Scilex Retains Kasowitz LLP to Fortify Intellectual Property Defenses
Palo Alto, Friday, 2 January 2026.
Scilex Holding Company has appointed Kasowitz LLP to lead its IP strategy as of January 2, 2026. This signals a robust pivot toward aggressively defending its non-opioid pain assets, including ZTlido® and ELYXYB®, to safeguard long-term shareholder value.
Strategic Legal Alignment
On January 2, 2026, Scilex Holding Company (Nasdaq: SCLX) officially engaged Kasowitz LLP and its founding partner, Marc Kasowitz, to oversee its litigation and intellectual property governance [1]. Founded in 1993, Kasowitz LLP is recognized for its proficiency in complex commercial litigation, a skillset Scilex intends to leverage for patent litigation, licensing matters, and intellectual property enforcement [1]. This appointment represents a calculated effort by the Palo Alto-based firm to strengthen its legal capabilities as it prioritizes the commercialization of its products and the advancement of its late-stage pipeline [1].
Safeguarding the Commercial Portfolio
The legal strategy is designed to protect a specific suite of non-opioid pain management treatments that currently drive the company’s revenue. Key among these assets is ZTlido® (lidocaine topical system) 1.8%, a prescription product utilized for the relief of pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia, a condition resulting from shingles [2]. The portfolio also includes Gloperba®, an oral solution for the prophylactic treatment of gout flares in adults, and ELYXYB®, a ready-to-use oral solution indicated for the acute treatment of migraine, with or without aura [2]. A company spokesperson emphasized that enforcing this intellectual property portfolio is central to Scilex’s long-term strategy and the preservation of shareholder value [1].
Securing Future Innovations
Beyond its commercialized products, Scilex is fortifying the legal defenses surrounding its developmental pipeline. This includes SP-102, also known as SEMDEXA™, a viscous gel formulation of dexamethasone sodium phosphate intended for the treatment of lumbosacral radicular pain, or sciatica [1][2]. A proprietary name review for SEMDEXA™ is currently planned with the FDA [1]. The expanded legal purview also covers SP-103, a triple-strength formulation of ZTlido being developed for chronic neck pain, and SP-104, a delayed-release capsule containing 4.5 mg of low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride [1][2].