BIOL Biolase Inc

PROPOSAL ONE: AMENDMENT PROPOSAL

APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO EFFECT A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF OUR COMMON STOCK (WITHOUT REDUCING THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK), IF AND WHEN DETERMINED BY OUR BOARD

Overview

The reverse stock split proposal, if approved, would not immediately cause a reverse stock split, but rather would grant authorization to our Board to effect a reverse stock split (without reducing the number of authorized shares of our common stock), if, and when determined by our Board. Our Board has deemed it advisable, approved and is hereby soliciting stockholder approval of, an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split at a ratio between one-for-two (1:2) and one-for-fifteen (1:15) (the “Split Ratio Range”), in the form set forth in Appendix A to this proxy statement.

If we receive the required stockholder approval, our Board would have the sole authority to elect, at any time prior to May 31, 2022, whether or not to effect a reverse stock split. Even with stockholder approval of the reverse stock split proposal, our Board will not be obligated to pursue the reverse stock split. Rather, our Board will have the flexibility to decide whether or not a reverse stock split (and at what ratio within the Split Ratio Range) is in the best interests of the Company.

If approved by our stockholders and following such approval our Board determines that effecting a reverse stock split is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders, the reverse stock split would become effective upon filing an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. As filed, the amendment would state the number of outstanding shares to be combined into one share of our common stock, at the ratio approved by our Board within the Split Ratio Range. The amendment would not change the par value of our common stock and would not impact the total number of authorized shares of our common stock. Therefore, upon effectiveness of a reverse stock split, the number of shares of our common stock that are authorized and unissued will increase relative to the number of issued and outstanding shares of our common stock.

Although we presently intend to effect the reverse stock split to regain compliance with the Nasdaq Capital Market’s minimum bid price requirement, under Section 242(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Board has reserved the right, notwithstanding our stockholders’ approval of the proposed amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation at the Special Meeting, to abandon the proposed amendment at any time (without further action by our stockholders) before the amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Our Board may consider a variety of factors in determining whether or not to proceed with the proposed amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation, including overall trends in the stock market, recent changes and anticipated trends in the per-share market price of our common stock, business developments and our actual and projected financial performance. If the closing bid price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market reaches a minimum of $1.00 per share and remains at or above that level for a minimum of ten consecutive trading days (or longer, if required by the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel), as discussed more fully below, our Board may decide to abandon the filing of the proposed amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation.

Purpose and Overview of the Reverse Stock Split

Our primary objective in effectuating the reverse stock split would be to attempt to raise the per-share trading price of our common stock to continue our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. To maintain listing, the Nasdaq Capital Market requires, among other things, that our common stock maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share. On October 7, 2021, the closing bid price for our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $0.61 per share.

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On May 24, 2021, we received a deficiency letter from the Nasdaq Stock Market notifying the Company that, for the last 30 consecutive business days, ending on May 21, 2021, the bid price for the Company’s common stock had closed below the minimum bid price. In accordance with Nasdaq rules, the Company has been provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until November 22, 2021, to regain compliance. If the Company does not regain compliance by that date, the Company may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period. To qualify, the Company would need to provide written notice of its intention to cure the deficiency during the additional compliance period, by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary, provided that it meets the continued listing requirement for the market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards, with the exception of the minimum bid price requirement. If the Company does not regain compliance with the minimum bid price rule by November 22, 2021, and is not eligible for an additional compliance period, Nasdaq will provide written notification to the Company that its common stock may be delisted.

Our Board is seeking stockholder approval for the authority to effectuate the reverse stock split as a means of increasing the share price of our common stock at or above $1.00 per share in order to avoid further action by Nasdaq, in the event we are not able to satisfy the minimum bid price requirement in adequate time before the deadline. We expect that the reverse stock split would increase the bid price per share of our common stock above the $1.00 per share minimum price, thereby satisfying this listing requirement. However, there can be no assurance that the reverse stock split would have that effect, initially or in the future, or that it would enable us to maintain the listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We are not aware of any present efforts by anyone to accumulate our common stock, and the proposed reverse stock split is not intended to be an anti-takeover device.

In addition, we believe that the low per-share market price of our common stock impairs its marketability to, and acceptance by, institutional investors and other members of the investing public and creates a negative impression of the Company. Theoretically, decreasing the number of shares of our common stock outstanding should not, by itself, affect the marketability of the shares, the type of investor who would be interested in acquiring them or our reputation in the financial community. In practice, however, many investors, brokerage firms and market makers consider low-priced stocks as unduly speculative in nature and, as a matter of policy, avoid investment and trading in such stocks. Moreover, the analysts at many brokerage firms do not monitor the trading activity or otherwise provide coverage of lower-priced stocks. The presence of these factors may be adversely affecting, and may continue to adversely affect, not only the price of our common stock but also its trading liquidity. In addition, these factors may affect our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of our common stock.

We also believe that a higher stock price could help us attract and retain employees and other service providers. We believe that some potential employees and service providers are less likely to work for a company with a low stock price, regardless of the size of the company’s market capitalization. If the reverse stock split successfully increases the per-share price of our common stock, we believe this increase would enhance our ability to attract and retain employees and service providers. Further, the reverse stock split will result in additional authorized and unissued shares becoming available for general corporate purposes as the Board may determine from time to time, including for use under its equity compensation plans. At our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, our stockholders approved an amendment to the BIOLASE, Inc. 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the plan by an additional 24,700,000 shares (the “Plan Amendment”). Notwithstanding stockholder approval of the Plan Amendment, we cannot grant any additional awards under the plan because we do not have a sufficient number of authorized shares under our Certificate of Incorporation. The reverse stock split would help ensure that we have adequate shares available to make awards anticipated by the plan (functionally giving full effect to the previously approved Plan Amendment) and allow the Board flexibility for future issuances, including the ability to potentially replace certain cash incentive awards with equity awards.

We believe that the decrease in the number of shares of our outstanding common stock because of the reverse stock split, and the anticipated increase in the price per share, would possibly promote greater liquidity

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for our stockholders with respect to their shares. However, liquidity may be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding if the reverse stock split is effected, particularly if the price per share of our common stock begins a declining trend after the reverse stock split is effectuated.

There can be no assurance that the reverse stock split would achieve any of the desired results. There also can be no assurance that the price per share of our common stock immediately after the reverse stock split would increase proportionately with the reverse stock split, or that any increase would be sustained for any period of time.

If our stockholders do not approve the reverse stock split proposal and our stock price does not otherwise increase to greater than $1.00 per share for at least ten consecutive trading days before November 22, 2021 (or before the end of an extended compliance period, if granted), we expect our common stock to be subject to a delisting action by the Nasdaq Capital Market. We believe the reverse stock split is the most likely way to assist the stock price in reaching the minimum bid level required by the Nasdaq Capital Market, although effecting the reverse stock split cannot guarantee that we would be in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for even the minimum ten-day trading period required by the Nasdaq Capital Market. Furthermore, the reverse stock split cannot guarantee we would be in compliance with the market capitalization, net worth or stockholders’ equity criteria required to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

If our common stock were delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market, trading of our common stock would thereafter be conducted on the OTC Bulletin Board or the “pink sheets.” As a result, an investor may find it more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the price of, our common stock. To relist shares of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we would be required to meet the initial listing requirements for either the Nasdaq Capital Market or the Nasdaq Global Market, which are more stringent than the maintenance requirements.

If our common stock were delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market and the price of our common stock were below $5.00 at such time, such stock would come within the definition of “penny stock” as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and would be covered by Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act. That rule imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell such securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors (generally institutions with assets in excess of $5 million or individuals with net worth in excess of $1 million or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 jointly with their spouse). For transactions covered by Rule 15g-9, the broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction prior to the sale. These additional sales practice restrictions would make trading in our common stock more difficult and the market less efficient.

In evaluating whether to seek stockholder approval for the reverse stock split, our Board took into consideration negative factors associated with reverse stock splits. These factors include: the negative perception of reverse stock splits that investors, analysts and other stock market participants may hold; the fact that the stock prices of some companies that have effected reverse stock splits have subsequently declined, sometimes significantly, following their reverse stock splits; the possible adverse effect on liquidity that a reduced number of outstanding shares could cause; and the costs associated with implementing a reverse stock split.

Even if our stockholders approve the reverse stock split, our Board reserves the right not to effect the reverse stock split if in our Board’s opinion it would not be in the best interests of the Company or our stockholders to effect such reverse stock split.

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Risks Associated with the Reverse Stock Split

We cannot predict whether the reverse stock split, if completed, will increase the market price for our common stock. The history of similar stock split combinations for companies in like circumstances is varied. There is no assurance that:

In addition, the reverse stock split would reduce the number of outstanding shares of our common stock without reducing the number of shares of available but unissued common stock, increasing the number of authorized but unissued shares of common stock. Therefore, the number of shares of our common stock that are authorized and unissued will increase relative to the number of issued and outstanding shares of our common stock following the reverse stock split. The Board may authorize the issuance of the remaining authorized and unissued shares without further stockholder action for a variety of purposes, except as such stockholder approval may be required in particular cases by our certificate of incorporation, applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities may then be listed. The issuance of additional shares would be dilutive to our existing stockholders and may cause a decline in the trading price of our common stock.

The market price of our common stock is based on our performance and other factors, some of which are unrelated to the number of shares outstanding. If the reverse stock split is effected and the market price of our common stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of our overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the absence of a reverse stock split.

Principal Effects of the Reverse Stock Split on the Market for Our Common Stock

On October 7, 2021, the closing bid price for our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $0.61 per share. By decreasing the number of shares of our common stock outstanding without altering the aggregate economic interest represented by the shares, we believe the market price would be increased. The greater the market price rises above $1.00 per share, the less risk there would be that we would fail to meet the requirements for maintaining the listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market. However, there can be no assurance that the market price of the common stock would rise to or maintain any particular level or that we would at all times be able to meet the requirements for maintaining the listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Principal Effects of the Reverse Stock Split on Our Common Stock; No Fractional Shares

If our stockholders approve granting our Board the authority to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split, and if our Board decides to effectuate such amendment, the principal effect of the amendment would be to reduce the number of issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, in accordance with the Split Ratio Range, from 153,017,040 shares as of the record date to between and including 76,508,520 shares and 10,201,136 shares. If the reverse stock split is effectuated, the total number of shares of our common stock each

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stockholder holds would be reclassified automatically into the number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares of our common stock each stockholder held immediately before the reverse stock split divided by the ratio approved by Board within the Split Ratio Range.

Effecting the reverse stock split will not change the total authorized number of shares of our common stock. However, the reduction in the issued and outstanding shares would provide more authorized shares available for future issuance.

The reverse stock split would affect all of our stockholders uniformly and would not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interests, except to the extent that the reverse stock split results in such stockholder owning a fractional share. As soon as practicable after the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation is filed, Computershare, our transfer agent, would aggregate all fractional shares and arrange for them to be sold at the then-prevailing prices on the open market on behalf of those stockholders who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share. We expect that the transfer agent would cause the sale to be conducted in an orderly fashion at a reasonable pace and that it may take several days to sell all of the aggregated fractional shares of our common stock. After completing the sale, stockholders would receive a cash payment from the transfer agent in an amount equal to their pro rata shares of the total net proceeds of these sales. The proceeds would be subject to certain taxes as discussed below. In addition, stockholders would not be entitled to receive interest for the period of time between the filing of the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation and the date a stockholder receives payment for the cashed-out shares. The payment amount would be paid to the stockholder in the form of a check in accordance with the procedures outlined below.

After the reverse stock split, a stockholder would have no further interest in the Company with respect to such stockholder’s cashed-out fractional shares. A person otherwise entitled to a fractional interest would not have any voting, dividend or other rights except to receive payment as described above.

Principal Effects of the Reverse Stock Split on Outstanding Options and Warrants

As of the record date, we had outstanding (a) stock options to purchase an aggregate of 2,430,335 shares of our common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0.29 to $13.20 per share and (b) warrants to purchase an aggregate of 17,855,039 shares of our common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0.38 to $9.00 per share. Under the terms of the stock options and warrants, when the reverse stock split becomes effective, the number of shares of our common stock covered by each of them would be divided by the number of shares being combined into one share of our common stock in the reverse stock split and the exercise or conversion price per share would be increased to a dollar amount equal to the current exercise or conversion price, multiplied by the number of shares being combined into one share of our common stock in the reverse stock split. This results in the same aggregate price being required to be paid upon exercise as was required immediately preceding the reverse stock split. The number of shares reserved under our option plan would decrease by the ratio approved by Board within the Split Ratio Range.

Principal Effects of the Reverse Stock Split on Legal Ability to Pay Dividends

Since 2015, our Board has not declared, nor does it have any plans to declare in the foreseeable future, any distributions of cash, dividends or other property, and we are not in arrears on any dividends. Therefore, we do not believe that the reverse stock split would have any effect with respect to future distributions, if any, to holders of our common stock.

Accounting Matters

The reverse stock split would not affect the par value of our common stock or preferred stock, which would remain unchanged at $0.001 per share. As a result, on the effective date of the reverse stock split, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to our common stock would be reduced by the ratio approved by Board

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within the Split Ratio Range. In other words, stated capital would be reduced by the ratio approved by Board within the Split Ratio Range, and the additional paid-in capital account would be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per-share net income or loss and net book value of our common stock would be increased because there would be fewer shares of our common stock outstanding.

Beneficial Holders of Our Common Stock (Stockholders Who Hold in “Street Name”)

Upon the reverse stock split, we intend to treat shares held by stockholders in “street name,” through a broker, in the same manner as registered stockholders whose shares are registered in their names. Brokers would be instructed to effect the reverse stock split for their beneficial holders holding our common stock in “street name.” However, brokers may have different procedures than registered stockholders for processing the reverse stock split and making payment for fractional shares. Stockholders holding shares of our common stock with a broker and having any questions in this regard should contact their broker.

Registered “Book-Entry” Holders of Our Common Stock

If a stockholder holds registered shares in book-entry form with the transfer agent, no action needs to be taken to receive post-reverse stock split shares or cash payment in lieu of any fractional share interest, if applicable. If such a stockholder is entitled to post-reverse stock split shares, a transaction statement would automatically be sent to such stockholder’s address of record indicating the number of shares of our common stock held following the reverse stock split.

If such a stockholder is entitled to a payment in lieu of any fractional share interest, a check would be mailed to the stockholder’s registered address as soon as practicable after the effective time of the reverse stock split. By signing and cashing the check, stockholders would warrant that they owned the shares of our common stock for which they received a cash payment. The cash payment is subject to applicable federal and state income tax and state abandoned property laws. No stockholders would be entitled to receive interest for the period of time between the effective time of the reverse stock split and the date payment is received.

No Dissenters’ Rights

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, stockholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights with respect to the reverse stock split.

Material Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split

The following summary describes certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split to holders of our common stock.

For purposes of this summary a “non-U.S. holder” is any beneficial owner of our common stock that is not a “U.S. holder.” A “U.S. holder” is any of the following:

This summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to any particular stockholder, including tax considerations that arise from rules of general application to all taxpayers or to certain

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classes of taxpayers or that are generally assumed to be known by stockholders. This summary also does not address the tax consequences to (i) persons that may be subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as banks, insurance companies, thrift institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt organizations, U.S. expatriates, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, traders in securities that elect to mark to market and dealers in securities or currencies, (ii) persons that hold our common stock as part of a position in a “straddle” or as part of a “hedging,” “conversion” or other integrated investment transaction for federal income tax purposes, or (iii) persons that do not hold our common stock as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment).

This summary is based on the provisions of the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial authority, all as in effect as of the date of this proxy statement. Subsequent developments in U.S. federal income tax law, including changes in law or differing interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could have a material effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split.

EACH STOCKHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT.

If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership.

Partnerships that hold our common stock, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split.

U.S. Holders

The reverse stock split should be treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, except as described below with respect to cash in lieu of fractional shares, no gain or loss will be recognized upon the reverse stock split. In addition, the aggregate tax basis in the common stock received pursuant to the reverse stock split should equal the aggregate tax basis in the common stock surrendered (excluding the portion of the tax basis that is allocable to any fractional share), and the holding period for the common stock received should include the holding period for the common stock surrendered.

A U.S. holder that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock in the reverse stock split generally will be treated as having received such fractional share and then as having received such cash in redemption of such fractional share interest. A U.S. holder generally will recognize gain or loss measured by the difference between the amount of cash received and the portion of the basis of the pre-reverse stock split common stock allocable to such fractional interest. Such gain or loss generally will constitute capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period in our common stock surrendered in the reverse stock split was greater than one year as of the date of the exchange.

U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Information returns generally will be required to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock pursuant to the reverse stock split in the case of certain U.S. holders. In addition, U.S. holders may be subject to a backup withholding tax at the rate specified in the Code on the payment of such cash if they do not provide their taxpayer identification numbers in the manner required or otherwise fail to comply with applicable backup withholding tax rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or allowed as a credit against the U.S. holder’s federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

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Non-U.S. Holders

Generally, non-U.S. holders will not recognize any gain or loss upon completion of the reverse stock split. In particular, gain or loss will not be recognized with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share provided that (a) such gain or loss is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (or, if certain income tax treaties apply, is not attributable to a non-U.S. holder’s permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States), (b) with respect to non-U.S. holders who are individuals, such non-U.S. holders are present in the United States for less than 183 days in the taxable year of the reverse stock split and other conditions are met, and (c) such non-U.S. holders comply with certain certification requirements.

U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax

In general, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to payments of cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock to a non-U.S. holder pursuant to the reverse stock split if the non-U.S. holder certifies under penalties of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder and the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge to the contrary. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or allowed as a credit against the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS. In certain circumstances the amount of cash paid to a non-U.S. holder in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock, the name and address of the beneficial owner and the amount, if any, of tax withheld may be reported to the IRS.

Recommendation of our Board

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO EFFECT A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF OUR COMMON STOCK (WITHOUT REDUCING THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK), IF AND WHEN DETERMINED BY OUR BOARD.

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