. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based on these general criteria as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant.

Industry Opportunity

We believe the healthcare industry, particularly the life sciences and medical technology sectors, represents an enormous and growing target market with a large number of potential target acquisition opportunities. In 2018, total U.S. national health expenditures exceeded $3.6 trillion, and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimated that total healthcare spending accounted for approximately 18% of total U.S. Gross Domestic Product.

While most of the companies in our target sector of medical technology companies are domiciled in the United States, many have also begun to expand their commercial footprint globally, which delivers an opportunity to further extend their commercial reach. The regional distribution of the global market is primarily divided into North America (44%), Asia/Pacific (23%), Western Europe (22%), and all other areas (11%), according to 2020 analysis by MarketResearch.com. Of these segments, the Asia/Pacific market is expected to grow most rapidly at more than 6% CAGR. The enhanced growth rate in the Asia/Pacific segment is attributed to the increase in healthcare facilities primarily in emerging markets as well as expansion by local medical technology companies serving the region that also have expansion plans to enter the North American and Western European markets. These regionally based medical technology companies will serve as targets for our business combination.

Effecting a Business Combination

General

We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations for an indefinite period of time. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of the IPO and the private placement of the private warrants, our shares, new debt, or a combination of these, as the consideration to be paid in our initial business combination. We may seek to consummate our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth (such as a company that has begun operations but is not yet at the stage of commercial manufacturing and sales), which would subject us to the numerous risks inherent in such companies and businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.

If our initial business combination is paid for using shares or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the purchase price in connection with our business combination or used for redemptions of purchases of our Common Stock, we may apply the cash released to us from the trust account that is not applied to the purchase price for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of acquired businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.

Since the consummation of the IPO, we have focused on identifying, doing due diligence on and speaking to management of potential target companies in a variety of markets within the medical technology sector of the healthcare industry in the United States and other developed countries. Subject to the requirement that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any taxes payable) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination, we have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses.

We may seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, and we may effectuate our initial business combination using the proceeds of such offering rather than using the amounts held in the trust account. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would consummate such financing only simultaneously with the consummation of our business combination. In the case of an initial business combination funded with assets other than the trust account assets, our tender offer documents or proxy materials disclosing the business combination would disclose the terms of the financing and, only if required by law or the NYSE American stock exchange, we would seek stockholder approval of such financing. There are no prohibitions on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination.

Sources of Target Businesses

Our process of identifying acquisition targets leverages our management team’s unique industry experiences, proven deal sourcing capabilities and broad and deep network of relationships in numerous industries, including executives and management teams, private equity groups and other institutional investors, large business enterprises, lenders, investment bankers and other investment market participants, restructuring advisers, consultants, attorneys and accountants, which we believe should provide us with a number of business combination opportunities. We expect that the collective experience, capability and network of our founders, directors and officers, combined with their individual and collective reputations in the investment community, will help to create prospective business combination opportunities.

We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, venture capital funds, private equity groups, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds and other members of the financial community. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings. These sources also may introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested on an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have read this annual report and know what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers and directors, as well as their affiliates, also may bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows or conventions.

In addition, we expect to receive a number of proprietary deal flow opportunities that would not otherwise necessarily be available to us as a result of the business relationships of our officers and directors. While we do not presently anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal basis, we may engage these firms or other individuals in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. We will engage a finder only to the extent our management determines that the use of a finder may bring opportunities to us that may not otherwise be available to us or if finders approach us on an unsolicited basis with a potential transaction that our management determines is in our best interest to pursue. Payment of finder’s fees is customarily tied to completion of a transaction, in which case any such fee will be paid out of the funds held in the trust account. Although some of our officers and directors may enter into employment or consulting agreements with the acquired business following our initial business combination, the presence or absence of any such arrangements will not be used as a criterion in our selection process of an acquisition candidate.

We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with such a company, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain (i) an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we seek to acquire that such an initial business combination is fair to our unaffiliated stockholders from a financial point of view and (ii) the approval of a majority of our disinterested and of our independent directors.

Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of a Business Combination

Subject to the requirement that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any taxes payable) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses. In any case, we will only consummate an initial business combination in which we become the majority shareholder of the target (or control the target through contractual arrangements in limited circumstances for regulatory compliance purposes as discussed below) or are otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act or to the extent permitted by law we may acquire interests in a variable interest entity, in which we may have less than a majority of the voting rights in such entity, but in which we are the primary beneficiary. There is no basis for our stockholders to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any target business with which we may ultimately complete our initial business combination. To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth (such as a company that has begun operations but is not yet at the stage of commercial manufacturing and sales), we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.

In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a thorough due diligence review that will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities, as well as a review of financial and other information which will be made available to us.

The time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination, and the costs associated with this process, are not currently ascertainable with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in our incurring losses and will reduce the funds we can use to complete another business combination. We will not pay any finders or consulting fees to members of our management team, or any of their respective affiliates, for services rendered to or in connection with our initial business combination.

Fair Market Value of Target Business or Businesses

The target business or businesses or assets with which we effect our initial business combination must have a collective fair market value equal to at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any taxes payable) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination. If we acquire less than 100% of one or more target businesses in our initial business combination, the aggregate fair market value of the portion or portions we acquire must equal at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding taxes payable) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination. However, we will always acquire at least a controlling interest in a target business. The fair market value of a portion of a target business or assets will likely be calculated by multiplying the fair market value of the entire business by the percentage of the target we acquire. We may seek to consummate our initial business combination with an initial target business or businesses with a collective fair market value in excess of the balance in the trust account. In order to consummate such an initial business combination, we may issue a significant amount of debt, equity or other securities to the sellers of such business and/or seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt, equity or other securities. If we issue securities in order to consummate such an initial business combination, our stockholders could end up owning a minority of the combined company’s voting securities as there is no requirement that our stockholders own a certain percentage of our company (or, depending on the structure of the initial business combination, an ultimate parent company that may be formed) after our business combination. Because we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not entered into any such arrangement to issue our debt or equity securities and have no current intention of doing so.

The fair market value of a target business or businesses or assets will be determined by our board of directors based upon standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as actual and potential gross margins, the values of comparable businesses, earnings and cash flow, book value, enterprise value and, where appropriate, upon the advice of appraisers or other professional consultants. Investors will be relying on the business judgment of our board of directors, which will have significant discretion in choosing the standard used to establish the fair market value of a particular target business. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine that the target business or assets has a sufficient fair market value to meet the threshold criterion, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we seek to acquire with respect to the satisfaction of such criterion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless we consummate a business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we seek to acquire, that the price we are paying is fair to our stockholders.

Competition

In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for our initial business combination, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other blank check companies, private equity groups and leveraged buyout funds, and operating businesses seeking strategic acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have significant experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than us. Our ability to acquire larger target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of a target business. Furthermore, the requirement that we acquire a target business or businesses having a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any taxes payable) at the time of the agreement to enter into the business combination, our obligation to pay cash in connection with our public stockholders who exercise their redemption rights and the number of our outstanding warrants and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating our initial business combination.

Management Operating and Investment Experience

We believe that our executive officers possess the experience, skills and contacts necessary to source, evaluate, and execute an attractive business combination. See the section titled “Management” for complete information on the experience of our officers and directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers and directors are not required to commit their full time to our affairs and will allocate their time to other businesses. We presently expect each of our employees to devote such amount of time as they reasonably believe is necessary to our business (which could range from only a few hours a week while we are trying to locate a potential target business to a majority of their time as we move into serious negotiations with a target business for a business combination). The past successes of our executive officers and directors do not guarantee that we will successfully consummate an initial business combination.

As more fully discussed in “Conflicts of Interest,” if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he may be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, subject to his or her fiduciary duties under Delaware law, prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us. Most of our officers and directors currently have certain pre-existing fiduciary duties or contractual obligations.

Emerging Growth Company Status and Other Information

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of the IPO, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior December 31, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” shall have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.

Employees

We currently have two executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the stage of the business combination process we are in. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of our initial business combination.