Scilex Holding Company has secured a worldwide exclusive license from Datavault AI Inc. for $10 million to develop and operate a revolutionary Biotech Exchange platform that enables the tokenization and monetization of biotech assets including genomic data, diagnostics, and therapeutic products. The agreement, announced November 4, 2025, represents a significant advancement in the commercialization of biotech innovations through AI-driven blockchain technology.
Transforming Biotech Asset Management
The licensing agreement grants Scilex exclusive rights to Datavault AI's proprietary AI-driven technology specifically tailored for the biotech and biopharma industry. This platform will enable secure tokenization, trading, and monetization of various biotech assets including genomic and DNA data, diagnostic and therapeutic products, genetic information, and drug data.
"Scilex also believes that this advanced data platform will have the potential to expand into the creation of a Pharmaceutical Exchange platform which will potentially revolutionize the entire pharmaceutical industry," according to the company's announcement.
The companies estimate an opportunity to tokenize approximately $2.0 trillion in pharmaceutical drug sales and diagnostic sales, based on comprehensive market research from IQVIA Institute reports and various industry analyses. This tokenization approach could provide an alternative vehicle for companies to raise non-dilutive funding for developing and commercializing diagnostic and therapeutic products.
Comprehensive Patent Portfolio
The technology is anchored by Datavault AI's robust intellectual property portfolio, featuring the key pending patent for "Platform and Method for Tokenizing DNA Data" (U.S. Patent Application No. 17/941,623), which establishes a secure framework for tokenizing and exchanging sensitive genetic information.
The platform is supported by multiple issued patents including "Platform for Management of User Data" (U.S. Patent Nos. 11,593,515; 11,960,622; 12,100,025) for secure data handling and monetization, and "Portfolio Driven Targeted Advertising Network, System, and Method" (U.S. Patent No. 11,315,150) for data-driven targeting within exchange ecosystems.
Additional pending patents cover critical functionalities such as tokenized asset minting and authentication, corporate data tokenization, content licensing, affiliate marketing, virtual marketplace funding, event management, and ownership rights registration. These technologies collectively provide the infrastructure for a secure, efficient Biotech Exchange while maintaining compliance and privacy standards.
Financial Terms and Market Opportunity
Under the licensing agreement, Scilex will pay Datavault AI a non-refundable upfront license fee totaling $10 million in four equal installments of $2.5 million each. The payments are scheduled for December 31, 2025, March 31, 2026, June 30, 2026, and September 30, 2026.
Additionally, Datavault AI is eligible for sales milestone payments of up to an aggregate of $2.55 billion upon Scilex achieving certain sales milestones, highlighting the significant commercial potential both companies see in this technology.
The market opportunity is substantial, with global pharmaceutical drug sales data drawn from IQVIA Institute reports showing projections to exceed $1.1 trillion in 2024 with 2-5% annual growth. The global in vitro diagnostics market is estimated at approximately $105-108 billion in 2024, with forecasts showing continued growth driven by technological advances and regulatory developments.
Company Backgrounds and Strategic Focus
Scilex Holding Company is an innovative revenue-generating company focused on acquiring, developing, and commercializing non-opioid pain management products for acute and chronic pain treatment, as well as neurodegenerative and cardiometabolic diseases. The company's commercial portfolio includes ZTlido (lidocaine topical system) for neuropathic pain, ELYXYB for acute migraine treatment, and Gloperba for gout flare prophylaxis.
The company also has three product candidates in development: SP-102 (SEMDEXA), a corticosteroid gel for sciatica that completed Phase 3 studies and received FDA Fast Track status; SP-103, a triple-strength lidocaine formulation for acute pain that recently completed Phase 2 trials and also received Fast Track status; and SP-104, a low-dose naltrexone formulation being developed for fibromyalgia treatment.
Datavault AI Inc. is a leader in AI-driven blockchain solutions focusing on data monetization, asset tokenization, and secure digital marketplaces. The company's cloud-based platform serves multiple industries including biotech, healthcare, fintech, and entertainment, with comprehensive solutions for data perception, valuation, and secure monetization.
This licensing agreement builds on Datavault AI's established expertise in high-performance computing and data-driven solutions, including prior collaborations with Brookhaven National Laboratory for biofuel research using AI-driven supercomputing to enhance fatty acid metabolism efficiency.
